The best phone in 2023 is a jack of all trades, and a master of everything. Nothing less than excellence will be accepted, because the competition is fierce, and you can find great performance, amazing photography, and top-notch design at every price point, and on every platform.
We’ve already seen some exciting new phones in the first half of 2023, and folding phones are having a real moment with the new Motorola Razr Plus 2023 and Google Pixel Fold showing up early to upstage Samsung’s upcoming foldable announcement, expected soon.
Still, while those phones are exciting and new, they still can’t beat the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and everything it can do. With the most versatile cameras, top notch performance, and an unmatched set of features, there isn’t a better phone you can buy. Compared to the big folding phones, the S23 Ultra even looks like a bargain.
We’ve moved the Apple iPhone 14 Pro into second place because we’re excited about iOS 17 and everything it’s going to bring to the iPhone. Apple is adding a ton of features, some amazing and new and some that we’ve been wanting for years. If you want an iPhone bargain, lower on the list we recommend the iPhone 13, the best iPhone deal you can find right now for a new phone.
Once you’re done reading this overall list, you can dig into the best smartphone brands. We’ve reviewed all of the greatest phones and gathered up the best Samsung phones, best iPhones, and best Google Pixel phones you can buy.
The quick list
Here they are, the best smartphones you can buy, no matter your needs, your budget, or your imagination. You can see each phone, why we like it, our rating, and where to buy it. Keep scrolling (or use the jump links) to find further details on each.
1. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The best phone overall
The Galaxy S23 Ultra does everything and then a bit more. It’s packed with features (and a hidden pen) that rivals can’t match.
The best iPhone
The iPhone 14 Pro and the bigger Pro Max are Apple’s best phones yet, thanks to new cameras and the cool Dynamic Island.
The best ultraphone bargain
Pound for pound a knockout, the Pixel 7 Pro uses computational wits to beat rivals at great photography and exclusive Pixel features.
The best compact phone
The Motorola Razr Plus is more than just a great flip phone, it’s a whole new category of device thanks to its big and sharp cover display. No other flip phone measures up.
The best foldable phone
Google’s first foldable is a big winner, with a huge internal display and a great cover screen that works just as well as a flat smartphone. If you can cover the cost, you get plenty of phone with the Fold.
The best value phone
Google’s least expensive phone packs the same Tensor chip as the Pixel 6 Pro, and it takes crowd-pleasing photos, amazing for a phone in this low price range. The value makes it an even better pick than the newer Pixel 7a.
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The best affordable iPhone
For our money, we’d rather get an iPhone 13 from last year than spend more on this year’s model, since it was already great.
The best unique features
If you’re tired of phones doing the same thing, the OnePlus 11 goes its own way with unique portrait cameras and super-fast charging.
The best smartphones in 2023
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Below you’ll find full details and reasoning for each of the best overall smartphones on our list. We’ve reviewed each one in depth, so you can be sure to trust our reviews and expert opinion.
The best phone overall
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Buy it if
✅ You want a phone that can do everything: The Galaxy S23 Ultra packs in every feature in the history of mobile devices, including wireless charging, water resistance, and even a stylus.
✅ You need to photograph the moon: There isn’t a longer optical zoom lens on a phone right now, but the S23 Ultra doesn’t stop at 10X. It can enhance astrophotography and also add details to moon shots.
✅ You want a pocket computer: The Ultra can drive a monitor and keyboard in a desktop environment, or just run multiple apps in side-by-side windows
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re on a budget: It’s the most expensive phone that doesn’t fold in half, but Samsung doesn’t leave you wanting anything more, and there are great deals to be found
❌ You don’t like big phones: The S23 Ultra is smooth, and curved, and also very, very big. It’s so big that it can hide a full stylus and a huge battery inside and remain water resistant. With a case, it’s a behemoth.
❌ You hate One UI: Samsung messes with Android, and though One UI gets better every time we use it, Google’s own Pixel version is still simpler and more refined, and dare we say a better competitor to iOS.
The bottom line
📱 The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is so much smartphone, it barely deserves to be in the same category as much simpler rivals, but Samsung won’t take a step backwards, and never gives up on a feature it likes. You get the best performance, tons of camera capabilities, a hidden stylus, and one of the best displays you’ll see on a smartphone. You’ll pay for the privilege, but what a privilege it is. ★★★★½
What you need to know
The differences between the Galaxy S23 Ultra and its list-topping predecessor, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, may seem less than skin deep, but the new phone improves upon last year’s model in many ways. It gets a faster chipset, tougher materials all around, and a new camera sensor that packs more megapixels than we ever imagined on a phone.
