If 2017 was about dual cameras and longer battery life, the year 2018 is expected to churn out smartphones with larger screens packed with features like facial recognition and augmented/virtual reality.

Put simply, the phones are slated to become grander, lighter and smarter in 2018 with features so advanced that they would seem straight out of a sci-fi flick. And 2017 has already set the tone for such new age innovations.

The handset in 2017 were less about calling, more an extension of the owners' personality — a high-resolution camera, an on-demand movie screen, a portable music system, apps for just about anything — and all these tech wonders in one device that fit snugly into the palm of your hand.

Handset makers kept the momentum high through the year, refreshing their portfolio with new models across multiple price points. Companies like Samsung, Micromax and Vivo introduced devices with 18:9 aspect ratio display that promise a better viewing experience to users.

The devices became an instant hit with Indian users, who, incidentally, are now the biggest consumers of mobile data.

Facial recognition and artificial intelligence — through virtual assistants — are slated to reach more hands as Chinese and domestic players bring such features onto more affordable devices.

Interestingly, Chinese players — Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and lenovo — continued to dominate the Indian market, taking up 4 spots in the top 5 tally (in terms of shipment).

While Samsung held onto the pole position in the market for most part of the year, Xiaomi emerged as a strong challenger and at the end of September quarter, both companies ended up in a photo finish, sharing the top honours.

That said, the going was not easy for the Chinese players. In August, in a move that coincided with stand-off between India and China over Dokalam, New Delhi asked smartphone makers — majority Chinese — to report procedures adopted by them to ensure security and privacy of users' data.

The year also saw US-based Apple commencing manufacturing of iPhone SE in India in partnership with Wistron, underlining the importance of the domestic smartphone market that is among the largest in the world and growing at a scorching pace.