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

The best smartphones around: the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, the HTC 10 and the OnePlus 3

Update: There's a new entry in our 10 best smartphones in the world. Congratulations to the OnePlus 3 . Just where has it placed? Read on to find out.

Already know your favourite kind of phone? Then check out our best phone or our 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 7 release date or Samsung Galaxy S8 release date pages to help you out.

So we're well into 2016, and the big phones have mostly arrived. The OnePlus 3 joins the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, LG G5 and HTC 10 in our list of, frankly, amazing smartphones.

Luckily for you, at TechRadar we check out every phone under the sun, putting the ones that matter through our rigorously vigorous testing process to create our in-depth mobile 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.

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.

Buy Sony Xperia Z5 at $398.99

10. Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

A compact beast with a splendid price

Compact design
Impressive camera
Still a 720p screen
No wireless charging

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is another in the line of smaller handsets from the Japanese brand, packing in all the power into a smaller, more manageable phone.

It's got all the same power credentials as the Xperia Z5 and Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, but has the added bonus of being a lot more pocketable.

The main reason you'd go for this phone is that it's a dinkier device, with a 4.6-inch screen combined with the strong camera, waterproofed chassis and allows you to hear all your audio in beautiful upscaled sound quality.

Battery life could be better, but it's no worse than a lot on this list - and Sony certainly has a unique design that plenty like to fondle.

Read the full review: Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Also consider: If you're not a fan of the size of this phone, the Sony Xperia Z5'normal' packs the same great camera, waterproofing and Hi-Res Audio as the larger version, but in a more easy-to-handle frame.

Buy Nexus 6P at $480.99

9. Nexus 6P

The best phone for those that like a simple interface

* Great specs for the price

* Front-facing stereo speakers

* Ugly rear camera bulge

* No wireless charging

The Nexus 6P is a larger phone, but that means it comes with some upgraded specs too. There's a vivid QHD display, which is much sharper than many other smartphone around, but Huawei (the brand making the Google Nexus phablet) has tried hard to make it more palm-friendly.

You'll always get the latest version of Android first with Nexus phones (currently the highly-rated Android Marshmallow) and there's the innovative placement of the fingerprint scanner on the back - which is both quick and accurate, while being much safer than a PIN.

It's not super-cheap like the old Nexus phones (although it's more competitive than other phablets in the same screen size bracket), but it's very well made, and thanks to the improved camera and battery capabilities you'll likely be very impressed with what Huawei has made here.

Read the full review: Nexus 6P

Also consider: If you're after a Nexus phone, you're thinking about getting the latest version of Android in a smartphone - and you can get that in the Nexus 5Xtoo. It's cheaper, and not as powerful in some ways, but it's cheaper and more palm-friendly.

Buy IPhone 6S Plus at US $689.99

8. iPhone 6S Plus

The best phablet you can buy

* 3D Touch has exciting potential

* Bright, vibrant display

* Big and heavy

* Expensive

Apple on the slide! Regular visitors to our best phones ranking will note that Apple's duo of flagship phones have taken a tumble down the order of late. Why? Well while the Android army has been busy in 2016 launching their latest and greatest, the Cupertino firm has been patiently biding its time.

That's not to say the iPhone 6S Plus has gone backwards - it's still a great handset - it's just that the competition has moved on since its launch in September 2015. Of course, we could see the Apple brand leap back up the chart later this year with the arrival of the iPhone 7 Plus, but that will all depend on whether it's actually a decent upgrade.

If you're OK with a larger iPhone, then you're in for a treat with the iPhone 6S Plus. It packs all the same upgrades as the smaller 6S - namely the innovative 3D Touch screen and upgraded camera - and fixes some of the flaws we all hate.

The battery is larger, and while the screen is Full HD (with a really great ability to show colours) this is easily the longer-lasting of the two iPhones, meaning you won't have to reach for the charger as often.

The camera is actually better than on the iPhone 6S, with optical image stabilisation providing sharper and brighter images thanks to mechanical help.

