NAOMI LYNCH
Special to The Leader
phablet (noun) – a smartphone having a screen which is intermediate in size between that of a typical smartphone and a tablet computer.
Origin
Early 21st century: blend of phone and tablet
(http://www.OxfordDictionaries.com)
The days of the four-inch smartphone are long gone.
If you see one in the wild, you’re looking at a legacy item that will one day be worth a couple grand, depending on its condition. These days, the bigger your phone, the better it is.
Most smart devices have gone from one-handed ease to a two-handed behemoth. With this decrease in user accessibility, you would have thought a digital riot would have ensued. Instead, it’s the complete opposite — people are clamoring to get the largest and shiniest device. Even Apple, a staunch supporter of the iPhone that could fit in your palm, eventually gave in and released the iPhone 6+, the first time the flagship phone sported a 5.5-inch display. As these phones grow bigger, so does their infamy.
With the arrival of Samsung’s Galaxy Note in 2011, the term “phablet” was born. What made the Note unique from the competition was not only its 5.3-inch screen — large enough that seasoned veterans thought the phone was going to fail — but the S-Pen, which is currently the best tablet writing tool exclusively for Samsung.
This move drove consumers right into Samsung’s lap and turned the established company into a direct rival to Apple’s throne. Samsung released its Galaxy Note 4 in October 2014, two inches larger than the original iteration and jam-packed with features. Just because Samsung is pushing boundaries slowly with its phablets doesn’t mean other companies aren’t marketing on the success of bigger phones.
The largest phablet in the world belongs to Sony’s Experia X, a massive device weighing in at 6.4 inches, according to http://www.Pocket-Lint.com. This phone is one inch off from the size of the standard entry level tablet, which is seven inches.
Now that we have some history, what are the pros and cons of these increasingly larger-than-life devices?
Pros
1. Longer Battery Life
As these phones grow bigger, it would be a shame if battery life didn’t keep up, as well. The capacity of some phablet batteries easily exceeds 10 hours. My sister’s Galaxy Note 3 has a capacity of 3200 mAh (mili amp hours), which means her random midnight gripes will not cease anytime soon. For the consumer, this equates to less time being bound to a charger and more time to take selfies!
2. Optimal Netflix Watching
Why pull out your laptop when you can enjoy the latest season of your favorite show on Netflix in the palm of your hand? These larger and wider screens allow you to play games, watch media and capture photos like never before. Plus, if your phablet overheats, you can pull out the battery (or for Apple folk, shut it down quickly). You can’t do that on your laptop.
3. You (May) Be Able to Use it in Class
Because the phablet straddles the thin line between phone and tablet, you might be able to use it towards your academic work. Forgot your printout of a reading at home? Conjure up that PDF on your phablet. Don’t worry — Facebook can wait for your quarter-hourly refresh.
Cons
1. Portability
Let’s face it — this device isn’t something you can put in a pocket and go. Do you have jeans with bigger pockets? Well, now might be the time to invest in them. Add on a bulky Otterbox case, and the phone is not going to fit anywhere but a purse or a messenger bag.
2. Price
These phones are not cheap. These companies put a lot into their hardware, which translates into increased prices for consumers. The prices of these phones range from $200 to $400, practically the price of entry-level tablets. Make your investment wisely.
3. You’ll look silly holding it to your head
Remember when people used to walk around with Bluetooth ear pieces and they looked insane because it looked like they were talking to themselves? Well, you are in for a world of mockery if you hold that phablet up to your face. Would you hold a dinner plate up to your face? No. Invest in some quality mic-controlled headphones. You’ll thank me later.
At the end of the day, what you decide to buy or not buy is ultimately up to you. Just don’t let these big phones scare you. Now venture out into the world like the informed consumer you are!