Phablets have recently become a very hot market for smartphones, thanks to devices like Samsung's Galaxy Note line and increasingly large screen sizes. For the past couple of years, they've been steadily gaining traction and market share and stealing some thunder away from smaller tablets. Because of this very fast growth, the IDC seems to think that by the end of this year, phablets will overtake portable PCs (laptops) and then eclipse tablet shipments next year.
The phablet market is expected to hit 175 million units shipped in 2014, and then nearly double to 318 million in 2015. With laptops only expected to ship 170 million units this year and tablet devices expected to move 233 million units next year, that would indicate some very impressive growth from phablets.
IDC classifies phablets as devices bigger than 5.5 inches but smaller than 7 inches. With more and more flagship phones edging closer to that 5.5 inch mark, (and Apple potentially jumping into the market) it's easy to see how the small tablet market is being eaten from the bottom.
What are your thoughts on phablets? Do you prefer a bigger screen, or have you tried to stick with more compact devices as smartphones get larger and larger?
source: IDC
the trend is right before your eyes. Bigger and better screens is better. Stop the micro classifying. More the 7″ up to whatever is pragmatic to the individual. First manufacturer to market with biggest, most pragmatic, especially best screen picture wins. That simple.