Ask any Zoomer about the best year ever, and many will likely say 2016. This year marked the rise of Pokémon Go, Vine, memorable music, Snapchat filters, and the emergence of meme culture as we know it today.
Fast forward to 2026, a decade since 2016, and it's no wonder that nostalgia for this iconic year is on the rise. According to the BBC, searches for "2016" are skyrocketing across platforms like TikTok and Spotify.
What often gets overlooked in discussions about 2016 is how much our cherished memories are tied to our smartphones. While we weren't as dependent on mobile devices as we are now, we had begun to rely on them for daily tasks and entertainment.
Much has changed in the smartphone landscape over the past decade. So, let’s don our rose-tinted glasses and revisit the major phone releases of 2016, along with a few favorites from our publication.
Apple: iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone SE
Launched in September 2016, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are infamous for being the first iPhones without a headphone jack. Apple’s reasoning for this controversial decision was famously summed up by Tim Cook as “Courage.”
Despite the backlash, Apple was ahead of the curve, as headphone jacks have become increasingly rare in modern flagship phones, typically found only in gaming phones or specialized models.
Aside from the missing headphone jack, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were solid devices. While not a massive upgrade from the still-popular iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S, the iPhone 7 featured the new A10 Fusion chipset, a 4.7-inch display, and a single 12MP rear camera. The iPhone 7 Plus introduced a second camera with a 2x telephoto lens. Both models had large bezels, a Touch ID home button, and launched with iOS 10.
Additionally, Apple released the first iPhone SE in March 2016, catering to fans of the iPhone 5's compact design while packing the latest A9 chipset.
Samsung: Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, and Galaxy Note 7
While Apple streamlined its iPhone lineup, Samsung went big with the Galaxy Note 7, boasting a 5.7-inch display and impressive specs. Its 1440p screen and 4GB of RAM outperformed Apple's offerings, and it introduced the built-in stylus that remains a staple in the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge featured 5.1-inch displays and offered notable internal upgrades. The Edge model was particularly innovative with its wraparound display, allowing notifications to appear on the phone's sides.
All three Samsung flagships launched with Android 6 and supported expandable storage via microSD.
Google: Pixel and Pixel XL
2016 marked Google's first foray into standalone smartphones with the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. These devices featured a 5-inch and 5.5-inch screen, respectively, and ran a clean version of Android 6 optimized for the hardware.
OnePlus 3
Once an underdog, OnePlus gained prominence with the OnePlus 3, which was dubbed a “flagship killer” in our review. It featured a 5.5-inch display, a 16MP rear camera, and 6GB of RAM.
HTC 10 and LG G5
HTC launched the HTC 10, a premium device with a 5.2-inch display, while LG introduced the LG G5, which featured modular accessories.
Which phones were the TechRadar team using in 2016?
- Rowan Davies, Editorial Executive: iPhone 6S
- Mark Wilson, Managing Editor, News (UK): iPhone 6S
- Matthew Bolton, Managing Editor, Entertainment: iPhone 6S
- Jacob Krol, Managing Editor, News (US): iPhone 6S / iPhone 7 Plus
- John-Anthony Disotto, Senior Writer AI: iPhone 7 Plus
- Josephine Watson, Managing Editor, Lifestyle: iPhone SE
- Timothy Coleman, Cameras Editor: iPhone SE
- Matt Evans, Senior Editor, Fitness Wellness & Wearables: iPhone SE
- Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor: iPhone 5S
- Jamie Richards, Staff Writer, Mobile Computing: iPhone 5S
- Roland Moore-Colyer, Managing Editor, Mobile Computing: Samsung Galaxy S6
- Catherine Ellis, Homes Editor: Samsung Galaxy Note 2
- Matthew Hanson, Managing Editor, Core Tech: Google Pixel XL
- David Neild, Freelance Contributor: Google Nexus 6
Was 2016 a great year for phones?
While 2016 had its share of criticisms, it also introduced exciting innovations and memorable devices. The iPhone 7 faced backlash for removing the headphone jack, but it remained a solid choice. Samsung's flagship phones offered incremental upgrades, while the Google Pixel brand emerged as a fresh contender.
As we look ahead to 2026, the future of mobile technology promises exciting advancements in battery life, materials, and photography. Stay tuned to our mobile buying guides for the latest updates, and share which phone you used in 2016 in the comments below.