What is better: a tablet or a smartphone with a large screen? What is better to buy - a tablet or a phone: tips. Advantages and disadvantages of using a tablet

Sometimes we may be faced with the question of what is better to choose a tablet or a smartphone.

In fact, both devices, both a tablet and a smartphone, are very similar to each other, but according to the original intention of the manufacturers, they are intended for slightly different (albeit very similar) tasks. Due to this similarity, we often ask the question: is it better to buy a smartphone or a tablet? In order to understand this, we need to understand the differences between both devices. The very first difference that we can see is the size, because a smartphone is smaller and a tablet is larger; these differences in size also apply to the screens of both gadgets. The differences are also in the parameters; in a smartphone they are often higher and more productive, while tablets have simpler characteristics. A smartphone is essentially a phone for calls and communications, and a tablet is a device for the Internet, watching videos, and so on.

Screen size and overall dimensions: technical specifications

If we talk about the screen sizes of the two devices, then it is worth understanding that the tablet can have a screen of up to 10 inches, and in some cases even 12 inches or more. But, despite this, a tablet remains a mobile device, because it is convenient for us to take it with us on the road or travel. In view of this, developers are trying to make even the largest tablets compact. There are no frameless displays in this type of device yet, but the frames around the screens are becoming smaller.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Main difference

Even if the devices are similar in some ways, there are also differences. They are as follows:

• The tablet is more intended for entertainment, for example, watching videos, surfing the Internet, and to a lesser extent it is suitable for communication;
• A smartphone is a compact device designed for communication, and only then for other needs.

Screen and dimensions

These are the main differences in the appearance of the devices. The average smartphone has a diagonal of 5 inches. A fairly small device of 4 inches is quite suitable for communication, but if you prefer entertainment and like large screens, then 5-6 inches will suit such users. As for tablets, the minimum screen size is 5 inches and above. For lovers of large screens - 12 inches.

I think you won’t have any problems with the screen in the future. By the way, in the next article I will write about what effective ways you can.

Device characteristics

This point is very important, because if you choose a device at random, then you will get who knows what. These include: processor, battery capacity, amount of RAM and internal memory, the presence of auxiliary functions, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, fingerprint scanner and much more.

There are three types of processors on which smartphones are built: MediaTek, Qualcomm and Exynos. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Apple uses its own A-series chips.

Naturally, the processor has a clock speed, which mainly determines the performance of the device, the higher it is, the better, and the number of cores.

For example, let's take my Galaxy s5 smartphone and look at its technical characteristics.

These are not all the characteristics, the main ones can be viewed on the website where you buy.

operating system

Also an important component. A couple of years ago, we saw devices only running operating systems - iOS - from Apple. Now devices are being created on Windows 10, in particular tablets, which makes them very compact and functional.

The most popular system is Android.

I would like to note that some companies release devices with two OSes, for example, Android and Windows 10, I think this is a very good addition.

It would be preferable to purchase a tablet running Windows 10. If you purchase a keyboard, the tablet will turn into a mini laptop.

Connection

There are tablets equipped with GSM communication modules, some can support 2 SIM cards. You can also find a device that supports 3G and 4G in order to access the Internet. Unfortunately, due to its size, the tablet is not very convenient to use for cellular communications. A regular small smartphone can handle this task much better.

Internet access

As I already said, there are users who prefer large screens for entertainment, in particular for watching videos, being on social networks, and just surfing the Internet.

The good thing about tablets is that they can be used as an e-reader. Download a collection of stories and a reading program, for example, FBReader on Android and enjoy.

Video and photo

As for the function of shooting videos and photos, smartphones are equipped with better equipment for this matter. The user usually always has a smartphone at hand, so he can photograph whatever he wants. Now there are devices that can even shoot video in 4K. Now these won't surprise anyone.

Tablet PCs (that's what we'll call them) have a worse camera, but in the future, I think this will be fixed.

Using games and programs

This is quite controversial, but only in terms of characteristics. For a more comfortable game, you can use tablets to make the picture larger, but the content makes the difference. If the tablet has little RAM, a bad processor and everything is bad in general, then you won’t be able to play games on it, the same thing with a smartphone.

Hardware requirements programs are more lenient, but there are also powerful ones. For example, on a Windows 10 tablet you can install everything that you usually install on a computer: text editors, graphics editors and much more. I think if you try to install After Effects or The Witcher 3 on your tablet, it will smoke.

Smartphone and tablet repair

Repairs are different and usually cost more for tablets.

