There’s never been a better time for smartphones. We’ve come a long way from the brick-shaped phones that came with a shoulder strap or had to be plugged into a car to use. Almost every smartphone is a thin, glass-covered rectangle with a high-res screen and ample performance.
But that’s a double-edged sword, as almost every phone looks and performs the same. Obviously, you want something a little more special or that offers the most features so you get the most bang for your buck. Luckily, we’ve seen and tested every new smartphone available today and can tell you which are the best.
We get that choosing the right phone is unlike any other device. After all, it’s something you rely on and have to use every day. Trust us, we won’t steer you the wrong way in your quest for the best smartphone.
TL;DR – These are the Best Smartphones:
- iPhone 13
- Google Pixel 5a 5G
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Asus ROG Phone 5
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
1. iPhone 13
Best Smartphone
The iPhone 13 (read our review) won’t leave you wanting for much. It’s got some impressive cameras, loads of features, a robust design, and a price that makes it hard to justify going with almost anything else. At $699 (or $729 if you want it unlocked), the iPhone 13 is really a phenomenal value, and the 128GB of base storage it now comes with as well as Apple’s history of long-term support will help you get some serious mileage with this phone.
The iPhone 13 supports handy features like wireless charging, NFC for contactless payments, and of course supports the whole suite of versatile apps available in iOS. The main camera on the iPhone 13 is more than capable enough for just about anyone, and the ultra-wide camera provides a bit of extra flexibility with how you shoot. The selfie cam is also great while delivering some of the best facial unlocking tech you can get in a phone. Unless you really want more screen, more zoom, or Android, there’s not much reason to go with anything else.
2. Google Pixel 5a 5G
Best Budget Smartphone
You can get a really great phone on a budget with the Google Pixel 5a (read our review). This phone costs just $449, but you’d almost never know it. The Pixel 5a comes with a lot of things you wouldn’t expect from a budget line. Instead of opting for a cheaper or smaller display, Google has gone with a 6.34-inch OLED display that’s even covered in Gorilla Glass 6. A real shocking inclusion is IP67 water and dust resistance.
The Pixel 5a also has some very capable cameras. It captures life-like photos and has the flexibility of an ultra-wide sensor on the back as well. Serious photographers may be disappointed, but most users will find the cameras more than up to the task for whatever they’re shooting. All of this capability comes running on a decently powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset that holds up well against the daily demands of a smartphone and even games.
3. iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best iPhone
For an iPhone that goes above and beyond, you’ll want the iPhone 13 Pro Max (read our review). This version gives you an upgraded screen, more battery, and a major camera upgrade. This phone is beefy, so you better be comfortable using two hands to wield it, but it’s going to give you incredible powers if you do.
The A15 Bionic chip powering the iPhone 13 Pro Max can chew through just about anything you’re likely to do with a phone, including gaming, which you’ll be able to enjoy on the new 120Hz display. The cameras are as amazing as ever with the flexibility of an ultra-wide, wide, and 3x telephoto camera. The main sensor has also gotten larger and received a wider aperture, making it a powerhouse for low-light photography.
4. Google Pixel 6 Pro
Best Android Phone
Perfection in a smartphone has been realized with the Google Pixel 6 Pro (read our review). Don’t expect it to blow every phone out of the water by every metric, but just realize that everywhere you look, you’ll find excellence. The phone comes with a unique design that helps it stand out while still providing a solid build. Inside that frame, Google has put plenty of power, ample battery, refined software, and a top-notch camera system to handle all your needs.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a huge, bright, sharp display that’s made all the better with a 120Hz variable refresh rate. That display makes for a great viewfinder to use with the triple camera system on the rear, which includes a phenomenal main sensor that captures a wide dynamic range, warm colors, and excellent detail. That’s flanked by an ultra-wide camera for getting everything in the shot and a 4x telephoto camera that can let you go all the way to 20x digitally and still get a passable photo. All that, and Google is only asking $899 where its competitors ask well over $1000 for their top-spec models.
