Today we are choosing the best smartphone screens of 2016 and 2017. When comparing displays, we will not rely on passport data, although we will definitely talk about them, but on test results. Let's check the brightness and depth of black color, contrast, correct color rendering and readability in the sun. Based on real numbers, we will determine the best smartphone display among the flagships of 2016 and 2017.

2017 flagship displays: specifications

Let's start with the characteristics. The flagships of 2017 came out mainly with large screens. Diagonal 5.7 inches we see in the LG G6 and. and Xperia XZ Premium got screens with a diagonal 5.5 ... The largest displays are the new Galaxies.

Fans of compact phones looking to purchase the 2017 flagship are still forced to choose from three models: Xperia XZs, Xiaomi Mi 6 and Huawei P10. The diagonal of the display of these gadgets does not exceed 5.2 inch, which by today's standards is quite suitable for the compact category. Smartphones with screens less than 5 inches should be classified as "super-compact".

Smartphones flagships 2017: display characteristics

	Diagonal	Resolution	PPI	Screen type
Galaxy S8 +	6.2	1440 x 2960	529	AMOLED
Galaxy S8	5.8	1440 x 2960	571	AMOLED
Lg g6	5.7	1440 x 2880	564	LCD
HTC U Ultra	5.7	1440 x 2560	513	LCD
Huawei P10 Plus	5.5	1440 x 2560	540	LCD
Xperia XZ Premium	5.5	2160 x 3840	807	LCD
Huawei P10	5.2	1080 x 1920	432	LCD
Xperia XZs	5.2	1080 x 1920	424	LCD
Xiaomi Mi 6	5.15	1080 x 1920	428	LCD

The gradual departure from the standard aspect ratio deserves attention. If earlier a display with a ratio of 16: 9 was the only option, today we are offered 18:9 , and even 18.5: 9 ... Time will show how popular and convenient the extended screen will be. While there is a lot of talk about the lack of content, but this is unlikely to become a serious problem.

Along with the aspect ratio, resolution standards are gradually changing. In we see an increase in the vertical layout to 2880 pixels. The number of pixels vertically increased to 2960 ... This means that at the maximum screen resolution, the graphics accelerator will have to calculate an additional 576,000 pixels. On the other hand, Galaxy S8 / S8 + run at FHD + resolution (2200 x 1080 pixels) in normal mode, so the load on the super powerful chipset is not that great.

Of the flagships of 2017, only the compact smartphones Xperia XZs, Xiaomi Mi 6 and Huawei P10 received Full HD resolution. All others have a screen resolution of QHD, QHD + and higher. The record holder, of course, became xperia phone XZ Premium with Ultra HD display resolution. This is the only flagship presented to date with UHD resolution.

Best smartphone screens: brightness and contrast tests

With passport data done, let's move on to the most interesting - the results of testing the best smartphone screens in 2017. The first in the spotlight will be indicators such as display brightness, black depth and contrast. For the sake of completeness, let's compare the test results of new products with the indicators of smartphones in 2016.

The best smartphone displays in terms of black depth are a priori screens on the Amoled matrix. Of all the new products presented this year, only the Galaxy S8 / S8 + received this type of matrix, and therefore they have no competitors in this category. Absolute Black is only available in Galactic Supernovae. The best black color among LCD screens gives Lg g6... Perceptible black depth issues with HTC U Ultra and Xperia XZs.

Flagships 2017: display tests

	Black cd / m2	Brightness, cd / m2	Contrast
Galaxy S8 +	0.00	442	~
Galaxy S8 + max auto	0.00	647	~
Galaxy S8	0.00	440	~
Galaxy S8 max auto	0.00	618	~
HTC U Ultra	0.539	428	794
HTC U Ultra (max auto)	0.564	507	899
Xperia XZs	0.461	564	1223
Huawei P10 Plus	0.335	547	1633
Huawei P10	0.416	592	1423
Lg g6	0.228	468	2053
LG G6 (max auto)	0.277	564	2036

The best smartphone displays are more difficult to determine in terms of brightness. With automatic settings to the maximum, we see the leadership of the Galaxies, but in the standard mode, many displays can compete with them. High screen brightness Xperia XZs and Huawei P10... The latter is almost as good as the Galaxy S8's screen at maximum brightness.

Maximum contrast is a cumulative indicator that depends on brightness and black depth. For Amoled displays, the indicator is not defined, since it is mathematically equal to infinity. Simply put, their maximum contrast is almost perfect (or perfect).

The best smartphone screen for maximum contrast in the IPS LCD league is the display Lg g6... The contrast ratio of the LG G6 exceeded the grandmaster mark of 2000: 1, and this is a record figure for the entire existence of the smartosphere. The HTC U Ultra has the biggest contrast issues. Concerning sony flagships and Huawei, here the screen contrast is above average.

It remains to compare the performance of new products with test results best smartphones 2016 release. The results are in the table, and just below the table is a short summary with key points.

