Best phone 2016: the 10 top smartphones we’ve tested


10: Sony Xperia Z5

Update: There are two new entries in our 10 best smartphones in the world: congratulations to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Just where have they placed? Read on to find out.

The end of 2016 is coming into view, and pretty much all the big phones of the year have launched. The latest arrivals are Apple’s newest offerings, with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus joining the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, LG G5 and HTC 10 in our list of, frankly, amazing smartphones.

Here TechRadar we check out every phone under the sun, putting the ones that matter through our rigorously vigorous testing process to create our in-depth mobile phone reviews.

With so many to choose from, we’ve spent hours whittling them down to a top ten, taking into account the power, specs, design and, most importantly, value for money, although we’ll always point you in the direction of the latest handsets to help you find the best smartphone (and if the price is too high, check out our list of the best cheap handsets that won’t cost you more than £200).

After all, nobody wants to be carting around a phone that won’t be getting any updates in a year’s time, right?

So whether it’s one of the many slick Android handsets or the latest iPhone (although we do keep an eye on the best Windows Phone and BlackBerry devices) we’ve got the best of the best listed here, in our rankings for the best smartphones around, currently available in the UK.

10. Sony Xperia Z5

A top flagship with a strong camera and waterproof chassis

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

Great fingerprint sensor Stronger battery life Heats up Expensive

The Sony Xperia Z5 is the Japanese brand’s ‘mainstream’ flagship phone, and one that we’re happy to talk about – it’s got a number of nice features that make it worth checking out.

It’s a big upgrade on the earlier phones, and the speedy autofocus – much faster than anything else on test – has to be tried to be believed. You can whirl around and still get a sharp snap, and in bright light the Z5 is probably the best camera around.

It’s added in a pleasing fingerprint sensor on the side, a Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB of RAM. The waterproofing is amazing when you see how many open ports there are, but Sony has managed it. You can drop this in the toilet without fear, basically.

The large 5.2-inch screen looks great thanks to Bravia technology – it’s the best phone Sony has ever made, and we especially like the frosted rear glass too. Recent price drops have made it even more palatable, so it’s still sitting pretty near the top of our rankings.

Also consider: You could go larger with the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, which is mostly the same as this model but with a larger 5.5-inch screen and bigger battery – plus it’s a 4K screen too, although that’s not really that useful. However, the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is a great option too – smaller 4.7-inch screen, but same great camera and not a lot lower in the power stakes.

See the best Sony Xperia Z5 deals

9: LG G5

9. LG G5

The best innovation in a smartphone we’ve seen this year

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

Super performance Useful wide angle camera Questionable design Battery could be better

LG’s back, and with an innovative bang. This is a phone that’s designed to fall apart – well, come apart at least. You see, on top of the clever dual camera there’s a clip at the bottom that lets you pull the battery out.

That’s good in itself – too many phones lack a removable power pack – but you can attach new modules to improve the audio, battery life or camera grippability with more to come.

Another ‘alternative’ phone from LG, and we’re big fans of the brand trying to keep separating itself from the rest of the market.

Also consider: Last year’s LG G4 isn’t a million miles away from this phone in terms of spec, and it’s a darn sight cheaper now. It’s not got the attractive metal body, but if you can rustle up the leather variant you’re getting an absolute steal of a smartphone.

See the best LG G5 deals

8: OnePlus 3

8. OnePlus 3

A genuine flagship killer

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

Premium design Affordable price No microSD slot Camera could be better

The Chinese firm has improved on a number of issues fans had with its predecessor, wrapping the OnePlus 3 in a new premium suit and managed to keep the price low enough to worry the established names in the market.

We love the new design, the AMOLED display is bright and vibrant and the fingerprint scanner is much improved and lightning fast.

The lack of a microSD card, and a battery which doesn’t last more than a day may put some off, but considering the price you’re paying the OnePlus is fantastic value for money.

If you’re desperate for a high-end phone, but don’t have the money to stetch that far the OnePlus 3 will make you very, very happy.

