What is better: a smartphone or a tablet: the main differences. Phone or tablet - which is better? What is better: a smartphone or a tablet with phone functionality?

Modern mobile gadgets can practically replace the functionality of a personal user computer, however, what better tablet or smartphone? Which gadget is better to choose? Let's try to figure this out in this article.

The first gadgets such as smartphones and tablets appeared in 2007 at the annual presentation of new technology from Apple.

Today, almost all manufacturers produce such gadgets. computer equipment, the choice of models is very wide and it is difficult for a potential buyer to decide on the right gadget and its model.

To choose the ideal device for yourself, you first need to understand the main differences between a smartphone and a tablet. So what is the difference between a smart phone and a tablet PC?

What is the difference between tablets and smartphones?

Smartphones and tablets personal computers have a number of differences, as well as similar features. First of all, it should be noted that a smartphone is a device that acts as a mobile phone and can also perform all the basic functions of a computer.

There are also flagships - smartphones with very good characteristics, which in their performance are not inferior to some powerful computers.

The smartphone has a pre-installed operating system. As a rule, OS versions for smartphones are updated regularly. This allows users to gain a wide range of new capabilities to work with powerful software.

At the same time, a smartphone can only be used as a cell phone if you do not need to work with PC functions. The device can be easily configured to receive and transmit calls and SMS messages.

Tablet personal computers also have their own pre-installed operating systems.

As a rule, they differ little from those installed on smartphones. We can say that tablets are closer to PCs and laptops, because you can connect a basic input/output device (mouse, keyboard, printer) to such a device and get an almost full-fledged computer.

Also the majority modern models tablets contain the function of mobile phones, some even support two SIM cards at once. However, talking with an interlocutor via a tablet is not always convenient on the street, but video calls are more convenient to use on a tablet - you will get best review interlocutor.

It is impossible to say with certainty what is best to use, because it depends on personal requirements each person to the device.

To understand which gadget is best for you, decide how you will use it most of the time: as a compact pocket device or as a computer.

Let's look at the main functions of smart gadgets and on which devices these functions will be more convenient to use.

Which device is better to buy for the Internet? In this case, it is impossible to give a definite answer, since it depends on many factors. First of all, decide where and how often you need to use your Internet connection?

For home Internet, it is more advisable to buy a tablet, because this will allow you to view web pages on a large display, watch movies and videos in the best quality.

At home, you can always connect your device to your router and get good connection speed. A larger screen can display more data on the page. The tablet is also perfect for reading magazines and news online.

If you constantly need to use the Internet outside the home, it is better to choose a compact device that is always convenient to put in your pocket and take with you for the whole day - a smartphone.

In addition to its compactness, the gadget is more convenient to use, because wi-fi coverage It is not available everywhere and if the tablet does not support a SIM card, connecting to the Internet will become impossible.

Almost all smartphones on the market today can support multiple SIM cards at once. mobile operators. This means that you can choose the maximum favorable tariff to connect with global network.

Smartphones support 3G, 4G connection technologies - this will allow you to get high speed connection wherever you are.

Working with application software

What is better to buy to work with specialized programs? Smartphones and tablet PCs are widely used by users for work.

With these gadgets you have the opportunity to:

  • Conduct business correspondence promptly using postal services;
  • Manage business and take notes;
  • Work with office programs to create documents;
  • Create presentations and tabular reports;
  • To Work with cloud storage and gain access to general editing of the same document and other features.

If you often work with documents, it is better to use a tablet for this purpose. Firstly, it is able to fit more information on the screen. Secondly, the text is easier to read, and working with reporting becomes simpler.

A tablet PC can easily be converted into a small laptop. To do this, you can connect a special keyboard and a manipulator to it.

A smartphone is not entirely suitable for working with office software, although there is a lot of software for displaying and working with documents on phones.

Work with business correspondence and conducting other business from a device that has a small screen is a rather complicated process.

