What is a flagship smartphone? What are flagship smartphones: features and examples What does flagship mean

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Features of flagship devices

• A flagship smartphone is a kind of presentation of all the innovative developments of a particular company.
• That is why the device becomes a kind of display of all the most fashionable new products and the latest technologies, including a clear, expressive design.
• However, it is worth boldly noting that the most profitable and necessary developments are then necessarily transferred to all other smartphones from the company’s line.
• Every lover modern gadgets will be happy to discover the so-called flagship smartphone. The current market offers several such models, of which Special attention attracts Apple iPhone 5S.
• It was this device that, for the first time in the history of the development of this field, was equipped with a processor whose power is equivalent to 64 bits.
• Samsung Galaxy The S4 is a different flagship smartphone model, the advantages of which are an incredibly wide variety of games and programs, even compared to the same iPhone.
• In addition, this device is complemented by a powerful camera. However, it’s fair to say that this smartphone can hardly be called ideal, even for its fabulous price.
• The plastic body of the model does not fit into the frame of an elite telephone device.

Examples of flagship models

• It is worth mentioning one more model as an example. This Sony Xperia. Excellent screen sensitivity, and decent parameters random access memory, reaching 3GB, do this smartphone in fact, not just fashionable, but also practical and easy to use.

  Perhaps the combination of such characteristics is not something definitely innovative on the market mobile phones, however this company released this kind of smartphone for the first time.

• Flagships are offered in different versions. They are all different, but they claim to be unique presentations of the advantages of a particular company, such as the LG G2.
• Among devices operating on the basis of OS Window, it is worth highlighting Nokia Lumia 925. However, despite the fact that the company itself presents it as a flagship phone, one can doubt this.

  Even the previous 920 model was designed for 32 GB of memory. The new product allows you to work with only 16 GB. That is why, having heard a sonorous advertising name, you should not immediately purchase a new product without analyzing the main characteristics.

Those buyers who are interested in smartphones constantly hear the word flagship. Recently, it has often been heard on TV screens and used in reviews of mobile phones. Of course, an advanced user immediately understands what we are talking about, but a simple person does not. Let's figure out what a flagship smartphone is and how it differs from a regular gadget. The article will also provide a description of several models that occupy leading positions in the 2017 ranking.

The concept of "flagship"

If we consider this word as a term, then it was first used in the navy. The flagship was the main vessel from which command was exercised. Currently this term has become often used for mobile gadgets. Sometimes manufacturers even abuse this word.

If there are several new models in the product range, then the most expensive one with top technical equipment will be considered prestigious. Its performance and duration are assessed battery life, screen resolution, cameras, etc.

So what is a flagship smartphone? First of all, the device must be unique. As a rule, developers use non-standard solutions that add a unique twist. Before the start of sales, the manufacturer organizes a large-scale advertising campaign, which increases the demand for the gadget. Vivid examples are the flagships from Apple or Samsung, which create a real sensation.

Rating of flagships 2017

In order not to be unfounded and to show what a flagship smartphone is, it is necessary to consider several models of gadgets. In 2017, well-known global brands are still in the lead. Of course it's Apple. It has never happened before that an Apple company has weakened its position in the global market. This manufacturer has a worthy competitor. We are talking about a fairly well-known Korean company. Flagship models Samsung smartphones have been leading the ratings for several years now. Another well-known brand is added to them - LG. Of course, other companies regularly release attractive flagships, but the top 3 included the following smartphones:

• iPhone 8;
• Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus;
• LG G6.

Let's look at their characteristics in more detail.

iPhone 8

The ranking of flagship smartphones will be opened by another gadget from Apple. The company does not develop devices for the middle and budget classes, so each model can safely bear the title of “flagship”. In 2017, according to experts and users, the iPhone 8 was the best. Despite some features, this model still rightfully takes first place thanks to its own iOS operating system, the Apple Store and excellent technical characteristics. The developers used protection that matches international standard IP67. The screen diagonal is small - 4.7 inches. Type - Retina HD. The resolution is decent - 1334 × 750 px. Density - 326 ppi. This smartphone features True Tone technology, thanks to which automatic setting white balance depending on lighting. The “heart” of the gadget is the A11 Bionic processor. It is based on six cores that operate on a 4x2 principle. The first ones are responsible for efficiency, the remaining ones are responsible for productivity. There is only two gigabytes of RAM, but all applications, even the most demanding ones, work perfectly. The main indicator of the performance of any gadget is games. This model when launching World of Tanks Blitz at the most high settings it simply “flies”.