Also consider: If OnePlus isn’t doing it for you, then check out the Moto G4 Plus which has slightly less power, but a still very strong feature set – or go a little more left field and take the Oppo F1 Plus for a spin.

See the best OnePlus 3 deals

7: HTC 10

7. HTC 10

Not 10/10, but the best phone for music by far

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

Amazing audioGreat designCamera not impressiveBoomsound not great

After the success of the HTC One M8, the world wondered if time was up for HTC after it didn’t really ignite the smartphone game with the One M9.

Well, that’s not the case as the brand went away, made a beautiful phone that’s ‘sculpted by light’, added in a genuinely impressive camera and improved the battery life.

But that’s not the best bit – that comes when you plug headphones into this thing. It’s sensational – can this thing pump beautiful, Hi-Res Audio into your ears or what? It’s sensational.

For that reason alone it’s worth a place in the top ten, and the myriad other improvements impress equally.

Also consider: It’s hard to know what to recommend here, as last year’s model was so underwhelming. We’d suggest having a gander at the LG G5 if you fancy an ‘underdog’ brand that can still make it big… great camera and some fancy innovation on offer there.

See the best HTC 10 deals

6: Motorola Moto Z

Motorola Moto Z

6. Motorola Moto Z

The world’s thinnest smartphone is also the best modular phone

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

Creative modular accessories Fingerprint sensor with a twist No 3.5mm headphone jack Big camera bump, small battery

Moto Z takes the modular accessory idea we liked so much about the LG G5 and actually makes it work with better add-ons and an easier-to-use snap-on design.

It’s an Android phone that performs well right now and the potential behind its future accessories hold a lot of promise down the road. Usually when we talk about mid-cycle upgrades, we’re strictly talking about new software. Moto Z could take on new form at any time.

It may be the world’s thinnest phone, but that comes at a cost with a reduction in battery size and the loss of the headphone jack – potential issues for some users. If you can overlook these shortcomings though you’ll have a truly innovative device in your hands.

Also consider: The only phone which comes close to matching the Z’s modular capabilities is the LG G5, although it’s the Sony which has the more intriguing line up of mods. The LG is potentially a better all-round device, and it does have a headphone jack.

5: iPhone 7

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

Good low light camera Water resistant Battery life better but unimpressive Lacks clear upgrades

The new iPhone isn’t the phone that many will have been waiting for, as it comes with a similar look and feel to previous models.

That doesn’t mean it’s a bad phone, far from it in fact with a power boost under the hood, water resistant and a decent camera upgrade making a difference.

There’s no point upgrading from the 6S to 7, but if you’re currently using an iPhone 6 or older then the jump to the 7 is a good one.

Also consider: If you want to save yourself a bit of money then the iPhone 6S is still an excellent smartphone. It looks identical to the 7, also runs iOS 10 and has the benefit of still having a headphone jack. Those wanting something a bit bigger should look at the iPhone 7 Plus – the best iPhone currently around.

See the best iPhone 7 deals

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 7

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 7

An S-Pen upgrade to the excellent S7 Edge

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

Elegantly curved design Samsung’s leading camera Water-resistant microSD card slot Extremely expensive Touchy capacitive buttons Speaker at the bottom

The Galaxy Note 7 takes Samsung’s best phone to date, the S7 Edge, stretches it to a 5.7-inch curved display and adds an S Pen stylus. It has the same top-of-the-line camera and specs, but it’s meant for big hands with equally big wallets.

There’s plenty of scope for creative types thanks to the large screen, stylus and power under the hood, but for those looking for a day-to-day flagship the Note 7 may be a little overbearing.

In short, this is a feature-packed phone and a top-performer which won’t let you down in day-to-day use – as long as you can handle the size, and cost.

Also consider: If Samsung’s big-screened phablet doesn’t take your fancy, or is a little out of your price range, take a look at the Huawei Mate 8. This supersized smartphone boasts a 6-inch display, powerful processor and 16MP rear snapper ensuring you have the flagship specs you want without the huge price tag.

