Today’s smartphones are amazing. They are so advanced that it really doesn’t seem appropriate to simply refer to them as phones. In fact, smartphones of today are more powerful and have more features than laptop computers of just a few years ago. With a smartphone, you can make phone calls, send text messages and emails, take photographs, and edit documents.

One of the best features of a smartphone is the number of apps that it can run. By installing and running certain apps, you can use your phone as a GPS, music player, camera, game system, and stock trader. This is only a small fraction of what you can accomplish via the many apps available. You also can sync your smartphone with various devices. This will allow you to control your TV, exchange information with your computer, play music over your car’s sound system and check the status of your home security system.

If you would like to know more about specific smartphones, here are four of the best cell phones of the year.

1. Samsung Galaxy S9

The hallmark of the Samsung Galaxy S9 is its dual aperture feature. The rear 12 MP camera’s F2.4 aperture mode takes sharp and beautiful photos when used in daylight. In low-light conditions, it automatically switches to its F1.5 mode in order to let more light into the lens. This results in clearer and brighter nighttime photos. The phone’s 5.8-inch HD curved display spans from edge to edge, maximizing its visual effectiveness. Thanks to the camera’s 2960 x 1440 resolution and its 18.5:9 aspect ratio, your videos will take on a professional appearance.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 runs the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system, powered by its Qualcomm SDM845 2.8 GHz Octa-Core processor. The phone comes with 4cGB of RAM and 64 GB of built-in storage, which can be expanded to 400 GB via microSD card. Connectivity is accomplished through Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5 GHz Wi-Fi. Plus, mobile payments and phone-to-phone data transfers can be made through the phone’s NFC capabilities.

The phone can be purchased from B&H Photo for $599.99 USD, which includes instant savings of $120.00 USD.

2. iPhone XS

Apple’s new iPhone XS comes in two sizes: the XS and the XS Max. The 6.5-inch screen on the XS Max is considerably larger than the one on the XS, plus the XS Max has about one more hour of battery life. For the most part, those are the only differences in the two models. Both have identical cameras, RAM, and processors. Each model benefits from greater durability and water resistance, improved 12 MP dual cameras, dual-SIM support, and faster speeds. The Max is roughly the same size as the iPhone 8, and its screen is big and beautiful. However, some would question whether it is worth the extra cost of about $100.00 USD. The XS sports a Super Retina display that has custom-built OLED. Plus, you can log into your phone and make payments using Advanced Face ID.

While Apple sells this phone for $1149.00 USD, it can be purchased from AT&T for only $999.99 USD.

3. Google Pixel 3

The Google Pixel 3 has a 12.2 MP, F1.8 aperture rear camera that is enhanced by machine learning. Its color-rich OLED screen size is 5.5 inches with an 18:9 aspect ratio, and it boasts dual front-facing speakers. Some of the camera features rival professional models, such as the two front-facing 8 MP cameras. It also has a wide-angle lens that is ideal for taking group selfies. On the negative side, the battery’s 2,915mAh capacity falls short when compared to similar models. Additionally, the phone comes with only 4 GB of RAM as compared to competition that have 6 GB or more. Plus, storage is limited to 64 GB or 128 GB, and there is no microSD card slot. While the phone looks similar to previous models, the back is constructed of the same type of glass that protects the front screen, which enhances its wireless charging capabilities. The phone’s Active Edge feature allows you to squeeze the sides to activate Google Assistant.

The Pixel 3 sells for $799.00 USD for the 64GB version and $899 USD for the 128GB version. It is available exclusively at Verizon where it can be purchased in conjunction with a plan for as little as $33.33 USD per month.

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 9

In addition to being attractive, Samsung Galaxy Note 9’s specs are quite impressive. The phone comes with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and either 128 GB or 512 GB of storage. You can expand the storage up to 512 GB by using a microSD card. Doing so will give you 1 TB of storage, which is more than what is available in many laptops.

You are able to write on the Note’s big 6.4-inch Infinity curved display with the Bluetooth S Pen stylus. You can also use the S Pen stylus as a remote control for taking selfies up to 30 feet away. This makes it easier for you to photograph yourself from a distance or fit everyone into a group photo. You can also make notes on your photos, which allows you to record important information on the fly, so you do not have to remember it later. You also can scribble silly notes on photos that you send to your friends. The camera is smart and automatically adjusts the color and white balance relative to the subject. It works well in low light; however, it does not record HD videos, a feature found on some competing Android phones.

The display is very bright and wraps around the sides for a nice look, plus it is very easy to draw on in eye-popping color. The phone comes with a massive 4,000mAh battery, which will power this phone for a very long time. This is one of the reasons that some people prefer this phone over the Galaxy S9. Its capacity is 33.3 percent bigger than the S9 and 14.2 percent bigger than the S9 Plus. The battery can be charged wirelessly, and the phone boots up very fast. On the down side, the fingerprint reader is hard to use because it is too close to the camera. The phone is also on the expensive side. The 128GB version can be purchased directly from Samsung for $899.99 USD, while the 512GB version is $1,149.99 USD. For those looking to save, Xfinity Mobile is offering $200 back if you activate a new line and transfer your number to them.