Most exciting phablets: Fusing phones in tablets

Samsung is once again at the forefront of this newer technological trend. The Korean giant ceremoniously showcased its Galaxy Note device at this year's CES. Basically a combo contraption (at 9.65mm thickness and 178g weight) with phone and tablet features, the large 5.3 inch, 285 ppi HD Super AMOLED display at 1280 x 800 pixels resolution certainly hints at its 'hybrid' credentials. As for its power train, the device is infused with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor (which is an upgrade over the 1.4 GHz international model) along with 16GB of built-in memory and an SD card slot. Other connectivity features include WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with WiFi Direct, 3G HSPA＋ at 21Mbps, Bluetooth v 3.0, A-GPS and NFC (optional).

As for the operating system, Samsung has strangely opted for Android’s 2.3.6 Gingerbread, instead of the collective Android 4.0. Though on the user front, the device does make it up with an 8 MP camera (with1080p HD video recording capability) on the back and a front-facing 2 MP camera for video chat. More importantly, the Galaxy Note will also come with Stylus to go along with the ubiquitous touch screen.

Price: $650, AT&T $300

Release date: Samsung Galaxy Note will be available at AT&T stores February 19

Till now we have seen a flurry of Android phablets. But this time for a change, HTC has contrived their 4.7-inch Titan II, running Windows phone 7.5 Mango, which is already touted as the largest Windows based display. Infused with a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 processor, it really takes the competition to its rival: the Galaxy Note. Quite intriguingly, the rear camera boasts of a whopping 16 MP (with 720p HD video capacity), along with 1.3 MP of the front camera. But again like the LG Optimus, the definitive feature of the Titan II will be its fully LTE 4G network support.

Price: Not revealed yet

Release date: To launch within the next few months

LG has unveiled their 4.5-inch screen phablet device in the form of Optimus LTE aka LG Nitro HD on AT&T and LG Spectrum on Verizon. Powered by a 1.5GHz dual core processor, featuring an 8MP camera, the contraption follows the tradition of being run by a Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS, while the display is kept at 720p HD. But more importantly in this case, the Optimus is also incorporated with full LTE 4G connectivity, which rather notches up its net oriented features. As a matter of fact, LG has already announced to follow up their Optimus success with a larger 5-inch screen variant with the same LTE attribute.

Price: At Verizon $199.99 on a two year contract

Release date: January 19, 2012

Another exalted company is all set to plunge into the phablet realm, but they are certainly treading their path carefully for now. Toshiba has made it clear that they are all up for phablets, and this is epitomized by their 5-inch Toshiba Muse design. Though, it should be duly noted that the Muse is merely a conceptual design, which can only see the light of day if future market researches say so. Unfortunately, the company has not divulged much info about the device. All we know is the contraption will exhibit a much slimmer bearing than Galaxy Note, while its expansive wide screen will stand at 21-by-9-inch.

Price: Not revealed yet

Release date: To launch within the next few months

One of the very first devices that truly alluded to the phablet trend, the Kyocera Echo is powered by a 1Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and comes with 1GB of onboard memory plus an 8GB micro-SD card (which can be expanded to 32GB). Initially touted as an Android 2.2 smartphone, the device does have a wealth of features including the fascinating dual touchscreen mechanism. The two separate displays can be folded, while their functionality does go beyond the cosmetic scope. As a matter of fact, a so-called Simul-Task mode allows the user to activate two of the device’s seven core apps at the same time, one on each screen. This apps can even include a virtual keyboard (on the lower screen), which turns the device into a sort of ultra-portable laptop.

Price: At Sprint $200 with a 2 year contract

Release date: March 2011

With a thickness of just 9.95 mm and weight of paltry 198 grams, the Lenovo LePad 2005S has come into the 'phablet' scheme of things with definitive ergonomic considerations. On the specs front, this Android 2.3 powered device does score lower than the comparable Galaxy Note, with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8260 dual-core processor, 8GB of built-in storage, 800 x 480 resolution, along with a 5 MP rear camera (along with 1.3 MP front camera). But it is the similar screen size of 5-inch with LTPS capacitive touchscreen display that tickles our senses. Moreover, the LePad also boasts of myriad of connectivity options Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, and GPS navigation.

Price: $415

Release date: Released in China