Best phones of 2019: The Winners

29 December 2019
Our readers selected the best flagship, the best midranger, and the best entry-level smartphone of 2019.

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  • AnonD-731363
  • SH3
  • 29 Dec 2019

Hossein1379, 29 Dec 2019A50 is the best midranger of 2019No is not its costly and far worse than Xiaomi in every aspect.

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    • AnonD-731363
    • SH3
    • 29 Dec 2019

    At first i have to disagree with M20 as a budget device.
    I my country cost 200 euros which is a midrange category and in terms of specs compared to price Redmi 8A offers same things for half the price roughly 100 euros.
    Just to say it the Midrange winner Redmi note 8 pro starting price in my country is 207 euros in this war of winners and loosers is aproximetely same price as M20.
    So i would like to disqualify and withdrawn M20 from a budget line.
    Source for Redmi Note 8 pro 6/64GB: https://mobilne-telefony.heureka.sk/xiaomi-redmi-note-8-pro-6gb-64gb/
    Source for Samsung M20: https://mobilne-telefony.heureka.sk/samsung-galaxy-m20-m205f-4gb-64gb-dual-sim/
    Source for Xiaomi 8A: https://mobilne-telefony.heureka.sk/xiaomi-redmi-8a-2gb-32gb/

    In case of flagship i also have to disagree. ROG 2 offers much more features and a lot better specs for a half price.

    The only i settle and agree with is the midrange category where Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 pro for 250 euros is the very best device and a very easy winner.
    By the way just have to say it: A70 in my country here in Slovakia had average starting price around 450 euros. For what most people could easily buy Redmi K20 Pro Premium or other china made flagship phone for simmilar price.

    I have nothing against Samsung but paying 50% extra for a logo of company on a phone isnt my taste. Because rest as we know is made within China for China made price. Only brand name makes things much more expensive nothing else.
    Thats to my very honest opinion.

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      • Yf6981
      • XDi
      • 29 Dec 2019

      Hey the huawei y9 prime is pretty good for the amount huawei is charging you.

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        • Anonymous
        • pwk
        • 29 Dec 2019

        I think the best mid-ranger is the Xiaomi Mi 9 lite.
        Nearly fills all boxes on your checklist for an incredible price.
        Unfortunately it's a less noticed phone, though.

          IMO the best upper mid range phone this year is a tie between the Redmi K20 Pro and Realme X2 Pro.
          Best lower mid range phone is a tie between Redmi Note 8 Pro and Realme 5 Pro.
          Best budget phone is a tie between Redmi Note 8 and Realme 5.

          In these categories, it's only a battle between Redmi and Realme, nothing else gets as good as what these two offer in this price segment.

          For flagships, I do believe that every flagship phone truly deserves to win, for they have something to offer uniquely on their own

          Galaxy Note 10+ - great all-rounder
          iPhone 11 Pro Max - best video camcorder and compelling photographic capabilities
          Pixel 4 XL - best of Google software integration
          OnePlus 7T Pro - fastest phone with the most reasonable price tag
          Galaxy S10e, iPhone 11 Pro, Pixel 4, and Xperia 5 - best small flagships
          Mate 30 Pro - best camera hardware and best low light capabilities
          P30 Pro and Oppo Reno 10x Zoom - best telephoto camera
          Xperia 1 - best overall display quality
          LG V50 ThinQ - excellent dual screen concept
          ROG Phone 2 - best gaming phone, best no-compromise flagship phone
          Galaxy Fold, Mate X, and Motorola RAZR - most futuristic devices

          Did I miss something? Probably did. But they do deserve the win for having something really good in their ownselves.
          If I were to decide, let's just not fight over these phones. Each person needs different things in a smartphone. What may be for you may not be for others, and vice versa. There's no need to bash others for the sake of bragging your own phone to be the absolute best phone for everyone, because seriously, that thing DOESN'T exist.
          Besides, it would be more beneficial for us users if we simply support the progress of the smartphone industry, as it will only lead to even better products in the future.
          And with the decade about to come to an end, why don't we celebrate the enter of the new year full of joy and no hate inside our hearts, and hope for the better of everything in this world?
          It sure is a fun thing to welcome 2020 with a big smile and full of happiness and hopefulness in ourselves.
          That's all, and Happy Holidays everyone :)))