Shock resistance

This aspect is also very important to consider. Gadgets are regularly used by users, they are mobile and easy to move from place to place. This is why there is a risk of the device accidentally falling.

If you want to buy a device that will be comfortable to hold in your hand, choose a smartphone - it is quite difficult to miss, because the phone is very easy to completely clasp in your palm. The tablet must be held with both hands at once in order to securely fix the device.

As a rule, users hit tablet screens more often. In addition, a smartphone is a more profitable device, because replacing a small phone screen is much easier and cheaper than repairing a fairly large tablet.

Taking photos and videos

As a rule, manufacturers equip smartphones with better main and front cameras. Even if the same number of megapixels is declared, the quality of the received frames on two devices may differ in favor of the smartphone.

This happens because a smartphone is more similar in structure to a camera than a tablet. It's easier to focus your phone on the subject of a photo or video. The camera on the tablet is more designed for video conferencing.

By the way, some smartphones do not support video calling even though they have front camera.

Games

If an important factor when choosing equipment for you is the level of work with games, take a closer look at devices with a powerful processor and a large amount of RAM.

Also, to display high-quality images of the gameplay, the device must have a good display resolution. As a rule, these characteristics have good tablets middle and expensive class.

You can also play games on a smartphone, however, it is much more convenient to use a wide display. Games with a lot of small details (for example, strategy) will be displayed better on tablets.

Notice! If you are a fan of regular games: simple runners, arcades, gambling and logic programs, buy a smartphone. It will be more convenient to play such games on such a gadget.

Video editing

If you often edit footage and want to choose a device that would do the job well, it is better to choose a tablet. On its large screen it will be much easier for you to process every frame of the video.

Necessary software For installation, you can install it on both a tablet and a smartphone. Also, if you want to process videos on the go, it is better to purchase a smartphone with powerful specifications.

It will also allow for quick and high-quality installation. One of the most powerful programs for rendering and editing is Final Cut software, which is available on all Apple devices. For OS Android is better install Video Maker Pro.

Phablet is a great alternative for those who find it difficult to choose a gadget

If you still haven’t been able to decide on the ideal device, turn your attention to the next option. Not long ago, manufacturers mobile gadgets began to produce phablets - devices that combine the functions of tablets and phones as much as possible.

How does a phablet differ from conventional smart devices? There are no special differences. The phablet combines all the basic features and characteristics of both a tablet and a smartphone.

This is a kind of golden mean, because the size of the phablet is too large to call the device a full-fledged smartphone and too small to call the gadget a tablet.

Phablets combine powerful characteristics with compactness and mobility. As for the prices for such devices, they are much more expensive than smartphones and their cost approaches, and in some cases even exceeds, the cost of a tablet.

Also, some users note that the phablet is not very convenient to use and hold in the hand, however, its screen displays the ideal amount of information from web pages.

Phablet owners can easily work with office applications and watch videos on their phone. Like smartphones, these devices are equipped with a high-quality camera.

Conclusion

When choosing a suitable gadget, focus on your personal needs and preferences. Compare the price you are willing to pay with the devices on the market and, based on the price-quality ratio, buy the gadget.

A comparative table of the advantages of two gadgets is based on the basic characteristics of the devices and their operation with basic functions.

The table looks like this:

Smartphone Tablet
Average weight Maximum up to 170 g from 250 gr
Dimensions (display diagonal) Up to 7 inches From 6.5 inches
Working with videos (editing) + + (mostly)
Working with the camera + (mostly) +
Games + + (mostly)
Office programs - +
Working hours Up to 8 hours Till 12 o'clock
Shock resistance + -
Surfing the Internet + + (mostly)

Thematic video:

Today many active users Modern gadgets are concerned with the question - which is better, a smartphone or a tablet with a SIM card slot? Surely you have already encountered this version of the answer to this question, as “the choice depends on what mode you are going to use the device in.” That's right. But what selection criteria are important, and why in one situation it is clear better smartphone, and in the other - a tablet with the ability to use it as a phone? Let's try to figure this out.

