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8.3-inch tablet vs 6.9-inch phone: how much bigger is the tablet?

By TechCompare · Updated · How we check

The 8.3-inch tablet has about 74% more screen area than the 6.9-inch phone. Most of the gap is width. Whether that matters depends on whether you're at a table or on the move.

Both panels drawn to scale

6.9-inch phone panel drawn over an 8.3-inch tablet, to the same scale

8.3-inch tablet (2266 × 1488): 11.6 cm (4.6 in)4.6 in (11.6 cm) × 17.6 cm (6.9 in)6.9 in (17.6 cm) · 204 cm² (32 in²)32 in² (204 cm²)
6.9-inch phone 19.5:9: 7.3 cm (2.9 in)2.9 in (7.3 cm) × 15.9 cm (6.3 in)6.3 in (15.9 cm) · 117 cm² (18 in²)18 in² (117 cm²)
Width difference: 4.2 cm (1.7 in)1.7 in (4.2 cm) (36.5%) · Height difference: 1.7 cm (0.7 in)0.7 in (1.7 cm) (9.7%) · Area ratio: 0.57×
Both panels share a corner and are drawn at the same scale, so the extra width and height of the larger screen are true to size. Open these two in the full Screen Size Comparison ›

The 8.3-inch tablet is 1.7 in (4.2 cm) wider than the 6.9-inch phone and has about 74% more area.

This pair puts a tablet beside a phone, and the tablet is the bigger screen. Side A is the larger one here, so every percentage runs from the phone up to the tablet. Each screen keeps its own shape, so the comparison shows the real footprint, not just the diagonal.

Try this comparison with our tools

Draw the tablet and phone to scale
Overlay an 8.3-inch tablet and a 6.9-inch 19.5:9 phone at true size.
See the screen size chart
Diagonal, shape and area for TVs, monitors, laptops, phones and tablets.
Compare the 6.3 vs 6.9-inch phones
Two phone sizes that share the 19.5:9 shape.

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Option A
8.3-inch tablet
Wins 5 of 8 compared specs
Option B
6.9-inch phone
Wins 0 of 8 compared specs

Side-by-side specs

Spec8.3-inch tablet6.9-inch phone
Diagonal
8.3 in (21.1 cm) (better on this spec)
6.9 in (17.5 cm)
Aspect ratioAspect ratio is the width compared to the height. The shape changes the area at the same diagonal.
2266 × 1488 (1.52:1)
19.5:9 (2.17:1)
Width
11.6 cm (4.6 in)4.6 in (11.6 cm) (better on this spec)
7.3 cm (2.9 in)2.9 in (7.3 cm)
Height
17.6 cm (6.9 in)6.9 in (17.6 cm) (better on this spec)
15.9 cm (6.3 in)6.3 in (15.9 cm)
Screen area
204 cm² (32 in²)32 in² (204 cm²) (better on this spec)
117 cm² (18 in²)18 in² (117 cm²)
Area vs 6.9-inch
~74% more (better on this spec)
Baseline
Extra width
+4.2 cm (1.7 in)+1.7 in (4.2 cm)
Baseline
Extra height
+1.7 cm (0.7 in)+0.7 in (1.7 cm)
Baseline

How they differ

The 6.9-inch phone uses 19.5:9, so its screen measures 7.3 cm (2.9 inches)2.9 inches (7.3 cm) wide by 15.9 cm (6.3 inches)6.3 inches (15.9 cm) tall, for about 117 cm² (18 in²)18 in² (117 cm²). The 8.3-inch tablet assumes a 2266 by 1488 pixel panel, a shape of about 1.52:1. It measures 11.6 cm (4.6 inches)4.6 inches (11.6 cm) wide by 17.6 cm (6.9 inches)6.9 inches (17.6 cm) tall, for about 204 cm² (32 in²)32 in² (204 cm²).

The tablet is bigger both ways. It's 4.2 cm (1.7 in)1.7 in (4.2 cm) wider and 1.7 cm (0.7 in)0.7 in (1.7 cm) taller. Most of the gain is width, because a long phone screen is already close to the tablet's height.

A phone's diagonal can be quoted across a box that takes in the rounded corners, so its visible screen can be slightly smaller than these numbers.

Verdict

Pick the tablet for long reading, drawing or video sessions at a table or desk. Pick the phone for anything you do standing up, on the move or with one hand. The tablet's extra width shows most with page layouts, drawing and split screen.

Draw the tablet and phone to scale

Which should you pick?

Choose 8.3-inch tablet

Pick the 8.3-inch tablet if:

  • You read long documents or web pages
  • You draw, take notes or watch video for long stretches
  • You use it at a table or desk
  • You're fine with a second device for calls and maps
Compare the 11 vs 13-inch tablets

Choose 6.9-inch phone

Pick the 6.9-inch phone if:

  • You need one device for calls, messages and maps
  • You use it mostly one-handed
  • You want to carry it in a pocket, with the phone body in mind (not modeled here)
  • You read short pieces and check things on the go
See the 6.1 vs 6.7-inch phones

Related comparisons

6.1-inch phone vs 6.7-inch phone
The 6.7-inch screen is 0.3 in (0.6 cm) wider and has 21% more area than the 6.1-inch one.
Read comparison
6.3-inch phone vs 6.9-inch phone
The 6.9-inch screen has 20% more area than the 6.3-inch one, from a diagonal 0.6 inches longer.
Read comparison
11-inch tablet vs 13-inch tablet
The 13-inch screen has 43% more area than the 11-inch one, and the aspect ratio you pick moves that number.
Read comparison

Frequently asked questions

How much bigger is an 8.3-inch tablet than a 6.9-inch phone?
About 74% more screen area. The diagonal is 3.6 cm (1.4 in)1.4 in (3.6 cm) longer, and the tablet is 4.2 cm (1.7 in)1.7 in (4.2 cm) wider and 1.7 cm (0.7 in)0.7 in (1.7 cm) taller.
Are the tablet and phone screens the same shape?
No. The phone uses 19.5:9, which is tall and narrow. The tablet's 1.52:1 shape is closer to square, so much of its extra area is width. The shape is part of the answer, not a detail to skip.
Can a phone replace a tablet for reading?
For short pieces, yes. A tablet's extra height means fewer scrolls per page and more room for two-column layouts where an app offers them. How much that helps depends on font size and the app, so test it with your own reading.

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