Design: The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a smooth plane of glass on the front and back, with a gently curved display leading to the frame. It isn’t quite as seamless as last year’s S22 Ultra, but it is still gorgeous. The new, more natural color tones are also especially delightful in person, even better than in product photos.
Display: You won’t find a much better display than the big, bright, AMOLED screen on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It isn’t quite the brightest, and it lacks Dolby Vision support, but it’s still smooth, with a fast 120Hz refresh that looks fantastic watching movies or playing games.
Camera: The Galaxy S23 Ultra is like carrying an entire camera bag full of lenses. Its versatility makes it the best camera phone money can buy. There are plenty of lenses, great shooting modes, and now even an expert-level app, making this the best phone for serious photography.
Performance: With a bespoke, overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that is faster than the Snapdragon in competitor phones, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the benchmark champ. It also performs just as well in real life, playing high-resolution games or shooting video in 8K.
Battery life: Sure, we can always ask for more battery (maybe instead of the pen next time?), but the Galaxy S23 Ultra lasted incredibly long in our review tests, longer than most devices we’ve tested recently. It keeps the same 5,000 mAh battery as its predecessor (and most flagships today), but manages power well.
Value for money: Just skip this section and go back to the top so you can read about all of the amazing hardware and features that you get for a whole lot of money. Yes, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a four-figure phone in every region, though Samsung phones are famous for trade-in and carrier-related deals.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | It’s perhaps the most expensive phone you can buy, but it doesn’t cut any corners | ★★★☆☆ |
| Design | Sleek and professional, with great colors, though it’s undeniably huge | ★★★★☆ |
| Display | A dazzling display that curves gently. It isn’t the absolute best, but it’s close | ★★★★★ |
| Camera | Incredibly versatile camera options, including real 10X zoom and HDR10+ video | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Amazing performance from a chipset that was overclocked in Samsung’s name | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | A huge battery delivers long battery life, even with the amazing performance and cameras | ★★★★★ |
The best iPhone
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Buy it if
✅ You want to be in Apple’s world: If you want iMessage, Apple Home, and iCloud backup, the iPhone 14 Pro is the best place to start.
✅ You want unique games and apps: While Google’s Play Store offers almost everything, there are exclusives and titles that come to iPhone first.
✅ You want photos with less work: The iPhone 14 Pro doesn’t have the camera features of its rivals, but Apple doesn’t make you fuss with settings, either.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want more zoom power: Apple’s maximum 3x optical zoom is starting to seem more quaint than useful. Samsung (and Xiaomi) owns the super-zoom space.
❌ You want better charging technology: Apple’s iPhone is inexplicably still stuck on the Lightning port when USB-C will work with a lot of the cables you already have – including some from Apple.
❌ You want more technology for less: The iPhone 14 Pro gives you less RAM and storage than Android rivals by half.
The bottom line
📱 There’s a reason why the iPhone 14 Pro is so popular: it simply gets everything right. It doesn’t pack too many features or ask you to adjust tons of settings, which makes it easier to use for most people. It’s an iPhone, so you know that it’s a phone you can keep for years to come. ★★★★½
What you need to know
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro may look like the iPhone 13 Pro from the outside (okay, you practically need a magnifying glass to tell them apart), but there are big differences on the inside that push Apple into the next generation. It has more pixels on the camera sensor, Apple’s latest Bionic chipset, and satellite communications for emergencies.
Design: If you want someone to know that you bought an iPhone 14 Pro and not last year’s model, you need to choose a new color, because otherwise the phones look identical. That’s not a bad thing, and Apple’s design is clean and jewelry-like, with a seamless attention to detail.
Display: The iPhone 14 Pro’s display is the brightest you can buy in most regions (some Chinese phones top it), and it looks great, even in low-refresh always-on mode. The Dynamic Island camera cutout is contentious; we’re not fans of the insipid pill, but maybe Apple will remember it exists eventually.
Camera: The Apple iPhone 14 Pro finally gets a major camera upgrade, quadrupling the pixels on the main camera sensor. Of course, most images still develop at 12MP, not the full 48MP, but that pixel-binning technique gives you great images in any light condition.
