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TechInternet of Things

The 5 Best Phones You Can Buy Right Now

By
Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani
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By
Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 16, 2016, 3:11 PM ET
Photo by Jason Cipriani

For the average person, smartphones are a critical part of our daily lives. These high-powered handhelds act as our alarms, store medical information, capture precious moments, and for some, provide the only means of accessing the Internet.

In 2016, smartphones have never been better. We now have phones that are waterproof, take stunning photos, and have enough battery power to last through an entire day—if not longer.

So where does one start when looking at smartphones in 2016? Well, you can start by through Fortune’s list of the best smartphones you can buy right now.

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Galaxy S7 Edge

Samsung’s latest smartphone is the best smartphone available on the market. It’s waterproof housing prevents accidental damage when you knock a cup of coffee over, and its camera excels in low light situations.

In addition to impressive battery life and solid performance, Samsung (SSNLF) is giving early customers a free Gear VR virtual reality headset with the purchase of the S7 or S7 Edge.

Even if you normally shun the thought of a smartphone with a 5.5-inch display, visit your local Best Buy and pick up the S7 Edge. We might but wrong, but we think you’ll agree that in no way does that phone feel as big as it should. However, if you do disagree, the smaller S7 is still just as adept.

iPhone 6S, 6S Plus

Apple is a staple on any best smartphone list and for good reason. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are exceptional devices, each in their own right.

Apple (AAPL) is known for its seamless user experience on products that are easy to use and even easier to get serviced at one of its many retail stores.

Both devices are equipped with a 12-megapixel camera, capable of capturing fun Live Photos. The camera captures a short video before and after you press the shutter button, essentially bringing the photo to life when viewed.

Nifty camera tricks aside, Apple has mastered the ability to provided timely software updates to its entire product portfolio adding features and security updates.

For more on Apple’s iPhone, watch:

Galaxy Note 5

Samsung’s Note line has traditionally provided productivity tools by leveraging its S Pen stylus, and the Note 5 is no exception.

With the Note 5, you can jot quick notes or sketches by simply removing the pen and writing on the 5.7-inch screen.

Battery life was more than enough to get through a full day of heavy use and even longer for the casual user.

More importantly, Samsung recently began updating the Note 5 to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The update adds Android’s latest and greatest features to the Note 5, alongside overall improvements to the Samsung experience.

One last important benefit of the Note 5 that’s worth mentioning is Samsung Pay. The mobile payment solution first debuted with the Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ last year (currently found on the Galaxy S7 line as well), and the method offers the added capability of paying with your phone on most standard credit card machines.

Nexus 6P

Google’s Nexus lineup has long suffered from battery life issues and unimpressive photo quality. Google (GOOG) fixed both issues with last year’s crop of Nexus devices. The smaller Nexus 5X is a respectable device, but the larger Nexus 6P offers better performance. With a starting price of just $499 until March 27 (after which the price goes up $50), it’s difficult to overlook the 6P.

The biggest draw to the Nexus line for Android fans is that Google updates its Nexus line with the latest version of Android before its ecosystem partners. Meaning, when Google releases Android N later this year, the Nexus line will be the first to receive it. In fact, you can test Android N on the Nexus 6P and 5X right now if you’re so inclined.

Read more: Here’s why Samsung Pay is way better than Apple Pay and Android Pay

Moto X Pure Edition

The Moto X Pure Edition is just as easy on your eyes as it is on your wallet. Currently priced at $299, Motorola’s (LENOVO-GROUP-LIMITED) flagship device is completely customizable at the time of purchase. Want a white front, purple back, and pink buttons? No problem.

Motorola has made it a point with its Moto X product line to keep Android as near stock as possible, which translates into your smartphone receiving updates faster than more heavily-customized Android skins from the likes of Samsung.

While the camera could use some work in low light situations, overall it’s still a proficient shooter.

Best of all, the Moto X Pure Edition currently starts at $299, and it is unlocked to work on any U.S. carrier.

Honorable mention: LG G5

You can’t technically buy the LG G5 today, but Best Buy will begin accepting preorders on March 18. LG’s (LGCEY) newest smartphone is expected to see retail availability sometime in April.

The G5 sports a unique design in that it is made of aluminum and still offers a removable battery through a slide-out mechanism at the bottom of the phone. This modular feature also allows user to plug accessories into the device, offering the opportunity to add battery life or better camera controls.

After spending a few days with a pre-production build, it’s too early to say just how good the G5 is going to be. But it’s fair to say the G5 will hold its own when put up against competing smartphones on this list.

About the Author
By Jason Cipriani
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