Like a smartphone, a tablet or laptop is designed to perform certain tasks. Any of these devices can have wide functionality, but individual operating scenarios are better implemented in the one that was originally developed and created to perform them. Let's start our choice with the fact that there are both common features and significant differences between a smartphone and a tablet. It is the differences that will be decisive when choosing the type of device, depending on the planned operating mode.

How is a tablet different from a smartphone?

To understand the difference between a tablet and a smartphone, let’s look at the key differences between these devices. The smartphone combines the functionality of a mobile phone with the options of a pocket computer. After modern operating systems were developed, it became possible to install various software on smartphones, thereby significantly expanding the functionality of the gadget.

Thus, a smartphone can be considered as an ordinary “dialer” with which you can check email, as well as use various instant messengers and a host of other useful applications, thereby turning the device into a small computer. But still, a smartphone remains, first and foremost, a phone, albeit a very advanced one, and has not yet become a full-fledged computer.

Tablets also run modern operating systems, which are found in smartphones. There are models equipped with a SIM card slot, which allows them to be used as cell phone. But in terms of its capabilities and functions, a tablet is still closer to a computer than a smartphone.

Which is more convenient for calls?

Considering the differences and the original purpose of the device, it is easy to conclude that a smartphone will be more convenient for making calls. Therefore, if you need the functionality of a cell phone to a greater extent than the capabilities of a computer, your choice is clear - a smartphone.

There is no doubt that most tablets on the market today can function as a cell phone. The presence of a SIM card slot allows you to make calls from the device. But how convenient is it to talk using a gadget whose diagonal is at least 7 inches? A very dubious pleasure, you will agree. And your hand will get tired. Of course, you can use a headset when talking. But another problem remains - a tablet, unlike a smartphone, will not fit into almost any pocket.

What is more convenient for surfing the Internet?

To work with the Internet browser, you can use both a smartphone and a tablet. At the same time, when choosing a tablet, be sure to pay attention to whether it supports 4G networks. The absence of this feature will significantly reduce the comfort of use. mobile internet. It is important to understand that for surfing the Internet, screen size is of no small importance. This is precisely one of the main differences between a smartphone and a tablet. The tablet has a diagonal size of at least 7 inches.

However, today the mobile device market includes so-called phablets - smartphones with a diagonal of 5.5 to 7 inches. This name (phablet) appeared as a result of the merger of two English words PHone and tABLET. Sometimes you can find such names for these devices as a lampshade, a flanchette, or a tablet phone. We can say that phablets are an alternative for those who cannot finally decide what to buy - a smartphone, a tablet, or both devices at the same time?

Thanks to the large screen, the tablet allows you to simultaneously see more information than a smartphone. In addition, it is worth considering that touch screen is also a gadget control element. Therefore, the size of the displayed keyboard and other control buttons also directly depends on the size of the display. Reading and entering text is much more convenient on a larger screen.

Based on this, we conclude: if you need a device whose screen can accommodate as much information as possible, on which it will be convenient to read and type text, and work a lot with applications, your choice is a tablet or phablet.

The best way to take pictures

Most active users are accustomed to taking pictures or shooting videos using their mobile device. And if this option is important to you, then the choice will be clear - a smartphone or a phablet. The fact is that tablets traditionally have camera modules of poorer quality. This is not the most strong point of this type devices.

Which is better for gaming?

You can install many games on both your tablet and smartphone that will help you have a good time. Depending on the operating system, Android, iOS, or Windows Phone, there are many applications, both paid and free. Widest selection free games offered for Android device users. The advantage of tablets with Windows 8 OS is that you can install a regular computer game on them.

In addition to the operating system, the screen size is also of great importance for the game. The larger it is, the more convenient it is to play. Especially if the gameplay format of the game provides for the presence of a large number of small elements. In general, if you prefer simple games that lack small elements, then any smartphone, even one with a diagonal of 3.5 inches, will handle this perfectly. But for those who prefer strategy games and other games with a lot of small details, it is better to opt for a tablet or phablet with a diagonal of at least 6 inches.

