The best Android smartphones (2016). Best Android Smartphones (2016) Good Mobile Phone

On the market mobile devices Many new products are constantly appearing. Choosing between them can be a difficult task for an unprepared person. For you, we have compiled a list of 10 mobile phone models released in 2016 that are definitely worth paying attention to. So, we present to you the Top 10 the best smartphones of 2016. The list also includes new products from Chinese phone manufacturers.

1. Samsung Galaxy S7

operating system: Android 6.0
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: Samsung Exynos 8 Octa 8890 (8 cores)
RAM (GB): 4
Built-in memory (GB): 32
Camera: 12 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5.1
Battery

Samsung does not stand still, continuing to develop the Galaxy line. Their new development is Galasy S7, if not the best smartphone of 2016, then the most popular in Russia for sure. The developers took into account the wishes of customers and returned the slot for memory cards in this model. The camera's resolution has been reduced, but the quality of images taken in low light has been significantly improved. Thanks to the beveled edges of the back panel, the phone now fits more comfortably in the hand.

Powerful eight-core processor and 4 gigabytes random access memory allow this smartphone to be one of the most productive mobile phones of 2016. At the same time, time battery life lasts from one to two days depending on the activity of use. The device also supports two standards wireless charging and energy saving mode. And fans of the latest technologies will be impressed by the ability to use the phone as a screen for virtual reality glasses. Plus: the developer claims that the smartphone is reliably protected from water.

2. Xiaomi Mi5

operating system: Android 6.0
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU
RAM (GB): 3
Built-in memory (GB): 32
Camera: 16 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5.15
Battery: 3000 mAh (Quick Charge 3.0, wireless charging)

This smartphone is often compared to the Samsung Galaxy S 7. They are indeed similar in many ways, starting with the use of glass, the quality of the coating, both sides and rounded corners. This smartphone does not have a slot for memory cards; you will have to be content with a capacity of 32, 64 or 128 GB, depending on the version. At the same time, Xiaomi Mi5 has high performance and successfully solves almost any problem. But you will have to pay for this with frequent trips to the outlet; the phone battery does not last long. But all the shortcomings fade due to the low cost of the phone. It will cost almost twice as much as its competitors, which have similar performance characteristics.

Low cost and high performance allow us to call this smartphone one of the most best phones 2016, in terms of price-quality ratio.

3. LG G5

operating system: Android 6.0
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: Qualcomm MSM 8996 Snapdragon 820 (4 cores)
RAM (GB): 4
Built-in memory (GB): 32
Camera: 16 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5.3
Battery: 2800 mAh (Quick Charge 3.0)

LG rightfully calls this phone modular. Unlike other smartphones, it has a removable battery. In addition, you can purchase two modules, one of which increases the battery capacity and, due to the location of the zoom and flash keys, will be convenient for taking a large number of photographs. Another module will be of interest to music lovers, as it increases the quality of the reproduced sound to 32 bits. On average, the charge on the phone lasts about 10 hours. It uses a rare type of USB and does not support wireless charging, which is not very convenient.

4.

operating system: Android 6.0
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (4 cores)
RAM (GB): 4
Built-in memory (GB): 32
Camera: 12 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5.2
Battery: 3000 mAh (Quick Charge 3.0)

This model is a worthy representative among the new smartphones of 2016. In terms of performance characteristics, NTS 10 is in no way inferior to market leaders, and in some tests even beats them. The filling is protected by a metal case that will withstand many falls, but you should not drop it on purpose . 32 GB memory can be expanded using MicroSD cards. The smartphone boasts very high quality sound. It is worth noting that HTC 10 uses UltraPixel 2 technology. Thanks to this, during testing, the smartphone camera showed the same results as the Samsung Galaxy S7. The disadvantages include the fact that HTC 10 does not have protection against water, as in some flagship models other smartphone manufacturers. Perhaps the price is a little high, but overall, the mobile phone is powerful and functional and rightfully deserves a place in the top ten best smartphones for 2016.

