There are a number of excellent handsets on the market at the moment. We review four of the smartest smartphones here.
Apple iPhone X
Apple’s latest range-topping iPhone is shaping up to be a big hit with consumers, despite its steep cost. It features a stunning 5.8-inch Super Retina display, A11 Bionic chip, wireless charging, and an improved rear camera with dual optical image stabilization. Users can also unlock, authenticate, and pay using Face ID, enabled by the iPhone X’s new TrueDepth camera.
The Bottom Line: If you can stomach the high asking price, there are few—if any—superior smartphones on the market at the moment.
Price: From $999
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Samsung’s flagship smartphone impresses in almost every department. It has the biggest screen ever on a Note device, yet its narrow body still makes it comfortable to hold in one hand. The 6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display lets you see more and scroll less. Furthermore, the Note 8 is the first smartphone with two 12MP rear cameras with Optical Image Stabilization on both the wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
The Bottom Line: The Note 8 remains the go-to device for premium-minded Android buyers.
Essential PH-1
This is the first handset offering from Essential, a new tech startup founded by Andy Rubin, one of the creators of Android. It has a decidedly high-end feel thanks in the main to its sleek bezel-free display. But it’s no slouch under the hood, either, as it comes fitted with a Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM. A series of bolt-on modular accessories are also available, including a 360-degree camera.
The Bottom Line: It’s always refreshing to see a new company take a stab at a market crowded with Apple and Samsung devices.
Price: From $499
Google Pixel 2
The Pixel 2’s main selling point has to be its best-in-class 12.2-megapixel main camera, which can capture some startlingly sharp images. The phone is available in two sizes. The 5-inch version has an OLED display, and comes in black, white, or blue colors. The 6-inch XL has a gargantuan OLED 18:9 display for anyone wanting a more immersive viewing experience. Both are powered by Android 8.0 Oreo and come with an always-on function which lets you see notifications at a glance without having to touch the power button.
The Bottom Line: If taking the best quality pictures is a priority, nothing can quite match the camera tech packed into the Pixel 2.
Price: From $649