Working with documents and texts

You can start by connecting an external keyboard to both your smartphone and tablet. But we understand that what bigger screen, the more convenient it will be to type text. In addition, many tablets have special docking stations equipped with a QWERTY keyboard, external battery and additional ports. This allows you to turn your tablet into a netbook (with some caveats). And if you have to work a lot with text, then the choice is definitely in favor of a tablet.

The situation is exactly the same if you need to not only print a lot, but also open documents created in office applications. In this case best choice will be a tablet running Windows OS. These devices allow you to use the usual set of office programs installed on computers.

Almost universal solution

If you are still tormented by the question of what to choose, a smartphone or a tablet, if you need to make calls, work with the Internet, and view documents, we will try to give universal advice. You can buy a productive, powerful, modern, and inexpensive smartphone. It is important that it has excellent technical characteristics, and that the screen size is as convenient as possible, both for calls and for reading texts or working with applications. Conducted research and sociological surveys have shown that the majority of users believe that the gadget size of 5.2 inches is the most convenient and comfortable, both for working with the device and when using it as a cell phone.

So, we are looking for a 5.2-inch smartphone with powerful hardware, and preferably at an affordable price. You may be surprised, but such devices are on the market. Pay attention to the line of smartphones from the young promising British brand Wileyfox. This company appeared on the market in the fall of 2015, and its products immediately attracted the attention of both ordinary users and experts. It should be noted that all models of the brand received the most popular options and functions on the market today. Thus, each smartphone with a cute fox face on the back panel (Wileyfox brand logo) has two slots for SIM cards, supports 4G LTE data networks, has a stylish modern design, powerful technical characteristics and an affordable price.

An excellent example universal smartphone there will be the company's flagship, the Wileyfox Swift 2 X model.

Wileyfox Swift 2 X

Powerful, productive, visually attractive and affordable - all this is true for Wileyfox Swift 2 X. The body of the device is made of high-quality aluminum alloy, which creates a pleasant tactile experience thanks to its metallic coolness. The brand logo, the frame of the fingerprint scanner and the 16-megapixel camera module are made using laser engraving technology. Thanks to its small thickness (only 8.2 mm) and slightly rounded 2.5D display edges, the device looks very stylish and original.

The 5.2-inch Full HD IPS display provides high image quality even at wide viewing angles. This is the optimal screen size for both working with applications, viewing various content, and for using the device as a phone.

Productive 8-core Qualcomm processor 430 provides the ability to load the most resource-intensive applications. For this, the user also has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. The ability to expand memory using a 128GB microSDXC card will certainly be appreciated by users who like to take a lot of photos and shoot videos. Thanks to the 16-megapixel camera with phase detection autofocus and dual LED flash, the quality of your images will be impeccable.

A fingerprint scanner and an NFC module - almost mandatory options for modern smartphones - are present in this model. Technology support will also be useful for users fast charging battery and implementation modern standard connection to USB TYPE-C 2.0.

And the most important thing is the price. You can order Wileyfox Swift 2 X on the official website for only 12,990 rubles.

Conclusion

So, we looked at the main differences between a tablet and a smartphone. Now you can make the right choice, depending on the purpose for which you are going to buy the device. Of course, if the model we recommend does not suit you, it is an excellent option for those who want to save money without losing quality, reliability and functionality.

Today there is a huge demand for mobile technology in the market. If previously a laptop was purchased as a replacement for a home computer, today the laptop itself is increasingly replacing the tablet. And for some, a smartphone is all they need.

Not all users know the difference between a smartphone and a tablet, so let's talk about the differences.

Definition of smartphone and tablet

First, let's define each of the devices.

Smartphone (from the English smartphone, which can be translated as a smart phone) - formally mobile phone, which is complemented by the functionality of a computer. In fact, this is the computer that it can replace for the most part.