5.

operating system: Android 5.0
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: Qualcomm MSM 8916 Snapdragon 410 (4 cores)
RAM (GB): 2
Built-in memory (GB): 16
Camera: 13 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5.5
Battery: 5000 mAh

This device stands out primarily for its long operating time and low cost. That's why this model The phone is one of the best smartphones of 2016 in terms of price-quality ratio. The ability to charge a smartphone once every few days will surprise many, because most manufacturers are chasing performance, forgetting that sockets are not found at every step. The processor is not the most latest model and only 2 GB of RAM will not allow you to play games with advanced graphics or get high scores in performance tests. But they are quite enough to solve everyday problems. The phone doesn't support fast charging, doesn't have a super-clear screen or high-quality sound. But it is well suited for a person who wants to stay in touch.

6.

operating system: Android 6.0
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: Huawei Kirin 955 (8 cores)
RAM (GB): 3
Built-in memory (GB): 32
Camera: 12 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5.2
Battery: 3000 mAh

A distinctive feature of this smartphone is the presence of two main cameras at once, with optics from the legendary camera manufacturer Leica. This allows you to achieve high quality photographs, despite the low resolution of the matrices. In addition, a large number of settings and shooting modes are available, making this device an excellent choice for the avid photographer. Huawei P9 copes well with modern games, and the 32 GB memory can be expanded using MicroSD cards. The special coating allows you to quickly clean your phone from greasy fingerprints. The battery lasts on average for a day of work, and a full charge is carried out in 1.5 hours.

7.

operating system: Android 6.0
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 (6 cores)
RAM (GB): 3
Built-in memory (GB): 32
Camera: 23 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5.2
Battery: 2620 mAh

This smartphone will be a good choice for a person who wants to get good performance and many accessible features without overpaying for a well-promoted brand. Without a doubt it can be said that Sony Xperia X is one of the best smartphones of 2016. The body is made of metal, unlike many modern smartphones, where glass is used on both sides. The performance is at the level of models in the price category from 30 thousand rubles, it is quite enough to solve everyday problems. The camera is high-resolution and differs from others by the presence of tracking autofocus, which predicts where the subject will be. Perhaps the main drawback is that the battery is not very powerful, which affects autonomy.

8.

operating system: Android 6.0
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: MediaTek Helio X25 (10 cores)
RAM (GB): 4
Built-in memory (GB): 32
Camera: 21.16 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5.2
Battery: 2560 mAh (mCharge 3.0)

Since Meizu began its history with the production of MP3 players, the sound in this smartphone is better than that of the rest of the list. The screen has good viewing angles, which allows you to watch videos with a large group. Performance is at a decent level. Meizu Pro 6 performs well both in games and when performing ordinary tasks, and there are no stutters. This is not surprising, because here the ten-core processor works with 4 GB of RAM. Such power, coupled with a small-capacity battery, affects autonomy. In normal use, the smartphone will last about a day. Meizu phone Pro 6, thanks to its technical characteristics and relatively low cost, is one of the best smartphones of 2016.

9.

operating system:Windows 10 Mobile
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 (4 cores)
RAM (GB): 1
Built-in memory (GB): 16
Camera: 8 Mpx
Screen (inches): 5
Battery: 2000 mAh

The only member of our list who uses it as an operating room Windows systems 10. It may be intimidating by its small battery capacity, only 2000 mAh. But in this smartphone not the most used powerful processor, plus operating system well optimized. So it lasts for 2 days with not very active use. And if desired, this period can be extended twice. The phone copes with everyday tasks and watching videos without any lag, as long as you don’t run several applications at the same time. Its camera allows you to take good pictures. The quality of the reproduced sound is also excellent.

10. Apple iPhone SE

operating system: iOS 9
Number of SIM cards: 2
CPU: Apple A9 (2 cores)
RAM (GB): 2
Built-in memory (GB): 16
Camera: 12 Mpx
Screen (inches): 4
Battery: 1624 mAh

List of the most best models phones for 2016 would be incomplete without a smartphone from Apple. Its body is very similar to the body iPhone models 5s, but the filling has changed significantly. Its modest dimensions make it easy to fit in your pocket, but not everyone will like the small four-inch screen. A dual-core processor combined with 2 GB of RAM easily solves all everyday tasks. You can easily browse the Internet with many tabs open, play the latest games and watch videos. Models with 16 and 64 GB of memory are available; there is no slot for memory cards.

