There is a joke going around tech town -- name any number between three and nine with a single decimal place, and it is a fair chance you will find a phone with that. And that is no exaggeration. The days when screen sizes were limited to a few generic ones -- 2.4 inches, 2.8 inches and if you really wanted something larger, 3.2 or 3.2 inches -- are now history. Today, there are dozens of display sizes on handsets and more are emerging even as we go to print. Whether you are seeking a device with a relatively small display or one with something that is closer to notebook dimensions, it is a fair chance that you will find what you seek. And if you are confused about just what suits you, here is a very rough guide to help you make a choice:

It’s only words
Less than 3.5 inches
Five years ago, a 2.8 inch display (such as that seen on the Nokia N95, 8GB) was considered large. Today, it is a fair chance that anything below 3.5 inches will be either low-end and/or accompanied by a hardware keyboard. These devices generally are designed for more “conventional” phone users who prefer using their devices for calls and texts and do not venture too often into Web and app territory.
Ideal for: Those who believe that the word -- whether spoken or written -- is more important than images and videos.
Notable handsets: Nokia Asha 501, BlackBerry Q10