The great thing, IMO, with many smartphones, is that they can very conveniently be operated one-handed, and to a reasonable extent without looking.
( I prefer screen and keys on the front.)

But they are still, as you say, an ungainly compromise; e.g.:
1) Too small screen (by necessity).
2) The keys should be above the screen for more comfortable one-handed thumb typing.

What I look for is a (simple smart-) phone <> tablet combination syncronizable in both directions.
I.e.: Very pocketable one-handed + pocketable large-screen for more serious use.

I guess I will have to wait for a maturing pocket-Linux market.