            Happymk, 29 Dec 2019Mate30pro oblitarates samsungs in everything. Iphones also... moreDespite of having latest chipset compared to sd855 the Huawei mate30 pro only outperforms note10 plus in speed and camera.. In other categories note 10 plus is best in the market to its fellow generation devices.. And talking about iPhone 11 series,, that's complete new generation device.. But still can't beat a generations old chipset sd855 came with note 10 series in speed test.. Only somehow to beat in video recording with latest software processing.. But in image capturing note 10 won.. Yes the mi note10 is blessed with Samsung 108 mp sensor.. Stop crying on internet

              Weird year for any votes around smartphones, because of the orange guy destroy it all for Huawei lovers... especially the Mate 30 serie, we all know it's always one of the best... If not THE best.

                I think the result is okay sammy is just the best

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                  • Anonymous
                  • XFQ
                  • 29 Dec 2019

                  saif2711, 29 Dec 20191.Best premium smartphone Galaxy note 10+, Runner up one pl... moreBest entry level redmi 8(or 8a) runner up realme c2

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                    • Zero
                    • JMs
                    • 29 Dec 2019

                    Apple got exiled for this contest.
                    Xiaomi won and with a Mediatek. This is a glorious day for both.
                    And Samsung won on a entry market that Xiaomi dominated.

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                      • AnonD-889996
                      • Kx1
                      • 29 Dec 2019

                      Happymk, 29 Dec 2019Mate30pro oblitarates samsungs in everything. Iphones also... moreMate 30 Pro obliterated by Google.
                      Note 10+ beats 11 Pro Max outside of camera capability.

                        X41, 29 Dec 2019GSMarena readers got it right... But imo for budget devi... moreI wish that GSMArena would release the demographic details of the voters. Samsung for example has much more Global retailers than that of any Chinese phones so I always expect that they would win in any community-driven polls. For example, Redmi is an unknown brand here in PH, Samsung is very popular, people will buy more Samsung's entry and midrange level here.

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                          • Anonymous
                          • rJX
                          • 29 Dec 2019

                          Seems Samsung is back. An year or so back, people had trouble recommending Samsung phone for a given segment, there were many alternatives. Seems Samsung had fixed their lineup and improved their VFM. Their decision to outsource manufacturing to Chinese ODM may provide more value for money in future.
                          Problem with other Chinese OEMs is they have lot many models in each segment, making it difficult to vote for a single model.

                            Mate30pro oblitarates samsungs in everything.
                            Iphones also oblitarates samsung in cameras.


                            Even mi note 10 is better then note10+

                              • X
                              • X41
                              • D07
                              • 29 Dec 2019

                              GSMarena readers got it right...

                              But imo for budget device i would still prefer redmi or realme line over M20

                              But overall it makes sense

                                Samsung's A70 is not a midrange, pricepoint-wise. But then, the chipset is and it being a distant behind the RN8Pro is NOT because it's a bad phone, it's pricepoint is just ridiculous.

                                  Redmi note 8 pro is best mid-range device for sure. But Samsung m20 can't be best Budget device. There are to many Redmi and Realme models, with great hardware and great price. For me best Budget device is redmi note 8 4/64 gb version!!

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                                    • Jack
                                    • XUi
                                    • 29 Dec 2019

                                    No surprise here, all the phones are top sellers.
                                    Btw I think the op7 sold more than the note 10 but that's just a minor difference.

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                                      • UI Goku
                                      • 803
                                      • 29 Dec 2019

                                      IpsDisplay, 29 Dec 2019I remember when folks said that a mediatek Chipset would ma... moreThat's because the Xiaomi Mi 9T was not in the poll in the first place, yet the more expensive Galaxy A70 was included...

                                        I remember when folks said that a mediatek Chipset would make the note 8 pro fail..