In the world today, we are often faced with a conundrum. What device to buy or monitor to choose. Should you be looking at the smallest of the small so you can maximize portability and enjoy access wherever you go? Or should you be scaling up as much as possible to make the most of today’s glossy visuals? So much has advanced in the world of tech, with new streaming platforms, advanced gaming mechanics, and better-than-ever graphics, it’s crucial to think with care before you pick a device.
So, that’s what we’re going to look at today. Which screen size should you be aiming for? Of course, we want to acknowledge that it isn’t just about size; you’ve also got to think about things like the refresh rate and the resolution, but alongside those… size matters.
Where Small Screens Win: Portability
The benefits of the small screen are very obvious. They create absolute portability. Today’s smartphones are capable of doing everything we want in terms of gaming and streaming, and they can do it while fitting in a pocket.
If access from wherever and whenever is what matters to you, you should absolutely be considering a small screen for your gaming and movie needs. Say you’re a regular traveler and you want to take your favorite casino games with you wherever you go, filling in long hours on a plane or in a hotel room. No problem! Pretty much all good casino games can now be played on apps and mobile devices, without sacrificing anything in terms of quality.
These aren’t just scaled-down versions of the big sites you see on a desktop. These have been fully optimized for mobile play. You won’t find yourself with bits cut off at the edges, or hitting buttons you didn’t mean to hit because of poor space optimization. No, these apps are often masterclasses in design, maximizing the limited screen to ensure the game is as fun and engaging as possible.
If you’re feeling any doubt about that, just check out the video below and you’ll see how even a game with multiple buttons can work really well on a tiny screen. No sacrifice in terms of playability or visuals, and all the info you might want is laid out for you to see!
That may not be quite as true in the world of streaming. While streaming platforms have done their best to scale things down, there’s no doubt that watching a beautiful movie on a tiny screen is not as fantastic as watching it on a full-size one… which brings us to our next section.
Where Big Screens Take The Prize: Beauty
So much effort goes into creating amazing visuals (in both gaming and movies) that it seems a shame not to take full advantage of them when you are able to. That requires a big screen with high resolution and a good refresh rate. In some cases, it’s “the bigger the better,” although you do need to make sure those other areas are covered too.
As a species, humans are very much about the visuals. We respond to crisp images, bright hues, attractive animations… and there’s little question that our technology has risen to the challenge of offering these. Compare a 4K movie today with one from just three or four decades ago and you’ll see a phenomenal difference, provided your screen is large enough, of course.
On a small screen, though, a lot of that richness and texture gets lost. That’s true for both streamed movies and games. It’s not just AAA titles that benefit from good screens, either. Things like casino games also incorporate amazing graphics and beautiful animations in today’s world, and while they do okay on a small screen, you’ll definitely get more appreciation from watching them on a big one!
So there’s little doubt that you’ll want a big screen at home if you’re either a fan of movies or video games; you just get so much more “bang” for your buck with this sort of setup. That’s especially true if you plan to go 4K or even 8K at some point!
However, the good news is that you don’t have to be in an “either-or” situation here. In many cases, you’ll be able to have the best of both worlds; a large TV at home (in which case we’d suggest going for the largest high-quality option you can afford) and a smartphone capable of handling modern video games effectively for on the go.
Best Of Both: Tablets
Another option is to get yourself a high-quality tablet, which represents the best of both worlds to an extent. These screens tend to be big enough to appreciate good visuals and graphics (although not to the extent of a high-end TV) and they’re still portable enough to tuck into a bag and head out on a vacation. Of course, you’re making a bit of a sacrifice in terms of both portability and beauty, but if you’re looking for a compromise, they might well offer it!