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
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Asus ROG Phone 5S
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
1. iPhone 13
Best Smartphone
The iPhone 13 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. 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
Best iPhone
For an iPhone that goes above and beyond, you’ll want the iPhone 13 Pro. 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 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. 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 5S
Best Gaming Phone
For a beast of a gaming phone, you'll want to turn to the Asus ROG Phone 5S. The latest iteration improves upon the already great ROG Phone 5. The system is now powered by a Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset backed up by 16GB of LPDDR5 memory (can go up to 18GB), so speed and capacity won't be an issue. Games load from a solid 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 as you’re juicing up since there’s a charging port on the side of the phone.
Sure, plenty of phones offer fast internals, but it's what Asus does on the outside that sets it apart for gaming. The Asus ROG Phone 5S has a zippy 144Hz AMOLED display that scans for touch inputs at a wild 360Hz. Asus also includes more controls, so you're not stuck handling all the complicated actions of games with just your thumbs. Two ultrasonic side buttons 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 some cool RGB lighting on the back of the phone.
6. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Best Phablet
If you’re just looking for a big-screen packed with loads of power behind it, nothing beats the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. The company’s latest release features a 6.8-inch (1,440 x 3,088) AMOLED display that’s big, bright, and responsive. You get a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate, so it’s perfect for gaming too. And, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, it has S-Pen compatibility, so you can easily jot down notes or do some sketching. When finished, the stylus can be slotted into the phone for an easy storage option.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers some solid externals, but everything it’s packing inside is no slouch either. The base model comes toting 8GB of RAM with 128 GB of storage, but you can upgrade up to 12 GB and 1TB of storage. The decent capacity and storage, plus the unnamed 4nm processor, make for a super snappy phone. It shouldn't break a sweat, even when you’re running multiple apps or completing more taxing tasks like editing videos or gaming. And, with a 5,000 mAh battery, you can use this baby all day without fear of it running out of juice.
7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Best Foldable Phone
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a far cry from the flip phones of yesteryear. It rocks a 6.2-inch display. However, you can open the phone like a book, where inside lurks a 7.6-inch screen. This means you basically get a little tablet that’ll fold neatly into your pocket. Just be prepared for the phone to feel a bit awkward at first due to its unique dimensions. And, if you’re worried about the quality of the two displays, you should find them plenty bright and smooth thanks to the Dynamic AMOLED panels offering a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. You even get S pen support for note-taking and drawing.
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 packs a good deal of power. A Snapdragon 888 chipset is paired with 12GB of RAM, allowing you to cruise through tasks and games. Plus, you get 256GB of storage for all of your favorite apps, photos, and games. A 4,400mAh battery is loaded into the phone as well, so you use it all day without the fear of it dying. You also get decent cameras on the Z Fold 3, but unfortunately, they don’t compare to the stunning cameras on Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
