What does flagship mean. What are flagship smartphones: features and examples

Surely each of us, studying information about a particular mobile phone, met the phrase “smartphone flagship”. lenovo k900, Apple iPhone 6S and many other models often refer to this term. At the same time, ordinary users do not always understand the difference between such mobile phone from others what they should expect by acquiring categories.

In this article we will tell and analyze how it differs from simple devices. We will also give examples of phones that can definitely be called “flagships” and explain why.

The concept of "flagship"

The term itself, to which the article is devoted, comes from the phrase “flagship”. So characterize one of the ships that exercises command.

Similarly this term, transferred to the mobile market, can refer to one - the most prestigious, productive, expensive device. Thus, the developer company claims: “This phone is a flagship. It is more powerful, faster and more convenient than all the others.” Buyers, in turn, can focus on such a model and make their choice either in favor of it, or another, cheaper device.

A review of smartphones shows that the flagship, as a rule, is released in the form of some kind of unique technological solution and appears as a novelty. This creates an artificial demand for this device. The tools for promoting such a phone should include mass advertising campaign. Read on to learn how to find out what a flagship smartphone is in each specific line of devices.

Criteria for evaluation

In fact, with the search criteria for the flagship model, everything is quite simple. Most often, the price set by the manufacturer can serve as a hint. After all, it is logical that the most advanced and powerful phone will also be the most expensive.

In addition to the price, attention should be paid to the technical parameters. This concept can include such indicators as the performance of the processor device, the volume random access memory, the number of cores and their type), its life (this is affected by battery capacity), operating system and a number of other options. All this is indicated in the description for each phone - and by these indicators you can confidently identify best flagships smartphones.

You can guess which model is the flagship, and by the date of its release and presentation of the device. Of course, the most advanced, powerful and expensive phones- always new. Smartphone flagships are constantly updated in order to diversify the range and, in addition, stimulate additional sales. You don't need to look far for an example - look at Apple, which releases a new model every six months, creating a real sensation.

Who is cooler?

In fact, it is difficult to compare flagship smartphones and say which one is cooler. And the thing is that almost any of the most advanced phones is equipped with the most high-tech stuffing - a new processor, a colorful display, a strong battery and an advanced durable casing. Due to this, each such device is “the best”. Therefore, the difference between those that are released in one period of time (say, in a period of 1-2 months) lies solely in the company that developed it, and in its vision of the “ideal smartphone”. In all other respects, almost all flagships are the same.

Marketing

True, there is another point of view on this issue. Some market analysts mobile devices argue that the concept itself, which we are talking about in the article, does not exist. They explain what a flagship smartphone is by saying that it is a marketing decision to “promote” one specific model in all sorts of ways. In fact, a phone with strong characteristics and high-quality (according to the developers) design is taken and actively advertised. For this, of course, it is called the “flagship” to show: this is the best that a user can get.

If you look at this category of phones from this point of view, then you really should review the flagships - smartphones positioned as the “coolest” by their manufacturer.

Characteristic

In order for the user to understand more about the flagships, in the framework of the article we will short review some of the more famous models. All of them are widely advertised in the media and various reviews, and some have been heard for more than a year. Thus, a review of smartphones in this category will give us the opportunity to compare them and perhaps even choose the best one.

Apple iPhone 6S

Of course, we will start with the world famous iPhone. It is considered that this phone is the best in the world in all categories, and it is the embodiment of simply the most advanced technologies available to mankind.

But it's not. The device is certainly good, but it is also “just a phone”. The device works on the A9 processor, consisting of two cores. Despite their small number (as it may seem to users of Android gadgets), the phone shows simply miracles of performance. In addition to speed, it also allows you to enjoy impeccable design (smooth shapes, brushed metal, graphic design iOS 9) and useful options like unlocking the screen with Touch ID.

What is there to describe - the iPhone is the most popular device, despite its high cost in relation to other phones. Obviously, for a reason.

Sony Xperia Z3+DS

Not only Apple has its cool phones. Take, for example, Sony. The flagship smartphone in its line is the Xperia Z3+ DS. Although the device is built on Android and does not have an “apple” logo on back cover, its cost is a little less than that of the iPhone. Ask why so?