The cost of the iPhone 8, of course, is also flagship. On Russian market two modifications are presented. They differ in the amount of integrated memory. For a version with 64 GB you will have to pay about 53 thousand rubles, and for a device with 256 GB - more than 65 thousand rubles.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

The flagship smartphone Samsung Galaxy S8 was supposed to restore the company's reputation after the failure of Note 7. And, it is worth noting, the Korean manufacturer succeeded. Non-standard solutions were used for the flagship, which attracted the attention of the buyer. This model presented in two versions. The “younger” is equipped with a 5.8-inch screen, and for the “older” with the Plus prefix, the developers chose a display with a diagonal of 6.2 inches. It is this element that has become the “feature” of the smartphone. In both the first and second cases, the screen is made using SuperAMOLED technology. The resolution corresponds to Quad HD+ quality. The performance of the device is ensured by top content. The ultra-powerful Exynos 8895 chipset is responsible for its performance. The characteristics are supplemented with 4 gigabytes of RAM. The developers have integrated 64 GB storage, which can be increased up to 256 GB using a flash card. The optics are represented by 12 and 8 megapixel modules with f/1.7 aperture. A 3000 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy (in the Plus version - 3500 mAh). In talk mode, the device operates for 20-24 hours on a single charge.

Sales of the Korean flagship started in the spring of 2017. Behind standard version they ask for about 55 thousand rubles, and the S8 Plus will cost about 5 thousand more.

LG G6

In order to understand what a flagship smartphone is, it is enough to study the characteristics of the G6 model from LG. This gadget has some similarities with the Samsung Galaxy S8. The huge 5.7-inch screen has become the hallmark of the smartphone. It occupies almost the entire front panel. The manufacturer has applied the IP68 protection standard. Under the body lies a powerful Snapdragon 821 chipset. RAM is 4 GB, and built-in storage is 64 GB. The device copes with all tasks perfectly. A dual 13+13 megapixel module is used as the main camera. It would be unnecessary to talk about the quality of the photographs. Such a flagship in Russia is displayed in stores with a price tag of 52 thousand rubles.

IN model range For any manufacturer, a special place belongs to flagships - devices that combine all the best that a particular company can offer. We have made for you a selection of the top flagships for the beginning of 2018, which will feature the coolest and most uncompromising smartphones on the market.

New flagships of 2018

Samsung – Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Few releases have made as much noise lately as the Galaxy S8 from the Koreans at Samsung. Everyone was waiting for this flagship, because the public understood that the company would need to present something non-standard and 100% successful in order to rehabilitate itself for the failure with Note 7. And the expectations were justified.

The S8 was released in two versions - standard and Plus; they differ in screen diagonal: 5.8 and 6.2 inches, respectively, as well as battery capacity. And it is the screen that is the main trump card of the smartphone; the “infinite” SuperAMOLED display with Quad HD+ resolution occupies almost the entire front part of the S8, and it looks very cool.

Other characteristics do not let you down: on board the S8 there is a top-end Exynos 8895 processor, 64/4 GB of memory with support for cards up to 256 GB, a 12/8 (f/1.7) MP camera and a 3000/3500 mAh battery (depending on modifications). In terms of its totality of qualities, the S8 is superior to any other flagship on the market - this smartphone is truly the best that you can buy now.

Samsung - Galaxy S8

LG G6

The LG G6 is made in the same concept as the S8; in appearance, these smartphones are even a little similar. LG's flagship was presented earlier; it was the first device on the market with an 18:9 display ratio.

Usually this is a device that is noticeably superior in its capabilities to other models of the manufacturer. Every company has its own flagships, but the greatest interest, of course, is in devices created by recognized market leaders. They are the ones people talk about most, and they are the ones that other, less well-known companies focus on.

