Over the past few years, smart phones have been getting larger, offering users what they desire the most: a bigger, better experience. Not only have they increased in size, but also in functionality as they bring the best in productivity and entertainment, with the convenience of a device that is easy to carry with you wherever you go.
However, size and functionality are not the only reason we are seeing more phablets emerging on the market. Many people have found that they don’t enjoy having to carry around multiple devices, a smartphone, a small tablet, a larger tablet etc, when they can purchase a phablet and carry one device that covers everything.
A typical phablet has a screen size between 5.3″ and 7″, most can still fit in a pocket, even though they may need a large pocket, and are light enough to be carried around comfortably. Of course, there are many advantages to carrying a phablet, you can make HD video calls, watch HD movies, play games, edit photographs, and even do some light word processing.
If you think you would like to have a phablet, look below at our five favorites:
1. Nokia Lumia 1520
If you want a phablet that runs the Windows Phone operating system, your choices are extremely limited. So it’s a good thing that the Nokia Lumia 1520 is one of the best phablets currently on the market.
It features a huge 6-inch 1080p IPS LCD display, a 2.2 GHz quad-core processor, and 2GB of RAM, which means it, offers exceptional performance whether you are chatting on the phone, playing a game, or watching an HD movie.
The plastic construction may take a little getting used to, it is well made, sturdy, and extremely slim measuring only 8.7mm thick. It also features an impressive 20MP camera, which takes some amazing pictures.
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung was one of the first companies to release a phablet, and the Note 3 is one of the best, and it is also considered to be one of the best smart phones currently available. With a 5.7-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display, a 2.3GHz quad-core processor and 3GB RAM the Galaxy Note 3 has earned its place at the top.
It is a little smaller than most phablets, which makes it a bit more comfortable to hold and easier to silde into a pocket, and the included stylus makes it a lot of fun to use.
3. Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Measuring in at a massive 6.4-inches, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra is one of the largest phablets currently available, and while it may be a little large to use as a phone it is packed with features.
It is extremely slim, measuring in at 6.5mm, with a glass back that looks amazing. It is also one of the only phablets that is both water and dust resistant, making it a lot more durable than some. It features a 2.2GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, which is comparable to many other models. The high resolution, 1080p LCD screen has natural colors, making it an ideal phablet for movie watching, and the larger battery allows you to watch in comfort without having to worry about having to recharge halfway through.
4. Oppo N1
If you want something a little more unusual, that most people do not have and many have not even heard of, consider purchasing the Oppo N1. It has all of the features you would expect in a high-end phablet, 1.7GHz quad-core processor, a 5.9-inch 1080p display, and 2GB of RAM. Not quite as impressive as some other models we’ve looked at, but the Oppo N1 stands out in other ways. For example: it is the only device of its kind with a 13MP swivel camera that can be turned to face you for selfies, or away from you for other pictures. It is also packed with a variety of gesture-based shortcuts, which can be entered from a touchpad on the back of the device or from the screen itself. Additionally, it supports CyanogenMod, an Android based operating system that can be installed without voiding your warranty.
5. LG G Flex
If you are looking for something more unusual than the Oppo N1, have a look at the LG G Flex, the first device of its kind with a curved screen that is also flexible. While this may look a little odd, it does make the 6-inch screen a little more manageable and is definitely impressive. The 13MP camera can take some awesome images, and the long lasting battery ensures you can use it for hours before needing a recharge. With a 2.26 GHz quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM, it has as much power as most other phablets. The only real downside of this device is that the screen is only 720p and cannot be flattened for movie watching.
This is a short list of my five favorite phablets. Do you own one? If so tell us what you love or hate about it, and let us know which devices would make your top five list.
