2023 is upon us and we anticipate a ton of nice new telephones within the coming months, and we’ve already added two glorious new entry early doorways from Samsung and OnePlus.
Fortunately, 2022 gave us some absolute stunners, the perfect of which we’ve ranked alongside the newest telephones on this article. Whether or not you’re in search of efficiency, digicam smarts, or worth, our definitive listing of the ten greatest telephones has all of it. A number of the costs will pleasantly shock you.
The highest telephone on this rundown received’t be the best telephone for everyone so be sure that to take a look at all ten. The very best telephone for you is on the market, relying on what you worth most – digicam, battery life, design, specs, worth, and extra in addition come into play.
Samsung and Apple function right here after all, however wanting additional afield to Android opponents akin to OnePlus, Google, Oppo, and Xiaomi might imply you discover your supreme pocket accomplice. Belief us, these telephones all ship – simply all slightly in another way, and that’s a fantastic factor. Good competitors means higher telephones for everybody!
Greatest smartphone 2023
1. Google Pixel 7 – Greatest for most individuals
Execs
- Good worth for cash
- Glorious cameras
- Good 90Hz display screen
- Simple to make use of software program
Cons
- Sluggish charging speeds
- Face Unlock is fundamental
Worth When Reviewed:
From $599
We predict the perfect telephone for most individuals is the Google Pixel 7. It’s the perfect Pixel telephone but, and has tons of premium options for the frankly unbelievable worth of $599/£599/€649.
For lower than the price of any iPhone 14 or Galaxy S23 mannequin you get a stunning 6.3in 90Hz OLED show, vibrant and customisable Android 13 software program, a premium glass end with wi-fi charging and amazingly good major and ultrawide cameras on the again. That major digicam is the perfect point-and-shoot telephone digicam in the marketplace, with gorgeous pictures no matter you level it at due to the 50Mp sensor and Google’s high degree picture processing.
You additionally get enjoyable software program tips like Magic Eraser to rub out undesirable folks or objects out of your pictures, and different Pixel-exclusive issues akin to name screening and a name holding function so that you dont have to take a seat on maintain for ages with companies – although a number of of those name perks are US-only.
You possibly can go for the Pixel 7 Professional if you would like a much bigger display screen, higher battery life, and an additional optical telephoto zoom lens.
Learn our full
Google Pixel 7 overview
2. iPhone 14 Professional – Greatest iPhone
Execs
- Dynamic Island is genuinely nice
- First iPhone with always-on show
- Phenomenal cameras
- 120Hz show
Cons
- Battery life identical as 13 Professional
- No quick charging
- Costlier within the UK
Worth When Reviewed:
$999
The common iPhone 14 is a really minor replace over the iPhone 13, so it’s a pleasing shock that the iPhone 14 Professional is such a leap over its predecessor. A number of the change is barely pores and skin deep, however when such a visible overhaul because the Dynamic Island makes its debut, it’s arduous to not discover.
Apple has shrunk its well-known display screen notch right into a capsule and round form beneath the highest bezel however crammed within the clean house with black pixels, after which used animations to have notifications and updates from apps originate from the house, making a use for the lower outs now seen for cameras on most telephone screens. It is rather intelligent, and means you’ll be able to see what music enjoying, timers, climate and extra consistently on the high of the display screen with out having to hop into the app.
The telephone’s cameras are additionally exceptionally good, with the primary 48Mp sensor on an iPhone permitting for 2x zoom cropping along with the 3x telephoto lens and a succesful ultrawide. Apple has additionally lastly launched an always-on show that merely dims your lock display screen and pleasingly doesn’t have an effect on battery life, in our testing a minimum of. It’s not an enormous improve on the 13 Professional but when your telephone is three or 4 years previous this iPhone will really feel lightyears into the long run.
Learn our full
iPhone 14 Professional overview
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely – The telephone with all the pieces
Execs
- Outstandingly quick
- Superb cameras
- Glorious battery life
- Beautiful premium object
Cons
- Sluggish 45W charging
- Poor selfie digicam
- Enormous premium object
Worth When Reviewed:
From $1,199
If you need the telephone in the marketplace with essentially the most options doable, the Galaxy S23 Extremely is it. It’s a giant, costly telephone however you get each doable function you could possibly need in a smartphone in 2023 with extremely good triple cameras, excellent battery life that lasts properly over a day, efficiency as quick as any rival telephone, and naturally, the now-unique S-Pen stylus tucked away within the telephone for if you want it.
