Need a phone upgrade? Find out the best new smartphones launching in 2017
You know those 2016 phones? They're old news now. Some awe-inspiring handsets launched last year (the ones that didn't blow up) but now it's time to look ahead. Here's our rundown of the best smartphones you need to watch out for in 2017.
Let's take a look into the crystal ball and see which smartphones launch this year. From the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the iPhone 8, there are a lot of fantastic phones to look forward to in 2017.
Here are the best smartphones you need to look out for in 2017. Take a look at the end of the article for 2016 year in review, too.
Upcoming smartphones for 2017: Predicted release dates
iPhone 8/7s – September 2017
Yes, the iPhone 7 is only just out of the door, but this wouldn't be a best upcoming smartphones article without acknowledging Apple's likely next contribution.
The iPhone 7s (Apple goes in two-year cycles, so the iPhone 8 won't be with us until September 2018) will once again gain quite the speed boost, and it's definitely about time the screen got some more love. Early rumours suggest it will be getting just that, in the form of an OLED display.
There are also rumours about wireless charging, but as this has been whispered about for years, I'd take that with a small pinch of salt.
You can keep an eye on all the latest iPhone 7s rumours here.
Samsung Galaxy S8 – March/April 2017
Historically, Samsung has been the first out of the blocks with a new smartphone each year, and with the embarrassment of the Note 7 recall debacle, there's no reason to think they won't be keen to put that right with the Samsung Galaxy S8.
So, what can we expect from Samsung's next flagship? Rumours abound that alongside the usual speed boost we'll see an iPhone-style home button, a rear fingerprint sensor, and a screen resolution boost to put most TV sets to shame. Now 4K on a smartphone screen is overkill, but Samsung gets a pass if the benefits pass on to the Gear VR. For VR, the higher the resolution the better.
HTC 11 – March/April 2017
The HTC 10 was a wonderful handset that really put the Taiwanese firm back on the smartphone map. Very little is known about the HTC 11 as of yet, but given the company tends to work to a 12-month cycle, it seems likely that the follow-up will be with us in April 2017. And if it's an improvement on the already brilliant HTC 10, then it'll definitely be one to beat.
LG gifted us with one of the most interesting handsets of 2016 – and it was pretty damned good to boot. A genuinely modular smartphone that allowed you to add in modules to modify performance. Lenovo did similar with the Moto Z later in the year, but it was LG who pulled the trick off first.
Whether this modular approach will continue with the LG G6 is yet to be seen, given they didn't end up making too many of them, but the Korean manufacturer remains one to watch. We're likely six months away from an LG G6, in April 2017, but watch this space for some interesting innovation.
OnePlus 4 – June 2017 or later
If you're only paying attention to one phone over the course of 2017, it probably makes sense to make it OnePlus. The OnePlus 3 ensured that pretty much every review I wrote this year finished with "...but it's not as good/cheap as the OnePlus 3". The cheap but super-spec smartphone has shaken the entire industry.
No doubt the OnePlus 4 will continue this trend, so keep an eye on the Chinese manufacturer's next move. Although we're unlikely to see what that next move is until next June.
Google To Release Two New Flagship Smartwatches Next Year
Recently launched smartphones:
Google Pixel
After years of outsourcing its phone development to the likes of LG and Huawei, the big G has taken production in-house, and the result is the expensive but brilliant Google Pixel. Featuring the best smartphone camera we've seen, the Nexus killer has specs to put it at the top of the class for 2016, including a 2.15GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB RAM and 32GB or 128GB of storage.
The price is a tough pill to swallow, mind. While the Google Nexus handsets prided themselves on affordability, Google is aiming the Pixel against Samsung and Apple with prices to match: the Pixel starts at £599, while the Pixel XL will set you back at least £719.
Read our full review of the Google Pixel here.
Apple iPhone 7
Of course, if you like your expensive flagship smartphones Apple branded, there is only one choice in 2016: the iPhone 7.
The phone is, of course, the fastest and slimmest iPhone yet, but something's missing somehow – and it's not just the headphone jack, which was lost to much grieving from customers around the world. It just doesn't feel like quite the generational leap we're used to with a new Apple flagship, even if it is improved in every way. The price is also a tough pill to swallow: it's up there with the Pixel in terms of expense, starting at £599.
