The most popular phone models of the year. The best smartphones in terms of price-quality ratio

This is the most comprehensive guide to choosing a smartphone in 2016. We will choose Top 10 best smartphones in all price segments, consider expert ratings and customer reviews. We will determine the best flagships, camera phones, the best inexpensive smartphones, as well as the best smartphone companies in 2016.

For many buyers, the price comes first when choosing a smartphone, because not everyone can or wants to buy a top-end device worth 50 thousand rubles or more. But, regardless of budget, buyers always want to get the most for their money. That is why we have compiled several ratings - the best flagship smartphones, the best mid-range smartphones and the best low-cost smartphones.

These are the best smartphone models according to experts - sites and magazines involved in professional testing of electronics. Professional testing implies an independent and objective assessment, as well as the availability of special equipment and extensive knowledge to conduct the relevant tests.

Rating of the best flagship smartphones of 2016

Let's start with the ranking of flagship models. In fact, this is just a ranking of the best smartphones in 2016, without adjusting for cost. According to most experts, the best smartphones of 2016 are recognized Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, these are the devices that have received the highest scores in tests from TopTenReviews, CHIP, TechRadar and many other reputable sites. Smartphones have record-breaking performance, a benchmark screen and one of the best mobile cameras on the market. The average rating of smartphones was 93.5 and 93.1 points, respectively, this is the average rating received by the devices based on 26 ratings from various publications.

In third place is Xperia XZ, the flagship from Sony. Apple iPhone 7 was in fourth place in the list of the best smartphones of 2016, and this can be regarded as a very good result, given that last year the iPhone had to be content with only seventh place. Rounding out the top five Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, the leader of last year's rating, which is still in high demand among buyers.

Rating of the best smartphones in 2016 up to 20,000 rubles

Now consider the best, according to experts, smartphones of the middle price segment, that is, costing from 10 to 20 thousand rubles. These are the best models in terms of price-quality ratio. Among the presented models there are both classic "middle peasants" and top-end smartphones of past years.

What should you expect when buying a smartphone worth 10-20 thousand rubles, and what is the difference between these devices and the top flagships of 2016? First, they have more modest screens with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and below. Chipsets (processor, graphics chip) are also weaker, that is, lower performance, this will be noticeable in modern 3D games. In cameras, as a rule, there are modules of the past generation without advanced options (optical stabilization, dual flash, laser autofocus), and some hardware and software chips that distinguish flagships are missing. How to choose the right smartphone up to 20,000 rubles and what characteristics you should pay attention to first of all - in our article.

Rating of the best smartphones in 2016 up to 10,000 rubles

Let's move on to the most demanded segment - smartphones costing less than 10 thousand rubles. If Samsung, Apple, Sony and other companies with a rich history occupy the leading positions in the ranking of expensive smartphones, then Chinese brands are gaining more and more popularity among inexpensive smartphones. And there is nothing surprising here. For the same money, the Chinese offer devices with much more advanced technical characteristics, which naturally attracts buyers who want to get the most for their money.

We have compiled two ratings of the best inexpensive smartphones in 2016 at once - based on expert ratings (it is presented below) and based on customer reviews (available). The fact is that many reputable publications limit themselves to product reviews of only A-brands, and do not even bother testing second-tier smartphones, not to mention the products of little-known Chinese companies. That is why it is simply impossible to calculate an average rating for such devices, as a result, they are not included in the top of the best devices. However, you can find quite a lot of reviews with customer ratings (because smartphones are very popular), which we took advantage of by compiling. In this material, you will also find some useful tips on how to choose the right smartphone that costs less than 10 thousand rubles.

Rating of smartphones 2016 with the best camera

Camera. Manufacturers of modern smartphones pay more and more attention to this component. Smartphones with a good camera are proudly called camera phones, and this does not mean at all that such smartphones are somehow inferior in other aspects.

Every year we see a competition between flagships for the title of the best mobile camera. According to DxOMark, the best camera phone of 2016 is Google Pixel(89 points in the ranking), which outperformed three smartphones by just one point: HTC 10, Samsung Galaxy S7 and Sony Xperia X Performance.

The best camera phones of 2016 according to DxOMark

However, the ratings of this rating agency often differ from those of other sites. Having summed up the ratings of various publications, we made our own (other characteristics of smartphones were not taken into account when calculating the rating). On this page you will also find comparison reviews of smartphone cameras.

