Phablets for Reading?

[faithbw]

Someone recently stole my Nexus 7. I loved the screen of the Nexus 7 for reading. The text was so clear! Well, because I have the JUMP plan with T-Mobile, I'll be eligible to upgrade in July. So I was thinking that instead of replacing the Nexus 7 (as much as I loved it!), that maybe I should trade in my Galaxy S4 for a phablet like the Note 3.

I primarily used the tablet for reading e-books, doing some light web browsing and checking Facebook. For all of you who have phablets or have owned them, how comfortable is it to read e-books on them? Is the screen size just right or too small? I'm thinking I wouldn't mind as I read plenty of books on my PRS-350. However, I wonder if phablets have more narrow screens than the 350, meaning that less text can fit on the screen.

[Smartie]

Screen is too small.reading some jokes during commute is ok. Not for serious reading.

[leaston]

Originally Posted by Smartie

Screen is too small.reading some jokes during commute is ok. Not for serious reading.

For the sake of balance, I totally disagree (depending on what it is you're reading!)

I've had a Note 3 for a couple of months and am very impressed. I use Moon+ Reader for fiction and even after two or three hours non-stop gazing at a novel, have suffered no eye strain or other problems. Ereader software on Android is very mature now and you have a huge choice of apps. The screen size is fine for novels, although I probably wouldn't choose to read pdfs on it.

You can change the typeface, size, colour, brightness, margins, line spacing, page background etc. to suit your needs.

YMMV

[faithbw]

Thanks for the input! Leaston I'm glad you enjoy the Note 3 so much. I used Moon+ Reader on my Nexus and I will use the same software on my next device. T-Mobile has both the Note 3 and the LG Flex but I'm leaning towards the Note as I would think that reading on a curved screen is not comfortable. How do you find the battery life on the Note 3? Also, is it comfortable for long periods of time?

[radius]

I find most phones and phablets a little too tall for me to read comfortably on. But if you were ok with the aspect ratio of the Nexus 7 and didn't mind reading on LCD then you should be pretty happy with a Note.

The one thing I would worry about is hand grip. Since phones have so little bezel compared to tablets, you pretty much have to hold the entire phone in one hand, and the Note is too big for me to hold it comfortably for long periods.

[leaston]

Originally Posted by faithbw

How do you find the battery life on the Note 3? Also, is it comfortable for long periods of time?

One of the things the reviewers rave about the Note 3 is the battery life and with good reason. It's exceptional, particularly with such high hardware specs. As I knew I'd be using my phone to read books, the large screen of the Note 3 was a no brainer really. It also has a removable battery, so carrying a spare around is easy (and very cheap too) if you feel so inclined.

If you're asking about comfort when reading, then yes it is. I think the longest I've read with the phone is around 3hrs in one go and I routinely use it for 1hr or so. It wasn't any less comfortable than using an e-ink screen and the options for changing how things look on the screen makes it easy on the eyes. The drawback with the mobile, aside from the smaller screen, is the difficulty seeing it properly in sunlight. There is nothing to compare with an e-ink screen, other than a real book

radius - You're right that without the bezel, it can be quite difficult to hold one handed. Having said that, I wouldn't dream of carrying such an expensive phone around with me without putting it in a case anyway. This makes it far easier to grip without fear of dropping it.

[faithbw]

Has anyone used other phablets besides those in the Note line? LG just released the G3 today and it has a 5.5 inch screen with 534 ppi. That's massive! The text on it must very clear. It's not released in the US yet but I'm wondering how well it will serve as an e-reader.

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by radius

I find most phones and phablets a little too tall for me to read comfortably on. But if you were ok with the aspect ratio of the Nexus 7 and didn't mind reading on LCD then you should be pretty happy with a Note.

I liked the aspect ratio of the Nexus 7. I know that sounds weird but I found it great for reading. LCD screens work for me since I tend to read indoors.

[Pegster]

Not a phablet, but I recently upgraded to the Samsung S5, and I'm quite like it. It's small enough to use as a phone, but big enough to actually read comfortably on.

[Smartie]

Originally Posted by leaston

For the sake of balance, I totally disagree (depending on what it is you're reading!)

I've had a Note 3 for a couple of months and am very impressed. I use Moon+ Reader for fiction and even after two or three hours non-stop gazing at a novel, have suffered no eye strain or other problems. Ereader software on Android is very mature now and you have a huge choice of apps. The screen size is fine for novels, although I probably wouldn't choose to read pdfs on it.

You can change the typeface, size, colour, brightness, margins, line spacing, page background etc. to suit your needs.

YMMV

Probably I wear glasses, so even in Kindle and Kobo reader, I always enlarge font size and increase line space, so if I read in my Note 1 for example, I found I constantly have to turn page,too much for me. I don't want to touch thousands times to read a small book, I worried it will damage my phone))

[leaston]

Originally Posted by Smartie

Probably I wear glasses, so even in Kindle and Kobo reader, I always enlarge font size and increase line space, so if I read in my Note 1 for example, I found I constantly have to turn page,too much for me. I don't want to touch thousands times to read a small book, I worried it will damage my phone))

Ahh, I hadn't thought of it that way. You make a very good point

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by Pegster

Not a phablet, but I recently upgraded to the Samsung S5, and I'm quite like it. It's small enough to use as a phone, but big enough to actually read comfortably on.

I have an S4, whose screen is only a little bit smaller than the S5 but I don't like reading on it. I recently borrowed an e-book to read on it but a few days later, I borrowed the dead tree version from the library. I need something a bit bigger. My niece has the Note 3 and I think that's the smallest size screen I would be comfortable reading on.

[jehane]

I used my ZTE Concord (3.5 inches) for my bus commutes all winter after having problems with my ereader. I read entire novels with it. I found it adequate, although I would say it's too small to be the primary reading device. I used to have the PRS-300 which is 5" so I can't imagine that the Note would be a problem.

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by jehane

I used my ZTE Concord (3.5 inches) for my bus commutes all winter after having problems with my ereader. I read entire novels with it. I found it adequate, although I would say it's too small to be the primary reading device. I used to have the PRS-300 which is 5" so I can't imagine that the Note would be a problem.

I used my iPod Touch to read a good chunk of Persuasion but like you I didn't find it ideal for reading and purchased a Nook Classic not too long after. My GS4 has a five inch screen but it's narrower than the PRS 350 I used to have. After seeing my niece's Note 3, I think its dimensions are closer to the 350 I use to own. I'm waiting for T-Mobile to get the G3 so I can see in person how wide and long the screen is. I read that phone isn't bigger than the GS5 but that the bezel is much thinner, allowing for the bigger screen.

[crossi]

It depends on your age and your eyes. If you need big print paper books even with glasses then no way would a phablet work for serious reading. If you have teenage eyes then probably you could use it. I doubt it makes much difference which one you choose.