How do flagships differ from budget smartphones? What is a flagship smartphone? Review of smartphones What is the difference between a smartphone and a flagship.

Competition in the mobile device market is incredibly fierce. To attract the attention of buyers, manufacturers need to annually release smartphones that impress with an elegant design, an excellent camera and have interesting options such as identification by the user's face.

We present to you flagship smartphones of 2018 from the most famous manufacturers. We will not rank them from worst model to best, since each new product has both its own “zest” and weaknesses, which we will talk about.

Sony Xperia XZ2

Cost - 59,990 rubles.

Sony's 2018 5.7-inch flagship smartphone has the same square shape as previous models, but features curved back and rounded edges. As a result, the design looks both modern and laconic.

This phone is capable of recording 4K HDR video thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 845, so you can create your own content that looks great on any HDR-capable screen.

4GB of RAM is not the absolute maximum capacity for modern phones, but most users don't need more. But 64 GB of built-in data storage will not be enough. However, you can always increase your data storage by 400 GB.

With the Xperia XZ2, Sony has updated the 3D modeling feature, allowing users to create higher-resolution models of people, food and other objects using the 19MP rear camera. In addition, using the main camera you can shoot video with a resolution of 960 frames per second.

Pros:

• You can play HDR content directly on your device.
• Excellent speakers that music lovers will surely appreciate.
• Dynamic Vibration technology creates an immersive experience by adjusting vibration intensity along with volume. This works with any content that has audio.

Minuses:

• Extremely slippery.
• Not very powerful battery 3180 mAh.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Price - 74,990 rubles for the version with 256 GB.

The S9 Plus is equipped with a dual 12-megapixel camera with autofocus, optical stabilization, and support for two apertures - f/1.5 and f/2.4. The aperture size can change automatically depending on lighting conditions.

A welcome change is the location of the fingerprint sensor. On the Galaxy S8 and Note 8, it was in the worst place imaginable - to the right of the camera sensor. It was inconvenient and not thought out at all. The sensor in the Galaxy S9 Plus is exactly where it should be - right under the camera, in the middle.

Galaxy S9 Plus has a fantastically beautiful frameless 6.2-inch display, 6 GB of RAM and from 64 to 256 GB of user data storage. The processor installed in the smartphone - Exynos 9810 or Snapdragon 845, makes the smartphone the most productive today.

Pros:

• One of the most beautiful smartphones on the market.
• The display is 15 percent brighter than that of the Galaxy S8 line.
• There is a headphone jack.
• There is expandable memory storage.
• The set includes headphones with Dolby Atmos support.

Minuses:

• The phone is very fragile, the display gets scratched easily, and the glass back will catch all your fingerprints.
• Battery capacity - 3500 mAh. With intensive use (video calls, social networks, sending emails, watching YouTube videos), the Galaxy S9 Plus will last about six hours.

According to yet unconfirmed information, in August 2018 Samsung will release a new flagship Galaxy Note 9, with fast Qi wireless charging, and a 4000 mAh battery. Previously, there were rumors that the fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy Note 9 would be built into the screen, but this assumption was not confirmed by real facts or insider information. However, Samsung may have a pleasant surprise in store for users.

Apple iPhone X

Cost: 75,432 rubles for the 256 GB version.

The list of 2018 flagship smartphones includes models that look very similar to the 5.8-inch iPhone X. And it's not surprising, since Apple's newest gadget is a radical change from previous iPhones, and it seems to be influencing the mobile device industry in the same way. just as strong as the first iPhone.

Touch ID has been removed from the iPhone X in favor of the new Face ID biometric security system. It uses two modules to project 30,000 infrared dots onto the user's face and then reads the data to unlock the phone.

The top-end Apple A11 Bionic processor, 128 or 256 GB of flash memory and one of the best cameras (12/12 MP) according to the DxOMark rating make the Apple iPhone X an excellent choice as an executive smartphone. Unless, of course, this year the company from Cupertino presents something more stunning.

