September 2021
Smartphones: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Smartphone rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2021.
At a glance - September 2021 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Smartphone |
Pocket-lint
|
The Verge
|
Creative Bloq
|
Consumer Reports
|
ZD Net
|
Tom's Guide
|
TechRadar
|
Laptop Mag
|
T3
|
Digital Trends
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $2000 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The most powerful Android smartphone available that exceeds expectations in terms of performance and features at a premium price.
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
8
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
|
2
|
- | $829 |
iPhone 12
The best iPhone for most people
|
7
|
1
|
4
|
-
|
3
|
6
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $1099 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
The best iPhone for anyone looking for quality and performance.
|
-
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
8
|
19
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $900 |
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
The best smartphone for productivity and creativity.
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
2
|
5
|
-
|
6
|
3
|
7
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $921 |
OnePlus 9 Pro
A very good smartphone that’s fast and shoots great pictures.
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
9
|
3
|
5
|
6
|
2
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | $999 |
iPhone 12 Pro
An excellent iPhone that’s almost as good as the Pro Max.
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
9
|
1
|
|
7
|
- | $645 |
OnePlus 9
A worthy smartphone that is fairly priced.
|
4
|
7
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
11
|
8
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | $650 |
Samsung Galaxy S21
A premium smartphone at a reasonable price
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
3
|
-
|
20
|
4
|
|
9
|
- | $550 |
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
A true value for money smartphone that will not disappoint
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
+2 | $399 |
iPhone SE
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
7
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
|
11
|
+2 | $830 |
Google Pixel 5
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
|
12
|
+2 | $1355 |
Oppo Find X3 Pro
|
2
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
-
|
|
13
|
+2 | $220 |
Motorola Moto G Power
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
3
|
|
14
|
New * | $1575 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
|
15
|
+1 | $599 |
Apple iPhone 11
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
16
|
-6 | $548 |
Google Pixel 4a
A good Android phone that is easy on the budget
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
|
17
|
- | $448 |
Google Pixel 4A 5G
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
13
|
-
|
|
18
|
- | $338 |
Xiaomi Mi 11
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
-
|
|
19
|
-8 | $2000 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
|
-
|
10
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
20
|
-1 | $1000 |
Samsung Galaxy S20
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra #1 in September 2021 because:
- 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra as #1.
- S Pen support
- Impressive optical zoom capability
- Large AMOLED screen
- Extended battery life
- No microSD card support
- Charger not included
- Very expensive
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra was made to impress, and it doesn’t come short on features. It is a beast in terms of size and power. Its massive size is justified by a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display that delivers a great viewing experience, and with a 120Hz refresh rate, it is certainly smooth. Backed by a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and a generous 12GB of RAM, it is responsive and will perform without much effort. The 888 happens to be the most powerful chip that Qualcomm has to offer. Of course, this needs a battery that can last. Thankfully, the 5,000mAh battery will do just that. The S21 Ultra runs on Android 11 and comes with S Pen support. However, the stylus is sold separately.
While all the features above make the S21 Ultra an exceptional smartphone, the camera is what sets it further apart from the flagship offerings of other brands. Its quad-camera system features wide-angle, ultra-wide, and two telephoto cameras that enable a whole range of capabilities for the device. Recording 8K video is effortless, and its 108MP wide-angle camera captures high-quality images that are crisp and clear. The system is capable of 3X, 10X, and 100X (Space Zoom) zoom. Taking pictures at 100X zoom surprisingly produces better images now.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a premium smartphone that comes with a premium price. It does not include a charger nor an S Pen. However, if those things are not an issue for the user, then it is worth the price tag.
