History's Best Selling Tech of 2016

Revisiting 2016 presents a grand parade of tech history, marked by Y2K fever and early digital revolution and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, Oppo F1 Plus, and Google Pixel and Pixel XL took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like Samsung and Oppo led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge

   Released in 2016 by Samsung

   On February 21, 2016, the tech world's attention was fixed on Barcelona for Mobile World Congress. At its highly anticipated 'Unpacked' event, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. This launch wasn't about radical revolution but masterful refinement. Coming off the Galaxy S6, which had introduced a premium glass-and-metal design but controversially removed features like expandable storage and water resistance, the S7 was Samsung's direct response to its user base. The announcement signaled a return to form, reintroducing beloved features into a more polished and powerful package, aiming to create a flagship smartphone with virtually no compromises.

2. Oppo F1 Plus

   Released in 2016 by Oppo

   On March 17, 2016, Oppo officially announced the F1 Plus for international markets, marking a pivotal moment in the company's global expansion strategy. This date is significant as it launched the device that would cement Oppo's reputation as the 'Selfie Expert.' The F1 Plus was the international variant of the Oppo R9, which had been released in China to immense fanfare. By bringing this successful formula to markets like India and Southeast Asia, Oppo capitalized on the growing global obsession with selfies. The announcement wasn't just about a new phone; it was a declaration of intent to dominate a specific, highly lucrative niche in the competitive smartphone market by focusing on camera technology and user-centric design.

3. Google Pixel and Pixel XL

   Released in 2016 by Google

   On October 4, 2016, Google held its inaugural 'Made by Google' event, signaling a dramatic strategic shift. This date marks the end of the Nexus era, where Google partnered with other manufacturers, and the beginning of its journey as a true hardware company. The announcement of the Pixel and Pixel XL was the centerpiece of this event. It represented Google's direct challenge to Apple's integrated hardware-software model. By launching a phone 'made by Google' inside and out, the company aimed to deliver the ultimate Android experience, showcasing its powerful new AI, the Google Assistant, in a premium device it controlled completely. This launch wasn't just about a new phone; it was a declaration of intent for the future of Google's entire ecosystem.

4. Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus

   Released in 2016 by Samsung

   On November 1, 2016, Samsung quietly announced the Galaxy Grand Prime Plus, also known as the Galaxy J2 Prime in many markets. This date didn't mark a flashy flagship launch but a critical strategic move to solidify its dominance in the burgeoning entry-level smartphone sector. At a time when the high-end market was saturating, the real growth was in developing nations where consumers were upgrading from feature phones. The Grand Prime Plus was Samsung's weapon to combat the rapid rise of Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Huawei, offering a trusted brand name and essential smartphone features at an extremely competitive price point for millions of new users.

5. Huawei Mate 9

   Released in 2016 by Huawei

   On November 3, 2016, Huawei took the stage in Munich, Germany, to unveil the Mate 9, a device that represented a major offensive in its global expansion strategy. This launch was not just about a new phone; it was a clear statement of intent aimed directly at market leaders Apple and Samsung. Coming just after the disastrous recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the event's timing was critical. Huawei positioned the Mate 9 as the premier large-screen flagship, showcasing its technological prowess with a powerful new processor and, most importantly, the second generation of its camera system co-engineered with the iconic German brand Leica. This date marked a pivotal moment for Huawei's ascent in the premium smartphone segment.