The bigger the area on the uv the more pixels and thus detail are applied, unless your messing around with Udim but that a different fish entirely.
Application again is key, what parts need to be viewed up close if any? is this going for realism? what are the requirements of the device?
The shader can replicate what it will look like. but then again there is a wide gap in application, a top down mobile strategy game is going to rely more on simple shapes and colors viewed at a distance while one of those find the x puzzle/adventure games are all about up close intricate set pieces.