At the same time, a flagship smartphone, by definition, cannot be cheap. But even the high price does not stop those who want to own top-end devices. Today we will tell you why you should choose such devices.

Advanced Solutions

All the most interesting and unusual things appear first in flagship smartphones. Dual cameras, incredibly high resolution screens, NFC support and 4G/LTE networks, extremely powerful processors, a solid amount of RAM, wireless charger- this list can be continued. Everything we listed could initially be seen only on top-end devices. And only after some time these features begin to be found in devices belonging to other price categories.

Unique Features

Although many solutions are gradually migrating from the flagship segment to middle class and even in the budget category, top-end devices can often boast that they have truly unique functions. Such that they are almost, if not not, found in other smartphones. Examples? Please! A screen optimized for the use of a stylus or distinguishes between pressures made with different strengths. Camera with optical zoom. Display resolution compliant with 4K standard.

Stylish design

It not only has a powerful filling, but also a stylish design, as well as carefully thought out ergonomics. Such a device cannot help but look attractive. Therefore, he makes an impression even on those who are poorly oriented in the world of modern mobile devices. You can immediately see from it: this is a thing that is worthy of attention. Most modern flagships are made from carefully crafted metal and tempered glass, and the developers come up with interesting colors for them.

High quality

A flagship smartphone is made with the expectation that you will use it for a long time. This means that it is simply impossible to find fault with the build quality. This device is pleasant to hold in your hand, nothing creaks in it, and all functions work perfectly. The same applies to optimization; after all, the top device is considered the face of the company, and they work on it with special diligence. Yes, minor troubles and real incidents do happen, but much less frequently than with models in other price categories.

Doesn't get old for a long time

Any top-end device is ahead of its time. This means that it will not become outdated for a long time. Even if you don’t have the opportunity to purchase a new device every six months or a year, the capabilities of your flagship will allow it to compete on equal terms with new middle-class models for several years and even surpass them. First of all, this concerns computing abilities: top devices released several years ago can easily handle running modern applications and games. It is not surprising that there are people who are happy to purchase last year’s flagships, which have fallen in price due to the appearance of fresh, top-end devices that have just gone on sale.

Long-term support

The reason mentioned above is related to another one - long-term support. Manufacturers pay special attention to their flagship devices and do not forget to update them OS and branded shells. It is the top models that receive updates first, and in some cases they are the only ones that are updated. Therefore, despite the fact that 2-3 years have passed since its release, a smartphone belonging to this category does not look outdated.

Simple repairs at the service center

Separately, it is worth noting that spare parts for flagship smartphone It’s easier to find than for a nameless state employee from a little-known manufacturer. In addition, leading companies have a wide network of authorized service centers staffed by specialists who know their business well. And repairing a top-end device is really profitable.

Versatility

Flagship device – universal device, with which you can solve the most different tasks. Using it, you understand that the definition of a smartphone is mobile computer, which you can call, is completely true. You can watch videos on the screen with excellent detail, play the latest games, high speed surf the Internet, make video calls, take photographs, and each function works without compromising the others. It's not that easy to get that kind of experience with a budget device or even a mid-range device.

Flagship smartphones are always the most interesting models. After all, they best reflect the level of development of smartphones in this moment. In this article, we have prepared a short review of the most popular flagship smartphones of 2017.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge

A review of flagship smartphones in 2017 should start with Samsung smartphone Galaxy S7. A new version of this smartphone appears every year and is expected no less than the iPhone. This year new flagship from Samsung received what many fans of this brand had been waiting for for so long. Namely, a high-quality premium case. Now the body of the Samsung Galaxy S6 is made almost entirely of glass and metal.

Another unique feature new version Samsung's flagship is a modification with curved edges. This version of the smartphone has the prefix Edge in its name and is distinguished by the fact that the side edges of the screen are slightly curved towards the end of the device. How convenient this solution is to use can only be said by twirling the device in your hands. But, in any case, this is at least a demonstration of Samsung’s technological capabilities.

