A smartphone is an essential device that impacts our day to day activities. While the right one can often make our life easy, the wrong one can lead to frustration. Every brand entices you into believing their smartly crafted advertisements that exhibit the best features of smartphones. If you want to indulge in an intelligent purchase, compare the specifications of the closest competitors to get the best bet for a smartphone. A good number of phones were launched in 2017 that managed to impress customers. Have a look at the following best smartphones that left a mark in 2017 and continue to be popular in early 2018 as well.

• Huwaei Mate 9
  This phone is priced at $599 and is much better than many other devices in the same bracket. With a standard large screen accompanied by an amazing camera and reliable performance, the Huwaei Mate 9 is surely one of the best smartphones. The smooth finish on the edges offer a premium texture to the construct of this smartphone.
• Essential Phone
  This smartphone is designed by the company owned by Android’s founder and hence contains some of the best features ever. The look and functioning both are awe inspiring and exhibit craftsmanship of the highest order. The fingerprint sensor at the back of the phone, POGO pins for affixing accessories, 360-degree camera and splash resistance (not water resistance) are some peculiar features associated with this phone. At a price of about $499, it joins the list of the best smartphones without doubt.
• Galaxy Note 8
  The elder counterpart of the Galaxy S8 has faced decent sales even after the battery fiasco thanks to the S Pen feature. Although people have been speculating its performance especially on account of the incidents where its predecessor the Note 7 exploded, Samsung has been trying to reassure customers about the authenticity and reliability of this smartphone. As far as the specifications are concerned, we believe that the Note 8 is a really good phone and should be given a try if you are ready to spend some good amount of dollars.
• Moto G5 Plus
  If you have to choose for the best smartphone in the mid range category, Moto G5 Plus will the most appropriate option. Even after the launch of the Oneplus 5 and the Oneplus 5T, this smartphone has been able to manage its position in the market, Sales graphs are soaring high meaning that people are loving the features it offers at about $230. It is engineered with an aluminum body, 12 mega-pixel camera and an expandable memory slot. All these features make it stand apart amidst the rush created by other devices in this range.
• HTC U11
  The HTC 11 is known for its mirror detailing and vibrant colors that make the phone look very quirky and unique. The edges of the phone can be compressed to open any application, an unusual feature of the phone that is priced at about $650. The only problem with it is the unavailability of the headphone jack which has been justified by calling it a traditionally old feature. The recent iPhones also don’t have a headphone jack but are selling like hotcakes nevertheless.
• Sony Xperia XZ
  In case you had lost track of the phones released by Sony, here is a device that worth mentioning. The Xperia XZ Premium is actually everything top class, be it aesthetics or attributes. The gorilla glass that protects the phone from front as well as back and the edges too are not that sharp like the earlier variants. In this device, Sony has reinforced what it is good at by offering high quality speakers, camera sensors, shutter buttons and screen resolution. All in all, it is a good phone that can be taken into account while buying a new device.

Apart from the above products, the Apple X, Samsung Galaxy S8, Google Pixel 2, and OnePlus 5T are other devices that are already topping lists of the best smartphones and need no mention here.

Health insurance is one of the best ways to be prepared for unexpected health emergencies and expenses. Although the jargon and technicalities may seem confusing at times, it is important to prepare yourself mentally and read through all terms before making a big decision, such as finalizing your insurance provider and agreeing to their conditions. To make this process easier for you, here are six things you must know before buying health insurance:

Waiting period
The waiting period is the time where one cannot raise a claim against the health insurance plan. Generally, insurance providers have a 30-day waiting period, during which they may not accept claims. This period may be even longer for pre-existing conditions, maternity benefits, and certain other ailments, and will differ from company to company.

Coinsurance and copay
Coinsurance is the percentage of the claim that is borne by the policyholder. Copay is a flat fee paid every time you receive a health care service. When shopping for health insurance, it is important to find the right percentage of premium and coverage, as a lower monthly premium could mean higher out-of-pocket costs, and vice versa. Checking these details and choosing a policy carefully could significantly lower your healthcare costs over time.

Summary of benefits
Visit your insurance provider’s website for details about their various plans and the services they cover. Compare these benefits with other plans to find the right one for you and your family. You may find key differences in plans in areas like physical therapy, fertility treatments, and mental healthcare, so be sure to factor this in when making a decision.

Your family’s healthcare needs
Consider the amount and type of treatment you and your family members have received over the past. Some of these conditions may require regular intervention, making them a recurring expense. Weigh these needs against the list of benefits offered by your insurance provider. This may help you make a more informed decision, and reduce your bills in the future.

Health Plan Networks
When looking for a new health insurance plan, it is key to look for one with a larger network. This is because there is a significant difference in costs when one goes to an within-network provider, as opposed to one outside the network, as the insurance agency has already negotiated lower prices. If you already have a doctor you would like to continue seeing, ask them if they accept your new insurance plan.

Opting for a plan with a larger directory will give you more flexibility and more options to choose from, and switch between doctors if needed. Avoid opting for healthcare plans that do not have any local in-network doctors.

Comparing available insurance plans
Generally, there are four managed healthcare plan types to choose from - Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), and Point of Service Plan (POS). The main differences between these plans lie in their network coverage, requirement of referrals, and the cost.

HMO
You have the least amount of flexibility here, and must choose between in-network providers, except for emergencies. It generally requires referrals and has low out-of-pocket costs.

PPO
While there is more flexibility with these plans, staying within the network leads to lower treatment costs. Out-of-pocket expenses for such plans are generally high.

EPO
With an EPO plan, you can directly choose between the in-network providers, without having to work with a primary care physician. Out-of-pocket expenses for these services are lower than PPO.

POS
With a POS plan, you are required to visit a primary care physician and get a referral from them, before you can visit a specialist. Although referrals are mandatory, this allows you to have access to more provider options, and a primary care physician to navigate all your healthcare needs.

How to choose your health insurance policy?
When buying health insurance, the federal health insurance ‘Medicare’ is perhaps the most popular option. It has two coverage options: Traditional Medicare (Part A and Part B, and Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). Those looking for additional coverage may also opt in for Medigap.

Part A of this insurance plan covers inpatient care in a hospital, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, hospice care, and home health care. Part B covers necessary, as well as preventive services like clinical research, ambulance services, durable equipment, in-patient care, outpatient care and partial hospitalization for mental health services, and limited outpatient prescriptions. These plans require the payment of a deductible and coinsurance, which is usually 20% of the cost of the approved service.

Part C or Medicare Advantage is rolled out by a private company and may offer extra benefits like vision, hearing, and dental services. It also sets a limit on what you will have to pay out of pocket each year for covered services, making it a more attractive option for many.

Anyone can join these plans during these enrollment periods.

Initial Enrollment Period
You can join a plan when you first become eligible for it.

Open Enrollment Period
You can join, switch, or drop a plan between October 15 - December 7 each year. Coverage for the new plan begins on January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan may choose to switch to another, or go back to the Original Medicare Plan between January 1 - March 31 every year.