It’s considered one of few telephones on the market with a squared off physique and display screen, however it feels good to carry due to high construct high quality and properly tapered edges and display screen. This design rewards you with the perfect display screen of any telephone, excellent for any app you’ll be able to throw at it, and superlative for watching movies.
The 200Mp major digicam is excellent, notably in the event you like barely saturated colors that pop greater than they do in actual life. That’s to not say they appear synthetic although – the standard is great with the flexibility of an ultrawide and two separate 3x and 10 optical telephoto lenses which can be all glorious. It;s a disgrace the selife digicam is horrible in low mild.
Learn our full
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely overview
4. Google Pixel 6a – Greatest worth Android
Execs
- Nice efficiency
- Strong battery life
- Superb digicam
Cons
- 60Hz show
- Sluggish charging
- Again plastic scratches simply
Worth When Reviewed:
$449
Though the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional have larger, higher screens and improved cameras, the $449/£399/€459 6a is healthier worth and the Pixel telephone most individuals can buy.
For the asking worth you get the Google Tensor chip, the identical because the 6 and 6 Professional, leading to flagship degree efficiency. Older A-series Pixels have been sluggish – not this one.
You solely get a 60Hz refresh charge display screen, gradual 18W charging, and a plastic again that we discovered scratches fairly simply. There’s additionally solely a 12.2Mp major digicam, the identical as on the Pixel 5, relatively than the Pixel 6’s 50Mp shooter.
However other than that that is near the complete Pixel expertise at an outstanding worth, with three years of Android OS updates and 5 years of safety updates.
Learn our full
Google Pixel 6a overview
5. OnePlus 11 – Greatest worth flagship
Execs
- Glorious display screen
- Quick efficiency
- Aggressive worth
- Robust cameras
- 5 years of software program help
Cons
- No wi-fi charging
- Not totally waterproof
Worth When Reviewed:
$699
OnePlus has nailed the stability with the OnePlus 11, bringing a fully-featured premium smartphone for an excellent worth. At $699/£729/€849, the one issues it noticeably misses out on are wi-fi charging and full waterproofing (we’re extra irritated in regards to the latter than the previous).
If you happen to can forgo these nice-to-haves then you definately’ll end up with a telephone that has all the pieces else you could possibly need: amazingly quick efficiency, a wonderful show, sturdy cameras together with an excellent major 50Mp lens, and 4 years of Android updates and 5 of safety updates. That’s solely matched within the Android world by Samsung and Fairphone (iPhones get the longest software program help at greater than 5 years).
The OnePlus 11 can be a slim and svelte telephone regardless of its 6.7in display screen, which isn’t the case with different large telephones. You’ll be able to go for the inexperienced shiny mannequin or the black model that has a matt, almost-silk like end to the again glass. It means it will get zero fingerprints, however it’s one of many slipperiest telephones on the market.
As long as you don’t thoughts the slight laboured newer model of OxygenOS that always adjustments Android for change sake, then this can be a nice telephone at a worth that ensures you’ll get your cash’s value if you can also make it final 5 years.
Learn our full
OnePlus 11 overview
6. iPhone 14 – Excellent all-rounder
Execs
- Excellent battery life
- Nice efficiency
- Excellent twin cameras
- Prime construct high quality
Cons
- 60Hz show
- Sluggish charging
- No RAW picture capturing
Worth When Reviewed:
$799 (128GB) | $899 (256GB) | $1,099 (512GB)
The iPhone 14 isn’t nearly as good because the iPhone 14 Professional however it prices much less – even whether it is just about an iPhone 13 with a brand new title. The one issues of be aware it provides to the 13 is a really barely improved major digicam and the admittedly impressed stablisation video mode known as Motion Mode.
There’s additionally automobile crash detection, which you’ll hopefully by no means have to make use of – the underside line is, don’t improve from an iPhone 13, however in any other case that is the go-to iPhone for most individuals proper now. The battery life is superb and it has nice efficiency, whereas the cameras are high notch regardless of not having a telephoto lens.
As ever with Apple, constructed high quality is the perfect within the enterprise, and iOS is extraordinarily secure software program. You’ll additionally get software program updates for about 5 years, and may get a restore achieved at any Apple Retailer. If you need a bigger display screen and extra battery, you could possibly go for the iPhone 14 Plus, however we favor this smaller mannequin.