The iPhone X's 2,716mAh battery may seem small compared to other flagships, but Apple has optimized its hardware and software excellently.

Pros:

• Frameless design.
• Convenient and fast interface.

Minuses:

• No expandable memory storage.
• Face ID may have errors, although it provides facial recognition 99% of the time.

Xiaomi Mi 8

Price - from 420 dollars.

The newest Xiaomi phone comes in three variants.

1. “Regular” Xiaomi Mi 8 with a fingerprint sensor on the back panel.
2. Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition, which is very similar to the Mi 8, but comes with a transparent body, an in-display fingerprint scanner and 3D scanning for unlocking the user's face.
3. Mi 8 SE is a cheaper option with a 5.88-inch screen and a Snapdragon 710 processor versus a 6.21-inch screen and Snapdragon 845 in the “older” versions of the Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer.

On board the Mi 8 there is 6 GB of RAM and from 64 to 256 GB of flash memory. And the Mi 8 Explorer Edition comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM. All three versions will not have a slot for memory expansion.

On the back there is a camera with two 12-megapixel sensors. It has optical stabilization, dual-pole autofocus and portrait mode. Among the Chinese flagship smartphones of 2018, the Mi 8 has one of the best final DxOMark results for photo and video shooting - 99 points. The Korean Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus scored the same number.

The phone uses AI to detect scenes and apply the best settings, as well as for portrait photography. On the front, there is a 20-megapixel front camera with f/2.0 aperture that takes very bright and clear selfies.

It’s too early to talk about the pros and cons of all three Mi 8 models. They have not yet gone on sale in Russia.

Huawei P20 Pro

The average cost is 48,750 rubles.

This 6.1-inch frameless Chinese smartphone is a 2018 flagship killer, both in its design and camera capabilities. The P20 Pro comes in several colors, including a unique "Twilight" design with a glossy blue-violet gradient that changes color depending on lighting conditions.

The model is equipped with three Leica cameras on the back side: 40 MP + 20 MP + 8 MP.

• The main 40-megapixel color sensor provides rich color photos.
• An additional 20-megapixel monochrome sensor captures additional detail.
• And a third 8-megapixel telephoto lens is used for additional focal length.

The 20- and 40-megapixel sensors do not have optical stabilization, but Huawei says that AI (artificial intelligence) stabilization will compensate for users' shaky hands. The smartphone also offers the world's first 5X Hybrid Zoom, which combines 3x optical zoom from the 8MP telephoto lens with additional detail from the main sensor.

The 24MP selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture allows you to apply various lighting effects to your photos. It also supports AI-based 3D facial modeling technology.

For photo and video shooting, Huawei P20 Pro scored 109 points in the DxOMark rating. So far this is the best result of all.

The P20 Pro comes with the hardware we've come to expect from a Huawei flagship device. It is equipped with a fast and powerful eight-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 chipset with a neural network module, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of flash memory, as well as a Mali-G72 MP12 video processor, which copes well with most tasks.

The new product from Huawei supports both a fingerprint sensor and face unlock function.

Pros:

• Large and very bright screen - maximum brightness of 600 nits.
• Powerful 4000 mAh battery.

Minuses:

• There is no 3.5mm headphone jack, but an adapter is included.
• Does not have expandable memory storage.

Honor 10

Price - 29,990 in the maximum configuration.

This is one of three inexpensive models in the top 10 flagship smartphones of 2018. The rating unfortunately doesn't capture the beauty of the Honor 10's shimmering back panel. The Phantom Blue version shimmers in different shades of blue and purple from different angles, while the Phantom Green was made to showcase blue and green hues reminiscent of the Northern Lights . If bright colors aren't your thing, there are Midnight Black and Glacier Gray options.

Honor 10 features a Full HD+ 5.84-inch display with a resolution of 2280x1080 and an aspect ratio of 19:9. It comes with the same HiSilicon Kirin 970 chipset that powers the Honor View 10. Be it the latest games, or intense multitasking, Honor 10 will not let you down. This is partly due to the 4GB of RAM and the Mali-G72 MP12 GPU. Flash memory capacity ranges from 64 to 128 GB.

