What's a Phablet? Is it a (phone + tablet) rolled into one device or is it nether phone nor tablet, but something really different ? Before I begin, let me confess that I own both phones & tablets, and my wife own s a phablet (Samsung Galaxy Note 2). So I have fiddled around with all the three categories of devices.
I think a smartphone today is a Phone first followed by an ability to access data services (browsing, video, social, messaging, videoconferencing, VoIP etc) in a package that is *pocket-able*. You are always connected on the move with such a device.
A tablet on the other hands is a large screen device that is quite good at laid back content consumption and lightweight content creation. You could do these with a smartphone phone also, but what differentiates is user experience is much better. The main contribution is due to the much bigger screen size (7"-11") compared to 4"-5" for a smartphone. But is not pocket-able (for guys with small pockets). Its only bag-gable. Possibly a reason why ladies love phablets as they mostly carry a big handbag ...
People say phablets are smartphones with a screen size in the range 5.5"-6.9" (Tablets start at 7"). They are meant to the job of both and so why the hell we spend money & inconvenience for lugging two different devices. But can a Phablet do both functions as well ? I do not think no. The phablet is less pocket-able and a little inconvenient to hold to the ear with one hand or operate with one hand (like you do with a phone). But a phablet or larger sized smartphone is better at accessing data based services than a smaller sized phone. But is it equivalent or better than a tablet ? No. If you don't believe me spend some time with tablet for these data services and then make your opinion. Its difficult to do content creation on phablet but acceptable on tablet. Content viewing is anyways superior on a larger sized screen ( A TV is much better for watching videos than a tablet and Teleconferencing systems do have large TVs).
I personally believe that 4:3 screen with around 10" is the right size of Tablet and a 4.3"-5" is the appropriate size for a smartphone. Kudos to Sony for taking out a Quad core 4.3" android phone (Xperia Z1 compact) in these times of SUV sized screens. I do not like 5.5"/6" phablets or 7"-9" tablets as they comprise user experience on way or the other. We have to accept the role of screen size and resolution in user experience ...
Having said that, phablets are temporarily solving the problem of miserable battery life of smart phones by providing space to accommodate a battery with 50-70% more watt hours. Its helps to chew through your day better. Do you need a big 10" inch tablet only then ?
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