Finally after a very long wait I finally got myself an iPhone 5S (Unlocked, 32GB, Gold, for those of you who care). My last phone before I made the purchase was an iPhone 4S. I skipped the iPhone 5 because my 4S was relatively new when Apple released the iPhone 5 so I opted to wait for the next iteration of the iPhone. This means I have never experienced using a 4" screen. I have read a lot of articles about the iPhone's screen being to big(long) for one handed use anymore but only until I finally got my hands on my own iPhone 5S did I understand the struggle of those who complained. Generally if you hold the iPhone 5S with one (right) hand you would have difficulty reaching for the top left icons or buttons, what some would do is to slide the iPhone in their hands or tilt the iPhone just to be able to press the top left app. This, I found, is a very risky way to handle your iPhone. The new material makes it quite slippery, so one slight imbalance and your [precious] iPhone could slide off your fingers and fall.
The solution?
Strategically place your apps across your iPhone's screen.
Before, when I was still using my iPhone 4S I would simply arrange the apps from [top] left to [bottom] right depending of the frequency of use. But when I got the iPhone 5S this became quite a challenge. What I did then is I placed my most used app on the 2nd column of the 3rd row of the App Grid, I noticed that that's where my finger (thumb) is most relaxed. After doing so I checked which other part of the App Grid is my thumb comfortable reaching. I've concluded that the last 3 rows of the iPhone 5S' screen (excluding the dock) is the most ergonomic place to access your frequently used apps and the 1st two rows is where you should place your least used apps (I know you have 8 least likely to use apps that you can place there, who doesn't?).
By doing so this will eliminate your need to tilt your iPhone just to reach the upper left corner and will lessen the incidents of iPhone drops.
Now if your curious about folders I have thought of that as well. In the case of folders, since the App Grid is a square, place the most used app in the middle. If you have 4 or less apps still place the most used app in the middle (1st row of course). This area is the most comfortable area to reach your most used app.
All of these suggested locations are based on my hand size of course. Other people might have a different comfortability standard based on their hand size. Just try and rearrange your apps now according to frequency of use based on the suggestion above.
Was this tip helpful? Were you inspired to suggest a better app arrangement? Let me know on the comments below.