The device has a 16MP f/1.8 RGB primary lens and a 24MP f/1.8 monochrome sensor for added clarity and detail in images. The biggest change this year is the camera functionality (artificial intelligence - AI). To switch the camera to AI mode you need to press the corresponding button in the camera application. When activated, Honor 10 automatically changes camera settings to best capture the subject in real time. However, you cannot control this process manually.

Pros:

• Dazzling design.
• The Kirin 970 processor guarantees top performance.
• Excellent characteristics for its price.
• The camera AI really improves the photos.

Minuses:

• Slippery back cover.
• There is no OIS for the main camera.
• Battery 3400 mAh.
• There is no possibility to expand the memory.

Price: 51,990 rubles for the version with 128 GB of memory.

The South Korean company's new flagship is a combination of the best features of the V30 and G6, plus a bit of the iPhone X. It features a tall and narrow 6.1-inch screen with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9 with thin bezels and a notch that houses the earpiece, front camera , proximity sensor and light sensor.

The LG G7 ThinQ comes with the most powerful specifications available for the best flagship smartphones of 2018. It is equipped with a Snapdragon 845 processor with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory or 6/128 GB respectively.

LG phones have always been distinguished by high-quality sound and the G7 ThinQ is no exception to this rule. It boasts 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC support and DTS:X 3D Surround Sound technology. For now, this is more of a feature for the future, since the content you watch or listen to needs DTS:X support, which is not yet available.

The new product from LG now has an 8-megapixel front camera that takes selfies with good color reproduction and natural skin tones. The phone also has a portrait mode.

The main camera consists of two 16/16 MP modules. The main sensor has an f/1.6 aperture, compared to f/1.9 for the second, wide-angle sensor, as well as optical stabilization. The camera's AI can analyze the scene and the objects within it and automatically provide filters that will make the photo look better.

Pros:

• The screen brightness can be increased to 1000 nits, which is useful when reading text in direct sunlight.
• 3.5 mm headphone jack.
• Expandable memory storage.

Minuses:

• The battery capacity is only 3000 mAh. With it, the phone will work from morning to evening, but will need recharging at night.

It costs 27,980 rubles for the 128 GB version.

In April 2018, Meizu announced its new smartphone, Meizu 15. This release is dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the manufacturer. The white version of the device has a luxurious ceramic lid. Other versions are content with polished aluminum.

The smartphone is equipped with a 5.46-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080. This means it retains the 16:9 aspect ratio, but has minimal bezels, and the screen takes up 79.8% of the body.

The fingerprint sensor is not the only way to unlock the Meizu 15. The company also added face unlocking, although it does not work as fast as the 10th version of the iPhone.

Inside the device there are: a 3000 mAh battery, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset, 4 GB of RAM and from 64 to 128 GB of internal storage without expandability.

Meizu 15 is equipped with one of the best rear cameras in its price category. The primary 12-megapixel sensor has an f/1.8 aperture, while the secondary sensor is a 20-megapixel black-and-white sensor with an f/2.6 aperture. The camera has four-axis optical image stabilization, laser autofocus, 3x hybrid zoom, and a dual-color flash with six LEDs.

There are few reviews about the smartphone yet. One of the obvious disadvantages is the lack of NFC. One of the advantages is the presence of a headphone jack.

Can be purchased for 35,990 rubles.

Soon, a version of the 6.2-inch ASUS flagship with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of flash memory will arrive in Russian stores. For now, users will have to be content with the 6/64 GB option, respectively.

In appearance, ZenFone 5Z strongly resembles the iPhone X. It has a “bang” above the screen at the top, although not as large as the Apple gadget.

