May 2023

Smartphones: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of Smartphone rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2023.

Summary

Between 2 May 2023 and 3 May 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 92 Smartphone endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

34 Smartphones were endorsed in total, only 17 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).

As of 3 May 2023, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed smartphone with 10 expert endorsements. 3 experts out of 10 recommended it as the '#1 smartphone' this month. It is followed by iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max , with 8 and 5 expert endorsements respectively.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking smartphones start at $199.99 (Samsung Galaxy A14) and go up to $1495 (Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4). Median smartphone costs $747.99 (Motorola Edge 30 Ultra).
$199.99
$1495

At a glance - May 2023 Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Smartphone
IGN
Tom's Guide
The Verge
Digital Trends
T3
Creative Bloq
TechRadar
Consumer Reports
Laptop Mag
Pocket-lint
1
- $1179
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a high-end smartphone with a powerful camera system, stunning display, top-level performance, and impressive battery life, making it ideal for power users who prioritize performance, customization, and security.
6
1
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
3
2
- Check price
iPhone 14 Pro
The iPhone 14 Pro is a modern smartphone with advanced camera technology, high-quality display, powerful performance, and reliable security features, making it suitable for users who prioritize aesthetics, camera performance, high-quality display, powerful performance, security, and regular updates.
3
3
3
1
-
2
3
-
2
1
3
+1 Check price
iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a top-of-the-line smartphone with advanced camera capabilities, a stunning display, impressive performance, and strong battery life, making it an ideal device for users who prioritize camera performance and need a powerful and reliable device for personal or professional use.
-
2
-
9
1
-
-
1
7
-
4
+1 $698
OnePlus 11
The OnePlus 11 is a high-performance smartphone with a sleek design, powerful processor, impressive camera module, and fast charging capabilities, making it suitable for power users and gamers.
-
5
9
4
4
-
7
-
4
5
5
-2 $349
Google Pixel 6a
The Google Pixel 6a is a budget-friendly smartphone with a stylish design, good camera performance, flagship-level performance, and impressive security and privacy features, making it a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with regular updates.
2
6
-
6
-
-
2
3
5
-
6
- $849
Google Pixel 7 Pro
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is a flagship smartphone with impressive camera capabilities, a high-quality OLED display, powerful hardware, and advanced security features, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize performance, security, and longevity.
4
8
-
-
3
-
4
-
-
2
7
- $545
Google Pixel 7
The Google Pixel 7 is a sustainable and modern smartphone with a unique camera bar design, improved camera capabilities, a 6.3-inch OLED display, a custom-designed Tensor G2 processor, impressive battery life, and exclusive features such as Material You, fast system and security updates, and excellent security and privacy features.
1
-
-
7
-
-
-
-
1
-
8
- $1060
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a stylish and durable smartphone with a foldable design, excellent camera, vibrant display, powerful performance, and advanced security features.
-
-
7
13
-
-
8
-
8
9
9
- $1495
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a high-end smartphone with a unique folding display, advanced camera capabilities, and powerful performance, making it ideal for users who prioritize camera quality, multitasking, and productivity on their smartphones.
7
12
8
12
-
9
-
-
-
-
10
- $429
iPhone SE
The iPhone SE (2022) is a compact and affordable smartphone with impressive performance, making it a great option for those who prioritize affordability and a smaller form factor over the latest display technology and camera capabilities.
-
11
-
10
-
-
-
4
6
-
11
- $829
iPhone 13
The iPhone 13 is a high-quality smartphone with advanced camera features, a clear and bright display, powerful performance, impressive battery life, and runs on iOS 15, making it a reliable choice for those who prioritize camera quality and longevity.
-
-
1
-
-
-
5
-
-
-
12
- Check price
iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 is a powerful and stylish smartphone with a high-quality display, advanced camera, long battery life, and user-friendly iOS 16 platform.
-
9
-
2
-
-
-
-
9
-
13
New * $348
Samsung Galaxy A54
The Samsung Galaxy A54 is a mid-range smartphone with a premium feel, good camera system, impressive battery life, and strong software support.
-
4
6
8
-
-
-
-
-
-
14
- Check price
Samsung Galaxy S23
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a high-performance smartphone with a 50MP main camera, 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, 8GB of RAM, 3,900mAh battery, and runs on Android 13 with Samsung's OneUI 5.1 update.
-
7
-
11
-
-
6
-
-
-
15
-2 $889
Oppo Find X5 Pro
The Oppo Find X5 Pro is a flagship smartphone with a unique design, powerful camera setup, high-quality display, and efficient operating system, making it a great choice for users who prioritize performance and customization options.
-
-
-
-
5
7
-
-
-
-
16
- Check price
iPhone 14 Plus
The iPhone 14 Plus is a high-performing device with a sleek design, dual-camera setup, large OLED display, A15 Bionic chip, excellent battery life, and new features in the iOS 16 operating system.
-
10
-
-
6
-
-
-
-
-
17
- $580
Realme GT 2 Pro
The Realme GT 2 Pro is a versatile and high-performing smartphone with a unique design, reliable battery life, exceptional camera, and user-friendly operating system.
-
-
-
-
10
8
-
-
-
-