Flagships 2016: display tests

	Black cd / m2	Brightness, cd / m2	Contrast
Galaxy S7	0.00	391	~
Galaxy S7 max auto	0.00	563	~
Galaxy S7 edge	0.00	392	~
Galaxy S7 edge max auto	0.00	610	~
LG V20	0.43	475	1097
LG V20 max auto	0.59	628	1064
Google pixel	0.00	445	~
Google Pixel XL	0.00	432	~
iPhone 7	0.35	561	1603
iPhone 7 (max auto)	0.40	656	1640
iPhone 6s	0.36	536	1481
Huawei P9	0.46	500	1094
Huawei Mate 9	0.41	665	1622
HTC 10	0.29	428	1543
OnePlus 3T	0.00	447	~
Xperia XZ	0.37	502	1223
Xiaomi Mi 5	0.51	628	1227
Xiaomi Mi 5s	0.51	660	1294
Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus	0.44	637	1448

By brightness galaxy screens The S8 / S8 + outperformed last year's Galaxy displays, but faced strong contenders with the iPhone 7, Huawei Mate 9, LG V20 and all versions of the Xiaomi Mi 5. The brightness of each of these phones exceeded the mark 600 nits, and the best were Xiaomi Mi5s (660 nits) and iPhone 7 (656 nits).

In terms of the depth of black color, none of the smartphones of 2016 (on the IPS matrix) reached the performance of the LG G6, which becomes the winner in this nomination. The best smartphone screens in 2017 in terms of maximum contrast were iPhone 7 (1600: 1) and Huawei Mate 9 (1622:1).

Best smartphone display: sunlight readability

Readability in the sun is assessed by the coefficient, which is an integral indicator. In a sense, the test sums up the results of testing according to the previously considered parameters (especially contrast), but there is no point in drawing a direct parallel between contrast and readability in the sun. The results are in the diagrams. Note. Charts are not displayed correctly in samsung browser Internet, older browsers and some built-in browsers on mobile platforms. We recommend opening the publication in current assemblies Google chrome, Opera or Firefox.

Sun Contrast Ratio

The undoubted leaders and trendsetters in this nomination are screens Samsung Galaxy... The first lines are occupied by new items S8 / S8 +, followed by S6 edge + and S7 edge... Next in the group of leaders are smartphones with Amoled screens: OnePlus 3T, Pixel XL, ZTE Axon 7.

The league's best LCD smartphone displays are the screens iPhone 7, Xperia XZs and Lg g6... The high-ranking Huawei P9 Plus is not on this list as the phone is equipped with a Super Amoled screen. Xiaomi Mi5s Plus has the worst readability in the sun among flagships.

The best screens for color accuracy

Color accuracy is assessed by the color accuracy ratio (DeltaE). The color accuracy coefficient characterizes the degree of deviation of the color gamut displayed by the phone display from the reference scale. The smaller the deviation (less DeltaE), the better.

When testing smartphone screens, the average and maximum color accuracy coefficient is estimated. Average DeltaE shows the total deviation from the standard over the entire spectrum, the maximum - the largest deviation in some part of the color scale.

Flagships 2016-2017: color accuracy

	Average DeltaE	Maximum DeltaE
Galaxy S8 +	3	5.6
Galaxy S8	2	3.2
Galaxy S7	1.7	2.3
Galaxy S7 edge	0.8	1.5
HTC U Ultra	6.1	10.7
Xperia XZs	6.2
Huawei P10 Plus	4.1	5.8
Huawei P10	6.5
Huawei Mate 9	5.2	9.5
Lg g6	4	9
iPhone 7	1.7	4
Google pixel	4.9	11.6
Xiaomi Mi 5	3.2	6.9
Xiaomi Mi 5s	3.5	4.5

The best DeltaE coefficient among the representatives of the seventh generation of the Galaxy. Record numbers for Galaxy S7 edge... The Galaxy S8 scores excellently, although the numbers are a bit skeptical in light of news about the pinkish hue of some samples. Very accurate color reproduction iPhone 7... The rest of the phones in 2016-2017 show good, but not outstanding results. Note (with a minus sign) a significant deviation in the color gamut of HTC U Ultra and Google Pixel.

Best smartphone display: the bottom line

Best Smartphone Display 2017 - Screen Galaxy S8, and it is the model without the Plus index. He has a record readability in the sun, very accurate color reproduction, high brightness.

Among the samples with LCD panels, the display becomes the best Lg g6which, among other things, supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 standards. Its strengths: record contrast, the deepest black among IPS screens, accurate color reproduction, albeit with slight deviations. The readability in the sun is also high, so the phone rightfully gets the award for "Best LCD Smartphone Screen".

Best smartphone displays of 2016 - screens Galaxy S7 edge and iPhone 7... The latter did not fail a single test and was among the leaders everywhere. As for the Galaxy S7 edge, its performance is close to the reference.

One of the best phone displays is the Huawei Mate 9, which is good for everyone, except perhaps for color accuracy. Even more pronounced are the color issues with the Google Pixel display, which is otherwise satisfactory. Xiaomi Mi 5 has another problem - not deep enough black, due to which the contrast and readability in the sun drops, but the color accuracy is complete.

It remains to choose the best smartphone display for 2016-2017. In principle, we are against the unambiguous distribution of medals, because there are enough worthy applicants. But if you really choose, then Galaxy S7 edge... An excellent display in all respects, the only one, and that conditional, the disadvantage of which is the excessive color saturation in the opinion of many.

Thank you for your attention, we hope the material was useful. If you find typos, inaccuracies or errors, write in the comments, we will fix it. We also recommend reading the article, in which the AndroidAuthority resource experts presented their screen ratings.

