
I'm usually a proponent of the fewer apps on your homescreen, the better. Otherwise, you're dealing with a cluttered screen or tons of folders trying to organize everything — and far too many notifications to deal with.
This is all to say that I'm pretty picky about which apps make the cut. If it isn't something that I'm going to use all the time — the Facebooks and Snapchats of the world — or that I really love using (Prisma!), it will be quickly deleted. It's my Marie Kondo approach to homescreen cleanup.
Not sure which apps are worthy of prime real estate on your iPhone? The 20 that follow are well worth your consideration. Included are the iTunes Store's most popular apps of 2016 and the ones that Apple's seasoned app store editors crowned the best of the year. Fingers crossed that by the time the holidays are over, you'll have a brand-new jet-black iPhone 7 to download them to.

The Best Apps Of The Year
The 10 apps that follow weren't the most downloaded of the year, but they were chosen by Apple editors for excelling within their respective categories. From guided meditations to newsworthy picks, here are the lesser known apps that you need to download, stat.
Photo: App Store.
Quartz's mobile app is one of the most approachable ways to get your daily news. The app presents trending headlines in a texting format. If an article doesn't interest you, you can move on to the next. Want to hear more? Tap the thinking-face emoji and the app texts you interesting quotes to fill you in.
Quartz, free, available on the iTunes Store and Google Play.
Photo: Quartz.
Is MSQRD the next Snapchat? Maybe. Facebook bought this live-filter and face-swapping app earlier this year, fueling rumors that it might make a play at its popular competitor. The app hasn't achieved Snapchat-level fame yet, but it does have an impressive array of movie, emoji, and animal-themed filters that you can virtually try on and share via text and social media.
MSQRD, free, available on the iTunes Store and Google Play.
Photo: MSQRD.
The creators of Prisma had the genius idea to turn your photos into works of art. The app transforms mediocre street scenes and poorly lit selfies into creations resembling the cubist masterpieces of Piet Mondrian and Edgar Degas.
Prisma, free, available on the iTunes Store and Google Play.
Photo: Prisma.
You don't have to be a teacher or student to enjoy this app from the creators of Duolingo. Flip through cards to build your knowledge of everything from French to Renaissance Art. It's the time-passing tool your commute needs.
Tinycards, free, available on the iTunes Store.
Photo: Tinycards.
Hyper brings the swiping apparatus of Tinder and Bumble to videos. Every hour, the app's filmmakers add a new video to your "cards," which you can then swipe right to add to your library for later or dismiss altogether. You'll see a wide variety of topics, from space news to Jimmy Kimmel's skits.
Hyper, free, available on the iTunes Store.
Photo: Hyper.
Shopping for your favorite hipster frames is easier via the Glasses By Warby Parker app. Still undecided? Choose ones you'd try on at home without making the purchase. Our personal favorites are Louise and Laurel.
Glasses By Warby Parker, free, available on the iTunes Store.
Photo: Warby Parker.
Planning to put in a bid for a new apartment? Know the details about your credit score ahead of time with Credit Karma. The free app securely pulls your information to let you know where you stand, allow you to dispute any errors, and learn more about what goes in to your score.
Credit Karma, free, available on the iTunes Store and Google Play.
Photo: Credit Karma.
Skip overly general and cliché city tours and try one that's more creative. Detour has audio tours in 10 major cities that will take you off the beaten path. Whether you want to explore the secrets of the Brooklyn Bridge or the backstreets of Westminster, the app has you covered.
Detour, free, available on the iTunes Store and Google Play.
Photo: Detour.
There are plenty of guided meditation apps out there, but few, if any, are as specific as Meditation Studio. You can have an expert lead you through a four-minute-long evening relaxation session just before bed or a breathing-visualization exercise just before you negotiate a pay raise.
Meditation Studio, $3.99, available on the iTunes Store and Google Play.
Photo: Meditation Studio.
For a personally curated fashion newsfeed, download the Vogue app. The app learns your reading preferences and presents you with eight specially selected articles every day. J Lawr fans will be in good company.
Vogue, free, available on the iTunes Store.
Photo: Vogue.
Most Popular Free iPhone Apps
Many of the most downloaded apps of the year won't come as a surprise, but before 2016, who would have thought Pokémon Go would end up in the top 10? Here's a look at what we were all downloading and why.
Photo: App Store.
10. Spotify
Spotify still rules when it comes to playlists. The app's best addition of the year: A Playlist Takeover series, featuring the music favored by celebs, models, and more.
Photo: Spotify.
9. Netflix
After its recent announcement of in-app downloads for offline viewing, we're betting that Netflix rises to first or second place in 2017. If we ask nicely, can we please get season 2 of Stranger Things sooner?
Photo: Courtesy Netflix.
8. Pandora
This past September, Pandora proved itself a worthy Spotify competitor with Pandora Plus, a way to skip, replay, and listen to songs offline for just $4.99 per month. Next year, it's primed to become even bigger with Pandora Premium, which will create smart playlists based on your listening preferences.
Photo: Pandora.
7. Google Maps
Google Maps is already the go-to for when you're in "I just got off the subway and don't know which direction to go" mode, but it's become even more essential as a tour guide. In addition to the existing "explore around you" tool, you can now add stops for a more complete road-trip agenda. Also worth checking out: This year's brand-new Google Trips app.
Photo: Google Maps.
6. YouTube
YouTube proved a valuable asset throughout the election with many news organizations livestreaming in-app. The app also upped its quality this year: You'll now be able to watch HDR videos and 4K livestreams.
Photo: YouTube.
5. Facebook
Fake news aside, Facebook's most newsworthy feature of the year has been the addition of livestreaming. From Chewbacca Mom's viral fame to Live's role in the shooting of Philando Castile, we're just seeing the impact of the streaming tool.
Photo: Facebook.
4. Instagram
Oh, Instagram, where do we even begin? The app pulled out all the stops this year, launching its Snapchat-lookalike Instagram Stories and making major moves to fight online harassment. And let's not forget the critical support tools Instagram rolled out in October.
Photo: Courtesy Instagram.
3. Pokémon Go
There's no denying that Pokémon Go ruled screens and topics of conversation this year. And while the game's viral success has faded since the summer, the app is still going strong. There are even rumors that it will team up with Starbucks for its next big update.
Photo: Pokémon Go.
2. Messenger
There isn't much you can't do on Facebook's Messenger app. From making payments and requesting rides to playing games, the app is quickly rising in status.
Photo: Messenger.
1. Snapchat
Snapchat proved that its in it for the long game this year — at least, longer than a disappearing-after-10-seconds snap. Thanks to Memories, it's now way easier to keep a record of your stories. Among Snapchat's other fun additions: The ability to pin emoji to your video snaps and a way to search for celebrity accounts. As for 2017, expect to hear more about Spectacles and other products Snap Inc. has up its sleeve.
Photo: Snapchat.
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