Best new phones | 29 best new phones coming in 2016 & 2017 we want

Moto Z, Moto Z Force UK release date: September 2016

It came as no surprise when Motorola announced two new phones at the Lenovo Tech World Show in early June, and it was even less surprising that they were called Moto Z rather than Moto X (although Motorola insists this is a new- rather than replacement line). But while we were expecting a new Moto Z Play and Moto Z Style, we actually got a new Moto Z and Moto Z Force.

These are indeed the modular phones the rumours were referring to, with new 'Moto Mods'. These snap on to the back of the phone like a rear cover, attaching themselves using high-powered magnets. Moto Mods will be compatible with future Moto Z phones, too.

The first Moto Mod is the JBL SoundBoost, which turns the Moto Z into a tiny boombox. There's also the Moto Insta-Share Projector, which can create a screen of 70in, a Power Pack and Moto Shells.

The Moto Z is claimed to be the world's thinnest phone at 5.2mm, and has a metal aluminium and steel body with a 5.5in Quad-HD AMOLED screen. There's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM and 32- or 64GB of storage. There are lots of other features too but, interestingly, no headphone jack - you'll need to use an included adaptor with the USB-C port.

The Moto Z Force is a tougher version of the same phone with a second-generation shatterproof screen, which makes it slightly thicker at 7mm. Plus there's a higher-capacity battery and a higher-specified 21Mp rear camera with laser- and phase-detection autofocus.

The phones will be available in the US in the summer (known as the Moto Z and Moto Z Force Droid), but won't hit the UK until September. Prices are still to be confirmed.

Advertisement. Article continues below

New Nexus phones UK release date: 4 October 2016

We were expecting two new HTC-built Nexus phones (codenamed Marlin and Sailfish) to arrive alongside the final version of Android N. However, Google has now released Nougat to existing Nexus users, and there is no sign of new Nexus phones. And it has pointed to the LG V20 as the first phone to run Android N out of the box.

But that does not mean Sailfish and Marlin have swam away. It's now thought that these will be branded Google Pixel rather than Nexus - known as the Pixel X and Pixel XL - and that they will arrive during a special Google event on 4 October - that's just over a week away!

HTC is expected to be the manufacturer behind the new Google phones. Huawei is also on the scene, having trademarked the name Huawei 7P, although many believe it will instead be responsible for production of the successor to the Nexus 7 tablet.

Many of the rumours we've seen so far focus on the Pixel XL, which is likely to feature a Snapdragon 820 chip. This is more powerful and energy efficient, and builds in support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0.

Expect both phones to come with support for USB-C. Read more Google Pixel X and Pixel XL rumours here.

Microsoft Surface Phone UK release date: TBC

Surface Phone rumours have been few and far between, leading some to think it's nothing more than a myth. But it was recently revealed by Wired that Microsoft Corporate VP Panos Panay has been working on a prototype of a new phone.

Should it truly exist, the Surface Phone is expected to arrive in 2016, with a 5.5in Quad-HD AMOLED display, 4GB of RAM, 64- and 128GB storage options (with microSD support), a 64-bit Intel processor and 21Mp rear- and 8Mp front cameras. The Surface Phone could also get a Surface Pen and a USB-C port.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 UK release date: 2 August 2016 (launch), 16 August 2016 (pre-order), 2 September 2016 (on sale)

Samsung confirmed its Galaxy Note 7 phablet at an Unpacked launch event at the beginning of August. By now it should have gone on sale in the UK, but the company has been forced to issue a recall following issues found with its battery cells leading to the battery (in rare cases) exploding. Early adopters will have their handsets replaced from 19 September, while the Note 7 should become available to buy once again in early October.

The specification didn't come as a great surprise, and this 5.7in Quad-HD SuperAMOLED display smartphone has a dual-edge screen. There's also an enhanced S Pen, a new iris scanner, IP68 waterproofing, a 12Mp Dual Pixel camera and the return of microSD support. Not that you will necessarily need it, with 64GB of storage onboard.

We can't wait to get the Note 7 into our lab for performance benchmarking, since it should show a marked improvement over the Note 5. Samsung says its 64-bit octa-core processor is 31 percent faster, while the GPU is 58 percent more powerful. With 4GB of RAM onboard this is expected to be one capable phone indeed.

Advertisement. Article continues below

Samsung Galaxy S8 UK release date: February 2017

Samsung traditionally holds an Unpacked event in which it unveils its new S-series flagship the day before MWC. In 2017 this tradeshow runs from 27 February to 2 March, so we expect to see a new Galaxy S8 on Sunday 26 February 2017. Expect it to go on sale in early March 2017.

For its Galaxy Note 7 Samsung has merged its 'Edge' and standard models, so perhaps we'll see the same with the merging of the Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge. We think there may still be two Galaxy S8 models, but it will only be the size differentiating their screens. In any case you should expect more of the same metal and glass front/back design it introduced last year in the S6 and in 2016 has extended to the A-series.

When it arrives, you can expect the S8 to be the fastest phone money can buy, with a top-of-the-range processor and 6GB of RAM. There will more than likely be a super-high-resolution 5.1in screen - Samsung may even move up from Quad-HD to Ultra-HD, which is all the more likely given the importance being placed on VR in the next Android OS - Android Nougat - which this phone will run.

Sony Xperia X Compact release date: 25 September 2016

It might be a 'Compact' phone, but the new mini Xperia X's specs are far from insignificant. There's a huge 23Mp camera at the rear (5Mp at the front), plus a generous 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (plus microSD support up to 256GB) propping up a hexacore Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 chip (2x 1.8GHz, 2x 1.4GHz). A fingerprint scanner is built into the power button on the side.