In pursuit of exclusivity, smartphone manufacturers are constantly improving their products, updating their arsenal of gadgets. latest features and advanced technologies, in fact, therefore each year their number increases exponentially. Our selection contains five ultra-modern flagships with the highest performance as of the spring of 2016, almost all of them have already appeared on the shelves of electronics stores, however, thanks to the enviable characteristics and frenzied popularity, "hot" models are snapped up literally before our eyes. So, which smartphones have made a real revolutionary breakthrough in the mobile innovation market?

1.

The Chinese company Xiaomi, which is actively gaining popularity and with confident steps is approaching the status of a global brand, delayed the presentation of the new Mi5 for a whole year and a half, and as it turned out after it, it did not waste time.

In February, at the MWC 2016 exhibition, the brainchild of the Chinese industry was nevertheless presented to the world, and this became a real event in the field of mobile electronics. What caused the storm of applause for Mi5?

Firstly, it is an elegant, stylish design of the smartphone and excellent build quality - according to these indicators, the new product can compete with any representative of the A-brands and will definitely not lose. What are tempered glass panels worth? Gorilla Glass 4, which were used on the back and front of the device, however, due to this design feature, fingerprints on the case cannot be avoided, but it looks very impressive. By the way, it should be noted that in the Pro version of the model, the back panel is made of strong and durable black ceramic. The back of the gadget is slightly bent towards the front, which adds special appeal to the device. Another advantage of the design can be attributed to the fact that the camera lens is literally "recessed" into the body, so if you put the device on the table with its "back" down, then no irregularities will arise.

Secondly, we should pay tribute to the 5.15-inch IPS-screen of the flagship, thanks to its moderate dimensions, the "smart" fits perfectly in the hand. It seems that the race for diagonals is slowly slowing down and the developers put common sense in the first place, since 5.5-inch counterparts, to put it mildly, are not the best solution in terms of the convenience of using a mobile phone with one hand. A good viewing angle, a resolution of 1920 × 1080 px, a dot density of 428 ppi (per inch), optimal brightness, moderate color saturation, the presence of auto-adjustment that does not cause any complaints, excellent visibility in the sun - all this allows the smartphone to advance to the laurels of the best devices the first half of 2016.

The "fresh" device is divided by the developers into three modifications (standard, medium and "Pro"), respectively, each of them differs in the frequency of the Snapdragon 820 chip, the amount of RAM and internal memory - this approach once again proves that the manufacturer cares about the availability of its products to each customer, depending on his financial capabilities. Based on the version, the device can have 3-4 GB of "RAM" and from 32 to 128 GB of internal memory. All three modifications work with the Adreno 530 graphics core and, despite the differences in performance, even the weakest version of the Xiaomi Mi5 amazes with its responsiveness and overall performance.

According to the results of the synthetic test AnTuTu, the smartphone became a full-fledged record holder in the spring of 2016 among Android devices. For its performance, the gadget with the maximum configuration received more than 130,000 points, which means that you can not even think about the performance of games and applications with such numbers. Moreover, many worry about the heating of the case when launching "heavy" programs, but in practice it turned out that the model is practically devoid of this problem - in resource-intensive applications the phone heats up within reasonable limits, not reaching a critical value.

The 3000 mAh battery has a non-removable design, which is not very popular with a certain category of users, but with such a capacity, everything is forgiven. With intensive use, the battery can withstand a day of continuous operation, and with average loads it lasts for 2 days. The whole "trick" lies in an energy efficient processor and an economical display. Interestingly, in terms of video viewing time, Xiaomi Mi5 spits even such a "heavyweight" as (32GB version) - 25 hours on a single charge versus 16. But when surfing the Internet, the "Chinese" is inferior to the opponent by as much as 2 hours (8 versus 10). With the help of the fast charging function, available thanks to the implemented technology, a device from scratch can replenish its energy reserve by 83% in just half an hour.

A little about the cameras: the main module from has a 16 megapixel matrix, autofocus, dual LED-backlight and 4-axis optical stabilization of photo and video shooting. The camera is quite fast, works in 4K format, but due to the excessive saturation of bright colors, it has to be adjusted manually. The 4 megapixel front camera does an excellent job of recording Full HD video.

The smartphone supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IR and NFC wireless connections, and is also "friendly" with 3G and 4G LTE standards. The Chinese engineers did not forget about the innovative connector.

It would seem that Xiaomi tried to invest in its long-awaited newcomer all the most advanced developments, the only thing that was not foreseen from the Middle Kingdom was the presence of a slot for expanding user memory. However, looking at the ultra-affordable price tag of the flagship device, all of its shortcomings seem like a trifle.

2.

High hopes were pinned on the new flagship LG G5, and after its release it became clear that the expectations of millions were fully justified, as the gadget surpassed its own in all respects. Judging by the design of the device, we can immediately say that the South Korean brand has decided to move away from the canons and surprise the mobile market with eccentric design solutions. The competition among premium smartphones is getting too fierce, so this time LG took the risk of going all-in and unveiled the world's first smartphone with a so-called modular design, under which the latest advances in the mobile industry are hidden.

