Understanding Mobile Device Holding Habits: Implications for UX Design
A Review of Research on How Users Hold Their Smartphones and Tablets
Mobile devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of people around the world using smartphones and tablets for a variety of purposes. From checking emails and social media to making phone calls and playing games, these devices play a central role in how we communicate and interact with the world around us. As a result, UX designers need to understand how users hold and interact with these devices to create effective and intuitive user experiences.
In 2013, UXmatters published an article titled “How Do Users Hold Mobile Devices?” which examined the results of several studies on mobile device holding habits. The article reviewed research conducted by Microsoft, Nokia, and others, and found that there are three main ways that users hold their mobile devices: cradling, gripping, and supporting.
Cradling refers to holding the device in one hand with the palm supporting the back of the device. This is the most common holding method, especially for larger devices like tablets. Gripping involves holding the device in one hand with the fingers wrapped around the sides of the device. This is more common for smaller devices like smartphones. Supporting refers to holding the device in both hands, with the thumbs used for input. This is the least common holding method and is often used for tasks that require more precise input or longer periods of use.
In addition to these three main holding methods, the article also identified several variations and hybrid holding methods, such as the “thumb grip” and the “finger grip.” These variations and hybrid methods can be used in combination with the three main holding methods and can be influenced by the size and shape of the device, as well as the specific task being performed.
UX designers need to consider these different holding methods to design interfaces that are easy and comfortable for users to interact with. For example, buttons and controls that are placed along the sides of the device may be more easily accessible for users who grip their devices, while buttons and controls placed near the bottom of the device may be more easily accessible for users who cradle their devices.
The size and placement of on-screen elements is also important consideration. For users who support their devices with both hands, it may be easier to reach elements that are placed in the center of the screen. For users who grip or cradle their devices, it may be more convenient to reach elements that are placed closer to the edges of the screen. This is particularly important for smaller devices like smartphones, where screen real estate is at a premium.
In addition to button and control placement and on-screen element size and placement, there are other factors that UX designers should consider when designing for mobile devices. These include the weight and balance of the device, the angle at which the device is held, and the orientation of the device (portrait or landscape). All of these factors can affect the user’s comfort and ability to interact with the device and should be taken into account during the design process.
Overall, understanding how users hold their mobile devices is an important aspect of UX design. By considering the various holding methods and the implications they have for interface design, UX designers can create user experiences that are comfortable, intuitive, and effective for a wide range of users. This is particularly important as the use of mobile devices continues to grow and evolve, and as more and more people rely on these devices for a variety of tasks and activities.