Performance: In benchmarks, Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset can’t be beat, even by the fastest Android phones you can buy. In practice, Apple keeps things simple by restricting multitasking, and everything runs as snappy as you’d expect. You can’t find better performance for games, video recording, or any mobile task.
Battery life: We always want better battery life, but the iPhone 14 Pro will last a full day, and maybe more if you’re careful. The iPhone 14 Pro Max hides a bigger battery behind its bigger display, so if stamina is really important, that’s a reason to go for the larger model.
Value for money: No iPhone is cheap, and the iPhone 14 Pro is a very expensive device. We also recommend a storage upgrade, so the starting price may be a bit higher for the phone you really want. Step up to the Pro Max and you’re spending mid-four-figures for a smartphone. Samsung’s best is pricier, but gives you more features.
Read the full review: Apple iPhone 14 Pro review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | A very expensive phone, and we recommend a storage upgrade over the base | ★★★☆☆ |
| Design | Identical to last year, the iPhone 14 Pro keeps the clean and seamless design | ★★★★☆ |
| Display | A bright and sharp display that is marred by the obtrusive Dynamic Island cutout | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset is the fastest mobile platform on any smartphone | ★★★★★ |
| Cameras | More megapixels means Apple can employ pixel binning techniques for better photos | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Greater battery life variance depending on usage compared to most phones | ★★★★☆ |
The best ultraphone bargain
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Buy it if
✅ You want to save money but still want the best: There’s no denying the Pixel 7 Pro holds its own against the best phones you can buy, even though it costs less. Plus, Pixel phones go on sale a lot.
✅ You want a better all-around phone: The Pixel 7 Pro simply works well, no matter what you’re doing with it. It takes great photos easily and gets a lot right that other phone makers have ignored.
✅ You want to fix your old photos: Buying a Pixel 7 Pro lets you fix all the terrible photos in your library. If those iPhone 4 shots didn’t age so well, the Pixel will modernize them. There’s no other device that can do this… for now at least.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want a phone that does literally everything: It doesn’t have a stylus, or a mighty zoom lens, or high-speed charging, or the fastest screen you can buy. If you’re a spec-sheet fanatic, check the top of the list.
❌ You want a phone that folds in half: Flat phones are becoming a thing of the past. The latest and greatest thing is phones that fold. The likes of the huge Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 also offer massive screen real estate inside.
❌ You’re going to keep this phone forever: Google makes the Pixel 7 Pro and the Android 13 OS it runs, but that doesn’t mean Google will keep supporting this phone forever. Apple is still updating phones that are five years old.
The bottom line
📱 The Google Pixel 7 Pro is every bit as good as the best smartphones from Apple and Samsung. It looks great, takes amazing photos, and stands out in a crowd. Google implements software features as art, and the Pixel 7 Pro improves the smartphone in areas we’d forgotten needed improvement. ★★★★½
What you need to know
With the Pixel 7 Pro, Google takes a big step towards the top of the smartphone rankings. It performs well and has great features limited to phones with Google’s Tensor chipset, including the amazing Photo Unblur and clear calling. It’s not as feature packed as some rivals, but the software is elegant and polished.
Design: The Google Pixel 7 Pro has a distinctive design compared to the rest of the smartphone market, and we like the overall look; but it’s not our favorite phone to carry and show off. The camera band makes the phone seem more balanced and symmetrical, but the glossy finish is fingerprint-prone, and the colors seem a bit yesteryear.
Display: We’ve been very impressed with the display on the Google Pixel 7 Pro. It uses an LTPO OLED display, similar to the tech you’ll find on the iPhone 14 Pro, and has a super-crisp 3120 x 1440 resolution. We always find the Pixel 7 Pro exceedingly bright and colorful. It’s a delight to read, and easy to use for photographs, even in bright sunlight.
Camera: Photos that we took with the Google Pixel 7 Pro always looked the way we wanted them to look, and that’s high praise. It never seemed to focus on the wrong part of the scene, or underexpose our subject in favor of a brighter background. Our images looked warm and dynamic, as opposed to the flat, colder images the iPhone camera sometimes passes off as ‘accurate.’
Performance: We never felt like the Pixel 7 Pro was lacking in pure performance in a way that affected our usage. Perhaps this is because Google has such tight synchronicity between the OS and the hardware, but we felt the interface was much snappier than other devices we use. Simply finding our apps or navigating our home screens felt faster.
