I can't go back anymore Satoru Toda's PC evolution theory is the strongest ``ultra-large screen smartphone''

I can't go back anymore Satoru Toda's PC evolution theory is the strongest ``ultra-large screen smartphone''

By huaweicomputers
28/11/2022

Digital Flash

ZenFone 3 Ultra

, an ultra-large screen smartphone that I purchased two months after its release, I am buying various digital tools for work. In many cases, even in situations where people would normally say, "I'm worried and should I just quit?" Of course, it's part of my job to review products, but I also have a strong sense that I won't know until I use it. So, in fact, I got a super large screen smartphone (smartphone) that I was worried about buying for a long time, so let's introduce the appeal of large screen smartphones along with the background.

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Thankfully, I have many opportunities to try out digital products before and after their release. The 6.8-inch smartphone "ZenFone 3 Ultra" I got this time is also a product I tried in December 2016. After that, I pondered endlessly whether to buy it or not, and I ordered it on February 18, 2017. Nearly two months have passed since the release, although it includes the period when it was out of stock and could not be purchased.

The price at the time of purchase was 64,580 yen, which was close to the lowest price at that time. The reason I decided to buy it was that I had accumulated a lot of points at mass retailers.

Why did you want a smartphone with a huge screen?

I have been interested in ultra-large screen smartphones since the 6.4-inch "Xperia Z Ultra" appeared. Somehow time passed while I couldn't get it, and ZenFone 3 Ultra appeared as a new model.

Of course, the value of this device lies in the size of the screen. I love the 5.5-inch LCD "iPhone 7 Plus", but when I read the text on the website, I felt that the text was too small and difficult to read. In addition, the 5.2-inch "HUAWEI P9" does not feel like browsing web pages because the amount of information that can be displayed is too small.

On the other hand, what about an 8-inch class tablet? Recently, I bought an 8.4-inch "MediaPad M3" for watching videos, but the weight of about 310g is too heavy to hold in my hand. I am grateful that the characters are displayed large, so it is easy to read, but the amount of information is not much different from ZenFone 3 Ultra.

From the left, MediaPad M3 (8.4 inches), ZenFone 3 Ultra (6.8 inches), iPhone 7 Plus (5.5 inches), HUAWEI P9 (5.2 inches). ZenFone 3 Ultra's display is just right for me

If you make the display size smaller, you can fit more text information on one screen, but recently I've become accustomed to the display of smartphones, 8.4 In the type screen, one line is too long and feels difficult to read.

For reading web pages on the train, the ZenFone 3 Ultra is perfect for me. This is the biggest reason why I wanted a smartphone with a large screen instead of a tablet.

I just displayed a picture and text from the website. Photos occupy most of the screen on HUAWEI P9 (right)

I can't go back anymore

Usable as a computer sub-monitor

ZenFone 3 Ultra can also be used as a computer sub-monitor. Recently, it has become very common to share files on-line for work. Lists and documents that manage work information are shared on an online service, and the other person and I each open and check the file while having meetings by email or phone.

Also, I usually carry a mobile notebook, but I'm annoyed by the narrowness of the screen. It is sufficient for exchanging e-mails and browsing websites, but it is cramped when writing a reply while checking a PDF or Excel sheet attached to an e-mail.

In such a case, I use ZenFone 3 Ultra as a sub monitor. All you have to do is open the attached file with ZenFone 3 Ultra and write a reply email with a mobile note. If you use it as a sub-monitor, a 10-inch class tablet is preferable, but it will be a luggage. ZenFone 3 Ultra is the perfect size for a small, lightweight sub-monitor.

Place it next to your computer and use it as a sub-monitor. ZenFone 3 Ultra has few case options. I couldn't find a good quality case that could also be used as a stand, so I compromised with a case sold on Amazon for 1,099 yen.

Recommended instead of car navigation

The car navigation system was also replaced with ZenFone 3 Ultra. This is writing the same thing in various media, but I no longer understand the value of in-vehicle navigation. Map data can quickly become outdated, and it is often impossible to find a destination.

With a smartphone navigation app, you can always use the latest map data, and you can also copy and paste an address sent by email and set it as a destination. Currently, I like Yahoo! Car Navi, but if something better comes out, it will be easy to switch apps.

I got the ZenFone 3 Ultra thinking it would be the perfect size for a car navigation system, and it's exactly what I expected. The size of the 8-inch class tablet is too large, and it is possible that various switches will be hidden when installed in a car. ZenFone 3 Ultra can be installed with an adapter for smartphones and is easier to see than in-vehicle navigation. The screen of the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus feels a little small, but the size of the ZenFone 3 Ultra is similar to that of an in-car navigation system.

The ZenFone 3 Ultra, which has a slightly smaller screen than the iPhone 7 Plus, is similar in size to the in-car navigation system and is easy to see

It costs about 20,000 to 30,000 yen to rewrite the in-car navigation data. Considering the need to rewrite, it's much cheaper to buy a ZenFone 3 Ultra in the mid 60,000 yen range.

Large size for making calls

If you use it like I introduced here, a small tablet may be enough, but if you put a SIM in, I'd like to make calls if possible. The main smartphone I use for work is used with number notification for reliability, but if I have a second smartphone that can make calls, it will come in handy when making calls without notifying the number. There are few tablet models that can make calls, and the size is not suitable for calling. In this regard, ZenFone 3 Ultra can make calls without problems.

My miscalculation was that I didn't like the texture as much as I felt when I wrote the review. The metal body isn't bad, but I'm tired of seeing it. I wanted the edge of the glass to be rounded like a high-end smartphone, but the glass is straight and slightly distorted depending on the position. As the latest smartphone, I don't think it's an exciting body.

However, except for the design and texture, I am mostly satisfied. Big screen smartphones definitely have a charm that smartphones and tablets do not have. Especially from now on, the actual selling price will go down. If you're interested, keep an eye on price trends. In addition, models of 6 inches or less may feel unsatisfactory for usage like this. After all, a large screen model around 7 inches is recommended.

The texture of the metal isn't bad, but the diamond cut is no longer a novelty Satoru Toda Born in 1963, a business writer. He has over 120 publications. He has a deep knowledge of digital products such as personal computers, and has many serial articles. The dry evaluation from the user's point of view is popular. His recent book is "Excel techniques for business learned from first-class professionals" (Asahi Shimbun Publishing)

[Nikkei Trendy Net article dated March 28, 2017 reconstructed]

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