There was a time when Apple and Samsung were synonymous with the global smartphone industry, but the last few years have seen the advent of several brands that have created a plethora of options for buyers. From ASUS and OnePlus to HTC and Microsoft, there is a never-ending array of choices if you are looking to buy a new phone.
2017 has been an especially great year for smartphones as it has observed the launch of many anticipated devices, with still many more waiting to hit the markets soon. Here’s a list of the some recently launched and upcoming smartphones that are trending all over the world.
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#1. Apple iPhone 8
Over the years, Apple has built a loyal fandom for its flagship device. Since 2017 is a momentous occasion as the year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the first iPhone, fans are also speculating a huge surprise. Though there has been no official word from the company, rumors have been circulating about the revolutionary technology the smartphone could bring. In-screen fingerprint scanner, massive display, and in-box AirPods are among the alleged features of iPhone 8.
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#2. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
The latest installment of Samsung’s Galaxy Note series, which was in the news for all the wrong reasons a few months back, is believed to hit stores in late August. The Korean conglomerate looks to change the public perception of the series with this launch. Along with the dual camera, the device is also believed to boast a curved 6.7-inch infinity display, Exynos 8895 processor as well as 6 GB RAM.
(Image Courtesy: Tech Times)
#3. Google Pixel 2
Set to be launched close to iPhone 8, Google’s second generation of smartphones called Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 are also making the rounds among techies. Recently, a concept video of the device was leaked, which showed thinner bezels, sleeker design, broad screen and dual back cameras. Google, which trusted HTC to make Pixel, is believed to have shown confidence in LG to manufacture its next phones.
(Image Courtesy: Digital Trends)
#4. HTC U11
In May 2017, the Taiwanese electronics company introduced the world to U11, which many are calling the world’s first “squeezable” smartphone. The sensors beneath the phone’s sides register response and take action based on the input. A 5.5-inch 3D glass display accompanied by 2.45 GHz Snapdragon 835 octa-core processor and 3000 mAh battery available in 4 GB and 6 GB variants. Its 16 MP front camera and 12 MP (HTC UltraPixel™ 3 with 1.4μm pixel) back camera makes it a great choice for those, who wish to capture every moment.
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#5. Samsung Galaxy S8
Many are facing the dilemma of whether to upgrade their iPhone 7 to Galaxy S8 or wait a few months for iPhone 8. With an amazing picture quality which beats iPhone, the device is considered by many to be the best smartphone available in the market. Its 5.8-inch quad HD+ Super AMOLED screen comes with astounding 570 ppi, rendering the phone a stunning picture quality. The curved edges not only add to the beauty of the phone but also make it quite handy.
(Image Courtesy: NDTV Gadgets)
#6. LG G6
Considered to be a tough competitor for Samsung’s Galaxy S8, LG G6 features a 5.5-inch FullVision display, with 18:9 aspect ratio as opposed to 16:9. Its 13-MP dual lenses at the back can capture 125-degree wide frames with resolutions up to 4160 x 3120. Metal body, slow-motion video recording, 4 GB RAM and expandable memory of up to 2 TB are some of its highlights.
(Image Courtesy: Digital Trends)
#7. OnePlus 5
OnePlus, the Chinese manufacturer has stunned the market with its every device and its recently launched OnePlus 5 is no exception. With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, the lightning fast device is available in 6 GB/64 GB and 8 GB/128 GB variants. The 5.5-inch full HD optic AMOLED screen is great from watching movies.
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Samsung Galaxy S9/S9 +
To start, I just want to say that this phone is truly a work of art. When you first peel off the cover, the phone feels and looks like the most high end of products. It really is a gorgeous device.
In a smartphone, there are 3 main features that I look for: screen, camera and various features. I have a more extensive list but basically, the S9 checks every box and fulfills almost every single piece of criteria that I look for.