Battery life: Battery life on the Pixel 7 Pro is good, more than a day’s full use, but we ended each day with only between 10-20% juice left. The Pixel 7 Pro also supports wireless charging in both directions.
Value for money: Google likes to price its phones a bit cheaper than rivals, and the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7 continue this trend. The iPhone 14 Pro starts at hundreds more outside the US, which means the Pixel 7 Pro is not only cheaper, but UK and Australian buyers won’t see the same price hike that iPhone fans saw compared to last year.
Read the full review: Google Pixel 7 Pro review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Less expensive than the competition’s best phones | ★★★★★ |
| Design | Unique camera bar, but not enough color options | ★★★★☆ |
| Display | Big and bright with great response time | ★★★★★ |
| Camera | Amazing photos every time, but not a huge step ahead | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | A graphics boost keeps everything running fast | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | Will get through a day, but nothing impressive | ★★★★☆ |
The best compact phone
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Buy it if
✅ You’ve been waiting for phones to get cool again: If you’ve been telling yourself “I’ll buy a new phone when there’s a reason to buy something new,” you now have that reason.
✅ You want a small phone but need a big screen: The Motorola Razr Plus is the thinnest flip phone when folded shut, and has the biggest display when open. It’s bigger on the inside than the others, and you don’t need to be a Time Lord to appreciate the magic.
✅ You aren’t addicted to your iPhone: Seriously, what’s stopping you from buying a cool phone? Are you really addicted to blue bubbles and the Dynamic Island? Try something cooler, we promise you’ll like it.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need a great camera phone: The Motorola Razr Plus has forgivable flaws, but the cameras aren’t among them. They’re pretty lousy for regular photos, although selfies benefit from using the main lens.
❌ You’re going to get it wet: The Moto Razr Plus is more dust resistant than other flip phones, but less water resistant than the Galaxy Z family devices, which can take a dunk.
❌ You want to totally unplug and hang up: Unlike other flip phones, the Razr Plus doesn’t go to sleep when you hang up. It’s often even more fun when it’s closed, but wait for the base model Razr if you appreciate the joy of tuning out.
The bottom line
📱 The Motorola Razr Plus / Razr 40 Ultra is a major evolutionary step for smartphones, going beyond what any previous flip or foldable has offered. It’s not perfect, but it’s so far ahead of what other phones offer that there’s barely a flaw that isn’t forgivable. This flip is a winner – and if you want to get excited about phones again you need to check it out. ★★★★½
What you need to know
After the last Razr failed to meet expectations, Motorola went back to the drawing board and created something entirely new. What it came up with sounds simple at first: just a bigger cover display on a better flip phone design. What you get is a smartphone in miniature, a more compact and usable phone than we’ve ever tried.
Design: The Motorola Razr Plus looks more like a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 than the uglier Razr folding phones that came before, and that’s okay. It shuts tight, feels more comfortable with a nicely rounded edge, and looks great in Moto’s colors, especially the Viva Magenta with the vegan leather back.
Displays: Both displays on the Motorola Razr Plus 2023 are equally impressive. The internal display is a massive 6.9-inch screen, bigger than other flip phones. The external cover display is a 3.6-inch square, and it offers more screen area than the original iPhone, You get more than two phones in one.
Camera: Ugh, we wish there was better news about the cameras on the Motorola Razr Plus. They take good selfies, better than you’re expecting because you get to use the main camera. It’s also fun to take pics using the external display as a viewfinder with a crowd. Unfortunately, those pics are just not very good. We also seriously miss having real zoom.
Performance: Even though the Motorola Razr Plus 2023 uses the same chipset as the last Razr, Motorola has managed to make this phone feel faster and smoother than before. We had no stutters or stops, even switching apps quickly between the external screen and the big internal display.
Battery life: Battery life could be better on the Motorola Razr Plus 2023, but it wasn’t terrible. We found ourselves using that cover screen quite a bit, which probably drained the battery faster than if we’d just left it alone. For a flip phone, battery life was competitive.
Value for money: The Motorola Razr Plus is admittedly expensive, costing just as much as last year’s model without much of an internal upgrade – except for the huge cover screen that effectively gives you half a second display for the same price. If it’s too much, there’s a cheaper model on the way sans external display.
