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Anyone shopping for a top-of-
the-range smartphone this Christmas will be spoiled for choice, with a host of high-end models raising
the game on previous generations with ramped-up performances, top-notch cameras and optimized operating systems. Note that this selection doesn’t include the Google Pixel, which is currently only out
in the US, the UK, Canada, Germany and Australia.
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
The Note 7 fiasco means that the Galaxy S7 edge, launched back in March, is flying the flag for Samsung’s high-end offering alongside the Galaxy S7. This handset has a 5.5-inch screen with curved edges, and is very similar to the Galaxy S6 edge in design. It does, however, get a processor upgrade, promising 30% more power than the previous model, as well as 4GB of RAM. It runs the Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) operating system with Samsung’s own TouchWiz interface and has a new front-facing main camera promising better results in low light and with moving subjects. This water-resistant phone even has a microSD slot for boosting storage. The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is out now priced $770 for the 32GB model.
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
The new iPhone 7 Plus, which launched in September 2016, raises its predecessor’s game with an exclusive dual-lens telephoto and wide-angle camera with 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. This handset is positioned as a new reference in the field of smartphone photography with its 12-Megapixel camera, which films high-res video in resolutions up to 4K. However, like the iPhone 7, the iPhone 7 Plus doesn’t have a mini-jack connector. The iPhone 7 Plus is out now priced $770 for the 32GB model.
OnePlus 3
Although it sells for just $399, the OnePlus 3 has nothing to envy of the other top-of-the-range smartphones in this selection. This 5.5-inch handset offers a design largely inspired by the latest-generation iPhones, but comes at a much more affordable price. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 16- and 8-Megapixel Sony cameras, and 6GB of RAM. Note that this mobile runs on OxygenOS, a mobile operating system based on Android Marshmallow and developed directly by OnePlus.
Huawei Mate 9
The Huawei Mate 9 is a 5.9-inch smartphone that has the advantage of shipping with an interface (EMUI 5.0) based on Android Nougat (7.0). Huawei has loaded its latest smartphone with a power-packed processor (Kirin 960) and “SuperCharge” technology promising a daily charging time of just 20 minutes, according to the manufacturer. Plus, the device features a next-gen version
of the dual-lens camera with
optical zoom designed in partnership with Leica. The Mate 9 is
due out in November priced €700 for the 64 GB model (approx. $775). Note that a limited-edition Huawei Mate 9 Porsche Design model is
also set for release, priced €1,395 (approx. $1,540).