The best smartphone of 2016| Video

“All these years we sold Nexus at a low price, like fools, by God. But Apple is cutting money - we need to join the premium too,” the guys from Google decided and released smartphones of the Pixel family. To ensure that the new “super-prestigious” Google Phone is not confused with its cheap predecessors, the developers at all presentations persistently emphasized that this is an “all-new” (“completely new”) smartphone, which was not developed by subsidiary brands (LG/Samsung/Huawei/HTC/ Motorola), and Google itself! However, it’s no secret that HTC, respected by Google, still assembles smartphones.

But we are less interested in politics and marketing; let’s talk about the technical component. In this regard, the new Google Phone pleases with an excellent camera (the best among smartphones in general, according to some experts), a good AMOLED display and a very powerful Snapdragon 821 processor with ideal system optimization.

By the way, about the system - now it has been added exclusivity and the latest “empty” Android Nougat has been given a new design, and English-speaking users can already talk to a smartphone like a person. That is, no more “inexpensive pickled cucumbers in Moscow” - you can immediately address them with the phrase “Pixel, where can you buy a good snack nearby?” Pleasant innovations? Yes, simply excellent! The Pixel design is a little strange, but the smartphones cannot be confused with anything else.

Another question is that the 8.5 mm thick model (like the Xiaomi Redmi 3S with 4100 mAh) houses a 2770 mAh battery with a ridiculous capacity. However, thanks to the perfectly optimized Android and AMOLED matrix, the Pixel will still last the day. But almost any flagship smartphone is more compact than the new Google phones, which even have optical stabilization They didn’t bother to put it into the camera.

And the main thing is that such pleasure costs from 50 to 65 thousand rubles, even just in terms of European prices (Russians are so rich that smartphones in the Russian Federation usually cost more than in Europe). Would you like to shell out a thousand dollars for a “prestigious” Google nameplate? Yes, everyone already understands that you don’t want to, and that’s why Pixels are not sold in Russia. And for 65 thousand in Russia, smart guys buy an iPhone 7 Plus with 128 GB of memory from gray suppliers or a still cool Samsung Galaxy S7 edge for 40 thousand. And they do it right.

The Pixel is an excellent model in its own right and the best alternative to the great and terrible iPhone (which is why the smartphone made the list). But for record-breaking performance at a high price, we already have Samsung, and Google’s “unique” software can even be made to work on cheap smartphones. That is, no matter what Google creates, it turns out to be Nexus. Only this time, an expensive, slightly strange Nexus that does not encourage reflashing, which did not manage to jump higher than its glass “head”.

4. Honor 8

In contrast to Google, Huawei knows a lot about “color differentiation” and has been successfully selling almost identical smartphones under different nameplates for a couple of years now. For image-conscious citizens, mobile phones under the name Huawei are coming out. And for everyone who doesn’t care about Scarlett Johansson and the nameplate of partner brands, the Chinese offer Honor models.

So in 2016, engineers “re-shoeed” the expensive Huawei P9 into a glass case, dismantled the Leica logo and began selling this model 40% cheaper than the flagship. Even by Russian standards, Honor 8, worth 28 thousand rubles, looks very cool - of similar quality models, only the “gray” versions of Xiaomi and Meizu are cheaper.

And you can’t say that Huawei saved money on customers in any way: a good fast processor (although not as cool as your Snapdragon 820), two cool rear cameras with which you can “blur” the background in photographs, a high-quality display. Honor 8 is not a flagship of the “nowhere better” format - it is rather a middle ground between expensive “top models” and middle-class smartphones. Such smartphones have become an endangered species - Chinese brands are now arrogant and strive to compete in price with Samsung, so it was impossible not to mention the “anti-crisis” Honor in a special manner.

3. Apple iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone just got better. Better by N percent, because it is not proper for noble dons to focus on the characteristics of mobile phones. Parasite designers, apparently, are still having unbridled fun with uninhibited girls and “washing powder” (iPhone 6 with almost the same appearance appeared in September 2014). But the revolution, comrades, begins from the grassroots, and iPhone buyers are still satisfied with the case design. Moreover, lovers of innovation still received the standard “glossy black” color - an important detail for those who want it new iPhone immediately distinguished from the old one.

Generally improved iPhone versions with the previous body design they usually receive an additional index S, but the name iPhone 6SS would sound provocative, and, frankly speaking, technical innovations have accumulated enough to change generations.