Well, we won't talk about the design for a long time - and it's clear that the device is presented in a beautiful, framed metal case, which is pleasant to hold in your hand. In addition, there is a powerful eight-core processor (each 4 cores have a clock speed of 1.5 GHz and 2 GHz). This device will definitely not hang, slow down or fail, you can be sure!

Further, we can mention the complete waterproofness of the case - if you drop your Sony into a puddle, you should not panic. There is also a powerful 20-megapixel camera and a colorful Triluminos Display for viewing photos in the best quality.

Again, since this is a flagship, the price goes up to $800.

LG G4

Another interesting Android model was developed by LG. It sells for the same price as the previous phone and costs around $800. At the same time, the phone has its advantages, the most obvious of which is the design. It can be seen that the developers have done a good job of creating the concept of a “phone for the successful”. In particular, the leather insert on the rear panel looks interesting, and even pleasant to the touch.

In addition to it, you can point to a high-quality screen with a display with a density of 543 pixels per inch. This is a lot - the quality of the image on the device corresponds to the quality of the picture on the leaflets that are handed out to you near the metro.

The performance of the model is also on the level - 6 cores with a clock frequency of 1.6 GHz allow you not to worry about system requirements before launching another colorful game.

Still, according to customer reviews, the phone has an excellent body build, a high-performance camera with a resolution of 16 megapixels and a laser autofocus function. Rest assured that the gadget takes the best pictures that you can imagine on a device of this class. Look at the LG G4 and you will understand

Samsung

Of course, the Korean corporation Samsung also has a flagship device. It's about about the model, the presentation of which took place shortly before writing the article. What is remarkable about Samsung phones is the positioning of each of the presented versions of devices as the “best” in one class or another. For example, A7 is the best on this moment in the “budget flagship smartphone” category (because it only costs about $400).

There is also the Galaxy S6 (it was already mentioned by us at the very beginning of the article). This device will cost almost $ 1,100, because it is even better equipped than the same iPhone 6S. Let's say it has a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a high-quality picture and a pixel density of 577 ppi.

There is also a super-powerful eight-core processor (4 cores with a clock speed of 1.5 GHz and 2.1 GHz). In addition, the developers have paid special attention to the design of the device, the materials from which the phone is made.

Finally, another flagship device from Koreans - Samsung Note Edge. It also has strong performance, but is presented in a different class of gadgets - with a 5.6-inch display (like the A7, but more expensive).

In fact, the Korean giant is trying to occupy all niches at once, presenting phones in different classes. We can judge this at least by the number of devices produced by the company on a regular basis. Samsung has several dozen models that are constantly being updated and replaced by other, newer ones. There is a constant rotation, in which flagships can also be seen.

Lenovo P90

Not all "top" devices are offered at the highest possible price. There is, for example, the Chinese flagship of smartphones, which was released by Lenovo. This is the P90 model, priced at $400. The device is equipped with powerful cameras (13 and 5 megapixels), a quad-core processor from Intel, a colorful display that operates on Full HD technology.

Together with a 4000 mAh battery, the phone offers the user exactly the set that is needed to perform basic tasks. Both the functionality and the speed of the model make it indispensable assistant in any situation.

HTC One M9

HTC has also recently unveiled its flagship, the One M9. It will cost the buyer more than the previously presented phone - $ 900. But the device has an even more powerful “heart” (4 cores at 2 GHz, and 4 at 1.5 GHz), a high-quality 20-megapixel camera, a memory card slot, and a 2840 mAh battery. These technical parameters make the device very convenient and “nimble” in everyday use.

As for additional options, they include an attractive metal case (built according to the “tiered” principle), a camera lens, a magnetic sensor, and more.

However, as for this flagship, the reviews about it are not the most flattering. There are a lot of comments that the device is heating up, or that the lens glass is glued crookedly on it. Of course, such defects should not be on best device model range.

Huawei Ascend Mate7

Another Chinese manufacturer, Huawei, also has a flagship. The company is releasing the Ascend Mate7, a business smartphone priced at $550-600. The device, like those described above, is offered with an 8-core processor capable of switching between cores in the process of performing tasks. This ensures maximum performance.

