The Best Smartphone of 2016: iPhone 7 Plus vs Google Pixel XL

When it comes to choosing the best smartphone, it's always a tough decision. This year was particularly difficult because we had two incredible contenders - the iPhone 7 plus and the Google pixel XL. After careful consideration, we're here to explain why the iPhone 7 plus ultimately triumphed over its Android rival.

What's not to love about Apple's iPhone 7 plus? Its iconic aluminum design is now fully waterproof, making it a great choice for those who want a reliable device that can withstand the elements. The dual lens camera pulls off amazing DSLR tricks and is the fastest smartphone you can buy period. Add to that Apple's commitment to your security and privacy, and you have one hell of a smartphone.

One of the most compelling reasons to buy the iPhone 7 plus is its impressive 12 megapixel dual camera. One of the cameras is a telephoto lens that offers two times Optical Hardware Zoom, which results in a quality of zoom on the iPhone 7 plus that's just extraordinary. The dual camera lenses also enable the best bokeh effect we've ever seen on a smartphone - other phones including the pixel tend to mess up the blurring effect on the small details.

Apple is also well known for reproducing colors accurately, thanks to its seamless integration of hardware and software. iOS 10 runs like a dream on the fablet, with interactive notifications and the incorporation of 3D touch into every aspect of the interface. The new iMessage makes this smartphone interface ever more intuitive, while instant software updates are the icing on the cake.

However, one major blight on the iPhone 7 plus is the lack of a headphone jack - an issue that many users will be familiar with. But overall, it's near-perfect record speaks for itself. The device comes with lightning earpods, but if you have your own headphones, you may struggle with the included 3.5mm to lightning adapter.

On the other hand, Google's pixel XL is an Android smartphone that has been widely praised by critics and users alike. It's the first Android phone in history that can fully compete with the iPhone in several key areas - security, software updates, and design.

The Android 7.1 nougat software runs silky smooth on the pixel XL after using it for two weeks, making it easy to navigate even when comparing Android phones with user interfaces on top is hard. The device's attention to detail and design makes it appeal to iPhone users as well as those who prefer an Android smartphone.

The pixel XL's 12.3 megapixel camera is nearly as good as the iPhone 7 plus', though it doesn't have two times optical zoom or the dual camera tech to pull off accurate lens blur. The lens blur effect on the pixel XL is still very good, and overall, the device is worth considering even if it costs as much as an iPhone.

Motorola's Moto G Series has also been popular thanks to its sub $200 prices. While the new G4 is a little pricier than usual, it certainly can't be left off this list for that price. The Moto G4 offers a 5.5 in 1080p screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, and 2 GB of RAM, making it a great value for money.

However, the Moto G4 doesn't come with a fingerprint sensor - an omission that may be a drawback for some users. It also has a lower 13 megapix rear camera than its plus version. But on the other hand, the device comes with a 3,000 milliamp battery which should be more than enough to last you a day.

