DON'T EXPECT 2017 SMARTPHONES TO BE CHEAPER- AS NEW OPTIONS BETTER PERFORMANCE MEANS MORE OUT OF YOUR POCKET TO PUT THESE NEW SMARTPHONES IN YOUR POCKET

EXPECT this year’s smartphones to take better photos, run more powerful apps, offer faster downloads, and deliver bigger, better screens.
But you should also expect to pay significantly more for them, as experts warn the pocket-sized devices are set to hit our pockets harder than ever in 2017.
The warning follows Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 launch in New York this week, which saw the world’s leading smartphone maker unveil its most expensive handset yet.
The device will cost $1499 when it arrives in stores on September 22 — $150 more than last year’s Note and $300 more than Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S8 released earlier this year.

But Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said Samsung would not be the only major smartphone company lifting its prices well beyond the $1000 threshold.
“This year we’re going to see the re-emergence of the premium smartphone market,” Mr Fadaghi predicted.
“We’ll see a number of handsets at a very high price point.”

THE RISING PRICE OF SMARTPHONES
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Price: $1499 (up from $1349)
Features:
— Dual l2-megapixel OIS cameras
— 6.3-inch Super AMOLED curved screen
— Water and dust resistance
— 64GB storage plus memory card slot
— Improved stylus
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Price: $1569 (up from $1529)
— Dual 12-megapixel cameras
— 5.5-inch LED-backlit screen
— Water and dust resistance
— 256GB built-in storage
— TouchID fingerprint scanner
Google Pixel XL
Price: $1419 (up from $1099)
— 12.3-megapixel camera with smart software
— 5.5-inch AMOLED screen
— Easy access to Google Assistant
— 128GB built-in storage
— Rear fingerprint scanner

http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/mobile-phones/samsung-apple-target-hip-pockets-as-battle-for-smartphone-sales-heats-up/news-story/02854298f5ebe942831aefe2175a9446