Why you shouldn't watch Netflix on your phone?

Watching Netflix on your smartphone is convenient because you can even watch it offline while on the go. However, many people avoid it for a few good reasons, and once you hear about it, you might too.

5. Negative impact on battery life

Watching Netflix on your phone may seem harmless, but it's one of the fastest ways to drain your battery. It may not be as bad as playing games, but over time it adds up. Video playback is one of the most battery-intensive tasks your phone can handle.

Unsurprisingly, battery life for streaming video is always shorter than for audio. For example, Apple's battery life estimates for the iPhone 16 Pro suggest that the device can last up to 27 hours of video playback, compared to a maximum of 85 hours of audio playback.

4. Notifications reduce concentration

Another problem with watching Netflix on your phone is the constant stream of notifications that can distract you. Whether it's a text, call, email, or social media notification , these interruptions can disrupt your viewing experience and make you lose focus, especially if you have multiple apps.

If you only watch a few times a week, you want the experience to be high-quality. When you sit down to watch the latest episode of your favorite show, you want to be fully immersed. And that's what streaming should be: Focus, not a distraction from messages and app notifications.

3. Poor ergonomic design

Watching Netflix on your phone isn't comfortable either. Holding your phone for long periods of time can quickly become tiring. Whether you're awkwardly resting it on your lap, clutching it in your hand, or hunching over a desk, none of these are ideal for extended viewing sessions.

Even with a phone stand, finding a comfortable position can be difficult. You need a stable surface to rest your device on, but that's not always available, so you may still end up in an uncomfortable position.

2. Poor sound quality

Watching Netflix on your phone also reduces sound quality. All smartphones come with tiny built-in speakers that can't deliver the depth, clarity, or dynamic range that movies and shows are designed for. Even dialogue can sound thin, soundtracks often sound muted, and action scenes lack the punch and bass that are hallmarks of the genre.

Sound is a huge part of the immersive experience, but on your phone you get a limited version of that experience. If you're watching a movie with serious production values, you want to be able to enjoy it in all its richness.

1. Smartphones with screens that are too small

Another major drawback of watching Netflix on your phone is the small screen size, which reduces the viewing experience. It's also less immersive because the screen takes up less of your field of vision, unlike a TV, which has a larger area.

Whether you're watching an action blockbuster or an epic drama, the phone's limited 6-inch screen size makes it difficult to fully appreciate the visuals and cinematography. Cinematic details like vast landscapes and background elements are hard to appreciate because they're compressed onto such a small screen.

While modern high-end smartphones have incredibly sharp and vibrant displays with features like high dynamic range (HDR), most phones only max out at 1080p or 1440p. Native 4K resolution is a rarity in the smartphone world.

Lesley Montoya

Update 13 August 2025