Smartphones generally have a display size of up to 5-inches and they are comfortable to hold and use. With the dawn of the phablet era, we have started seeing devices with a display size larger than 5-inches. There are those that think these devices are uncomfortable to use and then there are those that derive utility from these large screen smartphones.
Phablets sport a display size larger than 5-inches and are good for reading books/online content, watching videos and playing games. If multimedia content consumption on the go is important to you, here are five phablets you can consider picking up during your DIwali shopping.
1. Micromax Canvas Doodle 2 (Rs. 17,450)
The Micromax Canvas Doodle 2 has a 5.7-inch display with a 1280×720 pixel resolution. The device has an aluminium finish, which makes it look premium. The phablet is comfortable to hold and use especially when it comes to typing. The display on the device has good viewing angles and is good for multimedia consumption. At full brightness, the display is quite vibrant.
A good thing about the Canvas Doodle 2 is that it runs on stock Android with very little customization. Customization comes in the form of exclusive Micromax apps that give users access to local content such as Bollywood news, wallpapers, astrology content, etc.
2. LG Optimus G Pro (Rs. 33,000)
The LG Optimus G Pro has a fantastic 5.5-inch display with a 1080p Full HD resolution giving it a pixel density of 401ppi. The display, though glossy, has good viewing angles. The phablet may be tedious to use with one hand and is ideal for two-handed operation. In its raw performance, the device stands tall with what the competition has to offer at the same price point.
The G Pro comes loaded with a bunch of software features, and if you are one that likes to use multiple apps on the display then this is the device for you as it gives you the ability to run more than two apps on the display at once. You could be watching a video on the top half of the display, browsing the internet on the bottom half and have the calculator app open with reduced opacity on the side. This way, you not only take advantage of the large display but also the multitasking capabilities of Android.
3. LG G2 (Rs. 39,900)
The LG G2 has the smallest display on this list measuring in at 5.2-inches. The bezel around the display is so thin, that even though the device is larger than 5-inches, it doesn’t appear to be so. Put simply, the LG G2 has the best display in its class and it is the best to use. Viewing angles are great and because of the power under the hood, the device runs everything very smoothly. The UI is almost identical to the G Pro.
LG has incorporated some design changes with the G2. To start with, the power button and the volume rocker has been moved to the back, below the camera. If you are someone who likes taking pictures of yourself with the front facing camera then this device is ideal for you as the volume down button doubles up as the shutter button giving it fantastic ergonomics. The device also has a whopping 3000mAh battery.
4. Sony Xperia Z Ultra (Rs. 40,000)
The phablet with the largest screen size on this list is the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. The device has a 6.4-inch display with a 1920×1080 pixel resolution. Unlike the Note series of devices from Samsung, the Z Ultra doesn’t come with a stylus. Nonetheless, users can use any pencil or ballpoint pen as a stylus on the device. The Z Ultra also boasts of weatherproof capabilities so you can comfortably use it in the bathtub.
The performance of the device is blazing fast thanks to the Snapdragon 800 SoC powering it. Sony has its own UI overlaying the Android OS and it is comfortable to use. The device is great for watching movies on the go.
5. Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Rs. 47,900)
The Galaxy Note 3 has a 5.7-inch full HD display and the device is much better built than its predecessor. The phablet shows off the ability to run multiple apps smoothly on the display and TouchWiz is one of the better skins that comes preloaded on an Android device.
To take advantage of the large display, you have the S Pen stylus. There are a lot of apps that exploit the stylus and if you are a creative person, like drawing, taking notes (literally, not by typing them out) then this is the device for you. It is great for watching movies, playing games and reading text. The display is bright and vibrant. This is, however, the most expensive large screen device on this list.