Creative Bloq
The best do-it-all smartphone
|
Pros
Wacom pen tech
Excellent camera zoom
|
Cons
Big and bulky
Expensive
|
ZD Net
Best Samsung camera phone
|
Pros
High quality and capable quad-camera system
Best telephoto shooter available
S Pen support
Incredible AMOLED displays
More affordable than S20 series
|
Cons
Large size phone
|
Tom's Guide
Samsung's best phone
|
Pros
Dynamic 6.8-inch AMOLED display
Dual telephoto lenses
S Pen support
|
Cons
No charger in box
Lacks microSD card slot
|
TechRadar
A top tier smartphone,and it takes our best crown
|
Pros
The best camera zoom
Mesmerizing design
|
Cons
Expensive at any level
No microSD card slot
|
Laptop Mag
Best premium Android phone for most people
|
Pros
Unmatched optical zoom
Gorgeous adaptive QHD+ AMOLED screen
Excellent battery life
S Pen support
|
Cons
No charger included
No microSD storage
|
T3
The best hyper-premium smartphone on the market
|
Pros
Superb 120Hz, WQHD+, HDR10+ screen
Hyper premium internal hardware
Versatile, feature-packed camera
S Pen digital stylus support
|
Cons
Very high price
|
Digital Trends
Best Android phone
|
Pros
It’s the best of the best, with a huge and beautiful screen, good software, tons of features, and a great multi-lens camera. Plus, great battery life.
|
We ranked iPhone 12 #2 in September 2021 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked iPhone 12 as #1.
- Amazing OLED display
- Very good camera
- 5G-ready
- Average battery
- Low base storage
- Display only 60Hz
- No charger
The iPhone 12 is one of the four variants of the series that offers good performance and reliability overall. It comes feature-packed but costs considerably less than the iPhone 12 Pro. With a sleek new design, super-fast A14 Bionic processor, beautiful OLED display, high-quality camera, wireless charging capability, 5G-ready connectivity, and MagSafe, it’s loaded with the essentials and then some. It has many similarities with the iPhone 12 Pro except for the missing telephoto lens camera that enables zooming and less memory. It is a big phone but can be handled snuggly with one hand. The battery is also worth mentioning since it can last a full day with no problem.
The 6.1-inch OLED screen is large enough to provide a more-than-comfortable viewing experience. The colors are brighter, and the display looks great. The camera can take impressive photos in any light. The night mode feature is also a welcome addition. With 5G support, the phone is equipped with next-gen capabilities as well. For those more focused on aesthetics, Apple gives consumers five stylish color options to choose from.
The iPhone 12 is a good phone to have, but a bit expensive. The lack of zooming capability and the missing charger may turn some people off, but these are compensated by good performance and an abundance of features.
Creative Bloq
The best bang for buck iPhone
|
Pros
Beautiful display
Solid camera
|
Cons
Battery life could be better
Base storage low
|
ZD Net
Best iPhone for most people
|
Pros
Fast, reliable, and well supported
Good quality cameras
Attractive and fun color options
Tons of accessories, including MagSafe
|
Cons
Affordable
Limited storage for lowest-priced model
Decent size for most people
|
Tom's Guide
The best iPhone for most people
|
Pros
Attractive new design with MagSafe
Comprehensive 5G coverage
Incredible performance
|
Cons
Only 64GB of base storage
Digital zoom could still use work
|
TechRadar
The best Apple iPhone bang for your buck
|
Pros
Colorful OLED display
Future-proofed with 5G
|
Cons
Cameras are similar to last iPhone 11
Battery life only okay
|
Laptop Mag
Best smartphone for most people
|
Pros
Excellent photos and video
Fantastic value
Beautiful new design
Strong software support
Powerful A14 Bionic CPU
|
Cons
Base storage is too low
60Hz display
No charger in the box
|
T3
The best phone for most people
|
Pros
Fantastic HDR screen
High quality camera system
Now with 5G
|
Cons
Screen only 60Hz
|
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 September 2021 ranking
Pocket-lint
The Verge
Creative Bloq
Consumer Reports
ZD Net
Tom's Guide
TechRadar
Laptop Mag
T3
Digital Trends
We ranked iPhone 12 Pro Max #3 in September 2021 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked iPhone 12 Pro Max as #1.
