The word phablet from combining the words 'phone' and 'tablet'. So basically, the best phablets are smartphones that have very large screens. And there's a lot of benefits that stem from that.
For photographers, being able to view your carefully crafted compositions and daily vlogs on a larger screen is a bonus. Gamers find them particularly appealing, too, while watching videos and browsing the web on one of these bigger devices is certainly a more immersive experience.
There’s no agreed definition for phablet, but we’d say anything with a 6-inch screen or above qualifies. Most of these don't come cheap, but it could be argued that by buying one device and foregoing a tablet, you're saving money overall.
Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specializing in photography, design, technology and travel. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company and Bella.
Best phablet in 2024
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The best phablet overall
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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is quite simply the best phablet available today. Its 6.8-inch display is a sight to behold, offering vibrant colors, smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and an impressive 2600 nits peak brightness. Our reviewer was particularly impressed by the new Corning Gorilla Armor glass, which features an anti-reflective coating that significantly reduces glare in bright conditions.
This premium device boasts a titanium frame, giving it a luxurious feel while improving durability. The camera system is a standout feature, with a 200MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x zoom, and a new 50MP 5x zoom telephoto lens. In our tests, we found the new 5x zoom camera to be a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering better low-light performance and impressive detail even at higher zoom levels.
The S24 Ultra is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, ensuring blazing-fast performance for even the most demanding tasks. Samsung has also gone all-in on AI features, offering everything from real-time translation to advanced photo editing tools. While some of these features are still in their early stages, they show great promise for future updates.
With its 5,000mAh battery, the S24 Ultra easily lasts through a full day of heavy use. The inclusion of the S Pen stylus adds another layer of functionality, making this device a true productivity powerhouse. While the premium price may be a deterrent for some, those looking for the ultimate phablet experience will find the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra hard to beat.
For more details, read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.
Best phablet from Apple
2. iPhone 16 Pro Max
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While the iPhone 16 Pro Max may be number two on our list, it's a very close second. Because this is one very lovely phablet indeed.
The 6.9-inch display is slightly larger than its predecessor, with reduced bezels providing more screen real estate. The ProMotion technology ensures smooth 120Hz scrolling, which Apple continues to position as a 'Pro' feature. Low-light usage is improved with the ability to dim the display down to 1 nit.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max also represents a significant step forward in mobile photography. We're particularly impressed by the new Camera Control button, which adds a more traditional camera feel to the device. This dedicated button can be customized for various functions, including exposure compensation adjustment, making it feel more like a 'real' camera.
The upgraded camera system is another a standout feature. The device now boasts two 48MP cameras (main and ultra-wide), delivering stunning detail and clarity. The computational photography system offers a flexible, built-in filter system that can be adjusted before or after shooting, opening up new creative possibilities.
For videographers, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers ProRes Log video and 4K recording at 120fps. The device also features four 'studio quality' microphones and the ability to record ProRes video directly over USB-C, further cementing its 'Pro' credentials.
While the telephoto camera remains at 12MP and isn't class-leading, the overall camera system delivers superb results. The premium build quality, powerful internals, and advanced photography features make this an excellent choice for mobile photographers and videographers, despite its high price tag.
The best phablet from Google
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Impressive zoom capabilities
Reasons to avoid
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL stands out as a powerhouse in the phablet market, particularly for photography enthusiasts. Our reviewer found it to be an exceptional device that combines a large, high-quality display with a versatile and powerful camera system.
The triple camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor, 48MP ultra-wide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, delivered consistently impressive results across various shooting scenarios. The telephoto lens, in particular, stood out for its ability to capture detailed long-range shots, rivaling even the best in the market.
Low-light performance was notably strong, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL producing clear, well-balanced night shots that outperformed many competitors. The upgraded panorama mode also impressed, creating stunning wide-angle shots even in challenging lighting conditions.
AI features are a significant highlight, with tools like Video Boost, Zoom Enhance, and Magic Editor pushing the boundaries of smartphone photography and videography. The new Add Me feature for group photos and Reimagine for creative edits add fun and utility to the package.
The large 6.8-inch display proved excellent for both viewing and editing photos. Video performance saw improvements, too, especially with the Video Boost feature, though the processing time for this feature can be lengthy.
While the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with a premium price tag, our reviewer found it justified by the top-tier camera performance, advanced features, and the promise of long-term software support. For more details, read our Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review.
The best foldable phablet
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The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a massive 8-inch display, once unfolded. In our tests, we found its screens to be bright, sharp, and smooth, with 120Hz refresh rates that make scrolling and animations a joy to behold.
Our reviewer was particularly impressed with the device's slimmer and lighter design compared to its predecessor, noting that it now unfolds completely flat – a significant improvement over the original Pixel Fold. The 5x optical zoom on the telephoto camera gives it an edge in long-range photography, though we found the overall camera performance to be somewhat mixed due to the unchanged hardware from the previous generation.
In our experience, the battery life was ample for a full day's use, though heavy use of the inner display could drain it faster. The addition of wireless charging is a welcome feature, giving it an edge over some competitors.
Despite its premium price tag and camera limitations, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold's combination of hardware refinements and software prowess make it a strong contender in the phablet market. For more details, read our Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review.
The best value phablet from Apple
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The iPhone 15 Pro Max may not be the latest model, but it's still a very advanced phablet, offering a refined design and powerful camera system. And given that it's more affordable than the 16 Pro Max, it represents excellent value.
Our reviewer was particularly impressed with the device's 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, which offered excellent brightness (up to 2,000 nits outdoors) and vivid colors. The 120Hz refresh rate ensured smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions.
The camera system on the 15 Pro Max is a standout feature, with its new 5x optical zoom capability. We found this telephoto lens to be excellent for distant subjects, producing sharp and detailed images. However, we noted that the zoom quality between 2.5x and 4.9x was noticeably weaker, as it relies on digital zoom from the main sensor.
In our experience, the A17 Pro chip provided smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications alike. Battery life was also impressive, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy use.
Despite its high price tag and some minor camera limitations, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a compelling package for those seeking a large-screen iOS device with advanced photography capabilities. Its combination of refined design, powerful performance, and excellent display make it a top contender in the phablet market. For more details, read our iPhone 15 Pro Max review.
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