If you're an Apple fan looking for a 'bigger' experience, this is the phone for you.

Read the full review: iPhone 6S Plus

Also consider: You'll obviously want to look at the iPhone 6S as the smaller option here - the reason to go smaller would be if you're not a fan of the phablet and want the lower cost. In the interest of fairness the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+has to be mentioned here as another brilliant phablet, but Apple fans will consider that sacrilege.

Buy IPhone 6S at US $609.99

7. iPhone 6S

The best iPhone Apple's ever made

* Great design

* 3D Touch impresses

* Battery life low

* Price high for a low-res screen

Apple tumble! Like the 6S Plus, the iPhone 6S Plus has also dropped in the rankings. Fear not, for it's still a great handset, it's just that the competition has moved on since its September 2015 launch. We may see Apple leap back up the chart later this year with the arrival of the iPhone 7, but that will depend on whether it's a decent upgrade.

The iPhone 6S might look the same as 2014's model, but peer below the hood and there are a number of interesting upgrades.

The camera is enhanced, the processor is once again more powerful to let you play ever-better apps and games with speed, and the 3D Touch display is proving innovative.

The new touch system lets you press harder into the screen to open quick shortcuts - so taking a selfie is merely a hard push and swipe of the camera icon away.

It's still a brilliant iPhone, the phone that loads of users are desperate to get their hands on, and Apple's not done any harm at all with this upgraded model.

Read the full review: iPhone 6S

Also consider: The obvious move is to the iPhone 6S Plus, as it's got a sharper screen and longer-lasting battery - the price is higher and it's a bit harder to hold, but you'll likely get used to it pretty quickly.

Buy Xperia Z5 at US $519.88

6. Sony Xperia Z5

A top flagship with a strong camera and waterproof chassis

* Great fingerprint sensor

* Stronger battery life

* Heats up

* Expensive

The Sony Xperia Z5 is the Japanese brand's 'mainstream' phone, and one that we're happy to talk about - it's got a number of nice features that make it worth checking out.

It's a big upgrade on the earlier phones, and the speedy autofocus - much faster than anything else on test - has to be tried to be believed. You can whirl around and still get a sharp snap, and in bright light the Z5 is probably the best camera around.

It's added in a pleasing fingerprint sensor on the side, and has the latest Snapdragon 810 processor with 3GB of RAM. The waterproofing is amazing when you see how many open ports there are, but Sony has managed it. You can drop this in the toilet without fear, basically.

The large 5.2-inch screen looks great thanks to Bravia technology - it's the best phone Sony has ever made, and we especially like the frosted rear glass too. Recent price drops have made it even more palatable, so it's still sitting pretty near the top of our rankings.

Read the full review: Sony Xperia Z5

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.

Buy LG G5 at US $443.77

5. LG G5

The best innovation in a smartphone we've seen

* 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.

Buy OnePlus 3 at US $439.99

4. 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.

Buy HTC at US $443.99

4. HTC

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.

Buy Samsung Galaxy S7 at US $623.99

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.

Buy Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge at US $619.88

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.

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.

We're all about reviewing and rating all the phones here at techradar. There's nothing we like more than brewing a pot of tea and deciding where each new phone should sit in the list.

However, sometimes they don't make it into the top 10 - sad, we know, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a quick look to see if they fit your needs. After all, there are very few bad phones these days...

Buy Huawei Mate 8 at US $478.99

Huawei Mate 8

Great battery life but a middling interface

This is obviously more phablet than phone, but it's an intriguing one given it's lower on the price scale. There's a great, speedy fingerprint sensor on the rear, the display is still stunning despite not being the sharpest around and the battery life is much stronger than most on show here.

However, Huawei's Emotion UI is still a bit hard to master, trying to ape the best bits of both Android and iOS but not really managing either. The speaker grille doesn't look amazing, and we wish the fast charging cable came along at purchase.

smartsway Technology

Saturday, July 23, 2016