- Impressive large display
- Extended battery life
- Excellent camera
- 5G-ready
- Really expensive
- Too big for one hand
- Low refresh rate
- No charger
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is thought to be the best smartphone in Apple’s current lineup by many, and as expected, is the most expensive. However, the device does come with top-of-the-line specs and features that justify the steep price. For example, it has a large 6.7-inch OLED screen that is perfect for watching videos and playing games. The battery on the Pro Max lasts significantly longer than the other iPhone 12 models. Its powerful processor is more than enough to handle CPU-intensive tasks. The camera, hands down, is one of the best we’ve seen on a smartphone. The larger sensor amplifies its ability to take high-quality photos. Even in situations where light is limited, it still manages to produce impressive pictures.
Although the larger screen is very much appreciated, the phone is too big to handle with one hand. It’s also difficult to put comfortably in one’s pocket. If the size is an issue for consumers, they might want to consider getting the smaller Pro version. With such a hefty price tag, it is only fair to expect that a charger would be included with the purchase. However, this is not the case. Now with all these things considered, the phone is still outstanding in many aspects. It has a fantastic camera, a massive screen, and processing power that provides a smooth experience. Overall, it is an excellent smartphone.
Creative Bloq
The best iPhone ever
|
Pros
Superb camera
Great battery life
|
Cons
Very expensive
Bulky
|
ZD Net
Best overall phone
|
Pros
High quality ceramic glass and stainless steel materials
Best video recording performance
High quality cameras
Stable and well supported by Apple
|
Cons
Expensive
Wide and heavy
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone overall
|
Pros
Best-in-class cameras
Immersive 6.7-inch display
Superior performance
|
Cons
Charger sold separately
A bit heavy
|
Laptop Mag
Best high-end iOS smartphone
|
Pros
Top-end A14 Bionic CPU
Fantastic battery life
Vivid and bright OLED display
Extensive 5G support
Solid photos and unmatched video quality
|
Cons
Expensive starting price
60Hz display
Charger not included
|
T3
More like a film studio than a phone
|
Pros
Spectacular cameras
Superb low light performance
Sensor-shift stabilisation
5G
|
Cons
Incredibly expensive
Pocket breaking
Only 60Hz refresh rate
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra #4 in September 2021 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Powerful processor
- Outstanding battery
- Excellent camera
- Massive 6.9-inch display
- S Pen included
- Very expensive
Here is a phone that can meet various needs whether the consumer is a casual user, a gamer, a creative, or someone who simply needs the functionality of a pen and paper on a digital device anytime, anywhere. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is expensive, but it’s a high-end smartphone that’s packed with high-end specs. The combined power of the Snapdragon processor plus 12GB of RAM can sufficiently handle the load even with multiple apps running. Playing games, watching movies, or doing anything else really on the massive 6.9-inch AMOLED display would be very satisfying for the user. The higher refresh rate provides a smooth operation and faster response.
The camera system includes an ultra-wide camera, a wide-angle camera, and a telephoto camera. It is capable of 8K video capture and 50x zoom. It has a battery that is large enough to last a whole day, even with extended use. It also comes with a handy S Pen stylus that can be used to jot down notes, draw, or do anything else that requires a pen and paper. Indeed, this is more like a computer than a phone. The price may seem steep, but with all the functionality that it offers, it may be a price worth paying.
