Is the iPhone X the best phone this year? Yes. But only by a whisker. The Samsung Galaxy S9 is so close (especially if you prefer Android), while Apple’s own iPhone 8 Plus gives you so much of the iPhone X technology without the extra cost. In the end though, it's the ultra-desirability of the iPhone X that wins it.
The first thing that strikes you about the design is, obviously, the 5.8-inch AMOLED screen. It's certainly true that the edge-to-edge screen looks absolutely stunning, both from a design perspective and from a technology viewpoint.
Of course, there's also the top 'notch'. This does intrude on the screen slightly, especially when you want to be fully immersed in something, but call me crazy – I kind of like it. It gives the phone a visual identity.
Aside from the screen you've got Apple's blazing fast A11 Bionic processor, fantastic dual camera with portrait lighting mode, and FaceID (which actually works very well).
It’s the marriage of software and hardware, something that Apple's always been good at, that’s so effective here and that’s especially the case when it comes to Face ID.
- Read: iPhone X review
Of course, we have to mention the price. The iPhone X costs a considerable $939, making it the most expensive iPhone to date.
We'll start by saying this, if you think that's too much money then the iPhone X isn't for you. Is it worth $939? Well, it's complicated. Just like a Louis Vuitton Bag, there are more affordable alternatives that do exactly the same job, but it's all about prestige and branding.
Apple has slowly been morphing into a luxury goods company for a while now, and the iPhone X is another step in that direction. It's essentially a luxury item from a designer brand.
Basically, it's the refresh the iPhone needed, and Apple has succeeded in creating an incredibly desirable package. It's the best smartphone you can buy.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is the best Android smartphone in the world right now, boasting the brilliant Infinity Edge display which occupies 84-percent of the body and cutting-edge guts. Yep, this futuristic smartphone is a looker, and Samsung managed to resist the temptation to add an iPhone X-style notch, which is definitely a good thing. It has its own identity.
- Read: Samsung Galaxy S9 review
The S9 is the complete package, as well as the amazing display and industry-leading specs, this handset also has decent battery life, an excellent camera and amazing performance. With all of that combined, you get not only the best-looking smartphone, but one of the top performing smartphones in the universe. Yes, the universe!
We think the 5.8-inch S9 is perfect, but if you're after an ever larger smartphone, Samsung also offers the Galaxy S9+, which features a massive 6.2-inch display.
Okay, so unfortunately Samsung hasn't released a perfect phone - there are a few small niggles - it's not the most exciting update over the S8 (which can now be purchased relatively cheap) and Bixby is still inferior to Google Assistant. But we guarantee you won't be disappointed if you buy this phone.
The Huawei P20 Pro is the latest flagship from the Chinese smartphone giant, and we really, really like it. It's the ideal smartphone if you're looking for a premium alternative to the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S9, but it's also got plenty of features which make it great device in its own right.
We love the P20 Pro's Leica-branded triple camera. Yes, you read that right, this camera has three camera sensors, a 40MP RGB, 20MP Monochrome, and 8MP telephoto. The three lenses are can be used to capture some very pleasing images.
The OS is coming on leaps and bounds as well, and the design and feel of this device really is fantastic.
It's a smartphone that really puts a cat among the pigeons. The pigeons in this case being Samsung, Apple, and Google.
- Read: Huawei P20 Pro review
But it's not quite perfect. The UI still lags behind its competitors, and some won't be too fond of the iPhone X-esque design.
Despite its flaws, we think it's a brilliant smartphone, thanks to a neat blend of design, features, and camera. Plus, the battery life is class leading, capable of lasting around two days.
We can't tell you how close it is between the Google Pixel 2 XL, iPhone X, P20 Pro and S9 for the title of 'best smartphone in the world.' All four are great smartphones, but the sleek design, and amazing screen puts the iPhone, Huawei, and Samsung in the lead, just.
The Google Pixel 2 XL is still an amazing smartphone - especially if you prioritise camera quality and want software straight from Google.
- Read: Google Pixel 2 XL review
Whether it's the excellent camera, the metal-and-glass chassis, the oodles of power involved or just the fact that the software and virtual assistant work in perfect harmony with the hardware, Google's got a lot right here and this is a brilliant phone.
2017 was when Google came into its stride with the Pixel sequels. Google now has clear vision for its flagship smartphones. The design is distinctive and has character, and the Pixel 2 XL's edge-to-edge screen makes it the one to go for.
Of course, if you prefer smaller screens, the 5-inch Pixel 2 is also available, which is identical the OG (apart from size and screen).
The Honor 10 is a fantastic smartphone, partnering a young, hyper-modern, and eye-catching design with good hardware and an impressive suite of features, including some genuinely impressive AI functions.
The fact that this phone costs just £399 is absolutely nuts, too, especially when you take into account its hardware benchmarks that are right up there among those logged by much more expensive handsets.
- Read: Honor 10 Review
The AI camera functionality is also really nicely integrated, and the camera system grants you serious flexibility and scope to take creative shots.
Overall, then, a great new phone from Honor that shows, more than anything, that the Chinese maker is going from strength to strength.
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