Apple iPhone 7Plus

Judge for yourself: a new touch-sensitive Home key with imitation pressing, “identical to natural”. Water protection, which is not very useful in everyday use, but reduces the risk of “killing” a smartphone with liquid. Stereo speakers in a very compact body and a processor that, with four cores at a mediocre frequency, outshines all Qualcomm and MediaTek brands of any degree. 2x optical zoom (a small thing, it doesn’t always work, but it’s still useful). And this despite the fact that the iPhone, as we know, has never competed with rivals for show on the principle of “who has it longer”!

The iPhone 7 Plus still has a lot of shortcomings: ridiculous strap-worthiness, no support for fast charging, rather dismal shooting quality compared to Android flagships, a headphone jack amputated “for fun” or out of Apple’s greed.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

But in order to criticize, you need to offer something in return. Google Pixel is not sold in Russia, and it can no longer boast of the slogan “Android smartphones are always cooler for the same price.” The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge has reached “retirement” age on the assembly line, but is still too expensive, has a modest 32 gigabytes of internal memory (a little more than 20 GB is available for games and applications), and is easily soiled and fragile. It is, of course, very technological in itself, but has changed little since the time of the “breakthrough” S6 edge. And high-quality and cheaper flagships on Android based enough without that.

With such a preamble, the iPhone award sounds like glorifying the best of the worst smartphones, but Apple’s flagship still “raises the bar” with each new generation by a sufficient amount so that iPhone users do not migrate to Android phones and do not envy Samsung Galaxy users.

2. Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

They did not expect? But I think that the budget Xiaomi fully deserves such honors. Because Redmi has become a symbol and the most desirable budget smartphone during the crisis period not only in Russia, but also in other post-Soviet republics. To be honest, in 2016 Xiaomi made two “revolutions” at once - first, in January, Redmi 3 was born, which brought an unprecedented 8-core processor (not cheap, from Kvalkom bottling!) and a metal case to the budget ranks. And at the end of the year, when Huawei and Meizu released response smartphones, Xiaomi “finished off” all competitors with the release of Redmi 4 Prime.

A bright Full HD display in a smartphone for 8-9 thousand rubles! The coolest Snapdragon 625 - before this it was found in models at least 3 times more expensive! And a capacious battery that pulls all this stuff into slim body long time.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

Why not Xiaomi Mi Mix? Because now it is a very expensive and not very practical prototype smartphone with a flagship processor, but a mediocre camera. Why not Redmi Note 3? Because there is nothing breakthrough in it - Note 3 became a “restyling” of Redmi Note 2, and Note 3 Pro just received a slightly faster and more intelligent processor. Xiaomi Mi5, after a while, also looks like “just” another inexpensive one Chinese flagship, but the “compact” Redmi are developing much more sharply.

And I understand those who believe that such portions of praise are addressed to budget smartphone unnecessary. Still, you will have to polish it and Russify it yourself, the cameras in Redmi 4 are still mediocre, fast charging again is not supported due to savings on components.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

But there hasn’t been anything cooler in the budget class, no, and there won’t be in the foreseeable future - in exchange for 8-10 thousand you can “taste” quad-core models from slightly more arrogant vendors that are disgusting in terms of speed and quality, or, at best, buy a plastic Meiza at based on the “deformed” old MediaTek processor. Moreover, if there have never been problems in choosing good and expensive smartphones, then Redmi almost single-handedly defends the honor of truly cool budget models, for which it receives “silver” in our rating today.

Reading time: 70 min

The rating of the best smartphones is compiled taking into account their basic parameters. In order to create a reliable rating of the “10 best smartphones of 2016,” you need to take into account all the characteristics, and also pay attention to such an indicator as the price/quality ratio.

In the rating, we will look at the flagships of the leading companies in the world, which were able to achieve a high combination of product quality at a realistic price, and smartphones that, at a relatively low price, included powerful parameters. Device owners cannot be ignored, since they will be able to best assess the advantages and disadvantages of smartphones, and their opinion is also taken into account.

10th Place -Apple iPhone 7 Plus 128 Gb

Why is the leading company held in such low esteem? – Yes, it’s all about the price category and the quality of the filling. Such a smartphone costs $1100-1300, which is several times higher than the cost of other lesser-known manufacturers.

