The Ultimate Guide to Flagship Phones in Australia
The smartphone world innovation continues. Bezel-less displays are taking centre stage, AI is starting to make its presence felt, and dual cameras are becoming the new normal. If you’re looking to upgrade to the absolute best phone of the year, you’ve come to the right place.
What Makes a Flagship Phone in 2017?
Flagship phones are the pinnacle of smartphone technology. They combine cutting-edge design, powerful performance, and innovative features to deliver the ultimate mobile experience. Think stunning displays that stretch edge-to-edge, lightning-fast processors, cameras that capture incredible photos, and batteries that keep you going all day long.
This year, the competition is fierce, with major players like Samsung and Apple vying for the top spot. But don’t underestimate the other contenders who are pushing the boundaries with their own unique features and innovations.
Flagship Face-Off (2017 Edition)
Let’s meet the contenders battling it out for the title of “Best Flagship Smartphone of 2017”:
- Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+: Samsung’s stunning new phones with a bezel-less Infinity Display and powerful performance.
- Apple iPhone 8/8 Plus: Apple’s latest offering with a new glass design, wireless charging, and improved cameras.
- LG G6: A sleek phone with a unique 18:9 aspect ratio display and a wide-angle camera.
- HTC U11: A stylish phone with a squeezable frame for unique interactions and a focus on audio quality.
- Sony Xperia XZ Premium: A powerhouse with a 4K HDR display and super slow-motion video recording.
- OnePlus 5: A “flagship killer” offering top-tier specs at a more affordable price.
- Huawei P10: A stylish phone with Leica dual cameras and a focus on photography.
Here’s a quick rundown of each phone:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S8 | iPhone 8 | LG G6 | HTC U11 | Sony Xperia XZ Premium | OnePlus 5 | Huawei P10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Samsung’s stunning flagship with a bezel-less Infinity Display. | Apple’s latest with a new glass design and wireless charging. | A sleek phone with a unique 18:9 display and wide-angle camera. | A stylish phone with a squeezable frame and great audio. | A powerhouse with a 4K HDR display and super slow-motion video. | A “flagship killer” offering top-tier specs at a competitive price. | A stylish phone with Leica dual cameras. |
| Target Audience | Android users seeking a premium experience and a beautiful design. | Apple enthusiasts and those seeking a smooth, user-friendly experience. | Users who want a phone with a unique display and wide-angle camera. | Users who value audio quality and innovative interactions. | Users who prioritize a sharp display and cutting-edge camera features. | Tech enthusiasts seeking value for money and top-tier specs. | Photography enthusiasts who want a stylish phone with great cameras. |
| Processor | Exynos 8895 Octa / Snapdragon 835 | Apple A11 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Kirin 960 |
| RAM | 4GB | 2GB / 3GB | 4GB | 4GB / 6GB | 4GB | 6GB / 8GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB (expandable) | 64GB, 256GB | 32GB (expandable) | 64GB, 128GB | 64GB (expandable) | 64GB, 128GB | 64GB (expandable) |
| Display | 5.8-inch/6.2-inch Super AMOLED, 1440 x 2960 | 4.7-inch/5.5-inch Retina HD, 750 x 1334 | 5.7-inch IPS LCD, 1440 x 2880 | 5.5-inch Super LCD5, 1440 x 2560 | 5.5-inch IPS LCD, 3840 x 2160 | 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED, 1080 x 1920 | 5.1-inch IPS-NEO LCD, 1080 x 1920 |
| Camera Setup | 12MP rear, 8MP front | 12MP rear, 7MP front | Dual 13MP rear, 5MP front | 12MP rear, 16MP front | 19MP Motion Eye rear, 13MP front | Dual 16MP/20MP rear, 16MP front | Dual 12MP/20MP rear, 8MP front |
| Battery | 3000 mAh / 3500 mAh | 1821 mAh / 2675 mAh | 3300 mAh | 3000 mAh | 3230 mAh | 3300 mAh | 3200 mAh |
| Standout Features | Infinity Display, Bixby assistant, facial recognition | Wireless charging, A11 Bionic chip, improved cameras | Wide-angle camera, Dolby Vision HDR, durable design | Edge Sense (squeezable frame), BoomSound speakers, water resistance | 4K HDR display, 960fps super slow-motion video, Motion Eye camera | Dash Charge (fast charging), dual camera system, affordable price | Leica dual cameras, stylish design, fast charging |
| Pros | Stunning design, beautiful display, powerful performance | Smooth performance, great camera, wireless charging | Unique display, wide-angle camera, durable build | Innovative Edge Sense, great audio, water resistance | Sharp 4K display, innovative camera features, powerful performance | Affordable price, powerful performance, fast charging | Excellent cameras, stylish design, good performance |
| Cons | Bixby is not very useful, fingerprint sensor placement | Expensive, no headphone jack | Average battery life, can be bulky | Average camera, can be expensive | Expensive, can get hot | Average camera, limited availability | EMUI can be cluttered, average battery life |
| Price (AUD) | From $1199 | From $1079 | From $999 | From $999 | From $1199 | From $699 | From $899 |
Feature Focus
Let’s take a closer look at the features that matter most to flagship buyers in 2017:
- Camera:
- The Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8 both boast excellent cameras with improved low-light performance and optical image stabilisation. The iPhone 8 Plus introduces Portrait Lighting for studio-quality lighting effects.
