Finding the best mobile phone for your needs has changed a lot since the days of Snake — here are the best phones to buy in 2017.
Ever since Steve Jobs took to the stage in 2007 and unveiled the very first iPhone to the world, the smartphone has become one of the most important tech devices you will ever own. No longer just a tool for making and receiving phone calls, today's smartphones manage our very existence, connecting us with friends and family and informing us of every part of our day-to-day lives.
The sheer impact of the smartphone on today's society makes the decision on which smartphone to purchase all the more important. These products can be expensive, and are quite often purchased on a contract every two years, meaning you have to live with your choice for an extended period of time.
To make matters harder, these days there are so many great mobile devices to choose from, with major technology manufacturers from around the world all producing excellent quality devices. We're here to help you choose.
2016 was the best year for mobile phones to date, and 2017 is shaping up to be even better. The trend towards larger screen smartphones has allowed for phones to feature larger batteries, helping overcome the challenge of running out of juice before you get home from work each day. Improvements to mobile operating systems like iOS 10 and Android N also allow us to accomplish more from our phones than ever before.
It hasn't all been smooth sailing though. Despite debuting at the number two spot, Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 has been recalled because of fear of spontaneous combustion. It then had replacements issued and then when some of those caught fire had shipments paused around the world. It's reached the point that the phone has been recalled worldwide and won't be relaunched, and so we've removed it from our list altogether.
Note 7 issues aside, here at finder we've reviewed all of 2016's and this year's flagship smartphones, putting them through their paces and have argued long and hard to create this list of 2017's best smartphones. We'll be updating this page constantly, with Motorola's Moto Z magnetically attaching itself to the top 10 list and the iPhone 7 appearing in our most recent update. To find out where these phones - and all the rest of this year's best devices - landed on the list, read on.
1. Samsung Galaxy S7
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.1in | Storage: 32/64GB | Weight: 152g | Processor: Octa-core Exynos | Rear cam: 12MP | Front cam: 5MP | Battery: 3,000mAh | Screen res: 2560 x 1440 | Display density: 577ppi
Samsung well and truly cemented its place as the smartphone manufacturer to beat in 2016. The Galaxy S7 was the first major flagship refresh of the year, and it set the bar very high for the rest of the market. The Galaxy S7 manages to combine amazing build quality with powerful performance and impressive battery life to create a phone that is frankly tough to beat.
But what's most impressive about the Galaxy S7 is the fact that Samsung has managed to take 2015's impressive Galaxy S6 and improve in practically every way. There's a waterproof design, an external storage slot and the curved, metallic body feels great in the hand. Plus, Samsung's camera has set the benchmark for smartphone photography this year, although Apple and Google have both risen to the challenge with their respective flagships.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7:
Samsung Galaxy S7 on Woolworths Mobile $70/month 4GB data from Woolworths Mobile
All for use within Australia. Total min. cost over 24 months: $1680.00 View details
2. Apple iPhone 7 Plus
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.5in | Storage: 32/128/256GB | Weight: 168g | Processor: Apple A10 Fusion | Rear cam: Dual 12MP | Front cam: 7MP | Battery: 2,900mAh | Screen res: 1920 x 1080 | Display density: 401ppi
We're still working on our review of the iPhone 7, but having put the plus sized variant through its paces we can confidently say that Apple has a winning device on its hands. If you can get past the loss of the 3.5mm headphone jack, the iPhone 7 Plus is a powerful phone that seriously competes with Samsung's devices for top billing in this list.