Read the full review: Motorola Razr Plus 2023 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Same price as last year’s model, with an extra half-screen more | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | Most refined and tight-fitting flip phone ever, with a game-changing external screen | ★★★★★ |
| Display | Big on the outside, bigger on the inside, and the external display is much more than an afterthought | ★★★★★ |
| Camera | Not the best cameras, but great design makes it easy to get unique shots that other phones can’t manage | ★★★☆☆ |
| Performance | Good enough to keep up with every task, but it could get warm when pushed with video recording or gaming | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Battery life could be better, and using that external display (or both at once!) means using more power | ★★★★☆ |
The best foldable phone
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Buy it if
✅ You want two devices in one: The Pixel Fold is an able phone, and a fun and productivity-enhancing tablet.
✅ You care about photography: You get an excellent collection of cameras backed up by some truly useful software and AI tricks.
✅ You want a full-sized foldable: There are smaller, cheaper foldables, but if you want a main screen that opens to tablet size you should look at the Pixel Fold.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ Money is tight: Google has ably combined two devices into one – and it’s charging you for both. It’s a hefty investment, so if you must have the Pixel Fold, hunt down one of the generous trade-in deals that’s available.
❌ You want bleeding-edge components: Google’s Tensor G2 is plenty fast, but there might be a G3 just around the corner. Could this handset have benefited from newer silicon?
❌ You want a thin and light phone: Folded, the Pixel Fold is fat, and it’s also kind of heavy.
The bottom line
📱 The Google Pixel Fold is an excellent, multidimensional handset that feels equally at home as a beefy smartphone or a pint-sized tablet, and it marries that versatility with strong performance and stellar photography. If you think of the Pixel Fold as two devices in one, the high price almost makes sense. ★★★★½
What you need to know
The Google Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable phone, and it’s a very impressive start from the House of Android. While the internal display is the same size as a Galaxy Z Fold 4, Google bends the phone on the other axis, giving us a much wider and more fulfilling cover display. Add to that Google’s great software and you have a winning, albeit very costly device.
Design: The Google Pixel Fold is the thinnest foldable phone when it’s closed, but that doesn’t mean it’s a small device. The solid construction creates a big, heavy phone that opens into a small, heavy tablet. The bezels are a bit large and first-gen looking, and durability of the screen is becoming a big concern.
Displays: The best part about the Google Pixel Fold is the wise decision to make a wider, more usable cover display. The exterior screen looks great, so good that you won’t mind using the phone closed, unlike Samsung’s Z Fold 4. Inside, you get a huge, tablet-sized screen that can run apps side-by-side or edit photos with ease.
Camera: Google hasn’t slouched when it comes to cameras on the Google Pixel Fold, and unlike Samsung’s folding phones, the foldable Pixel can keep up with the flat Pixels. Photos weren’t the best ever, but they looked better than we expected and we appreciate having real 5X optical zoom on the third lens.
Performance: Google packs the Pixel Fold with the ubiquitous Tensor G2 chip, a platform that started as the driver for the Pixel 7 Pro phone but now runs everything from the Pixel Tablet to the bargain Pixel 7a phone. At the least, the Tensor platform gives you amazing exclusive features, and we especially like Photo Unblur and the cool camera editing tricks.
Battery life: We managed to get a full day of battery life out of the Google Pixel Fold, but it wasn’t able to last much longer than that. The phone doesn’t have any special fast charging capabilities, and of course a bigger screen means that it draws more power.
Value for money: Whoa, maybe go back up and read the camera section again, because the Pixel Fold has really good cameras for a foldable phone. As for value, it’s the most expensive phone you can buy, and if you have to ask why then you probably should just buy something cheaper.
Read the full review: Google Pixel Fold review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Value | It’s costly but such is the price of two premium devices in one | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | Google may have found the sweet spot for tablet-sized foldables | ★★★★★ |
| Display | Cover display is shorter than the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but more than makes up for it in width. The main screen is beautiful and the big bezel quickly fades into the background | ★★★★★ |
| Camera | An excellent colleciton of cameras inside and out that take beautiful photos | ★★★☆☆ |
| Performance | The Tensor g2 has more than enough performance to satisfy most foldable needs | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Battery life is solid | ★★★★☆ |
The best value phone
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Buy it if
✅ You want an amazing phone for less: The Google Pixel 6a was launched as a bargain version of the Pixel 6. Price cuts since then make this the most affordable phone you can buy that’s actually worth buying. It’s that good and that cheap.
