Choosing a new smartphone is never a straightforward purchase. Phone companies are continually updating their phones and coming out with something Bigger! Faster! Sleeker! How do you know which phone is the right one for your needs?
How do you know if what you trade up for is going to be better than the phone you have now? There isn’t one phone that is right for everyone, but with the variety of phones on the market, there is an excellent choice for every need. But before you buy anything, try shopping around for deals; you might be able to get a real bargain if you are considering switching carriers or are buying more than one device.
Here are four new phones that are worth the upgrade.
1. Best overall smartphone: iPhone X
Although last year, most reviewers picked the Samsung Galaxy S8 as their best overall phone, this year the iPhone X takes the honors (although the Galaxy S8 still tops plenty of lists). CNet, Tom’s Guide, and Digital Trends all gave the iPhone X their highest rating. The biggest innovation in the iPhone X is the more secure facial recognition technology, Face ID. In addition, the OLED screen, lightening quick processor, and edge-to-edge display are the high points of Apple’s newest version of the iPhone.
2. Best Android phone: Samsung Galaxy S8
Although barely edged out by the iPhone X for most reviewers, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is no also-ran phone. In fact, Tech Radar named it the best phone on the market, noting it’s exceptionally big 5.8-inch screen, the infinity screen display, and high-quality camera. The Galaxy S8 comes with Qualcomm’s lightning fast Snapdragon 835 processor and an upgraded battery life from previous versions.
3. Best budget-friendly phone: Moto G5 Plus
With the Apple X going for close to $1,000 and the Samsung Galaxy S8 more than $700, getting a new phone can feel anti-climactic when you don’t have the money to go all out. But a value-priced phone doesn’t have to be a let down. Tom’s Guide and Wired named the Moto 5G Plus their best phone under $300. The G5 Plus tops its similarly priced competitors in screen brightness, camera quality, and 11-plus hour battery life.
4. Best for photos: Google Pixel 2
If the most important thing to you on a smartphone is the camera, then look no further than the Google Pixel 2. Reviewers from Digital Trends, CNET, Tom’s Guide, and Tech Radar all recognized the superiority of the Pixel 2’s camera. The 12.2MP rear camera with optical image stabilization and dual LED flash, and 8 MP front camera with an excellent portrait mode produce DSLR quality photos, which will more than satisfy even the pickiest Instagrammer out there. The cameras are great in low-light, and the Google’s image processing technology ensures images with little noise and a dynamic range.
No Shortage of Impressive Options
Don’t let buying a new smartphone overwhelm you, there are plenty of excellent choices on the market. Think about the features that are the most important to you in a new phone. Affordability? Photo capability? Processing speed? Choose accordingly. Of course, before you buy anything, compare carriers, because you can often get a great deal on the perfect phone for you.
