Best smartphones 2016: The best phones available to buy today

So, you want to buy a new phone? If you're looking for the best smartphone of 2016, you've come to the right place. We will guide you through the hottest mobile phones of the year to save you time when you go to your local phoneshop.

We continually update this best smartphones feature to reflect recent launches, recognise price changes, and ensure 2016's latest devices appear alongside the best of 2015 (and before, if applicable). All the listed devices have been fully reviewed by us.

Our best smartphones list covers all operating systems, all sizes, and prices, so you'll be armed with everything you need to consider when choosing to buy your next device.

Of course, the most important factor in buying a new device is making sure you have the best smartphone for you. The best for your budget, the features you need, the size that feels right and platform that suits you best.

1. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge

Taking the top two places might be a little excessive for Samsung, but that's an indication of the triumph that the Galaxy S7 is. While the flat handset is certainly one of the most appealing devices out there, the S7 edge pips it to the post, taking pole position as the more desirable handset around.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 fuses power with performance, offering a 5.5-inch display with a Quad HD resolution and plenty of punch, but differentiating itself with those curved edges. The edge functions may be little more than novelty, but from a design point of view, the SGS7 edge is unique and distinctive.

The increase in size over the smaller handset brings appeal. There's more space to play, but without this handset getting too large. The build quality now matches the best of the handsets out there and the addition of amicroSD card slot makes this handset all the more practical.

But the bigger size also gives more space for battery, meaning that you'll get plenty of life out of this handset too. The software has a heavy SamsungTouchWiz treatment to it, but importantly, although offering more options than you'll ever need, the software doesn't get in the way of performance. It's slick and fast and every inch the flagship experience. 

This is topped-off with a slick fingerprint scanner and a camera the matches or betters the best out there, delivering the whole package. The SamsungGalaxy S7 offers the whole package.

FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge

2. Samsung Galaxy S7

Following a strong showing from the SGS6, some might have been surprised by how little changed in the Samsung Galaxy S7. Launched alongside a larger S7 edge model, the SGS7 takes what the SGS6 started and refines it. It tweaks the design slightly bringing better aesthetics, reducing the camera bump on the rear and adding curves to the back edges for a nicer feel. It's more natural and less slab like.

Visually, that's about the only difference you'll see, but the SGS7 brings with it a whole lot more. It adds IP68 protection against water and dust and importantly, it brings the microSD card back, so you have more storage options.

Internally there's plenty of power for a slick performance from the Exynos or Qualcomm chipset and 4GB of RAM, and a wonderfully vibrant Quad HD AMOLED display. The S7 edge is more impactful in the display, larger at 5.5-inches, but both offer plenty of punch.

There's a hugely wide range of functionality offered through Samsung's TouchWiz reworking of Andorid Marshmallow, and although this perhaps throws up more features than you'll ever use, the important point is that it's beautifully optimised, so it doesn't feel like it's ever slowing the phone down. 

Pair that will improved batter performance and a camera that's consistent and dependable and you have the recipe for the most compellingsmartphone on the market. The regular SGS7 is the smaller, with a 5.1-inch display, but is also cheaper at £569. However, the S7 edge is likely to be the more popular device, despite the £639 asking price.

This was the best handset of 2015 and it looks like a repeat performance in 2016.

3. Apple iPhone 6S

The iPhone 6S takes a strong design and supercharges Apple's smartphone. The iPhone 6S might be an "incremental" model, with no changes to the exterior design, but under the skin there's a lot that's new in the iPhone 6S.

A natural starting point is the display. Although it isn't the highest resolution handset out there, Apple has introduced pressure sensitivity to the newiPhone and called it 3D Touch. It's not unique, but the depth to which Applehas empowered this new feature stands it aside. Being able to trigger alternative actions, peek into apps and then pop them open, changes navigation around the phone.

This is a more powerful handset than previously, so things are slicker and faster, but there's also been a refresh to the camera, the first update in a long time. A new 12-megapixel sensor powers proceedings, with new features, including 4K video capture. You can now take Live Photos, bringing movement to stills, as well as an improved selfie experience, with the display firing as a flash.