Best Smartphone Firms 2016

Which brand of smartphones are the best? A separate study was devoted to this issue - We will not completely retell it, we will only indicate brief conclusions. Experts are most fond of A-brands such as Samsung, Apple, Sony, LG and HTC, just look at the ratings of the best smartphones above. This is especially true for expensive flagship smartphones. However, smartphones from companies such as Huawei, Asus and OnePlus sometimes also receive very high peer reviews.

As for buyers, they have their own opinion on this matter. We held a vote in which any visitor to the site could vote for or against any brand. At the moment, more than 15 thousand people have voted, the votes were distributed as follows:

We also analyzed customer ratings on Yandex Market, calculating an average rating for each brand using a 5-point system. The results turned out to be very unexpected, the Chinese took four first places at once:

From this we can conclude that buyers are often dissatisfied with the quality of products of many large firms (the so-called A-brands), having high expectations for it. And, on the contrary, they are pleasantly surprised by the smartphones of certain Chinese brands, which were originally focused on the budget segment and offer more “tasty” features at a lower price.

If you have decided which only exist for 2016, then you have come to the right place. To make it easier to choose the coolest smartphone, a rating of the best smartphones for 2016 was compiled according to experts in all price segments, and on its basis you can choose the right model, and there are 10 of them, something that will catch your eye, because here is a list the best smartphones in the world today. More detailed characteristics of devices and brief reviews of these models are described in the video review that is available for each smartphone.

iPhone 6s

The iPhone 6s is the best smartphone among the top 10 smartphones of 2016, but the iPhone 7 will soon take its place. Its excellent functionality is achieved thanks to iOS 9. It is released with changes compared to previous models. Its body is made of high quality aluminium. The display includes durable glass against impacts. Large screen appliances have a thin profile. It works on the basis of a dual-core processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz. A large amount of memory will allow you to download videos in large quantities, and you will no longer need to supplement the microSD. The image quality is of high quality. There is a function of video-shooting of different types. The device is equipped with a 5-megapixel FaceTime front camera designed for selfies, and with a 12-megapixel main camera, high-quality pictures and videos are obtained. It also has a fingerprint scanner, and this feature works faster than on many other models. Management takes place under the iOS 9 operating system, which is characterized by high performance. You do not need to configure anything, because everything works automatically. According to experts, the technique is considered the best in the world, and its sales only confirm this.

• smartphone, iOS 9
• screen 4.7″, resolution 1334×750
• camera 12 MP, autofocus
• weight 143 g, WxHxD 67.10×138.30×7.10 mm

Video review of the best smartphone of 2016

iPhone 6s Plus

The iPhone 6s Plus is a reliable smartphone with a powerful processor even in mid-2016, when smartphones with better performance have already appeared. A feature of the technique is the presence of unusual frames around the display. It is ergonomic and beautifully designed. The smartphone is made of high-quality aluminum, and the display is made of protective glass. Thanks to the 5.5-inch touch screen, high image quality is achieved. There is enough RAM in the device to download various files. A feature of the technique is high productivity. For example, you can work with multiple open tabs. The battery capacity is much higher, which means that now charging is not required for a long time. Therefore, if practical equipment is required, then it is better not to find an option today.

• smartphone, iOS 9
• screen 5.5″, resolution 1920×1080
• camera 12 MP, autofocus
• memory 64 GB, without slot for memory cards
• 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
• weight 192 g, WxHxD 77.90×158.20×7.30 mm

Samsung Galaxy S7

Smartphone Samsung Galaxy S7 new 2016, presented in April, it is equipped with a glass back cover and aluminum rim, and therefore it is protected from damage. The equipment is equipped with an audio jack, a USB port and a conversational microphone. Thanks to the plastic inserts, the signal is isolated. Samsung is a mobile phone that is still used for the internet. It has a non-removable battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh. There is the necessary fast charging function, only 90 minutes and from 0 to 100%. The device is available with 3 memory sizes: 32, 64 and 128 GB. A high-quality photo is obtained using a 12 megapixel camera. The 5MP front camera has a 90-degree lens.

