Best camera phones so far this year
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Cnet rating: 5 stars out of 5 The good: The Edge has a gorgeous larger curved screen and larger battery than the otherwise identical standard S7. It really is something special. The extra navigation tools can be useful when used judiciously.
The bad: When you pile on these extra navigation tools, they slow you down rather than speed you up. It’s pricier than other good phones. The cost: $ 800 to $ 898
The bottom line: The gorgeous Galaxy S7 Edge makes the best Android phone that much better.
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 to 2014’ s S5. The cost: $ 670 to $ 760
The bottom line: The fast, powerful, beautiful Galaxy S7 phone is 2016’ s all- around phone to beat. The following Cnet staff contributed to this report: Jessica Dolcourt, Scott Stein and Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, visit www. cnet. com.
Apple iPhone 6S Plus
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 The good: Improved speed, better cameras, always- on Siri, and pressuresensitive 3D Touch display compared with last year’s 6 Plus. And it has slightly better battery life, a bigger higher- resolution screen, and optical image stabilization for photos and video that can make a difference.
The bad: It’s really big. It costs more than the smaller iPhone. Other phabletsized phones offer longer battery life. The cost: $ 700 ( refurbished) to $ 1,160 The bottom line: The iPhone 6S Plus has a few key advantages that give it an edge for serious iPhone users, but its big body still may not fit for a lot of people.
Apple iPhone 6S
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 The good: Improved speed everywhere ( new processor, faster wireless, quicker Touch ID sensor); a sturdier body; better front and rear cameras; a bold new 3D Touch pressure- sensitive display that could end up being a really useful tool in apps down the road, and which already offers new iOS shortcuts.
The bad: Same battery life as the iPhone 6. The 6S Plus model remains the only way to get optical image stabilization for photos and video, plus better battery life. You’ll need to pay extra to vault past the too- small storage of the entry- level 16- GB version. The cost: $ 500 ( refurbished) to $ 890
The bottom line: The newest iPhones are top- to- bottom better phones with lots of enhancements; iPhone 6 owners don’t need the upgrade, but everyone else should seriously consider it.