You may be more likely to have your e-reader (iPad) on hand than your non-working phone. On the other hand, the camera on it is really just a bonus - clearly based on the accessories, software, and it's inter-connectivity with iCloud, Apple is marketing this towards amateurs who want to do light duty photoshop and share images with others. It's hardly meant to be a primary camera, though it'll fill in - in a pinch.