See the best Samsung Galaxy Note 7 deals

3: iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone 7 Plus

3. iPhone 7 Plus

The best iPhone available right now

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

Heaps of power for slick performance Excellent camera Very expensive No headphone jack

The iPhone 7 Plus is the best iPhone available right now, giving you a whole heap of power, water resistant body, not one, but two cameras on the back and super slick performance.

It does use the same design as previous handsets, and Apple’s removed the headphone jack and upped the price – but if your pockets are deep and headphones wireless you’ll love the 7 Plus.

The camera is a big improvement on the 6S Plus, and it’ll only get better once Apple rolls out its depth-of-field feature later this year.

Also consider: The standard iPhone 7 is very good too, with a more manageable form factor and lower price point it’s the phone that’s likely to appeal to a wider audience – but for those looking for Apple perfection it has to be the 7 Plus.

See the best iPhone 7 Plus deals

2: Samsung Galaxy S7

2. Samsung Galaxy S7

One of two five star phones from Samsung

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

Improved, waterproof design Fantastic screen and power High price Fingerprint magnet

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is a phone that initially looks just like the S6 from last year – but pick it up and you’ll see there’s a world of difference.

Firstly, the rear of the phone feels much nicer thanks to a curved back (through a process called 3D Thermo Forming), it’s now water resistant and a microSD slot is a welcome feature to return, after it was dropped last year.

The camera is just brilliant – it’s lower in megapixels but improved in quality. You’ll get brilliant pictures time and again, and you’ll want to keep trying it in different scenarios. It’s a great phone that you’ll be happy to pull out of your pocket.

Also consider: An easy one: go for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge if you can afford it. It’s a compact phone with the screen size of a phablet, and offers all the same features with a more attractive design.

See today’s best deals

1: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

1. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

The best smartphone in the world – it’s a work of art

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

Beautiful screen Super camera Slight plastic feel Expensive

Last year’s Galaxy S6 Edge was a good phone, but not brilliant. It was the same as the Samsung Galaxy S6, but had a curved screen – and that was it. It was the same size, power and camera, and that wasn’t enough.

Fast forward to today and the S7 Edge takes all the great looks of the S6 Edge, makes the phone even curvier and combines it with the superb power and feature set of the S7.

The camera is just brilliant, the mix of metal and glass is really nice to hold, and even the Touchwiz overlay is turning into something more usable than before. Battery life improvements are hugely welcomed, and while the price is higher, it’s now affixed to a phone that offers simply the best in nearly every department, so many will be happy with the outlay.

Also consider: Like the phone above, this is an easy decision: go for the Samsung Galaxy S7 if you’re not feeling the cost and price of the Edge. It’s got all the power, but it’s more compact and costs a little less. The LG G5 is nearly here too though – that could be a dark horse in the mix.

See today’s best deals

You might also like…

We’re all about reviewing and rating all the phones here at techradar. There’s nothing we like more than brewing a pot of tea and deciding where each new phone should sit in the list.

However, sometimes they don’t make it into the top 10 – sad, we know, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a quick look to see if they fit your needs. After all, there are very few bad phones these days…

ZTE Axon 7

ZTE Axon 7

High end features on a stranger to the flagship game

OS: Android 6 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1440×2560 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3250mAh | Rear camera: 20MP | Front camera: 8MP

This phone is about to drop into our top ten and – spoiler alert – it’s looking like it’s going to feature highly as it punches.

It’s got dual speakers, good battery life and a whole heap of power, along with an impressive screen and a few other features folks might not expect from a brand like ZTE.

What’s more, it comes with a low, low price compared to the competition – so how will it fare compared to the likes of the OnePlus 3?

Huawei Mate 8

Huawei Mate 8

Great battery life but a middling interface

OS: Android 6 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | RAM: 3-4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 4000mAh | Rear camera: 16MP dual | Front camera: 8MP

This is obviously more phablet than phone, but it’s an intriguing one given it’s lower on the price scale. There’s a great, speedy fingerprint sensor on the rear, the display is still stunning despite not being the sharpest around and the battery life is much stronger than most on show here.