Concerning technical characteristics devices. That's how they always are high level. The gadget runs on eight core Samsung processor Exynos 8890 with a MALI T880 MP12 graphics accelerator; a modification with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor will also be available in some countries. The RAM capacity is 4 gigabytes, the internal memory capacity is up to 128 gigabytes. The screen of the device is almost the same as in the Galaxy S6, its diagonal is 5.1 inches and the resolution is 1440x2560 pixels. The front camera has also not changed; its resolution is 5 megapixels. The resolution of the rear camera has decreased, now it is 12 megapixels. Battery capacity 3000 mAh.

For lovers of curved screens, as always, there is Galaxy version S7 Edge.

Apple iPhone 6s and Apple iPhone 6s Plus

Apple iPhone 6s and Apple iPhone 6s Plus are already last year's flagships, but before the release of the new iPhone versions they remain full-fledged flagships.

The main feature of the sixth generation iPhone, of course, was the screen size. Apple has finally decided to significantly increase the screen diagonal. Apple iPhone 6 received a screen with a diagonal of 4.7 inches (resolution 750x1334), and Apple iPhone 6 Plus had a screen with a diagonal of 5.5 inches (resolution 1080x1920). In the Apple iPhone 6s and Apple iPhone 6s Plus models, the screen sizes and resolutions have not changed.

The technical characteristics of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus do not break records. But this is quite typical for Apple products. It uses a dual-core Apple A9 processor with clock frequency 1.8 gigahertz and 64-bit architecture. Graphics accelerator PowerVR GT7600. The amount of RAM is 2 GB, and the amount of internal memory is up to 128 gigabytes. The main camera is 12 megapixels, the front camera is 5 megapixels. Battery capacity 1715 mAh.

HTC 10

In 2016, HTC released another modification of its metal flagship. This time the new product is called HTC 10.

HTC 10 is a typical flagship smartphone of 2016. It uses a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with an Adreno 530 graphics accelerator. 4 GB of RAM, up to 128 GB of internal memory. The screen has a diagonal of 5.2 inches and a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. The rear camera resolution is 12 megapixels, the front camera resolution is 5 megapixels. The battery capacity is 3000 mAh.

Huawei Nexus 6P was introduced last year, but in 2016 it can still be considered a flagship smartphone. This time, Google entrusted the production of its flagship smartphone to Huawei. Let us remember that Nexus smartphones were previously produced by LG and Motorola, and even earlier by Samsung.

Huawei Nexus 6P offers top-end specifications that are in no way inferior to those of other flagship smartphones of 2016.

It uses an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with an Adreno 430 graphics accelerator. RAM capacity is 3 gigabytes, internal memory capacity is up to 128 gigabytes. The device screen has a diagonal of 5.7 inches and its resolution is 1440x2560 pixels. Permission front camera 12 megapixels, rear resolution - 8 megapixels. There is also a good battery installed here, with a capacity of 3450 mAh.

Sony Xperia Z5

Sony Xperia Z5 was introduced at the end of last year. But, Sony has not yet introduced a new phlegm in 2016, so let’s look at the Xperia Z5 model.

As always, the main advantage of the Xperia Z line is security. No other flagship smartphone has the same level of protection as the flagships from Sony. These smartphones can be submerged, thrown into sand or dust and nothing will happen to them.

Sony Xperia Z5 received fairly typical characteristics. It uses an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with an Adreno 430 graphics accelerator. The RAM capacity is 3 gigabytes. The screen diagonal is 5.2 inches and the resolution is 1080x1920 pixels. The resolution of the main camera is 23 megapixels, and the resolution of the front camera is 5 megapixels. The battery capacity is 2900 mAh.

LG G5

G5 is the new flagship smartphone from LG. The main feature of this device became a modular structure. The lower part of the smartphone can be removed and replaced with another one, which will give the smartphone additional functions. For example, this way you can get a more advanced camera.

Otherwise, this smartphone does not stand out in any way. It uses a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with an Adreno 530 graphics accelerator and 4 gigabytes of RAM. The screen diagonal is 5.3 inches and the resolution is 2560x1440. The rear camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels, and the front one has 8 megapixels. Battery capacity 2800 mAh.