We're six months into 2016 and have already seen a whole host of smartphones launched into the market. If you're due an upgrade or just want to treat yourself to a new device, there are some things to look out for.
There's certain things to consider when buying a smartphone; budget, usage and durability. Each of these three factors will impact what device you end up with. So here's our guide to what's on offer right now, keeping each of those factors in mind.
Low budget:
The low-end of the market is probably the most exciting, in my opinion. Brands are trying to provide devices that are spec heavy but don't break the bank. Here's what less than €200 will get you.
Huawei is continuing to expand their range of devices here in Europe, which is great for the consumer. They have recently unveiled their flagship device, the P9, but that costs a pretty penny. If you're looking for a solid, reliable smartphone for less than €100 then the Y3 is for you.
This Vodafone-brand phone is still one of the best devices I have reviewed in some time. While it is an own-brand device, there is zero compromise on the spec.
It has all the power of an iPhone at a fraction of the cost. There's an impressive 13MP camera on the back at 5MP on the front. All of this for just €199.99 makes it a total bargain.
Mid-range budget:
If your budget can stretch beyond €200, you're in for a treat.
Costing just over €200, the 650 is a great 5-inch HD screen device with Gorilla Glass 3. Colours look great on screen and it makes for enjoyable viewing. It has an impressive 8MP camera and a 5MP front camera. Both take good photos, but struggle slightly in low light. Internally there’s a Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 Quad-core 1.3Ghz processor and 1GB of RAM. This is the only disappointing aspect of the device. What this means is that it’s slightly slow when jumping from app to app. That’s not a make-or-break factor for most people though.
HTC Desire 825:
HTC are really knocking it out of the park when it comes to the mid-level market. They know how to produce beautiful phones with high functionality and great features. The 825 has an excellent battery life that will get any user through the day and a stunning 13MP rear camera. This device costs €219.
No budget:
If money is no object then the world is your oyster, so to speak. The high-end of the smartphone market is packed with some fantastic offerings but my top two of 2016 so far are:
At €549 the P9 is one of the more affordable high-end smartphones. Huawei continue to impress me with every model that comes out. This device was designed alongside camera manufacturer Leica, providing the user with two camera lenses on the rear of the device. These two lenses work to produce breathtaking photos, in any light.
Samsung continue to dominate the high-end smartphone market, alongside Apple. Their latest flagship device, Samsung Galaxy S7, is a stunning phone. There's 4GB of RAM internally, which makes multi-tasking a breeze. They also brought back the microSD slot on this device, meaning the memory can be expanded.