• smartphone, Android 6.0
• dual SIM support
• screen 5.1″, resolution 2560×1440
• camera 12 MP, autofocus
• battery 3000 mAh
• weight 152 g, WxHxD 69.60×142.40×7.90 mm

Samsung S7 Edge

The Samsung S7 EDGE smartphone is considered the best device of a modern person in the technology market, it has an original design. The main feature is the curved display, which makes the device unique. The equipment of this company is equipped with a high-quality 12 megapixel camera and an 8-core processor, with the help of which the gadget works quickly. The battery capacity is not large, and therefore the service life will be appropriate. According to reviews, the technique is distinguished by its versatility and practicality.

• smartphone, Android 6.0
• dual SIM support
• screen 5.5″, resolution 2560×1440
• Exynos 8890 or Snapdragon 820 processor
• camera 12 MP, autofocus
• 32 GB memory, memory card slot and 4 RAM
• 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS
• battery 3600 mAh
• weight 157 g, WxHxD 72.60×150.90×7.70 mm

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

- the most powerful smartphone for the month of August 2016, which has a bright display and many functions. As important characteristics is the presence of powerful performance. The back panels of the technology are curved, and it itself is small in comparison with the iPhone 6 Plus. I received the camera from the Samsung Galaxy S7 at 12 megapixels, but the processor was put into it the most powerful one that is now in the world and in Antutu it gives out an average of 150,000 parrots, but the iPhone 7 will be released soon and then it will be very interesting whether Samsung will keep its championship .

• smartphone, Android 6.0
• dual SIM support
• screen 5.7″, resolution 2560×1440
• Exynos 8890 or Snapdragon 820 processor
• camera 12 MP, autofocus
• 64 GB memory, memory card slot and 4 RAM
• 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, GLONASS
• battery 3500 mAh
• weight 169 g, WxHxD 73.90×153.50×7.90 mm

Xiaomi Mi5

The Xiaomi Mi5 smartphone is a great choice. The equipment is equipped with a 5.15-inch screen. Its processor is also more powerful than other models. Its work is based on the Android Marshmallow OS. The device includes a 16 MP ultra-sensitive camera and a 4 MP front camera. The smartphone has a stylish metal case, models are available with 32, 64 and 128 GB of memory. By color, you can also choose the appropriate one, for example, black, white, silver or gold, everything is as usual for 2016. If you like to save money, but want to play the latest games, then this smartphone is for you if you like its proprietary shell.

• smartphone, Android 6.0
• dual SIM support
• screen 5.15″, resolution 1920×1080
• camera 16 MP, autofocus, frontal 4 MP
• 32 GB memory, no memory card slot and 3 GB RAM
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 processor (quad-core up to 2 GHz)
• Adreno 530 video core
• battery 3000 mAh

HTC 10 32Gb

New for 2016, the HTC 10 is equipped with a 12MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. 32GB of internal memory will allow you to download content from the Internet. The cool display gives a clear picture with a resolution of 2560 * 1440. Compared to previous models of this brand, the gadget has a rather weak battery. High functionality is provided with Android 6.0 and a powerful quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor up to 2.2 GHz, which is more than enough, so that the smartphone turned out to be much better than its predecessor.

• smartphone, Android 6.0
• screen 5.2″, resolution 2560×1440
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996
• Video processor - Adreno 530
• 12 MP camera, laser autofocus
• memory 32 GB, slot for memory card, 4 RAM
• battery 3000 mAh
• weight 161 g, WxHxD 71.90×145.90×9 mm

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Dual

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Dual smartphone has a bright and clear display. For this, the developers have created a 5.5-inch display. Even ordinary photos take on a cool beauty, the same thing happens with videos. The phone is available in 3 colors: black, gold and silver with chrome trim. The back panel is equipped with a mirror surface. The equipment can be connected to a 4K TV and watch any video. Using the fingerprint system, the device will clearly identify its owner. If you go to the forum on the topic of buying Sony equipment, you can see a lot of positive feedback. In addition to excellent aesthetic characteristics, the device has a mediocre battery, so it lasts a maximum of one day.

