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6.3-inch vs 6.9-inch phone: what the bigger screen adds

By TechCompare · Updated · How we check

The 6.9-inch screen gives about 20% more area from a diagonal 0.6 inches longer. Choose it for reading and video. Stay at 6.3 inches if one-handed use and an easy carry are your top priorities.

Both panels drawn to scale

6.9-inch panel overlaid on a 6.3-inch, same 19.5:9 shape

6.3-inch 19.5:9: 6.7 cm (2.6 in)2.6 in (6.7 cm) × 14.5 cm (5.7 in)5.7 in (14.5 cm) · 97 cm² (15 in²)15 in² (97 cm²)
6.9-inch 19.5:9: 7.3 cm (2.9 in)2.9 in (7.3 cm) × 15.9 cm (6.3 in)6.3 in (15.9 cm) · 117 cm² (18 in²)18 in² (117 cm²)
Width difference: 0.6 cm (0.3 in)0.3 in (0.6 cm) (9.5%) · Height difference: 1.4 cm (0.5 in)0.5 in (1.4 cm) (9.5%) · Area ratio: 1.20×
Both panels share a corner and are drawn at the same scale, so the extra width and height of the larger screen are true to size. Open these two in the full Screen Size Comparison ›

The 6.9-inch screen has 20% more area than the 6.3-inch one, from a diagonal 0.6 inches longer.

The 6.3 and 6.9-inch pair is as much a carry decision as a screen one. The bigger panel adds 0.6 inches of diagonal and about 20% more screen area, but it also asks more of your hand and your pocket.

Try this comparison with our tools

Draw both screens to scale
Overlay a 6.3-inch and a 6.9-inch 19.5:9 screen at true size.
See the screen size chart
Diagonal, shape and area for TVs, monitors, laptops, phones and tablets.
Compare the 6.1 vs 6.7-inch phones
The same 19.5:9 shape, with the step down to 6.1 and 6.7 inches.

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Option A
6.3-inch phone
Wins 0 of 8 compared specs
Option B
6.9-inch phone
Wins 5 of 8 compared specs

Side-by-side specs

Spec6.3-inch phone6.9-inch phone
Diagonal
6.3 in (16 cm)
6.9 in (17.5 cm) (better on this spec)
Aspect ratioAspect ratio is the width compared to the height. A bigger first number means a wider screen.
19.5:9
19.5:9
Width
6.7 cm (2.6 in)2.6 in (6.7 cm)
7.3 cm (2.9 in)2.9 in (7.3 cm) (better on this spec)
Height
14.5 cm (5.7 in)5.7 in (14.5 cm)
15.9 cm (6.3 in)6.3 in (15.9 cm) (better on this spec)
Screen area
97 cm² (15 in²)15 in² (97 cm²)
117 cm² (18 in²)18 in² (117 cm²) (better on this spec)
Area vs 6.3-inch
Baseline
~20% more (better on this spec)
Extra width
Baseline
+0.6 cm (0.3 in)+0.3 in (0.6 cm)
Extra height
Baseline
+1.4 cm (0.5 in)+0.5 in (1.4 cm)

How they differ

Both sizes use 19.5:9, so the 6.9-inch panel is the 6.3-inch one scaled up. The 6.3-inch panel measures 6.7 cm (2.6 inches)2.6 inches (6.7 cm) wide by 14.5 cm (5.7 inches)5.7 inches (14.5 cm) tall, for about 97 cm² (15 in²)15 in² (97 cm²). The 6.9-inch panel measures 7.3 cm (2.9 inches)2.9 inches (7.3 cm) wide by 15.9 cm (6.3 inches)6.3 inches (15.9 cm) tall, for about 117 cm² (18 in²)18 in² (117 cm²).

The extra 1.4 cm (0.5 in)0.5 in (1.4 cm) of height gives a little more room for text at a fixed font size. The width gap of 0.6 cm (0.3 in)0.3 in (0.6 cm) is the part that changes how far your thumb reaches.

The phone's body isn't modeled here. Thickness and case size matter for pocket fit as much as the screen does, so check the phone you're considering. Some makers measure the diagonal across a full rectangle, corners included, so the visible area comes out a little smaller than that rectangle.

Verdict

Pick the 6.9-inch if you read, watch and multitask on the phone more than you carry it. Pick the 6.3-inch if one-handed use matters more than the extra screen, since the width gap is the part your thumb feels most.

Draw both screens to scale

Which should you pick?

Choose 6.3-inch phone

Pick 6.3-inch if:

  • One-handed use matters most
  • You want less width to reach across
  • You'd rather carry a phone that's a bit easier to handle
  • You don't read or watch much on the screen
Compare the 6.1 vs 6.7-inch phones

Choose 6.9-inch phone

Pick 6.9-inch if:

  • You read long articles, PDFs or maps on the phone
  • You watch video most days
  • You use two apps at once
  • You're fine carrying a larger phone every day
See the 8.3-inch tablet vs 6.9-inch phone

Related comparisons

6.1-inch phone vs 6.7-inch phone
The 6.7-inch screen is 0.3 in (0.6 cm) wider and has 21% more area than the 6.1-inch one.
Read comparison
11-inch tablet vs 13-inch tablet
The 13-inch screen has 43% more area than the 11-inch one, and the aspect ratio you pick moves that number.
Read comparison
8.3-inch tablet vs 6.9-inch phone
The 8.3-inch tablet is 1.7 in (4.2 cm) wider than the 6.9-inch phone and has about 74% more area.
Read comparison

Frequently asked questions

How much more screen does a 6.9-inch phone have than a 6.3-inch one?
About 20% more screen area, from a diagonal 0.6 inches longer. The width grows by 0.6 cm (0.3 in)0.3 in (0.6 cm) and the height by 1.4 cm (0.5 in)0.5 in (1.4 cm).
Do both sizes use the same shape?
Yes, both use 19.5:9. The 6.9-inch panel is 10% wider and 10% taller than the 6.3-inch one, so the shape stays the same and only the scale changes.
Does the bigger phone fit in a pocket?
This page covers the screen only. The phone body, its thickness and the case decide pocket fit, so check the phone's own dimensions before you buy. If one-handed use matters to you, the width gap is the number to watch.

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