Learn our full
iPhone 14 overview
7. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Greatest foldable
Execs
- Excellent efficiency
- Strong battery life
- Folds in half
Cons
- Sturdiness questions
- ‘Sluggish’ 25W charging
- No telephoto digicam
Worth When Reviewed:
From $999
Samsung has addressed the Z Flip 3’s problems with dangerous battery life and middling digicam efficiency for the worth and made the Z Flip 4 an all-day telephone with the identical major and ultrawide cameras because the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus.
It means that is the perfect foldable telephone you should purchase immediately, at a worth much like flagship slab smartphones. Whereas sturdiness questions stay over the show and the crease in it, we will’t take a look at that – however Samsung says the Flip will final for a minimum of 200,000 open and shut motions, which roughly equates to 5 years of common use.
The improved battery is probably going down the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset with its improved power effectivity, that means you now not must cost the Flip midway via the day. 8GB RAM is greater than sufficient, although you would possibly need to spend slightly extra to get 256GB storage. We additionally love the aspect mounted fingerprint sensor.
For all intents and functions, that is an S22 with a greater processor that folds all the way down to half its dimension. It’s compelling, and probably the greatest telephones full cease.
Learn our full
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 overview
8. Motorola Moto G62 – Greatest funds choice
Execs
- Tidy {hardware} & software program
- 120Hz show
- 5G connectivity
- Robust battery life
Cons
- Efficiency isn’t 120Hz-worthy
- Sluggish 15W charging
- Digicam struggles in lower than optimum lighting
Worth When Reviewed:
Unavailable within the US
The telephone that sits atop our greatest funds telephone spherical up ought to rightly get a point out as probably the greatest telephones total – not each nice telephone has to price the earth.
The Moto G62 is a sub-£200 handset with all of the fundamentals lined – a strong 120Hz display screen, attractively easy Android software program, excellent two-day battery life and a chipset with a processor sturdy sufficient to maintain up with regular on a regular basis telephone duties (in contrast to different cheaper telephones).
A 50Mp major digicam can be good to search out at this worth, however there’s no stablisation tech so that you’ll want a gentle hand, whereas the ultrawide and macro lenses aren’t something to jot down dwelling about. However at this worth, a digicam that takes vibrant, sharp photos in daylight is all you could possibly need.
With 5G in-built then you definately’re set for a couple of years of use on new networks, although we don’t anticipate the G62 to get many software program updates. Motorola doesn’t promote this telephone within the US, however it sells loads of equal strong Moto telephones for across the $200 worth level.
Learn our full
Motorola Moto G62 overview
9. Vivo X80 Professional – Excellent cameras
Execs
- Actually excellent digicam
- Quick wired and wi-fi charging
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Awkward digicam design
- No Gorilla Glass
- Irritating software program
Worth When Reviewed:
Unavailable within the US
Vivo has knocked it out of the park with the X80 Professional, a telephone whose digicam is really glorious, rivalling the perfect Apple, Samsung, and Google have to supply.
A Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip powers 4 rear lenses, the principle being a splendidly succesful 50Mp sensor. Each lens advantages from Vivo’s V1+ picture processing chip, and there’s gimbal stabilisation on the telephoto lens to help readability of zoom photographs. It’s an extremely full function set, and low-light pictures is excellent. Add to that glorious video modes with cinema-wide side ratios and a film-like grain and also you’ve received a powerhouse digicam in your pocket.
The telephone is a giant one so that you’ll must be pleased with a 6.78in AMOLED. It’s a 120Hz LTPO (with variable refresh charge) and QHD+ decision.
Downsides to the telephone are the dearth of Gorilla Glass for confirmed scratch and crack safety to the back and front, and the irritating software program. However total that is one other leap ahead for Vivo that you must significantly take into account if you would like a premium digicam on the again of your telephone.
Learn our full
Vivo X80 Professional overview
10. Asus Zenfone 9 – Smallest premium Android
Execs
- Distinctive, compact design
- Improbable battery life
- Robust specs
- Glorious low mild pictures
Cons
- Overheating points
- Solely two Android updates promised
- No mmWave help
Worth When Reviewed:
From $699
If you need a genuinely small Android telephone with flagship degree specs, then that is the telephone for you. It’s extra premium – and bodily smaller – than the Google Pixel 6a, however packs in a greater chipset, amazingly good battery life for a telephone of its dimension, and excellent cameras. Bravo, Asus.
