Best phone in the US for 2017: the 10 top smartphones we've tested

The best phone in the US for 2017 has dramatically changed in recent weeks, with new phones from Apple, Google and Samsung shaking up the top 10. Picking between them all is a tough decision.

The good news is knowing the best phone you can buy is more than just a hunch for us. We test out the latest and - sometimes - greatest phones in comprehensive mobile phone reviews.

To drill down to a list of our 10 favorites in the US this year, we based today's updated rankings on a lot of geeked-out factors: design, performance, battery life, camera quality and software updates.

Sure, your personal preference among iOS 11 and Android Oreo could sway you to another device besides our top-ranked phone. Likewise, your contract with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile is a personal preference. The best phone for AT&T may not be available on-contract on Verizon, and vice-versa.

That's why we have more than just a No. 1 pick, which, spoiler alert, isn't just Apple's iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. We're not that predictable. Before you lock into a binding contract or spring for an expensive unlocked phone, consult our best phone guide, updated regularly.

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The OnePlus 5 is one of the more affordable devices in this list and offers one of the best Android phone experiences on the market. It comes with a more refined and comfortable to hold design than previous OnePlus handsets as well as dual-cameras round the back and some phenomenal power under the hood.

There's a 1080p 5.5-inch AMOLED display on the front and inside is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and you have the choice of either 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The battery life isn't incredible on the OnePlus 5, but it rivals a lot of the other devices you'll find on this list.

There's still no microSD support on the OnePlus 5, much like previous OnePlus phones, but you do have the choice of either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage.

The true highlight of the OnePlus 5 is the price though and this may will be one of the best devices for you on this list if you're looking to spend as little as possible on a top-of-the-range phone.

Read the full review: OnePlus 5

What's next? We expect the OnePlus 6 to launch at some point in the future, but considering the OnePlus 5 launched in June 2017 it'll likely be a very, very long way off.

Also consider: If OnePlus isn't doing it for you, then check out the Moto G5 Plus which has slightly less power, but a still very strong feature set, a lower price tag and a new metal design.

best smartphones in the US

HTC is back with another effort aimed at becoming the phone you want to have in your pocket - and this one has squeezable sides.

You read that right - and unfortunately, they don't really add a lot. But wait! Beyond that this is a very impressive phone, getting the basics right across the board.

The camera offers some brilliant snaps and has a strong HDR mode, the audio performance (combined with the bundled buds and headphone upgrader in the box) is excellent and the two-tone design is thoroughly unique.

It doesn't do enough to topple the Galaxy S8, but if you're looking for something a bit different the U11 is a phone that won't disappoint.

Read the full review: HTC U11

What's next? The HTC U12 will be next in line, but we know nothing about that yet - except that it probably won't be called the U12 as HTC keeps messing around with its naming strategy.

Also consider: It's hard to know what to recommend here, as there's nothing that really compares on the market right now. However, with the price you'd probably look at the Galaxy S8 or the LG G6 as something a bit different.

best smartphones in the US

The Google Pixel 2 is one of our favorites simply because of the camera quality. Our photos never looked better, and that's thanks to Google's machine learning and focus on optics. This is the closest camera phone to a DSLR replacement. It's also fast, water-resistant and includes dual front-facing speakers, a rare treat.

You're not getting a headphone jack from this year's Pixel phone, and this smaller 5-inch version doesn't have the all-screen display found on the bigger 6-inch Pixel 2 XL. That's okay, its vibrant screen and slightly cheaper price make it a worthwhile choice if you want to upgrade to the latest version of Android.

Read the full review: Google Pixel 2 review

Also consider: Like what you see, but need more screen real estate? You you'll want the Google Pixel 2 XL – the 6-inch brother of the Pixel 2 which boasts an eye-popping all-screen QHD (that's 2K) resolution. But, warning, it's more expensive.

The new iPhone 8 isn't the phone that many will have been waiting for, as it comes with a similar look and feel to previous models – again.

That doesn't mean it's a bad phone, far from it in fact with a power boost under the hood, water resistant and a decent camera upgrade making a difference. We also really like the new glass back and the wireless charging that comes with this design change.

There's no point upgrading from the 7 to 8, but if you're currently using an iPhone 6S or older then the jump to the 8 is a good one.

Read the full review: iPhone 8

What's next? The iPhone X is course the iPhone everyone is waiting for. You can buy it on November 3, but it'll cost much more than the iPhone 8.

Compare and filter: See all the best iPhone 8 deals

Also consider: If you want to save yourself a bit of money then the iPhone 7 is still an excellent smartphone. It looks identical to the 8, also runs iOS 11 and has the benefit of still having a headphone jack. Those wanting something a bit bigger should look at the iPhone 8 Plus – the best iPhone currently around.

The LG V30 stands out where last year's LG V20 and this year's LG G6 did not. It combines an all-screen front design with a dual lens camera that has the best video recording capabilities we've seen in a smartphone to date.

Another reason it's so much better is due to its OLED display, ditching the LED screen that has been in every LG phone prior to this. We're still waiting on LG to upgrade this phone to Android Oreo and you may scoff at the price. For an LG phone, it's rather expensive. But if you're into shooting video, this is the best of the bunch.

Full review: LG V30

Also consider: The LG G6 is a little cheaper, and even if it doesn't have all of the features of the LG V30, it remains a top performer, as it's just six months older than this phone.

The Galaxy Note 8 is Samsung's successful comeback story following the Note 7 recall, and it's a big upgrade for fans of the large-screen smartphone series. It includes the S Pen, a bezel-less screen and two rear cameras. The jump from 4GB to 6GB of RAM will help future-proof this phone and for Dex workstation virtualization.

