Smartphones have become such an integral part of our lives that it’s hard to imagine life without them. They have replaced plenty of electronics and gadgets, everything from music players and handheld gaming devices to calculators and flashlights and plenty in between. Smartphone capabilities have grown exponentially in a relatively short time, and continuous upgrades and innovation mean there’s plenty to look forward to.
But with hundreds of phones released yearly, choosing the best smartphone for you can be overwhelming. There are numerous factors to consider – Is the camera important? Are you a mobile gamer? What phone size is a good fit? Is budget a concern? Do you want to be at the cutting edge, or is a solid mid-ranger more than enough? To simplify this search, these are some of the best smartphones currently available that cover the specifications, features, and price spectrum.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best Smartphone Overall
The iPhone 14 Pro Max ticks all the right boxes with its beautiful display, excellent performance, fantastic cameras, impressive battery life, and flagship essentials like wireless charging and dust and water resistance. All that power, specifications, and features admittedly come at a price. But if budget isn’t a concern, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a no-brainer, especially if you’re already a part of the Apple ecosystem.
- SoC
- Apple A16 Bionic
- Display
- 6.7-inch (2796 x 1290)
- RAM
- 6GB
- Storage
- 128/256/512GB
- Battery
- 4,323mAh
- Operating System
- iOS 16
- Front camera
- 12MP
- Rear cameras
- 48MP + 12MP (ultrawide) + 12MP (telephoto)
- Dimensions
- 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31in, 8.47oz
- IP Rating
- IP68
- Fantastic performance
- Excellent cameras
- Well-built
- Dynamic Island is a useful new addition
- Expensive
- Large size might cause a poor handling experience for some
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is undoubtedly one of the best smartphones you can get. Its beautiful 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate makes its already excellent performance look and feel even smoother. The Apple A16 Bionic processor runs away in benchmark tests, and while that isn’t always noticeable in everyday performance, the phone can comfortably handle anything and everything.
There’s no significant design overhaul, and it’s definitely hard to tell the iPhone 14 Pro Max apart from its predecessors from the back. However, the new Dynamic Island not only updates an old design but also brings plenty of features, and build quality remains a positive, including an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
The big selling point of Apple flagships continues with the iPhone 14 Pro Max – the cameras. The triple rear-camera system, headlined by a 48MP shooter, allows dynamic and colorful photos and videos. The phone also comes with fantastic battery life to ensure that you can keep using it to its full potential without worrying about running out of juice.
The only downsides are its expensive price tag and its huge size. You get what you pay for, though. And anyone looking for a more manageable handling experience can opt for the iPhone 14 Pro. It’s slightly cheaper, and the 6.1-inch screen makes it easier to handle. But the essentials – the processing package and camera – remain the same. And while the 14 Pro has a smaller battery, battery life is still as impressive.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best Android Smartphone
$999 $1199 Save
$200
The Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the place of Samsung’s discontinued Note series with a built-in S Pen. It’s a powerhouse of a phone with excellent performance, fantastic cameras, a gorgeous display, and solid battery life. The S23 Ultra is not only the best in the Android world but makes a great case for being the best overall.
- SoC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display
- 6.8-inch (3088 x 1440)
- RAM
- 8/12GB
- Storage
- 256/512GB, 1TB
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Operating System
- Android 13
- Front camera
- 12MP
- Rear cameras
- 200MP + 10MP (periscope telephoto) + 10MP (telephoto) + 12MP (ultrawide)
- Dimensions
- 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35in, 8.25 oz
- IP Rating
- IP68
- Impressive performance
- Excellent cameras
- S Pen stylus boosts productivity
- Beautiful display with a high refresh rate
- Large size can be uncomfortable
- Pricey
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is as feature-packed as they come. Everything looks fantastic on the 6.8-inch Quad HD display, and the 120Hz refresh rate provides a smooth experience. It’s among the fastest Android smartphones, and up to 12GB of RAM ensures that multitasking is a breeze. There’s very little the phone can’t handle.
Productivity goes to the next level with the built-in S Pen allowing for the creation of everything from simple sticky notes to elaborate artwork. The build quality is solid, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back keeps the phone scratch-free, and an IP68 rating protects the phone from the elements.