Let's start with the fact that the "body" of the device was dressed in solid metal armor, in its lower "bumper" there is a proprietary Slot connector for connecting special multifunctional modules. At the exhibition in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bonly 2 types of additional equipment were demonstrated:

• Hi-Fi Plus sound "enhancer". This digital-to-analog converter reproduces 32-bit audio tracks, replacing the 24-bit native analog of a smartphone. Plus, the module adds 2 hi-fi headphone jacks. Music lovers will surely appreciate the presence of such "lotions";
• LG Cam Plus. The handle module with a "bonus" 1200 mAh battery is designed for those who are fond of photography. Its side face contains buttons for flash, video recording, zoom, and a shutter button that works like on professional cameras.

Lg g5

LG assure that they plan to continue supporting the proprietary slot, producing new unique accessories for it, it's a pity that the modules are not supplied with the device, and they must be purchased separately. Another nuance that raises a lot of questions is the plastic fastening of the connector, it is not known how long it will last. In addition, changing the module implies a complete shutdown of the smartphone.

If you think that this is the end of the surprises from the Koreans, then you are greatly mistaken, the 5.3-inch display of the LG G5, made with IPS Quantum technology, is also not as simple as it seems. The QuadHD-screen has acquired a useful Always-On function, due to which now it does not go out while in sleep mode: the time, date and other notifications can be viewed at any time without having to unlock the display. At the same time, for 1 hour of activating this mode, only 0.8% of the total battery charge will go away, by the way, if you view the time in the usual way, periodically removing and turning off the unlocking of the phone, the battery energy is "eaten" much faster. By the way, another "highlight" of the novelty is a special "day mode", which analyzes the ambient lighting level. The gadget automatically adjusts to the current environment, setting an acceptable screen brightness.

The "camera triad" of the flagship consists of the following elements: in addition to the usual 8 megapixel front camera, back panel acquired a dual main module containing a 16 megapixel camera with standard 78-degree lenses and an additional 8-megapixel wide-angle camera (135 degrees). With this camera, taking group shots and panoramic shots will be a snap. "Goodies" in the form of laser autofocus, instant camera launch, optical stabilization and weight manual settings make the process of photography a pleasure.
The technical component of the smartphone is represented by the top-end Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB ROM expandable, a 2800 mAh battery, an integrated LTE modem, Quick Charge technology and a bunch of other useful things. It should be borne in mind that the smartphone is designed for only one SIM card.

3.

The seventh generation of the "Galaxy S" line of smartphones with the "Edge" index claims to be the best product of the developer, who took into account all the unfortunate moments and released an almost perfect successor to the dynasty.

The unsurpassed display, curved on the sides, is the "gem" of the device, its unusual architecture makes the picture more voluminous and more vivid. The 5.5-inch rounded parts of the screen have a sliding shutter that provides quick access to key applications, while the user can customize the list of output programs at will. The proprietary SuperAMOLED matrix has natural color rendering, wide viewing angles and minimal power consumption when displaying black points. Thanks to the latter, I got the ability to display a clock on a locked screen with a loss of 1% charge / hour. By the way, the display itself has the highest resolution QuadHD to date.

Inside, the flagship contains an advanced eight-core Exynos 8890 chip, in conjunction with 4 GB of RAM, this is a serious power reserve for the next 2 years. An in-depth analysis of the "AnTuTu" benchmark gave the "seven" 120,000 points, leaving behind many eminent rivals. The default version for the Chinese and US markets is the Snapdragon 820 processor.

The outstanding 12 MP main camera, endowed with a maximum aperture of f / 1.7, like the front (5 MP), phase detection autofocus works quite quickly and the output is high image quality, regardless of shooting conditions. This is especially noticeable in frames taken in low light - a sensor with large pixels that absorb more light, together with an LED flash, delight the user with a low-noise, detailed picture even at night. Of course, Samsung hasn't forgotten about 4K video recording either. Objectively speaking, the camera of the novelty has lost ground a little, but, nevertheless, it shoots at a decent level.

The wishes of millions of fans were heard, and the possibility of using microSD cards returned to the smartphone, moreover, the manufacturer decided to "play" big, and the allowed capacity of flash drives increased to 2 TB. True, the slot for their installation turned out to be a hybrid one, that is, combined with a connector for a second SIM card, and, frankly, such solutions do not really suit the buyer.

The newcomer differs from previous versions by increased protection of the case against dust and moisture according to the IP68 standard, so the Galaxy S7 Edge can rightfully be considered. The Internet is literally inundated with videos of smartphone water tests, and in practice it has been proven that the flagship can safely tolerate half-hour dives to a depth of one and a half meters.

Of the interesting functional additions, we can highlight compatibility with Gear VR and Gear 360 gadgets, the presence of a barometer, a heart rate sensor, humidity, a fingerprint sensor, support for GLONASS / A-GPS, 4G networks, wireless charging - you can list it for a long time, it is better to see it yourself. The high-end model with a mineral glass case will surely appeal to the most diverse audience.

4.

The release of the iPhone 7 is not far off, and the Cupertin company Apple is in full swing selling a modified version of the sixth generation smartphone, and I must say quite successfully. The 6S Plus model has become, perhaps, the heaviest (192 g) and largest in the entire series, the increased dimensions did not have the best effect on the usability, but the large weight means great opportunities, which means that design errors are fully justified.
The body of the smartphone was reinforced with a strong aluminum alloy in order to completely protect the device from the risk of bending, because the previous models, as you know, "suffered" from excessive fragility. With the arrival of the 6S Plus version, an additional pink color of the phablet case appeared, which pleased the female half of the brand's admirers.

