Poll: Best Flagship Smartphones for 2018

scrimshaw on 13/02/2018 - 12:48

Moderators at OzBargain have decided to run yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. The polls will end once the year is over.

Question

What is your favourite flagship Phone for the year 2018?

Flagship meaning: The best all-around device a company has to offer, usually the most top-shelf product with the latest technologies and the most marketing.

Let's look at last year's Poll winners first. In order:

  1. Samsung Galaxy S8 / Plus
  2. LG G6
  3. HTC U11

To make the number of choices more manageable, we’ve split the questions into three separate polls — one for each price bracket and tier (consisting of "Budget", "Mid-end" and Flagship. Also we recognise some devices may not strictly belong in a certain category because phone prices continually change throughout the year and might exist in more than 1 poll.

Tips:
Found a phone you liked? You can click on an item in the 'Related Products' section to view current or active deals, and see forum discussions related to it.

  • Don't see a phone that you like in the poll options? Make a (sensible) suggestion and we'll add it to the list.
  • You are allowed to change your vote!

How to Suggest a Poll option? Simply type into the textbox above your Comment box and then submit your comment.

Image.

Poll Options

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2018. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Mobile Apple Google HP Huawei LG Mobile Phone Nokia OnePlus Samsung What Should I Buy Windows Mobile Xiaomi Android

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2018 - 12:48
    -3
    Suggested iPhone X

    iPhone X obviously

    • dogboy on 13/02/2018 - 12:52
      +3

      Haha, good one. I need a laugh :)

      • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2018 - 12:56
        +2

        Go through my previous comments.

      • scrimshaw on 14/02/2018 - 12:37
        +2

        iPhone X may be leading the poll but it's slow sales and low revenue has caused Apple to consider discontinuing the device, and instead focus on making new phones that 'look' like the iPhone X, but will have inferior specifications.

        Rather than lowering the price of the iPhone X, they would rather just kill the product off because it might hurt future sales of new phones in late 2018, Apple said.

  • scrimshaw on 13/02/2018 - 13:01
    Suggested Huawei Mate 10

    The Huawei Mate 10 is one of three "mate 10" series that came out late 2017, October. This phone has 2 siblings, a Mate 10 Pro and a Mate 10 Lite

    The one I'll recommend today is the regular Mate 10. It costs $899 locally in Australia, $779 if you wait for a deal.

    • 5.9 inches, 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio, IPS LCD
    • A very high powered Hisilicon Kirin 970 processor with Neural networking processor that lets it recognize objects you point the camera at
    • 64 GB, 4 GB RAM
    • 3.1, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector; USB Host
    • all the bells and whistles you'd typically want on a great camera: Dual Lens, Optical image stabilisation, 2x lossless zoom, Leica optics, laser autofocus
    • IP53 certified - dust and splash protection

    The form factor is nothing new, but it does have very thin side bezels, making it a fairly compact 'phablet' that packs a lot of power. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with any stylus meaning that the Galaxy Note 8 might still stay as the champion when it comes to phones with productivity focus.

    • ubor on 20/03/2018 - 22:10

      A noob question. How would a stylus improve productivity?

    • AlienC on 09/04/2018 - 05:57

      Pity they didn't add more memory. I mean 4gb is a lot from personal experience but 6gb would have been nice.

      Personally if I am going to buy a new flagship it must come with 4k slow mo and excellent photo taking features.

  • dasher86 on 13/02/2018 - 13:17
    +4

    Google Pixel 3 will be released ~ November 2018.

  • sane on 13/02/2018 - 13:34

    Axon 9
    Due at some point during this year, purported to have the 845, a 6" 2:1 screen, sufficient memory etc. (4/6, 64/128/256) - and a sane price (US$550–$630).

    https://ausdroid.net/2018/02/13/zte-axon-9-renders-appear-sh…

    • scrimshaw on 13/02/2018 - 13:43

      We don't have a tag for that yet. I'll put it in once we know the exact specifics.

      • sane on 13/02/2018 - 13:53
        +1

        Not going to get very far on 2018 flagships if you don't add them till they are certain. Samsung phones, the google phones, etc. are all up the air to a degree till they hit the stores.

        Even worse, phones are beginning to get more software based functions during the year (particularly with google), with significant bits of circuitry 'turned on' after launch.

  • Savas on 13/02/2018 - 14:02
    +2

    surprised no Windows phones have been added yet

    • scrimshaw on 13/02/2018 - 14:09
      +3

      That phone (Lumia 950 XL) is not widely available anymore and has been discontined. Optus continues to offer it on contract: specs wise, it is more of a mid range phone than a flagship phone as it runs Snapdragon 810 which is a few generations behind.

