The holidays are nearing which simply means that the year is about to end and holiday shopping is about to start. With that said, this might be the best time to take a look back at 2016's best smartphones. Here's our list of top 10 smartphones of the year:
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
The Galaxy S7 Edge is one of the most popular premium Androids of 2016. It's got great display and it's got classy looks. It also boasts of its hefty internal specs. S7 Edge's 534 PPI display resolution is not something you see every day. It's waterproof build, elegant curves and speedy processor also give the smartphone an edge over others.
OnePlus 3
The OnePlus 3 may carry a very affordable price tag but don't let the price deceive you. The OnePlus 3 is a known flagship killer and it beats all premium smartphones with its powerful internals. It's got 6 GB RAM, 3000 mAh battery and a powerful Snapdragon 820 processor. OnePlus might have sacrificed some things to keep phone's cost to a minimum, but clearly, the company got everything right with the OnePlus 3. Tech Radar says that it only costs $399. Sweet deal right?
iPhone 7
Apple's best is also one of the most talked-about smartphones this year. For the first time ever, the company made an entirely waterproof iPhone which is probably what made the new iPhones stand out over its predecessors. The iPhone 7 also boasts of its powerful processor that beats most Android phones when it comes to speed tests.
iPhone 7 Plus
The iPhone 7 Plus' dual camera system is also something Apple should be given credit for. The technology might not be brand new in the tech industry, but the company's use of it is pretty surprising. Just like the iPhone 7, the 7 Plus is also worthy of praises for its waterproof body and speedy processor.
LG V20
The LG V20 stands out among the crowd for its unique look. Its secondary display allows the phone to look both cool and elegant. Also, the LG V20 runs Android Nougat from the box which is a very big advantage for LG. People who are just about to buy a new phone has a good chance of choosing the LG V20 over other smartphones. It's worth noting that Android phones usually take a lot of time before getting a version update, so buying a phone that runs the newly released Android version is actually a clever thing to do.
Pixel XL
In picking a new phablet, the Pixel XL is also one of the best options. The fact that it is Google-owned should be enough for you to consider it. Not only is it one of the first in line to get the next Android update, there is also a good chance that it will continue to get new Android updates even when it's already relatively old. On top of that, the Pixel XL got competitive specs too.
HTC 10
HTC 10 might be underrated but it's actually one of the best Android phones of the year. It looks elegant and it also performs well. The HTC 10 should be given credit for its very vivid display and fast processor. When choosing an Android phone, the first things that can capture your heart is the display and speed. When it comes to those parts, the HTC 10 doesn't disappoint.
Samsung Galaxy S7
The Galaxy S7 may not have the S7 Edge's curved display, but it's just as good. In fact, if you're not fond of curved phones, the Galaxy S7 is one of the top choices. This phone comes with a 5.1 inch display with 577 PPI density. It is powered by Snapdragon 820 and it comes with 4 GB RAM. Overall, the Galaxy S7 is a pretty competitive phone.
HP Elite X3
Microsoft did not introduce a new Microsoft phone this year. However, if you're looking to buy a new Windows-running phone, the HP Elite X3 could be your best bet. The phone runs Windows 10 and it is powered by Snapdragon 820. It sports a fingerprint scanner, an iris scanner and a massive 4150 mAh battery, GSM Arena reported.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
This may sound a little weird, but Note 7 is actually one of the best (if not the best) smartphones this year. However, it's explosion controversy is undeniably a big mess. If it weren't for the faulty batteries or whatever it is that caused the Note 7s to explode, the phone could be the best phablet of the year. Users of the Galaxy Note 7 can testify that the device is pretty hard to replace.