The 5.5-inch display operates in the already familiar FullHD resolution, and the applied IPS-matrix allows you to fully enjoy the colorfulness of colors and easily read the information displayed on the screen from any angle. The brightness range is well thought out - in pitch darkness or in the light of the sun, working with the display is comfortable, your eyes do not strain or get tired. As in the entire 6S line, there is a fashionable "chip" of developers - 3D-Touch technology, the meaning of which is to recognize the force of pressing on the touch surface. Depending on the weak, medium and strong finger touch on the screen, the running applications react differently, for example, clicking with a light tap on an Instagram photo zooms in, while a strong touch opens the file, loading all comments and description.

The phablet wields an improved dual-core Apple A9 processor, but with the amount of RAM, the Yabloko people are still greedy - while competitors equip their offspring with 4 GB, the Cupertines are fixated on 2 GB, apparently, they left progressive characteristics for the fresh “seven” that they intend release this fall.

The improved camera of the smartphone has grown to 12 megapixels, and the maximum aperture reaches f / 2.2, the result is detailed photos with rich and clear colors. Also in this modification, panoramic shooting is available and an optical stabilization function has been added, which helps to record high-quality video in low light in various formats, including 4K. The engineers from sunny California did not forget to upgrade the front 5-megapixel module: the embedded technology "Retina Flash" activates the display so that it can act as a classic flash. The display generates the required amount of light at the moment when the user is photographed with the front camera. This is a useful find both for the video blogger and for the average selfie lover.

The fingerprint scanner deserves special praise, it works with lightning speed even when in contact with wet fingers, by the way, in the 6S Plus model it is combined with the Home key.

Of the obvious drawbacks, the only thing that stands out is the insufficient battery capacity, with such a powerful hardware system and a large screen, 2915 mAh is frankly not enough. The gadget weakly holds a charge during active use, in the late afternoon, be prepared to spend about 2.5 hours near the outlet, since Apple has not yet equipped the “favorite” with a fast charging function. This modification comes with 16/64/128 GB ROM without the possibility of adding memory via microSD cards, and there is no slot for a second SIM. Despite the minor flaws, this charismatic and expensive device, endowed with all advanced communications, deservedly continues to hold the palm of the world championship, because its advantages are obvious not only for fans of the famous brand.

5.

It seems that Sony Corporation has decided to start from scratch and to replace the flagship Z-series announced a new line of Xperia X, a striking representative of which was the version with the prefix "Performance". In fact, the Xperia X Performance is nothing more than an enlarged version of the younger model of the line. Outwardly, they differ only in size, but the "stuffing" has been slightly upgraded: instead of the Snapdragon 650 chip, the most top-end processor for today is used - Snapdragon 820. In combination with the Adreno 530 graphics accelerator, FullHD display resolution and 3 GB of RAM, the flagship with easily launches "heavy" programs, "gaming" on such a smartphone turns into sheer pleasure.
The main concept of the devices of the new series is the emphasis on the camera and the duration autonomous work... The pride of the smartphone is a rear camera with a 23 megapixel matrix, which is equipped with predictive autofocus technology that can predict the trajectory of an object in the frame. Autofocus focuses on a specific moving object and, following on his heels, instantly adjusts to its location. This feature is incredibly effective when capturing action scenes, for example, you want to capture the joyful moments of a child playing or capture the beauty of wildflowers swaying in the wind. The presence of such an option eliminates blurring of the frame, recorded even in the most extreme shooting conditions, including in the twilight.

The camera's maximum ISO value reaches 12,800 units, plus there is support for a 5x zoom. The selfie camera of the novelty also did not disappoint and received a resolution of as much as 13 megapixels, "seasoning" for this was the face recognition system and automatic focusing.
The 2700 mAh capacitive battery is ready to provide the user with about two days of battery life at average loads, these indicators were achieved through intelligent management, and in combination with Qnovo adaptive charging, the battery life is doubled.
On top of the platform, the model used the Xperia UI shell with a significantly redesigned interface, the changes affected about a hundred of the most significant elements, and the result looks truly great.

The Japanese chose the size of the IPS-display based on considerations in terms of the comfort of using the device with one hand, and settled on the "golden mean" - 5 inches. The dot density on the 2.5D glass screen is 441 ppi, which means there is no graininess in the image. At the same time, a characteristic feature of the proprietary matrix is \u200b\u200btoo cold tones, which, out of habit, look a little repulsive.
Other Performance features include IP68 dust and moisture protection, separate DAC, fingerprint scanning, fast charging, and more. It will be possible to enjoy all the delights of the flagship, and, possibly, catch its shortcomings, only at the beginning of this summer - it is at this time that Japanese manufacturers are delaying the start of sales of the gadget.

More recently, the eighth generation of the Samsung Galaxy was presented, which was intended to replace the previous flagship of the company. Yes, all users already know that the Samsung Galaxy S8 has scored a record number of points in Antutu to date, and everyone also knows that the Galaxy flagship line always holds leading positions not only in the company's market, but also in the global market among all competitors on Android. And everyone is somehow familiar with the characteristics of the new coveted gadget: after all, there was an exorbitant number of leaks here and everyone knew everything even before the official presentation. But there is something that will moderate the ardor and upset many fans of the series - this is the price. What to do, the Samsung Galaxy is indeed one of the most expensive smartphones on the market. Another question is that there are many “comforting” alternatives left on the market, and just good smartphones. After all, if you look at the smartphone market and look at the models that are at most a year old, how much does the user lose? Not everyone needs such a record performance: let the users also be shown the application where it can be implemented. That is why we will consider the flagships of the past year, and at the same time we will think about whether they have lost their relevance.

