one of the Bigger is better when it comes to smartphone screen sizes, manufacturers have learned. Ever since Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note introduced the phablet in 2011, consumers have expressed a clear preference for larger, easier-to-see, easier-to-use screen sizes, resulting in the average screen size growing progressively larger. Devices with screens between 4 and 5 inches in size have been steadily losing sales since 2015, a trend expected to continue to 2021, while annual sales of devices with screens 5.5 to 6 inches are expected to increase from 558.7 million to 749.3 million over the same period, International Data Corporation projects.
As phablets have grown more popular, the number of models consumers have available to choose from has also expanded. Here’s a look at three of the top phablets you can buy in 2018.
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Samsung invented the phablet market and they still dominate the niche. The Samsung Galaxy Note8 is the best phablet you can buy in 2018, according to top reviewers such as Tech Advisor. One of the exciting new features on the Note8 is the latest upgrade of the S Pen, water-resistant, which allows you to take notes without unlocking your pen, make notes by hand and select GIF images to share with friends on social media. Samsung Galaxy Note8 phablets also now come with DIGITS, which enable you to use up to five different numbers on one device or use one number across multiple devices.
The Note8 also shares the strong graphics and camera features of its predecessors. With a 6.3-inch QHD display and an 83 percent screen-to-body ratio, the Note8 delivers the same amazing resolution Samsung is renowned for. The Note8’s dual rear 12 MP cameras and 8 MP front cameras, supported by Optical Image Stabilization, empower you to take professional-looking shots even in the dark or at a distance. The Note8 also comes with Bixby, Samsung’s new digital assistant, which includes AI-powered voice control, augmented reality and navigation features.
Apple iPhone X
Another leading phablet is Apple’s iPhone X, the phablet-sized counterpart to the iPhone 8. The iPhone X sports a display size of 5.8 inches and a pixel resolution of 2436 x 1125 at 458 ppi, compared to the iPhone 8’s 4.7-inch display with 1334-by-750 resolution at 326 ppi. Despite its larger screen size, the iPhone X is still physically smaller than the iPhone 8 due to a curved screen design that takes better advantage of 3D space. This combination delivers the screen size of a phablet with the feel of a smartphone.
In addition to its innovative screen design, the iPhone X notably includes a True Depth Camera system, which uses 3D reference points for more realistic picture quality. This, in turn, allows the iPhone X to use facial recognition Face ID as an alternative to Touch ID. It also allows pictures of the user’s face to be transformed into animated “animoji” images.
Google Pixel 2 XL
Among Android phablets, one of today’s top options is the Google Pixel 2 XL, the premium counterpart to the Pixel 2. The 2XL offers a bigger screen than its predecessor, expanding from 5.5 to 6 inches with the incorporation of a new design and slimmer bezels. With this larger screen comes a high resolution of 2880 x 1440 at 538 ppi.
A highlight of the Pixel 2 XL is its camera system, comparable to that of the iPhone 8 Plus. The 2 XL includes a 12.2 MP rear camera and 8 MP front camera. Instead of using a dual-camera setup like other leading cameras, the 2 XL uses a technology called a dual-pixel sensor to act as a second lens, allowing for a sharp front image with a blurred background. Another highlight is Google Assistant, which outperforms Apple’s Siri.
The Samsung Galaxy Note8, Apple iPhone X and Google Pixel 2 XL are three of the best phablets you can buy in 2018. If you’re looking for a great smartphone with a large screen, excellent graphics and camera features and other cutting-edge features, these should be three of your top considerations.
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