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Phablet vs The Rest - Which Device Is The Best Choice For Everyday Life?

7/16/2013 6:30:38 PM

Making a phone call

Phone

Making a simple phone call is the bread and butter of any phone. The smaller size means it’s a lot easier to hold to your head for a longer period of time.

Raking: First

Making a simple phone call is the bread and butter of any phone.

Making a simple phone call is the bread and butter of any phone.

Phablet

Despite the phablet having full phone capabilities, holding a six-inch device can look silly. The larger screen also means you can press buttons you didn’t mean to.

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Tablet

Tablets aren’t designed for phone calls so there are few (the Asus Fonepad is one example) that even have the capability. We doubt it’ll catch on.

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Sending a text

Phone

The smaller size of a phone means you’ll be able to text with a single finger and there are now plenty of third-party keyboard apps that users can download. Not ideal for bigger fingers though.

Raking: Second

Phablet

As well as being able to text with your fingers, the phablet has the added benefit of being able to use a stylus to make typing easier. With a bigger screen you can also be far more precise.

Raking: First

With a bigger screen you can also be far more precise.

With a bigger screen you can also be far more precise.

Tablet

There are apps on Google Play that add full text capabilities to your tablet. The only problem with typing on a tab is that it’s definitely a two-handed job, and it therefore lacks functionality.

Raking: Third

Read a book

Phone

Although you have plenty of choice when it comes to reading, the smaller screen might be a hindrance. It’s also difficult to read full pages - a problem you won’t have with a phone’s rivals.

Raking: Third

Phablet

With a bigger screen the phablet is a perfect solution if you want to read. It’s small enough to put away, but the screen is still big enough for you to view large quantities of text at one time.

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Tablet

Its larger frame means it’s a pain to use as a book substitute when you’re on the move, but text does look amazingly crisp and clear when you’re reading on the massive screen.

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Text does look amazingly crisp and clear when you’re reading on the massive screen..

Text does look amazingly crisp and clear when you’re reading on the massive screen

Streaming a video

Phone

Your phone can be used to stream video on, but the smaller screens won’t be up to scratch for many. Most phones include either a micro USB or micro HDMI port that can be used to connect to your TV.

Raking: Third

Phablet

If you’re keen on watching movies on the go, the size of a phablet is a great choice. Once again it might still be a little small, but the likes of the ZTE Grand Memo include full Dolby Digital sound.

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Tablet

Using a tablet to stream movies is a good choice if you’re lounging around your home as the screen size is perfect for being on a lap. You also have plenty of viewing options.

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Taking a photo

Phone

Cameras are an area that have vastly improved, with manufacturers finally realizing that users do want a decent phone camera. Most now include some great photo features.

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Most now include some great photo features.

Most now include some great photo features.

Phablet

Although cameras are often an overlooked feature on phablets, they’re very useable. Built-in styluses also have the addition of being able to perform really detailed photo editing.

Raking: Second

Tablet

Most tablets do come with some sort of camera, but using them is a different story altogether. The much larger size of a tablet means using it as a camera isn’t easy to do.

Raking: Third

Verdict

Although it doesn’t necessarily excel in all areas, what the phablet does offer is a great Verdict middle ground for those who want the functionality of both a phone and tablet, while not

having to compensate on the screen size and usability of their device. If you’ve got a decent budget, then a phablet is definitely a great alternative to both a phone and tablet.

Phablets in the real world

How do phablets stand up when they are used in everyday scenarios?

Making a call

Holding a phablet to your head is like a throwback to the old days of mobile phones. A good solution would be to invest in a Bluetooth headset to make it look a little more bearable.

Making a call

Making a call

Put it in your pocket

A common problem with the bigger phablets is that pockets tend to be a bit small to cater for them. Having to stretch your pocket to fit the phablet in will not just damage your trousers, but also damage your device.

Put it in your pocket

Put it in your pocket

Messaging

The bigger screen means you can be far more precise with your typing and being able to use a stylus is also a good addition to have. But if you prefer typing with one hand, then you’ll probably find a phablet to be too big to use.

The bigger screen means you can be far more precise with your typing and being able to use a stylus is also a good addition to have.

The bigger screen means you can be far more precise with your typing and being able to use a stylus is also a good addition to have.

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