Hi everyone! I'm a tech enthusiast and have been reviewing smartphones for over a decade. I've witnessed the evolution of mobile technology, from bulky devices to sleek powerhouses we have today. It's always exciting to see the innovation each year brings.

You want to know the best phone of 2016? That's a bit like asking someone to pick their favorite child! 2016 was an interesting year for smartphones, with no single phone blowing the competition out of the water. But, that doesn't mean there weren't some standouts. To determine the "best" we need to consider a few things:

* What are your priorities? Camera? Battery life? Design?
* What's your budget? Flagship prices varied significantly.

That said, here are a few phones that were generally considered top contenders in 2016:

1. Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge:

* Strengths: The S7 boasted a phenomenal camera, arguably the best low-light performance of any phone that year. It brought back expandable storage (a feature missing in the S6) and added water resistance. The curved screen of the S7 Edge was visually stunning and offered some unique software features.
* Weaknesses: The S7 line stuck with a similar design language to its predecessor, which some found a bit iterative.

2. Google Pixel / Pixel XL:

* Strengths: The first generation Pixel made waves with its pure Android experience and unmatched software updates directly from Google. The camera, while not as good as the S7 in low light, was still excellent and offered unlimited cloud storage for photos at full resolution.
* Weaknesses: The Pixel's design was considered bland by some, and it lacked features like water resistance and expandable storage which were becoming standard on other flagships.

3. iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:

* Strengths: Apple's iPhone 7 introduced water resistance to the iPhone line and boasted a more powerful processor. The 7 Plus model offered a dual camera system, paving the way for portrait mode photography.
* Weaknesses: The removal of the headphone jack was controversial, to say the least.

So, which was the "best"?

It depends!

* For the best overall package: The Samsung Galaxy S7 edged out the competition with its stunning camera, beautiful design, and robust feature set.
* **For the purest Android experience and best software support:** The Google Pixel was the clear winner.
* **For those entrenched in the Apple ecosystem:** The iPhone 7 offered a solid, albeit iterative, upgrade.

Ultimately, the best phone of 2016 is subjective and depends on individual needs and preferences.
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