In case you’re making an attempt to determine that are the easiest smartphones to purchase in 2023, now we have the solutions.

We have ranked and rated the highest performers from our extensive phone reviews in a single definitive record. Whether or not you sometimes want Apple’s iPhone, wish to take a look at the most recent Samsung flagship or fancy one thing completely different from the Android realm, this information can assist you determine which telephone needs to be on the high of your wishlist.

In case you already know which telephone working system you will be going with, you could discover it simpler to zoom in on our best Android phone or best iPhone guides. And if the costs of the picks beneath are a bit of steep, you could wish to contemplate testing a mid-range smartphone or entry-level mobile device.

As with each purchaser’s information, the picks beneath are the results of numerous hours of testing by the Pocket-lint staff. Nonetheless, a telephone’s efficiency is not the one factor that we contemplate when placing collectively these rankings; we place a robust emphasis on the value tag and general worth of a tool, too.

Our picks change repeatedly, provided that new telephones launch on a regular basis, however beneath you’ll find the most recent rankings.

Greatest smartphone: Our high decide

Apple iPhone 14 Professional

Apple’s newest premium telephone will get every part proper. From the luxurious and sturdy end, to cameras and show. The Dynamic Island is basically cool too.

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For

• Dynamic Island may be very cool
• Glorious digital camera system
• Distinctive construct/design

Towards

• No USB-C
• ProRAW seize is laggy
• Costly

With the iPhone 14 Pro you get Apple’s typical excessive ranges of expertise, design and finishes, however this yr you get one thing a bit of further: Dynamic Island.

Reasonably than the cutouts for the cameras simply getting in the way in which, Apple designed the software program round it and turned it right into a function. It exhibits animations when you could have timers, music or different dwell data within the background, and you’ll work together with it too.

As at all times, the Professional and Professional Max are the costliest variations of iPhone 14, however that more money will get you a extra highly effective processor, an always-on OLED show, higher cameras and a premium design.

Apple continues to be avoiding USB-C on its telephones, although, making the switch of its large ProRes and ProRAW recordsdata a bit gradual, and the facility customers on the market will probably have to cough up further money for the Max model to make sure they’ve a very all-day battery.

Smartphones we additionally advocate

For now, the iPhone 14 Professional is our decide for the highest smartphone in the stores. Nonetheless, we perceive that it will not be one that each consumer likes the look of – or, certainly, the value tag that comes with it. Listed here are the opposite choices we at present advocate testing.

Google Pixel 7 Professional

Our Android telephone of the yr

Pixel 7 Professional builds on the inspiration of the Pixel 6 Professional, providing a extra refined design, beautiful digital camera efficiency and clear software program.

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For

• Glorious digital camera efficiency
• Clear software program expertise
• Robust show
• Aggressive worth level

Towards

• HDR sharing is restricted
• Restricted face unlock
• Not many adjustments from Pixel 6 Professional

The Pixel 7 Pro is a shocking telephone, and it greater than justified its place as runner-up in the very best smartphone class within the Pocket-lint Awards for 2022.

In the end there’s not an enormous change from the Pixel 6 Professional, but it surely does have a extra refined design, an awesome large show and a clear software program expertise which brings all of the Pixel goodness to the floor with none bloat or unnecessary additions.

The digital camera continues to be what defines this telephone, taking it a step additional than earlier Pixel gadgets by extending the zoom vary and giving entry to nearer macro pictures too.

It delivers a superb all-around expertise and does not value over a grand.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely

Taking inspiration from the retired Be aware collection, the most recent Samsung flagship boats a sometimes sensible design and digital camera efficiency.

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For

• Excellent construct and show
• Digital camera efficiency is elite

Towards

• Battery life barely lets it down
• Charging speeds could possibly be faster

Although we loved our time testing the entire Galaxy S22 fashions, the Ultra is comfortably essentially the most full, flagship providing from Samsung. It is also fairly a unique mannequin from its siblings, taking a big dose of inspiration from the now-retired Be aware collection.

For individuals who like utilizing a stylus with their smartphone, that’ll be an awesome constructive, however the S Pen’s capabilities are additionally straightforward to skip over if that is not your cup of tea. Fortunately, the S22 Extremely has lots extra to supply than this, and it is an impressive possibility for individuals who desire a actually giant show and the neat design attraction of the curved edge.

It isn’t the identical degree of reinvention we noticed with the S21 Extremely, however it’s a thought of refinement with a really completed digital camera array. It does not supply elite-level battery life or the quickest charging speeds, however its premium design and efficiency make it one of many easiest telephones to contemplate.

