What are the best mobile phones still coming in 2017? We round up the best smartphones set to launch before the year’s end, including the Pixel 2, OnePlus 5 and Samsung’s much-anticipated Note 8.
So far in 2017 we’ve seen some fantastic Android phones launched in the UK. The likes of the Samsung Galaxy S8, HTC U11, LG G6 and Sony Xperia XZ Premium offer brilliant features including HDR video support and world-class camera tech, as well as solid performance no matter what you need to do.
Of course, we’ve also seen some great budget blowers, for those on a tighter budget. You still get an enjoyable user experience and impressive power from the Moto G5 Plus, Sony Xperia XA1 and other wallet-friendly mobiles, at a much reduced price.
But we’re expecting plenty more to come in the second half of 2017. Big phone launches from OnePlus, Samsung and Google are on the horizon, not to mention a certain fruit-based manufacturer. Here’s our pick of the biggest and best phones coming later this year.
Best phones coming soon: Android Phones Coming in 2017
Pretty much all of the big manufacturers still have an Android launch in the cannon, ready to fire our way. Here’s the best Android phones launching this year.
Best Android phones coming in 2017: Google Pixel 2
| Brand: | |
| Price: | Expected from around £649 |
| Expected Release Date: | November 2017 |
| Our Review: | Google Pixel 2 preview |
Rick Osterloh, Google’s head of hardware development and one of the key creators of the Pixel phones, confirmed earlier in 2017 that a Pixel 2 phone would be coming out later this year. Leaks and rumours soon began to spread across the web, confirming that a bigger Pixel XL 2 would also be launching alongside the standard-sized phone. Not a massive, or even a tiny, surprise.
Given how great the first phone is – or at least, was at the time of launch – we’re already expecting big things from the Pixel 2. You can expect premium specs, a premium price tag and some truly stand-out features.
Check out our Google Pixel hub for all you need to know, including our full long-term Pixel phone review.
Best Android phones coming in 2017: OnePlus 5
| Brand: | OnePlus |
| Price: | Expected from around £449 |
| Expected Release Date: | June 2017 |
| Our Review: | OnePlus 5 preview |
OnePlus always stuns us by offering incredible value for money, undercutting the big boys yet still offering premium phone specs and features. The OnePlus 3T, released last year, proved to be the best mobile the Chinese company has launched so far – even bagging Recombu’s Best Phone of 2016 award.
Later in June we’re expecting to see the first new OnePlus phone of 2017. At first we of course thought this would be launched as the OnePlus 4, but now it seems like we’re skipping straight to the OnePlus 5 – for a very unusual reason indeed. We’re already psyched by the numerous leaks, including many from OnePlus itself.
Best Android phones coming in 2017: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
| Brand: | Samsung |
| Price: | From £799 |
| Expected Release Date: | October 2017 |
| Our Review: | Galaxy Note 8 preview |
The Galaxy S8 is one of the best Android handsets of 2017 so far, packing some premium specs and a gorgeous near-bezel-free design. Of course, if you want to talk about grabbing headlines, Samsung infamously released the Note 7 shortly before the S8 – which then was the focus of a mass recall, thanks to some faulty battery tech.
None of that has put us off the upcoming Note 8, which at one point we thought might never emerge because of that costly fault. Thankfully it appears that the Note 8 will indeed launch later in 2017, making it one of the most anticipated Android phones of the year.
Best Android phones coming in 2017: Honor 9
| Brand: | Huawei/Honor |
| Price: | From £449 |
| Expected Release Date: | June 2017 |
| Our Review: | Honor 9 preview |
Huawei has already revealed the new Honor 9 flagship handset, the big 2017 handset set to replace last year’s Honor 8. From specs alone, the Honor 9 seems to offer similar features and performance to more expensive mobiles like Huawei’s own P10, although now at a more affordable price.
We’ll know more about the UK release when we head to Berlin for Huawei’s official Honor 9 launch in June 2017.
Best Android phones coming in 2017: Sony Xperia X2
| Brand: | Sony |
| Price: | Expected from around £399 |
| Expected Release Date: | Late 2017 |
| Our Review: | Sony Xperia X2 preview |
Sony’s Xperia X phone tried to find a reasonable balance between great features and an affordable price, but sadly was still more expensive than many mid-range mobiles. The likes of the OnePlus 3T offer greater value for money, with better performance for less cash.
We’re still hopeful that Sony can do great things with its next attempt however. An unknown Sony phone has already been passed through the AnTuTu benchmarking software, and we reckon it could well be the Xperia X2. If this is indeed the X2 as we suspect, then it’ll once again sport a 5-inch Full HD screen. There’s a Helio P20 chipset powering the device, supported by 4GB of RAM.
You’ll once again get an edge-mounted fingerprint sensor and most likely a sleek metallic body, which will hopefully prove just as rugged as the original Xperia X’s.
You can also expect Sony to plug in the same excellent tri-sensor camera found in the Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact. That AnTuTu leak revealed a 23-megapixel main camera and a 16-megapixel selfie camera, which certainly sounds about right.
Question is, will the Xperia X2 sport a more enticing price? Only time will tell – and this new Sony phone will hopefully be launched at IFA 2017, so we don’t have long to wait.
Best Android phones coming in 2017: Nokia 9
| Brand: | Nokia |
| Price: | £599 |
| Release Date: | July 2017 |
| Our Review: | Nokia 9 hands-on review |
Nokia has already launched a fresh new family of Android phones, revealed out at MWC 2017. However it looks like the mobile stalwart has saved the best for last, with the imminent launch of the Nokia 9 flagship blower.
While the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 could at best be classed as mid-range Android mobiles, the Nokia 9 is a balls-out flagship handset. Sporting premium specs to rival the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and LG G6, we’re expecting very big things indeed.
We still don’t know when the Nokia 9 will officially launch, although chances are Nokia will wait until its cheaper handsets are safely on UK store shelves.
Apple iOS Phones Coming in 2017
Apple’s iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were big critical hits for Apple in 2015, bringing 3D Touch and all-new camera tech to the tried-and-tested iPhone formula. In 2016 we’re expecting more innovation from Apple, in the form of the iPhone 7.
Best iPhones coming in 2017: iPhone 8
| Brand: | Apple |
| Price: | From £599 |
| Release Date: | September 2017 |
| Our Review: | Coming soon |
Apple’s iPhone 7 was a solid all-round mobile, offering a new super-black design, a very exciting new camera, waterproof finish and lots more besides. However, although the new features were nice to have, they were far from essential to owners of the iPhone 6 or 6s. Which is why we’re expecting the iPhone 8, set to launch towards the end of 2018, to come packing some truly impressive and innovative features.
Check out our massive iPhone comparison guide to see how the new iPhone 7 compares with the rest of the Apple smartphone family.
Best iPhones coming in 2017: iPhone 8 Plus
| Brand: | Apple |
| Price: | From £649 |
| Release Date: | September 2017 |
| Our Review: | Coming soon |
The iPhone 8 Plus will once again be a bigger version of the iPhone 8, but you can expect a sharper Full HD screen, a bigger battery and some super-sexy improved camera tech.