Specifications aren’t everything regarding camera performance, but a headlining 200MP camera will catch anyone’s attention. And luckily, the camera performance is fantastic as well, with plenty of modes allowing for beautiful photos and videos. The battery life is solid, and while 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging isn’t the fastest around, it’s good enough to charge the phone in about an hour fully.
Like any flagship phone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a hefty price tag, especially when opting for higher storage options. But with four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates, you can keep the phone for a long time.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best Camera
$699 $899 Save
$200
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is a solid upgrade over its predecessor with a more refined design, interesting new colorways, and better performance. It’s not the fastest flagship around, but the Pixel 7 Pro’s biggest selling point is its cameras. Impressive hardware and excellent software smarts make it one of the best smartphones to get if the camera is a priority.
- SoC
- Google Tensor G2
- Display
- 6.7-inch (3120 x 1440)
- RAM
- 8/12GB
- Storage
- 128/256/512GB
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Operating System
- Android 13
- Front camera
- 10.8MP
- Rear cameras
- 50MP + 48MP (telephoto) + 12MP (ultrawide)
- Dimensions
- 6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35in, 7.48oz
- IP Rating
- IP68
- Fantastic cameras
- Smooth software experience
- Timely Android updates
- Not as fast as other flagship processors
Google’s plans with its flagship smartphones have taken a more defined direction over the past couple of generations after years of experiments that didn’t always click. The Pixel 7 Pro is a great case in point of the more standard direction.
It has everything expected from a flagship – a large, high-resolution display, solid performance, a great software experience, wireless charging, dust and water resistance, and solid battery life. It may not be cheap, but it does undercut the competition, which is another point in its favor.
It doesn’t exactly go toe-to-toe with the best of the best from Samsung and Apple, though. The Tensor G2 processor falls a little short, the battery life isn’t as good, and the charging speeds are disappointing, especially compared to some Android counterparts.
However, the camera department is where the Pixel 7 Pro steals the spotlight. The 50MP primary camera, 48MP telephone lens, and 12MP ultra-wide shooter are capable of beautiful photos and videos. Google’s software smarts improve things with features like Magic Eraser and more.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Best Affordable Smartphone
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a solid mid-ranger with a beautiful display, good performance, decent cameras, and impressive battery life. Samsung has updated the design to mimic its flagship devices and is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable smartphone.
- SoC
- Samsung Exynos 1380
- Display
- 6.4-inch (2340 x 1080)
- RAM
- 6/8GB
- Storage
- 128/256GB
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Operating System
- Android 13
- Front camera
- 32MP
- Rear cameras
- 50MP + 12MP (ultrawide) + 5MP (macro)
- Dimensions
- 6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32in, 7.13oz
- IP Rating
- IP67
- Bright, vivid, high refresh rate display
- Good primary camera
- Impressive battery life
- Build quality isn’t the best
- No wireless charging
- Dated design
You don’t have to spend a thousand dollars or more on a smartphone for good performance, with plenty of mid-rangers in the Android world capable of efficiently handling everyday tasks. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is one of the best in its price range, with plenty of features that provide a high-end experience.
That starts with the display. Samsung’s display prowess also makes its way to its mid-rangers, with the Super AMOLED screen of the Galaxy A54 featuring vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a smooth experience courtesy of its 120Hz refresh rate. The cameras impress as well, with the triple-camera setup headlined by a 50MP shooter capable of taking some beautiful photos.
The Exynos 1380 isn’t the fastest processor, but with up to 8GB of RAM to back it up, it’s more than up to the task for everyday use and casual gaming. Overall, the Galaxy A54 is a solid all-rounder for less than $500.
Google Pixel 7a
Best Camera On A Budget
Google’s Pixel “A” series steps up in a big way with the Pixel 7a. Not only does it borrow design elements from its flagship siblings, but offers some of the same hardware and features as well, from the high-end Tensor G2 processor to an impressive dual-camera setup.