Sorted by price:

Position in ranking Price Smartphone
#13 $347.70 Samsung Galaxy A54 [buy] [more info]
#5 $349 Google Pixel 6a [buy] [more info]
#10 $429 iPhone SE [buy] [more info]
#7 $544.99 Google Pixel 7 [buy] [more info]
#17 $580 Realme GT 2 Pro [buy] [more info]
#12 $674.77 iPhone 14 [buy] [more info]
#4 $698.49 OnePlus 11 [buy] [more info]
#16 $729 iPhone 14 Plus [buy] [more info]
#11 $829 iPhone 13 [buy] [more info]
#6 $848.65 Google Pixel 7 Pro [buy] [more info]
#2 $849 iPhone 14 Pro [buy] [more info]
#15 $889 Oppo Find X5 Pro [buy] [more info]
#3 $1029 iPhone 14 Pro Max [buy] [more info]
#8 $1059.99 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 [buy] [more info]
#1 $1178.98 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra [buy] [more info]
#9 $1495 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 [buy] [more info]

We ranked Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra #1 in May 2023 because:

  • 10 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 3 experts ranked Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as #1.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Phablet

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best Android phone

Pros
Killer 200MP camera
Stellar display
Super fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
Awesome battery life

Cons
Very expensive
Charging could be faster

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best high-end Android phone

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best phone for Android

Pros
Incredibly powerful processor
Versatile telephoto zoom camera
S Pen adds value
Water-resistant and durable
Long software update commitment
Many interesting features to explore
Large, bright, detailed screen

Cons
Wired charging is complicated, and only 45W
Big and heavy

Go to ranking

T3

The best flagship Android phone right now

Pros
Seriously powerful hardware experience
Versatile camera system, including zoom
S Pen stylus comes in a handy slot

Cons
It's really pricey
S Pen stylus won't be for all

Go to ranking

Creative Bloq

The new gold standard for Android camera phones.

Pros
Stunning shots in all conditions
Very good low-light performance
Gorgeous display

Cons
100x zoom is mostly a gimmick
Inevitably expensive

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best phone overall

Pros
Phenomenal cameras
Bespoke Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset

Cons
Faster charging would have been nice
Seriously expensive

Go to ranking

Consumer Reports

Best Android Phone

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

The best Android flagship phone

Pros
Qualcomm's 8 Gen 2 chip is a game-changer
Excellent battery life
Impressive 200MP camera
Bright, vivid display
Seamless ecosystem between smartphone and Samsung PC

Cons
Minimal design changes
Starts at $1,199

Go to ranking

Pocket-lint

The pinnacle of Android phones

Pros
Stunning large display
Great design with IP68 water/dust resistant
Really versatile camera system
S Pen included

