Popular Screen Resolutions: Designing for All – An Update

In a previous blog, we discussed the importance of designing for a wide range of screen sizes to deliver a seamless user experience. As technology evolves and new devices come onto the market, it’s crucial to keep our responsive design guidelines up to date. This update builds upon our earlier discussion by providing the latest insights into popular screen resolutions—alongside actual viewport sizes, which are more relevant for responsive design. If you haven’t read our original post yet, feel free to check it out here.

Responsive Design: Always Evolving

Responsive web design is not static; it must adapt alongside changing technology, new devices, and shifting user habits. Keeping your design responsive means staying ahead of the curve on common viewport dimensions, not just screen resolution, ensuring users have a great experience—no matter how they view your site.  Below, we explore some of the recent trends in screen resolutions and updated best practices to help keep your design responsive and future-ready.

Understanding the Difference: Screen Resolution vs. Viewport

With the growing variety of devices, users are accessing websites from an increasing range of screen sizes and densities. However, it’s important to note that a device’s physical resolution (pixel size) is not the same as its viewport size (CSS pixels), which is what web browsers and responsive layouts are based on.

Example: An iPhone 15 has a screen resolution of 1170×2532, but its viewport size—the space available to a browser—is only 390×844 CSS pixels.

To keep your website up-to-date and responsive, focus on viewport dimensions when defining breakpoints, not raw screen resolution.

Popular Screen Sizes in 2025

*On many high-resolution desktops (e.g., 4K), browsers and operating systems apply scaling (often 200%) that effectively reduces the viewport size to improve readability.

Best Practices for Responsive Design in 2025

1. Use Fluid Grids: Avoid fixed pixel dimensions—use percentages and relative units to allow layouts to scale naturally.
2. Define Flexible Breakpoints: Instead of targeting specific devices, design based on content needs and use breakpoints around 576px, 768px, 1024px, and 1440px.
3. Optimize for High-DPI Displays: Use scalable vector graphics (SVGs) or 2× images to keep content sharp on Retina and 4K displays.
4.  Design for Notches and Safe Areas: On newer devices like iPhone 15, account for safe zones around notches or dynamic islands.

Ensuring Accessibility Across Devices

Responsive design goes hand-in-hand with accessibility. Always ensure:

•  A minimum of 16px for body text
• Sufficient contrast ratios
• Support for keyboard navigation and screen readers
•  Tap targets are large enough for mobile use

Conclusion

Responsive design is a continuous process. As devices evolve, designers must adapt by prioritizing viewport dimensions, screen densities, and accessibility. By focusing on actual browser environments—not just raw screen specs—you’ll be better positioned to deliver fast, usable, and inclusive experiences. Want to learn more? Check out our original blog post on the foundations of responsive design.