Two new phablets are worth considering in the market now: the HTC One Max and the Nokia Lumia 1520.

Phablets are tablets that can make calls over cellular networks. This makes size really matters among consumers. While the popularly sized 5.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 3 also comes with a signature stylus, neither the new HTC One Max nor Nokia Lumia 1520 comes with a stylus or that size. The HTC One Max measures at 5.9 inches while the Nokia Lumia 1520 is at 6 inches, both having bigger screens than the Note.

The Nokia Lumia 1520 runs Windows Phone 8 with less software developers creating apps for it. It is the first Windows phone of its size. The Windows software adopts the layout and doesn't simply blow up text and images. It actually takes advantage of the larger screen.

The HTC One Max runs Android, offering the same content as that of a smaller phone only somewhat enlarged. The larger Windows phones give you a third column of apps on the home screen, a two-line preview of emails rather than one and more contact information in your address book at once.

The new driving mode blocks incoming calls and texts when it detects a Bluetooth device associated with a car. The user can even set the phone up to send automated replies when he's driving.

All Windows phones of different sizes come with a free Office app to read and edit documents. The app is also available to iPhone and Android phones but only as part of a $100-a-year Office 365 subscription. These office apps are not for heavy work.

While the iPhone 5S remains the best phone camera in the market, the 1520 camera also does a good job in low-light situations. It has the same technology as the 4.5-inch Lumia 1020, which already received a software fix to get rid of its faulty yellow images. The screen also has more vibrant colors than other phones.

Nokia also dropped the 1020s low resolution and protruding lens with the 1520 taking photos of up to 19 megapixels instead of the 38 MP (on the 1020). It tends to be slower in snapping photos although it takes time grabbing and storing all those pixels. A storyteller app also automatically groups photos by location and date. Nokia has a refocus app that takes up to eight photos with varying focus and lets you blend the shots to focus everything.

The HTC One Max is a large version of the HTC One. Android now offers a mosaic of customized content on the home screen with your favorite apps and news sites that can clutter up the phone and turn off if preferred.

The HTC One Max also offers a fingerprint scanner for security reasons. Unlike the iPhone 5S, the Max has a different app that identifies which finger you use. Unfortunately, unlike the iPhone sensor, HTC One Max users complain that it often fails to recognize fingerprints.

The Max is similar to the standard HTC One when it comes to improved low-light shots. The camera offers 4 megapixels, lower than the standard 8 MP of other high-end phones, but with a sensor that makes individual pixels larger to pick up more light. Night shots are clearer and don't come out as dark. The sensors can pick up too much light sometimes though that it can bleed and wash out brightly contrasted colours. Fewer pixels are also not as sharp when blown up.

The HTC One''s Gallery app also organizes photos automatically based on location and time. It can also turn selected photos into a short video, customized with special effects and your choice of music. Both HTC One and HTC One Max come with Zoe, which takes up a maximum of 20 shots in 3 seconds you can choose from. Samsung Note 3 is easier to hold and lighter but the HTC One Max is for people who want an Android phone that's even bigger than the Note.