21% Of Smartphones Shipped In Q3 2013 Are Phablets

A couple of years ago, Samsung took the wraps off the original Samsung Galaxy Note. The device featured a 5.3” display which at that time was considered to be massive, at least for a phone. The term “phablet” has since been coined (although Samsung wants to change it). Many had expressed their opinion that such devices were a novelty and it would not catch on, but fast forward to 2013, new numbers released by the IDChas suggested that 21% of all smartphones shipped in Q3 2013 were of the phablet variety, indicating and perhaps putting to rest once and for all, that phones with large displays are here to stay.

According to the IDC, their definition of phablet are devices whose displays measure between 5-7” diagonally (Sony’s Xperia Z Ultra’s 6.44” display is cutting it pretty close!), and while they did not mention names, chances are Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 is leading the way, although 2013 saw many phone manufacturers release some pretty decent devices that could technically fall into the phablet category, such as the LG G2 and the Sony Xperia Z. What do you guys think? Will the number of phablets shipped see an increase year-on-year, or do you think that while devices with large screens are popular, they aren’t for everyone?

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Galaxy Note 3, Samsung