What is the difference between a smartphone and a tablet. What is the difference between a smartphone and a tablet? What is more convenient: a tablet or a smartphone?

Another detail that literally catches your eye is the diagonal of the screen. Modern smartphones have a diagonal, on average, from 4.5 to 5.5-5.7 inches (larger models are less common), while the screen diagonal of tablets only starts at 7 inches, and the maximum bar, if you take into account professional touch panels, consider not. And yet here are the most popular tablet display diagonals: 7, 8 and 9.7 inches.

The downside of a large screen is that the device itself no longer seems so mobile. If we can put a 5.5-inch smartphone in our pocket, albeit with difficulty, then even with a relatively small 7-inch tablet this trick is unlikely to be repeated. But it is more convenient to watch videos, read books or play games.

Of course, tablets are heavier than smartphones, often several times heavier.

Ease of use for calls, for using the Internet

Looking through catalogs of smartphones and tablets, we often look for the most comfortable and convenient model for some of our own purposes. At the same time, the goals may be different, and sometimes we combine several requirements for the same gadget. Let's figure out which device will be more suitable for calls, because, as we found out, you can make calls from both a smartphone and a tablet. In this matter, the dimensions of the device are extremely important, because we need to hold it to our ear with one hand, so most often compact smartphones are more comfortable. However, in this case, the tablet can be used using a headset.

We also use our gadgets for the Internet. We read information on websites, watch videos online, and so on. In this case, we are more interested in the large screen sizes that a tablet computer has. Thus, both devices, a smartphone and a tablet, are more convenient for certain purposes.

Tablet or smartphone: which is better?

If we globally understand the differences between a tablet and a smartphone, then in terms of functionality we can distinguish:

1. The tablet is laptop, where the communication function is in the background.
2. A smartphone is a multifunctional phone, similar to a computer. It combines a communication device, an Internet access point, entertainment, a library, and an audio and video player.

What to choose between these two devices? There is no exact answer to this question, since a lot depends on individual preferences. Some people don't like bulky devices like a smartphone. And some, on the contrary, need the display to be large. Experts say that the most effective method To determine which is better is to hold both gadgets in your hands. Since “your” technique is felt immediately, you won’t be able to make a mistake.

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:

• Promptly conduct business correspondence using postal services;
• Manage business and take notes;
• Work with office programs to create documents;
• Create presentations and tabular reports;
• 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.

Working with business correspondence and conducting other matters from a device that has a small screen is a rather complex process.

How to choose a tablet with a SIM card: main criteria

In principle, the criteria for choosing a gadget with a SIM card are almost the same as for a regular tablet.

You should pay attention to:

1. The screen diagonal is selected according to your needs and your vision. Now it makes almost no sense to buy a model with a diagonal of 7 inches, since there are already smartphones with a diagonal of 6. But a 10-inch tablet is perfect for watching movies, playing games, working and other functions. If you are more accustomed to counting in centimeters, then one inch is 2.54 cm.
2. Resolution and aspect ratio – if you are going to use the device only for watching movies, then you can, in principle, buy a model with a 16:9 screen aspect ratio. But it’s better to take a 3:4 screen, as it is more versatile. Resolution affects the clarity of the picture, so under no circumstances take a 10-inch tablet with a resolution of 640x320, the image quality on it will be simply disgusting. The minimum for 7 inches is 1024x600. It’s better not to save on your eyes, and take a model with FullHD resolution, that is, 1920x1280.
3. The case material is plastic, which feels more comfortable in the hand, but is easier to damage. Metal is stronger, but heavier and weakens reception wireless network. Also, the plastic heats up more during operation of the gadget, which can be a plus in cold winters, but, in general, is a minus.
4. The battery is the most important feature for those who spend a lot of time with the tablet away from an outlet. The larger the battery capacity, the longer the device will work, but there are a number of caveats. Firstly, the use of a 3G module, GPS and a number of applications “eats up” the charge very quickly. Secondly, the battery discharges faster in the cold. Fortunately, many models support so-called economical and super-economical modes, allow you to disable the most energy-consuming functions and generally take care in every possible way to conserve charge. If the battery capacity is still sorely lacking, then you should get a Power Bank. By the way, over time, the battery loses its ability to hold a charge, so if you want to be able to replace it with a fresh one, choose a model with a removable battery.