- The Google Pixel (released in late 2016 but still relevant in 2017) continues to impress with its incredible image processing and HDR+ capabilities.
- The Huawei P10 features Leica dual cameras with a monochrome sensor for capturing detailed black and white photos.
- The Sony Xperia XZ Premium introduces a “Motion Eye” camera with super slow-motion video recording at 960 frames per second.
- Performance:
- All these phones are powered by the latest processors, including the Snapdragon 835 and Apple’s A11 Bionic chip. The A11 Bionic chip in the iPhone 8 sets a new benchmark for performance, offering a significant boost over its predecessor.
- Display:
- The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ introduce the “Infinity Display,” a stunning bezel-less design that curves at the edges, offering an immersive viewing experience.
- The LG G6 also features a unique display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, providing more screen real estate in a compact form factor.
- The Sony Xperia XZ Premium boasts a 4K HDR display, offering incredible sharpness and detail for watching movies and playing games.
- Battery Life:
- Battery life continues to be a key consideration. The Samsung Galaxy S8+ and LG G6 offer good battery life with 3500 mAh and 3300 mAh batteries, respectively.
- The iPhone 8 Plus also has a decent battery life, thanks to Apple’s iOS optimization.
- Software:
- Android: The Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, OnePlus, and Huawei phones all run on Android, offering a customizable experience with a wide range of apps.
- iOS: The iPhone 8 runs on iOS 11, bringing new features and improvements to the user experience.
- Many Android phones are starting to incorporate AI assistants, such as Samsung’s Bixby and Google Assistant.
- Design and Build:
- All these phones boast premium designs with high-quality materials. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ stand out with their sleek glass and metal construction and curved displays.
- The HTC U11 features a unique “Liquid Surface” design with a glossy glass back that reflects light beautifully.
- The iPhone 8 introduces a new glass back design that enables wireless charging.
Choosing Your Champion
To help you make your decision, here’s a quick comparison table:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S8 | iPhone 8 | LG G6 | HTC U11 | Sony Xperia XZ Premium | OnePlus 5 | Huawei P10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera | Excellent, low-light performance | Dual-camera (Plus), Portrait mode | Wide-angle lens, good image quality | Good, fast autofocus | Super slow-motion video, Predictive Capture | Dual camera, decent quality | Leica dual cameras, good low-light |
| Performance | Top-notch, Snapdragon 835/Exynos | Fastest, A11 Bionic chip | Good, Snapdragon 821 | Good, Snapdragon 835 | Powerful, Snapdragon 835 | Excellent, Snapdragon 835, up to 8GB RAM | Good, Kirin 960 |
| Display | Best in class, Infinity Display | Good, Retina HD | Unique, 18:9 aspect ratio | Good, Super LCD5 | Sharpest, 4K HDR | Good, Optic AMOLED | Good, IPS-NEO LCD |
| Battery Life | Good (S8+), 3500 mAh | Decent (Plus) | Good, 3300 mAh | Good, 3000 mAh | Average | Good, 3300 mAh, Dash Charge | Average, 3200 mAh |
| Special Feature | Infinity Display, Bixby | Wireless charging | Wide-angle camera | Edge Sense | 4K HDR display, super slow-mo | Affordable price, dual camera | Leica dual cameras |
Guidance:
- If you’re a design enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy S8 with its stunning Infinity Display is a clear winner.
- If you want the fastest performance: The iPhone 8 with its A11 Bionic chip is the speed demon of the group.
- If you’re a photography enthusiast: The choice is tough. The iPhone 8 Plus offers Portrait mode, the Huawei P10 has Leica dual cameras, and the Sony Xperia XZ Premium has innovative features like super slow-motion video.
- If you’re looking for a unique feature: The HTC U11 with its squeezable frame for launching apps and features stands out.
- If you’re on a tighter budget: The OnePlus 5 offers flagship-level performance and features at a more competitive price.
Where to Buy
You can find these flagship phones at major Australian retailers like JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, and Telstra stores. You can also check with mobile carriers like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone for plans and deals.
Remember, the best smartphone for you depends on your individual needs and priorities. Consider what features are most important to you, read reviews, compare specs, and try out the phones in person before making your final decision. Happy phone hunting!