However, Huawei’s Emotion UI is still a bit hard to master, trying to ape the best bits of both Android and iOS but not really managing either. The speaker grille doesn’t look amazing, and we wish the fast charging cable came along at purchase.

Nexus 5X

Nexus 5X

Smaller, but still (almost) perfectly-formed

OS: Android 6 | Screen size: 5.2-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 16GB/32GB | Battery: 2700mAh | Rear camera: 12.3MP dual | Front camera: 5MP

The Nexus 5X is a phone that offers the very latest version of Android, a decent (ish) spec list and a more hand-friendly size to plop in your pocket.

The screen is a decent resolution and really clear to boot, and the price isn’t as high as you might find on other phones in this spec bracket.

The best thing is that this will be constantly updated to the latest version of Android for a good while yet, and with an improved camera it’s definitely worth a look – especially if you’re not a fan of the cumbersome skins Samsung and LG like to chuck on their phones.

Lumia 950

Microsoft Lumia 950

The beginning of a smartphone revolution?

OS: Windows Phone 10 | Screen size: 5.2-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB |Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 20MP | Front camera: 5MP

Maybe you’re bored of the iPhone. Perhaps Android just doesn’t do it for you. Maybe you’re just wondering if there’s something different out there? Well, Windows Phone 10 on the Lumia 950 will intrigue you. It can offer a PC-like experience by extending out to a larger monitor, and the camera is pretty strong.

However, there’s one issue: apps. Or the lack thereof – and when combined with the slightly plastic design, it fails to trouble the top 10. However, it’s a legitimate choice and easily one of the most impressive Windows Phones ever.

BlackBerry Priv

BlackBerry Priv

BlackBerry + Android = more impressive than expected

OS: Android | Screen size: 5.4-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | RAM: 3GB | Storage:32GB| Battery: 3410mAh | Rear camera: 18MP | Front camera: 2MP

BlackBerry is back – and it’s taking a new direction by finally jumping into bed with Android. It’s got a slide-out keyboard, a superbly sharp screen, splendidly powerful innards and some decent privacy settings too.

However, it’s not cheap. At all, and the keyboard – something we all used to love – now feels a little outdated. Combined with the chunkier design (to facilitate that keyboard) and some lag in performance, this isn’t top table worthy. But there’s a lot of promise here, and we’re glad to see BlackBerry is still swinging.

OnePlus 2

OnePlus 2

The ‘flagship killer’ with a fantastic price

OS: Android 5.1 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | RAM: 3GB/4GB | Storage: 16GB/64GB | Battery: 3,300mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 5MP

The OnePlus One was a brilliant phone in 2014, offering a great price for top end specs – it truly was a bargain phone.

The good news is the One Plus 2 has repeated that trick, upgrading the internals while (mostly) keeping the same low price. Its clever overlay still impresses and the little tweaks (such as audio improvement) work quite nicely.

We would have liked to see some upgrades on the screen front, or NFC for mobile payments, but on the whole the brand has managed to avoid stumbling over the ‘tricky second album’ – it’s not quite top ten material, but for the price it’s a decimatingly good smartphone.

HTC One M9

HTC One M9

Beautiful design – as always from HTC – but not quite as good as the M8

OS: Android 6 | Screen size: 5-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 2,840mAh | Rear camera: 20MP | Front camera: 4MP

The HTC One M9 is no longer in our top list of phones, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a stunning device with loads of great features.

For one, it’s still got some of the best construction we’ve ever seen on a phone – it’s jewellery-grade, according to HTC, and we’re largely inclined to agree.

The screen is still clear and crisp, and while the rear camera isn’t as innovative as the dual-sensored One M8, the front facing affair takes some superb selfies.

Available for a lot less cash nowadays, the HTC One M9 is still a decent buy.

