The iPhone 6 Plus is killing tablet sales

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iPhone 6 Plus 5

Business Insider

The iPhone Six Plus has a larger screen than previous models.

Consumers are shying away from tablets.

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Sales of the handheld devices have crashed 30% across the industry, Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly said on an earnings conference call.

Best Buy's tablet sales declined less than the industry average, although the company declined to give specifics.

It's possible that phones with bigger screens, such as the iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note, are hurting tablet sales, a company representative told Business Insider.

The so-called "phablets" are becoming more popular as consumers demand a bigger and brighter experience on their smartphones.

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The iPhone 6 Plus boasts a screen that is 1.5 inches large than the previous model. It also has a larger battery, holding charge for 24 hours or more.

As more people buy these phones, it's likely that they don't feel the need to buy a tablet.

Best Buy executives also say that lack of innovation in the space is negatively affecting sales.

Global tablet shipments have been declining, according to a report by BI Intelligence. Meanwhile, "phablet" shipments will hit 1.5 billion by 2019.

bii sai cotd tablet shipments q4

BI Intelligence

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"Larger screens are blurring the lines between tablet and phone," a Best Buy company representative said.

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