Judging by the reviews about choosing a tablet, these are the criteria most users pay attention to when purchasing. But there are a number of other parameters that are of great importance

Hardware power

Speed ​​and performance are very important to us when choosing modern gadgets and devices. Therefore, it is very good if smartphone and tablet applications launch without delays, “lags” and other troubles. What is the difference between a smartphone and a tablet when considering their hardware power and performance? Of course, if we need a good gadget for social networks and surfing the Internet, then we may not need a high-performance processor and endless amounts of memory.

However, if we need high characteristics and parameters, then when comparing smartphones and tablets, smartphones often win

If you pay attention to the same price of two devices, then the smartphone is usually more productive. For them, budget devices with 8-core processes are already becoming the norm, and volumes random access memory at the 4-6 GB level few people are surprised

Tablet computers with similar parameters are, as a rule, exceptions.

What is better: tablet or smartphone?

Relying on design features of our electronic gadgets, let’s try to figure out where it’s better to use a tablet and where to use a smartphone.

mobile connection

For mobile communications A smartphone is much better suited than a tablet. The smartphone is specially designed for mobile telephony. Of course, you can sometimes use a tablet for telephone conversations, but holding a massive device near your ear is not very convenient, and even using wireless headset will not simplify the task, since you cannot put the tablet in your pocket.

Surfing the Internet

The appearance of the browser on tablets is practically no different from that installed on a personal computer or laptop. Much more information fits on a tablet screen than on a smartphone screen. Therefore, “browsing the Internet” is much more pleasant on a tablet.

Working in several programs simultaneously

The larger screen size gives priority to the tablet over the smartphone when working with running programs, more precisely, makes it more convenient to switch between them.

Photo and video shooting

Smartphone for photography and video recording better tablet but, since the quality of its optics exceeds that installed on tablets.

Viewing videos and photos

If the higher-quality photo matrix of smartphones allows you to take excellent photos and videos, then viewing even these same photos and videos is definitely better on a much larger and high-quality tablet screen, not to mention HD content and interactive television.

Work with documents

The proposed software for working with documents on smartphones and tablets is focused on more powerful hardware, intelligently loading all processor cores. Therefore, the tablet has a noticeable advantage here, complemented again by a large display.

Games

If you decide to play graphic games, then a more powerful processor and larger screen size definitely give the tablet an advantage. This is especially true for games in which small details are decisive in the game.

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

Screen size and overall dimensions

The screen diagonal of the tablet ranges from 7 to 12 inches. With a high-resolution display on the tablet, it is convenient to watch movies, videos, read e-books, digital newspapers and magazines, surf the web, draw in design programs and play mobile games.

Take any modern smartphone and you will see that in nine cases out of ten you will have in your hand a gadget with a screen diagonal of at least 5 inches. Smartphones with a diagonal of 5.5 inches are especially popular among users. The gadgets are called phablets or tablet phones.

On the 5.5-inch screen, you can easily browse websites on the Internet, play games, work with various applications, read books and watch movies, and work with documents.

The screen diagonal is related to the dimensions of the gadget, and therefore ease of handling and transportation. A tablet, be it square or rectangular, can only fit into a bag or backpack. To use it you need a surface or a special folding cover. You have to hold it with both hands, which may not always be convenient, for example, in transport or on the street.

A smartphone with a screen diagonal of 5.2 to 5.5 inches can be easily held with one hand. Interface elements are within the reach of the thumb. The smartphone is compact: it can be put into a pocket, case or holster, or attached to a special holder on the forearm during fitness classes.

If the smartphone does fall out of your hands, repairs will cost much less than for a tablet.