    • whooah1979 on 13/02/2018 - 14:20
      +1

      Didn't know they still makes smartphones. Did they not go the way of Nokia?

      • scrimshaw on 13/02/2018 - 14:24
        +1

        Microsoft has abandoned smartphones completely and they own no production plants anymore. They sold it off for $350 million to Foxconn

        • Savas on 13/02/2018 - 14:26

          wow you know a lot about Windows phone!!

  • Savas on 13/02/2018 - 14:25
    +1
    Suggested HP Elite x3

    suggesting another Windows phone, but might have to switch to Android.

  • ronnknee on 13/02/2018 - 15:01
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy Note 8

    Suggesting Samsung Note 8.

  • NotAnAudiophile on 13/02/2018 - 15:12
    +1
    Suggested LG V30

    I suggest this…

  • Ares on 13/02/2018 - 23:36

    I'll suggest the OnePlus 5T

  • scrimshaw on 14/02/2018 - 00:04
    +1
    Suggested OnePlus 5T

    Oneplus 5T added by Ares

  • jacharya on 14/02/2018 - 09:42
    Suggested Xiaomi Mi Mix 2

    Mi Mix 2 - The original bezel-less phones?

  • scrimshaw on 14/02/2018 - 12:45
    +1
    Suggested Google Pixel 2

    Don't like big phones? Try the 5 inch, 1080p Google Pixel 2. Sales apparently aren't doing so well in the USA, but this is the phone to get if you want a pure Google experience and a premium build quality.

    Specs

    • Snapdragon 835
    • 64/128 GB, 4 GB RAM
    • 12.2 MP with 2160p@30fps recording
    • No audio jack! Type-C to 3.5 mm instead.
    • Bluetooth 5.0, 5.0, with aptX HD high quality audio
    • Li-Ion 2700 mAh battery
    • IP67 certified - dust and water resistant

    The phone costs roughly $820 when it's on sale. Not cheap for a phone, but cheaper than some flagship iPhones.

    • BK12 on 14/02/2018 - 14:50

      Not sure if its the Best phone,but Google Pixel 2 is the smartest phone in the market

  • dasher86 on 28/02/2018 - 10:14

    Asus Zenfone5 and 5z have just been announced. at the price point of ~479Euro ($750AU+add aussie tax)
    This might be a decent contender.

  • dasher86 on 28/02/2018 - 10:42
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy S9+

    Samsung Galaxy S9+
    RRP $1,349.00
    Android 8 Oreo
    3,500mAh Battery
    6GB RAM 64GB/128GB/256GB micro SD Slot support 400gb
    6.2-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED, 18.5:9 (529ppi)
    full specs - Gizmodo
    https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/02/the-samsung-galaxy-s9-and…

  • sintro on 28/02/2018 - 15:48
    +1
    Suggested Nokia 8 Sirocco

    I meant the Nokia 8 Sirocco with Snapdragon 835

  • Rorschach on 29/04/2018 - 10:48
    +2
    Suggested Huawei P20 Pro

    Never thought I would nominate a Huawei, ever!

    • this is us on 02/05/2018 - 16:48

      +2

      I am kind of frustrated having to choose a new phone… My 2-year-old HTC 10's battery is becoming a problem (mainly around the last 1-2 months), and finding a premium/flagship with "the best" battery is being challenging.

      From rankings like this I try to get enough information to choose my next device, considering battery, beauty (according to my taste) and other specifications.
      I always hope to buy something better and see significant innovations when I buy a new phone, which usually happens every two years, but I think the companies are a bit stuck in terms of offering new technology and useful stuff.
      From my point of view, the last significant innovation was the fingerprint. After that, I couldn't see anything extraordinary. If I had to choose, the battery would be my first requirement.

      I'm thinking on Huawei P20 PRO mainly because of the battery, but also for the innovative (3) camera.
      Galaxy S8 was nice, but the S9 is more of the same, and I am not a big Samsung fan (for smartphones).
      The upcoming HTC U12 will likely be more of the same, unfortunately. It might come with a 3500 battery, which is a progress but not enough to support my decision unless it brings something else…

  • scrimshaw on 09/05/2018 - 13:25

    Samsung S9 Plus was added by Dasher

    • Trishool on 25/06/2018 - 11:16

      Samsung Galaxy S9+ is now listed twice.

  • scrimshaw on 09/05/2018 - 13:26
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy S9

    Samsung Galaxy S9 was added by Scrimshaw

    scrimshaw on 09/05/2018 - 13:26 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • Angelscrap on 24/05/2018 - 16:43
    Suggested OnePlus 6

    Oneplus 6 - with pretty good spec.