5. Asus ROG Phone 5
Best Gaming Phone
For a beast of a gaming phone, you'll want to turn to the Asus ROG Phone 5 (read our review). The latest iteration from Asus brings the latest internals and speedy connectivity. The system is powered by a Snapdragon 888 chipset that's fed by 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, so speed and capacity won't be an issue. Games will also load from 256GB of fast, UFS 3.1 storage. And, when you need a reliable connection for gaming, you can enjoy 5G on the go or the latest Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. You'll be able to get in some marathon gaming sessions thanks to the phone's 6,000mAh battery, but you can keep playing even if it gets low as there's actually a charging port on the side of the phone to stay out of the way of your grip.
Plenty of phones offer fast internals, though. It's what Asus does on the outside that sets it apart for gaming. The Asus ROG Phone 5 has a zippy 144Hz AMOLED display that scans for touch inputs even faster than that. Asus also includes more controls so you're not stuck handling all the complicated controls of games with just your thumbs. There are two ultrasonic side buttons that can work like triggers or even handle swipe gestures. And, there's a motion control system that will let you set up 10 different phone movements to correspond with in-game controls – think tilt to turn. Heck, there's even RGB lighting on the back of the phone.
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Best Phablet
If you’re just looking for the biggest screen phone you can possibly buy, nothing beats the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (read our review). The company has been seriously testing the limits of our pockets and its latest flagship Note features a 6.9-inch (1,440 x 3,088) AMOLED display that’s big, gorgeous, and it supports HDR10+.
Of course, the Note 10 Plus’ other hat trick is it’s the best device for taking down notes thanks to its built-in stylus and refined software. Otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a serious powerhouse of a phone that can let you run up to three apps at the same time and not break a sweat while doing so.
7. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Best High-End Smartphone
If paying a high price for a smartphone isn't a concern, then you'll want the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (read our review). This phone can really do it all and improves upon 2020's Galaxy S20 Ultra in some meaningful ways. You'll have to deal with it being a sizable phone, but you'll get a large 6.7-inch display with a high resolution and an adaptive refresh rate range from 10Hz up to 120Hz (and there's no need to sacrifice resolution to hit 120Hz this time around).
The phone is incredibly fast with its Snapdragon 888 chipset and can access the fastest 5G networks from low-band up to mmWave. Then there are the cameras, all five of them. The selfie camera is sharp and does the job thoroughly well. Meanwhile, the rear cameras offer a versatile shooting experience you won't find matched on almost any other phone. With an ultra-wide, wide, 3x telephoto, and 10x telephoto, you get tons of control over what you get into your shot. The difference true optical zoom at 10x makes is hard to ignore once you've seen it in action.
What’s Next for Smartphones
There will always be new smartphones coming to spice up the market, but one thing can make a big impact for a bunch of phones at once: operating system updates. Both Android and iOS have big updates coming with Android 12 and iOS 15 on the horizon.
Google I/O 2021 had similar news for Android. Most notably, Android 12 is going to be coming with a massive overhaul to the UI design. Google is introducing a new UI called Material You, which will give users a bunch of control over design elements like line thicknesses and color palettes that can quickly be implemented system-wide. Android 12 will also introduce a new privacy dashboard to help you keep an eye on your app permissions and what data of yours is being accessed.
At WWDC 2021, Apple showed off some of the upgrades coming with iOS 15. Apple plans to make it easier to stay in the zone with a new Focus mode that lets you limit notifications to select apps, reorganize your home screen for specific workflows, and set custom Do Not Disturb modes, plus you’ll get the option to create multiple focus modes to fit your varying needs. The cameras will also get a new Live Text feature that allows them to turn text they see into digital text you can select, copy, and translate. Your Apple Wallet will also be able to store a digital ID card. A few upgrades are also coming to Apple Maps and Apple Weather.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