What is the difference between tablets and smartphones

Smartphones and tablet personal computers have a number of differences, as well as similarities. 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, the smartphone can only be used as cellular telephone, 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, most modern tablet models 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 a better view of the interlocutor.

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

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

The screen is the determining factor when purchasing

The first thing that catches your eye is the diagonal of the screen. A tablet is physically larger than a 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. The latest models 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:

• Android-based smart phones 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, fine details are displayed more clearly at high resolution. This indicator is important when playing the same strategic games.

Some consumers joke: “Big screen means 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.

Device characteristics

This point is very important, because if you choose a device at random, 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 clock frequency, which basically 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.

Advantages of smartphones

Of course, it’s hard to imagine modern life without a smartphone. Therefore, in our article we are most likely talking about an additional smartphone - with a large screen, ideal for watching movies. After all, you should definitely have a compact device, since it’s impossible to take a tablet with you everywhere - it’s too big.

If you buy yourself a smartphone, you automatically get the ability to make calls. A tablet, even if it has a slot for a SIM card, can only be configured for an Internet connection. And is it necessary to mention that it is more convenient to talk on a smartphone, even if it has a 5.5-inch display?

For some reason, the cost of producing smartphones is very low. Therefore, now budget smartphones are appearing in full swing, which have good characteristics. They often have an IPS display and a light sensor, which makes their use quite comfortable. But inexpensive tablets are equipped with less advanced characteristics, which is why they regularly experience slowdowns. We can conclude that you will most likely spend more money on buying a good tablet computer than on purchasing a smartphone.

If you are a gaming enthusiast, then only an expensive “tablet” will suit you. Cheap models are simply not capable of providing modern games with adequate frame rates. But smartphones cope much better with launching them - even relatively inexpensive devices. Moreover, if the device includes a gyroscope, then it can also be inserted into a VR helmet! There is no way you can place a tablet in it.

Now in stores you can easily choose a smartphone with a protected case. What can I say, even super popular Samsung Galaxy S8 is not afraid of water! In this regard, you can easily buy a device for traveling. You can take it with you outdoors. You will be confident that falling onto rocks or into water will not have harmful consequences. As for “tablets,” they rarely get a shock-resistant and waterproof case. Of course, such models still exist. But their cost is inadequate, and their characteristics are outdated.

By the way, when traveling, your smartphone will also delight you with its navigation module. You'll open the Maps app and immediately see your location. Tablets often also have a GPS chip. But think about it: will you want to take such a bulky device out of your backpack every time?

Advantages and disadvantages of using a tablet

Before deciding whether you need a tablet or not, you need to analyze its advantages and disadvantages. Let's start with the advantages:

1. Light weight. This is a very significant parameter, because when compared with a desktop PC or laptop, this device very light, easy to take with you everywhere. True, the comparison with a smartphone turns out to be worse.
2. Practicality. You can't argue with this advantage. The lack of a keyboard is a definite plus. Despite the fact that for some users this is very inconvenient, compactness takes precedence over this insignificant disadvantage.
3. Versatility. Manufacturers offer devices of this type running on different operating systems, which allows you to significantly expand the range of its capabilities. Using special outputs on the case, you can connect a keyboard or computer mouse for the convenience of performing the operations you need. In fact, in this case you get a compact laptop.
4. Battery life. The devices are made with very large screens, which makes it possible to place capacious batteries behind them. It is thanks to this that the tablet compares favorably with a smartphone or laptop in its autonomous operation.

Among the disadvantages of choosing a tablet, it is worth noting the following:

1. Small amount of memory. Typically, these devices have a small amount of memory, like a smartphone. You can't even compare it to a personal computer.
2. Mediocre camera. As a rule, in most models the camera quality leaves much to be desired, because these devices mainly have a different purpose.

