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This is our first list of best Indian smartphones in 2018, and things did not change much compared to last month. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is still leading the pack, and is followed by a couple of really compelling smartphones, like the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, OnePlus 5T, LG V30 Plus, and so on. Price points for some phones did change, of course, but you will be able to read more about that down below. So, if you’re interested in buying a new handset in India in the near future, and you’re looking at the very best, well, read on.
10. Moto Z2 Play
The Moto Z2 Play is Motorola’s mid-range smartphone which has been available in India for a while now. This handset is made out of metal, and it comes with a recognizable ‘camera oreo’ on the back. A front-facing fingerprint scanner is included below the display of this smartphone, while the Moto Z2 Play comes with a 5.5-inch fullHD Super AMOLED display. This handset also sports a 3,000mAh non-removable battery, while a 12-megapixel snapper is included on the back side of this smartphone. The Moto Z2 Play features a 12-megapixel shooter on the back, and the phone can be purchased on Amazon India for Rs. 22,579 ($356), or for $474.95 on Amazon.com.
Read more: Moto Z2 Play review
9. LG G6
The LG G6 is no longer LG’s most powerful handset, the LG V30 (Plus) took the crown, but the LG G6 is still quite compelling considering that it is quite a bit more affordable than it was back when it launched. The LG G6 is made out of metal and glass, and it sports very thin bezels, not to mention that it has a very compelling dual camera setup on the back. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 64-bit quad-core processor fuels the LG G6, while the device comes with a 5.7-inch QHD+ (2880 x 1440) display. The LG G6 also offers 4GB of RAM and a 3,300mAh non-removable battery. The LG G6 is priced at Rs. 32,990 on Amazon India, while it is currently out of stock on Amazon.com, but the model with more storage (LG G6 Plus) is available, and it is heavily discounted, you can get it for $449.99 via the link down below.
8. Sony Xperia XZ1
The Sony Xperia XZ1 is Sony’s current flagship smartphone. This handset sports a 5.2-inch fullHD display, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of native storage, while it is fueled by the Snapdragon 835 64-bit octa-core SoC. Android 8.0 Oreo comes pre-installed on the device, while the phone is also IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. The Xperia XZ1 utilizes on-screen navigation keys, and it sports a 2,700mAh non-removable battery. The device utilized Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging, and you’re also getting a set of stereo speakers on this smartphone. The Xperia XZ1 is priced at Rs. 42,000 ($662) on Amazon India, while it costs $533.36 on Amazon.com.
Read more: Sony Xperia XZ1 review
7. Xiaomi Mi MIX 2
The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 is Xiaomi’s most powerful smartphone to date, and many would even argue that it’s the best-looking one. This handset sports really thin bezels, while it is made out of metal and ceramic, while a ceramic unibody variant is also available. The device is fueled by the Snapdragon 835 64-bit octa-core processor, while the device sports either 6GB or 8GB RAM, depending on the variant you get. The device sports a 5.99-inch fullHD+ (2160 x 1080) display, while a single 12-megapixel shooter is placed on the back of this smartphone. The device is available from GearBest at the moment, and its pricing starts at $579.
Buy the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 (128GB of storage)
Buy the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 (256GB of storage)
Read more: Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 review
6. Honor View 10
The Honor View 10 is the company’s all-new flagship smartphone. This handset not only comes with a metal build, but it is also fueled by Huawei’s most powerful processor to date, the Kirin 970, which is the same SoC that fuels the Huawei Mate 10, Mate 10 Pro and PORSCHE DESIGN Mate 10. Having said that, the Honor View 10 comes with a dual camera setup on the back, while its fingerprint scanner lies on the front side of the phone. The device packs in 6GB of RAM in India, while it also sports a 3,750mAh non-removable battery. The device is priced at Rs. 29,999 ($473) at Amazon India, while you can buy an unlocked international model on Amazon.com for $776.
Hands-on with the Honor View 10
5. Samsung Galaxy S8 / Galaxy S8 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are still the company’s most powerful handsets, next to the Galaxy Note 8, of course. These two handsets are made out of metal and glass, and they look identical, though the Galaxy S8 Plus is a noticeably larger smartphone. Both devices are fueled by the Exynos 8890 64-bit octa-core SoC in India, while they are available in Snapdragon 835 variants in the US. Both phones sport a curved Infinity display on the front, and we’re looking at Super AMOLED panels here. The Galaxy S8 is priced at Rs. 53,900 ($848) in India, while the Galaxy S8 Plus costs Rs. 76,900 ($1,210). The two phones can be purchased for $639 and 718.99 in the US, on Amazon.com.
Buy The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S8 review
4. LG V30 Plus
The LG V30 Plus is the most powerful LG-branded smartphone to date, and it arrived to India quite recently, actually. The device is made out of metal and glass, and it’s identical to the regular LG V30 model in every way, except for the fact it sports 128GB of internal storage, not 64GB like the regular model. The phone is fueled by the Snapdragon 835 64-bit octa-core SoC, while it sports a 6-inch QHD+ (2880 x 1440) P-OLED display. The LG V30 Plus comes with a dual camera setup on the back, where its fingerprint scanner is also located. The LG V30 Plus costs Rs. 44,990 ($708) on Amazon India, while the phone can be purchased from Amazon.com for $805, and we’re looking at an international variant here.
3. OnePlus 5T
The OnePlus 5T is the latest and greatest offering from OnePlus. This smartphone comes with considerably thinner bezels than its predecessor, the OnePlus 5, though the two phones do share a number of internals, and even some design hints. The OnePlus 5T is a metal-clad smartphone, which is fueled by the Snapdragon 835 64-bit octa-core processor, and which comes in both 6GB and 8GB RAM variants. The device features a 6.01-inch fullHD+ (2160 x 1080) Optic AMOLED display, while it also comes with the ‘Face Unlock’ feature and a rear-facing fingerprint scanner. The 6GB and 8GB RAM OnePlus 5T variants are priced at Rs. 32,999 ($517) and 37,999 ($595) in India, while they can be purchased for $499.99 and $569.99 via GearBest.
Buy the OnePlus 5T (6GB RAM variant)
Buy the OnePlus 5T (8GB RAM variant)
2. Google Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL
The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are the latest offerings from Google. These two handsets are both made out of metal, and they’re both fueled by the Snapdragon 835, though the Pixel 2 is considerably smaller, and its bezels are noticeably thicker. Both devices ship with front-facing stereo speakers, while both ship with Android Oreo out of the box. Both devices sport 4GB of RAM and on the inside, and ship with 64GB or 128GB of native storage. On the back of both devices, you will find a fingerprint scanner, while the pricing of these two handsets starts at Rs. 47,199 ($739) in India.
Buy the Google Pixel 2 (Flipkart)
Buy the Google Pixel 2 XL (Flipkart)
Read more: Google Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL review
1. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is the best Samsung-branded handset you can get at the moment, as we’re waiting for the arrival of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus. The Galaxy Note 8 is made out of metal and glass, while it sports a rear-facing fingerprint scanner. This handset comes with a curved display, really thin bezels, and the S Pen stylus. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 features a 6.3-inch QHD+ (2960 x 1440) Super AMOLED display, while the device is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. In India, the phone is fueled by the Exynos 8890, while the Snapdragon 835 fuels this handset in some other regions. The Galaxy Note 8 is priced at Rs. 67,900 ($1,063) in India, while you can get it from Amazon.com for $819.99.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review