OnePlus 3
OnePlus has carved out an interesting niche for itself with the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X, selling high-quality phones at much lower prices than you'd usually expect. It's really outdone itself with the OnePlus 3, though, as this beautifully made smartphone offers the same amount of speed and power as its flagship rivals for almost half the price when buying SIM-free.
Armed with a Snapdragon 820 and a massive 6GB of RAM, the OnePlus 3 is one of the fastest smartphones you can buy today. Its 5.5in display might not have the same 2,560 x 1,440 resolution as other flagships, instead settling for a still perfectly respectable 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, but it still looks great, even if it is a tad oversaturated for our liking.
Combine that with 64GB of storage, a superfast fingerprint sensor and NFC support for Android Pay, and the OnePlus 3 is once again the bargain of the year.
Moto G4 2016
The new Moto G4 is an absolute masterpiece. Offering mid-range specs at a budget price, the Moto G4 is the best bargain of the year, and firmly throws down the gauntlet to every other smartphone manufacturer in existence. It's a little bigger than previous Moto Gs, as it has a 5.5in screen instead of just 5in, but its Full HD resolution, excellent 13-megapixel camera, superfast octa-core Snapdragon 617 chip and superb 3,000mAh battery put it leagues ahead of anything else in this price range.
Sony Xperia X
Sony didn't release the Xperia Z6, as expected, changing the name to the Xperia X instead. It has Sony's build quality and the phone's certainly fast, but it's also relatively expensive and we weren't fans of the camera. It's a shame, as the Xperia X can't compete with this best flagship phones from other manufacturers.
HTC 10
HTC's new One M10 is a big design improvement over One M8 and One M9 models. It has better battery life, screen quality has been improved and the camera is better. In addition, performance is up there with the best of this year's flagship handsets thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset. The main problem is that this handset is more expensive than the LG G5 and Galaxy S7, and it's camera still leaves something to be desired.
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung's handset plan for 2016 is as predictable as Apple's. Samsung took to MWC 2016 to unveil the new Galaxy S7 at its Unpacked event. Externally, the chassis isn't drastically different from last year's Galaxy S6, as the same materials and colours have made a return. Instead, changes have been made internally, making the S7's faster and has better battery life. It's also IP68 waterproof, meaning it can handle being submerged to 1.5m for 30 minutes and there's no need to use rubber caps to block the ports. What will make a lot of people happy is the return of the microSD card slot. This can be expanded by up to 200GB (but expect such cards to be very expensive).
LG G5
Arguably the most interesting of the big announcements at MWC 2016. The LG G5 now has a magnesium alloy chassis, so its build quality has vastly improved on last year's plastic affair. LG's taken a surprising modular approach with its latest flagship handset. While replaceable batteries aren't exactly the most exciting things in the world, things get a little more intriguing with the LG G5's manner of battery swapping.
The entire bottom now slides off and you can simply swap the battery over and slide it back in. But that's the least interesting part of the G5's modularity. Various different modules are available that add extra functionality, such as the Cam Plus module that will be useful for photographers, or the Hi-Fi Plus module for the audiophiles. The LG G5 will also work with a number of separate devices from LG, which the company refer to as "Friends". This includes the LG 360 Cam for 360-degree video. In the mean time,
Apple iPhone SE
After making all its phones bigger for the past couple of years, Apple has now released something for those who truly believe the best things come in small packages. With its tiny 4in screen, the iPhone SE blends the design of the iPhone 5s with the technology of the latest iPhone 6s. It display doesn't have the high contrast ratio or 3D Touch feature of the latest iPhone 6s, but it's a pretty decent effort nonetheless.
Its specs are also bang up-to-date. The Apple A9 chipset is screamingly fast, with Apple claiming complete parity with the iPhone 6s, and it also comes with the same 12-megapixel camera, with features like Live Photos and 4K video making the transition. With prices starting at just £359, this is a lot of phone for the money, by Apple standards. If you're looking for a smaller handset then this should be top of your list.