Display
So let's talk about the screen. This is arguably the most prominent part of the S9. At 6.2 inches and a 1440p resolution, you will not be disappointed. Using the phone is a blast with everything much larger it almost feels like a small tablet and really makes for a satisfying experience. The screen is also OLED which means each pixel lights itself up which makes for amazing viewing angles and a beautiful image. This also allows for features like always on display which only lights the pixles that display time when the phone is asleep. There aren't really any phones that can even touch the S9 except maybe the iPhone X. But even then you have the notch and a significantly smaller screen. So good screen? No, the best screen.
Camera
The second aspect that I will focus on is my favorite part of the phone: the cameras. This is the first S series phone t ok implement the dual camera system and it really is nice to get a telephoto lens at the press of a button. But the telephoto lens is trivial on comparison to what else Samsubg has done with their cameras. First of all that have implemented a feature entirely new to the smartphone world: a variable aperture lens. If you aren't a camera person this may not mean anything to you but it is a big deal. See, a camera lens on a smartphone typically has a fixed f stop, or how wide open the lens is. However, Samsung has managed to install a tiny ring around the camera to switch the aperture so as the let more or less light in. This makes for better performance in really bright or dark scenes.
The second big camera feature is the slow motion capability. The S9 can record video at 960 frames per second. This means you can record video at 30 times slower than normal speed. However, that slow of video would typically take up lots of storage and be very difficult to process so what Samsung has done is made the slow motion capture when it detects movement and only for a short amount of time. This may seem like a big trade off but the feature works well and is a big step in smartphone cameras.
As far as the camera goes there are a few more points I want to touch on. First is that it records 4k video at 60 fps which is impressive. Samsung also implemented their own version of animogies which are kind of creepy and none will really use them but they are there so that's cool I guess. There is also a slow motion mode which is 240 frames per second at 1080p which is pretty good. Everything else is as expected for a Samsung phone and is one of the best cameras on a smartphone. However, I do have a few complaints. First, the rear sensor is still 12 megapixels which is good but they have had that for quite a few years and they really should give the camera an increase in megapixels. I also wish Samsung would have opted for a monochrome sensor instead of telephoto but that is a pretty complaint with all the other amazing camera features considered. Basically this is another feature of the phone that is the king in the smartphone market with competitors only in the iPhone X and Google Pixel.
Now onto everything else. Personally when I buy a phone I need waterproofing which the S9 has. It also has new audio which I appreciate very much. The phone has the bottom speaker as normal but also uses the phones earpiece as a tweeter if sports for the high end. It really sounds very good. It may not be as good as the Razer Phone or Google Pixel but still sounds great with a surprising amount of low end and highs that get a little crunchy but not to bad. Overall, very good speakers. With these new speakers is the inclusion of Dolby Atmos. This is a really cool audio feature that makes audio sound so much better. Basically what Atmos is is an audio system that places sounds in 3D space so you can hear audio in a 3D space. It is really an immersive experience with the included headphones. Let's talk about those. Samsung had the AKG earbuds with the S8 but this is my first time using them. For included earbuds, they are amazing. They have very good bass and highs. They are very clear and are pleasurable to listen to. But they are earbuds so they do get uncomfortable after a while but that include interchangeable eartips so they can be as comfortable as possible. Samsung has really perfected their audio and it really impressed me.
A couple other cool features are a working, but kind of impractical iris and face scanner, quick fingerprint reader, USB C, all the useful features of android, a headphone jack (we are in 2018 where most phones don't have them), and much more. The list goes on and on. I really don't have anything bad to say about theS9. Really the only thing is that is is kind of hard to hold, it being all glass makes it slippery.
The second to last question I would like to address those who are debating the S9verses the S8. The only thing you need to consider is the camera. If you want a phenomenal camera, go with the S9. If you don't, go with the S8. Either is an excellent choice.