Creative Bloq
The best smartphone for creative superstars
|
Pros
Superb camera
Incredible screen
|
Cons
Expensive
Slower charging
|
ZD Net
Best phone with a stylus
|
Pros
Complete S Pen support with silo on the device
Incredible AMOLED displays
IP68 dust and water resistance
High quality cameras
|
Cons
Expensive
Big phone
|
TechRadar
The 5x optical camera zoom crushes it
|
Pros
Amazing camera zoom
Handy S Pen stylus
|
Cons
'Ultra' expensive
Photos exhibit skin smoothing
|
Laptop Mag
Best Android smartphone for productivity
|
Pros
Powerful Snapdragon 865+ processor
Strong camera and video features
Long battery life
Unique S Pen
Beautiful Super AMOLED 120Hz display
|
Cons
Expensive
|
T3
The best phone with digital stylus functionality
|
Pros
The best S Pen yet
Huge, bright screen
Plenty of power
|
Cons
Galaxy S21 Ultra also has S Pen support
|
We ranked OnePlus 9 Pro #5 in September 2021 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Greatly improved camera
- Impressive AMOLED display at 120Hz
- Fast charging (wired and wireless)
- Good phone performance
- A bit expensive
The 9 Pro is the latest flagship offering from OnePlus. There are several things to like about this smartphone that are worth mentioning. To start with, it has an impressive 6.7-inch AMOLED display that is convenient to use. The size is just right to handle comfortably, not too big and not too small. The screen responds well, thanks to the higher refresh rate. Achieving full charge status is fast, with wired charging taking about half an hour to fully charge, and wireless charging taking less than an hour. That’s actually impressive. In addition, the 4,500mAh battery can last a full day with normal use, depending on the usage.
The smartphone packs enough muscle with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB of memory, providing all the heavy lifting. The phone also features a much-improved camera system with the help of Hasselblad technology. The OnePlus 9 Pro is a good phone overall. The price may be a bit steep for some people, but in exchange, you get a great camera, good performance, a high-quality screen, fast-charging capability, and decent battery life.
Creative Bloq
The best sub-£1,000 camera phone
|
Pros
Impressive camera
Sharp, smooth screen
|
Cons
Good, not great battery life
Mediocre zoom on camera
|
ZD Net
Best OnePlus flagship
|
Pros
Lovely, high quality design
Ultra fast wireless and wired charging capability
Outstanding specifications
Capable cameras
|
Cons
Expensive
Hasselblad partnership in its infancy
Water-resistance level not certified
|
Tom's Guide
A very good flagship value
|
Pros
Beautiful 120Hz display
Crazy fast wired and wireless charging
Fantastic cameras
|
Cons
Morning Mist model is very slippery
Nightscape photos are inconsistent
|
TechRadar
A giant leap for OnePlus photography
|
Pros
The best OnePlus camera phone
Great power
|
Cons
High price
No microSD support
|
Laptop Mag
Best flagship smartphone value
|
Pros
Top-of-the-line performance
Vivid 120Hz adaptive display
Unmatched wired and wireless charging
|
Cons
Lacks a periscope zoom lens
Weaker on software updates
|
T3
The best premium phone
|
Pros
Excellent 120Hz, QHD+, HDR10+ screen
Rapid internal hardware
Hasselblad designed camera system
Stylish design with great ergonomics
|
Cons
Flagship price
|
We ranked iPhone 12 Pro #6 in September 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked iPhone 12 Pro as #1.
- Outstanding camera
- Outstanding processor
- Outstanding screen
- Charger not included
The iPhone 12 Pro is one of the three offerings of the iPhone 12 series. All of the phones in the series provide high-quality features, but the Pro version offers a good balance of cost versus features. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the Pro Max, it has the same processor, amount of memory, 5G support, triple-lens configuration, Ceramic Shield Technology, and more. Apple equipped this piece of art with a powerful A14 Bionic chip that enhances the phone experience. Although the display only has a 60Hz refresh rate, navigating the OS through the 6.1-inch OLED screen is smooth and effortless. The battery will last a day with no problem. However, MagSafe is there to save the day when it does run out. There are four color options to choose from: Silver, Graphite, Gold, and Pacific Blue.
Apple is famous for equipping its smartphones with high-tech camera systems, and this holds true with the iPhone 12 Pro. It still captures spectacular photos, and with the LiDAR scanner, portrait shots in Night Mode look great. There isn’t much to criticize about this phone except for the price. Its new design, powerful chip, exceptional camera, vibrant display, and long list of features make the fee worth it.
