Apple iPhone XS to Google Pixel 3, Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the upcoming Huawei Mate 20 Pro: Top flagship phones for November 2018.
Google Pixel 3, Apple iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy Note 9 are some of the best options to consider if you are looking for a flagship smartphone. Then there’s OnePlus 6T, a solid performer, which is slightly less expensive. Huawei Mate 20 Pro is another option, expected to be announced in India by the end of this month. Each of these smartphones stand out for their unique feature.
For instance, the Pixel 3 has one of the best Android cameras while Galaxy Note 9 comes with S Pen, something that no other flagship currently offers. Apple iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have the next-generation A12 Bionic chip. The Mate 20 Pro is Huawei’s answer to iPhone XS Max and Galaxy Note 9.
Let us take a look at the top flagship phones for November 2018:
Apple iPhone XS/iPhone XS Max
Apple iPhone XS Max has a larger 6.5-inch screen, while iPhone XS gets 5.8-inch OLED display.
Apple iPhone XS series made its debut in at the company’s hardware event in September. Both the phones have similar specifications and it mostly comes down to which screen size you prefer. The iPhone XS Max has a larger 6.5-inch screen, while iPhone XS gets 5.8-inch OLED display. The phones are powered by Apple’s newest A12 Bionic chip, which beats the competition hollow in benchmarks and daily performance.
Read our full review of Apple iPhone XS Max
Another good thing is the phones now support dual-SIM functionality, where one is eSIM. Both iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max support dual rear cameras, a combination of 12MP sensors, which can capture photos with great details. The camera is fast, and low-light photos have improved from previous-generation iPhone 8 Plus. The phones have an edge-to-edge display, glass body design and support Face ID feature.
Both iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max support dual rear cameras, a combination of 12MP sensors.
Apple iPhone XS price in India is Rs 99,900 for 64GB storage model. The 256GB and 512GB storage variants will cost Rs 1,14,900 and Rs 1,34,900 respectively. Apple iPhone XS Max price starts at Rs 1,09,900 for 64GB storage option, while 256GB storage model will set you back to Rs 1,24,900. The higher-end 512GB storage option is priced at Rs 1,44,900.
Read our full review of Apple iPhone XS
Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL
The third-generation Pixel devices made their debut in October. The new phones continue with a single 12MP camera that we saw on Pixel 2 series.
Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL continue with a single 12MP camera that we saw on Pixel 2 series.
Google gets the camera right as the camera on Pixel 3 series is fantastic under various light conditions, be in low-light or bright outdoors. Pixel 3 manages to capture tricky details in photographs that might be missed with cameras on other smartphones.
Read our full review of Google Pixel 3
The bokeh shots are also detailed and have good colours. Google Pixel 3 lineup is powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor, which translates into a fast, zippy performance. However, users should note that neither of the phones supports for a microSD card slot, instead, Google offers unlimited storage for photos and videos in high-resolution on Drive.
Read our full review of Google Pixel 3 XL
Google Pixel 3 has not had a good start with early adopters complaining of several issues with the phone’s audio, display, as well as microphone and Pixel, Stand wireless charger. Users have also reported image capture and memory management issues on the phones. Other problems include overheating while charging as well as unexpected shutdown.
Google Pixel 3 lineup is powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor, which translates into a fast, zippy performance.
In India, Google Pixel 3 price is Rs 71,000 for the base model with 64GB. The 128GB storage variant is priced at Rs 80,000. Pixel 3 XL 64GB and 128GB storage versions cost Rs 83,000 and Rs 92,000 respectively.
OnePlus 6T
OnePlus 6T sports an in-display fingerprint sensor, a feature that the company is calling Screen Unlock.
OnePlus 6T is among the best mid-range flagships that offer excellent cameras and solid performance. The phone sports an in-display fingerprint sensor, a feature that the company is calling Screen Unlock. The company claims Screen Unlock is significantly faster than a physical fingerprint button. In our review, we said the fingerprint sensor is fast and natural to use, which is great.
Read our full review of OnePlus 6T
OnePlus 6T camera does a great job as it offers really vivid colours and sharp detail. When it comes to performance, the phone is capable of handling everything that comes in its way and stays cool too. With a lot of stock Android features, OnePlus 6T, the software gives users a great amount of control. The phone runs OxygenOS based on Android Pie
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is an Android workhorse and the upgraded S Pen is one of the reasons you might end up buying the phone. This is clearly one of the best Android phones with no frayed edges. The phone looks slimmer event with a 4,000mAh battery inside and the 6.4-inch Infinity Super AMOLED display is arguably the best in a smartphone. The performance is top notch and the battery lasted for over a day in our review. However, the large battery takes time to charge it fully. DeX is another performance enhancement that lets people use Galaxy Note 9 as a portable computer.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is an Android workhorse and the upgraded S Pen is one of the reasons you might end up buying the phone.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has a top of the line camera, which adds artificial intelligence features as well. For instance, the camera can recognise 20 scenarios or subjects and has the best auto-focus in a smartphone. It also comes with a very capable Pro mode. The S Pen is the highlight, which now comes with Bluetooth support that lets users take photos remotely, control music playback or videos etc. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 price in India is Rs 67,900 for 128GB storage model, while the 512GB ROM version will cost Rs 84,900 respectively. Read our full review of Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
Huawei Mate P20 Pro
Huawei Mate P20 Pro is a high-end smartphone, expected to be launched in India by the end of October as Amazon exclusive. It tries to be an all-rounder good at everything from performance to battery life and competes with the likes of iPhone XS Max and Samsung Note 9.
Huawei Mate P20 Pro is a high-end smartphone, expected to be launched in India by the end of October as Amazon exclusive.
Huawei Mate 20 Pro has a massive 6.39-inch OLED screen and is powered by the company’s proprietary Kirin 980 processor. The phone also sports an in-display fingerprint scanner, 4200mAh battery and a 3D depth facing camera, similar to Apple iPhone X. The Mate 20 Pro stand out from the rest of flagship devices launched this year thanks to curved edges on the sides and the square-shape module that houses the three Leica rear cameras lenses.
The rear camera setup consists of a 40MP wide-angle camera, an 8MP telephoto lens that also offers a 3x optical zoom and a 20.2MP ultra-wide angle lens. The front camera is 24MP. Huawei Mate 20 Pro is available in the UK at a price of €1049 (or approx Rs 88,871). The India price is expected to remain on the same lines. Read our first impressions of Huawei Mate 20 Pro.