Modern smartphone models are distinguished by large screens, precisely because of this, the described gadgets have lost their popularity, because why buy two devices if all the functions can be combined in one, more mobile one. Everyone has the right to personally decide for themselves whether they need a tablet or not. In any case, manufacturers are developing new, better, more powerful models, which for some are irreplaceable, while for others they are simply useless. Should I buy or not? It's up to you to decide.

cellular

Even when we choose a gadget that can make calls, we may still be faced with the question of whether to choose a tablet or a smartphone. Of course, when it comes to smartphones, they simply don’t exist without the ability to make a phone call or send an SMS.

But if you choose a tablet, we will need to pay special attention to this issue

The fact is that some editions tablet computers may not support working with a SIM card due to the fact that they simply do not have a slot for it. Then the purchase may turn out to be a huge disappointment, because such a device is not capable of making calls, sending SMS notifications, and what is most sad, we will not have the opportunity to use 3G or 4G Internet. And even if a SIM card slot is provided in the tablet, this is not a guarantee that we will be able to make calls using it, because sometimes a SIM card is only needed for mobile Internet.

It is difficult for a modern person to do without a smartphone or. When deciding to purchase the necessary gadget, a potential buyer invariably faces a dilemma: what to choose, a smartphone or a tablet?

What is the difference between a smartphone and a tablet?

Let's try to answer the question of what to buy, a tablet or a smartphone, by comparing a tablet and a smartphone.

Let's start the analysis by finding out what unites the two devices:

• both devices have the same format and common functions (the ability to work with texts, images; play music and HD video);
• identical operating system, thanks to which a significant part mobile applications compatible with both devices;
• Both smartphones and tablets have access to advanced functions: Internet connection, support for multimedia files, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, navigation on geographic maps.

Now let’s note what is the difference between a tablet and a smartphone:

• The main difference between a tablet and a smartphone is the features. The smartphone is primarily used as a mobile phone, has a connection to a cellular network, and supports 3G. Tablets cannot be connected to 2G networks, and the 3G module is only an additional option;
• dimensions and weight. Tablets are larger than smartphones and have larger diagonal display, although some tablets are miniature in size. In general, a small-sized smartphone is more convenient to carry with you, putting it in your pocket or handbag;
• screen orientation. Typically, a tablet screen is oriented horizontally, a smartphone - vertically. Although almost all models provide the ability to rotate the image, the hardware control is ergonomically oriented;
• Tablet platforms are more powerful than smartphones, which means downloading programs, videos, graphic images etc. pass faster, and their memory capacity is wider;
• battery power. Smartphones are equipped chargers low capacity, tablets require more powerful batteries. Accordingly, the power consumption of the smartphone is less;
• display sizes. The tablet's larger display has higher technical characteristics, in particular resolution. This ensures the ability to work with any software. The small display of a smartphone is not convenient for typing long texts, processing videos, or creating presentations;
• camera operation. Smartphones have better cameras that allow you to take great pictures;
• A significant number of applications have been created for tablets, which increases their work and gaming capabilities.

Thus, deciding which is better, a smartphone or a tablet, should be done individually, taking into account the main purposes of using a portable device. For those who need to communicate quite a lot via mobile communications and access the Internet for a short time, a smartphone is ideal.

If you constantly need a laptop computer, then it is better to purchase a tablet, since the large screen allows you to view and edit documents. Also thanks to the excellent display, It’s convenient to use the tablet for entertainment purposes (watching movies, listening to music, etc.)

Recently, the difference in smartphones and tablets has become increasingly blurred: some tablet models are very miniature, while smartphones have increased sizes. Hybrids of tablet and smartphone have appeared. This tablet has a niche in which a smartphone can be placed. All information available on the smartphone is displayed on the tablet display. In addition, by connecting an additional keyboard, the device turns into a netbook.

Purpose

First of all, the phone is designed specifically for calls and communication via SMS. Of course, a lot of bells and whistles have been added to it recently, but its main function has remained unchanged. But the tablet is designed for viewing web pages on the Internet, movies, communicating via social networks, making video calls, and reading e-books.

Display, dimensions

The push-button telephone fits very comfortably in the hand and is compact in size. Therefore, it is convenient to carry it with you in almost any pocket. But it usually has a small display, which is only enough to view the list of contacts, SMS messages, and time.