We debated long and hard about where the iPhone 7 Plus would fit in our list of the top phones, and ultimately its position as runner up comes down to a single factor – price. On performance, features and battery life the iPhone 7 Plus is on par with Samsung's top offering, but the iPhone 7 Plus's cheapest configuration still manages to come in at more that the full RRP of the Samsung device. And given the fact that the Galaxy S7 series have been around for 6 months and are now regularly discounted, it's impossible for us to give the 7 Plus top billing.
| Store | Store description | Phone | Price | |
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Free standard shipping to metro areas sitewide. | Apple iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | $1,389.00 |
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Apple iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | $1,419.00 |
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Free Kogan SIM card with device purchase. | Apple iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | $1,509.00 |
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Free shipping for orders over $300. 12-month Standard Warranty included. | Apple iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | $1,584.99 |
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3. Google Pixel XL
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.5in | Storage: 32/128GB | Weight: 168g | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 | Rear cam: 12MP | Front cam: 8MP | Battery: 3,450mAh | Screen res: 2560 x 1440 | Display density: 534ppi
Google may be the driving force behind the Android operating system, but the search giant has dipped its toes into the well of mobile handsets too. This year however, the company ditched the Nexus branding in favour of the Pixel name, and the Pixel XLÂ has headed straight to number three in our best phones list.
The Pixel XL makes a big deal of its integrated camera, which sings in natural light situations by producing vibrant images. Like most mobile cameras though, it still struggles in low light.
Google has also focused on delivering a super smart digital assistant in the Pixel XL, with voice control technology that learns over time to basically deliver you the best information you need using easy to understand natural language.
Unfortunately, the phone's design is rather dull though.
Buy the Google Pixel XL:
| Store | Store description | Phone | Price | |
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Cheapest Price
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Free standard shipping to metro areas sitewide. | Google Pixel XL 32 GB | $1,259.00 |
Go to site |
4. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.5in | Storage: 32/64GB | Weight: 157g | Processor: Octa-core Exynos | Rear cam: 12MP | Front cam: 5MP | Battery: 3,600mAh | Screen res: 2560 x 1440 | Display density: 534ppi
Our top 10 phone list currently feels a little bit stacked in favour of a certain South Korean electronics company, but the reality is that Samsung has stretched itself magnificently this year to release a trio of truly superb flagship phones. The Galaxy S7 Edge is the true powerhouse of the three, happily sitting at the top of the performance and battery life benchmark charts even 6 months after launch.
That said, the curved screen still feels like a bit of gimmick, even after a couple of years of development, and makes the phone a bit more slippery to hold, which is why it sits below the other two Galaxy flagships in this list.
Ultimately though, what you get with the S7 Edge is a truly impressive powerhouse of a phone, with a sleek design and unbeatable specs.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge:
| Store | Store description | Phone | Price | |
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Cheapest Price
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Free standard shipping to metro areas sitewide. | Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge 32 GB | $799.00 |
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Free Kogan SIM card with device purchase. | Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge 32 GB | $799.00 |
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Free shipping for orders over $300. 12-month Standard Warranty included. | Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge 32 GB | $834.99 |
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Fast shipping: Item leaves warehouse in 1-2 days | Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge 32 GB | $849.00 |
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5. Apple iPhone 7
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 4.7in | Storage: 32/128/256GB | Weight: 168g | Processor: Apple A10 Fusion | Rear cam: 12MP | Front cam: 7MP | Battery: 1,960mAh | Screen res: 1334 x 750 | Display density: 326ppi
Apple's A10 Fusion processor appears in both the iPhone 7 and the 7Plus, and marks a serious performance boost for both of 2016's Apple flagships. With two low powered processors for handling smaller tasks without burning through battery life, the chip gives the iPhone 7 and its big-screened brethren market-leading performance.
Where the iPhone 7 slips up is in battery life. While the iPhone 7 offers a big step up over last year's iPhone 6S, compared to other 2016 models, the 1,960mAh battery just doesn't deliver enough juice to push it into a podium place in our best phones list.
That said, if you're prepared to regularly charge your phone and can afford to pay the Apple premium, the iPhone 7 is a fantastic device with plenty of grunt to get things done.