Energy efficiency

Of course, the battery of tablets can also be replaced if something happens, but this requires appropriate knowledge, which some do not have, so they have to go to the service center and pay a certain amount.

The larger the device, the easier it is to break its screen. After an unfortunate fall, replacing the screen on a tablet is more expensive than on a smartphone. It’s understandable, the tablet is bigger.

Conclusion

As is clear from everything discussed, tablets and smartphones have their own advantages and disadvantages. It's impossible to say for sure which is better. I think you should focus only on your interests and preferences, and then look for the product you need.

Think carefully about what you need the device for. If you surf the Internet, watch videos, play games, then a tablet is quite suitable. A smartphone is suitable for communication and Internet access.

Smartphones and tablets are similar to each other both in appearance and in technical characteristics. Therefore, when going to the store, users cannot decide which is better: a smartphone or a tablet. This article was created just for them.

The essence of the problem

These two types of devices are similar in appearance, technical characteristics and purpose. The fundamental difference is this:

• A smartphone is, first of all, a gadget for mobile communications, and only after that – a pocket mini-PC;
• A tablet is a mobile computer, and only then a means of communication.

Dimensions and screen size

The main difference between the devices is the screen size and dimensions. The display diagonal of an average smartphone is 5 inches. In the case of tablets, the minimum screen diagonal is 6 inches, but for comfortable use it is better to use models with a screen diagonal of 9.7-10.11 inches.

Specifications

Manufacturers use the same components when creating smartphones and tablets. The market offers models with initial, medium and high technical characteristics, so every user can find a suitable option for themselves. But there are differences.

Smartphones mainly use Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek processors. Recently, Exynos series chips have become popular. The tablets are equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon, MediaTek and Intel processors.

Apple uses its own A-series chips for both types of devices.

As for the number of cores or clock speed, there are no advantages for any type of gadget.

operating system

Tablets and smartphones run Android, Windows or iOS. The difference lies in the prevalence and popularity of these operating systems among users.

Google's Android OS is the most widespread because it is simple, affordable and distributed almost free of charge to manufacturers. The main advantage is the large range of applications available on Google Play. They make your Android device multifunctional.

The Windows OS with the release of Windows 10 has gained great popularity in the tablet segment, because the user receives a full-fledged computer in a compact case. In turn, Windows Phone smartphones did not become popular for a number of reasons.

Interesting! Recently, Chinese companies have been releasing tablets with two pre-installed OS: Android 5.1 and Windows 10.

iOS is installed exclusively on Apple devices, so tablets and smartphones running it are equally popular.

Cellular connection

Modern tablets are equipped with a GSM module for connecting SIM cards. But making voice calls using them is inconvenient. This is due, first of all, to the dimensions of the device, since their screen diagonal starts from 6 inches and above.

Even if you connect a headset, the tablet still weighs much more than the average smartphone. Therefore, for everyday communication via mobile communications, it is better to use a smartphone.

Surfing the Internet

For searching information on the Internet, communicating on social networks and viewing media files, a tablet is more suitable due to the large screen diagonal.

A larger device displays more information, makes it easier to manage search and website settings, view pictures, videos, etc.

Taking photos and videos

Smartphones are better suited for taking photos and videos because manufacturers install better cameras on them. The fact is that a person always has a smartphone at hand, so he can capture any moment of his life. And to make excellent pictures and videos, you need a high-quality camera.

Tablets are not intended for these purposes at all. Due to their size, they are difficult to put in a pocket or quickly take out when necessary. Therefore, the quality of their cameras is minimal. The main thing for a tablet is the front camera, which is used for video communication.

Working with programs

Tablets are more suitable for working with several programs simultaneously. This is due, again, to the dimensions. Moreover, tablets running Windows 10 are a full-fledged computer in a compact case, which is not inferior in performance to a laptop or desktop PC.

With Android, things are more complicated, because this OS is less adapted for parallel work with several programs.

Just like when working with programs, it is better to use a tablet for games. But this time he prevails over his opponent due to the diagonal of the screen. This allows the player to enjoy a high-quality picture, and the gameplay itself becomes easier.

Repair

The cost of tablets is on average lower than smartphones. But repairing these devices is more expensive.

Battery

To replace the battery in your smartphone, just remove the back cover and install a new one. In the case of a tablet, everything is more complicated: they use a built-in battery, so it is impossible to replace it without disassembling the device. If the user does not have the skills to disassemble digital equipment, he will have to contact a service center. This will incur additional costs.

