It’s that time of the year again--the holiday season. Filled with lots of gift giving and sharing, you’ll want only the best and brightest smartphone on the market to ensure that you can keep in touch with friends, family, and even your clients should an emergency drag you back to the office suddenly. We’ll break down the specs of each major smartphone on the market so that you can make an educated decision about which one you would like to buy.
The New iPhones: 8, 8 Plus, and X
We know what you’re probably thinking. With three major iPhones on the market, how can you know which one meets your specific needs? The iPhone 8 and 8 plus opt for a glass case backing rather than aluminum, which lends itself to more overall bulk and weight (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as anyone who has dropped their phone knows). If you’re familiar with the iPhone 6 series of smartphones, you’ll notice a lot is familiar. You still have the Touch ID, which isn’t available on the iPhone X in favor of the more recent implementation of Face ID facial recognition.
Basically, the main difference between the iPhone 8/8 Plus and the iPhone X are the display, camera, and the internal specs--however, the iPhone X is much more expensive than its predecessors, whereas the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will likely yield a similar experience at a more affordable cost compared to the iPhone X.
iphone 8
Model: iPhone 8
Construction: Front/back glass & aluminum frame
Screen Size: 4.7-inch
Display: LED-backlit IPS LCD, 16M Colors, 1,334 x 759 (~326 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Apple A11 Bionic
CPU-GPU: Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) - Apple GPU
Operating System: iOS 11
Memory
Internal: 64GB or 246 GB models; 2GB of RAM
Expandable: None
Cameras
Primary: 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, quad-LED flash
Front-Facing: 7 MP, f/2.2, face detection
Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging, Qi Wireless charging, Siri commands and dictation, iCloud integration
Battery size-life: 1,821 mAh battery - 66 hours
Available Colors: Silver, Space Grey, Gold
Price: $699.99-to-$899.99
iphone 8 plus
Model: iPhone 8 Plus
Construction: Front/back glass & aluminum frame
Screen Size: 5.5-inch
Display: LED-backlit IPS LCD, 16M Colors, 1920x1080 (~401 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: A11 Bionic
CPU-GPU: Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) - Apple GPU
Operating System: iOS 11
Memory
Internal: 64GB or 246 GB models; 3GB of RAM
Expandable: None
Cameras
Primary: Dual 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm and f/2.8, 56mm) phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED flash
Front-Facing: 7 MP, f/2.2, face detection
Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging, Qi Wireless charging, Siri commands and dictation, iCloud integration
Battery size-life: 2,691 mAh battery - 81 hours
Available Colors: Silver, Space Grey, Gold
Price: $799.99-to-$999.99
iphone x
Model: Apple iPhone X
Construction: Front/back glass & stainless steel frame
Screen Size: 5.8-inch
Display: Super AMOLED, 16M Colors, 2,436x1,125 ( ~458 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Apple A11 Bionic
CPU-GPU: Hexa-core 2.39 Ghz (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) - Apple GPU
Operating System: iOS 11.1
Memory
Internal: 64 and 256 GB models; 3GB RAM
Expandable: None
Cameras
Primary: Dual 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm and f/2.4, 52mm) phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED flash
Front-Facing: 7 MP, f/2.2, face detection
Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: FaceID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging, Qi Wireless charging, Siri commands and dictation, iCloud integration
Battery size-life: 2,716 mAh battery - 74 hours
Available Colors: Silver, Space Grey
Price: $999.99-to-$1,149.99
Samsung Galaxy s8 and Note 8
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between the Samsung Galaxy line of smartphones and the Note line? Hopefully we can give you some tips to pick the one that works best for your needs. Compared to past Galaxy and Note devices, the screen sizes are larger and more technically detailed, which could allow for greater user experience and more enjoyable media consumption. However, the increased screen size on the Note 8 is certainly noticeable for any smartphone aficionado, and with a larger screen size comes a larger build in general.
Similar to the iPhones, the Galaxy and Note line of devices sport a aluminum base with glass casings on the back with water resistance. Both of these devices have a front and rear camera, but the Note’s comes equipped with optical image stabilization, which is a considerable improvement. The most important consideration for your smartphone purchase will include a look at performance and price. While the Note 8 has 50% more RAM than the Galaxy s8, this increase in performance comes at a much higher price. It’s up to you whether or not this is a worthy investment.
galaxy s8
Model: Samsung Galaxy s8
Construction: Front/back glass (Gorilla Glass 5) & aluminum frame.
