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
-
Samsung:
11 Smartphones
(#1 is Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra )
-
Apple:
7 Smartphones
(#1 is Apple iPhone 13 Mini )
-
Google:
4 Smartphones
(#1 is Google Pixel 6 Pro )
-
OnePlus:
2 Smartphones
(#1 is OnePlus 10 Pro )
-
Asus:
2 Smartphones
(#1 is Asus ROG Phone 7 )
Price breakdown
At a glance - May 2023 Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Smartphone |
IGN
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Tom's Guide
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The Verge
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Digital Trends
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T3
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Creative Bloq
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TechRadar
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Consumer Reports
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Laptop Mag
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Pocket-lint
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1
|
- | $1179 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
- | Check price |
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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.
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-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
- | $580 |
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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.

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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best phone overall
Pros
Phenomenal cameras
Bespoke Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
|
Cons
Faster charging would have been nice
Seriously expensive
|
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
|
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
|
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.

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
|
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
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best iPhone
Pros
Familiar design
Improved cameras over last year
|
Cons
No USB-C
Limited zoom photography
|
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
|
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
|
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.

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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked OnePlus 11 #4 in May 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The Android flagship value to beat
Pros
Insanely good battery life
Excellent performance
Killer price
Great cameras
|
Cons
No wireless charging
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Google Pixel 6a #5 in May 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best value overall
Pros
Relatively compact size
Clean software
|
Cons
Poor battery life
Slow charging
|
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
|
We ranked Google Pixel 7 Pro #6 in May 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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.

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
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 #8 in May 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
TechRadar
The best clamshell foldable
Pros
Larger battery & faster charging
Excellent performance
|
Cons
Occasional camera inconsistencies
Minor year-on-year upgrades
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 #9 in May 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked iPhone SE #10 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
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
|
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
|
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.

TechRadar
The best affordable iPhone
Pros
Strong battery life
Powerful internals
|
Cons
Minimal design changes
No 120Hz screen
|
We ranked iPhone 14 #12 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy A54 #13 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

Tom's Guide
Best phone value
Pros
Improved 50MP main camera
Fun colors
Bright, colorful display
|
Cons
No telephoto lens
No wireless charging
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S23 #14 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Oppo Find X5 Pro #15 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
Creative Bloq
A sleek camera phone with Hasselblad filters
Pros
Elegant design
Hasselblad colour enhancements
|
Cons
Poor zoom
|
We ranked iPhone 14 Plus #16 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
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
|
We ranked Realme GT 2 Pro #17 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.

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
|
Creative Bloq
The best camera phone for microscopic photography
Pros
Fantastic microscope camera
Pretty affordable
|
Cons
No telephoto camera
Bloated software
|