As for additional options, it is available, for example, the ability to unlock the screen by touching the back cover of the device. The thing is that it has a special sensor that can accurately read the user's fingerprint data. A decent response to the sensor on the Home button (like the iPhone and Samsung).

conclusions

In the article, we have described some of the most common top models of devices on the market. As you can see, they all have advanced technical stuffing, presented in the form powerful processor, high-quality camera and display, capacious battery. Also, which is typical, in the “flagships” they also rely on additional options. For example, this is the design of the device, its ergonomics, interface, some functions that make everyday operations that we carry out with a smartphone easier and more accessible.

In fact, the flagship differs from the usual device only in the set of these very “additions” and, of course, in the level of performance. If you need a phone for some more mundane purposes - communication and banal surfing the net, then it is not necessary to purchase a “top-end” model. And, on the contrary, if you want to get the best copy of those that are present in the manufacturer's lineup in order to work with the most productive and stylish device, take the “flagship” - you will not regret it.

Articles and Lifehacks

Here we ask ourselves the question of what is a flagship phone?

We, ordinary people, are constantly told a couple of times a year, or even more often, that Samsung, HTC, LG and many others will soon release or have already released new flagship companies.

But what is a flagship? We will discuss the term in this article.

basic information

• All phone manufacturers produce devices that differ in technical specifications, design and cost. Some are cheaper, others are more expensive.
• One has a 5.2-inch display with a pixel density of 440 per inch, while the other has a faded 3-inch TFT-matrix with a resolution of 320x240.
• A flagship is a phone that has the latest advanced features.
• Manufacturers are trying to impress us with new built-in features (remember at least the heart rate sensor in samsung galaxy 5), camera megapixels, screen size and quality, and more. In general, who cares what.
• This whole race is not only because of the humane desire that we should be pleased to use the device, but also because of money.
• If the flagship device from one company is more famous than from another, the sales of the first will increase, and the second will incur possible losses.
• The flagship manufacturing company is trying to keep information about the external design secret as long as possible, detailed specifications novelties and its features up to the very release of the device.
• Because of this, the excitement of users is heated up, the company receives increased attention to itself, and competitors are trying their best to find out the news about the upcoming flagship.

What is the popularity of flagships

• Recently, the fashion for increasing the number of pixels and screen size is slowly fading away. The development of innovations, which have not yet been noticed by anyone, as well as quality, are brought to the fore.
• For example, in addition to the heart rate sensor, SGS 5 has a built-in and usable fingerprint recognition sensor. Prior to this, this feature was only in the iPhone. HTC have revised camera performance.
• Now the number of megapixels does not exceed a dozen, but the quality of the pictures, if not improved, then at least remained at the same level. In addition to cameras, NTS are working on sound quality, constantly improving it from both headphones and external speakers.

In the model range of any manufacturer, a special place belongs to flagships - devices that combine all the best that a particular company can offer. We've put together a selection of the top flagships for early 2018 for you, featuring some of the coolest and most uncompromising smartphones on the market.

New flagships of 2018

Samsung - Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Few releases have made as much noise lately as the Galaxy S8 from the Koreans at Samsung. Everyone was waiting for this flagship, as the public understood that the company would need to present something non-standard and 100% successful in order to redeem itself for the failure with Note 7. And the expectations were met.

S8 came out in two versions - standard and Plus, they differ in screen size: 5.8 and 6.2 inches, respectively, as well as battery capacity. And it is the screen that is the main trump card of the smartphone, the “infinite” SuperAMOLED display with Quad HD + resolution occupies almost the entire front of the S8, and it looks very cool.

Other characteristics do not fail either: on board the S8 there is a top-end Exynos 8895 processor, 64/4 GB of memory with support for cards up to 256 GB, 12/8 (f/1.7) MP cameras and a 3000/3500 mAh battery (depending on modifications). Overall, the S8 is superior to any other flagship on the market - this is truly the best smartphone you can buy right now.

Samsung Galaxy S8

LG G6

The LG G6 is made in the same concept as the S8, outwardly these smartphones are even a little similar. The flagship of LG was presented earlier, it was he who became the first device on the market with a display ratio of 18:9.

Every year the phrase "flagship smartphone" or "flagship smartphone" is becoming more and more popular. Some users do not know what it means, so today we will reveal the secret.

Frankly speaking, there is nothing to reveal here - flagships are the top (read - the best and most powerful) smartphones of the company. For example, at the time of writing, Samsung's top smartphones include the Galaxy S10 (S10+) and Galaxy Note 10+. They are installed best screens, the best iron, best cameras, there is water and dust protection, support fast and wireless charging, and the Galaxy Note 10+ even has a stylus! In general, all the very best, which is why these two smartphones are called flagship devices. Both at once, some users will ask? Yes, because in fact it is different devices, but both are flagship.

