Let's be real

Smartphones are pricey and as far as gifts go, they're hard to keep a surprise.
But there's also a good chance someone in your life is due for an upgrade, and as the holiday season approaches, you're likely to spot some good deals.
For Engadget's 2017 holiday gift guide, we recommend four phones: the iPhone 8/8 Plus, the Google Pixel 2 and 2XL, the older-but-still-good Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, and the Moto G5 Plus, for the budget conscious.
We also threw in some tablets for good measure: the basic iPad for Apple fans and the Galaxy Tab S3 for Android users.
Certain folks requiring more power might be better served by the 10.5-inch iPad Pro or Microsoft's Surface Pro, but unless your giftee also needs a laptop replacement, you can easily get by with something less expensive.