It's biggest weakness is that off-center fingerprint sensor, weak single speaker and, of course, the price. It's the most expensive on our best phones list to date.

Full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 8

best smartphones in the US

We've had a lot of fun testing out the Google Pixel 2 XL mainly because of its best-in-class camera, the same one that is in the Google Pixel 2. The difference with this phone is that it has an nearly all-screen 6-inch display on the front and Quad HD resolution. It's a big upgrade over last year's Pixel phone.

The all-screen is flanked by dual stereo speakers, but also beset by some color irregularities. That shouldn't be a deal breaker. What's harder to overcome is the price. It's a bike hike over the first Pixel XL phone, but if you want the best camera in a smartphone, look no further.

Read the full review: Google Pixel 2 XL

Compare and filter: See all the best iPhone 8 deals

Also consider: How about the smaller Google Pixel 2? The 5-inch handset also features in our top ten, and if a smaller screen (and smaller price tag) takes your fancy then you're in luck. It retains the excellent power, camera and Android interface from the XL, in a more palm-friendly package.

If you want a really big phone running Android, this is it. It's the 6.2-inch, plus-sized version of our favorite phone, the 5.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S8.

Samsung built its 2017 flagship handsets with elongated screens that wipe away the needless bezel and physical home button and give you a more immersive display. You also have the fastest specs, a great camera and slick software this the S8 Plus.

You're going to have to learn to hold a big phone, but luckily, it's not much larger than the S7 Edge or the ill-fated Note 7. Making the screen bigger without making the phone much bigger is one of Samsung's many tricks here, and it's why this phone is near the top. It'd be even higher if it weren't for the price and the terribly placed rear fingerprint sensor.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

best smartphones in the US

The iPhone 8 Plus is Apple's best smartphone right now, at least until the November 3 launch of the iPhone X. But there's a lot to like about this 5.5-inch smartphone, regardless. It has a new glass back that enables wireless charging, an enhanced dual-lens rear camera with a superb portrait mode and

Okay, the design is dated compared among the best phones, and it still lacks a headphone jack. But if you're keen on using iOS 11 over Android and if you can handle the size and extra cost, then this is the best iPhone for you.

Full review: iPhone 8 Plus

Also consider: The standard iPhone 8 is very good too, with a more manageable form factor and lower price point it's the phone that's likely to appeal to a wider audience - but for those looking for Apple perfection it has to be the 8 Plus.

No surprise, the curved Samsung Galaxy S8 is our best phone, but this year Samsung flagship has a new, longer display that grown in size. It's now a ridiculous 5.8 inches.

What's remarkable here is that the phone's dimensions haven't changed very much. Instead, Samsung got rid of the top and bottom bezel and the physical home button.

We did have issues adjusting to the fingerprint sensor and its Face Unlock and Iris Scanner alternatives aren't much better. Bixby, Samsung's highly touted voice assistant is also a no-show.

However, for the few missteps from Samsung, this phone is superb. It has an excellent camera, fast new chipset and good battery life. Just be prepared to spend more than $700 on Samsung's new best.

Full review: Samsung Galaxy S8

Apple's iPhone SE ranks at Number 10 mainly because there are so many other top-notch phones, but also because it has a tired design, screen that's several years old and a display size that's too small to get sucked into apps and movies on the move.

That said, it's one of very few high-end smartphones you can use one-handed and its iOS 10 operating system remains slick and easy to use. It won't be for everyone, but for those who dislike the supersized phones of today the iPhone SE is a top performer on a miniature scale.

Remember, the SE has the same power, same camera and same software as Apple's best iPhone, the iPhone 6S. It just happens to be in a size you can easily pocket and at a reasonable (for an iPhone) price: $400 unlocked and $50 on contract among US carriers.

Read the full review: iPhone SE

Also consider: Want a cheaper iPhone but find the iPhone SE just too small? Apple's still selling the original iPhone 7, with a 4.7-inch display, sleeker metal body and the same version of iOS. It's a bit more expensive, but you do get a bigger screen.

best smartphones in the US

Nexus 6P

Google goes again for a phablet, and it's a corker

Google and Huawei teamed up to make the Nexus 6P, and it's really the best smartphone from either company and a relief over Motorola's Nexus 6 from a year prior.

It has a vivid quad HD 5.7-inch display that's much more manageable in two hands and sometimes one. And yet while the Nexus 6P is easier to hold, it remains tall and just enough for watching movies and browsing the web.

You won't be hungry for Android updates with this phone either. It's currently running the latest version ofAndroid Marshmallow and can beta test Android N Developer Preview. You'll also be more secure thanks to its well-placed fingerprint scanner on the back - which is both quick and accurate.

What keeps the Nexus 6P on the list and also from ranking higher is its price. It's a steal at $499 in the US for an unlocked phone. Problem is, you won't find it subsidized by any carriers. We also found the camera to be fantastic for a Nexus phone, but not as sharp as photos taken by Samsung handsets.

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 5X too. It's cheaper, and not as powerful in some ways, but it's cheaper and more palm-friendly.

Nokia Lumia 930

Microsoft Lumia 950

The beginning of a smartphone revolution?

Maybe you're bored of the iPhone. Perhaps Android just doesn't do it for you. Maybe you're just wondering if there's something different out there? Well, Windows Phone 10 on the Lumia 950 will intrigue you. It can offer a PC-like experience by extending out to a larger monitor, and the camera is pretty strong.

However, there's one issue: apps. Or the lack thereof - and when combined with the slightly plastic design, it fails to trouble the top 10. However, it's a legitimate choice and easily one of the most impressive Windows Phones ever.

Contributer : Techradar - All the latest technology news http://ift.tt/2esV43E