The smartphone is equipped with a dual rear camera (12/8 MP, main sensor with f/1.8 aperture, second - wide-angle, 120 degrees) with optical stabilization, macro photography and autofocus, a slot for microSD memory cards, and has a headphone jack. The main camera can record 4K UHD video at 60fps.

Pros:

• Brilliant performance with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor.
• Large, bright screen with rich colors.
• Excellent sound quality.

Minuses:

• Not very powerful battery with a capacity of 3300 mAh.
• No wireless charging.

Nokia 8

Price - 29,990 rubles.

The company's current favorite is the Nokia 8, which is shiny and rugged. It is clad in a metal body, has a 5.3-inch screen with a traditional aspect ratio (16:9), a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4/64 GB of RAM and ROM, respectively.

The battery capacity is quite sufficient for a small screen and a not too power-hungry processor - 3090 mAh. In addition, Nokia has done a good job of optimizing power consumption.

Like most other flagships, Nokia 8 has a dual 13/13 MP main camera. Both the rear and front (also 13 MP) cameras are licensed by Carl Zeiss. This means that after taking a photo, the user will be pleasantly surprised by the result.

Pros:

• It is possible to expand the memory storage.
• There is a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
• Clean and modern Android interface.

Minuses:

• Poor set of camera settings. For example, you cannot adjust the exposure.
• No wireless charging.

We advise you to wait a little while purchasing the Nokia 8. The fact is that, according to information from various foreign sites, the flagship Nokia 9 will be released in September this year. It will be equipped with a 5.7-inch display, the latest Snapdragon 845 processor and a triple camera - 41 MP + 20 MP with an RGB sensor + 9.7 MP monochrome sensor, which allows you to increase the sharpness of the image. The front camera will have a resolution of 21 MP. Nothing is known yet about the price of the new product.

Articles and Lifehacks

Features of flagship devices

• A flagship smartphone is a kind of presentation of all the innovative developments of a particular company.
• That is why the device becomes a kind of display of all the most fashionable new products and the latest technologies, including a clear, expressive design.
• However, it is worth boldly noting that the most profitable and necessary developments are then necessarily transferred to all other smartphones from the company’s line.
• Every lover of modern gadgets will be happy to discover the so-called flagship smartphone. The current market offers several such models, of which the Apple iPhone 5S attracts special attention.
• It was this device that, for the first time in the history of the development of this field, was equipped with a processor whose power is equivalent to 64 bits.
• Samsung Galaxy S4 is a different flagship smartphone model, the advantages of which are an incredibly wide variety of games and programs, even compared to the same iPhone.
• In addition, this device is complemented by a powerful camera. However, it’s fair to say that this smartphone can hardly be called ideal, even for its fabulous price.
• The plastic body of the model does not fit into the frame of an elite telephone device.

Examples of flagship models

• It is worth mentioning one more model as an example. This is Sony Xperia. An excellent screen in terms of sensitivity, and decent RAM parameters, reaching 3GB, make this smartphone not just fashionable, but also practical and easy to use.

  Perhaps the combination of such characteristics is not something definitely innovative in the mobile phone market, but this company was the first to release this kind of smartphone.

• Flagships are offered in different versions. They are all different, but they claim to be unique presentations of the advantages of a particular company, such as the LG G2.
• Among the devices operating on the basis of OS Window, it is worth highlighting the Nokia Lumia 925. However, despite the fact that the company itself presents it as a flagship phone, this can be doubted.

  Even the previous 920 model was designed for 32 GB of memory. The new product allows you to work with only 16 GB. That is why, having heard a sonorous advertising name, you should not immediately purchase a new product without analyzing the main characteristics.

Those buyers who are interested in smartphones constantly hear the word flagship. Recently, it has often been heard on TV screens and used in reviews of mobile phones. Of course, an advanced user immediately understands what we are talking about, but a simple person does not. Let's figure out what a flagship smartphone is and how it differs from a regular gadget. The article will also provide a description of several models that occupy leading positions in the 2017 ranking.