- SoC
- Google Tensor G2
- Display
- 6.1-inch (2400 x 1080)
- RAM
- 8GB
- Storage
- 128GB
- Battery
- 4,385mAh
- Operating System
- Android 13
- Front camera
- 13MP
- Rear cameras
- 64MP + 13MP (ultrawide)
- Dimensions
- 5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35in, 6.84oz
- IP Rating
- IP67
- Excellent cameras for the price
- Smooth software experience
- High-end performance
- Beautiful design
- Tends to run hot with intensive tasks
- Slow charging
When Google launched the Pixel “A” series, it was meant to provide an affordable alternative to its expensive flagships. But with an impressive set of upgrades and high-end features, the Pixel 7a is closer to its flagship counterpart than ever before, particularly when compared to the upper mid-range Pixel 7.
There are plenty of similarities to the Pixel 7. It has the same Full HD display resolution and 90Hz refresh rate, comes with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and appears to have the better camera setup on paper. They look identical, and the 7a is also powered by the high-end Tensor G2 processor, backed by 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage.
Speaking of cameras, it remains one of the biggest selling points of the Pixel 7a. The 64MP primary camera and 13MP ultrawide unit offer excellent smartphone photography capabilities on a budget. And Google’s AI and software smarts carry over to its affordable phone, making a good camera setup even better.
With a 6.1-inch display, the Pixel 7a is one of the smallest Android smartphones around, and many buyers will appreciate the more manageable handling experience. It’s not perfect, of course. The Pixel 7a’s plastic build and slow wired and wireless charging are ways to keep the price down. But if that’s okay, the Pixel 7a is an excellent budget-friendly buy, especially if you want great cameras.
Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro
Best Gaming Smartphone
There’s no mistaking the Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro for anything other than a gaming phone. With the latest flagship Qualcomm processor, shoulder triggers, an impressive cooling system, and a huge battery, the RedMagic 8 Pro is built for serious mobile gamers.
- SoC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display
- 6.8-inch (2480 x 1116)
- RAM
- 8/12/16GB
- Storage
- 128/256/512GB
- Battery
- 6,000mAh
- Operating System
- Android 13
- Front camera
- 16MP Under-display camera
- Rear cameras
- 50MP + 8MP (ultrawide) + 2MP (macro)
- Dimensions
- 6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35in, 8.04oz
- IP Rating
- No
- Shoulder triggers
- Excellent cooling system
- Fantastic battery life and super fast charging
- Notch-less display experience
- Under-display camera is poor
- Not the best cameras
- No IP rating
The Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro ticks all the boxes you’d expect for a smartphone made for gamers. To start with, it definitely looks the part with a translucent back and RGB lighting elements. The Qualcomm 8 Gen 2 processor can handle even the most graphic-intensive games, and 16GB of RAM ensures that everything runs smoothly.
The 120Hz display refresh rate and 960Hz touch sampling rate ensure a quick response for touches, swipes, and taps, which is excellent for shooting and fighting games. And built-in shoulder triggers and a fantastic cooling system takes your gaming experience to the next level. The 6,000mAh battery provides fantastic battery life. And if you need to charge, 65W wired charging will have you up and running in minutes.
It doesn’t cover all the bases for an everyday use smartphone, though, especially when it comes to the cameras. The rear camera setup is capable but not consistently accurate, but the front-facing camera is where the problems lie. It’s an innovative feature and a peek at the future, with the under-display camera allowing for a blemish-free display. However, it’s a poor performer, with the over-reliance on software to make up for its shortcomings making for inaccurate color production and hazy images.
If you’re looking for a smartphone specifically gaming, the Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro is the one to get. But for everything else, other flagships provide a far more well-rounded experience.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Best Smartphone Under $200
The Samsung Galaxy A14 is a great option for budget-conscious buyers. It offers decent performance, good cameras, and impressive battery life, all for under $200. And with the right network carrier deal, you could potentially get the phone for free.
- SoC
- MediaTek Dimensity 700
- Display
- 6.6-inch (2408 x 1080)
- RAM
- 4/6/8GB
- Storage
- 64/128GB
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Operating System
- Android 13
- Front camera
- 13MP
- Rear cameras
- 50MP + 2MP (macro) + 2MP
- Dimensions
- 6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36in, 7.13oz
- IP Rating
- No
- Solid camera for the price
- Impressive battery life
- Good software support
- Dated design
- Cheap plastic build
The Samsung Galaxy A14 isn’t going to win any performance or specs races, but it isn’t meant to. Priced at under $200, there are understandably going to be compromises along the way. But it’s a surprisingly impressive package for the price, especially if the camera is essential.