Tom's Guide
Another top Apple phone
|
Pros
Best-in-class cameras
A14 Bionic blows away Android phones
Tougher Ceramic Shield display
MagSafe charging is easy to use
|
Cons
No charger in box
|
TechRadar
Our second favorite iPhone pair
|
Pros
Varied color choices
Clear and vibrant screen
|
Cons
No charging block in box
5G still an expensive luxury
|
T3
The best premium phone for Apple fans
|
Pros
Powerful processor
Superb OLED screen
Excellent camera
|
Cons
Very expensive
Battery life could be better
|
Digital Trends
Best overall phone
|
Pros
It’s a complete package, with excellent hardware, great cameras, and consistent software.
|
We ranked OnePlus 9 #7 in September 2021 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Impressive display
- Rather good camera
- Excellent overall performance
- Fast charging time
- camera has no optical zoom
- The phone does not have expandable memory support
The OnePlus 9 may be a notch lower than the OnePlus 9 Pro, but it doesn’t come short on features. It comes with an impressive display that’s comparatively larger than other smartphones in its class. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor is powerful and delivers an excellent and lag-free experience. It’s always a bonus to have a phone that recharges fast, and with y 65W charging you only have to wait around half an hour to get it to full charge status. It also supports wireless charging, which is another bonus. The 4,500mAh battery can get you through the day with normal use. The main 48MP camera takes great shots thanks to Hasselblad technology and Sony’s sensor but unfortunately, the camera system doesn’t come with a telephoto lens. Consumers looking for optical zoom capability in their phones may not be content with digital zoom. The device does not have expandable storage support. In this situation, opting for the 256GB version is a wise choice.
The OnePlus 9 packs enough power and memory, recharges fast, has a decent battery, and is equipped with a commendable triple-lens camera system. Overall, this is a very good phone that’s priced fairly.
Creative Bloq
The best value flagship
|
Pros
Beautiful, smooth screen
Fast wired charging
|
Cons
No expandable storage
No zoom camera
|
TechRadar
A great-value option with no major drawbacks
|
Pros
Great specs for the cost
Good camera
|
Cons
No telephoto camera
Lack of flagship-material polish
|
Laptop Mag
Best smartphone under $750
|
Pros
Fantastic performance
Long battery life
Insane charging speeds
Vivid and bright 120Hz display
Decent photo and video quality
|
Cons
Plastic frame
No OIS (blurry night shots)
Lacks expandable storage
5G not supported on all carriers
|
T3
A well-rounded Android smartphone
|
Pros
Super fast charging
Fluid, smooth 120Hz display
Fast performance
|
Cons
No MicroSD card slot
Could have a better battery life
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S21 #8 in September 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Fantastic dynamic display
- Commendable performance
- Very good camera
- Reasonably priced
- The back of the device is plastic
- No expandable memory support
- charger not included
Consumers want to have the flagship experience, but not all are willing to pay the price. However, they may have that chance now because of the Samsung Galaxy S21. It has some of the same specs and features as the latter but is considerably more affordable than the Ultra. It uses a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which is one of the most powerful processors available. It has a smaller 6.2-inch screen that’s still massive enough to watch movies on comfortably. It delivers bright and crisp visuals that enhance the viewing experience. It offers the same 120Hz refresh rate as the Ultra to ensure smooth navigation. The camera technology may not be top-of-the-line, but it still captures high-quality photos. The battery is decent and can last you a whole day even though the battery is smaller than the one that Ultra uses.
The lower price does come with some limitations. For example, it doesn’t include a charger. There is also no expandable memory support and the back is made from plastic. The cheaper material makes sense if you compare the price versus the specs and features. With all these things considered, we still think that this is a good phone that is well-balanced and priced just right.
Tom's Guide
A Samsung flagship for less than $800
|
Pros
Excellent dynamic 120Hz display
Powerful performance
Refined design
|
Cons
No charger or microSD card slot
Plastic back
|
TechRadar
Not the best of the S series,but nevertheless great
|
Pros
Fantastic, versatile camera
Cheaper than the Galaxy S20
|
Cons
No microSD support
Screen isn’t the best
|
T3
A quality all-rounder
|
Pros
Powerful performance
120Hz display
Impressive camera system
|
Cons
Plastic design
No MicroSD card slot
Wall charger not included in the box
|
Digital Trends
Best value
|
Pros
The core flagship Samsung phone experience is available at a great price.
