CHART: Phablets Are Exploding In Popularity As Apple Readies Its 5.5-Inch iPhone

Apple is expected to introduce two large-screened smartphones on Sept. 9, and it couldn't come at a better time. According to data from market research firm IDC charted for us by Business Insider Intelligence, the market for large-size phones - also called "phablets," or tablet-size phones - is skyrocketing, compared to the individual smartphone and tablet categories, which are also both on the rise, though not as dramatically.

A "phablet," according to the IDC, is a phone with a screen size of 5.5 inches or higher. With Apple rumored to introduce a 5.5-inch iPhone at its Sept. 9 event, IDC believes the phablet segment will keep growing at an average rate of 35% until 2018. In general, phones' screen sizes have gotten bigger each year on average - before 2011, most phones measured between 2.5 and 4 inches, but since 2013, there are hardly any new sub 4-inch phones out there.