After the Samsung Galaxy Note debuted with a 5.3-inch display in 2011, it brought a shift in the smartphone market. From then on, every manufacturer - tech behemoths to local players - have started manufacturing phablets (the term used for smartphones with a display size 5-inch or above). Though the gigantic smartphones initially got mixed reactions, but they have now become acceptable. But the trend of large-screen smartphones is growing and manufacturers are coming up with unconventional display sizes. Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Mega 6.3 are the latest examples of such bizarre screen sizes. Besides, home-grown manufactures like Karbonn have also such off-the-wall smartphones in their basket. But the question is do these overly big smartphones have a future? Ankit Vengurlekar, anchor and special correspondent, technology at CNBC Awaaz joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the issue.
Q. Was up Bhai! How can one use such big phones? 1st they cant be used with one hand! Second they are bulky and look hilarious when holding them as phone. What's the sense in making such phone's? Just to capture market share by inviting unconventional users to unconventional models? Asked by: Amit Pareek
A. Amit. For most users like you and me a 4.3 or 4.5 inch screen size wala phone is perfect. Companies are throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. In countries like India, remember, smart phones are also the first Computer that most consumers are using! Hence, the case for large screens is a little stronger than developed economies.
Q. What if someone want a phone below 5 inch screen with all these specifications. Hard to find the same these days. Asked by: Maajid Khan
A. Not entirely true. There are a lot of options from Sony, HTC, Samsung in the Android ecosystem. Nokia's Lumia devices offer sub-5 inch devices throughout their Lumia range. In fact Nokia is a rare company that hasn't YET announced a 5 inch device. So, you'll find plenty of options at every price point in the sub-5 inch phone space.
Q. HTC one or a Samsung Galaxy S4? Asked by: Sudhanshu
A. Oh now that's a Tough One (no pun intended). HTC One really scores in terms of build quality and the premium feel it exudes. The issue is it has a non-replaceable battery and since the entire body is metallic, it heats up significantly. Also, if the phone drops accidentally, the body gets dented which cannot really be fixed since it is a uni-body construction. Having said that, it is a mind-blowing phone. One that the heart craves for. Galaxy S4 is the more rational choice. It is what the head chooses. It is built on Samsung's immense experience and track record. It just sold 10 million units in a month of launch globally. It has just got a price cut, so its cheaper than HTC One by 2500 rupees. All the gimmicky software features aside, it is a brilliant phone. Its faster than anything you've ever used. The screen is EPIC and the camera is quick n how! So, its head vs heart! You decide!
Q. Do smartphones with unconventional display have a future? Asked by: Sunil
A. Absolutely, if there wasn't why would companies spend billions of dollars making them. But they will remain a niche, a large niche if you give me the liberty of using a paradox. Fact is, more and more people want a large screen. But whats stopping them from getting one are battery life concerns and usability fears.
Q. Fablets no doubt works as a substitute to PC and laptops for ordinary lower income people...but many a times their costs are higher than a home basic PC or an ordinary laptop...in such case how can it serve the lower income group? Asked by: Bhagyashree Ghosh
A. Bhagyashree, the real traction one sees in 5 inch plus devices is in the 8k to 15k phones. This is where the bulk of the market is. These are the people who might use their phablets as a portable computer as well. But the real game changer and market movers are yet to launch. The day 5 inch plus devices start selling ft the $100 price point, that's when a significant number of people will start migrating from feature phones to smart phones. Getting the device is half the game, what you then need to offer these consumers is cheap data plans. What good is a cheap smart phone without internet Also, content creators like Music labels and Film production houses need to make good content available either free or at a marginal cost thru network providers. This multi-pronged approach will make these 5inchers unputdownable!
Q. What about galaxy S2 plus? Asked by: Surendra
A. Its a decent phone, but too dated!
Q. hi Ankit, when will GS4 google edition will be launched in India? Asked by: swapnil
A. Hahaha, everyone's waiting for that, aren't they! I don't think it will be officially sold here. Like all nexus devices, these will be sold only through the Play Store and only in US to begin with.
Q. Xperia SP or Samsung galaxy grand or nexus 4? Asked by: rakesh
A. LG Nexus 4 all the way!
Q. Which one is better google nexus 7/10 or ipad mini? Asked by: joe
A. Joe, you've got to decide if you want to dive into the iOS ecosystem or want to try out the relatively scattered yet quite fruitful Android universe! I prefer Apple iPad over Android for a Tablet PC for the sheer number and quality of incredible apps available for a 7/10 inch screen. Also, the range and variety of accessories one has for iPad is amazing. And then there is the service support. IPads don't get repaired in India. They simply get replaced. Less headache!
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