The again isn’t glass however as an alternative a plastic composite that feels slightly like textured paper. There’s no wi-fi charging right here, however you would possibly favor the very fact your telephone is extra sturdy as an alternative.
Digicam-wise, you get a 50Mp major sensor which is excellent and even has gimbal stabilisation which means this telephone punches above its weight with suerb low-light pictures and secure video. We couldn’t consider how a lot Asus has stuffed into such a tiny telephone, although we did discover that the hadnset runs barely scorching at occasions.
If you happen to don’t thoughts that, together with the very fact Asus is barely promising to replace the software program for 2 years, then you definately’ll love the little Zenfone 9, one of many final actually pocketable smartphones round.
Learn our full
Asus Zenfone 9 overview
Your shopping for information for the perfect telephones in 2023
When selecting a telephone you must take into account this stuff: construct high quality and design, ease of use, options, efficiency, and worth.
Usually talking, a flagship telephone in 2023 will begin at round $700/£700 however can price over $1,000/£1,000 in some circumstances. On contract, you’re taking a look at between £30 and £50-per-month on common within the UK however you’ll be able to spend much more if you would like an costly telephone and many cellular knowledge.
Within the US you’ll be able to usually discover excellent contract offers on telephones, higher than within the UK and Europe.
It’s value noting that whereas this listing highlights the perfect smartphones out there proper now, that doesn’t explicitly imply flagships (despite the fact that they do function closely right here). There are entries that cross over with our
mid-range and
funds telephone charts too, however earnt their place right here, primarily based on the capabilities and high quality on provide, relative to their worth.
Shopping for a telephone outright will often provide the greatest worth, however we recognize funds in the actual world don’t at all times accommodate such massive one-off purchases. If you happen to can, you’ll clearly want a SIM card and plan, in addition to the telephone. If you happen to don’t have already got one, try our greatest SIM-only offers.
FAQ
Do you have to purchase an iPhone or Android telephone?
There’s multiple cellular working system, however actually solely two value speaking about: Android and iOS.
The overwhelming majority of telephones immediately run Android – 13 being the newest publicly-released model. Apple’s iOS platform, presently on iOS 16, might have a decrease market share however builders nearly at all times launch their apps on iOS first. Because of this method, it has probably the greatest app shops you could find.
You probably have an Android telephone or an iPhone and need to transfer to a telephone operating the opposite OS (working system), it’s pretty simple to switch your contacts and different choose knowledge from one to the opposite. What you’ll be able to’t transfer are paid-for apps and sure app knowledge (like WhatsApp backups), so preserve this in thoughts in the event you’re contemplating a change of platform – and analysis any particular considerations you might have in regards to the course of.
Why do you have to purchase an unlocked telephone?
An unlocked telephone is one that’s not tied to any explicit cellular operator, akin to Vodafone or EE. Shopping for ‘unlocked’ often means shopping for the telephone outright with no SIM card or contract hooked up.
A very powerful level is that an unlocked
telephone is sort of at all times a greater deal than shopping for a telephone on contract – in the event you can afford it.
The one actual exception to this is Apple’s iPhones – due to their conventional reputation, operators usually subsidise the price of shopping for an iPhone in an effort to lock you right into a profitable long-term deal.
Usually talking, in the event you can afford the upfront price of the handset, you’ll pay much less over the lifetime of your telephone by shopping for unlocked.
Extra importantly, you aren’t locked right into a prolonged contract. If you need a brand new handset at any time, you should purchase one with out having to up-purchase your method out of stated contract or commit to a different two years.
Simply make sure you make sure the telephone you’re getting isn’t locked to a sure community.
Which SIM or cellular plan do you have to get?
One different factor to think about is the dimensions and form of the SIM required to your telephone. Be sure to get a nano-SIM if a nano-SIM is what your telephone requires.
For the document, each telephone on this listing takes a nano-SIM.
If you happen to get that fallacious it’s simply solvable; each community will gladly ship over a different-sized SIM. SIM playing cards have a tendency to return in all three sizes, you merely come out the one you want.
However that’s assuming you’re getting a brand new SIM, and in the event you’re in search of a SIM-free telephone or unlocked telephone you in all probability have already got one.
Extra essential is to ensure that if you would like 5G you get a 5G-enabled telephone and SIM.
Associated:
How we take a look at smartphones