POCO F1
Released August 2018: Few devices have garnered as much attention this year as the POCO F1. The Xiaomi sub-brand burst its way onto the scene back in August with the F1, and from the onset it was clear that the brand is going after the likes of Honor and OnePlus.
Right now, the POCO F1 is the most affordable device yet to feature the Snapdragon 845. The phone retails for just under $300 in India, and it is also available officially in the UK, where it costs £329 ($450). Even at that price, it is a steal for the hardware on offer.
The POCO F1 is designed around an aluminum alloy chassis with a polycarbonate back available in various finishes. POCO's reasoning for doing so is simple — most consumers use their phones with a case, so it doesn't really matter what material the back is made out of. And for those that don't like a case, the polycarbonate back is much more durable than the usual glass-backed options in the market today.
The design may not look as premium as other $400 devices, but the POCO F1 has top-notch fit and finish. What sets the phone aside is the internal hardware — the base variant comes with 6GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and is powered by the Snapdragon 845. There's also a 4000mAh battery under the hood, and you'll easily get two days' worth of use from a full charge.
The phone comes with a 6.18-inch FHD+ 19:9 display with a layer of Gorilla Glass 3, and there's a 12MP f/1.8 camera at the back joined by a 5MP secondary module that adds depth information. You get a 20MP front camera at the front, and Xiaomi's sull slate of AI effects are available here. There's also Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, a 3.5mm jack, rear fingerprint sensor, and face unlock.
Overall, the POCO F1 is one of the best phones of 2018, and the fact that it's available in Western markets is the icing on the cake.