img_img01Later this morning, Apple is widely expected to unveil a bigger iPhone, with a screen as large as 5.5 inches diagonally, compared with with the current 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5s. Assuming it happens, it will be a big moment for the category of device known, like it or not, as the “phablet.”

Apple would be playing into a trend. These devices, combining elements of tablets and smartphones, are growing in popularity.

According to a new study released by Flurry Analytics, phablets represent 6 percent of the overall market for mobile devices, when measuring active users, up from 3 percent a year ago. Looking purely at Android users — the current center of the phablet market thanks to devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note — usage has gone up sharply, to 18 percent from 7 percent a year ago (see chart below).

This helps to explain why Apple would be inclined to target this market, filling the gap between its current phones and the iPad mini, with its 7.9-inch screen.

As to the “phablet” name, here’s hoping Apple comes up with something better.

android_flurry

See this Flurry Analytics post for more details and charts. (Via GigaOm.)

 

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