Tablet or Tablet PC(from English tablet computer) - mobile computer, which with a stretch can be called one of the varieties of laptop. At the same time, the tablet does not use a mouse or keyboard, although today many models support these devices.

What is the difference between a tablet and a smartphone?

It's definitely worth starting with the main differences.

  • The first and most important difference is that the tablet is a computer, which cannot be used to make calls. landline numbers, that is, it does not support a SIM card for calls. However, you can still make calls from your tablet, for example, using the Internet and special applications type At the same time, since speaker absent, a headset is required for conversation. It is worth noting that today some tablets support the ability to make calls using a SIM card, but such devices are usually called tablet phones. As a rule, they are only slightly larger than smartphones (usually the screen diagonal is no more than 7 inches).
  • The second major difference is the screen size. Remember when the very first iPhone came out and changed the world? So, the diagonal of its screen was 3.5 inches, which then seemed incredible. But only a few years have passed and what do we see? Today, smartphones with a screen diagonal of up to 5 inches often have mini set-top box, and the flagship smartphones of many companies have a screen with a diagonal of at least 5.5 inches. The screen diagonal of tablets usually ranges from 7 to 10-11 inches. Larger devices are still rare.
  • The tablet is heavier and less mobile, which, in general, is understandable. If the smartphone can still be put in your pocket, and even then not always, then the tablet will have to be put in a bag or backpack if you want to take it with you.
  • Due to the large screen, rare tablets have the same autonomy as smartphones. For example, 8-10 hours of surfing the Internet for a tablet is an excellent indicator, while most smartphones reach these numbers without any problems.
  • The functionality of tablets is significantly higher due to the screen size. For example, it is convenient to draw on a tablet, even by touching the screen. Another example is watching videos. Frankly speaking, watching videos on a 5-inch screen is quite an exercise. Whether it's a 10-inch tablet.
  • Oddly enough, manufacturers are in no hurry to equip tablets with powerful processors and gigabytes of memory, which cannot be said about the latest smartphones- in terms of their characteristics, they are more powerful than many laptops or PCs, although in fact all this power is often excessive.
  • The majority of tablets do not have a SIM card slot, that is, they do not have a 3G module.

Here are a few images that clearly show the difference between the devices:

What should I buy?

It all depends solely on your needs. If you want to always be in touch, then, of course, you need to buy a smartphone.

If you want to stay connected and have a device on which you can watch videos, turn your attention to large smartphones () with a screen diagonal of 5.5-6 inches.

If you need a device for entertainment, that is, games, watching videos, surfing social networks etc., it’s better to take a tablet.

In a good way, it is better to have both devices. You can use a tablet at home, and use a smartphone outside the apartment.

Let's move on to comparing extremely popular gadgets - a smartphone and a tablet. If you have neither one nor the other, and want to buy one, then this article is for you.

  • The first is weight and shape. The tablet looks larger, unlike a smartphone. Naturally, the tablet weighs significantly more. What are the pros and cons of this? The advantage, definitely, is that the image is larger and better quality on a tablet. But the smartphone, with its fairly decent image quality, is lighter in weight, which adds to its comfort.
  • The most important difference, for sure, is that smartphones act as telephones and connect to cellular networks, and also support 3G network. It is quite rare to find 3G technology in tablets.
  • Tablets run on powerful platforms, but smartphones can't compete in browsing the Internet. Potentially, no device can compete with a smartphone - powerful CPU from 1 or more Ghz, as well as two, four or eight cores. RAM in tablets it reaches 3 GB. And the last thing is operating systems; many tablets are made on windows platform, which cannot be said about smartphones.
  • The smartphone competes with the tablet on energy savings. Not very powerful processors that smartphones are equipped with consume little power. And on tablets with especially powerful processors, power consumption is off the charts, and if the battery is weak, the tablet will not work for even two hours. offline mode. But a smartphone, on the contrary, can work with good battery up to two to four days in operating mode.
  • The cameras on tablets are quite weak - up to 3 megapixels. Therefore, smartphones with cameras up to 13 megapixels take over here. high quality Images.