Cons
It's expensive
Lots of software bloat

Go to ranking

We ranked iPhone 14 Pro #2 in May 2023 because:

  • 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked iPhone 14 Pro as #1.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best iPhone

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best smaller phone ever

Pros
Best-in-class cameras
A16 Bionic blows away Android phones
Brighter display
Cool Action mode

Cons
Charging could be faster

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best high-end iPhone

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best phone for iOS

Pros
Camera improvements mean great photos
Always-on display looks fantastic
Powerful A16 Bionic processor
Vibrant screen and clear speakers
Long-term software support

Cons
One-day battery life
Modest charging speed

Go to ranking

Creative Bloq

The best camera phone for Apple fans

Pros
Fantastic processing
Great macro photography mode inherited from the iPhone Pro 13
Resolution upgrade on main camera

Cons
One of the most expensive camera phones
Underwhelming selfie mode
No major design changes from the 13

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best iPhone

Pros
Familiar design
Improved cameras over last year

Cons
No USB-C
Limited zoom photography

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best iPhone for most people

Pros
Bright 120Hz display
Excellent camera performance
Unmatched software support
Outstanding battery life
Untouchable performance

Cons
Slow charging
Telephoto needs more reach
Dynamic Island is a notch with a new name

Go to ranking

Pocket-lint

The best phone for most people

Pros
Dynamic Island is very cool
Excellent camera system
Exceptional build/design

Cons
ProRAW capture is laggy
Expensive
Still lacks USB-C

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Smartphones.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Smartphones, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for May 2023 ranking

We ranked iPhone 14 Pro Max #3 in May 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked iPhone 14 Pro Max as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best phone overall

Pros
Superb 48MP camera
Very smart Dynamic Island
Best-in-class battery life
Impressive Action mode

Cons
Still 20W charging

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best big iPhone

Pros
Exquisitely premium design
Beautiful 120Hz display
Dynamic Island is a joy
Always-on screen is gorgeous
Incredible camera system
Blistering performance
Outstanding battery life
Robust iOS 16 software

Cons
One of the heaviest phones you can buy
Expensive

Go to ranking

T3

The best Apple phone you can buy

Pros
48MP camera is the best yet
Dynamic Island rather than notch
New always-on display

Cons
Most expensive option
Always-on display costs battery
Still no USB-C or fast charging

Go to ranking

Consumer Reports

Best iPhone

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best big screen iOS smartphone

Pros
Beautiful, premium chassis
Excellent performance
Great battery life
Gorgeous display with 120Hz refresh rate
Stellar cameras

Cons
Really expensive no matter the config

Go to ranking

We ranked OnePlus 11 #4 in May 2023 because:

  • 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The Android flagship value to beat

Pros
Insanely good battery life
Excellent performance
Killer price
Great cameras

Cons
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

The Verge

Flagship performance for a little less money

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best phone for Android runner-up

Pros
Eye-catching design
Two-day battery life
25 minute battery charging
Characterful camera
Long software update commitment

Cons
No wireless charging
Portrait camera disappoints

Go to ranking

T3

A great Android phone without a massive price

Pros
6.7-inch QHD+, 120Hz display
Powerful efficient performance
Seriously fast charging

Cons
Other phones have a better battery life
Weak zoom on the camera

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best unique features

Pros
Amazing performance
Dazzling display
Unique portrait photos

Cons
Cameras aren’t versatile
Not water resistant enough
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best affordable flagship phone

Pros
Improved camera performance
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
Vibrant 120Hz adaptive display
Class-leading battery life and fast charging

Cons
Lacks water resistance
Cameras still don't match top flagships
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

Pocket-lint

A powerful phone without the pricetag

Pros
Stunning QHD display with fast refresh rates
Bloat-free software with lots of customisation
Fast performance
Really quick battery refills

Cons
No wireless charging
Water proofing and durability not the greatest

Go to ranking

We ranked Google Pixel 6a #5 in May 2023 because:

