The smartphone market has grown exponentially as companies fight to release flagship products every year.

It explains the growing selection of premium smartphones from Apple, Samsung, and Sony, among other reputable brands.

Whether you’re looking for a smartphone with good performance, 5G wireless connectivity, or three rear cameras, there’s such a large selection to choose from.

Here are the best smartphones available today.

Our Favorite Smartphones in 2023

Image showing the front and back of the Galaxy S23 Ultra with the S Pen stylus leaning on the side
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best Overall

Powerful smartphone with excellent photography capabilities

$1000 $1200 Save $200

With a choice of storage options and colors, you can really make the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra your own.This powerful smartphone features a 200MP camera, low-light photography, and a generous 5,000mAh battery.

Pros
  • Incredible 200MP camera
  • Stunning display
  • Great battery life
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
Cons
  • Incredibly expensive
  • Charging speed is the same as the previous version

With an incredible 200MP camera, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes your smartphone photography experience to the next level. In terms of the best camera phone, the S23 Ultra outdoes the Pixel 7 Pro and offers up a generous battery life of over 13 hours.

All of this tech of course does come with a large price tag. However, you can save yourself some money on repairs thanks to Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which makes the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra incredibly durable.

Boasting a 6.8-inch QHD OLED display, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 112% of the DCI-P3 color gamut in Natural mode, this smartphone is one to truly marvel at.

iphone 14 pro and pro max space black
iPhone 14 Pro
Best iPhone

Stunning iPhone with Apple's A16 Bionic chip

The iPhone 14 Pro boasts a 6.1-inch display and comes in a choice of stylish colors. There's a range of storage options, too.Featuring Apple's Dynamic Island, emergency SOS, and a 48MP main camera, you get a lot for your money here.

Pros
  • Dynamic Island
  • Great cameras
  • Incredible display
  • Exceptional performance
Cons
  • Battery life isn't as good as previous models

More affordable than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the iPhone 14 Pro presents a lot of features for your money at less than $1,000. The one disappointing feature is its battery life---however, if you upgrade to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, this factor is resolved for a bit more cash.

While the iPhone 14 Pro doesn't look that much different from the iPhone 13 Pro, it does include Apple's Dynamic Island. This refreshed design works alongside what you're doing, making it easier to navigate your phone.

The 48MP quad-pixel main sensor isn't a patch on the S23 Ultra, but it is still incredible, resulting in vivid shots with stunning detail. But, the real star of the show is Apple's A16 Bionic chipset. Featuring a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, you're getting superior performance to even some low- to mid-range desktop computers.

Image showing the front and back of the Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best Camera Features

Long-lasting battery with a wealth of features

$699 $899 Save $200

Perfect for everyday users, the Google Pixel 7 Pro sports an Adaptive Battery feature that lasts more than 24 hours. With a 6.7-inch display and 120Hz refresh rate, it's great for multitasking, gaming, and streaming videos.

Pros
  • Brilliant cameras
  • Stylish design
  • Good value
Cons
  • Limited to three years of platform updates

Boasting a stylish design and incredible camera features, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is one of the most advanced inexpensive smartphones around. It sports a 6.7-inch OLED display with QHD+ resolution, which results in a brilliantly bright screen alongside its 120Hz refresh rate.

The rear triple camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide sensor, and 48MP telephoto camera. On the front, there's also a 10.8MP selfie camera. However, the exciting features are part of the Google Pixel 7 Pro's Tensor G2 chip.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro can unblur photos, erase objects, and much more. It also features Clear Calling, eliminating background noise while you're on the phone. It's a great value smartphone that offers something for everyone.

OnePlus 11
OnePlus 11 5G
Best Value

Affordable 5G smartphone with Hasselblad camera

$550 $700 Save $150

This 5G smartphone from OnePlus features a dual-SIM, 5000mAh battery, 80W fast charging, and a Hasselblad camera. Affordable smartphones don't need to lack features, and the OnePlus 11 5G shows this can be done in true style, too.

Pros
  • Easy interface
  • Good performance
  • Interesting photography features
Cons
  • Without a case, it's too slippery
  • Not the best cameras

If you don't want to purchase a smartphone from one of the big brands, you might want to opt for the OnePlus 11 5G. This capable smartphone offers great performance and value, a generous display, and a long-lasting battery.