Advantages of the tablet: surfing the Internet and viewing, thanks to the large screen, support for powerful software and powerful operating systems, including Windows 7.

Advantages of smartphones: the ability to make calls via a 3G network, excellent compactness and lightness of the device, good quality cameras and high resolution for images and videos, a huge advantage in energy consumption.

A thoughtful choice of a mobile device is the prerogative of those who clearly understand what tasks the device should perform. What is the difference between a smartphone and a tablet? Is there a significant difference between them in terms of operation? Both representatives mobile market tightly entered our lives. But so far none of them have received the “palm of championship”.

Researchers note growing demand for both smartphones and tablets. Moreover, there is no competition between these devices. These are different equipment to perform different tasks. Although it immediately seems that the devices will cope with most functions in the same way. And some buyers mistakenly believe that a tablet is just a larger version of a smartphone. Let's analyze the differences between them.

The screen is the determining factor when purchasing

The first thing that catches your eye is the diagonal of the screen. Tablet physically more smartphone. Therefore, the first device has wider scope for work and entertainment:

  • with a seven-inch diagonal (and higher) it is more convenient to view web pages, scale them, group them, “collect” them into a feed;
  • on the big screen you get more pleasure from watching movies, cartoons and other videos;
  • edit photos, presentations, messages easier;
  • The larger on-screen keyboard is easier to use.

Although it is still better to work fully on other devices. What is the difference between a tablet and a laptop, for example.

Smartphone manufacturers are trying to increase the size of screens. Latest models They come in five inches. But this is less than 7, 8 or 9 inches. But the smartphone fits easily into your pocket and looks more natural on your face during a mobile conversation.

Screen size is not the main difference between a smartphone and a tablet. The difference is also in resolution:

  • "smart phones" on Android based support a maximum of 800x480 pixels;
  • the same Asus Transformer Pad Infinity has a resolution of 2560x1600 (and for tablets this is not the limit).

What gives high resolution?

Firstly, the picture is more pleasant - the eyes get less tired when looking at the screen for a long time.

Secondly, more information fits on the tablet screen. You can use it more rationally by creating shortcuts, widgets, and bookmarks.

Thirdly, small details when high resolution are displayed more clearly. This indicator is important when playing the same strategic games.

Some consumers joke: “ Big screen- big problems". With regard to tablets, this statement is partly true:

  • they are heavier than smartphones;
  • they are inconvenient to use as a cell phone;
  • the screen gets dirty quickly and is easily damaged;
  • You will have to pay a considerable amount to repair the front part of the device.

The principle of functional differences

Smart people buy mobile device, focusing still not on his appearance, but on internal capabilities. Functions that are available thanks to the equipment filling.

Smartphone

Mobile phone function

optional

Possibility of connecting to a cellular network

optional

Built-in 3G module

Most modern models

Additional rare option

Number and quality of applications

Not all options support multitasking programs; Applications are usually elementary and their number is limited.

A huge number of different applications have been developed for the operating systems of all tablets, which increases the gaming and working capabilities of the devices.

Optics quality

Built-in cameras from 8 MP. The photos come out great.

Most models have entry-level cameras.

Hardware component

Options with quad-core processors are very expensive and do not support many applications.

Powerful platform, productive GPU, central - 2 or 4 cores, a decent amount of RAM and storage.

Battery

They have a small capacity, therefore they are more energy efficient.

The battery is solid, because high performance and large diagonal require a lot of energy.

    A tablet is larger and heavier than a smartphone.

    Tablets have higher screen resolutions than smart phones.

    Smart is widely used as a mobile phone.

    Tablets boast powerful hardware and high performance. Therefore they require more energy.

    Smartphones have more built-in high quality camera and a 3G module.