The concept of "flagship"

If we consider this word as a term, then it was first used in the navy. The flagship was the main vessel from which command was exercised. Currently, this term has become often used for mobile gadgets. Sometimes manufacturers even abuse this word.

If there are several new models in the product range, then the most expensive one with top technical equipment will be considered prestigious. Its performance, battery life, screen resolution, cameras, etc. are evaluated.

So what is a flagship smartphone? First of all, the device must be unique. As a rule, developers use non-standard solutions that add a unique twist. Before the start of sales, the manufacturer organizes a large-scale advertising campaign, which increases the demand for the gadget. Vivid examples are the flagships from Apple or Samsung, which create a real sensation.

Rating of flagships 2017

In order not to be unfounded and to show what a flagship smartphone is, it is necessary to consider several models of gadgets. In 2017, well-known global brands are still in the lead. Of course it's Apple. It has never happened before that an Apple company has weakened its position in the global market. This manufacturer has a worthy competitor. We are talking about a fairly well-known Korean company. Flagship models of Samsung smartphones have been leading the ratings for several years now. Another well-known brand is added to them - LG. Of course, other companies regularly release attractive flagships, but the top 3 included the following smartphones:

• iPhone 8;
• Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus;
• LG G6.

Let's look at their characteristics in more detail.

iPhone 8

The ranking of flagship smartphones will be opened by another gadget from Apple. The company does not develop devices for the middle and budget classes, so each model can safely bear the title of “flagship”. In 2017, according to experts and users, the iPhone 8 was the best. Despite some features, this model still rightfully takes first place thanks to its own iOS operating system, the Apple Store and excellent technical characteristics. The developers used protection that complies with the international standard IP67. The screen diagonal is small - 4.7 inches. Type - Retina HD. The resolution is decent - 1334 × 750 px. Density - 326 ppi. This smartphone features True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the white balance depending on the lighting. The “heart” of the gadget is the A11 Bionic processor. It is based on six cores that operate on a 4x2 principle. The first ones are responsible for efficiency, the remaining ones are responsible for productivity. There is only two gigabytes of RAM, but all applications, even the most demanding ones, work perfectly. The main indicator of the performance of any gadget is games. This model simply “flies” when running World of Tanks Blitz at the highest settings.

The cost of the iPhone 8, of course, is also flagship. There are two modifications available on the Russian market. They differ in the amount of integrated memory. For the version with 64 GB you will have to pay about 53 thousand rubles, and for a device with 256 GB - more than 65 thousand rubles.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

The flagship smartphone Samsung Galaxy S8 was supposed to restore the company's reputation after the failure of Note 7. And, it is worth noting, the Korean manufacturer succeeded. Non-standard solutions were used for the flagship, which attracted the attention of the buyer. This model is available in two versions. The “younger” is equipped with a 5.8-inch screen, and for the “older” with the Plus prefix, the developers chose a display with a diagonal of 6.2 inches. It is this element that has become the “feature” of the smartphone. In both the first and second cases, the screen is made using SuperAMOLED technology. The resolution corresponds to Quad HD+ quality. The performance of the device is ensured by top content. The ultra-powerful Exynos 8895 chipset is responsible for its performance. The characteristics are supplemented with 4 gigabytes of RAM. The developers have integrated 64 GB storage, which can be increased up to 256 GB using a flash card. The optics are represented by 12 and 8 megapixel modules with f/1.7 aperture. A 3000 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy (in the Plus version - 3500 mAh). In talk mode, the device operates for 20-24 hours on a single charge.

Sales of the Korean flagship started in the spring of 2017. For the standard version they ask for about 55 thousand rubles, and the S8 Plus will cost about 5 thousand more.