Seventh generation

It's worth starting, of course, with the seventh generation of Galaxy. Obviously, with the release of the new series, it will become more accessible to those who could not afford the device at the time. The Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone really turned out to be successful, especially the EDGE series with curved display, which was inspired to create the current generation. Be that as it may, both smartphones, Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, are ideally balanced for any task: for example, they received a 5.5-inch diagonal, but due to the framelessness, the smartphone fits perfectly in the hand and there is no discomfort from use. Powerful 820th Qualcomm chip with 4GB of RAM allows you to cope with any task. A 12-megapixel camera still takes excellent pictures, competing with modern flagship solutions, nevertheless, a high-quality sensor and f1.7-fast optics are much more important than complex technologies. The smartphone itself was released exactly a year ago and it is clear that its performance will be enough for at least another couple of years.

Apple

Is it worth recording the still current generation of Apple smartphones into irrelevant legendary flagships? No, this device is still wanted by many users of modern smartphones. And hardly any girl would not want a red Apple iPhone 7, which would emphasize the image not with the price, but with the brand. But the smartphone is last year, it was released in the fall and the boom around it has already subsided. Everyone is eagerly awaiting next fall to see what will surprise the Appleians in the eighth generation. And to admit, this time they did not surprise much - we have the same iPhone 6s, which has already become boring. And in some ways the manufacturer even upset: this is about the rejection of the 3.5-mm jack of wired headphones. The only pluses are water resistance and slightly better performance.

Huawei

Of course, Chinese products are still underwhelming for today's classic brand lovers. Meanwhile, the flagship presented in the summer of 2016 surprised. Thus, Huawei P9 demonstrated a new concept, in which the modern photographic direction began to develop. This is a binocular camera, i.e. instead of one module, two separate modules spaced apart from each other are used to create images. Someone argues that this allows you to perceive volume, but the main task is the separation of functions, where one module is responsible for chiaroscuro, and the second for color. In any case, a lot of money was invested in marketing, and the cost of the device was simply prohibitive for its time. But the price was quite justified, if we take into account the fashion design in metal, Leica optics and one of the most powerful branded processors on the market.

Of course, dozens of models could be added to the list of the coolest flagships. Here you can find HTC with an excellent audio chip, Sony with a new design and a powerful platform, and the cheapest flagships from Xiaomi on the market. But the devices presented on the market, one way or another, set the trends of the entire mobile market, as we see it now, and as for their filling - it will not soon lose its relevance.

On the market mobile devices many new products are constantly being introduced. Choosing between the two can be challenging for an untrained person. We have compiled a list of 10 models for you mobile phonesreleased in 2016, which are definitely worth paying attention to. So, we present to you the Top 10 the best smartphones of 2016... The list also includes new items from Chinese phone manufacturers.

1. Samsung Galaxy S7

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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
• Price: from 38400 rubles

Samsung is not standing 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 the buyers and returned the memory card slot in this model. The camera has decreased the resolution, but significantly improved the quality of images obtained in low light. Thanks to the beveled edges of the back panel, the phone has become more comfortable in the hand.

A powerful octa-core processor and 4 gigabytes of RAM make this smartphone one of the most productive mobile phones of 2016. In this case, the battery life is from one to two days, depending on the activity of use. The device also supports two wireless charging standards and a power saving mode. And fans of the latest technology 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

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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)
• Price: from 21,600 rubles

This smartphone is often compared to the Samsung Galaxy S 7. They are really similar in many ways, starting with the use of glass, coating quality, on both sides and rounded corners. This smartphone does not have a slot for memory cards, you will have to be content with a volume 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 by frequent trips to the outlet, the phone battery is enough for a short time. But all the disadvantages fade away due to the low cost of the phone. It will cost almost half the price of its competitors with similar performance characteristics.

Low cost and high performance make this smartphone one of the most best phones 2016 year, in terms of price-quality ratio.

3. LG G5

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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: 2800mAh (Quick Charge 3.0)
• Price: from 36300 rubles

LG company rightly 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 creating a large number of photos. 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.

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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: 3000mAh (Quick Charge 3.0)
• Price: from 45 900 rubles

This model is a worthy representative among the new smartphones in 2016. In terms of performance, the NTS 10 is in no way inferior to the market leaders, and even bypasses them in some tests. The filling is protected by a metal case that will withstand many falls, but you shouldn't drop it on purpose . 32 GB memory can be expanded with MicroSD cards... The smartphone boasts a very high quality sound... It is worth noting that HTC 10 applies ultraPixel technology 2. 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 water protection, as in some flagship models other smartphone manufacturers. Perhaps the price is a little overpriced, but in general, the mobile is powerful and functional and rightfully deserves a place in the top ten best smartphones for 2016.

5.