The result is an iPhone in which it looks like not much has changed, but in reality, it has. It's a better, faster, more engaging experience than it was the last time around. It is, however, still one of the most expensive smartphones around at £539, and although it offers a premium experience, some will see that the iPhone is behind the curve in some areas, such as display resolution.

FULL REVIEW: Apple iPhone 6S review

4. Nexus 6P

The Nexus 6P was launched alongside the Nexus 5X, a premium counterpoint to it's more affordable LG-built rival. The Nexus 6P is manufactured by Huawei, the first time this Chinese company has been involved with the Nexusprogramme. It's also the most accomplished Nexus handset to date and for many will be the default choice for Android superphone.

It has a full metal body and although the design perhaps doesn't challenge the interest in the Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 edge, it's certainly something that will appeal to those looking for that premium sheen. Nexus is no longer just about affordability, now it's about desirability too.

There's plenty of power in this 5.5-inch device and a display that's full of detail and pop, dripping in vibrancy with deep inky blacks. The fingerprint scanneron the rear is incredibly fast too, and there's USB Type-C on the bottom for simple connection to your charger.

There's a camera that's capable of some great shots in all conditions, with the hardware outperforming the software in this instance. The HDR mode (auto) is a little slow, even if it gets great results.

This is a pure Android handset, debuting Android 6.0 Marshmallow and again makes a case for how consumer friendly this software is without all the additions you'll get elsewhere. Priced at £449, it undercuts most flagships. It might lack a few flourishes and additions, but it's a wonderful Androidhandset.

FULL REVIEW: Nexus 6P review

5. OnePlus 2

OnePlus has been shaking things up in the smartphone world. The Chinese company might not have the high street profile that Samsung or Apple do, but in the underworld of smartphone geekery, OnePlus is overload.

That's due in many parts to the great value proposition that OnePlus presents. There are few other places where you'll get this grade of hardware for this price, undercutting the likes of budget darlings Huawei in many cases.

In 2015's model, the OnePlus 2 presents great build quality at a price that many will find surprisingly cheap, along with slick performance from OxygenOS, its customised Android interface, and great battery life.

There are shortcomings, like the lack of NFC and specifications that don't quite rival the best out there. The OnePlus 2 isn't so much the flagship killer, but it decimates the mid-range and sub-premium bracket.

OnePlus has also dropped the invite system so it is simple to buy. At £239, it's money well spent.

FULL REVIEW: OnePlus 2 review

6. Apple iPhone 6S Plus

Apple's larger model has had a chance to find its feet, updated in the iPhone6S Plus to mirror the updates brought to the regular iPhone 6S. That brings you the advantage of a 3D Touch display, with more methods of interaction, a faster Touch ID experience, backed by faster hardware.

If you're looking for a larger iPhone, then the 6S Plus is where you need to look. Some might say that by the time you reach 5.5-inches, the Full HD display isn't as sharp as some rivals. That's the case with the 6S too, but here there's the slight feeling that Apple isn't offering more features through that large display, as you might find in a Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, for example.

You do get a new camera experience, however, and this model also sports optical image stabilisation, along with new 4K video capture and Live Photos, making for one of the slickest camera experiences around.

But in the process of updating the 6 Plus to the 6S Plus, this larger than lifeiPhone has piled on an extra 20g in weight. It's pushing the scales a little, and could be too weighty for some. It's also expensive at £619.

FULL REVIEW: Apple iPhone 6S Plus review

7. Nexus 5X

The cheaper of the two new Nexus devices, the Nexus 5X replaces the successful Nexus 5, presenting a device that's more affordable at £339. It takes some hits on the spec sheet compared to the Nexus 6P too, but that fits with the price point, slotting this device into a sub-flagship position.The biggest change and differentiator from flagship devices is the build, with the LG-made device having a plastic body. It feels solid enough, but it's lacking the premium feel that many of the top devices offer.

There is, however, great performance from the unsullied Android 6.0 Marshmallow software that it launches with and although it's not the greatest machine for gaming or multimedia, as a daily communicator, this the Nexus5X offers fuss-free efficiency.

There's an excellent fingerprint scanner on the rear that's lightning fast, as well as the latest USB Type-C connection on the bottom. This isn't the most powerful phone, but it has plenty to offer for the price.

FULL REVIEW: Nexus 5X review

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