On Yandex Market, this model received about 73% excellent reviews, which is not bad.

Regarding the characteristics of the iPhone 7 Plus, it includes the new iOS 10 operating system, one step higher than its predecessor. Includes a 5.5-inch screen and a resolution of 1920/1080 (FullHD). Depending on the model, in our case 128GB of memory and 3GB of RAM. The disadvantage of the smartphone is that the memory is not expandable and there is only one SIM. Made in a waterproof case. Battery capacity 2900 mAh. On average, under load it can work for 21 hours, in an inactive position for 384 hours.

Alas, the iPhone 7 could not top the top of the best smartphones of 2016 due to the lack of advanced solutions with which it should crush its competitors. As a result, we got a slightly upgraded iPhone 6. So, what's distinctive about it:

Dual 12MP camera. In fact, this is a very new solution, which was used in Huawei Honor 6 Plus a year ago. The idea is not bad, but in practice it did not turn out to be the best solution, since due to several camera sensors some elements of the frames are blurred, but there is a post-focus function when you can set it after shooting. Improved aperture allows you to capture 50% more luminous flux.

Many experts agree that the iPhone 7 does not lead the niche even in terms of the best cameras, but takes an honorable 3rd place after the HTC 10 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Front camera 7MP

Removed analog output. Now regular headphones Not suitable for iPhone 7. This technique has already been used before and is also not an innovation. But you'll have to buy wireless headphones for $159, you can also use an adapter;

Since there is no special hardware in the smartphone, and the price is very high, we only gave it 10th place. However, it remains quite powerful due to optimization, and is expensive due to its iconic name.

9th Place - Huawei Nexus 6P 64Gb

The cost of the smartphone is 30 thousand. rub. It’s not too cheap, but the companies got good results. The characteristics are not inferior to competitors and allow them to occupy their proper position in the top:

System – Android 6.0;
Screen – 5.7 inches, with a resolution of 2560x1440;
Memory – 64 GB native and you can insert an external one up to 200 GB;
RAM – 3GB;
Battery – 3450 mAh;
Support for two SIM cards;
Cameras - 12.3 MP main and 8 MP front. When evaluating with the iPhone 6S Plus, we did not notice a significant difference; they are approximately equal. Includes laser autofocus with dual LED flash.

The device was released to the world as a result of cooperation between Huawei and Google, so some of the smartphone’s controls will look very familiar.

8th Place - Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

A modest position for the flagship of one of the leaders in the world. Users also agree with us, giving only 42% of the highest ratings. Despite the fact that the characteristics are really good, the price reduces the achievements too much; it is 51 thousand. rub.

The main feature is very high quality camera, ranking second in the world after HTC 10. Standard Features:

System – Android 6.0;
Screen – 5.5 inches, with a resolution of 2560x1440;
Memory – 32 GB native and you can insert an external one up to 200 GB;
RAM – 4GB;
Battery – 3600 mAh;
Support for two SIM cards;
Cameras – 12MP rear and front 5MP. Includes support for Dual Pixel, which means the capacity of 2 photodiodes, and this leads to fast focusing and allows you to capture all the details of movement, regardless of the speed of the body and the level of light penetration. The matrix zooms up to 1.4 microns, it captures a lot of light and therefore produces high-quality photos at any lighting level. Unprecedented function of capturing motion in an animated panorama;
The smartphone is waterproof and allows you to shoot underwater.

7 Place - Micromax Canvas 5 E481

Average price range(15 thousand rubles) devices and high quality is also able to answer the question of which smartphone is better to choose.

Combines:

OS Android1.1;
2 inch screen 1920x1080, protective glass Gorilla Glass 3;
8-core 64-bit processor with a frequency of 1.3 GHz;
The central camera is 13MP, and the front camera is 5MP f/1.9;
RAM – 3GB;
Built-in memory 16GB expandable to 64GB.

6 Place – Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro 32Gb

The popularity of the smartphone is given by the tempting price of 12.5 thousand. rub. And it can be called the best smartphone of 2016 with powerful battery according to the people. Of course, there are more advanced models, but the attractive price and high-performance device leaves no chance for competitors. More than 120 million devices have already been sold worldwide and occupies one of the leading positions.

