9 Things Tablets Still Do Better Than Phones

Smartphone screens are getting larger. Two of the more popular handsets, the iPhone 6 Plus and the Galaxy Note 4, measure 5.5 inches and 5.7 inches, respectively. They’re encroaching on the smaller tablets.

Yet despite their enormous sizes, there are some things that even these huge handsets can’t do as well as your average tablet. Want to read some comics, watch Game of Thrones, or touch up some photos? Then you’re going to want to ditch your smartphone and grab a slate.

Here are a few examples of tasks you’re better off doing on a tablet.

1. Reading comics.
Kablam! Digital comics have revolutionized the way we buy and read comic books. And while apps like Marvel Unlimited, which gives you unlimited access to Marvel’s enormous back catalog of comics, are available on your Android handset or iPhone, it’s tough to enjoy the exploits of your favorite heroes (mine is Spider-Man) on a screen that’s smaller than a comic book.

Read a comic on your smartphone, and panels end up looking too small, text is difficult to read, and drawings aren’t nearly as detailed as they should be.

2. Immersive gaming.
Want to play Telltale Games’ critically acclaimed Walking Dead episodic adventure game? Then you’d better grab your tablet.

That’s because a smartphone, with its relatively small display, simply won’t do the game’s gorgeous graphics, incredible acting, and tense atmosphere justice. Want the best gaming experience? Put down your phone and pick up your tablet.

3. Photo editing.
This one is kind of a no-brainer. If you want to retouch your photos on the go with apps like Adobe’s Photoshop Touch, then you’ll need to use your tablet.

Trying to edit a high-definition image on your smartphone would just be too difficult, as you wouldn’t be able to see the minute details that you’re likely trying to remove or enhance.

4. Doing actual work.
Sure, Microsoft Office and Google Docs are available as smartphone apps, but documents, spreadsheets, and presentations are extremely difficult to view, let alone edit, on your handset. I mean, have you ever tried this? It’s not fun.

Use these apps on a tablet, though, and suddenly the experience is far more intuitive. That’s because text is not only easier to read, but you can also fit more of it onscreen, which means less scrolling. Add a Bluetooth keyboard to your slate, and you’ve got a quality word processor, too.

5. Composing music.
Here’s something you may not have thought to use your tablet for: composing music. Apps like Cadenza Pro, available for iOS, let you not only read sheet music, but write it as well.

What’s more, you can save, edit, and even share your next opus with the world. Good luck doing that effectively on your smartphone.

6. Reading the news.
There are tons of news apps available for smartphones, but if you want to dig into a long-form article on the situation in the Asian markets, or a trend piece about the latest artisanal cheeses in Brooklyn, using a tablet is your best bet.

And with apps like Instapaper, you can save articles for offline reading, not to mention have an overall better reading experience than you would get on a diminutive smartphone screen.

7. Playing games the right way.
It’s not just immersive games that are better when played on a tablet. Puzzle games like Monument Valley look cleaner and offer better controls on a slate than a smartphone.

When it comes to playing games, tablets are worlds better than smartphones.

8. Watching online videos.
If you’re at the bar and want to show your friends a quick YouTube video, then, sure, a smartphone is the perfect device to use.

But if you’re relaxing on the couch and want to peruse apps like Showyou for your favorite online video channels, a tablet’s large display simply can’t be beat.

9. Watching TV.
Nearly all your favorite TV shows can now be found online, through apps like WatchESPN, HBO GO, and more.

But do you really want to watch SportsCenter or Game of Thrones on your 5-inch smartphone? Or would you rather stream them on your 7- to 10-inch tablet? We figured as much.

Email Daniel at dhowley@yahoo-inc.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley or on Google+ here.