Z5 Compact

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

A compact beast with a splendid price

Weight: 138g | Dimensions: 127 x 65 x 8.9 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 4.6-inch | Resolution: 720 x 1280 | CPU: Snapdragon 810 | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 2700mAh | Rear camera: 23MP | Front camera: 5.1MP

Compact designImpressive cameraStill a 720p screenNo wireless charging

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is another in the line of smaller handsets from the Japanese brand, packing in all the power into a smaller, more manageable phone.

It’s got all the same power credentials as the Xperia Z5 and Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, but has the added bonus of being a lot more pocketable.

The main reason you’d go for this phone is that it’s a dinkier device, with a 4.6-inch screen combined with the strong camera, waterproofed chassis and allows you to hear all your audio in beautiful upscaled sound quality.

Battery life could be better, but it’s no worse than a lot on this list – and Sony certainly has a unique design that plenty like to fondle.

Also consider: If you’re not a fan of the size of this phone, the Sony Xperia Z5 ‘normal’ packs the same great camera, waterproofing and Hi-Res Audio as the larger version, but in a more easy-to-handle frame.

See the best Sony Xperia Z5 Compact deals

Nexus 6P

The best phone for those that like a simple interface

Weight: 178g | Dimensions: 159.3 x 77.8 x 7.3 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.7-inch | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | CPU: Snapdragon 810 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB/128GB | Battery: 3450mAh | Rear camera: 12.3MP | Front camera: 8MP

Great specs for the priceFront-facing stereo speakersUgly rear camera bulgeNo wireless charging

The Nexus 6P is a larger phone, but that means it comes with some upgraded specs too. There’s a vivid QHD display, which is much sharper than many other smartphone around, but Huawei (the brand making the Google Nexus phablet) has tried hard to make it more palm-friendly.

You’ll always get the latest version of Android first with Nexus phones (currently the highly-rated Android Marshmallow) and there’s the innovative placement of the fingerprint scanner on the back – which is both quick and accurate, while being much safer than a PIN.

It’s not super-cheap like the old Nexus phones (although it’s more competitive than other phablets in the same screen size bracket), but it’s very well made, and thanks to the improved camera and battery capabilities you’ll likely be very impressed with what Huawei has made here.

Also consider: If you’re after a Nexus phone, you’re thinking about getting the latest version of Android in a smartphone – and you can get that in the Nexus 5X too. It’s cheaper, and not as powerful in some ways, but it’s cheaper and more palm-friendly.

See today’s best deals

iPhone 6S Plus

The best phablet you can buy

Weight: 192g | Dimensions: 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm | OS: iOS 9.3 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | CPU: Apple A9 | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 16GB/64GB/128GB | Battery: 2750mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP

3D Touch has exciting potentialBright, vibrant displayBig and heavyExpensive

Apple on the slide! Regular visitors to our best phones ranking will note that Apple’s duo of flagship phones have taken a tumble down the order of late. Why? Well while the Android army has been busy in 2016 launching their latest and greatest, the Cupertino firm has been patiently biding its time.

That’s not to say the iPhone 6S Plus has gone backwards – it’s still a great handset – it’s just that the competition has moved on since its launch in September 2015. Of course, we could see the Apple brand leap back up the chart later this year with the arrival of the iPhone 7 Plus, but that will all depend on whether it’s actually a decent upgrade.

If you’re OK with a larger iPhone, then you’re in for a treat with the iPhone 6S Plus. It packs all the same upgrades as the smaller 6S – namely the innovative 3D Touch screen and upgraded camera – and fixes some of the flaws we all hate.

The battery is larger, and while the screen is Full HD (with a really great ability to show colours) this is easily the longer-lasting of the two iPhones, meaning you won’t have to reach for the charger as often.

The camera is actually better than on the iPhone 6S, with optical image stabilisation providing sharper and brighter images thanks to mechanical help.

If you’re an Apple fan looking for a ‘bigger’ experience, this is the phone for you.

Also consider: You’ll obviously want to look at the iPhone 6S as the smaller option here – the reason to go smaller would be if you’re not a fan of the phablet and want the lower cost. In the interest of fairness the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ has to be mentioned here as another brilliant phablet, but Apple fans will consider that sacrilege.