So inside Xiaomi flagship Redmi Note 3 Pro contains:

OS Android 5.1 Lollipop;
5.5 inches screen with FullHD resolution;
Memory – 32GB;
RAM – 3GB;
Main camera 16MP, front camera 5MP;
Huge capacity battery 4050 mAh.

5 Place - Lenovo Vibe X3

If you still haven’t decided which smartphone to choose, then think about this option. At a cost of 19 thousand rubles. combines a 5.5-inch FullHD screen, Android 5.1 Lollipop, 32GB of memory and 3GB of RAM. The main camera is 21MP, and the front camera is 8MP. The standout feature of the smartphone is the Sony IMX230 Exmor RS sensor with phase detection autofocus. Using stereo speaker technology, high-quality and loud sound is transmitted. The battery is very capacious 3500mAh.

4 Place -LG G5 S.E. H845

The main novelty of this device can be called modular equipment, so you can change modules and turn your smartphone into a full-fledged camera when using special block LG Cam Plus or a full-fledged professional player with LG Hi-Fi Plus.

More than 83% of users gave the smartphone maximum ratings on Yandex Market.

Also, the characteristics are not inferior to competitors, since it contains:

OS Android 6.0;
3 inch screen with 2560x1440 (QHD) format;
32GB of permanent memory expandable up to 200GB;
3GB RAM;
Contains as many as 3 cameras: main 16MP, 8MP wide-angle and 8MP front. Two pictures are taken simultaneously, main and wide-angle, from which you can choose. When compared with the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, experts found approximately the same overall quality, since each has strengths and weaknesses.

Considering that the price is significantly lower (about 37 thousand) than that of the leading corporations Samsung and Apple, and the quality is not inferior to them, you can safely choose the LG G5 SE H845.

3rd place - ASUS Zenfone 3 ZE552KL

The list of the best smartphones of 2016 opens with ASUS Zenfone 3, as it is in the top three. If you are wondering which smartphone is better in 2016, then do not ignore this device. It is not the most powerful, but the excellent combination of price (26 thousand rubles) with one of the best sets of characteristics leaves no chance of not including it in the top.

Equipped with ASUS Zenfone 3 Android 6.0, 5.5-inch screen and FullHD (1920x1080) resolution, 64GB of memory (can be expanded by 128GB) and 4 RAM. Standard battery 3000mAh. Stylish case made of high-strength glass using Gorilla Glass.

Two cameras 16MP and 8MP respectively. Presented as a camera phone and really feels good in this niche, perfect for budget option. The only one of its kind, it has TriTech triple autofocus and also includes a fast f/2.0 lens. All possible types focusing applied in this solution, which sets it apart from its competitors. Focusing occurs accurately and lightning fast in 0.03s, almost imperceptibly to the eye. The system also combines optical and electronic stabilization. There is a color correction sensor, and all this together makes the photos incredibly realistic and clear. The stabilization is very advanced, allowing you to shoot even on the go without significant loss of quality, and this was made possible thanks to 4-axis optical and 3-axis electronic stabilization.

Also a nice bonus is the amazing sound in 24-bit/192 kHz format, which is 4 times higher quality than audio CDs.

2nd Place - HTC 10 – the best camera

Which smartphone to choose in 2016? - HTC 10 is the undoubted leader among the entire niche and if you choose it, you won’t go wrong. High specifications for an affordable price - this is clearly about the HTC 10. It is positioned as a camera phone and deservedly so, because so far better camera it didn't work out. Its cost is 35 thousand. rub.

Runs on Android 6.0, with AMOLED protection 5.2 inch screen. High resolution 2560x1440, 32GB of memory and 4GB of RAM. There is support for an external flash drive and a 3000 mAh battery. Has a fingerprint scanner.

The camera is 12MP, and the front one is 5MP. For the first time, both cameras have optical stabilization. Thanks to UltraPixel technology, the camera is able to receive up to 136% of light, which also allows it to have high clarity. Camera lens and ƒ/1.8" aperture in a smartphone front-camera almost as good as the main one, with all the functions. Excellent 4K quality is combined with Hi-Res 24-bit stereo audio recording for the first time. This audio recording contains 256 times more detailed sounds and supports 2 times the wider range. The camera launches in 0.6s.

