ood phones drop all the time, but when I glance back at 2018's greatest hits, it's clear that this year brought us something special. The parade of top models from tried-and-true hitmakers Apple, Samsungand Google include the iPhone XR, Galaxy S9 and Pixel 3. 

These gems went beyond premium phones into midrange and budget devices, and even into innovations from globally lesser-known brands such as Oppo and Vivo. Niche phonemakers tried to do something different, too, an effort we can all appreciate.

But what made phones really sing in 2018 -- one of the best ever collections in my eight-plus years as a phone reviewer -- is the consistently high bar of quality across the board. Phones were fast, powerful, and brimming with exciting hardware and software. Photos have gotten so good, the best low-light camera on the planet outdid itself this year, by far.