If you’ve ever been out shopping for a smartphone or a tablet, then you most likely have noticed that tablets cost less than smartphones. While both are popular devices in the modern world, it seems that the tablet- despite having a bigger display, battery, and often powerful internal aspects (like the processors) – still costs less than a smartphone with similar spec hardware. While this is quite puzzling, one can only wonder what the reason behind it is.
Smartphones cost more because of the higher price of their smaller parts. Smartphones pack radios for cell towers, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and other sensors with cameras in their small form, increasing the price. At the same time, all these components have to be power efficient and deliver faster performance than tablets.
In this article, we will delve into why tablets are cheaper than smartphones and much more. So stay tuned!
Why Are Android Tablets Cheaper Than Phones?
If you’ve ever had a look at any electronics shop near you, then you have probably realized that tablets are cheaper than smartphones. This is one mind-boggling phenomenon that doesn’t seem to make much sense from the first look perspective. But why is it so?
Well, the reason behind this mostly has to do with the factor of “size.” Because of the small form of smartphones, the cost of the small parts that are put into them is usually higher than the parts that are put into the bigger form of tablets. Let me explain.
Smartphones pack radios for cell towers, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and many sensors with cameras- all of which have to be custom-made for the small form factor of smartphones. Also, these parts require a lot of engineering to get everything to fit into the small form. This usually drives the price higher.
Contrast this to tablets. They often have different radios for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and they usually lack cell tower radios. Tablets also have fewer sensors than smartphones. The components or parts are also usually bigger, and they don’t have to be custom-made by manufacturers. This reduces their cost. The only things on tablets that are more expensive than in smartphones are the display and the battery.
All in all, the small hardware components of smartphones are what drive the cost higher than tablets.
Are Smartphones Better Than Tablets?
One question that has crossed multiple techies’ minds out there is what’s better, smartphones or tablets. This is a hotly contested topic which we’ll try to answer in this question. Most people agree that tablets are a better option, and some of the reasons behind this assertion are:
Tablets are cheaper- As we have already discussed, tablets cost less than smartphones thanks to their larger form, which means components don’t have to be custom-made, unlike in smartphones.
- Longer battery life – Tablets have a much longer battery life per charge than smartphones used for the same purposes. Try running your favorite games on your tablet versus on your smartphone, and you’ll see the difference.
- Enhanced flexibility – With a tablet, you get the most of what laptops have to offer as well as what smartphones have to offer. A tablet can be a laptop when you need it to be, and it can still perform all manner of smartphone functions. This flexibility makes it a preferred option.
- Better specs – You can use tablets for multiple functions like web browsing, light gaming, reading, watching movies, and more. So, if you’d like to maximize these experiences, tablets are the best option. They have a bigger screen size which offers a better display, have long battery life, and have better GPUs than smartphones.
- Access to multiple applications – Tablets offer access to more applications that are difficult to run on smartphones.
All in all, the biggest reason why tablets are better than smartphones is that they are less expensive. They do this while still being able to provide users with better features.
Should I Buy a Smartphone or Tablet?
This is one of those questions that doesn’t have a direct answer. Whether you buy a smartphone or a tablet ultimately depends on what your needs are.
Smartphones are a better choice for communication, and they are more practical for use on the go. So, if you spend a lot of time on the go and you value portability and functionality, a smartphone is what you should buy. We should, however, mention that a smartphone will probably cost you more than a tablet will.
On the other hand, if you are into the large screens on tablets with a better display or the versatility of running multiple apps, you should buy a tablet. It’s almost a given that a tablet will be cheaper than a smartphone with similar specs, so that’s a plus too.
Is It Worth Buying a Tablet?
We have already established that the average tablet will be cheaper than a smartphone with the same specs. So, by now, you are probably wondering whether it’s worth it taking the plunge and getting yourself one of these bad boys. Well, it most certainly is worth it.
Tablets offer users great style, power, and portability. They can also be used for multiple functions and run multiple applications without negatively impacting battery life. You can use them both around the house and out and about. All in all, owning a tablet comes with lots of perks, and if it fits your use requirements, then a tablet is definitely worth getting in this day and age.
What Is the Best Affordable Tablet?
The price range of tablets varies depending on the manufacturers, with some going for as low as $200 and others as high as $1500. At the end of the day, you should look for a balance between affordability and functionality. Some cheap tablets can cost $100 or even less, but the performance on these isn’t impressive. So, we recommend getting tablets starting at $150 onwards, but it’s really a matter of what works best for you.
One of the most affordable yet highly functional laptops is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7. This device was released in 2020, and it costs $200, which is actually a good price. Whether you’re browsing the web, streaming movies, or gaming, this 10.4-inch tablet allows you to focus on your content more. It has amazing battery life and can last up to 13 hours. It has a great screen with an amazing display, and it also features 32GB of storage and 3GB memory which is quite substantial.
Getting a tablet is a good idea, especially if you want to experience viewing content on a whole different level. What’s even better is that tablets are cheaper than smartphones so getting one that fits your needs and is affordable is definitely worth it!