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iPhone 6S

The best iPhone Apple’s ever made

Weight: 143g | Dimensions: 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm | OS: iOS 9.3 | Screen size: 4.7-inch | Resolution: 1334 x 750 | CPU: Apple A9 | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 16GB/64GB/128GB | Battery: 1715mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP

Great design3D Touch impressesBattery life lowPrice high for a low-res screen

Apple tumble! Like the 6S Plus, the iPhone 6S Plus has also dropped in the rankings. Fear not, for it’s still a great handset, it’s just that the competition has moved on since its September 2015 launch. We may see Apple leap back up the chart later this year with the arrival of the iPhone 7, but that will depend on whether it’s a decent upgrade.

The iPhone 6S might look the same as 2014’s model, but peer below the hood and there are a number of interesting upgrades.

The camera is enhanced, the processor is once again more powerful to let you play ever-better apps and games with speed, and the 3D Touch display is proving innovative.

The new touch system lets you press harder into the screen to open quick shortcuts – so taking a selfie is merely a hard push and swipe of the camera icon away.

It’s still a brilliant iPhone, the phone that loads of users are desperate to get their hands on, and Apple’s not done any harm at all with this upgraded model.

Also consider: The obvious move is to the iPhone 6S Plus, as it’s got a sharper screen and longer-lasting battery – the price is higher and it’s a bit harder to hold, but you’ll likely get used to it pretty quickly.

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Source: techradar.com

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25 Comments
  1. Reply Cassandre Crona September 22, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    i wantitwantitwantit!!!! iPhone 7 ohhhhhhhhhhhhh my love!!!

  2. Reply Cydney Fay September 22, 2016 at 5:02 pm

    In Arabic we say 'السكوت علامة الرضا' which means , silence means acceptance

  3. Reply Priscilla Lakin II September 22, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    Just put them all on one page you fucking cunts

  4. Reply Merle Homenick September 22, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    I'll stick with my 20 dollar smartphone, thanks.

  5. Reply Deangelo Veum DDS September 22, 2016 at 11:02 pm

    Most of the mainstream apps will have an android equivalent. It mainly depends on which apps you use.

    For Apple exclusive ones, like their own or apps which makes use of Apple features, like force touch, you're probably out of luck.

    If you're talking about games, then it you might be able to retain your game data if the developer uses a different way to save your data online and not Apple Gamecenter(?). Usually it's a Facebook account or Google account if they are feeling generous. And there's occasionally some developers which allows you to transfer data from one device to another by using a one-time transfer code inside the game.

    The easiest way to know which apps you can switch over in android is to visit https://play.google.com/store and type in the name of the app. As for the data of the app, it'll depend on if you have an account with the app or search their site for details of whether you can port data from Apple to Android.

    It's always a very big and frightening step to switch platform but it's less of a problem nowadays since the bigger developers usually make apps for multi-platforms.

  6. Reply Kendrick Kohler September 23, 2016 at 12:27 am

    there are 7 with eye and brainhurting PWM crap phones

    IPS ftw

  7. Reply Fanny Rohan September 23, 2016 at 12:55 am

    @TechRadar, You do realise that this lazy option of just updating the same old article makes your site less of an option when comparing phones. ?

  8. Reply Miss Jacky O'Kon V September 23, 2016 at 12:59 am

    Can't you just delete the article and post new ones? Instead of updating the same 2 year old article? and y do u remove good phones that are still better than many others(just because they r old?)… the s6 n s6 edge should be in position 4&3 not removed…..

  9. Reply Candace Weimann III September 23, 2016 at 2:10 am

    I think I realised that and said. You didn't need to reply:)

  10. Reply Elmer Herman September 23, 2016 at 2:31 am

    You do realise there's a drop down menu at the top of the article that details which phones are in the top ten and lets you jump straight to the article on them, not saying that TR are the best but I can't really see what your problem here is to be honest.

  11. Reply Lee Auer September 23, 2016 at 2:55 am

    Shouldn't the Moto Z Force be in the top 3?