4. Honor 8

3. Apple iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone just got better. Better by N percent, because it is not proper for noble dons to focus on the characteristics of mobile phones. Parasite designers, apparently, are still having unbridled fun with uninhibited girls and “washing powder” (iPhone 6 with almost the same appearance appeared in September 2014). But the revolution, comrades, begins from the grassroots, and iPhone buyers are still satisfied with the case design. Moreover, lovers of innovation still received the standard “glossy black” color - an important detail for those who want their new iPhone to be immediately distinguished from the old one.

In general, improved versions of the iPhone with the same body design usually receive the additional index S, but the name iPhone 6SS would sound provocative, and, frankly, enough technical innovations have accumulated to change generations.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

But in order to criticize, you need to offer something in return. Google Pixel is not sold in Russia, and it can no longer boast of the slogan “Android smartphones are always cooler for the same price.” The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge has reached “retirement” age on the assembly line, but is still too expensive, has a modest 32 gigabytes of internal memory (a little more than 20 GB is available for games and applications), and is easily soiled and fragile. It is, of course, very technological in itself, but has changed little since the time of the “breakthrough” S6 edge. And there are already enough high-quality and cheaper flagships based on Android.

2. Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

Why not Xiaomi Mi Mix? Because now it is a very expensive and not very practical prototype smartphone with a flagship processor, but a mediocre camera. Why not Redmi Note 3? Because there is nothing breakthrough in it - Note 3 became a “restyling” of Redmi Note 2, and Note 3 Pro just received a slightly faster and more intelligent processor. Xiaomi Mi5, over time, also looks like “just” another inexpensive Chinese flagship, but the “compact” Redmi is developing much more sharply.

And I understand those who believe that such portions of praise for a budget smartphone are unnecessary. Still, you will have to polish it and Russify it yourself, the cameras in Redmi 4 are still mediocre, fast charging again is not supported due to savings on components.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

But there hasn’t been anything cooler in the budget class, no, and there won’t be in the foreseeable future - in exchange for 8-10 thousand you can “taste” quad-core models from slightly more arrogant vendors that are disgusting in terms of speed and quality, or, at best, buy a plastic Meiza at based on a “deformed” old MediaTek processor. Moreover, if there have never been problems in choosing good and expensive smartphones, then Redmi almost single-handedly defends the honor of truly cool budget models, for which it receives “silver” in our rating today.

2016, and now it’s time to choose the most worthy smartphones.

10th place: Xiaomi Mi5S

Xiaomi continues to release two flagship smartphone in year. The good Mi5 of the first half of 2016 was replaced by the more advanced Mi5S.

It has an all-metal body, maximum hardware (with the most powerful Snapdragon 821), an excellent Sony photo module, a large battery and a traditionally low price for its characteristics.

The main disadvantage is the non-ergonomic body - due to the large curve, the smartphone fits worse in the hand and tends to slip out of it, while the narrow ends dig into the palm. In addition, we found the touch-sensitive Home key not very convenient (with the fingerprint scanner sometimes not working).

9th place: Meizu Pro 6

Another Chinese has taken 9th place in our ranking. And although after it an updated version had already come out Pro version 6s, which eliminated the main disadvantages of Pro 6 - not the most outstanding camera and battery life, but it is still difficult to buy in Belarus.

The smartphone itself is very balanced and somewhat reminiscent of the iPhone 7. Moreover, its good build, comfortable, well-translated shell, excellent screen and reference sound make Meizu Pro 6 a worthy Android replacement for Apple’s flagship (at half the price). We mentioned the disadvantages above.

8th place: OnePlus 3

This year, the “flagship killer” OnePlus 3 was named by reviewers as one of the best smartphones of 2016.

However, for some reason, the manufacturer decided to speed up the annual update cycle and a few months later released its updated version - . It has a slightly more powerful processor (Snapdragon 821 versus 820), a 16 megapixel front camera (instead of 8) and a more capacious battery.

However, this did not greatly improve the original, which also lost in price after the release of the new device.

Buyers of OnePlus 3 can still count on a high-quality build, a 5.5-inch Full HD AMOLED display, 6 GB of RAM, an excellent 16 MP main camera and decent battery life.

7th place: Moto Z

Moto Z is, one might say, the first smartphone that fully mixed the “blood” of Motorola and Lenovo.