✅ You want help taking great pics: The Pixel 6a isn’t for pro photographers who need hundreds of megapixels and super-zoom. It’s for the rest of us, and it takes pics that are easily shareable, with great editing features to fix bloopers.
✅ You want unadorned Android: Google’s version of Android on the Pixel 6a is simpler and more elegant than Samsung’s over-packed One UI. Plus, Google regularly drops Pixel feature updates and doesn’t ignore its older models.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need great battery life: Admittedly, the Pixel 6a sacrifices battery capabilities and faster charging to cut costs, and this means you’ll have to top it off during the day to stay charged until the night time.
❌ You want serious photo specs: The Pixel 6a takes winning photos, but the main camera shoots at a lower 12MP resolution, which doesn’t give much room for cropping or editing. There’s no real zoom, either.
❌ You want more: The Pixel 6a is limited in many ways. It has less storage space, less power than we’d like, and less flash and dazzle on the display. It gives you plenty for what you pay, but you’re paying very little.
The bottom line
📱If you’re looking for a seriously great phone for the most affordable price, we’ve bumped the Google Pixel 6a high on this list because it fits the bill for you right now. The camera takes photos that are real crowd-pleasers and easy to share. Plus, it’s packed with Pixel-exclusive features thanks to the Google Tensor chipset. ★★★½
What you need to know
The Pixel 6a flew under our radar when it was launched, because it was priced a bit higher than we’d like – but the phone now costs almost a third less in many regions (including the US). That makes it an incredible bargain, given the features and performance that Google offers. It cuts the right corners and delivers a great photo and Android experience.
Design: The Google Pixel 6a looks very much like the current Pixel lineup, with the same camera-band design language that Google has used for a couple of generations. It’s slick, literally and figuratively, and unique. Too bad Google dropped the headphone jack from the a-series, but otherwise it feels like a solid, compact flagship.
Display: The 6.1-inch display on the Pixel 6a is a bit smaller than the Pixel 6, but keeps the same resolution, so it looks sharp. Most flagship phones run faster and have smoother refresh rates, but this Pixel is stuck at 60Hz, one of our biggest complaints. Faster refresh would drain more power, though.
Camera: The Pixel 6a won a major blind image survey conducted by Marques Brownlee, which is a convincing win for this simplified shooter. It doesn’t pack megapixels or zoom, just competent image processing that delivers photos you’ll consistently enjoy at a 12MP size that makes them good for simple sharing or even printing.
Performance: Even though this is a bargain phone, Google doesn’t skimp on processing power, and it gets the same Google Tensor G1 platform you’ll find in the Pixel 6 Pro. That means great performance, and Tensor-exclusive features such as an automated Magic Eraser and Face Unblur in the photo editor.
Battery life: Our biggest complaint about the Pixel 6a in our in-depth review was that the battery died too early, and we wanted faster charging to make up for it. The battery cell is a solid 4,410mAh, and it managed to make it through most of our day, but we still needed to top it up regularly to stay charged.
Value for money: When it launched, the Pixel 6a was a good value, but not great. The price has dropped considerably since, making it the best value among any new smartphone. If you need a new phone on a budget and you don’t have anything valuable to trade, the Pixel 6a should be the first phone you consider.
Read the full review: Google Pixel 6a review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price cuts since launch make the Pixel 6a the best smartphone value, period | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | Similar to the best Pixels you can buy, but feels like plastic when you hold it | ★★★★½ |
| Display | A sharp display that doesn’t have the fast refresh rates competitors offer | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | Google’s Tensor chip gives the Pixel 6a snappy performance and exclusive features | ★★★★★ |
| Cameras | A great camera for sharing and editing photos, but no superzoom | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | The Google Pixel 6a doesn’t last long enough, and takes ages to recharge | ★★★½☆ |
The best affordable iPhone
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Buy it if
✅ You want to save on top-notch performance: When the iPhone 14 was launched, it didn’t offer much of an upgrade over the iPhone 13, and the older phone uses the same Apple A15 Bionic platform for blazing performance.
✅ You still use SIM cards: In the US, at least, Apple removed SIM cards from its iPhone 14. For travelers (and phone reviewers), this is a huge hassle.
✅ You want a phone that lasts: Even though the iPhone 13 is last year’s model, Apple’s support for older phones is unparalleled. You’ll be getting iOS updates long after your Android-owning friends have given up checking.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need more camera: If you want the best camera on a smartphone, you need to spend more for an iPhone 14 Pro (read more above) or go for an Android phone in the same price range.
