Best flagship phones 2023 - buyer’s guide

Last updated 2 November 2023


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  • S23U User
  • dQd
  • 15 Mar 2023

Surely the S23 Ultra should also be on this list, maybe they're waiting for the update at the end of this month that optimizes the cameras?

    B52, 06 Dec 2022It is great that you have an update log at the end! Sti... moreI believe, and l stress, *Keeping it on the I* Whoever pays more gets the top seat, obliviously it's not overall integrity of device.......

      • S
      • Sin
      • 0RN
      • 17 Dec 2022

      You got too be kidding editor's choice

      The Galaxy Z Fold4 this very niche market

      Am no stranger too buying unique smartphones am more willing too explement then most

      A screen on the back of a bar shaped smartphone is ok
      But this is too far even for me

      I definitely won't want too carry around a silly folding book or have any interest in this from factor whatsoever

      This is a folding tablet you may as well be includeding tablets at this point as best phone

        Anonymous, 01 Dec 2022They removed the S22 Ultra from this list? Seriously now?I mean yeah, has decent cameras but not even top 5 in quality (maybe the selfie is good but back cameras are "meh") , way too heavy with added pen that 5% of the owners will use, uses exynos chip in a lot of countries, has melting battery problems again, has performance/power issues, only has an 8 bit screen without dolby vision for content, uses one UI (depends who you are but to some it's a negative), no charger in the box and has slow charging, I'm sure they've had security flaws with the titan chip too and no special or top end premium materials like ceramic plus it doesn't have the best speakers either, not even top 5 again.

        It's not the best phone (tbf neither is the z fold 4, linustechtips reviewed it and wasn't really that impressed with it, didn't see it as a real upgrade over the 3 and even said the 4 has downgraded in some ways to the 3 so he stuck with his fold 3).

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          • B52
          • gLC
          • 06 Dec 2022

          It is great that you have an update log at the end!

          Still, I am really surprised about Fold4 kicking out S22 Ultra.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • dWB
            • 01 Dec 2022

            They removed the S22 Ultra from this list? Seriously now?

              Ι have the fold4 and can only second the editor's choice. Definitely the best flagship for me. Not sure if it's the best for most people.

                • M
                • Mate
                • 0Tn
                • 17 Nov 2022

                How can a foldable phone with crease and a gap be the best? it apparently sports the only two things that should not be seen on a foldable phone!

                  Shirleyboy, 14 Nov 2022Totally agree. For many, if you want more real estate you u... moreThe problem to me isn't even the thickness when folded. It's just that the phone has to have too much compromise to have an acceptable foldable factor. The camera is not the best, the inner screen, because it's made of flexible display, is VERY prone to damage, and a lot of games just doesn't scale well with such strange display ratio. And while I do sometimes wish that my S22 Ultra to have just a little more horizontal dimension because my hand is quite large and thus using the S-Pen on such a small area can be awkward, but that alone is not worth the compromises that come along with it.

                    For me, my top three flagship phone of 2022 has to be the Sony Xperia 1 iv, Vivo X80 Pro, and Xiaomi 12S Ultra, in that particular order. I put Xiaomi in third place because it will forever be a China-only model, so it's not going to be easy to import one and deal with the warranty status. Both Sony and Vivo phones are officially available in my country, so it's not going to be a problem for me to buy both of them at any time. That said, I put Vivo in second place because of the telephoto camera. Not only Sony can give variable continuous zoom for the Xperia 1 iv's telephoto camera, but it can also do native 4K/120fps video recording. More than that, Sony still keeps the still-relevant 3.5mm audio jack and microSD card support, so that ultimately gets my top vote.

                      ShinDragon, 31 Oct 2022Kinda disagree that the Z-Fold4 is on top tho. It should be... moreTotally agree. For many, if you want more real estate you used a tablet or a laptop.

                        Kinda disagree that the Z-Fold4 is on top tho. It should be a niche pick. IMO 1st and 2nd place should be S22 Ultra and 14 Pro Max, depending on whether you like an Android or Apple phone. Right now the foldable form factor is just too niche to be consider the undisputed best flagship

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                          • rRadD
                          • XS8
                          • 24 Oct 2022

                          Seriously??? Fold is the editor's choice? LOL!

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • uc5
                            • 13 Oct 2022

                            Tigolebitties, 27 Aug 2022We all know why OnePlus isn't in the list lmaooowhy!

                              We all know why OnePlus isn't in the list lmaooo

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                                • Motorola one action
                                • 8Pq
                                • 11 Jul 2022

                                5G

                                  • S
                                  • Sin
                                  • 0Rw
                                  • 10 Jul 2022

                                  Phonewz, 31 Mar 2021What is a flagship phone?A flagship smartphone

                                  Is supposed too be the best overall smartphone highest end model smartphone

                                  A premium smartphone
                                  With a 800 series Snapdragon processors or equal alternative paired with 90hz or 120hz oled screen

                                  For example the the Sony Xperia 4 with 4k 120hz screen
                                  Or the ASU ZenFone 8 filp with 90hz oled screen & flip up multi cameras good as main camera & selfie camera

                                  Though in 2022 gaming smartphone do have overall better specs and hardware so if you want the best smartphones money can buy it will be a gaming smartphone the performance & software control overall the hardware is just superior on top of better power management battery settings and Extreme performance and responsive screen ultra fast screen

                                  I know this because I used too buy flagship smartphones
                                  But after using a gaming smartphone I see what I was missing out on

                                    The list itself is outdated. When you gonna update the list?

                                      Huawei sneak

                                        • B
                                        • Beep
                                        • thw
                                        • 28 Nov 2021

                                        Hannan, 05 Sep 2021what about Meizu 18 pro. in my prospective it is much bette... more120 Hz only runs at 1080p
                                        2K limited @60Hz
                                        There's no plan to bring 2K 120 Hz for future update,
                                        So far it's a China Only devices, there's no global launch or proper coverage talked bout that device. No info bout software update promises
                                        Altough the specs look superior, well phone is not just about specs on paper my friend...