Oppo Discover X5 Professional

Oppo delivers a very excellent flagship telephone, with an attractive design, show and excellent battery life.

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For

• Sturdy, stunning design
• Unimaginable show
• Glorious charging speeds

Towards

• The punch-hole digital camera is kind of stark
• The digital camera software program is not that intuitive

It won’t have the big-name pull that among the different gadgets do on this record, however Oppo’s Find X5 Pro is a severe participant; one which needs to be excessive up on the wishlist of these out there for a high flagship.

The design, with its sturdy, ceramic again and tip-top show, is an absolute triumph, however the extremely speedy efficiency and battery life are the explanations we fell in love with this telephone throughout testing.

There’s the odd niggle, just like the digital camera apps’ quirks and an inclination to over-process photographs, however these are very a lot simply minor complaints about what’s a extremely well-rounded expertise. Even Oppo’s tackle Google’s Android 12 software program is welcome, including some good options with out complicating issues.

ASUS ROG Telephone 6 Professional

The ROG Telephone 6 Professional is a beast of a telephone, filled with options designed to attraction particularly to avid gamers, however delivering an awesome expertise general.

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For

• The very best telephone audio system in the marketplace
• Huge, vibrant show with quick refresh
• Highly effective and easy efficiency

Towards

• It is large
• Costly the place you should buy it
• Cameras aren’t superb

Gaming telephones have traditionally been one thing of a distinct segment product, however with the ROG Phone 6 Pro, Asus has nailed the expertise. A lot so, that we would advocate it to anybody whose essential precedence is a good media and gaming expertise.

The loudspeakers on both aspect of the show are merely the very best on any telephone at present in the marketplace. Every is individually powered and, mixed, they provide loud, well-balanced sound with numerous bass and good stereo separation. Add that to a improbable, large, vibrant show and you’ll’t actually go unsuitable.

It is obtained numerous energy too, delivering quick and lag-free efficiency no matter what kind of recreation you wish to play on it. Its solely downsides are its hefty construct and the hefty price ticket that comes with it. It is also not one for photographers, but it surely’s been an absolute pleasure to make use of.

Samsung Galaxy Flip 4

Samsung has essentially the most compelling folding smartphone in the marketplace within the Z Flip 4. It is cute, and delivers that promise of a giant display that folds a lot smaller.

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For

• Premium design
• Nice show
• IPX8 water resistance

Towards

• Show sturdiness stays a long-term concern
• No zoom digital camera

Of all of the folding telephones in the marketplace, it is the Z Flip 4 which we predict delivers essentially the most compelling possibility for consumers. It is as a lot a vogue merchandise as it’s a piece of tech, due to its cute design and plethora of color and magnificence choices. Add to that the stable aluminium body and IPX8 water resistance, and it is a telephone that may final.

Our solely long-term concern from a sturdiness standpoint is the interior versatile show. Earlier generations have typically worn or peeled aside with months of use, and we’re but to see if that is the identical for the most recent era.

With the flagship processing energy, respectable battery life, a vibrant show, numerous customisation within the software program and digital camera efficiency, it is a very robust package deal and one that permits you to have your cake and eat it. You possibly can have a folding telephone, with out struggling any important compromises on the function/efficiency aspect. Plus, it isn’t eye-wateringly costly.

How to decide on a telephone

When in search of a brand new flagship telephone, there’s lots to contemplate. Beneath, then, we’ll have some recommendation on what you have to be in search of in every of the important thing {hardware} areas, in addition to whether or not an iPhone or Android telephone is best for you.

What’s the newest iPhone?

The 2022/23 household of Apple’s smartphone is the iPhone 14. Like in earlier generations, the iPhone has a number of fashions to select from – Plus, normal, Professional or Professional Max – however the expertise is pretty related throughout all of the gadgets. That is true of older iPhone fashions, too, with robust assist on the software program entrance and constant use of design for a number of generations of gadgets.

That signifies that in case you purchase the iPhone 14, for instance, you realize it will be supported for a few years. You additionally know that the {hardware} options on it aren’t going to vary drastically the following yr, as Apple seems to be for consistency throughout its gadgets.

That additionally signifies that shopping for an older iPhone mannequin stays possibility, and why we thought of each the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 collection for this information. Each will prevent cash and you will not miss out on many options in comparison with a more recent equal.

Is Android higher than iPhone and iOS?

Android’s large benefit over Apple is the big variety of choices. There is a larger vary of producers, which means many alternative worth factors and designs, however all with the familiarity of the underlying Android software program, so there is not any actual studying curve in relation to utilizing it.