  • 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Budget Smartphone

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

A good $500 phone — for now

Pros
Excellent cameras
Bright display
Tensor-powered features for a low price

Cons
Subpar battery life
Noticeably cheap materials

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best cheap phone runner-up

Pros
Compact, lightweight design
IP67 water resistance
Flagship-grade performance
Excellent cameras
Clean software
Years of guaranteed updates

Cons
Display is only 60Hz
Tensor chip runs hot
Lacking battery life

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best value overall

Pros
Relatively compact size
Clean software

Cons
Poor battery life
Slow charging

Go to ranking

Consumer Reports

Best Low-Priced (Under $500) Android Phone

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best affordable Android smartphone

Pros
Excellent software support
Unique AI software features
Bright and colorful display
Affordable $449 price
Solid performance

Cons
Older camera sensors
Lacks wireless and true fast charging
60Hz display

Go to ranking

We ranked Google Pixel 7 Pro #6 in May 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Android Phone

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best Android cameras

Pros
Incredible cameras
Brighter display
More powerful chipset
Awesome Tensor features

Cons
Only 3 years of Android updates
Slightly dull colors on telephoto camera
Bad battery life

Go to ranking

T3

The best phone for most people

Pros
Great camera experience
Bold and distinctive design
Savvily priced

Cons
Not the fastest charging tech
Aluminium finish scuffs too easily

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best ultraphone bargain

Pros
Intuitive and easy to use
Photo Unblur truly fixes older photos
Snappy and responsive interface

Cons
Lacks the deep feature set of best competition
Battery and charging time could be better
Macro Focus didn’t blow us away

Go to ranking

Pocket-lint

A close-to-perfect Android experience

Pros
Excellent camera performance
Clean software experience
Strong display
Competitive price point

Cons
Face unlock is insecure
Few changes over Pixel 6 Pro
Only three promised platform updates

Go to ranking

We ranked Google Pixel 7 #7 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked Google Pixel 7 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Smartphone

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best phone value

Pros
Superb camera
Long battery life
Eye-catching design
Vibrant screen
Years of software updates
Fantastic price

Cons
Slow charging
Software bugs
Poor gaming performance

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best phone smartphone for most people

Pros
Excellent software support
Unique AI software features
Bright 90Hz display
Affordable price
30W fast charging

Cons
Gaming performance lacking
Disappointing battery life

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 #8 in May 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
The Verge

Best flip phone

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best flip phone

Pros
Flatter design looks and feels fantastic
Bespoke customization is unmatched
Excellent main display
Blazing fast performance
Good, fun cameras

Cons
Battery still only lasts a day
Limited cover screen functionality

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best clamshell foldable

Pros
Larger battery & faster charging
Excellent performance

Cons
Occasional camera inconsistencies
Minor year-on-year upgrades

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best foldable phone you should actually consider buying

Pros
Beautifully engineered phone
Great for content creators/solo travelers
Flex Mode is *chef’s kiss*
Compact and pocketable
Decent battery life (relative to other foldables)

Cons
Boring upgrades
Gets warm quickly
Power button annoyingly invokes Bixby

Go to ranking

Pocket-lint

An adorable, practical clamshell

Pros
Premium design and build quality
Great display
IPX8 water resistance
Improved hinge over previous models

Cons
Long-term durability is still an issue
Underwhelming camera system
Battery life isn't great

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 #9 in May 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Foldable Phone

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best phone with a foldable screen

Pros
Better multitasking with task bar
Improved cameras
Brighter display
Slimmer hinge

Cons
Very expensive
Still heavy and bulky

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best folding phone

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best Foldable Phone

Pros
Usable cover screen
Excellent multitasking features
Inner screen is great for games and video
Reliable and fun camera
Water resistant and durable materials

Cons
Heavy use kills the battery
Slow charging

Go to ranking

Creative Bloq

The best foldable camera phone

Pros
Better multitasking with taskbar
Foldability can be handy as a tripod
S Pen support