Samsung Galaxy S10:

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+:

Almost every company has flagships, although Apple company until recently was the exception. After all, in fact, Apple released only one iPhone model, which was the company's flagship/only smartphone. Then the 5c model saw the light, and after some more time, the SE. At the time of writing, there are three main models in the lineup: 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max(The last two differ in screen size, dimensions and battery capacity).

And one of Huawei's flagships is the Mate 30 Pro:

Flagship devices tend to change generation once a year, while smartphones can change completely or only partially.

Most smartphone manufacturers highlight top-end devices in their product line that they pin their hopes on. Such devices are usually called flagships. The flagship is a smartphone that is distinguished by advanced functionality and equipment that surpasses other models of the manufacturer. The term has migrated from the navy, where the flagship is the most powerful ship in the squadron, on board of which the command is located.

Flagship - does not necessarily combine all the best of mobile world. If the manufacturer is engaged in the production of budget handsets (like many Chinese companies), then the flagship can also correspond to the middle class. This state of affairs can be observed, for example, in Philips or Fly. Their tops can only compete with the "average" Samsung or LG. Nevertheless, these are full-fledged flagships against the backdrop of the most massive low-cost smartphones for 100-300 dollars.

In their advanced smartphones, manufacturers strive to embody all the achievements and new technologies that are ready for practical use. If the company has its own powerful research base, then the latest developments are used. Firms that use components from third-party developers do not have access to them. In this case, the best parts that are freely available are used. Processor suppliers are companies such as Qualcomm or MediaTek, memory is purchased from Samsung, Hynix or Elpida, and displays are purchased from Sharp, Samsung, JDI or LG.

Samsung flagship series

Samsung is the number one flagship manufacturer in the smartphone world. Top-end devices of the company are such not only in the model range of the manufacturer, but also in the whole market. This is possible thanks to the concentration of huge resources, the presence of its own divisions for the development and production of components, as well as large-scale financing.

Samsung installs the fastest RAM and permanent memory in its flagships, latest processors Exynos Octa, Super AMOLED screens of ultra-high (2.5K) resolution and high-quality cameras. All these details of smartphones are made by Samsung independently and are not available to other companies until the jackpot is hit with sales of new products.

Series Samsung flagships Galaxy S (2010) to Galaxy S6 (2015)

Samsung's flagship line is Galaxy smartphones S. The top phablets belong to the Galaxy Note series. It is in these smartphones that the main achievements are concentrated.

Flagships from Apple

Apple has a different approach in terms of releasing flagships. Unlike the same Samsung, the company does not have its own production facilities. Components are supplied by third-party contractors, they are also involved in the assembly. As a result, Apple does not have the opportunity to put the most advanced parts. Yes and the lineup, against the background of competitors, looks more modest. Therefore, there are no obvious flagships among the iPhone. Almost every iPhone (with the exception of models positioned as budget, like 5C or SE) can be called a flagship.

Not having the opportunity (and even a special desire) to implement new technologies “in the forefront”, Apple prefers to work on the quality of implementation. The company's policy is that it is better to deliberately implement a proven technology than to experiment with a new one and "catch" bugs in it. Therefore, the iPhone is the flagship, despite the fact that “on paper” its characteristics can be attributed to the middle class at most.

Other flagship smartphones

LG launches flagship smartphones in the G line, where it also embodies cutting-edge developments in the field of screens and cameras. Sony promoted the Xperia Z series until 2016, which also installed best displays(up to 4K) and cameras (up to 22 MP) own production. Now the flagship has become Xperia series x.

Other companies do not have such a powerful production and research base, therefore they are forced to use third-party developments. The only exception is Huawei, which makes Kirin processors themselves. HTC until 2016 produced top smartphones in the One M series, but the latest flagship of 2016 is called the HTC 10, without additional letters.

The most difficult thing is to determine the flagships of the Chinese. If Xiaomi and Meizu are still easy with this (Mi and MX series, respectively), then Lenovo, ZTE, Huawei, Oppo do not release special series, which include only pronounced flagships. And a wide range of models does not allow unequivocally to single out the “most-most” smartphone of the company.

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