As per usual, the iPhone has launched into a saturated market when it comes to top end smartphones. This year it's the return to form of Samsung, the same low-cost offering from LG and an impressive option from Sony, all costing the same or less as this new iPhone 6S. So is it worth more than the competition?
Samsung Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6
The obvious competitor here is the Samsung Galaxy S6, the phone that's sweeping the awards (well, the more attractive Galaxy S6 Edge is) thanks to its potent combination of improved design, great camera and stunning screen.
The latter two are the biggest challengers to Apple's crown of best phone in the world, as the iPhone definitely needed a more impressive screen this time around if it had hopes of being seen as a decent phone in its own right, and not just the 'S' incarnation of last year's model.
Those looking at the Galaxy S6 will probably be drawn to the high-res screen and the sheer power of the camera - with the latter feature offering not only a stunning automatic mode, but reams of options for those looking to get a little more creative, letting you do things like change the focal length and mess with the colour saturation settings.
It's very much a question of taste though: do you prefer powerful simplicity or refined ability? The phone that's been evolving quietly for years, or Samsung's reboot after the boredom of the Galaxy S5?
Both of these are great phones, and while the Samsung is a few months older, it's about to get the latest version of Android and the price has come down rather nicely of late.
LG G4
LG's been quietly getting on with its business for the last few years, clawing its way out of the smartphone doldrums it found itself in when it realised that nobody cared about sweet-sounding feature phones any more.
The LG G2 was the first phone that put it back on the map, with a great screen and excellent battery life. It's traded in the amazing power performance for a much higher-res screen since then, but the G4 is still an iconic phone - not least because it's offered with a leather back. Yes, leather.
It's about as far from the iPhone as you can get: a handset with either plastic or leather back, a pin sharp screen and a removable battery with microSD card slot. However, it's also really rather cheap, coming in at two thirds the price of the iPhone 6S and yet still offering a premium experience (especially from the camera).
Sony Xperia Z5
The Sony Xperia Z5 is another evolutionary device from the Japanese firm, and it shows with this handset. What's impressive is the camera though: with a 0.03 second autofocus it will give pin sharp photos nearly every time, no matter how much you whirl the phone around.
The chassis has been upgraded once more, and while it's a little bit on the bland side (as is the interface) it's certainly refined and offers a snappy performance from a phone fill with all kinds of Sony smarts, from PlayStation Remote Play to Bravia technology powering the screen.
It's not the cheapest phone out, nor is it the most expensive. This is a middle of the road phone with an amazing camera and decent speed. Oh, and it's waterproof too, for all those worried about throwing their pride and joy in the toilet.
Read our Sony Xperia Z5 review
HTC One M9
HTC One M9
It's a sign of how far HTC has fallen this year that this phone nearly wasn't considered competition to the iPhone 6S. However, the design of this Android-powered smartphone can't be overlooked, as it really is jewellery grade in its construction.
It still has all the same elements that made the One M8 the best phone of 2014, including BoomSound and the strong Sense UI, which is probably the most entertaining Android overlay on the market. However, the camera upgrade failed to impress and the similarity to last year's phone made it a tough sell, despite some good upgrades to the innards.
It's not unfair to say that this, too, is an 'S' variant of a popular 2014 phone - but it's cheaper than the iPhone 6S and to some, a bit better constructed.
Read our HTC One M9 review
iPhone 6
iPhone 6
If you're not into Android and drawn to the Galaxy S6, then the iPhone 6 should be the biggest challenger to the iPhone for you. The new model adds some things to the mix, but not enough to make it really distinct. The iPhone 6 still has a mega camera, possibly even better battery life and the same screen and chassis design... and it's lighter.
The only real things it lacks are the 3D Touch interface (which is really missed when you return to using this phone) and the Live Photos - and you can certainly live without the latter.
The price is a lot lower nowadays for this phone, and it will almost certainly be performing just fine when iOS 11 flutters into view
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