Buy the Apple iPhone 7 32GB:
| Store | Store description | Phone | Price | |
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Cheapest Price
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Free Kogan SIM card with device purchase. | Apple iPhone 7 32 GB | $949.00 |
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Fast shipping: Item leaves warehouse in 1-2 days | Apple iPhone 7 32 GB | $949.00 |
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Free shipping for orders over $300. 12-month Standard Warranty included. | Apple iPhone 7 32 GB | $984.99 |
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Apple iPhone 7 32 GB | $1,079.00 |
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6. Motorola Moto Z
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.5in | Storage: 64GB | Weight: 136g | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 | Rear cam: 13MP | Front cam: 5MP | Battery: 2,600mAh | Screen res: 2560 x 1440 | Display density: 535ppi
A late launcher in the 2016 smartphone market, the Motorola Moto Z is a fascinating piece of hardware. On its own, the Moto Z is one of the thinnest phones you will ever hold, but the key selling point of this device is its modular accessory ecosystem.
Dubbed Moto Mods, they allow the phone to feature a dedicated projector, or a Hasselblad camera lens, or a JBL speaker system, all by simply magnetically attaching the mod to the back of the phone. The integration is seamless, though being a first generation product the mod selection is limited and can get pricey if you add multiple accessories to your purchase.
Still, compared to LG's take on a modular phone, this is a far superior offering. And if the pricetag is a little overwhelming, there's also the cheaper Moto Z Play to consider.
7. Sony Xperia XZ
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.2in | Storage: 32GB | Weight: 161g | Processor: Snapdragon 820 | Rear cam: 23MP | Front cam: 13MP | Battery: 2,900mAh | Screen res: 1920 x 1080 | Display density: 424ppi
It seems one major smartphone family launch a year just isn't enough for Sony, with the company backing up the release of the Xperia X trio of devices with the Xperia XZ. It's a good move too, because the XZ is the best phone the company has ever produced.
With a nice design and an aggressive price point of under $1,000 for a flagship phone, the XZ may not compete with the performance of Samsung's flagship phone, but it does offer solid battery life and fast, crisp photos using its 23MP camera and 5-axis image stabilisation.
The return of water resistance is also welcome, which sees this device sneak into the top five against some of this year's other premium devices.
Buy the Sony Xperia XZ:
| Store | Store description | Phone | Price | |
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Cheapest Price
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Free shipping for orders over $300. 12-month Standard Warranty included. | Sony Xperia XZ 32 GB | $754.99 |
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Sony Xperia XZ 32 GB | $999.00 |
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8. LG G5
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.3in | Storage: 32GB | Weight: 159g | Processor: Snapdragon 820 | Rear cam: 16MP/8MP | Front cam: 8MP | Battery: 2,800mAh | Screen res: 2560 x 1440 | Display density: 554ppi
More than any other manufacturer in 2016, LG can be given credit for trying to accomplish something different in the LG G5. Completely overhauling the design of the well-received G4, LG introduced a modular battery system that allowed it to introduce new accessories, like the dedicated photography attachment or the digital amplifier.
Paired with the unique new dual-camera setup, which offers users a super wide shooting option alongside the traditional rear camera, the LG is a powerful contender. It's a great idea that is implemented fairly well, though things like removing the battery are still a little clunky to be considered practical.
With some refinement, LG's friends ecosystem could become a powerful point of difference in an extremely competitive smartphone market.
| Store | Store description | Phone | Price | |
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Cheapest Price
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Free standard shipping to metro areas sitewide. | LG G5 32 GB | $639.00 |
Go to site |
9. Huawei P9
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.2in | Storage: 32/64GB | Weight: 144g | Processor: Quad-core Kirin 955 | Rear cam: Dual 12MP | Front cam: 8MP | Battery: 3,000mAh | Screen res: 1920 x 1080 | Display density: 423ppi
Technically the Huawei P9 is the Chinese firm's second entry in the list, given that the Nexus 6P is in fact manufactured by Huawei. And it's obvious when you wrap your hands around the P9 that Huawei learnt a lot from its collaboration with Google, as the P9 is the best self-branded handset the company has produced.
Most notable is the dual-lens camera setup, which is itself a collaboration with camera company Leica. The P9 features two rear cameras, one which takes a black and white photo and the other which takes colour, and then software stitches the two together for super sharp results.
