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The iPhone 8
The iPhone 8 is great for those who aren’t too fussed about a new design, but offers Apple’s next-generation chips with an improved camera and wireless charging. A glass back incorporates this, making it slightly heavier, but it makes use of the Qi standard, which means you can use Samsung’s wireless charger for the 8. It looks just like an iPhone 6 but the Bionic 11 chip promises better photos and videos. The phone supports fast wired-charging, but there are only two storage options: 64GB and 256GB. Unless you’re using a 6S or older, we suggest waiting for the next-gen iPhone, or the iPhone X, provided you don’t need to take out a loan. Priced from R13 499.
FNB ConeXis X2
The FNB branded ConeXis X2 offers good value for money, great build quality and, technically, does not have a full price attached to it. The X2 is a premium 5-inch handset with 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and virtual reality support: the box itself doubles up as the headset. It runs the latest version of Android Nougat; supports FNB’s “tap and pay” function you might see at till points and garages, and has unique banking widgets on the home screen. The 13MP+2MP dual camera takes bokeh shots and the selfie-cam is 5MP. It has fingerprint security and a large 2 800 milliamp hour battery. A R1 500 refundable deposit is required in your savings account, and costs R199 a month, or free if you’re on eBucks reward level five; with free minutes and data. The catch? It’s networked locked on FNB Connect.
Mobicel R9 Plus
The R9 Plus from Mobicel is a 5.7-inch handset that looks great, except when you turn it around and notice your fingerprint marks. However, at its R2 999 price point, it offers more phone for your money. It has a decent processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage expandable up to 128GB and a 3 000 milliamp hour battery. What sets it apart from other handsets is the whopping 20MP+8MP dual front “superselfie” camera with a 120-degree wide angle, including gimmicky “scene frames” because everyone loves a good selfie. The rear camera is 16MP, with 1 080p video, time lapse and portrait modes. A 3 000 milliamp hour battery ensures you won’t need a power bank before the day ends. Available at Hi-Online.co.za, it comes with a 24-month warranty.
CAT S41
If you didn’t know, Caterpillar makes a range of CAT handsets that are extremely durable, aimed at those in the construction industry. Unlike other phones, the new 5-inch CAT S41 can withstand just about any condition, aside from being shock and drop proof: sand, salt, dust and dirt. It can survive a drop on to concrete from 1.8m and being submerged in 2m of water for up to one hour. If you’re not impressed already, it’s whopping 5 000 milliamp hour battery doubles up as a power bank for other devices with its “battery share” feature. It is rounded off with a 2.3GHz chipset, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage that’s expandable and features a 13MP camera. This is one you don’t need a cover for. Priced at R7 999.
LG V30+
LG’s newest flagship, the V30+ is aimed at power users who love making videos on the go. The dual rear cameras are a combined 16MP+13MP wide angle lens that offer a “point zoom” effect that lets you zoom into a subject, or a “cine effect” of colour overlays for a cinematic look. You can create a GIF of your video immediately and share it with friends, or on social media. The handset is powered by a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM and ample storage of 128GB (expandable) for all wannabe movie makers. Priced at R15 469, it is bundled with accessories from Vodacom and MTN.