LG G6

In order to understand what a flagship smartphone is, it is enough to study the characteristics of the G6 model from LG. This gadget has some similarities with the Samsung Galaxy S8. The huge 5.7-inch screen has become the hallmark of the smartphone. It occupies almost the entire front panel. The manufacturer has applied the IP68 protection standard. Under the body lies a powerful Snapdragon 821 chipset. RAM is 4 GB, and built-in storage is 64 GB. The device copes with all tasks perfectly. A dual 13+13 megapixel module is used as the main camera. It would be unnecessary to talk about the quality of the photographs. Such a flagship in Russia is displayed in stores with a price tag of 52 thousand rubles.

In the last two years or so, one word has become increasingly popular in the mobile industry: flagship.
New flagship from Samsung. What is the best flagship of 2015? Is this the new flagship of company X?

It is used everywhere, and almost every new high-quality smartphone is called a flagship. But what is a flagship smartphone really? What does this term actually mean? Are we using it correctly?

By Wikipedia, the flagship is the best model at the moment, and most importantly, it is produced in a specific organization.
From this it can be understood that technical characteristics do not in any way determine whether they belong to the flagships. Let's say we take the best model from explay (Explay AIR) and with its meager characteristics, it is still a flagship, although it is not close to the same Samsung Galaxy S6.

The roots of this term go back to the navy. The word flagship originated as a naval term, used to describe the most important ship in a fleet - or the ship that carries the commander. This also explains why, especially in the mobile industry, the term has become so popular, and... abused.
If the flagship is the best and most revered vessel in the fleet at the moment, then it is natural that the company's highest-end smartphone is considered its flagship, right? In most cases, absolutely. But the term is losing its meaning, and not just because of the media.
About a month ago, everyone was expecting the release of Lumia 730 and Lumia 830. And none of them even claimed to be the flagship. If Microsoft hadn’t blurted out the slogan: “830 is the first affordable flagship.”
What does this even mean, sorry Bill, but the Lumia 935 is more like a flagship, and does it cost no less than the flagships of other companies?


Speaking in mobile phone terms, or even more specifically from Samsung's point of view, which model can we call a flagship?
Samsung releases dozens of phone models every year. Of course, only a few stand out in Samsung's endless list of smartphones: the Galaxy S5 and S6, the Galaxy Note4, and currently the Galaxy Alpha series of smartphones. Of these Galaxy, Alpha is definitely not a flagship brand.
The other two are regularly called flagships, but that can't be true, can it? There is only one flagship.

The flagship has become almost synonymous with “high class” or “premium”, it is not correct.

So how to determine such a smartphone - by specification, price, or sales volume. I think a flagship doesn’t even have to be the absolute best phone in the company’s lineup. I would say that a flagship smartphone is the one that brings the best profit and sells better than others.

Surely each of us, while studying information about a particular mobile phone, has come across the phrase “flagship smartphone”. Lenovo K900, Apple iPhone 6S and many other models are often referred to by this term. At the same time, ordinary users do not always understand how such a mobile phone differs from others, and what they should expect when purchasing categories.

In this article we will tell and analyze how it differs from simple devices. We will also give examples of phones that can definitely be called “flagships”, and explain why.

The concept of “flagship”

The term itself, which the article is devoted to, comes from the phrase “flagship ship”. This is how they characterize one of the ships that exercises command.

By analogy, this term, transferred to the mobile market, can refer to one thing - the most prestigious, productive, expensive device. Thus, the development company claims: “This phone is a flagship. It’s more powerful, faster and more convenient than all the others.” Buyers, in turn, can focus on such a model and make their choice either in favor of it or another, cheaper device.

A review of smartphones shows that a flagship, as a rule, is released in the form of some kind of unique technological solution and appears in the guise of a new product. Due to this, artificial demand for this device is created. Tools for promoting such a phone include a massive advertising campaign. Read on to find out what a flagship smartphone is in each specific line of devices.

Criteria for evaluation

In fact, with the search criteria for a flagship model, everything is quite simple. Most often, the price set by the manufacturer can serve as a hint. After all, it is logical that the most advanced and powerful phone will also be the most expensive.