Some manufacturers offer smartphones with a built-in battery, but so far there are very few such models. These are mainly flagship devices.

Interesting! In the case of Apple products, it will not be possible to do without contacting a service center. The battery in their smartphones and tablets is built into the case and replacing it yourself is problematic.

Screen

It's theoretically easier to break a tablet display due to its size. The screen itself is also more expensive due to its size. In addition, smartphones are often equipped with glass that is resistant to mechanical damage, reducing the risk of damage.

Battery capacity

Due to their large dimensions and display size, tablets are equipped with a more capacious battery. Thanks to this, their operating life without recharging is longer than that of smartphones. But this increases the weight of the device.

Comparison table

A comparison table will tell you the advantages and disadvantages of gadgets in different areas.

Conclusions

It’s impossible to say which is better – a smartphone or a tablet. Each device has advantages in a particular area of ​​use. Therefore, the buyer must decide what he is primarily buying a gadget for: for mobile communications, surfing the Internet, working with programs or playing games. Although the author of the video below has a slightly different opinion.

The feasibility of using tablets as mobile phones has long been questioned. Previously, the main motivator of those who actively promoted the benefits of “tablet phones” was saving money, since purchasing one device was cheaper than spending money on a smartphone for conversations, and for work and study. But nowadays, with the development of technology, many smartphones produced are superior to their “big brothers” both technically and in mobile terms. Proof of this is the sales indicator for recent years, which marks a significant difference in user and consumer interest in favor of more compact (compared to tablets) smartphones. Despite this, manufacturers continue to produce tablets with telephony and continue to find buyers for them, so their relevance remains at a fairly high level. In this article we will talk about these gadgets, designed to replace smartphones, and will consider the five best representatives of “tablet phones” available on the market in 2018.

Choosing the best tablet with phone function.

It’s worth noting right away that the presence of a “GSM” module and a slot for SIM cards does not mean that the device can be freely and comfortably used as a phone. Of course, everyone has their own list of criteria that a device must meet, but it would be a mistake not to highlight some conditions and features necessary for the full use of the device for the intended purpose, namely:

• "Size". It is quite unusual to look at a person who has put a twenty-five centimeter tablet to his ear, as it looks comical and terribly uncomfortable. Therefore, the optimal size should not exceed 8 inches;
• "Weight". Telephone conversations require mobility, and accordingly, the weight of the selected device should be comfortable for long-term wearing and use; the optimal range is from 250 to 350 grams.
• "Autonomy". Due to the fact that the devices in question involve active use, and, consequently, significant energy consumption, the battery life should be at a fairly high level.

And such parameters as “SIM card slot”, support for 3G/4G/LTE are essential conditions dictated by modern technical requirements, which all candidates listed below will meet.

1st place – “Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T719 LTE ​​32Gb”

2017 brought many excellent new products, among which the 8-inch tablet “S2 8.0 SM-T719 LTE ​​32Gb”, representing the beloved “Galaxy Tab” line, stands out from the best side. Models of the “S” series are considered flagship among the products of the Korean media giant, which means that they are equipped only with the most modern and productive hardware, so even modifications that were released several years ago are not inferior in their technical characteristics to their contemporaries. “Tab S2”, like its more famous brothers, looks stylish and expensive, and due to the narrow side and wide frames at the bottom and top, it is equally comfortable when watching movies and during active activities.

On board is an excellent Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, along with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory, which is not much by modern standards, but quite enough for its active use, both web surfing, work, and gaming applications. . "Tab S2" has one slot for nano-SIM, and also supports all modern wireless data transfer technologies. Perhaps the only significant drawback is the mediocre autonomy, especially when the GSM module and mobile data transmission are active. But this is all quite solvable using standard means, for example, by activating the extreme energy saving mode, you can extend the battery life up to 2-3 days. Otherwise, this is an excellent tablet not only for use as a phone, but also as a workhorse that can handle modern resource-intensive tasks.

2nd place – “Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 SM-T385 16Gb”

The South Korean company, thanks to the quality and availability of its products, has successfully monopolized the top two places in the ranking. In terms of its quality content, “A 8.0” differs little from the more expensive “S2 8.0”. It still has the same bright screen with excellent color reproduction, a stylish but at the same time not flashy body, ease of use, and decent battery life. The only significant difference is in performance, which is an order of magnitude lower than that of the S2, but this difference is compensated by availability and greater adaptability for telephony. The “A 8.0” has a sensitive earpiece and microphones with good noise reduction. In addition, the 5000 mAh battery ensures long-term operation without recharging and with active use of the telephone module, which is not always found in other competing devices.