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G #9 in September 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Massive display 120Hz refresh rate
- Impressive performance
- Good specs overall
- No common points of criticism among experts
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition) is a smartphone designed with Samsung fans in mind. It was designed to provide maximum user value and loaded with the necessary hardware and practical features that any user will find useful. Usually, such a combination of impressive specs and features would come with a hefty price tag. But the S20 FE is a phone that’s not excessively priced and can be used long term.
The S20 FE case looks nice all around even with the humble plastic back. The smartphone uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor that packs enough power for any task. It also has a 6.5-inch Full HD AMOLED screen with a slightly noticeable bezel. It is bright enough to use comfortably even outdoors. The 120Hz refresh rate does wonders to make navigation smooth. The front features a 32MP punch-hole camera that is not too big to be annoying. The triple-camera system at the back features an ultra wide, wide-angle, and telephoto lens. The picture quality is quite impressive, especially with portrait shots and close-ups. There is also nothing to complain about with the zoom feature. The battery can be charged wirelessly, which is a big plus, and it will last a whole day with one full recharge.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is definitely powerful and has a lot of benefits. There's really nothing major to gripe about this smartphone.
ZD Net
Best Samsung Galaxy phone for most people
|
Pros
Full Samsung experience
Affordable and colorful
High level of dust/water resistance
Good quality cameras
|
Cons
Limited RAM
|
Tom's Guide
The best Samsung bargain
|
Pros
Big 120Hz display
Affordable price
Solid performance
|
Cons
Battery life bit shorter than expected
Fast charger costs extra
|
TechRadar
Flagship specs at a more affordable price
|
Pros
Still good specs for the price
Large screen
Big battery
|
Cons
Middling camera specs
No Android 11 yet?
|
Laptop Mag
Best Android smartphone value
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Pros
Incredible value
Large 120Hz OLED display
Excellent performance
Fantastic photo and video
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Cons
Plastic build
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We ranked iPhone SE #10 in September 2021 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The cheapest iPhone you can buy
|
Pros
Affordable price
Fast A13 Bionic performance
Very good cameras
|
Cons
Big bezels
No Night mode
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TechRadar
The cheapest new iPhone for 2020
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Pros
Low price for an iPhone
One-hand-friendly and light
Has the Touch ID home button
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Cons
Battery life could be better
Old screen technology
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Laptop Mag
Best budget iOS smartphone
|
Pros
Flagship A13 Bionic CPU
Excellent value
Supports wireless charging
Stellar software support
|
Cons
Dated design
Weaker camera performance
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T3
The best budget phone
|
Pros
Appealing design
Rapid hardware
Very affordable
|
Cons
iPhone 12 range more powerful
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We ranked Google Pixel 5 #11 in September 2021 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Creative Bloq
Solid camera with great software and editing smarts
|
Pros
Fantastic camera software
Handsome, minimal design
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Cons
No telephoto camera
Night shots could be better
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ZD Net
Best Google phone
|
Pros
Timely updates and support for years
Affordable for a flagship
Outstanding camera performance, largely due to Google software
|
Cons
Mid-range processor
RF performance not as good as Samsung
|
TechRadar
Still top cameras,and a few odd new features
|
Pros
Camera software is better than ever
Metal case is refreshing change from glass
|
Cons
No telephoto
Middling night photography
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T3
The best phone for a pure Android experience
|
Pros
Camera is still great
Clean, pure Android
90hz refresh rate screen
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Cons
Battery life is average
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We ranked Oppo Find X3 Pro #12 in September 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Creative Bloq
Best for fans of smooth design
|
Pros
Unique, sleek design
Stunning display
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Cons
Expensive
Poor zoom on camera
|
T3
A stunning flagship for 2021 from Oppo
|
Pros
Top-tier specs
Fantastic 6.7-inch screen
Microscopic camera
|
Cons
Large camera block
Software could be better
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We ranked Motorola Moto G Power #13 in September 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The phone with the best battery life
|
Pros
All-day battery life
Low price including a sub-$200 model
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Cons
Only one Android software update
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Laptop Mag
Best budget battery life smartphone
|
Pros
Unmatched battery life
Awesome sub $250 price
Better than average camera
Large and bright display
|
Cons
Dull display
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Digital Trends
Best cheap smartphone
|
Pros
Motorola gives you all of the basics in a good size with a few nice-to-have features.