  12. Reply Prof. Eino Heidenreich MD September 23, 2016 at 3:25 am

    That was a long time ago. You didn't need to reply 😉

  13. Reply Liana Swift September 23, 2016 at 3:28 am

    "negative: Camera not impressive" two sentences later… "added in a genuinely impressive camera". Talk about contradictory. How is anyone supposed to get useful consumer information if you say one thing then the complete opposite 10 seconds later?

  14. Reply Keshaun Bergnaum September 23, 2016 at 4:24 am

    I am tempted to jump from Apple to Samsung, something I never thought I would say but will be cranky losing all my apps. Anyone know a way to take them with you? Is there an app for that?

  15. Reply Mustafa Paucek September 23, 2016 at 5:10 am

    UPDATE THIS ARTICLE!

  16. Reply Kyle Blanda III September 23, 2016 at 5:16 am

    What about the HUAWEI P9 plus ?
    For me, its the worlds best Phone – with ease….
    Not in your Top 10 ?
    Whats wrong ?

  17. Reply Mr. Aidan Feil September 23, 2016 at 5:20 am

    The sony Z phones are great in so many ways, except one: They die!
    Google sony z sudden death, and you will find threads of 42 pages, 26 pages, etc. and reports back in 2013 of software updates that fix the issue. They don't. Sony has know about this for at least 3 years, and there is still a problem with every Z model. My z3 compact, less than a year old had this two months ago, was fixed on warranty, and now failed again. DO NOT BUY any Z or Z compact!

  18. Reply Dr. Alexanne Mraz Sr. September 23, 2016 at 5:36 am

    UPDATE THIS ARTICLE

  19. Reply Michele Braun September 23, 2016 at 5:45 am

    Typical troll we have 4 z phones in our household ranging from z1 to z3 never experienced a problem coming up to 3 years on the z1 2 years on the z3, if you Google any phone you will find negative feedback, I know many people with s6 who have had ram problems, broken back glass, just see how many iPhone screens are repaired in the UK, there are in the 10,000s don't see anybody complaining about them.

  20. Reply Eloy Feeney III September 23, 2016 at 5:56 am

    I have very bad experienced in sony smart phone and NOT only that! the AFTERSALES service SUCKS!!

  21. Reply Carson Schuster September 23, 2016 at 6:00 am

    I was just Googling "Best smartphones 2016". These sites that make you search everywhere to click to the next page of the countdown while essentially trying to trick you into clicking an add…..sigh. And then all those irrelevant pictures that are supposedly links to articles you may like as well but are having a exceptionally high amount of "Enquirer" BS content. Techradar is definitely not my "go-to" place if I need some info fast. Actually…..I will never come back here because I still don't know what the best phone is and why because there is no comparison chart. Thanks for wasting my time…..it won't happen

  22. Reply Janessa Bradtke September 23, 2016 at 7:22 am

    Yes. But it's not a customer service support line where they have to reply to every "complaint" in the comment. That would be a never ending battle.

  23. Reply Vinnie Ledner MD September 23, 2016 at 7:28 am

    One of the cons on the S7 Edge is "Slight plastic feel"…as I'm here holding in my hands that very phone made of entirely metal and glass???????

  24. Reply Savanah Robel September 23, 2016 at 8:41 am

    You have a point but they should reply to the more general comments, the ones that the majority tend to ask or have legitimacy to know the reason behind their reviews. Otherwise they shouldn't set themselves up to be a trustworthy site that everyone begins to turn due to the reputation they've built up because there will always be questions and to an extent must be answered. At least let people see that some questions have been answered not to take that dumb no response and it is my right to do so. They will simply loose credibility as I'm beginning to think twice that they now have a biased agenda and have lost trust in them. I would always turn to Techradar's reviews on things but I now will do so with caution and seek other review platforms to compare!!! You have to be able to wear the customer's shoes and extend a little empathy and understanding and acknowledgement that some questions deserve answers!!!

  25. Reply Maritza Torp September 23, 2016 at 8:52 am

    what about motorola moto x force? Is it any good?

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