• smartphone, Android 5.1
• dual SIM support
• screen 5.5″, resolution 3840×2160
• Processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 (8 cores at 2 GHz)
• video core - Adreno 430
• camera 23 MP, autofocus
• memory 32 GB, slot for memory card
• battery 3430 mAh

LG G5 H860N

Another novelty of the beginning of 2016 is the LG G5 H860N smartphone. The filling of this flagship may be different depending on the country of the recipient, the most desirable among users is a model with Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996, where there are 4 cores of 2.2 GHz with 4 GB of RAM and, as is already the case with the youngest model, 32 GB built-in. The battery here is so-so at 2800 mAh, the most important thing is that this is enough for a day, but no more. The screen here is curved like the Samsung S7 with the same resolution of 2560 × 1440, which gives a cool picture output. The most offensive is the price of this smartphone, for 2016 we consider it too high, although I think it will take a few more months and it will be possible to buy it at a bargain price. Well, the device is good in all respects!

These best smartphones of 2016 deserve your attention.

It is almost impossible to make a mistake when buying a smartphone these days - their development has reached such heights that all manufacturers have learned to produce great devices for everyday use. To make sure of this, the best smartphones of 2016 on Android, iOS and Windows 10 operating systems will be presented below with a description. There has never been a better time to buy a new device!

17 best smartphones of 2016

1. Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge

A powerful bundle from Samsung - Galaxy S7 (price around $611) and (about $735) - they are considered by many to be the best smartphones at the moment. Each model comes with a waterproof case with a great design, cameras and screens, support for a range of accessories and services, such as Samsung Pay payment system and Gear VR virtual reality device.

2. Smartphone LG G5

The LG G5 (about $650) pushes the limits of what smartphones can do with modular components and a dual camera setup on the back. Experienced users will appreciate the presence of a removable battery. The LG G5 has a top quality display, a fast processor and a convenient fingerprint sensor.

3. Apple iPhone SE

To compile this list, we spent an awful amount of time gathering information and taking into account: performance, design, and value for money. We got a list of the best of the best, regardless of platform and manufacturer. Meet.

10. Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Advantages:

• Compact design
• Impressive camera

Flaws:

• Screen resolution is only 720
• No wireless charging

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is yet another in a line of small mobile phones from the Japanese manufacturer, whose relatively small body is crammed with maximum hardware.
It has similar specs to the Xperia Z5 and Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, but with better handling as a bonus. This phone is for those who want a compact yet powerful phone.

9. Nexus 6P

Pros:

• Lots of internal storage at a good price
• Front stereo speakers

Minuses:

• Posterior chamber bulge
• No wireless charging

The Nexus 6P is a big phone (in terms of size and quality). Huawei has put a lot of effort into making it as user-friendly as possible.

It has a very bright display with high resolution and excellent viewing angles, which you will not find in any other smartphone from Huawei. The rear-mounted fingerprint scanner allows you to easily unlock your phone with one hand, and it's much more secure than a pin code.

Of course, it's not super cheap like other Nexus smartphones, but with such characteristics it is one of the best candidates among phablets thanks to an improved camera and great battery life.

It is worth noting that the large amount of memory, the smallest configuration of 32 GB, is an attempt to balance the lack of an SD slot. In my opinion, a very good attempt, you don’t need to buy anything, and 32 GB is enough for a lot

8. iPhone 6S Plus and iPhone 6S

Advantages:

• 3D Touch
• Great screen

Minuses:

• Big and heavy
• Very expensive

Apple is always on trend. Any release immediately gets into the lists of the best of this year. These smartphones are similar to many, but there are slight differences. We discussed them in more detail in this article.

6.Sony Xperia Z5

Advantages:

• Good fingerprint sensor
• Good battery life

Flaws:

• heated up
• high cost

This is the best phone ever made by Sony. It happens that the new version differs little from the previous one, but this is not the case.

The large 5.2-inch screen looks great thanks to Bravia technology. Despite the presence of open connectors, the case is waterproofed. At the very least, don't be afraid to take it into the bath with you.

Fast autofocus on a 23 megapixel camera, coupled with a Snapdragon 810 processor and 3 GB of RAM, will not make you wait long for a response. Photos can be taken very quickly.

5LG G5

Advantages:

• Great performance
• Wide camera angle

Minuses:

• The battery is not the best for a top phone

LG c G5 tried to revolutionize and create something completely new. To some extent, they succeeded.
G5 is modular in structure. This means that you can change certain functions. Of course, the number of modules and their functions are limited and not as overwhelming in terms of functionality. At the moment it is possible to connect:

• LG Cam Plus - Attachment for more convenient control of the camera with additional power.
• LG Hi-Fi Plus is an audio module for connoisseurs of high-quality sound.