Android producers are sometimes extra aggressive with new applied sciences, pushing new digital camera options upfront of Apple, however typically solely preserve a design for one yr, earlier than releasing a brand new and completely different mannequin. Android additionally is not as in keeping with software program assist.

Though most gadgets will get two or three variations of Android, the timescales are by no means as tight as they’re for Apple – however costs do fall quicker, so good offers on newer fashions are ceaselessly accessible.

Shows and sizes

The show will outline the scale of the machine you get. Bigger shows are nice for consuming content material, superb for watching TV or films and infrequently most well-liked by avid gamers.

However bigger shows imply a bulkier telephone – and also you may discover it is simply not as sensible to make use of. Many producers, nonetheless, make the largest telephone their greatest telephone.

Not all flagship gadgets supply high resolutions of Quad HD or 4K, with some sticking to an ample decision, like 1080p. That is superb, although, as you need to look carefully to see the distinction intimately. What’s extra essential is show high quality.

With most flagship telephones providing an OLED show, there aren’t big variations, however some supply curved edges which might make a bigger telephone simpler to make use of.

What’s emerged as a extra enticing possibility just lately is the refresh fee. High telephones are actually pushing 120Hz in an try and make all content material look smoother. It isn’t nearly gaming, it is about supporting scrolling in apps and residential screens, too.

Core {hardware} and storage

Flagship telephones will sometimes have the most recent {hardware} in them. Whereas Apple provides its personal {hardware}, Android chooses from a variety of suppliers – however many supply Qualcomm. Samsung will use Exynos and Qualcomm, and a few may vary into MediaTek – though that is often reserved for mid-range or entry-level gadgets.

Storage is essential, too. Low storage will convey the value down, however fewer and fewer producers are providing microSD card enlargement today. Meaning you’ll want to purchase a tool with sufficient storage – contemplating that the choice of 4K and now 8K video is utilizing up extra storage than ever.

After all, cloud storage is much more built-in today, however keep in mind that nothing is free – if you wish to retailer a variety of photographs, you will need to pay for it.

Cameras

Cameras are the place telephones can differ essentially the most, and, typically, the digital camera is essentially the most mentioned side of any telephone. Flagship gadgets have the very best cameras. From Apple to ZTE, high telephones have extra or higher cameras.

An important factor to contemplate, nonetheless, is an effective essential digital camera. If the principle digital camera takes good photographs, which means most of your footage shall be good. If you cannot get regular photograph from it, it is no use having heaps extra cameras that additionally provide you with weak photographs.

Extremely-wide angle is straightforward to make use of and creates nice results, telephoto lenses get you numerous nearer – however the high quality of telephoto cameras varies considerably.

Periscope lenses have gotten extra widespread, which means 5x and 10x zoom is now an awesome possibility on some fashions, as properly.

But in addition keep in mind that megapixels do not mechanically make a greater digital camera. Many mid-range telephones use a high-resolution essential digital camera which ends up in poor photographs. Extra essential is how the pictures are processed, with AI and computational pictures now in a position to make an enormous distinction over the core {hardware}.

There are at all times a variety of gimmicks, too – professional modes you will by no means use, and seize choices you will by no means hassle with. An important factor stays the point-and-shoot efficiency, as that is what you will use more often than not.

Battery life

Flagship telephones typically aren’t the very best performers in relation to battery life. Designed for efficiency, the goal is to ship the very best expertise, to not preserve your telephone alive for per week.

There’ll at all times be telephones within the mid-range that carry out higher – decrease energy, smaller show, decrease decision or decrease brightness – together with a bodily bigger battery, to outlast flagship telephones.

However quicker charging signifies that, with the proper charger (which you might need to purchase individually), you may get your telephone again to full cost very quickly in any respect.

Is it straightforward to change from iPhone to Android?

Switching between Android manufacturers is straightforward – so long as you are backing as much as Google – and switching between Apple and Android is not too arduous, both. Certain, there are some Apple providers you’ll be able to’t get on an Android telephone, like iMessage, however on the entire, most apps are the identical.

In case you’re already embedded inside the Apple ecosystem, you will probably be satisfied to remain there, however, it is value the place you save your knowledge and what providers you utilize, as third-party choices make switching platforms lots simpler.

You may as well take a look at our information to Samsung Smart Switch, which helps you to simply leap from iPhone, in addition to our wider Android v iPhone comparison. Apple alternatively has Transfer to iOS, an app that permits you to transfer from Android to iPhone.