The year 2016 was a fascinating one for smartphones. Technology was advancing rapidly, competition was fierce, and several devices pushed the boundaries of what we expected from our mobile companions. Determining the “best” phone is always subjective, depending on individual needs and priorities. However, by examining the key contenders, their strengths, and their weaknesses, we can paint a clear picture of the standout devices of that year.
The Contenders: A Landscape of Innovation
Several phones emerged as leaders in 2016, each boasting unique features and targeting different segments of the market. These included flagships from established players like Samsung, Apple, Google, and LG, as well as noteworthy entries from other manufacturers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most talked-about devices.
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge: Refinement and Polish
Samsung’s Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were undoubtedly among the top contenders. These phones represented a significant refinement over their predecessors, addressing many of the criticisms leveled against the S6 series. The return of water resistance and microSD card expansion were welcome additions, and the camera was widely praised for its low-light performance. The S7 Edge, with its curved display, offered a visually stunning and ergonomically pleasing design.
The camera was exceptional, especially in challenging lighting conditions, making it a favorite among mobile photographers. The performance was also top-notch, thanks to the powerful processor and ample RAM. Battery life was generally good, and the overall user experience was smooth and responsive. However, some users found the TouchWiz interface (now Samsung Experience) to be a bit bloated, although it had improved significantly compared to previous versions.
Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Ecosystem and Enhancements
Apple’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus arrived with the usual fanfare, introducing several key improvements. The A10 Fusion chip delivered a noticeable performance boost, and the camera received a significant upgrade, especially on the 7 Plus with its dual-lens system. The introduction of water resistance was a welcome addition, although the removal of the headphone jack was a controversial decision.
The ecosystem remained a major draw, with seamless integration between hardware and software, and access to a vast library of apps. The camera on the 7 Plus was particularly impressive, offering excellent image quality and a useful portrait mode. However, the design was largely unchanged from the previous generation, and the lack of expandable storage remained a limitation for some users.
Google Pixel and Pixel XL: A Pure Android Experience
Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL marked a significant shift in the company’s approach to smartphone hardware. These phones were designed and marketed directly by Google, offering a pure Android experience and prioritizing software features. The camera was a standout feature, praised for its exceptional image quality and Google’s innovative HDR+ processing.
The Pixel phones offered a clean and bloat-free Android experience, with guaranteed timely updates directly from Google. The camera was widely considered to be among the best on the market, capturing stunning photos in various lighting conditions. However, the design was somewhat understated, and the phones lacked some of the advanced features offered by competitors, such as water resistance (although they had a degree of splash resistance).
LG G5: Modularity Experiment
LG took a bold approach with the G5, introducing a modular design that allowed users to swap out different modules to enhance specific features. While the concept was intriguing, the execution was somewhat flawed, and the modules never gained widespread adoption. Nevertheless, the G5 offered a competitive camera, a removable battery, and a wide-angle lens that was unique at the time.
The wide-angle lens was a standout feature, allowing users to capture more of the scene in their photos. The removable battery was also a plus for users who valued the ability to swap out batteries on the go. However, the modular design was not well-received, and the overall build quality was not as premium as some of its competitors.
Key Factors in Determining the “Best”
Several factors contribute to determining which phone was the “best” in 2016. These include design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, software experience, and overall value for money.
Design and Build Quality
The aesthetics and how a phone feels in the hand are crucial aspects. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge stood out with their curved screens and premium materials. Other phones prioritized durability and practicality.
Performance and User Experience
A smooth and responsive user experience is essential. The performance of the processor, the amount of RAM, and the optimization of the software all play a significant role. Phones with powerful processors and clean software, such as the Google Pixel, often excelled in this area.
Camera Capabilities
For many users, the camera is one of the most important features of a smartphone. Image quality, low-light performance, and the availability of features like optical image stabilization and 4K video recording are all key considerations.
Battery Life
A phone that can last through a full day of use is a must for most users. Battery capacity, power efficiency, and fast charging capabilities are all important factors.
Software and Updates
The software experience can make or break a phone. A clean and intuitive interface, regular updates, and access to a wide range of apps are all essential. The Google Pixel, with its pure Android experience and guaranteed updates, excelled in this area.
The Verdict: A Matter of Preference
Ultimately, the “best” phone of 2016 is a matter of personal preference. Each of the contenders offered its own unique strengths and weaknesses, catering to different needs and priorities.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were excellent all-around devices, offering a refined design, a great camera, and solid performance. They were a safe bet for users who wanted a reliable and feature-rich smartphone.
The Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were strong contenders for users who valued the iOS ecosystem, a powerful processor, and a great camera (especially on the 7 Plus).
The Google Pixel and Pixel XL were ideal for users who wanted a pure Android experience, guaranteed updates, and a top-notch camera.
The LG G5, while innovative, ultimately fell short due to its flawed modular design.
Considering all these factors, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge stands out as a strong contender for the best phone of 2016. It combined a stunning design with excellent performance, a great camera, and useful features like water resistance and microSD card expansion. While the iPhone 7 Plus offered a compelling alternative for iOS users, and the Google Pixel excelled in software and camera performance, the S7 Edge struck a better balance of features and overall usability.
However, the Google Pixel deserves an honorable mention. Its groundbreaking camera software and pure Android experience set a new standard for smartphone photography and user interface design. It laid the foundation for Google’s future Pixel devices and demonstrated the power of software optimization.
In conclusion, 2016 was a year of innovation and refinement in the smartphone industry. While the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge may have been the most well-rounded device, the other contenders offered compelling alternatives, each with its own unique strengths and appealing to different user preferences. The year highlighted the increasing importance of camera quality, software experience, and design in shaping the smartphone landscape.
