Phablets – What Are They?

You have probably heard the word before and guessed at its origin. You are right! A Phablet is a cross between a phone and a tablet. The AT&T EO 440 launched in 1993 was the first real Phablet according to the PC Magazine. Phablets became popular as mini computers because of their low price, larger screens as compared to phones, and multimedia capabilities. They are convenient to carry and serve the dual purpose of a phone and a mobile PC. Fox News reports that Dockers changed the size of pockets in pants to accommodate smart phones. Women carry handbags which cannot accommodate tablets but can easily house a large smart phone says Sophie Curtis of Daily Telegraph. The size of phablets is therefore its biggest advantage other than the large screen size.

Tech Spec
All phablets are not the same technically. Depending on the manufacturer, the device may use an android OS or Apples iOS. Nokia offers Windows as the operating system and there are a few others like MicroMax Android KitKat. The difference between these is basically the same as the difference in their operating systems other than screen size, screen resolution and multimedia capability. Depending on your requirement, you may opt for Windows OS for more functionality or Android for a better multimedia experience. Prices range from a hundred to a thousand dollars apiece.

Your Choice
Among the first questions you would ask yourself before purchasing a phone is, “Do I need a smart phone?” There are several considerations when buying a mobile device not the least of which is what you will be using it for.

People who have long hours travelling to and from work prefer to travel light. If you are one of them and also a movie buff, an Android Phablet would be the device of choice for you. If on the other hand you are a workaholic who pecks away at his laptop even when travelling to and from work you may prefer the Apple iOS tablet or may prefer even to carry your laptop along with your phone.

For those with kids at home, particularly Smart Moms, Android smart phones are the ideal choice as they serve both as phones as well as excellent multimedia devices for playing games or watching movies. Price is another big consideration for those with a budget.

It is obviously cheaper to buy one device that serves a dual purpose rather than buying two separate devices. Says Tim Bajarin of TechLand Time, feedback from users of Apple iPhones shows that people prefer single hand use of their devices while using phablets requires both hands. So the decision to buy or not will depend on individual choice and need.

References
Segan, Sasha (February 13, 2012). “Enter the Phablet: A History of Phone-Tablet Hybrids“. PC Magazine.
Epstein, Zach (April 26, 2013), Is that a Phablet in your pocket?, BGR
Sophie Curtis (2014-02-06). “My two months with a ‘Phablet‘”. Daily Telegraph Retrieved 2014-09-22.
TechLand Time