Source:ExpertReviews
You know those 2016 phones? They're old news now. Some awe-inspiring handsets launched last year (the ones that didn't blow up) but now it's time to look ahead. Here's our rundown of the best smartphones you need to watch out for in 2017.
Let's take a look into the crystal ball and see which smartphones launch this year. From the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the iPhone 8, there are a lot of fantastic phones to look forward to in 2017.
Here are the best smartphones you need to look out for in 2017. Take a look at the end of the article for 2016 year in review, too.
Upcoming smartphones for 2017: Predicted release dates
- Samsung Galaxy S8 – March/April 2017?
- HTC 2011 – March/April 2017?
- LG G6 – April 2017?
- OnePlus 4 – June 2017
- iPhone 7s – September 2017?
iPhone 8/7s – September 2017
Yes, the iPhone 7 is only just out of the door, but this wouldn't be a best upcoming smartphones article without acknowledging Apple's likely next contribution.
The iPhone 7s (Apple goes in two-year cycles, so the iPhone 8 won't be with us until September 2018) will once again gain quite the speed boost, and it's definitely about time the screen got some more love. Early rumours suggest it will be getting just that, in the form of an OLED display.
There are also rumours about wireless charging, but as this has been whispered about for years, I'd take that with a small pinch of salt.
You can keep an eye on all the latest iPhone 7s rumours here.
Samsung Galaxy S8 – March/April 2017
Historically, Samsung has been the first out of the blocks with a new smartphone each year, and with the embarrassment of the Note 7 recall debacle, there's no reason to think they won't be keen to put that right with the Samsung Galaxy S8.
So, what can we expect from Samsung's next flagship? Rumours abound that alongside the usual speed boost we'll see an iPhone-style home button, a rear fingerprint sensor, and a screen resolution boost to put most TV sets to shame. Now 4K on a smartphone screen is overkill, but Samsung gets a pass if the benefits pass on to the Gear VR. For VR, the higher the resolution the better.
HTC 11 – March/April 2017
The HTC 10 was a wonderful handset that really put the Taiwanese firm back on the smartphone map. Very little is known about the HTC 11 as of yet, but given the company tends to work to a 12-month cycle, it seems likely that the follow-up will be with us in April 2017. And if it's an improvement on the already brilliant HTC 10, then it'll definitely be one to beat.
LG gifted us with one of the most interesting handsets of 2016 – and it was pretty damned good to boot. A genuinely modular smartphone that allowed you to add in modules to modify performance. Lenovo did similar with the Moto Z later in the year, but it was LG who pulled the trick off first.
Whether this modular approach will continue with the LG G6 is yet to be seen, given they didn't end up making too many of them, but the Korean manufacturer remains one to watch. We're likely six months away from an LG G6, in April 2017, but watch this space for some interesting innovation.
OnePlus 4 – June 2017 or later
If you're only paying attention to one phone over the course of 2017, it probably makes sense to make it OnePlus. The OnePlus 3 ensured that pretty much every review I wrote this year finished with "...but it's not as good/cheap as the OnePlus 3". The cheap but super-spec smartphone has shaken the entire industry.
No doubt the OnePlus 4 will continue this trend, so keep an eye on the Chinese manufacturer's next move. Although we're unlikely to see what that next move is until next June.
Google To Release Two New Flagship Smartwatches Next Year
Recently launched smartphones:
Google Pixel
After years of outsourcing its phone development to the likes of LG and Huawei, the big G has taken production in-house, and the result is the expensive but brilliant Google Pixel. Featuring the best smartphone camera we've seen, the Nexus killer has specs to put it at the top of the class for 2016, including a 2.15GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB RAM and 32GB or 128GB of storage.
The price is a tough pill to swallow, mind. While the Google Nexus handsets prided themselves on affordability, Google is aiming the Pixel against Samsung and Apple with prices to match: the Pixel starts at £599, while the Pixel XL will set you back at least £719.
Read our full review of the Google Pixel here.
Apple iPhone 7
Of course, if you like your expensive flagship smartphones Apple branded, there is only one choice in 2016: the iPhone 7.
The phone is, of course, the fastest and slimmest iPhone yet, but something's missing somehow – and it's not just the headphone jack, which was lost to much grieving from customers around the world. It just doesn't feel like quite the generational leap we're used to with a new Apple flagship, even if it is improved in every way. The price is also a tough pill to swallow: it's up there with the Pixel in terms of expense, starting at £599.