What phones were considered the top contenders in 2016?
2016 saw several flagship devices vying for the title of best smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, with their refined designs and impressive cameras, were strong contenders. Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL marked the company’s serious entry into hardware, offering a pure Android experience and exceptional photography. Apple’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, despite iterative upgrades, maintained their popularity with enhanced performance and camera capabilities, particularly the dual-camera system on the 7 Plus.
Other noteworthy phones from that year included the LG G5, with its modular design concept, although it didn’t achieve widespread success. HTC also released the HTC 10, praised for its solid performance and improved camera. These devices, alongside others like the OnePlus 3 and Huawei P9, contributed to a competitive landscape, each bringing unique features and strengths to the table, making the selection of a single “best” phone a subjective matter dependent on individual priorities.
What made the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge so popular in 2016?
The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were incredibly popular due to a combination of factors. Firstly, they built upon the design improvements of the S6, refining the aesthetics and bringing back sought-after features like water resistance and expandable storage via microSD card. The phones also featured stunning AMOLED displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks, a hallmark of Samsung devices. Their powerful processors provided smooth performance, and the camera was widely regarded as one of the best on the market, excelling in low-light conditions.
Beyond the hardware, Samsung’s marketing efforts and established brand recognition played a significant role. The S7 and S7 Edge offered a compelling package that appealed to a wide range of consumers, balancing premium features with practical usability. The Edge variant, with its curved display, added a distinctive visual flair, further enhancing its appeal. These factors contributed to the S7 series’ commercial success and its position as a top contender in 2016.
How did the Google Pixel differentiate itself from other Android phones in 2016?
The Google Pixel differentiated itself primarily through its software experience and seamless integration with Google services. Unlike most Android phones that came with manufacturer-customized interfaces and pre-installed bloatware, the Pixel offered a “pure” Android experience, providing timely updates directly from Google. This meant Pixel users were among the first to receive the latest Android features and security patches, a significant advantage over other Android devices.
Furthermore, the Pixel boasted exceptional camera performance, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, thanks to Google’s sophisticated image processing algorithms. Its tight integration with Google Assistant, a relatively new feature at the time, also set it apart, offering a more intuitive and helpful AI assistant experience. These factors, combined with Google’s marketing efforts, helped the Pixel establish itself as a premium Android phone that catered to users seeking a clean and optimized software experience.
What were the main strengths of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus?
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus retained the key strengths that had always made iPhones popular: a user-friendly operating system, a strong ecosystem of apps and services, and a focus on ease of use. Apple’s streamlined hardware and software integration provided a smooth and reliable user experience. The A10 Fusion chip delivered significant performance improvements over previous models, making the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus noticeably faster and more responsive.
The iPhone 7 Plus introduced a dual-camera system, allowing for 2x optical zoom and a portrait mode with a blurred background effect, features that were innovative at the time. While the removal of the headphone jack was controversial, it paved the way for wireless audio and allowed for improved water resistance. The combination of enhanced performance, camera improvements, and Apple’s brand loyalty ensured the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus remained top contenders despite facing strong competition.
What was innovative about the LG G5, and why didn’t it become more popular?
The LG G5 stood out in 2016 for its modular design, a unique feature that allowed users to swap out the phone’s bottom section to add different modules. These modules included a camera grip with physical controls and an extra battery or a Hi-Fi DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) for improved audio quality. This modular approach was an attempt to offer customization and expandability, setting it apart from the increasingly homogenous smartphone market.
However, the LG G5’s modular design ultimately failed to gain widespread popularity for several reasons. The modules were relatively expensive and not widely available. The process of swapping modules was somewhat cumbersome, requiring the phone to be powered down and restarted. Additionally, the design of the phone itself was not universally praised, and the marketing message surrounding the modularity was not effectively communicated. Consequently, the LG G5, despite its innovative concept, struggled to compete with more established and refined flagship phones.
How did the camera capabilities of these phones compare to each other?
In 2016, the camera performance of the top smartphones was generally excellent, but each had its strengths. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge excelled in low-light photography, capturing bright and detailed images with minimal noise. The Google Pixel boasted exceptional dynamic range and sharpness, thanks to its advanced image processing algorithms. The iPhone 7 Plus introduced a dual-camera system with optical zoom and a portrait mode, offering new creative possibilities.
While the LG G5’s camera was also capable, its image quality was not consistently as impressive as the other flagships. The HTC 10’s camera was generally well-regarded for its accurate color reproduction and good dynamic range. Ultimately, the “best” camera was subjective, depending on individual preferences and priorities. However, the Galaxy S7/S7 Edge and the Google Pixel were generally considered to be the top performers in terms of overall image quality and low-light performance.
Looking back, which of these phones holds up best today, considering software updates and usability?
Considering software updates and long-term usability, the Google Pixel likely holds up the best today. While official software updates are no longer available directly from Google, the Pixel’s clean Android experience and relatively open architecture make it a popular choice for custom ROMs and community-supported updates. This means that even without official support, users can potentially keep the Pixel running on a modern version of Android, maintaining a degree of functionality and security.
The other phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S7, iPhone 7, and LG G5, have long since stopped receiving official software updates. While they may still be functional, the lack of security patches and compatibility with modern apps poses a significant limitation. Additionally, battery degradation and hardware limitations would likely impact their usability. Therefore, from a perspective of long-term support and adaptability, the Google Pixel offers the most potential for continued use today, albeit through community-driven efforts rather than official support.