Posted on 12/14/2015 5:07:08 PM PST by Swordmaker
Smartphone makers released a slew of new handsets this year with big screens and high-quality cameras. And more than a few were up for the top spot in this list. But when it came time to pick the absolute best handset of the year, I kept coming back to Apple's iPhone 6s. Let the hate mailing commence.
Before you get yourself all worked into a tizzy about me being an Apple fanboy, you should know I use a Samsung Galaxy S6 as my personal phone. So why choose the iPhone 6s as the best smartphone of 2015 when it looks exactly like the iPhone 6? The simple answer is because Apple has taken an already winning formula and honed it even further.
The iPhone 6s is not only faster than its predecessor; it also gets Apple's new 3D Touch, which fundamentally changes the way you interact with apps by letting you press harder on the screen to access more features and options.
There's also a new 12-megapixel camera, though photos taken with the iPhone 6s look about the same as those shot on the iPhone 6 -- which is to say they're beautiful.
The runners-up
The iPhone 6s's win wasn't a blowout, though, as it barely beat out Samsung's Galaxy Note5. In fact, if it weren't for the iPhone 6s's 3D Touch, the Note5 -- with its incredible camera, gorgeous display, chic design, and lightning-fast performance -- would have taken the crown.
Google's Nexus 5X also deserves props for matching up with other smartphones in terms of performance at nearly half the price. The reason it missed the top spot is it isn't built as well as iPhone 6s or Note5. It's essentially a nondescript block of plastic. On top of that, the Nexus 5X's display isn't nearly as vibrant as the iPhone 6s's or Note5's.
The final runner-up for best smartphone of 2015 is Motorola and Verizon's new Droid Turbo 2. The phone isn't exactly breathtaking in terms of design or performance, but what makes the Droid Turbo 2 shine is its nearly shatterproof display. Even after dropping the handset down a flight of stairs upwards of 10 times, its screen didn't have so much as a scratch. Now if only Apple could do the same to the iPhone.
What's coming in 2016?
Next year, Apple will likely release an iPhone with a new, updated design, but fewer tech improvements. Non-"s" model iPhones, like the iPhone 6, tend to put a focus on upgraded looks, while those with "s" designations, like the iPhone 6s, usually get improved cameras and performance features.
Outside of that, you can expect to see the same more powerful smartphones with sharper displays and improved cameras. But as with every year, we're certain to see at least a few surprises.
Looking forward to seeing what the iPhone mini is all about, if my 3s can hold out that long.
The latest Apple/Mac/iOS Pings can be found by searching Keyword "ApplePingList" on FreeRepublic's Search.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me
Keep in mind that Apple has said NOTHING about an iPhone mini. This is purely a pipe-dream rumor being pushed by several anal-cysts which may be intended to suppress the sales of iPhones during the holiday season. I find that a very credible thing considering that many of these rumors claim Apple will be releasing this mythical mini-iPhone in February, something Apple has never done for any non-computer hardware product as far back as I can recall. A February release is just soon enough to make people wait to buy. Any later and they would buy now anyway.
Wow. I had no idea there was such intrigue involved.
Of course a liberal org like yahoo picked Apple. Let’s see next week who the Readers Choice Award goes to.
Syrian infiltration is complete.
Last year's Readers' Choice Awards were really kind of all over the place but these to are the important ones:
The real world test is what make and model of phone is being purchased more often by consumers in the US. . . and the world. Apple iPhones are always the best selling phones and hold three to four of the six top selling smartphones in the US and world. . . and always over the long term, the Number ONE and TWO positions in any market Apple choses to compete in.
Non-sequitur.
Wasn’t the iPhone produced by a Syrian?
It’s a Vast Anti-Apple Conspiracy I tell ya. ;^)
No, although Steve Jobs' biological father was a Syrian muslim, his biological mother was an American Catholic for whom abortion was out of the question, gave him up for adoption at birth in San Francisco, California. Jobs is no more Syrian than any person whose ancestors came from another country. . . in other words, all of us except 100% aboriginal Americans. . . and even their ancestors came here from somewhere else. He is by no means ethnically Syrian and has no connection with the Syrian culture.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.