TIME Ranks iPhone X and Apple Watch Series 3 Among Top 10 Best Gadgets of 2017

After previously earning the designation of one of the overall best inventions of 2017, the iPhone X has today been placed at the #2 spot on TIME's "Top 10 Gadgets of 2017" list. According to the magazine, Apple's new smartphone placed so highly because many of its features -- including Face ID and edge-to-edge display -- "will undoubtedly set a new standard for phones to come."

iphone x angled

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, you’ll probably have a hard time getting your hands on one. And yes, Android did it first. But the iPhone X’s edge-to-edge screen and facial recognition system will undoubtedly set a new standard for phones to come. For one, Apple’s Face ID system, even despite the security concerns, is already being used in more creative ways than Samsung’s facial identification tech. Third-party apps like Snapchat and Warby Parker are taking advantage of the iPhone X’s face-mapping technology to project realistic masks over your eyes or select glasses that suit your face’s shape. That, combined with a sharp camera, long battery life, and large screen packed into a more palatable size, make Apple’s iPhone X a top pick.

Below the iPhone X, the following gadgets round out the top five spots: Microsoft Surface Laptop (#3), DJI Spark (#4), and Samsung Galaxy S8 (#5). TIME's #1 gadget of 2017 is the Nintendo Switch, which it says is a "true knockout" thanks to its games library and ability to transform from portable gaming to playing on a TV at home. There is some overlap with the devices mentioned on TIME's new list with the Top 25 Best Inventions of 2017 article from last week, including the iPhone X, DJI Spark, and Nintendo Switch.

Sitting further down the list is another Apple product, the Apple Watch Series 3, which earned the #9 spot. TIME said that the advantages introduced in the new version of the Apple Watch, like a faster processor and barometric altimeter, were great additions. But the magazine said the truly notable addition was LTE: "the freedom to leave your phone at home when you step out to walk the dog or go on a run may be just enough to persuade smartwatch skeptics that the Apple Watch is worth considering, especially for athletic types."

To see more of the items listed by TIME, check out the Top 10 Gadgets of 2017 ranking right here.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tag: TIME
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

ArtOfWarfare Avatar
93 months ago
The Nintendo Switch is easily the best gaming device that has ever existed.

Since getting it, I never bother with games on my iPhone anymore. The Switch has vastly better games on it and is only slightly less portable.

I think it's major competition with the iPod Touch and iPad at least, since a lot of those are given to children as game devices, and at least competes with the Games category on the App Store for the iPhone.

I think Apple is likely to feel some pain from it - I'm curious if they'll respond. Really all they need to do is create something like the Joycons and Grip that works with iOS devices, and require games to support them.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fireball Dragon Avatar
93 months ago
Absolutely love my Apple Watch Series 3. Well placed in that list!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zwhaler Avatar
93 months ago
Cue collective meltdown of Galaxy S8 owners
I don't see why this has to be painted as such a black and white issue. I switched to Android in late 2012 and still enjoy the innovations put up by the competition. Ranking a phone doesn't change the phone at all. It isn't much of a stretch to realize that people in one camp sometimes like to degrade the other and wish for their failure, but I wish that kind of rhetoric would decrease in popularity on these forums.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baymowe335 Avatar
93 months ago
The Nintendo Switch is not better than the iPhone X or the Apple Watch.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JeffyTheQuik Avatar
93 months ago
If only people read Time.

This is like "iPhone and :apple: Watch 3 win the Bazooka Joe Gum wrapper poll of best gadgets!"
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alphaod Avatar
93 months ago
I don't get how the Apple Watch with Cellular is a considered "top" seeing you cannot last a day with just the watch.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)