As phones get bigger and tablets get smaller, here in the middle we have so-called phablets. Basically, these are smartphones with a screen size between 5 and 7 inches (which is currently a privilege of the Android operating system, but Windows Phone is expected to catch up). A phablet is usually an expensive solution, but less expensive than a smartphone plus a tablet. For some people it is a great opportunity to avoid carrying both devices at the same time, and when both are necessary, for example, for work. So far, a phablet is the closest candidate to ‘one device for all purposes’. However, their sales are being overtaken by these powerful neighbors.
When it comes to custom mobile development, phablets have two drawbacks (or perhaps quirks). The first is that, despite the prospects for phablets, the niche currently remains quite small. The screen size is the second. While it is what sets phablets apart from smartphones, it faces a different approach in app development; Furthermore, phablets have different screen sizes between them. A phablet can be called a universal mobile device, but the design here cannot be managed as universal. What is the solution? Phablets can’t be called a niche to target solely, but it’s definitely one to consider. Support for phablet screen sizes requires additional time and effort for tuning and testing on devices of the software owner’s choosing (for example, it is absolutely necessary to consider Samsung Galaxy Note, perhaps the most popular phablet series).
Should a software product owner embrace the phablet market? It depends on the mobile software. What could phablet users definitely appreciate? Obviously it depends on how they use their devices.
A phablet is often seen as a great mobile tool for handling office tasks. This means mobile office/productivity software must accommodate these. Documents and spreadsheets are more easily managed on a phablet than on a smartphone; and text input is much more tolerable when interacting with a larger screen (which can hold more content).
Being a solution for practical people, phablet has a lot of room for creativity and entertainment. It’s not a device for convenient one-handed use, it’s just different. Its convenience is facilitated by the stylus (which hasn’t completely gone out of style, and isn’t useless either). Therefore, creating notes, sketches and drawings is also more convenient on a phablet. And it’s not just for drawing: the use of the stylus can go as far as ideas.
A stylus can allow you to hit a larger screen with greater precision; that is a clue for the development of the game; and larger screens are more attractive for a richer gaming experience: much more room to play, more gestures to incorporate. That can work for any game category.
Let’s point out other reasons why phablets are relevant. They are attractive media players, especially for watching movies and other video content. They are good electronic readers; reading on a phablet definitely requires less zoom than on a sub-5-inch smartphone. Users also appreciate activities such as web browsing, online shopping, and socializing; here, phablets are almost as good as tablets.
In short, we can say that repurposing apps for phablet screens is good; furthermore, altering the layout may be a reasonable decision (depending on your software); but it is not the only field to play. The percentage of phablet users is currently not that high; But modern Android smartphones (such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One) tend to get bigger and bigger, so the popularity and relevance of the phablet market is still up for debate.