Throw in some solid battery life and respectable performance and you have a very solid flagship offering from a brand traditionally located between the budget and mid-range markets.
| Store | Store description | Phone | Price | |
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Cheapest Price
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Free standard shipping to metro areas sitewide. | LG G5 32 GB | $639.00 |
Go to site |
10. HTC 10
QUICK SPECS – Screen size: 5.2in | Storage: 32GB | Weight: 161g | Processor: Snapdragon 820 | Rear cam: 12MP | Front cam: 5MP | Battery: 3,000mAh | Screen res: 2560 x 1440 | Display density: 564ppi
Few smartphone make devices as refined as HTC, and the HTC 10 is an impressive feat of engineering. The 2016 flagship from the Taiwanese company builds on the HTC One family of the past few years, adding support for high-res Audio playback and shifting to the USB C standard.
You still get HTC's Boomsound speakers and ultrapixel camera technology, making the HTC 10 a very robust device. The only downside is that even though the specs of the HTC 10 look great on paper, in the real world they seem to underperform compared to similar devices with the same internal components.
Still, there's a lot to like about the HTC 10 as a device, making it a solid choice for anyone after an Android smartphone.
Buy the HTC 10:
| Store | Store description | Phone | Price | |
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Cheapest Price
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Free Kogan SIM card with device purchase. | HTC 10 32 GB | $749.00 |
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Fast shipping: Item leaves warehouse in 1-2 days | HTC 10 32 GB | $749.00 |
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Free shipping for orders over $300. 12-month Standard Warranty included. | HTC 10 32 GB | $799.99 |
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- This week’s cheap phones: The magnificent 7
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- HTC U Ultra: Hands-on review
- HTC announces U Ultra and U Play smartphones
- LG teases February launch for LG G6
- Woolworths Mobile offers Gear Fit 2 with Galaxy S7
- Cheap Phones: Go small with Apple or big with Samsung
Glossary: Key smartphone terms to consider
| Display | AMOLED displays don’t need a backlight, screen pixels are actually turned off to produce blacks, which can save energy. Super AMOLED has improved visibility in direct sunlight. LCD displays use a backlight, which reduces contrast. IPS LCD displays has truer colour reproduction and looks better when you view the screen from an angle. |
| OS | The operating system. The Apple iOS works seamlessly with the App store for a dynamic and engaging mobile phone experience. Android is an open source platform created by Google — anyone can have a play with it. All the phones on the list use the Android OS except the Apple iPhones. |
| RAM | RAM is your phone’s short term memory. When you use an app, instead of writing data to your phone’s internal storage or SD card (long term memory), the data is stored in the device’s RAM so it can be recalled quickly and easily when it’s needed. The more RAM the better. The Apple iPhone has far less RAM than the Android smartphones. When the RAM fills up on an Android phone, RAM is recycled through a memory heavy process called garbage collection. Apple does it differently and is able to run just as smoothly with half the RAM of most Android mobile phones. |
| Mega pixels | MP is short for Megapixels and is generally accepted as a guide for image quality. More megapixels doesn’t mean a better looking photo. Megapixels are about the maximum size of the image and the image quality. The more megapixels, the larger you can ‘blow up’ your picture without it becoming distorted. |
| Sensor size | Too many megapixels for a small image sensor will ruin the image quality. |
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10 best phones you can buy in Australia
| Position | Â Phone |
|---|---|
| Number 1 | Samsung Galaxy S7 |
| Number 2 | Apple iPhone 7 Plus |
| Number 3 | Google Pixel XL |
| Number 4 | Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge |
| Number 5 | Apple iPhone 7 |
| Number 6 | Motorola Moto Z |
| Number 7 | Sony Xperia XZ |
| Number 8 | LG G5 |
| Number 9 | Huawei P9 |
| Number 10 | HTC 10 |
What is the best mobile phone with the largest ram and expandable memory at a cheap price with excellent features and apps
Hi Kafe,
The new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge boasts a massive 4GB of RAM. However, the latest Galaxy handsets (including the S6 Edge) do not offer expandable memory. I’d recommend either waiting to see what the Sony Xperia Z5 offers or settling for a Samsung Galaxy Note 4, which has 3GB of RAM and expandable memory up to 128GB.
Thanks,
Brodie