The 50MP primary camera that headlines the triple-camera system can take great photos and videos, and the 13MP front-facing unit should cover all your selfie and video-calling needs. You get a Full HD resolution display, which is a huge positive in this price range, and the 5,000mAh battery comfortably provides two days of battery life, if not more, with light usage. It also comes with useful extras that aren’t available on more expensive mid-rangers and flagships, like a microSD card slot and a headphone jack.
The compromise lies in the build quality. The plastic body feels quite cheap, and you might need a protective case or cover. The display isn’t the brightest either, so outdoor viewing will be a touch tricky. Overall though, the Galaxy A14 is one of the best phones you can get for under $200.
What Is The Best Smartphone For You?
There are a lot of factors that go into selecting the right smartphone, with everything from specifications to price playing a role. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is one of the best you can get, offering fantastic performance, excellent cameras, and extended software support. It’s a no-brainer if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem and have peripherals like the Apple Watch.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the equivalent in the Android world, with the absolute powerhouse of a device taking productivity to the next level with the S Pen stylus. Both phones are expensive, though, starting at a thousand dollars and increasing significantly if you want more storage.
The Pixel 7a is a solid, affordable alternative, especially if the camera is important. And anyone looking for an ultra-affordable entry-level smartphone will be more than happy with the Samsung Galaxy A14.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best Smartphone Overall
The iPhone 14 Pro Max ticks all the right boxes with its beautiful display, excellent performance, fantastic cameras, impressive battery life, and flagship essentials like wireless charging and dust and water resistance. All that power, specifications, and features admittedly come at a price. But if budget isn’t a concern, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a no-brainer, especially if you’re already a part of the Apple ecosystem.
- SoC
- Apple A16 Bionic
- Display
- 6.7-inch (2796 x 1290)
- RAM
- 6GB
- Storage
- 128/256/512GB
- Battery
- 4,323mAh
- Operating System
- iOS 16
- Front camera
- 12MP
- Rear cameras
- 48MP + 12MP (ultrawide) + 12MP (telephoto)
- Excellent cameras for the price
- Smooth software experience
- High-end performance
- Beautiful design
- Tends to run hot with intensive tasks
- Slow charging
FAQs
Q: Android vs iOS: Which should you get?
A: This debate has been raging for a decade and is far too complicated to answer in a paragraph. Essentially, it depends on what ecosystem you might already be a part of or what accessories you want.
Apple devices work best together, so if you want an Apple Watch, you should get an iPhone. Similarly, a Pixel Watch works best with Pixel phones, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch is better with a Samsung smartphone. The Android world gives you more choices, though, especially if budget is a concern. Plenty of solid mid-rangers and entry-level smartphones are available for those who don’t want to break the bank for good performance.
Q: What size smartphone is best?
That depends on your needs. There aren’t many flagship smartphones with small screens anymore. However, most current smartphones tend to have relatively large screens focusing on media consumption and gaming. Finding a small-display smartphone that provides a comfortable handling experience is difficult. The Pixel 7a has the smallest screen of the lot on this list, and the smaller iPhone 14 Pro is worth considering too.
Q: Are smartphones waterproof?
A: It depends on which phone you get. The specification to look out for is the IP rating. Almost every flagship comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance (up to 1.5m of water for as long as 30 minutes), while mid-rangers like the Galaxy A54 and Pixel 7a have an IP67 rating (up to 1m of water for 30 minutes). Most cheap phones won’t be waterproof, but you might find some with some form of resistance.
Q: Is it worth buying older smartphones?
A: Yes and no. As far as mid-range and entry-level phones go, newer is always better. If you want to save money, an older flagship is easy to recommend, especially if it was released within the last couple of years. The iPhone 13 series devices are still a great buy, and with Apple’s software support, you can use the 2021 flagship for years. The same applies to older Android high-end phones like the Galaxy S22 series. However, Android devices do have poorer software support in comparison.