Screen Size: 5.8-inch
Display: Super AMOLED, 16M Colors, 2,960 x 1,440 (~570 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.35 GHz & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kyro) - Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.0, Touchwiz
Memory
Internal: 64 GB, 4 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256)
Cameras
Primary: 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, OIS, LED flash
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/1.7
Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Sensors: Iris scanner, fingerprint reader, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Features: Samsung DeX, Fast battery charging, Qi/PMA wireless charging
Battery size-life: 3,000 mAh - 84 hours
Available Colors: Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold
Price: $725.99-to-$825.99
galaxy s 20171116 165605 1
Model: Samsung Galaxy s8 Plus
Construction: Front/back glass (Gorilla Glass 5) & aluminum frame.
Screen Size: 6.2-inch
Display: Super AMOLED, 16M Colors, 2,960 x 1,440 (~529 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.35 GHz & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo) - Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.0
Memory
Internal: 64 GB, 4 GB RAM or 128 GB, 6 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256)
Cameras
Primary: 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, OIS, LED flash
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/1.7
Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Sensors: Iris scanner, fingerprint reader, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Features: Samsung DeX, Fast battery charging, Qi/PMA wireless charging
Battery size-life: 3,000 mAh - 84 hours
Available Colors: Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold
Price: $799.99-to-$899.99
galaxy note 8
Model: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Construction: Front/back glass (Gorilla Glass 5) & aluminum frame
Screen Size: 6.3-inch
Display: Super AMOLED, 16m colors, 2,960 x 1,440 (~521 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.34 GHz Kryo & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo)
Operating System: Android 7.1.1
Memory
Internal: 64, 128, 256 GB options, 6GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256GB)
Cameras
Primary: Dual 12 MP (26mm, f/1.7, PDAF & 52mm, f/2.4, AF) OIS, autofocus, 2x options zoom, LED flash.
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/1.7, face detection
Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 3.5 mm
Sensors: Iris scanner, fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Features: Samsung Desktop Experience, Fast battery charging, Qi/PMA wireless charging, s-Pen integration
Battery size-life: 3,500 mAh battery - 88 hours
Available Colors: Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Grey, Deep Sea Blue
Price: $ 949.99-to-$1149.99
Google Pixel and Pixel XL 2
A relative newcomer to the smartphone holiday gauntlet, Google’s Pixel line of smartphones are easily a contender for your holiday shopping consideration. The Pixel line of smartphones runs a Snapdragon processor which boasts impressive functionality. The original Pixel runs Snapdragon 821 while the Pixel 2 takes advantage of Snapdragon 835, which offers a considerable increase in both power and versatility that cannot be ignored.
Long story short, the biggest differences between the Pixel and the Pixel 2 are the minor ones. For example, the Pixel 2 doesn’t come equipped with a headphone jack, which means you need to purchase an adapter to use your device for music. Of course, you could just use the two front-loaded speakers exclusive to the Pixel 2, but this isn’t always an option. Furthermore, Google has promised three full years of operating system support for the Pixel 2, which might be good enough to get original Pixel users to jump on board for the new device.
