Flagship phones outsmart the PC

Well, it's happened. If there were any doubts that smartphones have attained the power and price tags of the most exorbitant digital gear, Apple's new iPhone X just erased them.

Back in July we took a look at midrange mobiles but at the premium end of the market it's a whole other ball game. In its top-of-the-line configuration, the iPhone X retails for $1829. That's considerably more than what many of us would pay for a notebook these days but it reflects the game-changing technologies that are still evolving in the mobile space: blisteringly fast, power-efficient processors, new kinds of security sensors and edge-to-edge screens that are shinier than ever.

Honestly, Apple is rarely ever first with these kinds of features but the way it implements them tends to stick in the memory, to the envy of all its competitors. But regardless of which brand you choose, if you buy a high-end flagship you'll be well served. Just take very good care of it – it's like carrying a $2000 piece of glass in your pocket.

What is it? Apple iPhone X How much? From $1579

Pros: Apple's 10-year anniversary iPhone is a substantial do-over, with a 5.8in Super Retina OLED display that covers the whole front face (minus the infamous sensor “notch”), wireless inductive charging and facial recognition unlocking. Plus there's a neat new portrait lighting feature that highlights faces in photos.

Cons: Slow wireless charging with standard Qi devices; very expensive; available in November but early supply expected to be severely constrained. apple.com/au

What is it? Samsung Galaxy Note8

How much? $1499 Pros: Despite a literally explosive misstep with last year's Galaxy Note7, Samsung is back on point with the impressive Note8, which features a gigantic, almost bezel-less 6.3in display, S Pen stylus for easy handwritten notes and drawings, dual cameras with optical image stabilisation, and a whopping 6GB RAM for smooth performance.

Cons: If you don't need all the features or just want a more manageable handset, consider Samsung's Galaxy S8 ($1199) or S8+ ($1349). samsung.com/au

What is it? LG V30 How much? To be confirmed

Pros: Samsung hogs much of the limelight when it comes to the premium Android market but there's a lot of worthwhile competition to consider. One such brand is LG, which has a history of strong devices, like the upcoming LG V30, which sports a 6in 2880 x 1440 display (again, virtually bezel-less), dual rear cameras, plus 4MB RAM.

Cons: Australian price and release date unconfirmed at time of writing, unfortunately, but expect to pay somewhere north of $1100. lg.com/au