In addition to price, attention should also be paid to technical parameters. This concept includes such indicators as the performance of the processor device, the amount of RAM, the number of cores and their type), its operating life (this is affected by battery capacity), the operating system and a number of other options. All this is indicated in the description of each phone - and based on these indicators, you can confidently identify the best flagship smartphones.

You can guess which model is the flagship model by its release date and presentation of the device. Of course, the most advanced, powerful and expensive phones are always new. Flagship smartphones are constantly updated in order to diversify the range and, in addition, stimulate additional sales. You don’t need to look far for an example - look at Apple, which releases a new model every six months, creating a real sensation.

Who is cooler?

In fact, it is difficult to compare flagship smartphones and say which one is cooler. And the thing is that almost any most advanced phone is equipped with the most high-tech components - a new processor, a colorful display, a strong battery and an advanced wear-resistant case. Due to this, each such device is “the best”. Therefore, the difference between those that are released in the same period of time (say, in a period of 1-2 months) lies solely in the company that developed it and in its vision of the “ideal smartphone”. In all other respects, almost all flagships are the same.

Marketing

True, there is another point of view regarding this issue. Some mobile device market analysts argue that the very concept we are talking about in this article does not exist. They explain what a flagship smartphone is by saying that it is a marketing decision to “promote” one specific model in every possible way. Essentially, a phone with strong characteristics and a high-quality (according to the developers) design is taken and begins to be actively advertised. For this, of course, it is called a “flagship” to show: this is the best that the user can get.

If you look at this category of phones from this point of view, then you really should review flagships - smartphones positioned as the “coolest” from their manufacturer.

Characteristic

In order for the user to understand more about flagships, within the framework of this article we will provide a brief overview of some of the most famous models. All of them are widely advertised in the media and various reviews, and some have been in the news for several years. Thus, a review of smartphones in this category will give us the opportunity to compare them and perhaps even choose the best one.

Apple iPhone 6S

Of course, we will start with the world famous iPhone. It is believed that this phone is the best in the world in all categories, and it is simply the embodiment of the most advanced technologies available to humanity.

But that's not true. The device is certainly good, but it is also “just a phone.” The device runs on an A9 processor consisting of two cores. Despite their small number (as it may seem to users of Android gadgets), the phone simply shows miracles of performance. In addition to speed, it also gives you the opportunity to enjoy impeccable design (sleek shapes, brushed metal, iOS 9 graphic design) and useful options like screen unlocking using Touch ID.

What is there to describe - the iPhone is the most popular device, despite its high cost in relation to other phones. Obviously, for good reason.

Sony Xperia Z3+ DS

Apple isn't the only one with cool phones. Take Sony, for example. The flagship smartphone in its line is the Xperia Z3+ DS. Although the device is built on Android and does not have the “Apple” logo on the back cover, its cost is slightly less than that of the iPhone. Ask why this is so?

Well, we won’t talk about the design for a long time - and it’s clear that the device is presented in a beautiful, framed metal case that is pleasant to hold in your hand. In addition, there is a powerful eight-core processor (every 4 cores have a clock frequency of 1.5 GHz and 2 GHz). This device will definitely not freeze, slow down or glitch, rest assured!

Next, we can mention the complete waterproofness of the case - if you drop your Sony in a puddle, there is no need to panic. There is also a powerful 20-megapixel camera and a colorful Triluminos Display for viewing photos in the best quality.

Again, since this is a flagship, the price goes up to $800.

LG G4

Another interesting Android model was developed by LG. It retails for the same price as the previous phone, costing around $800. At the same time, the phone has its advantages, the most obvious of which is design. It is clear that the developers have worked hard to create the concept of a “phone for the successful.” In particular, the leather insert on the back panel looks interesting and is also pleasant to the touch.

In addition to it, you can point to a high-quality screen with a display with a density of 543 pixels per inch. This is a lot - the quality of the image on the device matches the quality of the picture on the leaflets that are handed out to you near the metro.

The performance of the model is also at the level - 6 cores with a clock frequency of 1.6 GHz allow you not to worry about system requirements before launching the next colorful game.

