Today there are millions of devices from different manufacturers in a wide variety of shapes and models. Many of them have become so universal that it is quite difficult to attribute them to any one category: there is no single concept of “mobile phone”, “computer” or “watch”. There are smartphones, tablets, desktop PCs, smart watches and many other sub-categories that this or that device belongs to.
Today the topic of our article is the phablet. What is it, why this word has become so popular lately, and much more about such devices, we will tell further in the text.
General concept
The term "phablet" came, of course, from English by merging two other words - phone ("telephone") and tablet ("tablet"). It turns out that this term means something between a regular smartphone and a tablet computer for full-fledged work.
It's just that the situation on the device market is such that mobile phones and computers now differ little in terms of hardware and technical support. The main difference lies in the size of the display, case and battery: tablets are just "scaled" phones. Just if initially smartphones with touch screenswere produced with a display size of 3-5 inches, and tablet computers - 10-12 inches, then over time the gap of 6-9 inches was filled by the same phablet. What it is, now you probably understand.
Benefits
The "tablet phones" (as they are also called) have some advantages, due to which they fell in love with users. For example, this is a wide functionality. As already noted, a phablet (you already know what it is) has the same capabilities as a tablet. At the same time, due to its dimensions, it is more compact, it can be carried with you in any situation. On the other hand, there is another plus. It also applies to the size of the device. Phablet is no longer a smartphone. A phablet is a larger display that makes it easier to read, type and watch movies.
Plus, again, you can make calls and write SMS from it if you have a SIM card. Therefore, the device is even more versatile than a phone or tablet.
Flaws
The negative aspects of the phablet include what concerns its merits. For example, it is larger than a phone, so you can’t put it in your pocket when you go for a walk - for this you have to take a bag with you. Again, typing will be more comfortable on a 12-inch tablet with a huge keyboard than on a 7-inch screen. The phablet is good and bad, depending on the preferences of the user, on his goals. And, choosing such a device, you need to look at why you need it. The need for a gadget is determined by your lifestyle, for example.
Samsung phablets
Since our article is devoted to medium-sized devices - phablets with a screen of 6-9 inches, we will try to give examples of the most successful models that you should pay attention to. And let's start, perhaps, with one of the top manufacturers of electronic devices - the Korean company Samsung.
There are several models in the manufacturer's line that can be attributed to this class of devices. In particular, this is the Samsung Galaxy Note (which has several generations of models at once, because there are Note 2, 3, 4). These are phablets in their classic form, since they have the features of a tablet, but they are able to make calls and have a relatively small screen size. Unlike them, another model - Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 - is just a giant, but also a device that can be attributed to this class. Its screen size is 8.4 inches.
As the popularity of Note models shows, phablets are quite in demand. This is also confirmed by sales of devices from other manufacturers that belong to the same class. And in general, there are more and more gadgets with a screen size of 6-9 inches on the market. Even this can be called a clear indicator of their popularity and demand.
Lenovo, Asus and others
For example, we all know that the Chinese concern "Lenovo" is positioned mainly as a player in the budget class due to the large number of such models. Although, of course, there are expensive flagships among them.
When talking about the Lenovo phablet, the first model that comes to mind isK3 note. It is multifunctional, has a screen diagonal of 7.6 inches and costs only $145. If you do not want to pay for the promotion of the Samsung brand, please take Lenovo.
Another example is Asus products. This manufacturer has many of its phablets, which have a diagonal of 7-8 inches. Moreover, the buyer also has a choice - to buy a more affordable but simple PhonePad in terms of functionality, or pay a little more for a 7-inch tablet with one of the most powerful hardware on the budget Nexus 9 device market.
In addition to Asus and Lenovo, models from other companies can be found on sale. For example, HTC, LG, Huawei and Meizu also offer a good selection of such devices.
Nokia and phablets on Windows Phone
But don't think that phablets are just Android devices. Nokia also has its own interesting "tablet phones". For example, the affordable Lumia 1320 or 1520. These are somewhat outdated, due to which their price is much lower, and the functionality is generally in line with the cost.
Now the developer is focusing on smartphones with a smaller display - mostly with a diagonal of up to 5 inches. In Nokia, the phablet may have been considered unsuccessful, so for now they decided to abandon models in this segment.
Apple in the phablet market
You ask, what about the world leader, the giant manufacturer of "apple" products Apple? Do they have anything?
Of course! Newthe 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus model is a typical phablet. The device looks quite large compared to the usual 6th version, but it has enhanced features due to the larger display. It should be noted that this product is somewhat innovative for the company, since Apple has not previously competed with Samsung in the market for devices with a screen larger than 4.5 inches. Now, obviously, the American company is testing the soil where the Korean company has been leading for several years.
Worth buying?
We briefly described this type of device as a phablet. You know what it is: a gadget is just a cross between a tablet and a smartphone. At the same time, the device has the same functionality as its “colleagues” with other display sizes. This is one of the operating systems on the market today, a processor, a battery, a camera, some kind of graphics engine. Let's put it this way: an enlarged smartphone or a reduced tablet.
And in fact answer the question: “Is it worth buying a phablet?” - it's just not possible, it all depends on your goals and objectives that the device faces. If you would like to type text in large volumes, working with such a device will be less comfortable than with a tablet. But you can watch movies on a smaller screen. The same applies to working with mail, social networks, instant messengers - all this is very conveniently implemented on devices such as phablets.
And, of course, you will make the final decision about whether you need such a gadget or not. And only you can say how muchanother device will be useful for entertainment, work and education specifically for you.
Therefore, we wish you good luck in your choice and hope that you will be able to find the most suitable gadget for yourself.