❌ You want a ton of features: The iPhone 13 does its job well, but Android phones do a lot more. Most have more cameras, reverse wireless charging, high-refresh displays, and more.
❌ You’re not into Apple: The iPhone 13 works better when you are using it with other Apple stuff. iMessage will take over your text messaging, and iCloud will dominate your photos and backup. If that’s not your bag, don’t buy it.
The bottom line
📱 The Apple iPhone 13 won fans at launch, and Apple didn’t give much reason to upgrade when the next gen arrived. The iPhone 13 performs like a champ, with the same A15 Bionic used in the iPhone 14, and the screen, the cameras, and the overall design are essentially unchanged. For less money, it’s a much better pick, especially since it’s still available new from Apple. ★★★★½
What you need to know
The iPhone 13 was a refined, high-performing improvement when it launched, and time has hardly aged this marvel. Instead of upgrading the newest iPhone 14 with bigger cameras and faster chips, it left the base model mostly untouched, while the iPhone 14 Pro got the big changes. That means the iPhone 13 is just as fast and feature-packed as today’s entry iPhone, but easier on the wallet. We’d save money and buy this one without hesitation.
Design: The differences between the iPhone 13 and the newer iPhone 14 are minuscule; an antenna band here and a seam there. It’s a classic iPhone design, with a nearly gapless feel and the notched forehead that’s been part of the iPhone look since the iPhone X.
Display: An iPhone display is always sharp and color accurate, and the iPhone 13 doesn’t disappoint. The display is the same as you’ll find on the iPhone 14. It isn’t the brightest, but it looks great. If you are into serious gaming you may want a phone with a faster refresh rate, but for most uses, you won’t notice.
Camera: There is no doubt that the iPhone 13 can take great photos, and the cameras were not significantly upgraded for the iPhone 14, so you won’t feel left out compared to the new model. Photos max out at 12MP, which is a shareable size. Apple’s base iPhone lacks a serious zoom lens, and the photo options can be limited compared to Androids.
Performance: When the Apple A15 Bionic chipset launched in 2022, it was the fastest mobile phone platform. When the A16 arrived, Apple only endowed the higher-end iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max phones with the faster chips, but so what? The iPhone 13 is already faster than almost any Android you’ll try.
Battery life: We always want more battery life, but the iPhone 13 was better than most iPhones for longevity. While the iPhone 14 offers marginal improvements in some circumstances, our own experience is that the iPhone 13 lasted just as long.
Value for money: Apple has kept the base model iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, but dropped the price versus the new model ($100 in the US). Considering there’s very little new in the latest iPhone to justify the price bump, we’d choose last year’s model and save money instead.
Read the full review: Apple iPhone 13 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Less than an iPhone 14, even though it packs the same processor and specs | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | Refined and polished, and not outdated, as it looks the same as the newer model | ★★★★☆ |
| Display | It’s sharp and accurate, but competitors and better iPhones are brighter | ★★★★☆ |
| Camera | The iPhone 13 takes great photos, but lacks resolution and versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
| Performance | Industry-leading performance last year, now at a more affordable price | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Better than average battery life, though we’d always like more juice to last | ★★★★☆ |
The best unique features
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Buy it if
✅ You want a unique Android: If most phones in this list are fighting and playing catch up with each other, OnePlus goes its own way with unique features such as super-fast charging.
✅ You want to save on a premier flagship: OnePlus gives you a dynamite screen and great performance for less than many competitors, with cool deals running all the time.
✅ You like the unique look: If you want a phone that stands out, the OnePlus 11 looks more like the big Chinese flagships your friends haven’t seen yet.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You ever get your phone wet: The OnePlus 11 isn’t water resistant beyond a good splash. You can’t take it into the pool for photos, and won’t want to drop it in the sink.
❌ You want a versatile camera: The OnePlus 11 essentially has an array of portrait lenses. It can’t handle telephoto zoom, and doesn’t do a great job on close-ups, either.
❌ You need a carrier deal: OnePlus has good deals online, but you won’t find this phone at your local carrier in the US, which means you won’t find a deal paired with a contract.
