Single Hand Mobile App Usability Study

Usability Research

One Hand Usability Research of Top 6 Apps for their Core Features on 5.5 inch Screen Mobile Devices

Introduction

In the world of ever changing devices and screen sizes, above 5.5 inch screens have taken over on our regular one handed mobile phones where 4.5 inch or lesser works best as far the single handled usability is concerned.

Apple and Samsung, the mobile industry leaders have successfully taken over the industry with their own versions of 5.5 inch screens.

It was Samsung that started Note and people accepted it with open hearts and later Apple had to get into Samsung shoes by launching large size iPhone including Plus variants.

What we are testing

We are testing Top 6 Mobile Apps on devices that’s 5.5 inches in screen sizes for their usability. Most apps do not have different versions for Large and Smaller screen phones expect some have their Tablet Versions. We are testing Apps selected by our Survey and testing their Top 5 Features from Single Handed Usability point of view.

How we tested

We used most common screen of todays smartphone age 5.5 Inch and devices used are-

Android – One Plus 5T and Samsung Note 5

How Scores are given

The scale is given on basis of –

Single handed operation capabilities
Friendliness for both Left and Right Hand users
Core feature weightage given by App developer
How frequently its used by User (based on survey)
Overall score based on above all mentioned

What Mechanism we used to measure Single hand Usability?

We created a Template for both Left and Right hand user which had 70 different participants and we captured their single hand movement on actual devices.

Based on data captured we made templates for Left and Right hands & used it for App Usability testing.

Templates are available in PSD and PNG file format if you are planning to use them in your projects.

Tracking Template

Watch below video to see how we captured user thumb range and built a template

Facebook

Messenger

Whatsapp

Instagram

Linkedin

Quora

Proposed Solution

1. Left / Right Hand navigation

When user installs an app, the app can ask if user is left handed or right handed person. Based on feedback App can show different navigation structure to it’s users.

2. Top navigation controls are difficult to reach

App developers can embed a identifier which detects whether it’s a 5.5inch or more size device and can show top navigation controls on bottom area.

We’d love to be a part of your next project

If you are looking for a Design and UX Consulting partner for your next big project, let us know!

Say Hello To Us

Ashok is a hard-working and energetic professional. I recommend him and his company Usercible for UX/UI tasks.

Bijay Baniya, Founder & CEO at Sparkwork Software Oy
I worked with Usercible on my first app. where, they helped us more than his area of work. Ashok is very creative, very warm and positive person to work with.He translated requirements into designs which are aesthetic, functional and productive at the same time. Was great working with him. Wishing him a great future.

Pankhuri Joshi, CEO & Founder, Best of The Bumps
” We took Usercible’s help in redesigning our mobile app for both Android and iOS. We are happy with the creative inputs and knowledge of the UI space and latest design principles. Our new app design is very good – both looks, as well as functionality and we, are excited to launch it soon.”

Aseem Sood, CEO at Impact Research and Measurement Pvt Ltd; Director, AMEC; VP, FIBEP
Usercible gave us several tips to improve our Android as well as iOS app. We were very impressed with his knowledge in mobile UI/UX. We shall soon be releasing our iOS app and update to Android app after incorporating his inputs. We are very grateful to Usercible for helping us out

Deepak Goel, Founder at Karmacircles, Serial Entrepreneur, Advisor to several startups, TEDx speaker, Investor