Finally there is only one barrier between you and your S9: money. Yes it is cheaper than the iPhone X but not by a whole lot. The plus model is $840 and the normal one is $740. This is quite a lot of money for a phone. But is that all smartphones are? No. The cameras alone are almost reaching DSLR territory and they are also capable gaming devices. Smartphones are most peoples computers. If you purchase the S9, you are buying much more than a phone which is why I believe that if you have the money, it is worth it. So in the end would I recommend the S9? Absolutely and unequivocally yes. It is the best smartphone you can buy.
Buy from amazon affiliate : Samsung Galaxy S9
Buy from amazon affiliate : Samsung Galaxy S9+
OnePlus 6
The OnePlus 6 is the most polished, premium smartphone the firm has made in its short existence.
It boasts an all-glass design, bringing it in line with big-name flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S9 and iPhone X, a large 6.28-inch display complete with the on-trend notch, dual rear-facing cameras, both fingerprint and face unlock, and up to 256GB of storage.
There are several core improvements over the OnePlus 5T (and OnePlus 5) that it replaces, and while it may not break any new ground in terms of features, the OnePlus 6 brings an attractive package that makes it relevant in 2018.
Display
OnePlus' biggest-ever display at 6.28 inches
Full HD, Full Optic AMOLED panel with 19:9 aspect ratio
84% screen-to-body ratio thanks in part to notch
The OnePlus 6 display is one of the big new features on the phone. In fact, it’s the biggest display the firm has ever squeezed into a phone, with the 6.28-inch Full Optic AMOLED panel eclipsing the 6.1-inch offering found on the 5T.
OnePlus has continued to support the now-popular 19:9 aspect ratio too, giving you a taller display that offers up more on screen when you’re scrolling lists such as your Twitter feed.
While the display may be bigger, the resolution stays the same at ‘just’ Full HD. That’s 2280 x 1080 to be exact, which ensures it keeps the 402 pixels-per-inch density of previous OnePlus flagships.
However, in a world where QHD is fast becoming the norm at the top end of the mobile market, the screen resolution on the OnePlus 6 is a key area where the firm has looked to cut a corner in an attempt to keep costs down.
On its own the screen appears bright and vibrant, providing a pleasing level of detail. Slide it alongside a Galaxy S9 and you’ll see the screen on the OnePlus 6 isn’t quite as good - there’s no HDR support here either - but when you consider the price tag of this phone it’s not really an issue.
With the reduction in bezel above and below the screen the OnePlus 6 also boasts a 84% screen-to-body ratio that will likely please fans of outright display real estate. However this has come at a price: the inclusion of a divisive ‘notch’ at the top of the screen.
It’s smaller than the notch on the iPhone X, but larger than the camera-sized cut-out of the Essential Phone, lining up pretty closely with the implementation on the Huawei P20.
OnePlus tells us the notch wasn’t simply added as a ‘me too’ feature though. A spokesperson for the firm told TechRadar: "[OnePlus] fully appreciates the trend for reducing bezels and increasing screen-to-body ratio. [We] thought long and hard over the decision [to include the notch].
"We want to deliver the technology that currently works the best and we have to be sure of the technology we put into our devices, as we only make one [device] at a time.
"[The notch] works the best at the moment. Ultimately it’s not about the notch, it’s about the screen."
Whether you’re for or against the notch it serves a useful purpose on the OnePlus 6, housing the front-facing camera, earpiece, LED notification light and ambient light sensor.
For those who really don’t like the notch trend you can effectively ‘hide’ it on the OnePlus 6 by making the screen either side of it black to create one continuous bar.
The choice is yours then, but there is something rather satisfying about seeing your wallpaper wrap around either the side of the notch. Or maybe that’s just us.
Slide the OnePlus 6 out of its packaging and you’ll see that it comes with a factory-fitted screen protector, which is always nice, although it does detract slightly from the overall look of the phone, as well as being a bit of a dust- and fingerprint-magnet.
It’s easy enough to remove, and doing so instantly makes the OnePlus 6 look more premium – but you’re then exposing the display to potential scratches and scuffs, so don’t hastily whip it off as soon as you get it out the box.
Buy from amazon affiliate link OnePlus 6