LG G3, the best phablet to date

Balancing size with power, with laser autofocus for quick snaps, LG’s G3 makes large-screened phones usable

LG’s latest smartphone is a 5.5in powerhouse with a quad-HD screen and seems to be a hit with customers.

From its release at the end of May, the G3 outpaced its Korean rival the Samsung Galaxy S5 three-to-one in its home market, and contributed to LG’s 14.5m smartphone sales in the second quarter – ending three consecutive loss-making quarters for that division. Analysts are predictingsales of more than 10m. It might not sound much compared with Samsung’s 40m-plus sales for its latest Galaxy S flagships, but is a significant boost over last year’s LG’s G2, which sold around 3m to 4m.

Samsung is due to release the new Galaxy Note 4 phablet next week at the IFA electronics tradeshow in Berlin, but has the G3 given Samsung something to worry about?

Read more