News Technology: Best phone 2016: the 10 top smartphones we've tested

The best smartphone right now is the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Update: There are three new entries in our 10 best smartphones in the world: congratulations to the Sony Xperia XZ, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Just where have they placed?

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 G5and 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-depthmobile 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.

Already know your favourite kind of phone? Then check out our best iPhone or best Android phone round up
Not fussed with what's below but not sure how long to wait for the next big hitters? Try our well-stocked iPhone 8 release date or Samsung Galaxy S8 release date pages to help you out

10. Sony Xperia XZ

Sony finally has its flagship

New refined design

Impressive camera improvements

Return of waterproofing

Only full HD screen

No fingerprint scanner in the US

Not running Android 7 software

The Sony Xperia XZ isn't a revolutionary step, but it is the best flagship that's ever come out of the Sony labs.

The brand has finally worked out how to make a decent camera on the rear, with the autofocus speed really, really impressive. The screen is only 1080p, but does seem to extend battery life as a result.

It's got a nicely refined design, is waterproof and speedy under the finger too - if you're into what the Sony brand is all about, you'll love this phone.

Read the full review: Sony Xperia XZ

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.

9. LG G5

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

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.

Read the full review: LG G5

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.

8. OnePlus 3

A genuine flagship killer

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.

Read the full review: OnePlus 3

Also consider: If OnePlus isn't doing it for you, then check out the Moto G4 Pluswhich 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.

7. HTC 10

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

Amazing audio

Great design

Camera not impressive

Boomsound 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.

Read the full review: HTC 10

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.

6. Motorola Moto Z

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

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.

Read the full review: Motorola Moto Z

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

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.

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 7

An S-Pen upgrade to the excellent S7 Edge

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.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 7

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.

3. iPhone 7 Plus

The best iPhone available right now

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.

Read the full review: iPhone 7 Plus

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.

2. Samsung Galaxy S7

One of two five star phones from Samsung

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.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S7

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.

1. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

The best smartphone in the world - it's a work of art

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.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Also consider: Like the phone above, this is an easy decision: go for theSamsung 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.

News Technology

Saturday, October 1, 2016

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