Smartphone or tablet; which mobile device type do you prefer?

[Matt N]

Hi guys. In recent years, smart mobile devices have taken over our world, with phones and tablets becoming hugely more prolific in the last 10-15 years since the dawn of the iPhone, iPad and similar Android equivalents like the Samsung Galaxy family of devices. These devices are hugely common, and these days, most people own one (when I did internet research on the matter for the introduction to my dissertation, the internet suggested that 94% of Brits owned a smartphone in 2022, and that statistic was smartphones only rather than all smart devices). But smartphones and tablets are two very distinct types of device, so I’d be intrigued to know; which do you prefer? Are you a smartphone person, or are tablets more your speed? And out of interest, I’d also be interested to know; what device are you currently using, if you don’t mind saying? Apple vs Android is always a contentious debate, so I’d be intrigued to know where people lie on this.

In terms of my own answer; I’m definitely a tablet person myself. I have a phone and an iPad, and while I use my iPad a lot, I don’t find myself using my phone much unless I’m going out or have a very specific reason to use it. Certainly, the vast bulk of my everyday browsing and internet usage is done on my iPad; I just much prefer the bigger screen size. I sometimes find my phone quite small to type on, whereas I find my iPad comfortable to type on and I like seeing things on the bigger display!

In terms of the devices I currently have; my phone is an iPhone SE 2nd generation that I’ve had since 2021, while my tablet is an iPad Air 3rd generation that I’ve had since 2020. I’m definitely an Apple person over an Android person when it comes to mobile devices, although perhaps less staunchly enthusiastic about Apple products than I once was. I couldn’t be without an iPad, though; if mine broke, I’d definitely be willing to splash the cash (within reason) on a new one given how much I use my iPad and like it. I’m not sure I could say the same about my phone; I would probably buy a new iPhone if mine broke, as I do find it useful to have when I go out, but I definitely wouldn’t buy above the very cheapest iPhone SE range given how relatively little I use it other than when I have to.

But I’d be keen to know; do you prefer a smartphone or a tablet out of the common types of mobile device? Or do you prefer something different entirely, such as an iPod Touch? Or do you not subscribe to mobile devices at all?

 

[Matt.GC]

I realise the irony of writing this post on a Smartphone, but I wish they never existed.

The last few years, Smartphone ownership has become almost mandatory, especially since GDPR came in (that's a complicated subject which I won't go in to here). It's like they've become an extension of your person and I hate it.

This amazing device that we could use to connect with people, buy things, browse the internet and learn things with, and help us when we're lost. Now more of a tool in which to be harassed with. Want to switch off form work? Tough luck! You can't even stop giving your phone number to people anymore because they'll find a way to hunt you down and invade your privacy one way or another.

I don't really understand what the point in tablets is? They seem to do less stuff than phones and laptops. A phone does everything a tablet does, albeit on a smaller screen, but works almost anywhere, fits in your pocket, and accepts phone calls. A laptop does everything a tablet does, but does it far better? I've always seen tablets as a gimmick personally. My kids swear by them though.

 

[rob666]

What's a smartphone?
They are absolutely not mandatory...I manage perfectly well in society without one, I am not alone, and more people are realising they are becoming slaves to technology, and no longer carry one.
I switch off completely from work when I like, messages go to the landline...In another room!
Zero disturbance, all customers, family and friends are fine with it.
Dog broke the nice tablet sitting on it, so I'm back to a cheap chromebook.
Nothing else required...
We are not all the same, and that is good.

 

[Matt N]

I don't really understand what the point in tablets is? They seem to do less stuff than phones and laptops. A phone does everything a tablet does, albeit on a smaller screen, but works almost anywhere, fits in your pocket, and accepts phone calls. A laptop does everything a tablet does, but does it far better? I've always seen tablets as a gimmick personally. My kids swear by them though.

As someone who voted tablet, I personally like them because they offer the touchscreen experience on a bigger screen than a smartphone. I admit I can’t carry it around everywhere with me, and I do find the phone handy to have as a 4G hotspot for my iPad if I’m, say, travelling on a long car journey.

But given I don’t go out tons other than to university and I hardly ever make phone calls or send text messages these days (it tends to be iMessages, as most of my family owns Apple devices and they also show on my iPad, or alternatively something like Facebook Messenger), I find myself using my iPad far more on a day to day basis.

I sometimes find the 4.7” screen size on my phone a bit too small (I sometimes find it difficult to type on without making typos, for example, and I also find it unintuitive for if you want to multitask), whereas the 10.5” screen on my iPad is perfect for me.

 

[Zeock]

I prefer smartphones because they are easier to carry around, although I don't have a tablet any more.

 

[Martin]

> always draining my phone battery endlessly scrolling at home

> get a mid range Samsung tablet for this exact purpose

> never use it, upgrade to a top of the range Samsung tablet, maybe this will encourage me to use it

> Never use that either, get an even more capable iPad, maybe I'll use this instead, it can do so much more

> still just scroll on my phone

 

[Shaggy_Dog_]

It depends on what I'm using it for. A smartphone is great for having in your pocket and being a jack of all trades but I wouldn't want to sit down and watch a film on one. That's what I use my 2017 5th gen iPad for, which is old but it does the job. I don't really see it as being a case of smartphone or a tablet in terms of one of the other, they both have their own roles. For example if you want to take handwritten notes or draw then a tablet is great.