OnePlus 3
OnePlus has carved out an interesting niche for itself with the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X, selling high-quality phones at much lower prices than you'd usually expect. It's really outdone itself with the OnePlus 3, though, as this beautifully made smartphone offers the same amount of speed and power as its flagship rivals for almost half the price when buying SIM-free.
Armed with a Snapdragon 820 and a massive 6GB of RAM, the OnePlus 3 is one of the fastest smartphones you can buy today. Its 5.5in display might not have the same 2,560 x 1,440 resolution as other flagships, instead settling for a still perfectly respectable 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, but it still looks great, even if it is a tad oversaturated for our liking.
Combine that with 64GB of storage, a superfast fingerprint sensor and NFC support for Android Pay, and the OnePlus 3 is once again the bargain of the year.
Moto G4 2016
The new Moto G4 is an absolute masterpiece. Offering mid-range specs at a budget price, the Moto G4 is the best bargain of the year, and firmly throws down the gauntlet to every other smartphone manufacturer in existence. It's a little bigger than previous Moto Gs, as it has a 5.5in screen instead of just 5in, but its Full HD resolution, excellent 13-megapixel camera, superfast octa-core Snapdragon 617 chip and superb 3,000mAh battery put it leagues ahead of anything else in this price range.
Sony Xperia X
Sony didn't release the Xperia Z6, as expected, changing the name to the Xperia X instead. It has Sony's build quality and the phone's certainly fast, but it's also relatively expensive and we weren't fans of the camera. It's a shame, as the Xperia X can't compete with this best flagship phones from other manufacturers.
HTC 10
HTC's new One M10 is a big design improvement over One M8 and One M9 models. It has better battery life, screen quality has been improved and the camera is better. In addition, performance is up there with the best of this year's flagship handsets thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset. The main problem is that this handset is more expensive than the LG G5 and Galaxy S7, and it's camera still leaves something to be desired.
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung's handset plan for 2016 is as predictable as Apple's. Samsung took to MWC 2016 to unveil the new Galaxy S7 at its Unpacked event. Externally, the chassis isn't drastically different from last year's Galaxy S6, as the same materials and colours have made a return. Instead, changes have been made internally, making the S7's faster and has better battery life. It's also IP68 waterproof, meaning it can handle being submerged to 1.5m for 30 minutes and there's no need to use rubber caps to block the ports. What will make a lot of people happy is the return of the microSD card slot. This can be expanded by up to 200GB (but expect such cards to be very expensive).
LG G5
Arguably the most interesting of the big announcements at MWC 2016. The LG G5 now has a magnesium alloy chassis, so its build quality has vastly improved on last year's plastic affair. LG's taken a surprising modular approach with its latest flagship handset. While replaceable batteries aren't exactly the most exciting things in the world, things get a little more intriguing with the LG G5's manner of battery swapping.
The entire bottom now slides off and you can simply swap the battery over and slide it back in. But that's the least interesting part of the G5's modularity. Various different modules are available that add extra functionality, such as the Cam Plus module that will be useful for photographers, or the Hi-Fi Plus module for the audiophiles. The LG G5 will also work with a number of separate devices from LG, which the company refer to as "Friends". This includes the LG 360 Cam for 360-degree video. In the mean time,
Apple iPhone SE
After making all its phones bigger for the past couple of years, Apple has now released something for those who truly believe the best things come in small packages. With its tiny 4in screen, the iPhone SE blends the design of the iPhone 5s with the technology of the latest iPhone 6s. It display doesn't have the high contrast ratio or 3D Touch feature of the latest iPhone 6s, but it's a pretty decent effort nonetheless.
Its specs are also bang up-to-date. The Apple A9 chipset is screamingly fast, with Apple claiming complete parity with the iPhone 6s, and it also comes with the same 12-megapixel camera, with features like Live Photos and 4K video making the transition. With prices starting at just £359, this is a lot of phone for the money, by Apple standards. If you're looking for a smaller handset then this should be top of your list.
Source:ExpertReviews
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