pixel 2
Model: Google Pixel 2
Construction: Aluminum unibody with hybrid coating, Gorilla Glass 5
Screen Size: 5.0-inches
Display: AMOLED, 16m, 1,920 x 1.080 (~441 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.35 GHz Kryo, 4 x 1.9 GHZ Kryo) - Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 8.0
Memory
Internal: 64 and 128 GB options, 4GB RAM
Expandable: None
Cameras
Primary: 12.2 MP, f/1.8, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/2.4
Audio: Dual stereo speakers, no 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging
Battery size-life: 2,700 mAh - 75 hours
Available Colors: Kinda Blue, Just Back, Clearly White
Price: $649.99-to-$749.99
pixel 2 xl
Model: Google Pixel 2 Plus
Construction: Aluminum unibody with hybrid coating, Gorilla Glass 5
Screen Size: 6.0-inch
Display: P-OLED, 16m colors, 2,880 x 1,440 (~538 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core *4 x 2.35 GHz Kryo & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo) - Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 8.0
Memory
Internal: 64GB and 128 GB options, 4GB RAM
Expandable: None
Cameras
Primary: 12.2 MP, f/1.8, OIS, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/2.4
Audio: Dual stereo speakers, no 3.5 mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging
Battery size-life: 3,520 mAh battery - 88 hours
Available Colors: Just Black, Black & White
Price: $849.99-to- $949.99
As much as we would love to talk about every single smartphone on the market in 2017, there are just too many good options. Here are the specs for some of the other major brands on sale this holiday season:
motorola z 2
Model: Motorola Z2 Force
Construction: front plastic w/ Moto Shattershield, back plastic
Screen Size: 5.5-inch
Display: P-OLED, 16M colors, 2,560 x 1,440 (~534 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.35 MHz Kyro & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo) - Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.1.1
Memory
Internal: 128 GB, 6 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256 GB)
Cameras
Primary: Dual 12 MP, f/2.0, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Front-Facing: 5 MP, f/2.2, dual LED flash
Audio: One front-facing speaker, no 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging, Motorola Mods (insta-share projector, 360 camera, gamepad, JBL SoundBoost 2, turbopower pack, style shell w/ wireless charging, power pack, Hasselblad True Zoom, vehicle dock)
Battery size-life: 2,730 mAh battery - 69 hours
Available Colors: Super Black, Fine Gold, Lunar Grey
Price: $720.00
lg v30
Model: LG V30
Construction: front/back glass, aluminum frame
Screen Size: 6.0-inch
Display: P-OLED, 16M colors, 2,880 x 1,440 (~537 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.45 GHz Kyro & 4 1.9 GHz Kyro) - Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.1.2
Memory
Internal: 64 or 128 GB options, 4 GB RAM
Expandable: microsSD (Up to 256 GB)
Cameras
Primary: Dual 16 MP (f/1.6, OIS, 3-axis, laser & phase detection autofocus) _ 13 MP (g/1.9) LED flash
Front-Facing: 5 MP, f/2.2
Audio: Dual speaker stereo, 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, color spectrum
Features: Fast charging, wireless charging
Battery size-life: 3,300 mAh - 87 hours
Available Colors: Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue, Lavender Violet
Price: $819.99-to-$929.99
blackberry keyone
Model: BlackBerry KEYone
Construction: Aluminum, Gorilla Glass 4, with soft-touch plastic, physical keyboard
Screen Size: 4.5-inch
Display: IPS LCD, 16m colors, 1,620 x 1,080 (~433 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625
CPU-GPU: Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
Operating System: Android 7.1
Memory
Internal: 32 GB with 3 GB RAM or 64 GB with 4 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256 GB)
Cameras
Primary: 12 MP, f/2.0, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED flash
Front-Facing:8 MP, f/2.2
Audio: Dual speaker stereo
Sensors: Fingerprint, Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Features: Full programmable keyboard, fast charging
Battery size-life: 3,505 mAh - 107 hours
Available Colors: Black & Silver, Black
Price: $499.99-to-$559.99
nokia 8
Model: Nokia 8
Construction: Glass Aluminum
Screen Size: 5.3-inch
Display: IPS LCD, 16m colors, 2,560 x 1,440 (~554 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.5 GHz Kyro & 4 x 1.8 GHz Kyro) - Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.1.1
Memory
Internal: 64 GB, 4 GB RAM or 128 GB, 6 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256 GB)
Cameras
Primary: Dual 13 MP, f/2/0, laser and phase detection autofocus, Carl Zeiss optics, OIS, LED flash
Front-Facing: 13 MP, f/2.0, phase detection autofocus
Audio: Two-speaker stereo, 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging
Battery size-life: 3,090 mAh - 78 hours
Available Colors:Tempered Blue, Polished Blue, Steel, Polished Copper
Price: $479.99-to-$559.99
Here are some great Black Friday Deals from Best Buy.
Are you having trouble picking a smartphone this holiday season? Hopefully we were able to help. For more great tips and tricks on how to pick the best smartphone for your needs, reach out to Emerald City Solutions at (206) 340-1616.