  • scrimshaw on 06/06/2018 - 18:10
    Suggested Xiaomi Mi 8

    The Xiaomi Mi8 is now out, and it boasts some very high end specs for a price under $600 US dollars.

    It of course, uses the Snapdragon 845 clocked at 2.8ghz, has 6GB of RAM and a pretty big 6.21 inch 2249 x 1080p panel, with the trendy 'Notch', no headphone jack and on-screen navigation buttons, with minimal chin and side bezels.

    The biometrics have been upgraded with IR-based face recognition, and a 12 megapixel dual camera on the back, and a impressive 20 megapixel camera on the front, though we know that megapixels aren't everything.

    It still doesn't have Band 28, like most Xiaomi phones.

    It retails for just under $780 AUD.

  • smuggler on 06/06/2018 - 18:55
    -3

    Samsung S9+ is the best smartphone in the world, period.

  • b2dz on 03/07/2018 - 23:03

    Why is it so hard to find a smartphone with these non-negotiable items?

    MicroSD card slot - preferably dedicated, shared OK too
    3.5mm Headphone jack
    Full selection of bands
    Android 8.1 (preferably vanilla)
    At least 6GB of memory with a high end CPU and GPU

    So far only the Asus Zenfone kind of meets that but it's software doesn't seem to review well and the camera is kind of average. Happy to pay a higher price but I can't seem to find anything that meets these requirements.

    Any suggestions are appreciated.

    • yummypinacolada on 04/07/2018 - 23:43

      Seems like you're just looking for something that doesn't exist.

      MicroSD card slot - preferably dedicated, shared OK too -> If there's no micro SD, why don't you just pick the 256GB one as money seems not an issue for you
      3.5mm Headphone jack -> There are still heaps of phones that have headphone jack, although I feel like we're going in the direction to remove headphone jack for good in the future
      Full selection of bands -> Lots of options as well
      Android 8.1 (preferably vanilla) -> Most 2018 flagship phone should come with Android 8 at least
      At least 6GB of memory with a high end CPU and GPU -> There's no need for you to concern about performance issue with flagship phones these days. I still have my galaxy note 5 and my current S9, seriously there's no app that my note 5 can't handle till today and I can't differentiate the performance between both of them unless I use an app to measure it.

      Lastly, Zenfone camera still score 90 overall from dxomark review that is comparable with Iphone 8.

      • b2dz on 10/07/2018 - 12:05

        I gave in and bought a Samsung S9+.

        It's a great looking phone and meets my hardware requirements (minus an average capacity battery), however the software is god awful, and at every stage during the setup process Samsung trick me into handing over my personal data.

        Sigh.

    • Dreammist on 28/07/2018 - 21:27

      I love my Zenfone 5z. Great phone for the price. Camera is fine for what I use it for and haven't noticed any software issues…

  • Carpe Diem on 13/08/2018 - 13:37
    +1
    Suggested ASUS ROG

    Asus ROG - This phone is expected next month & in Austarlia around Oct/Nov. The specs alone beats anything on the market, by a long way (camera pending).
    While I love the unqiue look of it too. Cracking phone IMO.

    https://www.asus.com/Phone/ROG-Phone/

    • skelty on 13/08/2018 - 20:05

      cool, you got a source on that australian launch?

      • Carpe Diem on 14/08/2018 - 08:35

        No set date yet but I'm probably going to import mine from abroad, provided it meeets all the band requirements, which I think it does.

  • dearears on 13/08/2018 - 22:15

    I would have to see Samsung there…they are dishonest..

  • PattyDaPanda on 26/08/2018 - 22:51
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy Note 9

    Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Expensive but ticks many boxes!

  • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 15/10/2018 - 00:02

    The ROG phone definitely looks promising. Besides that, either the note 9 or s9.

    No I didn't mean to say +. If you want a big phone, go with the note 9.

    Offers somewhat decent value for money (as much as their tends to be in the flagship range).

    Like I said though, the ROG phone looks promising. Will be interesting to see how good the camera turns out, because if that's any good Samsung and Google may have some serious competition in the high end.

    *I don't put apple there because they were fined big bucks for ripping people off here and people are still loyale to them…

    • Carpe Diem on 15/10/2018 - 09:26
      +1

      From what I've seen the camera looks decent but not breataking. It won't beat Samsung, Nokia etc but it's beats them in every other area IMO. The specs & some of the features look excellent.

      • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 15/10/2018 - 16:43

        Wasn't expecting excellent, just good. I think the razer phone's camera was pretty bad last time round and I was worried asus would repeat that.

  • yummypinacolada on 17/11/2018 - 06:58

    Mate 20 pro should be on the list

  • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2019 - 17:28
    -1
    Suggested iPhone XS Max

    iPhone XS Max. Because of course.

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