While the camera system isn't going to rival that of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or iPhone 14 Pro, it tends to be geared more towards the software side, rather than the hardware. Still, you can take incredible shots with stunning detail if you stay away from the zoom feature.

Boasting Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, you can expect great performance from the OnePlus 11 5G. It works well for video recording,playing games, and streaming.

Doogee S96 Pro
Doogee S96 Pro
Best Rugged Phone

A durable smartphone with IP68 waterproof rating

Designed to be rugged, the Doogee S96 Pro can withstand a lot of what you through at it without sacrificing a decent camera setup and features.Boasting an IP68 military-grade waterproof design, this smartphone is perfect for adventurers who need their phone with them.

Pros
  • Good value for money
  • Decent performance
  • Large battery
Cons
  • Poor screen resolution
  • Bulky

You're not getting the most stylish phone with the Doogee S96 Pro, but it is rated IP68 waterproof. So, if you're a keen adventurer, love hiking, or make regular visits to the beach, this handset is going to survive your travels.

But, despite its more affordable price tag and rugged design, you still get some decent features. Low-light photography is useful, for example, especially when combined with further night vision capabilities.

The hardware is a bit lackluster, but those buying a Doogee S96 Pro probably aren't looking for the fastest phone with the latest camera tech. This durable phone will last a long time and can run dual SIMs.

Xperia 5 IV
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Best Video Recording

4K video recording at 120FPS

The Xperia 5 IV comes with 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and a 6.1-inch display. It's also capable of recording 4K HDR 120FPS video across its rear cameras. Perfect for gamers, videographers, and streamers, this smartphone is incredibly versatile and powerful.

Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Good battery life
  • Wireless charging
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Overheating issues

Forming part of Sony's Xperia 5-series, the Xperia 5 IV combines many of the best features of the previous lineup. It features a stylish design, a long-lasting battery, and a stunning screen.

It's the ideal phone for gamers, streamers, and videographers. You can shoot 4K HDR video at 120FPS, but be warned, the cameras do tend to cause some overheating when used over long periods of time.

The Xperia 5 IV is a great alternative if you want a powerful smartphone and don't want to invest in a Samsung or iPhone flagship phone. However, Sony still put a hefty price tag on the Xperia 5 IV.

Galaxy Z Fold4 unfolded
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
Best Foldable

Foldable smartphone with 5G network technology

Sporting a unique design, the Galaxy Z Fold4 is great for multitasking. There's a choice of storage options and colors, too. With the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, 12GB of RAM, and 5G network support, this smartphone takes you back to the 2000s with punchy performance.

Pros
  • Great for multitasking
  • Large front screen
  • Bright display
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Incredibly expensive
  • Crease is visible

Foldable phones were popular decades ago, but now they've made a comeback, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 shows just how awesome these phones can be. The huge 7.6-inch main display is perfect for multitasking, allowing you to run apps alongside each other and drag/drop content across.

While the crease is still visible, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has a lot more to offer. Its cameras are surprisingly adept, making great tools for shooting portraits and nature scenes. It also performs well during daily tasks thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.

However, style and substance come with a hefty price tag.

Considerations When Buying a New Smartphone

Smartphones are incredibly versatile; there are so many to choose from, each boasting different camera capabilities, features, and functions. However, ultimately, a smartphone should offer decent battery life, a clear screen, a good camera array, and not cost the Earth.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro, for example, delivers an affordable smartphone without skimping on a decent camera setup and performance. And, if you love capturing shots of friends and family but don't want your neighbor in the background, the Google Pixel 7 Pro comes with superior software like Magic Eraser and Unblur.

If you're an Apple fan, the iPhone 14 Pro is without a doubt one of the best smartphones around. From the incredible cameras to its high-performance chip, the only better option for Apple users is the 14 Pro Max, but the price difference is hard to justify.

But, if you want everything in the same package, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a solid option. From its 200MP camera to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, the investment is worth the money.

Image showing the front and back of the Galaxy S23 Ultra with the S Pen stylus leaning on the side
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best Overall

Powerful smartphone with excellent photography capabilities

$1000 $1200 Save $200

With a choice of storage options and colors, you can really make the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra your own.This powerful smartphone features a 200MP camera, low-light photography, and a generous 5,000mAh battery.

Pros
  • Incredible 200MP camera
  • Stunning display
  • Great battery life
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
Cons
  • Incredibly expensive
  • Charging speed is the same as the previous version