Just a couple of years ago smartphones with a 4-inch display were considered huge. As a rule of thumb, most smartphone displays hovered between 3.5-inches to 4-inches as that was considered to be ergonomically right for users to be able to use the phone with one hand, as it was originally meant to be. But then came the Samsung Galaxy Note in late-2011 with a bigger-than-5-inches-display that changed everything.
The launch of the Galaxy Note triggered an evolution period that even Darwin would find impossible to explain - our hands seemed to have grown and we started feeling comfortable with bigger phones. Display sizes of smartphones have only increased ever since and most flagship smartphones in 2012 had a 4.8-inch display, just enough to somehow fit into a pocket. The trend continues this year too, with most flagship smartphones sporting a massive 5-inch display, that border on being phablets than smartphones.
On the other hand, tablet screen sizes started getting smaller - starting from approximately 10-inches but settling down at the 7-inch mark, which is turning out to be the most popular size. But there are devices, like the Galaxy Note and others, that people started calling ‘phablets’ - nether a phone nor a tablet - a term most of us love to hate. But love it or hate it, phablets have proved to be wildly successful, with sales growing by 4,504 percent in 2012 alone, reaching 83 million units, according to ABI Research. The firm estimates that phablet shipments will almost double this year to 175 million units.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Note after Apple kickstarted the tablet revolution with its iPad and the second generation had cemented the fact that the iPad was here to stay. Samsung countered it with the Galaxy Note, which according to the company could give users the best of both worlds - the portability of a smartphone and a relatively bigger display for a tablet-like experience. While most reviewers globally hated the concept, consumers lapped it up. Against all conventional odds, Samsung quickly sold over 10 million units.
Thanks to Samsung’s success, this year will be the year of the phablet with every major brand trying its hand at making one. Other tier one brands like Sony and HTC are expected to launch phablets sometime this year. Micromax, which launched its Canvas 2 phablet a couple of months ago, says it has sold out of all units and is launching a new version. Spice, Karbonn, Lava and others have at least one phablet in their portfolio. While initially phablets were priced above Rs 30,000, now one can easily find phablets from homegrown brands for less than Rs 15,000. Even Samsung, now has one for about Rs 20,000.
But what makes phablets so popular and why you should consider going for one? While initial sales were definitely about the “bigger is better” syndrome, phablets do offer a lot of value. Having a bigger screen offers more real estate to display text, which means less scrolling while reading emails or browsing web pages. Samsung, for one, has a brilliant stylus implementation that makes it possible to scribble notes while talking on the phone or just doodling while getting bored. Not to forget that having a bigger footprint also provides space for housing a bigger battery, which means the device lasts much longer on a single charge.
But that’s not to suggest that a phablet is for everyone. If one has tiny hands, a phablet with its massive footprint becomes cumbersome to use as a phone, especially when one is on the move. Dialling phone numbers or typing text messages can be quite challenging and often requires the use of both hands, unlike regular sized smartphones. These devices can also be quite difficult to fit into the pockets of a pair of skinny denims and portability can become an issue. While these devices might offer better features, it is imperative to figure out whether one really needs those features.
If one’s smartphone usage essentially involves checking mails, Facebook, Twitter and occasional Internet browsing then a phablet is an overkill. But if one does a lot of note taking, web browsing, checking documents and the like these devices can make a lot of difference. Not to forget those with an artistic streak, who like to sketch and scribble notes or random doodles - a device like the Galaxy Note II is a perfect fit for them.
However, not every big device is better and there are a few things one should consider before going for one. For instance, a phablet with a WVGA (800x480 pixels) resolution display won’t give you any advantage of having a bigger screen and will show the same amount of a text as a smartphone with a 4-inch display with the same resolution. Always look out for at least a 720p HD display or even higher.
Another key thing to note is the battery. Just having a bigger casing does not guarantee that the manufacturer has also supplied a bigger battery. Look out for the battery rating and see the claims the manufacturer is making about battery standby and talk time. Normally, the device would give at least 70 per cent of what a manufacturer claims. Considering the display often is the most battery consuming element of smartphones, having a bigger display with a regular battery just won’t do the trick.
Also look out for stylus input, especially if one intends to indulge in artistic endeavours. The Galaxy Note II has the best stylus implementation. After using it over a period of time, we were comfortable scribbling text messages using the stylus rather than using the onscreen keypad.
Most important of them all, one should always try holding the device and see how comfortable it is to use it as a smartphone replacement. And finally, ensure that your trousers have bespoke pockets to fit these big devices!
(The writer is Executive Editor >www.bgr.in )