The tablet has a much larger screen. Therefore, it is more convenient to view photos, videos, browse websites, and so on. But due to the size of the display, the tablet is larger than a phone, and in order to carry it with you, you need a case or handbag.

Functionality

It will take a lot of time to describe all the capabilities of the tablet, so you can familiarize yourself with the functionality of the tablet in detail.

I’ll just say what fundamentally distinguishes a tablet from a phone.

Operating system. The tablet has an operating system that gives ample installation options software and working with him. You can install various programs, for example, e-book readers, drawing programs, navigation programs, etc.

The phone does not have such an operating system - it runs on a closed software shell, where you can install only the simplest Jawa applications (although the simplest phones do not even have this feature).

Hardware capabilities. Can be connected to tablet USB flash drives, hard disks. It can have built-in Wi-Fi and GPS (navigation) modules. Tablets with an HDMI connector can be connected to a TV to duplicate the image on the big screen. The possibilities are quite wide, and this is not the limit, whereas a regular phone is not capable of all this.

Who is the tablet suitable for?

Can I give my baby a tablet? Of course you can, why not? Good fun for a capricious toddler - he will be able to draw on a virtual canvas without getting dirty with paints, and watch cartoons.

It is advisable, of course, to choose a simple tablet, because a child can easily throw it and break/crush the display. At least it won’t be such a shame to throw away a cheap broken tablet.

For middle and high school students, teenagers and students, a tablet will be useful mainly for games and social networks- this is the truth of our time. Of course, it can help out those who are looking for some information that will be useful in their studies.

What should parents do? If you spend a lot of time on public transport, a book or movie on your tablet can relieve your boredom. And if you work a lot and constantly want to be aware of what is happening, with the help of a tablet you can go online at any time, check your email, read news on the Internet, or quickly find a recipe on the Internet on how to prepare something delicious for lunch.

A tablet with a navigation module is a good assistant for tourists and travelers. You can download maps, set your location on the map, get directions, find out the distance to an object, etc.

I would like to emphasize that despite all the advantages of a tablet, it cannot completely replace mobile communications.

Who is the phone suitable for?

Yes, in general, to everyone who needs regular mobile communications. For example, if parents think that it is too early for their child to use a tablet, they can give their child the simplest phone so that he will always be in touch.

Music lovers who cannot imagine their life without music do not have to carry a tablet with them or purchase an MP3 player separately. Nowadays there are a lot of cheap and simple phones with a connector for a Micro-SD flash drive that supports mp3 format playback. With the purchase of such a device, you can kill two birds with one stone - you will have both a player and a dialer in one device.

People who are indifferent to modern gadgets most likely need communication anyway. The most common push-button telephone is exactly what they need.

Elderly people (grandparents) by and large do not need a tablet. They will not surf the Internet, but can watch a movie or series on TV or through a computer. A phone is enough for them to communicate, the main thing is that it has large keys, that the information on the screen is displayed in large font, that the phone keeps good communication, has a loud speaker and a capacious battery. People jokingly call such devices “granny phones.”

There is also a category of people who need the functionality of a tablet, and at the same time, there is a need to often make or receive calls. In this case, you can purchase a universal device - a smartphone with a large screen. Or do it as I do: I don’t have a smartphone, but I use the most ordinary Nokia phone, which holds a charge for weeks and can get a connection even from the cellar, and I have a tablet that I use to access the Internet for work when I’m on the road. This way I can talk on the phone and at the same time click on something on the tablet.

You can, of course, buy a tablet with a 3G module, insert a SIM card into it, a headset, plug headphones into your ears, and talk. But tablets don't last as long on battery life as a regular phone, especially during a call.

So which is better?

Whatever suits you or your loved ones best for solving certain problems. While not everyone needs a tablet, it is extremely difficult to live without a mobile phone these days.