The bottom line
📱 The OnePlus 11 is super fast, with a dazzling display that really pops with color. The interface is a lighter touch on Google’s Android than Samsung’s One UI, while adding useful features. If you’re into shareable photography, the OnePlus 11 delivers a unique camera experience that can be unpredictable and limited, but that results in amazing shots when it delivers. ★★★★
What you need to know
The OnePlus 11 returns to the company’s roots, delivering premium performance and a few impressive specs while trading other features for a price cut versus the big name competitors. That means the OnePlus 11 is cheaper than Samsung and Apple, and OnePlus doesn’t confuse its lineup with Pro and Plus versions. It’s got everything OnePlus does well, and it works great.
Design: The OnePlus is a slim phone, with a glossy finish if you buy the green color. The camera array dominates the back and will stand out among iPhones and Galaxys. Sadly, the phone isn’t IP68 rated for water resistance. The phone keeps the popular mute switch to silence the noise in a hurry.
Display: The display on the OnePlus 11 really pops. The AMOLED screen can refresh up to 120Hz, and the smooth rate is noticeable playing fast games with tons of particle effects. It supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for color accuracy. It could be brighter, but it’s otherwise fantastic.
Camera: The Hasselblad-branded camera setup on the OnePlus 11 isn’t for everyone. We managed to grab some amazing portraits, and landscape photos looked excellent, but photos had a distinct look and feel to them. The camera can’t handle versatile shots like distant zoom or macro close-ups.
Performance: The OnePlus 11 was the first phone we tried with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform, and though Samsung’s Galaxy S23 is a hair faster, the difference isn’t noticeable except in benchmark numbers. The OnePlus 11 is snappy and efficient, doing a great job with games and apps alike.
Battery life: Battery life is decent in its own right, but when it comes to charging it’s a champion. With the included (!) charger, you can fill the battery in less than 30 minutes. It’s even faster outside of the US, where higher voltage rules. There’s no wireless charging, though.
Value for money: Like the best OnePlus phones of the past, the OnePlus 11 offers great performance for a solid value. It isn’t the cheapest flagship on this list, but for the money you get a huge screen, unique cameras, and other standout features you won’t find elsewhere.
Read the full review: OnePlus 11 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Incredibly affordable | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | Solidly built, unremarkable looks | ★★★★★ |
| Display | Decent size, just a standard 60Hz refresh rate | ★★★☆☆ |
| Camera | More lenses than you expect | ★★★☆☆ |
| Performance | Below average performance | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Battery life | Up to two days’ battery life on a charge | ★★★★☆ |
How to choose the best smartphone
The first thing you need to decide when buying a new smartphone is how much you want to spend. The smartphone market varies dramatically, from very high-end handsets that cost well over four-figures, to much cheaper phones that can be found for only a few hundred. We have options at the top of our list at both ends of the price spectrum.
Once you’ve decided how much you want to spend, you should decide whether you want to try one of the best Android phones or go for one of the best iPhones. Often the platform decision has more to do with your work, your friends and family and what they use to share photos and messages, and what sort of computer or devices you already own.
Now that you’ve settled on your price and platform, you should decide on the cameras. Are you a serious photographer looking for a serious camera? Or do you like to take easy photos that are fun to edit and share? Phones with more lenses and higher megapixel counts demand more, but offer versatility; simpler phones with a 12MP limit tend to do more work for you.
If you’re looking for something outside the norm, we have plenty of unique options as well. There are phones with a built-in pen for writing, and phones that fold in half to be more compact. There are large phones, small phones, and Max-sized phones. We have phones with space-level zoom, and phones that specialize in touching portraits.
No matter what phone you choose, you can be sure that we have thoroughly tested and vetted every phone on this list, and we know you’ll be satisfied with any of these in your pocket.
How we test
How we test the best phones
We have only included phones on this list that we have thoroughly tested, and our testing regiment is deep and detailed. We test every aspect of a phone that you might use from day to day, then we dive deeper to discover all of the hidden features.
We test phones for battery life and charging, speed and performance, and especially for camera capabilities. We make sure that phones deliver on the manufacturer’s promise. If they say a phone can charge in 30 minutes, we break out the stopwatch.
We’ve seen every phone around, so we have a good idea how each of these phones stacks up to the other. We use both iPhone and Android, from the most expensive models to the most affordable, so we know what you’re getting, no matter what you pay. We make sure the phones deliver what we’d expect for the cost.
Once we’re done, we don’t stop. We keep updating our reviews as we learn more, and as the phones are updated. Our reviews are always fresh, so check back before you buy to make sure you’re getting the latest opinion on the best phones you can buy.
