Your smartphone could fix/ruin your life

Recently, a new study found that the way we use our smartphones could be sapping us of our confidence in stressful situations. But perhaps the most interesting revelation was that it found that the larger the screen, the less of a negative effect it had on the user. Users on an iPod Touch were found to be the least confident while people who had read a larger screen were shown to have few or no ill effects. You love your smartphone too much to simply abandon it whenever facing a tough situation but what devices would best suit those stressful times?

Job Interview

Job interviews are stressful on several levels and not only require confidence but the appearance that you've got it together. Just like picking the right tie or pair of shoes, you want to exude competence while also not being too flashy. Bright colors and cheap plastics need not apply here. You want something that says I'm confident, but I don't need to show off.

Best Device: HTC One

Proposing

You know you want to get married. You've already thought it over and bought the ring. In your head you've already made the commitment, so why risk cold feet by bringing an old 2nd-Gen iPod Touch with a tiny, low-quality screen? Get something big and bright with good battery life. Remember, you aren't trying to impress anyone, you're trying to get engaged.

Best Device: Samsung Galaxy Note II

Talking to an attractive stranger at a bar

Unless the bar is an exact replica of the Mos Eisley Cantina, you probably want to leave the R2-D2 edition Droid 2 at home. It's all about flashiness here. You're on equal footing with everyone else there and you want to stand out. What better way to do that than with the biggest phone you can legally buy?

Best Device: Samsung Galaxy Mega

Gambling

Before you decide to go all-in at the Texas Hold'em table with a 7-2 off suit you need be able to bluff like a high roller. Forget dark sunglasses and trash talk. Try waving your hand over your smartphone screen to answer a call. Not only does it look like you barely care what happens, to the untrained eye you may now seem supernatural (therefore unbeatable).

Best Device: Samsung Galaxy S4

Showing off that beach bod

This isn't a stressful situation for everyone, but for certain folks who maybe care more about cool phones than getting ripped, the idea of having your shirt off might be the most stressful of all. It's hot out and you can't just sit in the shade while your friends go swimming. So you make a break for it. You quickly toss off your shirt and get in the water. The only problem is, your phone was in your pocket still. You just ruined your summer...

Or, you were smart enough to get one of those cool new waterproof phones. Now you're the guy who gets to film everyone having a great time. You're a winner. Thanks technology.

Best Device: Sony Xperia Z

Source: Harvard Business School