Like every year, YouTuber Marques Brownlee published his end-of-year video. A “ceremony” rewarding the best smartphones of the year. You can watch the video below.
In total, Marques has divided these choices into 10 different categories. The goal is not only to give the smartphone of the year, but also the best “large smartphone” or even the best folding phone. Two titles which respectively go to the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
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On the iPhone side?
Apple phones have not been forgotten in this video. They leave with 4 prizes, or 40% of the rewards. One of his trophies is nevertheless not very enviable given that it is the “bust of the year”, the most disappointing phone in the last 12 months.
It is the iPhone 16e who wins this prize. In his video, Marques explains that the phone is designed to be “the most affordable model” from Apple. To achieve this, the apple made concessions. It deprived itself of a large chassis, a high-end screen (no ProMotion here) or even MagSafe and Wifi 7.
But all these technical restrictions did not have (enough) impact on the final price of the product. The iPhone 16e is sold at €719, a price deemed far too high by Marques Brownlee, especially for a phone without so many features.
iPhone 16e at the best price Base price: €719
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iPhone Air: a devastating design
Alongside the iPhone 16e, the iPhone Air makes up for it. Apple’s phone, sensation at the end of the year, wins the design of the year award. It’s the only smartphone that feels “different” once you hold it in your hand.
Apple failed to convince the general public with its iPhone Air, which turned out to be a commercial failure, but Apple can at least console itself with this price. It will be interesting to see how the iPhone Air evolves over time. Many are already announcing its metamorphosis into iPhone Fold, from 2026.
iPhone Air at the best price Base price: €1,229
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iPhone 17: the smartphone of the year
No need to prolong the suspense any longer, the iPhone 17 wins the title of smartphone of the year. The Cupertino company succeeded in producing “the smartphone that the world wanted” in the words of Brownlee.
Read also: everything you need to know about the iPhone 17
With its new screen, its new chip and increased autonomy, the iPhone 17 at the same time wins the title of the best progress. Sold at the same price as the iPhone 16 when it was released, €969, this smartphone has double the storage, with 256 GB.
iPhone 17 at the best price Base price: €969
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By: Keleops AG