Cons
More expensive than phones with better cameras
Lacklustre selfie camera

Go to ranking

We ranked iPhone SE #10 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The most affordable iPhone

Pros
Fastest performance for the money
Very good photo quality
More durable design

Cons
No Night mode for camera
No mmWave 5G support

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best small iPhone

Pros
Compact and light
Very powerful
Touch ID works really well
Wireless charging
IP67 water resistance

Cons
Poor battery life
60Hz screen
64GB won't be enough

Go to ranking

Consumer Reports

Best Low-Priced (Under $500) iPhone

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best budget iOS smartphone

Pros
Performance beast
Portable, compact form factor
Satisfying Touch ID
Decent price

Cons
Obsolete design
No Night mode
Middling battery life

Go to ranking

We ranked iPhone 13 #11 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked iPhone 13 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
The Verge

Best iPhone for most people

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best affordable iPhone

Pros
Strong battery life
Powerful internals

Cons
Minimal design changes
No 120Hz screen

Go to ranking

We ranked iPhone 14 #12 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best phone for the money

Pros
Excellent cameras
Vibrant display
Fast A15 Bionic performance
Impressive Action mode video

Cons
Still just 60Hz refresh rate

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best phone for iOS runner-up

Pros
Comfortable, high-end build
OLED screen looks fantastic
A15 chip performs great
Good camera upgrades
Dependable battery life
Helpful safety features

Cons
60Hz display
No telephoto camera
eSIM might be a pain for some

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best affordable flagship phone

Pros
New eSIM-only era
Upgraded wide lens and selfie camera
Better Night Mode performance
Action Mode is awesome

Cons
Battery life is a downgrade

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy A54 #13 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Best phone value

Pros
Improved 50MP main camera
Fun colors
Bright, colorful display

Cons
No telephoto lens
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

The Verge

The best phone under $500

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best phone value runner-up

Pros
Eye-catching colors
It looks like the Galaxy S23
Colorful screen
Speakers sound good
Long software commitment

Cons
Battery doesn't last two days
No wireless charging
Camera lacks realism

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy S23 #14 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best Samsung phone for most people

Pros
Bright display
Excellent performance powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Longer battery life than before
Still $799 in US

Cons
Disappointing front camera
Wired charging stuck at 25W

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best small Android phone

Pros
Sleek and compact design
Comfortable for one-handed use
Very fast performance
Reliable cameras take great photos
Long-lasting battery life
Five years of guaranteed updates

Cons
Base storage is still 128GB
Fast charging up to only 25W
Limited zoom quality past 10x

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best compact Samsung

Pros
Custom Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
May be the perfect size

Cons
Not different enough
Should have a 108MP sensor

Go to ranking

We ranked Oppo Find X5 Pro #15 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
T3

The best Android phone design

Pros
Stunning QHD+ screen with 120Hz refresh
Long-lasting battery and fast-charging
Impressive camera system

Cons
No MicroSD card slot or headphone jack
Expensive

Go to ranking

Creative Bloq

A sleek camera phone with Hasselblad filters

Pros
Elegant design
Hasselblad colour enhancements

Cons
Poor zoom

Go to ranking

We ranked iPhone 14 Plus #16 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Apple’s cheapest big-screen phone

Pros
Big screen for a good price
Long battery life
Great cameras with Action mode video

Cons
No 120Hz display
No telephoto lens

Go to ranking

T3

A more affordable iPhone with a big screen

Pros
Great big screen
Easy-to-use and capable cameras system
Last-gen power but it's still highly capable

Cons
Not everyone wants a 6.7-inch screen
No always-on display
Still has a notch

Go to ranking

We ranked Realme GT 2 Pro #17 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
T3

The best affordable yet powerful Android phone

Pros
Incredible performance for the price
Unique eco-conscious design

Cons
Camera could be improved
Not all will love the design and logos

Go to ranking

Creative Bloq

The best camera phone for microscopic photography

Pros
Fantastic microscope camera
Pretty affordable

Cons
No telephoto camera
Bloated software

Go to ranking