Of course, after dreaming a little, you can come to the conclusion that there is no point in choosing between these two devices: it is better to have both. But, unfortunately, finances do not always allow you to fulfill both dreams at the same time. And if you have to choose one of the two, you should immediately figure out which is better - a tablet or a smartphone.

Pros and cons of buying a smartphone

First, let's talk about smartphones - multifunctional devices that replaced traditional mobile phones. What is the difference between a smartphone and a tablet, and why should you choose it? Let's try to figure this out together.

Advantages

In recent years, the smartphone market has been developing rapidly. Manufacturers are equipping new gadgets with increasingly powerful processors and increasing the size of displays. However, be that as it may, the smartphone remains, first of all, a means for quick communication, sending SMS, receiving incoming and making outgoing calls. Although in fairness it should be said that these days gadgets have reached such a level that they can easily lay claim to the title of real multimedia centers.

When trying to understand which is better - a tablet or a smartphone, keep in mind that a lot depends on the specific device. Thus, smartphones with a display diagonal of 5 inches or more allow you to easily surf the Internet, watch videos, use applications, run games and even work with text documents! Despite all this, they remain quite compact and can easily fit into a clothing pocket or a miniature handbag.

The operating systems used make it possible to install a large number of programs, but not all are adapted to modern processors.

It is also noteworthy that when shooting from smartphones there is almost always a chance of getting high-quality photo and video material.

Flaws

However, every coin has a downside, and smartphones are no exception. The main difference between a smartphone and a tablet is, of course, the screen size. On a smartphone it is much smaller, and therefore problems will inevitably arise when working with large text documents and watching high-quality videos. In addition, it is worth considering the fact that high-quality devices with excellent characteristics are not cheap, and by saving, you risk sacrificing the functionality or reliability of the device.

Pros and cons of buying a tablet

In order to understand which is better - a tablet or a smartphone, you will have to consider and discuss both options. And right now we’ll talk about what advantages and disadvantages tablet computers have.

Advantages

The main advantage of tablets is undoubtedly the size of its screen. Most manufacturers market models with a diagonal of 7 and 10 inches, respectively. The high resolution of the display, in turn, opens up opportunities for watching movies and clips, and also makes reading e-books, visiting various web pages and playing games a real pleasure.

Most often, tablet PCs are equipped with more powerful processors than their smaller counterparts, allowing you to work with more programs and applications at the same time. Considering this, it is not surprising that the development of various software for devices in this category is being carried out much more actively, and each user has the opportunity to expand the range of capabilities of the device. The most popular Android operating system on tablets and smartphones can be downloaded via Play Market a huge number of free and paid utilities for work and entertainment.

In addition, tablets boast long battery life - from six to ten hours of use without recharging, which is certainly another advantage.

On the market you can see a huge number of tablets of various price categories, thanks to which every buyer can purchase a device that suits him according to plan technical characteristics, and in terms of cost.

Flaws

As for the disadvantages of buying a tablet, there are not so many of them. One of them is the inability to use a computer as a phone. However, at the same time, there are many universal models that combine the advantages of each type of device. In addition, tablets often have a more fragile screen, and the cost of service for owners will be slightly higher. However, when buying a reliable device from a well-known manufacturer, you don’t have to worry about this: the gadget will serve you faithfully for many years.

Drawing conclusions

What to buy: tablet or smartphone? In fact, it is impossible to give a definite answer to this question, because a lot depends on your personal preferences and needs. Some people simply don’t like devices that are large and bulky compared to phones. But some, on the contrary, want the screen to be larger, and so that they can watch their favorite series without any problems.

Experts say that the most effective way To understand which is better - a tablet or a smartphone - is to hold the selected model in your hands and try it out in action. After all, “your” technique is felt immediately, you can’t make a mistake.

Portable smart devices have become widely used by modern people. Functionally 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 the cell phone mobile phone with an operating system equipped 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.

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

Main distinctive 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 consequence, 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, Wi-Fi networks At home, it’s easier to connect the device to the 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 storage data.

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 performance 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.

On a 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 with a frequency of 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.

On a 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.