• Communication: 3G, LTE
• 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: 5000mAh
• Price: from 11,900 rubles

This device stands out primarily for its long operating time and low cost. Therefore, this phone model is one of the best smartphones in 2016 in terms of price-quality ratio. The ability to charge a smartphone every few days will surprise many, because most manufacturers are chasing performance, forgetting that sockets are not found at every turn. The processor is not the latest model and only 2 GB of RAM will not allow playing games with advanced graphics or getting high values \u200b\u200bin performance tests. But they are quite enough for solving everyday tasks. The phone does not support fast charging, does not have an ultra-clear screen or sound high Quality... But it is well suited for the person who wants to stay connected.

6.

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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: 3000mAh
• Price: from 39800 rubles

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

7.

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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: 2620mAh
• Price: from 35300 rubles

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

8.

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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: 2560mAh (mCharge 3.0)
• Price: from 27600 rubles

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 a large company to watch videos. The performance is at a decent level. Meizu Pro 6 shows itself perfectly both in games and when performing ordinary tasks, while there are no "slowdowns". This is not surprising, because here the ten-core processor works with 4 GB of RAM. This power, paired with a small battery, affects autonomy. In normal use, the smartphone will last for about a day. Meizu Pro 6 phone, thanks to its technical specifications and relatively low cost, it is one of the best smartphones of 2016.

9.

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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: 2000mAh
• Price: from 11,600 rubles

The only member of our list using as an operating windows systems 10. It can be scared off by a small battery capacity, only 2000 mAh. But in this smartphone not the most powerful processor is used, plus operating system well optimized. So it is enough with not very active use for 2 days. And if desired, this period can be extended twice. The phone without "brakes" copes with everyday tasks and watching videos, if you do not run several applications at the same time. Its camera allows you to take good pictures. The sound quality is also excellent.

10. Apple iPhone SE

• Communication: 3G, GSM, LTE
• 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: 1624mAh
• Price: from 31 300 rubles

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

The best smartphone of 2016 | Video

The past year has been rich in new items in the telephony world. The long-awaited version updates, unexpected premieres, the appearance of newcomers - the manufacturers were amazing as they could. It is easy to get confused among the abundance of released gadgets, each brand tries to outflank its competitors by creating powerful advertising campaigns.
- not an easy task. We have created a rating of the best smartphones in 2016, which contains the most productive and popular models.

Top 10 best smartphones of 2016

10th place - HTC 10

Opens a list of the best smartphones across all characteristics of the HTC 10.
The Taiwanese company has taken a huge step forward by releasing latest HTC... Its main feature is a gorgeous camera. 12 million pixels create lifelike photos. Thanks to laser focus, images maintain their natural color depth.
Another feature of the Taiwanese is the latest version of the Sense and platform - Qualcomm Snapdragon 820. Powerful filling allows you to play with improved settings.
The 5.2-inch screen with a 2560 × 1440 resolution reproduces color perfectly from any angle.
A 3-amp battery with active use of the device holds a charge for 10 hours, in sleep mode - up to 4 days.
The price in Russian stores starts at 26,000 rubles.

Main characteristics:

1. Android 6.0;
2. 12 MP camera;
3. RAM 4GB;
4. 3000 mAh;
5. weight 161g .;
6. 4 cores.

Pros:

• build quality;
• battery life;
• good camera;
• high-quality screen;
• appearance.

Minuses:

• no water protection;
• protruding chamber.

9th place - LG G5 SE

One step below is the device of a South Korean firm.
LG is renowned for its drive to change. G-line phones come out in a new configuration every time. The LG G5 SE is no exception. The gadget has been updated with a fingerprint scanner, appearance and functionality.

The IPS display is protected by an oleophobic coating. 16 megapixel cameras capture bright, clear images with a resolution of 2560 × 1440.
A 2800 mAh battery lasts 6-8 hours, offline - two days.
The LG G5 SE is equipped with a powerful processor, and the AnTuTu benchmark scores 78,250.
The cost of a device in Yandex Market ranges from 20 to 27 thousand.

Specifications:

1. Android 6.0;
2. 5.3 ″, resolution 2560 × 1440
3. camera 16 MP .;
4. RAM 3GB;
5. 2800 mAh;
6. weight 156g .;
7. 73.90 x 149.40 x 7.30 mm.

Pros:

• modern design;
• convenient menu;
• good camera;
• build quality.

Minuses:

• non-standard charging connector.

8th place - Honor 8

The manufacturers of the device used the proprietary platform HiSilicon Kirin 950 as the engine. AnTuTu data show 95030. The fast device draws 3D games at high fps.

FullHD screen with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels conveys the quality of photos at the highest level.
The 12 + 12MP dual camera perfectly corrects the white balance, without noise and blur. The front lens has wide viewing angles.
The battery, despite the average 3000 mAh, lasts up to 18 hours of use. You can play continuously for 4 hours, the sleeping state lasts about 3 days.
The cost varies between 28-30 thousand.

Main characteristics:

1. Android 6.0;
2. 5.2 ″, resolution 1920 × 1080;
3. 12 MP camera;
4. RAM 4GB;
5. 3000 mAh;
6. weight 153g .;

Pros:

• beautiful design;
• bright and clear screen;
• great camera;
• two active sim cards;
• battery.

Minuses:

• very slippery;

7th place - Lumia 950 DS

The top seven of the highest quality smartphones in 2016 is received by a Windows smartphone.
A high-quality device with a 5.2-inch display transmits images of 2560 × 1440 pixels. The system itself adjusts the brightness. The coating has poor protection, which requires the mandatory use of a film.

