Best phones of 2017
Samsung Galaxy S7
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The good: Polished design. Awesome camera. Long battery life. MicroSD storage slot and water-resistant (again).
The bad: Annoyingly reflective. Smudge magnet. Plastic-looking selfies even with no filter. No removable battery, which isn’t surprising, but is still a compromise compared with 2014’s S5.
The cost: $680
The bottom line: The fast, powerful, beautiful Galaxy S7 phone is the allaround phone to beat.
OnePlus 3T
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The good: The battery lasts way longer, it takes sharper selfies and has a 128GB storage option.
The bad: Pricier than the OnePlus 3, the 3T now directly competes with better phones.
The cost: $439
The bottom line: This is our new favorite budget Android, but if you have the OnePlus 3, you don’t need to upgrade.
Google Pixel
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The good: The Pixel has a fantastic camera, especially in low light. It’s elegantly designed. Google Assistant takes one of the most natural, human approaches to answering your voice.
The bad: The display is dim in sunlight and the camera’s Lens Blur feature is shoddy. It’s splash-resistant rather than dunkable, and it’s pricey compared with previous Google Nexus devices.
The cost: $650 to $760
The bottom line: If you’re wary of Samsung or looking for a worthy iPhone alternative, the Pixel is the high-end Android phone to get.
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The good: Dual rear cameras deliver true 2x optical zoom, with a cool Portrait mode. Battery lasts longer than last year’s model, and longer than iPhone 7. Water resistant. Fast. Bigger storage options include 256-GB model for serious photographers.
The bad: There’s no standard headphone jack: You’ll have to use Lightning, or the included adapter, or go wireless. Design is showing its age, as competing phones squeeze a 5.5-inch screen into smaller, sexier bodies. And it’s really expensive.
The cost: $739 to $770
The bottom line: The iPhone is one of the best point-and-shoot cameras ever — and it’s a great phone, too.