Overall, both smartphones have their strengths and weaknesses. The iPhone 7 plus offers a seamless ecosystem experience and unparalleled security, but at the cost of a headphone jack. On the other hand, Google's pixel XL provides an excellent Android experience with impressive camera capabilities, despite its relatively high price tag.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhen it comes to choosing the best smartphone it's always a tough decision this year was particularly difficult because we had two incredible contenders the iPhone 7 plus and the Google pixel XL after much debate and soul searching we crowned the iPhone 7 plus as the best smartphone of 2016 but the pixel XL is the closest second we've ever had in this race here's why the iPhone 7 plus ultimately triumphed and a list of our picks for other smartphone categories what's not to love about Apple's iPhone 7 plus its iconic aluminum design is now fully waterproof the Dual lens camera pulls off amazing DSLR tricks and it's the fastest smartphone you can buy period add to that Apple's commitment to your security and privacy and you have one hell of a smartphone the impressive 12 megapixel dual camera is among the most compelling reasons to buy the iPhone 7 plus one of the cameras is a telephoto lens that offers two times Optical Hardware Zoom the quality of two times zoom on the iPhone 7 plus is just extraordinary the dual camera lenses also enable the best bokeh effect we've ever seen on a smartphone other phones including the pixel tend to mess up the blurring effect on the small details apple is also well known for reproducing colors accurately since Apple designs the hardware and software together iOS 10 runs like a dream on the fablet interactive notifications the incorporation of 3D touch into every aspect of the interface and the new iMessage make iOS 10 the most intuitive smart phone interface ever to top it off instant software updates are the icing on the cake with iOS the lack of a headphone jack is the only major blight on the iPhone 7 plus is near perfect record it comes with lightning earpods but if you have your own headphones you may struggle with the included 3.5mm to lightning adapter after trying every Android phone on the list no matter how good or Innovative they are we still go back to the iPhone and the iPhone 7 plus is the best one yet Google's pixel XL is the best Android phone we've ever used it's the first Android phone in history that can fully compete with the iPhone in several key areas security software updates and software design it's so good we nearly named it the best smartphone of the Year indeed if you're an Android fan who will never buy an iPhone the pixel XL is the best phone you can buy Google designed the pixel XL from the ground up because of that it was able to perfectly integrate hardware and software together into one excellent package just like apple does with the iPhone that approach plus the qualcom Snapdragon 821 chip and 4 GB of RAM make the pixel the most powerful Android phone you can buy the Android 7.1 nougat software runs silky smooth on the pixel XL after using it for 2 weeks looking at Android phones with user interfaces on top is hard the pixel just looks nicer it's that attention to detail and design that makes the pixel XL appeal to iPhone and Android users alike the pixel xl's 12.3 megapixel camera is nearly as good as the iPhone 7 Plus's though it doesn't have two times optical zoom or the dual camera Tech to pull off accurate lens blur its lens blur effect is good but the iPhones is just better the pixel XL may be as expensive as an iPhone but it's well worth your money we are certainly excited to see how the pixel phone series evolves Motorola's Moto G Series has been widely popular thanks to its sub $200 prices and while the new G4 is a little pricier it certainly can't be left off this list for $2 other the Moto G4 offers a 5.5 in 1080p screen a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage or you can upgrade to the Moto G4 plus with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage but that technically presses you out of the $200 category the bass Moto G4 doesn't come with a fingerprint sensor and it has a lower 13 megapix rear camera but it features the same 5 megapix selfie camera as the G4 plus it also comes with a 3,000 milliamp battery which should be more than enough to last you a day the better camera and fingerprint sensor which adds security and convenience put the G4 plus ahead of the Moto G4 in our books however when you're really on a tight budget $50 makes a big difference that's why we've included both the motto G4 and the G4 plus the plus is our preferred Moto G4 but if you really can't spare the extra 50 bucks the Moto G4 will serve you well toowhen it comes to choosing the best smartphone it's always a tough decision this year was particularly difficult because we had two incredible contenders the iPhone 7 plus and the Google pixel XL after much debate and soul searching we crowned the iPhone 7 plus as the best smartphone of 2016 but the pixel XL is the closest second we've ever had in this race here's why the iPhone 7 plus ultimately triumphed and a list of our picks for other smartphone categories what's not to love about Apple's iPhone 7 plus its iconic aluminum design is now fully waterproof the Dual lens camera pulls off amazing DSLR tricks and it's the fastest smartphone you can buy period add to that Apple's commitment to your security and privacy and you have one hell of a smartphone the impressive 12 megapixel dual camera is among the most compelling reasons to buy the iPhone 7 plus one of the cameras is a telephoto lens that offers two times Optical Hardware Zoom the quality of two times zoom on the iPhone 7 plus is just extraordinary the dual camera lenses also enable the best bokeh effect we've ever seen on a smartphone other phones including the pixel tend to mess up the blurring effect on the small details apple is also well known for reproducing colors accurately since Apple designs the hardware and software together iOS 10 runs like a dream on the fablet interactive notifications the incorporation of 3D touch into every aspect of the interface and the new iMessage make iOS 10 the most intuitive smart phone interface ever to top it off instant software updates are the icing on the cake with iOS the lack of a headphone jack is the only major blight on the iPhone 7 plus is near perfect record it comes with lightning earpods but if you have your own headphones you may struggle with the included 3.5mm to lightning adapter after trying every Android phone on the list no matter how good or Innovative they are we still go back to the iPhone and the iPhone 7 plus is the best one yet Google's pixel XL is the best Android phone we've ever used it's the first Android phone in history that can fully compete with the iPhone in several key areas security software updates and software design it's so good we nearly named it the best smartphone of the Year indeed if you're an Android fan who will never buy an iPhone the pixel XL is the best phone you can buy Google designed the pixel XL from the ground up because of that it was able to perfectly integrate hardware and software together into one excellent package just like apple does with the iPhone that approach plus the qualcom Snapdragon 821 chip and 4 GB of RAM make the pixel the most powerful Android phone you can buy the Android 7.1 nougat software runs silky smooth on the pixel XL after using it for 2 weeks looking at Android phones with user interfaces on top is hard the pixel just looks nicer it's that attention to detail and design that makes the pixel XL appeal to iPhone and Android users alike the pixel xl's 12.3 megapixel camera is nearly as good as the iPhone 7 Plus's though it doesn't have two times optical zoom or the dual camera Tech to pull off accurate lens blur its lens blur effect is good but the iPhones is just better the pixel XL may be as expensive as an iPhone but it's well worth your money we are certainly excited to see how the pixel phone series evolves Motorola's Moto G Series has been widely popular thanks to its sub $200 prices and while the new G4 is a little pricier it certainly can't be left off this list for $2 other the Moto G4 offers a 5.5 in 1080p screen a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage or you can upgrade to the Moto G4 plus with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage but that technically presses you out of the $200 category the bass Moto G4 doesn't come with a fingerprint sensor and it has a lower 13 megapix rear camera but it features the same 5 megapix selfie camera as the G4 plus it also comes with a 3,000 milliamp battery which should be more than enough to last you a day the better camera and fingerprint sensor which adds security and convenience put the G4 plus ahead of the Moto G4 in our books however when you're really on a tight budget $50 makes a big difference that's why we've included both the motto G4 and the G4 plus the plus is our preferred Moto G4 but if you really can't spare the extra 50 bucks the Moto G4 will serve you well too\n"