3rd place – “Lenovo Tab 3 Plus 8703X 16Gb”

“Lenovo Tab 3 Plus 8703X” is one of the most budget options among all presented in this article. On board this model is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor with a frequency of 2000 MHz, which, given such a low price, is a very good help for the purchase. In addition, the Tab 3 Plus 8703X has an 8-inch Full HD screen with good color reproduction, which is not inferior to more expensive analogues. Despite its low cost, this device boasts clear sound, even at maximum volume. It is also worth praising Lenovo for truthfully defining battery life, which averages just over 10 hours. One of the nuances, which can hardly be classified as negative, is the lack of simultaneous dual-SIM operation, despite the presence of 2 slots (1 combined), in active conversation mode when using one of the SIM cards. To summarize, in 2017 Lenovo released a high-quality budget gadget that can satisfy the needs of customers in both mobility and performance, which is not always possible, and not for everyone.

4th place – “Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4 64Gb LTE”

It’s worth noting right away that the “MediaPad M3 8.4 64Gb LTE” is another high-quality representative of the Huawei company, but with rather mediocre battery performance. Unfortunately, manufacturers had to sacrifice autonomy for the sake of small size and lightness. Many tests showed very weak results - an average of 6 hours of active work at maximum screen brightness, but even despite this, the Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4 64Gb LTE takes a well-deserved 4th place. This high rating is dictated by the excellent performance characteristics that were achieved due to the high-performance HiSilicon Kirin 950 processor and 4 GB of RAM. “MediaPad M3” is equipped with two slots for nano-SIM and support for all modern LTE frequencies, but it is important to understand that all telephone conversations should be carried out through an additional headset, since there is no speaker. In general, if you close your eyes to poor battery life and long charging times, then this model will definitely appeal to everyone who is looking for a high-quality tablet with a telephony function that will not lose its relevance for a long time.

5th place – “Huawei Mediapad T2 7.0 Pro LTE 16Gb”

“T2 7.0 Pro” is one of the areas that Huawei is gradually abandoning and is moving from producing multi-budget tablets to producing powerful working gadgets that can challenge both Samsung and Apple (which they are already doing successfully ). “T2 7.0 Pro”, the average is just under 7,000 rubles. was released back in 2016 and given the modern standard of “large smartphones”, this model is significantly losing its position. But it is worth noting that the “T2 7.0 Pro” evaluates itself quite sensibly and reasonably and does not try to hide any gaps in the technical components behind a bright body. At first glance, it is clear that this is a budget tablet with the appropriate “stuffing”, capable of performing tasks in the medium workload category. The most optimal screen orientation is portrait, since at the top of the case there is a single speaker responsible for both telephone conversations and sound playback, which in landscape orientation can cause accidental overlap.

Despite the presence of only one speaker, the Huawei Mediapad T2 7.0 Pro LTE 16Gb offers its customers decent sound, which other analogues in this budget category cannot boast of. As for performance, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 MSM8939 processor, 2 GB RAM and Adreno 405 graphics accelerator are more than enough for use in web surfing or non-resource-intensive work, but their resources will not be enough for games. Taken together, “T2 7.0 Pro LTE”, due to its size and lightness, as well as support for existing mobile data technologies and the GSM module, will be a good purchase for anyone looking for affordability and compliance with modern quality standards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the banal truth should be stated that everything depends on the taste and personal preferences of a person; someone may not agree with the distribution of seats, while others would include other representatives in the top five. But this rating was compiled taking into account customer reviews, as well as based on the results of various tests.

Click "Like" and read the best posts on Facebook

Portable smart devices have become widely used by modern people. In functional terms, mobile devices can replace a computer. Many users wonder what is better - a smartphone or a tablet, and which device to choose to solve certain problems. Due to the similarity of functions performed and integration trends in the development of mobile technology, it is difficult to understand what the fundamental difference is between the gadgets under consideration. Nevertheless, it is there.

The word “smartphone” is derived from two English words smart and phone (smart phone). The name was assigned to a cellular mobile phone with an operating system, endowed with the functions of a portable PC. Based on the definition, it follows that the main function of a smartphone is to provide communication.

The term "tablet" comes from the French word planchette ("tablet"). They call it a subtype of computer, made in the form of a compact candy bar in a “plank” format with a touch screen. Thanks to its compact size, the tablet belongs to categories of mobile computers.

Note! The most common operating systems for the gadgets in question are Android, Windows and iOS.

