With the recent release of the iPhone 7 there has been a raging debate over whether Apple’s new flagship device is the best device on the market right now.
2016 has seen all major mobile device manufacturers release their flagship products, so we decided to write up a list of the top 10 smartphones you could get right now.
To show that no bias was granted in the writing of this article I will clearly state that I am an Apple loyalist, and it is not the number 1 phone on this list.
So according to tests and reviews done by TechRadar, here are the top 10 phones of 2016:
10. Sony Xperia Z5
Weight: 154g | Dimensions: 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow |Screen size: 5.2-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | CPU: Snapdragon 810 | RAM:3GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 2900mAh | Rear camera: 23MP | Front camera:5.1MP
Pros: Fast fingerprint sensor, amazing battery life
Cons: Heats up slowing down overall performance
Local Price: $400-$700
Read the full review on TechRadar.
9. LG G5
Weight: 159g | Dimensions: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.3-inch | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | CPU: value | RAM: 4GB |Storage: 32GB | Battery: 2800mAh | Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera: 8MP
Pros: High Speed Performance, wide angle camera
Cons: Ugly design, weak battery life
Local Price: $400-$650
Read the full review on TechRadar.
8. OnePlus3
Weight: 158g | Dimensions: 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.4 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 820 | RAM:6GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera:8MP
Pros: Premium design at an affordable price
Cons: No sd-card slot
Local Price: Not Available locally yet, expected price $400-$600
Read the full review on TechRadar.
7. HTC 10
Weight: 161g | Dimensions: 145.9 x 71.9 x 9 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow|Screen size: 5.2-inch |Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Snapdragon 820 | RAM:4GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 3000mAh |Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera:5MP
Pros: Quality audio experience and great overall design
Cons: Unimpressive camera
Local Price: $700- $800
Read the full review on TechRadar.
6. Motorola Moto Z
Weight: 136g | Dimensions: 153.3 x 75.3 x 5.2 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Snapdragon 820 | RAM:4GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 2600mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 5MP
Pros: Worlds thinnest phone, cool accessories,
Cons: No 3,5mm headphone jack it uses USB Type-C port
Local Price: Not Available locally yet, expected price $500-$600
Read the full review on TechRadar.
5. iPhone 7
Weight: 138g | Dimensions: 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm | OS: iOS 10 | Screen size:4.7-inch | Resolution: 750 x 1334 | CPU: Apple A10 Fusion | RAM: 2GB |Storage: 32/128/256GB | Battery: 1960mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 7MP
Pros: Amazing camera, now waterproof, premium design and build quality
Cons: Not as impressive battery life, still expensive, no 3,5mm headphone jack
Local Price: Not Available locally yet, expected price $1400-$1800
Read the full review on TechRadar.
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Weight: 169g| Dimensions: 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow |Screen size: 5.7-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 pixels | CPU: Exynos 8890 |RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32GB| microSD slot: Yes | Battery: 3500mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP
Pros: elegant design, industry leading camera, full waterproof, expandable memory with sd-card slot
Cons: Expensive exploding phone
Local Price: $1200-$1400
Read the full review on TechRadar.
3. iPhone 7 Plus
Weight: 188g | Dimensions: 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm | OS: iOS 10 | Screen size:5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: A10 Fusion | RAM: 3GB | Storage:32/128/256GB | Battery: 2900mAh | Rear camera: 12MP+12MP | Front camera: 7MP
Pros: premium design, powerful performance, water resistant, excellent camera
Cons: expensive, no 3,5mm headphone jack
Local Price: Not Available locally yet, expected price $1,600-$2,000
Read the full review on TechRadar.
2. Samsung Galaxy S7
Weight: 152g | Dimensions: 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.1-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Exynos 8890 | RAM:4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP
Pros: Improved design, water resistant, mazing camera
Cons: High price for a samsung, fingerprint sensor needs improvement
Local Price: $600-$1,000
Read the full review on TechRadar.
1. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Weight: 157g | Dimensions: 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Exynos 8890 | RAM:4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 3600mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP
Pros: Industry leading screen and camera
Cons: cheap plastic feel
Local Price: $700-$1,200
Read the full review on TechRadar.
Worthwhile mentions
Huawei P9
Weight: 144g | Dimensions: 145 x 70.9 x 7 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.2-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Octa-core | RAM:4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Pros: Good specs, expandable memory with sd-card slot
Cons: Non-removable battery
Local Price: $650-$800
It’s saddening to not have the iPhone7 or 7 plus as the top device of 2016. Personally, I wait for the S edition of iPhones to really see what they were going for.
Samsung dominates the list with 3 flagship devices showing its increasing dominance in the mobile device market. Having different variants of the similar product seems to be working for Samsung, and from conversations, it is arguably the most used smartphone in Zimbabwe.
Pricing of the devices is still the most unappealing aspect of these devices, by the time they reach Zimbabwe they have been hit by shipment and duty costs that affect pricing. We used to bring in mobile devices duty-free through a mobile penetration drive but that was quickly nipped in the bud. So not only is data expensive but the amazing phone to experience it on are expensive too.
We also have a list of phones available in the local market for under $500 with some interesting devices on it.
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12 comments
no Huawei Honor 8 or ZTE Axon 7??!
You should have made a list of the top 10 phones to get in Zimbabwe. Besides the iPhones and Samsungs, you might never see some of these phones in Zimbabwe.
Apple and it’s prices $2k for a phone and the specs are not amazing this may be their downfall
How is the Samsung S7 and S7 Edge 2 different phones? And no Nextbit Robin. And cheap plastic feel for the all metal and glass S7 Edge?
no huawei p9, how?
Was expecting it too! It was worth mentioning
why is it a bomb {note 7 on the list}
why would you do a copy and paste of some American site instead of writing from a local perspective
coming soon, discussing the factors
S7 Edge: “Cons: cheap plastic feel”
This clearly shows you have never held the phone in your hand or you copied and pasted this without reading it (probably mistaking it for the Galaxy S5).
The S7 Edge has an aluminium chassis/frame and glass at the back, no plastic in sight anywhere
ko Gtel aikwane here apo
wow great