5. OnePlus 5
Price when reviewed: £449
Weight: 153g | Dimensions: 154.2 x 74.1 x 7.3 mm | OS: Android 7.1 Nougat | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 6GB/8GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Battery: 3300mAh | Rear camera: 20MP + 16MP | Front camera: 16MP
The OnePlus 5 is one of the more affordable devices in this list and offers one of the best Android phone experiences on the market. It comes with a more refined and comfortable to hold design than previous OnePlus handsets as well as dual-cameras round the back and some phenomenal power under the hood.
There's a 1080p 5.5-inch AMOLED display on the front and inside is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and you have the choice of either 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The battery life isn't incredible on the OnePlus 5, but it rivals a lot of the other devices you'll find on this list.
It's still a bargain, despite that price bump, and OnePlus has created one of the most well-rounded devices on the market in 2017. It's as fast as those flagships that'll cost you twice as much, and its beautiful new look makes it an absolute stunner. Get the OnePlus 5 if you're a little wary of forking over piles of cash for the latest and greatest. The OnePlus 5 will serve you well for the years to come.
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Price when reviewed: £679
A new dual-lens camera with incredible screen and performance
Weight: 195g | Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6 mm | OS: Android 7.1.1 Nougat | Screen size: 6.3-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2630 | CPU: Exynos 8895 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB | Battery: 3300mAh | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
If you're worried about whether the new Galaxy Note 8 will be any good, don't be - it's an excellent handset that rivals the best on the list, despite being 'productivity-focused'.
The large Infinity Display on the front slots in far more screen than you'd expect from a phone this compact, the S Pen is something not a lot of other phones can offer and the all-round speed is almost breathtaking at times.
Also see: 10 Best laptops of 2017
3. iPhone 8 Plus
Price when reviewed: £800
The best iPhone available right now
Weight: 188g | Dimensions: 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm | OS: iOS 11 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Hexa-core Apple A11 Bionic | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 64/256GB | Battery: 2900mAh | Rear camera: 12MP+12MP | Front camera: 7MP
Also See iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S8
The iPhone 8 and its Plus-sized counterpart are the most expensive iPhones yet, but it's the Plus that makes this list due to its dual 12-megapixel camera. The normal iPhone 8 doesn't have a dual sensor, and thus misses out on the Plus' 2x optical zoom feature. It also has better battery life than its little brother, making it more reliable over the course of the day.
Elsewhere, Apple's made several improvements to the phone's speed and overall build quality, but it's not quite as big a leap forward as you might expect from a next-generation smartphone. The iPhone 8 Plus is still the best iPhone ever made, but iPhone 7 Plus owners should probably hang on to their handsets for a little while longer before they upgrade.
2. Google Pixel 2: Pixel perfect
Price when reviewed: £629
Google's pair of second-generation Pixel phones are both excellent in their own right, but it's the camera that really sets these Android smartphones apart from the competition. Its 12.2-megapixel sensor on its rear is superior to the camera on the iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8, and last year's efforts, and it's capable of taking some truly stunning pictures. It doesn't have an extra lens like the Note 8 or , but if you're an avid photography fan, then the Pixel 2 certainly won't disappoint.
Read ful review: THE PIXEL 2 XL Here.
The Pixel 2 is also as fast as every other Snapdragon 835-equipped handset, and has an excellent battery life. The only real sticking point is the price. Starting at £629 for the 64GB variant (with contracts for both starting at around £50 per month, on top of a hefty upfront fee), the Pixel 2 is a very tricky sell, despite its greatness.
The Pixel 2 is also as fast as every other Snapdragon 835-equipped handset, and has an excellent battery life. The only real sticking point is the price. Starting at £629 for the 64GB variant (with contracts for both starting at around £50 per month, on top of a hefty upfront fee), the Pixel 2 is a very tricky sell, despite its greatness.
And just to be clear: we're recommending the regular-sized Pixel 2 over its plus-sized XL alternative. Why? Well, the 2XL is stuck with an atrociously bad display when it comes to viewing angles. Tilt the phone a bit to the left or right, and the screen produces this awful blue-tinge, rendering it almost unreadable. The screen also flickers when the auto-brightness mode is engaged which, for a 2017 flagship, is inexcusable.
1. Samsung Galaxy S8
Price when reviewed: £679
The best smartphone in the world - it's a work of art
Weight: 155g | Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Exynos 8895 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Read ful review: Samsung Galaxy S8 Specs, Features, Price.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 is the best phone in the world for a few reasons, but none more so than the display: it makes every other handset on the market look positively antiquated.
The camera is still excellent, the screen quality the best that can be found right now and it's smashed through all our benchmarking tests.
Now, the sticking point lies in the S8's sky-high asking price. It's not cheap at £679, and it's bigger brother is even more expensive - with the S8 Plus setting you back at least £779 for an extra 0.4in of screen real estate, and a slightly bigger battery. Regardless - the regular Galaxy S8 is a sheer marvel of a phone, and rightly earns the crown of best smartphone you can buy in 2017.
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