Main features

Since a tablet is a portable PC by definition, and is not intended for calls over a cellular network, not all models provide support for carrier cards and an earpiece. The exception is certain tablet models with phone function, in which the developers have provided the possibility of voice communication. But such devices are separated into a separate subgroup called “tablet phones.”

Important! The portable flat PC supports IP telephony and conferencing via Skype or other similar applications. In this case, you may have to talk through headphones. Smart mobile phones support similar functionality; a headset is not required for communication.

An important point when answering the question of how a tablet differs from a smartphone is the screen size, and, as a result, dimensions and weight. A 7-inch screen diagonal is the smallest possible and most common size for tablets. On sale you can find devices with screen sizes of 8, 9.7, 10.1 inches. Smartphones can be compact with a display diagonal from 4 to 5.5 inches, or with a large screen from 5.5 to 7 inches. The latter belong to a subgroup called phablet (from the English words phone and tablet). The small mobile phone can be held in one hand and easily fits into your pocket for transport. To hold the tablet, you need both hands; you will need a bag to carry it.

Another distinctive nuance - screen orientation. The display of the smartphone is oriented vertically, while the screen of its opponent is located in the horizontal direction. Of course, the orientation can be changed, but by default it is this way, and the basic functionality is “tailored” to this arrangement.

Ease of use of functionality

To understand the difference between a smartphone and a tablet and determine which is better, let's consider various scenarios for using gadgets.

Surfing the Internet

Both devices in question provide the user with access to the World Wide Web. For home Internet, the obvious advantage of a tablet over a smartphone is the large screen.

1. The gadget allows you to comfortably watch movies and videos.
2. It is more convenient to view the found text information on a large screen.
3. A tablet monitor displays more text when reading publications online.
4. In order to improve the speed of your Internet connection via a Wi-Fi network at home, it is easier to connect your device to a router.

The advantage of a smartphone for accessing the Internet is that it greater mobility when there is a need to access the network outside the home.

1. Always at hand as it easily fits in your pocket for transport.
2. By installing SIM cards, modern mobile phones can connect to the Internet using 3G/LTE technologies. The connection is high-speed almost anywhere, while Wi-Fi coverage cannot be provided everywhere.
3. You can use the device as a Wi-Fi router for other mobile devices.

Working with text documents

Both gadgets can work with various office applications:

• allow you to conduct business or private correspondence through email programs or chats;
• create, edit and store documents, spreadsheet reports and any other notes for office work;
• provide access to cloud data storage.

A tablet PC is more suitable for working at home in multitasking mode with text information. To the device you can connect peripheral equipment: mouse, keyboard, MFP. The smartphone supports office applications; if necessary, you can do some urgent work outside the home with its help, but viewing the information displayed on the small screen is not so convenient.

Taking photos and videos

Photo and video shooting functionality is supported by both portable devices in question. But the cameras in tablet PCs are inferior in characteristics to those found in smartphones.

Based on the experience and reviews of owners, a mobile phone is better suited for this function:

• it’s easier to hold the gadget in your hands and easier to focus on the subject;
• The frames are of higher quality due to the better characteristics of the main camera.

Note! It is more convenient to edit captured footage and edit video on a larger monitor.

Games

Playing games on a tablet is more interesting than from a smartphone. Users love high-quality images on a widescreen screen. This is especially important for games with a lot of small parts. For lovers of simple arcade and puzzle games, the screen of a modern mobile phone is quite suitable.

Hardware differences

The functional features of comparison opponents are determined by the hardware component. In the mid-price category (12-15 thousand rubles), the computing platform of tablets is almost as powerful as budget smartphones for the same money:

• central processor 4-8 core frequency 1.5-2.5 GHz;
• RAM 1-3 GB.

The main differences between the tablet lie in the following nuances.

Other options

Both devices can be used to work in a taxi with a customer base support program. Important conditions for successful operation of the gadget in this capacity are as follows:

• presence in the configuration modules for navigation(GPS and/or GLONASS);
• powerful built-in antenna for communication;
• capacious battery;
• personal preferences regarding screen dimensions.

Note! There are supporters of both devices among taxi drivers. Many people pay attention to two-in-one models: tablet phones and phablets.

Final conclusions

Each of the opponents discussed above is good: it has its own advantages in certain areas of application, but is also not without its disadvantages. What to buy is determined by each buyer himself, based on his personal needs. It is worth remembering that for the successful operation of any mobile device it is important to choose the optimal tariffs.