Consumer Reports – December 2018

CRInsights

BIGGER IS BETTER, right? That seems to be

the thinking on everything these days, from

houses to burgers—and now smartphones.

Phablets—an industry term CR dei nes

for phones with a 5.5-inch screen or larger

(measured diagonally)—are a growing

trend among consumers. Industry analyst

IDC says global sales of smartphones with

displays of 5.5 inches and larger jumped

51 percent to 941.6 million units this year.

That equates to nearly 65 percent of all

smartphones sold.

Phablets are probably on the rise because

more people are using their phones to

watch TV, share photos, and multitask by

running more than one application at a

time—all activities that benei t from ample

screen space. The drawbacks, however, are

that bigger screens tend to be a little less

durable in our drop tests and might not i t

easily into your pocket.

Currently, the largest phone screen we’ve

tested is the iPhone XS Max, introduced

by Apple in September. This new iPhone,

which performed well in our lab tests,

features a 6.5-inch screen and is Apple’s

largest phone screen to date. That’s not far

of from some of the smallest tablets we test,

which have 6.9-inch screens, though the

largest tablets we test, at almost 13 inches,

are still double the size of most phablets.

Interested in going big? These are some

of the best-scoring phablets in our tests—

models that combine clever features and

top-notch performance with giant screens,

at a range of prices.

Do More With ...

Your Phablet

LG V35 ThinQ

$ 900

Huawei Mate 10

Pro $ 550

78 77

A good all-around

performer for

phablet fans, the

V 3 5 got top marks

for battery life,

lasting 27 hours—

a significant

stretch longer than

other LG phablets

we’ve tested.

This phone scores

big points for its

beautiful OLED

display, which is

taller and skinnier

than many models,

so it’s easier to hold.

Plus, it comes with

a plastic case for

extra protection.

82

The XS Max’s screen

is more than a

half-inch larger

than the one on its

predecessor, the X.

Second overall in

our ratings, the Max

also has the highest-

rated camera

we’ve tested yet.

83

With its large

rectangular shape

and handy stylus,

this is the most

tablet-like phone

we’ve tested. You

can use the built-in

stylus to write notes

or doodle on its

sharp display.

Samsung Galaxy

Note9 $1,

SCREEN SIZE: 6.4”

Apple iPhone XS

Max $1,

SCREEN SIZE: 6.5” SCREEN SIZE: 6” SCREEN SIZE: 6”

WHAT 100 CALORIES

LOOKS LIKE

Holiday Cookies

Between cookie swaps

and holiday parties, it’s a

small wonder we don’t all

sport Santa-sized bellies this

time of year. But being aware

of calories and portion

size can help you win the

battle of the bulge, says Amy

Keating, R.D., a CR dietitian.

Use our guide, and go to

CR.org/cookie1218 for more.

21⁄

Bahlsen Pfeffernüsse

1 2⁄

Nabisco Winter Oreo

3 1⁄

Pepperidge Farm

Gingerman

14⁄

Pillsbury Ready to Bake!

Sugar Cookies

43⁄

Walkers Mini Shortbread

Christmas Trees

6.4 inches

(measured diagonally)

SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE

VS.

4.7 inches

(measured diagonally)

iPHONE 8

18 CR.ORG