Five Big-Screen Android Phones Announced to Rival the Galaxy Note
Why phablets took off
Samsung’s Note and Note 2 (5.3 and 5.55 inches) proved that a very large phone could sell, after earlier attempts by other makers had failed. An LG executive described the trend as strongest in Asia. The original article treated 5 inches as the point where a phone becomes a phablet. Specifications below are as announced and are historical.
The five phones
| Phone | Screen | Processor | Camera | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG Optimus G Pro | 5.5-inch 1080p, 401 ppi | 1.7 GHz Snapdragon 600 quad-core | 13 MP | 3140 mAh |
| Sony Xperia ZL | 5-inch 1080p, 441 ppi | 1.7 GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core | 13 MP | 2370 mAh |
| Huawei Ascend Mate | 6.1-inch 720p, 241 ppi | 1.5 GHz HiSilicon quad-core | 8 MP | 4050 mAh |
| ZTE Grand Memo | 5.7-inch 720p, 258 ppi | 1.5 GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core | 13 MP | 3200 mAh |
| ZTE Grand S | 5-inch 1080p, 441 ppi | 1.7 GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core | 13 MP | 1780 mAh |
All five listed 2 GB of RAM and a microSD slot. The Optimus G Pro had 32 GB of storage and Android 4.1.2; the Xperia ZL and Grand S had 16 GB. The Ascend Mate had 8 GB.
What was known for Canada
- Xperia ZL: confirmed for April on Rogers, Bell, Mobilicity, MTS, Videotron and Wind Mobile, with no price released.
- Optimus G Pro: expected in North America in the second quarter, with no carriers or prices announced.
- Ascend Mate: no Canadian date, though Wind and Mobilicity looked like possible carriers.
- Grand Memo: a global launch in the second quarter, with specifications varying by country.
- Grand S: China first, at a price between $480 and $550. Nothing announced for North America.
Frequently asked questions
What is a phablet?
A phone with a screen large enough to blur the line with a small tablet. There is no formal definition.
Which of these reached Canada?
Only the Xperia ZL was confirmed in the original article. The rest were unconfirmed.
Are these phones still supported?
No. They are long obsolete and no longer receive updates.