This was such an excellent year for smartphones, with Apple unleashing the most radical iPhone yet, and Google coming out with a nerfed-up version of the Pixel 2 that includes its own chip just for processing images.
Samsung, LG, and newcomer Essential also stepped up to the plate, not to mention OnePlus, with each releasing phenomenal smartphones that are powerful and gorgeous in equal measure. But alas, not every manufacturer was perfect. Google, for instance, was hit with a tirade of complaints after its Pixel 2 XL was found to have plenty of quality problems, starting with the screen.
Even still, both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL made it to this list, just not on top. Here are the best smartphones of 2017:
5. Essential Phone
At its launch price of $699, the Essential Phone was a gamble. Of course, it was made by Android cofounder Andy Rubin, and of course, it was powered by the same premium-tier specs found on other comparable smartphones — but it was a largely unknown brand, and the Android mobile landscape is hard to break through. Even still, the Essential Phone, all things considered, is a solid, sleek, and powerful near-Vanilla Android smartphone. The camera, however, is its Achilles's heel. It now costs just $499, though, and it's a steal at that price.
Specs:
• Display: 5.5-inch LCD, 2,560 x 1,312
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Camera: Dual 13-megapixel rear cameras, 8-megapixel front camera
4. iPhone X
Say what you will about the iPhone X, but it's undeniably the most radical iPhone yet — with its gorgeous near bezel-less Super AMOLED screen interrupted only by a wide notch at the top. It's powered by Apple's new A11 Bionic chip, and features a totally innovative facial recognition called Face ID that people are now using to make animoji karaoke videos. It truly is the best iPhone yet, and that's saying something.
Specs:
• Display: 5.8-inch Super AMOLED, 2,436 x 1,125
• Processor: Apple A11 Bionic
• RAM: 3 GB
• Storage: up to 256 GB
• Camera: Dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, 7-megapixel front camera
3. LG V30 / Google Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL (Tie)
Both LG and Google made great phones this year. The LG V30 is an excellent premium flagship with knockout video features and an onboard Hi-Fi Quad DAC to boot, while the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are both powerful flagships that have their own Pixel Visual Core chip to make images look better. However, they are on the number three spot because of their quality problems, particularly with the display.
LG V30 Specs:
• Display: 6-inch POLED, 2,880 x 1,440
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: up to 128 GB
• Camera: Dual 16-megapixel and 13-megapixel rear cameras, 5-megapixel front camera
Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL Specs:
• Display: 5-inch AMOLED, 1,920 x 1,080 (Pixel 2), 6-inch POLED, 2,880 x 1,440 (Pixel 2 XL)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: up to 128 GB
• Camera: 12.2-megapixel Dual Pixel rear camera, 8-megapixel front camera
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
This should have been a tie between the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy Note 8, but simply consider the Galaxy Note 8 as a buffed and nerfed version of the Galaxy S8, which is arguably the best-looking phone of 2017. Let it be known that it's Samsung who made the most beautiful smartphone display thus far, called the Infinity Display. The Galaxy Note takes everything great about the Galaxy S8, makes it better, and throws in a stylus. It's a winner.
Specs:
• Display: 6.3-inch Super AMOLED, 2,960 x 1,440
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 6 GB
• Storage: up to 256 GB
• Camera: Dual 12-megapixel cameras, 8-megapixel front camera
1. OnePlus 5T
The best phone of 2017 is the OnePlus 5T, bar none. Why? Well, it's got premium-tier specs, a gorgeous AMOLED display, and its battery can be charged to full capacity in just a little over an hour. Oh, and it costs half of the phones listed above, except for the Essential Phone, which is now $200 cheaper than its original retail price.
Specs:
• Display: 6-inch AMOLED, 2,160 x 1,080
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: up to 8 GB
• Storage: up to 128 GB
• Camera: Dual 16-megapixel and 20-megapixel rear cameras, 16-megapixel front camera