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We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 #14 in September 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
ZD Net
Best foldable phone
|
Pros
Stunning engineering marvel
Incredible AMOLED displays
S Pen support
IPX8 water resistance
Software optimizations for foldable and large display usage
|
Cons
Expensive
No S Pen support on cover screen
Not the best Samsung cameras on the back
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone with a foldable screen
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Pros
More durable, water resistant design
Dual 120Hz displays
Improved mutitasking
|
Cons
S Pen isn't included
Still pricey
|
Digital Trends
Best foldable phone
|
Pros
Foldables are the future of multitasking and productivity
the newly released Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G is the best of the bunch.
|
We ranked Apple iPhone 11 #15 in September 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
An even better value at a lower price
|
Pros
Great photos, especially with Night Mode
Fast A13 Bionic CPU
Long battery life
|
Cons
Fast charger not included
Just 64GB of storage to start
|
TechRadar
A still-great iPhone
|
Pros
Improved camera
A new range of colors
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Cons
Design not altered
Battery life not best-in-class
|
We ranked Google Pixel 4a #16 in September 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Top-notch camera
- Affordable
- Good OLED display quality
- Barely an all-day battery
The Google Pixel 4a is a decent smartphone that, based on expert’s opinions, is the best Android phone for someone on a budget. It has a 5.8-inch screen that’s sufficient but not large enough to cater to everyone’s liking. The Snapdragon 730G processor can handle daily tasks but may choke a bit in games. The camera system is quite good, able to produce high-quality photos. Experts also agree that the quality of shots taken in low-light or at night is quite good.
The battery on the 4a is definitely its weak point. It failed to impress experts, given that a full charge barely lasts a day. Another weakness is the plastic casing, but given the price range, it is understandable. Still, reviewers concede that this phone is a good option for the price.
Laptop Mag
Best budget Android smartphone
|
Pros
Astounding value
Unmatched camera at this price
Solid OLED display
|
Cons
Weak battery life
Low-end CPU
|
Digital Trends
Best small smartphone
|
Pros
Google’s approach to smartphones fits perfectly with a small, simple, and price-friendly phone.
|
We ranked Google Pixel 4A 5G #17 in September 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
ZD Net
Best affordable 5G phone
|
Pros
Google Pixel camera is fantastic
5G support
Affordable
Timely updates and years of support
|
Cons
Limited RAM and storage
No telephoto camera
|
Laptop Mag
Best Android phone for most people
|
Pros
Flagship tier camera
Solid display
Support for 5G
Great value
|
Cons
Middling performance
|
T3
The best budget Pixel phone
|
Pros
Great camera
Pure software
Excellent price
|
Cons
Not as premium as Pixel 5
|
We ranked Xiaomi Mi 11 #18 in September 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
T3
A strong new entry to the best phone top table
|
Pros
Quality large display
Strong camera experience
Rapid wireless charging
Android 11 out of the box
|
Cons
Average battery life
Slow in-screen fingerprint scanner
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 #19 in September 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Creative Bloq
Most polished foldable available
|
Pros
Powerful
Beautiful design
|
Cons
Very expensive
Cameras could be better
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S20 #20 in September 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Creative Bloq
Excellent across the board
|
Pros
Amazing screen
Brilliant camera
|
Cons
Busy interface
Dull design
|
TechRadar
Previously the best two smartphones in town
|
Pros
A top screen
Excellent cameras
|
Cons
Still quite high price
Iterative improvements
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