The resolution is just 1280x720, but stretched over a 4.6in LCD panel it should be plenty clear at 319ppi. This is a pocketable phone, just 129x65x9.5mm and 135g.

Best new phones 2016 & 2017: Sony Xperia XZ

Sony Xperia XZ UK release date: Early October 2016

Sony unveiled a new model in its X-series at September's IFA tradeshow, known as the Sony Xperia XZ. It's got a monster 23Mp camera at the back, and flagship-level specs such as the Snapdragon 820 chip, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Sony also claims of bettery battery life and new adaptive fast charging.

The Xperia XZ boasts a 5.2in screen surrounded by a metal casing available in a range of colours: Forest Blue, Mineral Black and Platinum. Its edges are curved in what Sony calls a "Loop Surface" designed to make the phone appear seamless and fit comfortably in your hand. It's water-resistant, but not waterproof.

Advertisement. Article continues below

Best new phones 2016 & 2017: Sony Xperia Z6

Sony Xperia Z6 UK release date: TBC

Sony neglected to announce the Sony Xperia Z6 at MWC 2016, instead revealing a new Xperia X family comprising the Sony Xperia X and Sony Xperia XA. But this doesn't mean the Sony Xperia Z6 is dead: never say never, says the company, which has since clarified that it isn't ruling out the possibility at some point in the future.

You can read the latest rumours on the Sony Xperia Z6 here.

Now we'll take a look at some of the best phones that have already gone on sale in 2016.

Apple iPhone SE UK release date: 31 March 2016

Apple confirmed its iPhone SE during a special event on 21 March. The phone went on sale on 31 March at £359 (16GB).

The rumours turned out to be true, and while the iPhone SE looks vey much like an iPhone 5s, but with matt chamfered edges and a shiny stainless steel Apple logo, on the inside it's very much iPhone 6s.

Headline features include the Apple A9 processor and M9 motion co-processor, plus a 12Mp iSight camera that can also capture 4K video.

Read our iPhone SE review here.

Best new phones 2016: HTC 10

HTC 10 UK release date: May 2016

HTC on 12 April unveiled its HTC 10, successor to the HTC One M9. It continues to major on sound, but the BoomSound stereo speaker setup looks a little different at the front, with the tweeter at the top and woofer on the bottom edge of the phone.

In common with the LG G5 it's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820-powered smartphone with 4GB of RAM, but it's slightly faster-clocked at 2.2GHz. HTC has also upgraded the screen to a 5.2in Quad-HD Super LCD 5 screen, and implemented a fingerprint scanner.

The HTC 10 is priced in line with the Galaxy S7 at £569, and available to buy now.

Read our HTC 10 review here.

Advertisement. Article continues below

On 6 April Huawei unveiled its new flagship P9 alongside a P9 Plus. You can re-live the launch event in our Huawei P9 launch live blog.

The rumours were very much on the money, save for the naming scheme - there's no P9 Lite or P9 Max in sight. As expected, there's a new dual-camera system produced in collaboration with Leica. Unlike other dual-lens cameras, one sensor is RGB and the other monochrome. This and the new super-accurate fingerprint scanner found in the Mate 8 are highlights.

Performance is excellent with the octa-core Kirin 955 processor inside, alongside 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (that's in the standard P9 - the P9 Plus has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage).

The Huawei P9 and P9 Plus are aluminium unibody handsets with full-HD displays - the P9 has a 5.2in IPS panel, while the Plus is fitted with a 5.5in Super AMOLED screen.

The Huawei P9 is now available to buy in the UK, while we hope the P9 Plus will be coming soon.

Read our Huawei P9 review and Huawei P9 Plus review here.

Best new phones 2016: LG G5

It's not long since we welcomed the LG G4, but the LG G5 was announced by the company on 21 February. It's the company's first modular-design smartphone, which can be transformed into a digital camera or Hi-Fi player. It features a sleek aluminium unibody with a slide-out battery.

In common with the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge the LG G5 has an always-on screen (here 5.3in), which makes it easier to check the time or notifications at a glance. Another innovative feature is the two cameras on the rear - one with an extra-wide 135-degree lens.

Key specs include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage (with MicroSD up to 200GB), a 2800mAh removable battery and Android Marshmallow. The G5 comes in Silver, Titan, Gold or Pink, and will be available to pre-order in March for an April release.

The LG G5 costs £529 and went on sale on 8 April 2016.

Read our LG G5 review here.

Moto G, G4 Plus UK release date: June 2016

The Moto G is hardly a flagship phone, but it stands out as one of the best budget options with a good all round spec, design and performance. As expected, Motorola unveiled a new version of the Moto G (the Moto G4) and Moto G Plus on 17 May.

Those names might lead you to believe the new Moto G4 Plus is a larger version of the Moto G; actually it's just a premium version, with a 16Mp (rather than 13Mp camera), a fingerprint scanner and potentially more RAM, depending on which storage model you purchase.

Both phones feature a 5.5in full-HD screen, a Snapdragon 617 chip, Adreno 405 graphics and a 3,000mAh battery.

The Moto G4 went on sale in early June at £169 via Amazon, Argos and Tesco Mobile, while the G4 Plus was an Amazon exclusive at £199 from mid-June.

Advertisement. Article continues below

Things on Kickstarter are often a complete load of rubbish but the Nextbit Robin is a success story which we're looking forward to seeing in the flesh.

The firm was founded in 2012 and its key staff have been involved with Android since the beginning. Collectively, they've worked on launching phones including the G1, Nexus and HTC One M8 and M8.

The phone arrived in February 2016 with a price tag of $399, the 'cloud-first' smartphone has a different approach to most other Android devices on the market. There is on-board storage but the phone will automatically optimise by doing things like moving unused apps and photos to the cloud.

WORLD TODAY LATEST