4. One Plus 3

Weight: 158g | Dimensions: 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.4mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | Processor: Snapdragon 820 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3000mAh | rear camera: 16MP | front camera: 8MP

Advantages:

• Premium design
• Affordable price

Minuses:

• No microSD slot
• Camera could be better

The Chinese firm, dubbed the flagship killer, is holding its own. It retains the excellent design and body materials, powerful hardware and a fairly low price. Here we also find an AMOLED screen, an improved fingerprint scanner.

The lack of a memory card and the battery, which lasts no more than a day, overshadows the whole picture. But given the price, it's fantastic value for money.

3. HTC 10

Weight: 161g | Dimensions: 145.9 x 71.9 x 9mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.2-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | Processor: Snapdragon 820 | RAM: 4 GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 3000mAh | rear camera: 12MP | front camera: 5MP

Pros:

• High quality audio
• Great design

Minuses:

• The camera is not impressive
• Minor bugs still in the system

The best model after the unsuccessful One M9 and One A9. The Taiwanese did a good job: HTC 10 got a new design, but don't worry if you're an HTC fan, it retains many of the features of older models. Many of the shortcomings that accompanied previous models have been eliminated:

• Optimized Android (or rather, its add-on).
• Significantly increased battery life, the three-fold increase announced by the company did not work, but the shifts are obvious.

One of the biggest issues with the M9 One is the camera. Here, the 12MP UltraPixel takes sharp and high-quality photos, but still, competitors at this level are better.

2. Samsung Galaxy S7

Weight: 152g | Dimensions: 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.1-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | Processor: Exynos 8890 | RAM: 4 GB | Memory: 32GB / 64GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP

Pros:

• Improved, waterproof design;
• Fantastic screen and power;

Minuses

• High price;

At first glance, the design seems to be the same as the S6 until you pick it up.

• in the hands lies much nicer, thanks to the curved back;
• now water resistant;
• support SD card;

The camera is just great. There are fewer megapixels, but the quality has improved.

Weight: 157g | Dimensions: 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm | OS: Android Marshmallow | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | Processor: Exynos 8890 | RAM: 4 GB | Memory capacity: 32GB / 64GB | Battery: 3600mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP

Advantages:

• fantastic screen
• Excellent camera

• High price

Everything you'd expect from a Samsung flagship is the S7 Edge.
The camera is simply magnificent, the combination of metal and glass is very successful, it feels good in the hand. Almost every feature can be said in superlatives, however, as well as the price.

Other Decent Phones

There are a lot of phone models and it is not right to cut only to the top 10, many worthy smartphones remain without deserved attention. Of course, the first 10 do all the others, but look for good phones that can meet your needs.

Huawei Mate 8

This phablet is equipped with a fast fingerprint scanner on the back, the display is good quality, although inferior in resolution to the tops, but Full HD is still not so bad, even for 6 inches. The battery life deserves special attention, in this it will overcome most of our list.

However, Huawei's Emotion UI (Huawei's interface add-on for Android) is difficult to manage and understand.

Nexus 5X

The most important plus is that the Nexus 5X (like any other Nexus, for that matter) will always be updated to the latest Android. With an excellent camera and hardware, especially if you are not a fan of bulky phones.

Tired of iPhone and Android? Maybe just curious to try something different? Windows 10 on Lumia 950 will intrigue you. On a smartphone, you can run the same thing as on a computer. Plus, you can connect a mouse, keyboard and monitor and use it just like a regular computer.
One drawback still exists - a small number of applications for Windows Phone.

BlackBerry Prive

BlackBerry + Android = more impressive than expected. BlackBerry bends its line by continuing . But this time they decided to ride Android, abandoning their OS. It turned out really interesting, besides a very good screen and powerful stuffing.

The HTC One M9 didn't make it to our top phone list, but that doesn't mean it's a bad phone:

• On the one hand, it is still one of the best in terms of case: jewelry assembly and beautiful design. It's hard to disagree with this. The screen is bright and clear.
• On the other hand, the rear camera is clearly inferior to competitors. At such a high price, you will not find anything here that cannot be found in competitors in the class.

After the release of the 6S, everyone forgot about this model, as if it did not exist. But it is largely identical to the 6S. It can be an ideal smartphone for Apple lovers and not bulky smartphones.