GSMArena smartphone buyer's guide:January 2018 edition

01 January 2018
'Tis the season! Or rather, 'Twas the season, because the end of 2017 flew by us while we were putting the final touches on this buyer's guide. So, we are clearly a bit tardy for a holiday shopping guide but that was more or less intentional on our part. What better time for an overview of what are the best phones to get than the start of the year where all major announcements are well behind us and prices have settled after the holiday shopping frenzy.

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  • AnonD-481725
  • StN
  • 01 Jan 2018

vrvly, 01 Jan 2018Actually u11+ camera is big update to U11, shame that batte... moreU11 will have the same camera performance the next software update, i guess it is only about software.

    Actually u11+ camera is big update to U11, shame that battery. Maybe U12 is the answer. That is, new flagships are coming, not quite time to buy old right now, I believe.

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      • Anonymous
      • 043
      • 01 Jan 2018

      I think they will have to split the 600+ into 600-800 and 800+
      600-800 would be normal flagships
      800+ would be something like Note 8, iPhone X or iPhone 8 Plus.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • 043
        • 01 Jan 2018

        YalokIy, 01 Jan 2018old iphone 6s is recommended, but many old android flagship... moreNot to forget iPhone SE, which GSMArena doesn't consider as "good value" pfff

          Not having an wireless charging is not a con,
          Wireless charging sucks it’s not reliable at all, it’s so slow.

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            • nahid070
            • X{X
            • 01 Jan 2018

            Sonyuser85, 01 Jan 2018I managed to test by the help of a good friend most devices... moreYour words are not reliable dude.. xz premium is one the best device but not the best in every category.. think you are telling lies

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              • AnonD-404954
              • HkV
              • 01 Jan 2018

              Gsmarena bring s8 Fan back

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                • Anonymous
                • Tpi
                • 01 Jan 2018

                Anonymous, 01 Jan 2018Some cons are pretty weird.... - Low ppi of XZ1 Compa... moreI agree with most of it except for the HD resolution on 4.6" screen. HTC did 1080p on a 4.7" screen, in 2013. Sony should switch to FHD in 2017 for the Compact. No excuses.

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                  • Anonymous
                  • 8Kf
                  • 01 Jan 2018

                  Some cons are pretty weird....


                  - Low ppi of XZ1 Compact. It is a 4.6", nobody is going to use 1080p.
                  - Lack of "wireless charging" on iphone 7 series.. They have metal body.
                  - No HDR is con against XZ1c but not against OP5T
                  - Mate 10/10 Pro: not available worldwide, but same is not a con against Pixel.
                  - Old cpu is con against Pixel 2016, but not against G6

                    old iphone 6s is recommended, but many old android flagships and budget devices are missing.
                    There are great prices for galaxy s7, honor 8, huawei p9 -- these are much better buy for the price than the ones recommended in this article (200-300 EUR).

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                      • pt020
                      • ncr
                      • 01 Jan 2018

                      My Sony XZ1 Compact is the best of all. :)
                      easy 3 days battery life ...

                        I managed to test by the help of a good friend most devices from this top. The most real life performance best system upgrades, camera quality, battery backup, speaker loudness and screen brightness best adaptation regarding a well priced device top three will be: 1. XA1 plus; 2. XA1 ultra; Mi max 2.
                        XZ Premium also beats all competitors because of its screen, slow motion recording, great front camera and mostly cheapest of all high end devices from this list, even it has the most used-to-it design of all. Le's hope Sony will greatly improve its design to its devices.

                        Happy new year!

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