Unlike last year's flagships, there is a completely different design, an ultra-thin body (5.2 mm), and the ability to attach modules that expand the functionality of the device.

The modules here are “fastened” to the back cover. In addition to an additional battery (the most useful addition), there can be, for example, a projector, a powerful speaker and even a Hasselblad camera.

The undoubted advantages of the Moto Z include the ultra-clear and bright 5.5-inch Quad HD display and powerful hardware. The main disadvantage is the short battery life.

6th place: Apple iPhone SE

Our top list included one of the main surprises of this year - the compact and powerful iPhone SE.

The smartphone combines a body and a 4-inch iPhone screen 5s, as well as the hardware and main camera of last year's iPhone 6s. As a result, we have before us the most powerful compact gadget of 2016.

If you want a flagship, but don't like "shovels" and you have no prejudices about iOS, then the iPhone SE will be an ideal option.

5th place: Google Pixel and Pixel XL

This year, Google introduced its very first “branded” smartphones (Motorola gadgets at the time when Google owned this company do not count).

The 5-inch Pixel and 5.5-inch Pixel XL received maximum this moment specifications and, according to the Internet giant, the best mobile camera (with which, however, not all observers agree). In addition, buyers of Google phones will be able to traditionally count on pure Android and its prompt updating.

With all this, Google gadgets have a rather controversial two-color design and a high cost (at iPhone level 7/7 Plus).

4th place: LG G5

LG continues to “search for itself” in the smartphone market. Having abandoned the volume rocker on the back cover, the company came up with a modular design - the lower part of the smartphone snaps off and, thanks to replaceable modules, allows you to turn the gadget into a compact camera or an advanced music player.

However, users were not enthusiastic about this idea, given the low practical value of “friends” (as LG called the replacement modules) and their high cost.

But the LG G5 and its simplified version G5 SE (differing only in a weaker processor and less RAM) have another very big plus - this is its dual camera. Unlike the cameras in the Huawei P9 and iPhone 7 Plus, the cameras work independently of each other.

The first one takes good wide-angle shots, which is very useful when traveling, the second one is simply one of the best mobile cameras 2016, comparable to that of the Samsung Galaxy S7 or Google Pixel.

In addition, the LG G5 boasts powerful hardware, good sound and a distinctive design - with a rounded top above the display and “futuristic” back cover. The biggest disadvantage of the device is its short battery life.

3rd place: Huawei P9

This year, Huawei equipped its flagship for the first time dual camera, developed, moreover, together with the famous Leica. However, the smartphone received a high third place in the rating not only because of it.

Huawei P9 is one of the most balanced gadgets in the ranking. There is an excellent design and materials of the case, an optimal screen size for many (5.2 inches) with an optimal resolution for it (Full HD), fast hardware, a comfortable shell, good battery and great sound.

The dual camera allows you to take very high-quality pictures, including when poor lighting. And all this is emphasized by a very affordable price.

2nd place: Apple iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7

Apple's "Sevens" turned out to be quite controversial gadgets. On the one hand, they have the most powerful hardware in the world of smartphones, excellent screens, protection from water and dust (a first for Apple), good cameras(and the Plus version also has a double zoom with 2x optical zoom), an excellent fingerprint scanner and a polished iOS 10.

But on the other hand, there is a very controversial rejection of the 3.5 mm jack, touch Home button(not understanding gloves) and still the same slow charging.

This year, for the first time, Apple did not report record sales for the first weekend, and analysts predict a further decline in demand for Apple gadgets. However, the American company still holds the second place in smartphone sales in the world, selling only a few models.

1st place: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and Galaxy S7

Photo: CNET

I would like to put it in first position Galaxy Note 7, however, for the entire 2016 the Galaxy S7 edge and its “younger brother” Galaxy S7 had to take the rap.

An ultra-clear (Quad HD) curved 5.5-inch screen, a glass and metal body, powerful hardware, a large battery, protection from water and dust and one of the best mobile cameras in the world - all this allows the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge to become the leader in our rating .

We decided not to separate the smaller Galaxy S7 with a flat screen from it - after all, it has the same style and the same advanced characteristics as the edge. By the way, there are rumors that the Galaxy S8 will not have a flat screen at all - users liked the curved options so much.

What other smartphones are worthy of being in the top 10 of the outgoing year? Write to us about it in the comments!