The camera stands out among other devices - 20 megapixels. Image quality is excellent, color reproduction is accurate and natural.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor provides good speed and performance.
The operating time of the smartphone during active use is 9 hours, during calls 20, in sleep mode - up to 9 days.
The cost of the Lumia 950 DS starts at 30,000 rubles.

Main characteristics:

1. MS Windows 10 Mobile;
2. 5.2 ″ screen, 2560 × 1440 resolution;
3. camera 20 MP .;
4. RAM 3GB;
5. 3000 mAh;
6. weight 150g .;

Pros:

• great screen;
• quick;
• good camera;
• battery;
• unblocking on the retina.

Minuses:

• price.

6th place - ZTE Nubia Z11

Next, the unique ZTE Nubia Z11 settled in the top 10 best smartphones of 2016.
The gadget is equipped with proprietary Nubia UI firmware on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 platform. The original shell provides additional features:

• dividing the screen into two parts, each of which works separately;
• reduced menu for ease of use with one hand;
• control using movements on the display.

The wide-range, bezel-less screen produces crisp images with no visible pixels.
A capacious battery holds a charge for almost a day with average use.
The price of a smartphone in Russia varies between 25,000.

Main characteristics:

1. Android 6.0;
2. screen 5.5 ″, resolution 1920 × 1080;
3. camera 16 MP .;
4. RAM 4GB;
5. 3000 mAh;
6. weight 162g .;
7. support for two SIM-cards.

Pros:

• connection quality;
• sound;
• high-speed performance;
• beautiful design;
• screen.

Minuses:

• the battery capacity is a little short;
• unfinished NFC.

5th place - Asus ZenFone 3

The middle of the rating belongs to another Taiwanese phone.
The device is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor on android base 6.0 Marshmallow. The phone has a unique quality - a super bright fullHD-screen that perfectly shows data even in the sun.

The AnTuTu benchmark scores 62,430, which is average. Powerful games run at high settings.
Asus takes high-quality pictures, there is a noise reduction system. The only drawback is that night photography does not give full color reproduction. At the same time, the clarity is preserved.
The average price of a gadget is 24 thousand.

Main characteristics:

1. Android 6.0;
2. 5.2 ″, resolution 1920 × 1080;
3. camera 16 MP .;
4. RAM 3GB;
5. 2650 mAh;
6. weight 144g .;
7. support for two SIM-cards.

Pros:

• great screen;
• chic design;
• fast processor;
• loud dynamics;
• appearance.

Minuses:

• lack of nfc;
• slippery.

4th place - LeEco Le Max 2

The Chinese LeEco Le Max almost got into the top three.
The flagship of the Chinese brand is equipped with a unique eUI 5.8 shell, which has a functional Russified menu and combined applications with a desktop.

A high-quality 21 megapixel camera creates almost perfect pictures. Night shooting impresses with the clarity of the frame. Video recording in 4K format is possible.
The large 5.7-inch display is equipped with a QHD system and an oleophobic protective coating.
The 3100 mAh battery is capable of working up to 8 hours of increased load and up to 20 - average.
The price for the flagship is 25,000-30,000 rubles.

Main characteristics:

1. Android 6.0;
2. screen 5.7 ″, resolution 2560 × 1440;
3. camera 21 MP .;
4. RAM 4GB;
5. 3100 mAh;
6. weight 185g .;
7. two sim cards.

Pros:

• great camera;
• smart processor;
• good sound;
• high-quality screen;
• fast charging.

Minuses:

• no memory card slot;
• lack of NFC;
• there is no 3.5 headphone jack.

3rd place - One Plus 3T

The bronze of our top went to the productive One Plus 3T. It takes the honorable third place among the best smartphones of 2016 according to experts.
The powerful functional flagship in the AnTuTu test scored 148801 points. However, other tests also give the highest marks - 3D graphics, speed of work, games.

The Sony 16 megapixel camera has a range of 2.0. Photos are clear, crisp and contrasty.
The 1080 × 1960 AMOLED display produces a high-quality picture without blur.
The battery holds a charge with active use up to 9 hours and passive up to 14 hours.
You can buy a gadget from 30 thousand.

Specifications:

1. Android 6.0;
2. 5.5 ″, resolution 1920 × 1080;
3. camera 16 MP .;
4. RAM 6GB;
5. 3000 mAh;
6. weight 158g .;
7. two sim cards.

Pros:

• design;
• build quality;
• body material;
• speed of work;
• fits perfectly in the hand;
• fast charging;
• great sound;
• responsive fingerprint scanner.

Minuses:

• protruding chamber;

2nd place - Google Pixel

A newcomer to the Russian market receives a silver medal in the rating.
Google has long been producing quality devices under its own brand, but from factories of other well-known companies such as LG, HTC, Samsung. This time, a new model has been released - Pixel - without pegging someone else's name.

The optimized Nougat 7.1 platform allows the machine to be highly productive. A capacious battery keeps the battery in working order for almost a day, in sleep mode - up to three weeks.
The 5-inch 2.5D screen covered with oleophobic protection has a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels.

The camera attracts special attention. Renowned developer software and equipment has created an international rating DxOMark, which tests photo and video cameras. In 2016, DxOMark awarded the first place to the Google Pixel. The photos are really fantastic, no noise, crisp and bright.
The cost of Google Pixel in Russia is from 40 thousand rubles.