Also, according to customer reviews, the phone has an excellent body build, a high-performance camera with a resolution of 16 megapixels and a laser autofocus function. Rest assured that the gadget takes the best pictures imaginable on a device of this class. Look at the LG G4 - and you will understand

Samsung

Of course, the Korean corporation Samsung also has a flagship device. We are talking about a model whose presentation took place shortly before the writing of the article. What is remarkable about Samsung phones is the positioning of each of the presented versions of the devices as the “best” in a particular class. For example, the A7 is currently the best in the “budget flagship smartphone” category (since it costs only about $400).

There is also the Galaxy S6 (we already mentioned it at the very beginning of the article). This device will cost almost $1,100, since it is equipped even better than the same iPhone 6S. Let's say there is a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a high-quality picture and a pixel density of 577 ppi.

There is also a super-powerful eight-core processor (4 cores with a clock frequency of 1.5 GHz and 2.1 GHz). In addition, the developers paid special attention to the design of the device and the materials from which the phone is made.

Finally, another flagship device from the Koreans is the Samsung Note Edge. It also has strong characteristics, but is presented in a different class of gadgets - with a 5.6-inch display (like the A7, but more expensive).

In fact, the Korean giant is trying to occupy all niches at once, presenting phones in different classes. We can judge this at least by the number of devices produced by the company on a regular basis. Samsung has several dozen models that are constantly updated and replaced by other, newer ones. There is a constant rotation, in which you can also notice the flagships.

Lenovo P90

Not all “top” devices are offered at the highest possible price. There is, for example, a Chinese flagship smartphone released by Lenovo. This is the P90 model, priced at $400. The device is equipped with powerful cameras (13 and 5 megapixels), a quad-core processor from Intel, and a colorful display operating on Full HD technology.

Together with a battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh, the phone offers the user exactly the set that is necessary to perform basic tasks. Both the functionality and speed of the model make it an indispensable assistant in any situation.

HTC One M9

HTC also recently introduced its flagship - the One M9. It will cost the buyer more than the previously presented phone - $900. But the device has an even more powerful “heart” (4 cores with a clock frequency of 2 GHz, and 4 with a clock frequency of 1.5 GHz), a high-quality 20-megapixel camera, a memory card slot, and a 2840 mAh battery. These technical parameters make the device very convenient and “smart” in everyday use.

As for additional options, these include an attractive metal case (built according to the “tiered” principle), on the camera lens, a magnetic sensor, and more.

However, as for this flagship, the reviews about it are not the most flattering. There are a lot of comments that the device gets hot, or that the lens glass is glued crookedly. Of course, such defects should not exist on the best device in the lineup.

Huawei Ascend Mate7

Another Chinese manufacturer, Huawei, also has a flagship. The company is producing the Ascend Mate7 model, a business smartphone priced at $550-600. The device, like those described above, is offered with an 8-core processor that can switch between cores while performing tasks. This ensures maximum performance.

As for additional options, here is available, for example, the ability to remove the screen lock by touching the back cover of the device. The thing is that it has a special sensor installed that can accurately read the user’s fingerprint data. A worthy response to the sensor on the Home button (like iPhone and Samsung).

conclusions

In the article, we described some of the most common top-end device models on the market. As you can see, they all have advanced technical components, presented in the form of a powerful processor, high-quality camera and display, and a capacious battery. Also, which is typical, “flagships” also rely on additional options. For example, this is the design of the device, its ergonomics, interface, some functions that make the everyday operations that we carry out with a smartphone easier and more accessible.

In fact, the flagship differs from a regular device only in the set of these same “extras” and, of course, in the level of performance. If you need a phone for some more mundane purposes - communication and banal surfing the Internet, then it is not necessary to purchase a “top” model. And, on the contrary, if you want to get the best copy of those that are present in the manufacturer’s line, in order to work with the most productive and stylish device, take the “flagship” - you won’t regret it.