Best Mobile Phones (May 2023)

Expert comment:   The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the pinnacle of flagship experience, at least in the Android world. While not changing much in terms of design from last time around, the phone boasts of a massive 200MP primary camera on the back. There's also the specially customised Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that sorts out your performance needs amicably. Samsung, being the king of displays, has provided a 6.8-inch Super AMOLED QHD+ panel that has a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of up to 1,750nits. Finally the device has an S-pen that slots right into the body and a 5,000mAh battery.

Expert comment:   Apple's latest iPhone 14 Pro Max can be considered at the pinnacle of smartphone prowess. While demanding a sizeable pricetag, the iPhone 14 Pro Max also delivers the fastest performance in its segment thanks to the A16 Bionic chipset. The phone boasts of a 120Hz Super AMOLED panel and comes with the all new Dynamic Island which replaces the iconic iPhone notch. With Apple's control over the device's software and hardware features, the iPhone 14 Pro Max should be at the top of your consideration in the premium smartphone segment.

Expert comment:   The Vivo X90 Pro is a top-of-the-line smartphone featuring a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 9200 processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage. It runs on Android 13 with Funtouch OS 13 and has a triple-camera setup, including a 1-inch 50MP primary camera and a 32MP front-facing camera. The phone has a sleek design with a vegan leather back, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and 5G connectivity. It also has a 4870mAh battery and supports a whopping 120W fast charging solution, making it a premium device for those seeking advanced features

Expert comment:   Xiaomi's 13 Pro is in contention for being perhaps the best flagshp phone in the country right now. It packs in a stellar 50MP triple-camera setup that is co-developed by Leica. Needless to say the device's image taking capabilities are extremely good. Packed inside the premium ceramic build is a 4,800mAh battery that can be charged at 120W speeds to give it a very quick top-up. Performance is of course handled by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 while the software is Xiaomi's new MIUI 14. Finally, the curved AMOLED panel up front has a WQHD+ resolution and 120Hz of refresh rate.

Expert comment:   After a long hiatus, Google is back in theIndian market with its flagship Pixel devices. The Pixel 7 Pro is backed up with the company's new Tensor G2 chipset that enhances the device's machine learning and AI capabilties. Although performance levels do not match the ultra flagship standards, the Pixel 7 Pro's 50MP primary shooter and 48MP telephoto lens do manage to click some of the best photos in the smartphone world. The viewing experience on the device also remains unencumbered thanks to a 120Hz Super AMOLED panel with a 1440p resolution.

Expert comment:   The OPPO Find N2 Flip is one of the first foldables of the year to launch in India and it does a much better job of the clam-shell form factor than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. The Find N2 Flip delivers in the usage experience and also packs in a punch with things like performance and cameras. There is the Dimensity 9000+ operating on the inside while the optics are handled by a 50MP primary shooter and an 8MP ultra-wide. As for the cover screen on the outside, it is a 3.26-inch AMOLED panel while on the inside is a 6.8-inch foldable E6 panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Expert comment:   The Galaxy S23+ is, in all regards, exactly the same same as the Galaxy S23. The biggest difference arises in its screen size which is bumped up to 6.6-inch. Also the battery is also increased to 4,700mAh capacity. The phone uses the same customised Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC from Qualcomm that gives it outright better performance in the segment. As far as its optical setup goes, the device has a 50MP primary shooter, a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP 3X telephoto lens. The screen is of course a Dynamic AMOLED panel 120Hz refresh rate, 1,750 nits of peak brightness and more.

Expert comment:   With new flagship internals, a better camera array and basically the same design as before, Samsung's new Galaxy S23 is a rather iterative update from last year. It does make use of a customised Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC from Qualcomm that gives it outright better performance in the segment. As far as its optical setup goes, the device packs in a 50MP primary shooter, a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP 3X telephoto lens. The screen is of course top-notch at 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate, 1,750 nits of peak brightness and more. Finally the compact smartphone has 3,900mAh battery.

Expert comment:   The latest Apple iPhones are here and the lineup is headlined by the all-new iPhone 13 Pro Max. This time around, Apple has finally furnished its top dog with a 120Hz high-refresh rate display along with a more powerful custom silicon in the form of the A15 Bionic SoC. It also helps that the smartphone offers newer imaging sensors that click stunning images come night or day. Apple has also incorporated some new features with the iPhone 13 lineup including a Cinematic Video mode, as well as Photographic styles that will undoubtedly elevate a user's photography and cinematography experience.

Expert comment:   Samsung has truly refined the fodling smartphone experience with the Galaxy Z Fold4. While being an incremental update from the Fold 3, the device still has top-of-the-line processing capabilties, S-pen support, five cameras and more for a truly flagship experience. The inner screen is 120Hz AMOLED that opens up to measure 7.4-inch while on the front Samsung keeps the 6.2-inch panel. As for optics, there is a 4MP under-display camera on the inside, 10MP on the cover screen and a triple-camera setup on the back. All of this is kept running thanks to a 4,400mAh battery.

Expert comment:   The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the most loaded flagship from the company’s stables yet, scoring high on most aspects like performance, cameras and usage experience. The included S Pen acts as the cherry on top, and is a highly useful accessory to have.

Expert comment:   Currently the Vivo X80 Pro is arguably the best phone in the market for photography. It has a superlative camera array consisting of a 50MP Samsung GNV sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide shooter and a 5X persicope lens. With an array of features on offer for photography and videography, the X80 Pro is the most verstaile phone in the camera department. It also packs in the latest specs including a Snpadragon Gen 1 chipset, a WQHD+ 120Hz E5 AMOLED panel and up to 80W of charging speeds.

Expert comment:   The OnePlus 11 5G is one of the fastest phones on the planet currently thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC being harboured inside. Trying to get back to its flagship killer roots, the OnePlus 11 employs a trio of Sony IMX sensors on the back to take some extremely great shots in both dayllight and night time scenarios. The phone also boasts of 100W of super fast charging and a 5,000mAh cell that'll last you just about the entire day. Finally the viewing experience on the device is top-notch as well with a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED 120Hz panel that has a QHD+ resolution.

Expert comment:   The compact clamshell design of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 makes it one of the most portable smartphones in the market. The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen can refresh at 120Hz while also folding shut to reveal a smaller secondary screen on the outside. For processing needs, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC makes the Flip 4 one of the fastest phones on the planet. Cameras include a dual 12MP setup on the back and a 10MP selfie shooter on the front. As for the battery, the 3,700mAh battery is decent enough for a day's use.

Expert comment:   The iQOO 11 is the first phone in the Indian market to come with Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. With its unparalled performance metrics, snappy response times along with a large vapour cooling system, the iQOO 11 can handle any processor-intensive tasks thrown its way. As far as the viewing experience is concerned, the 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED panel with a 2K resolution and 144Hz of refresh rate should quench your thirst for media consumption. On top of that the phone has a 5,000mAh battery that can be charged a 120W and 50MP triple-camera setup.

Expert comment:   The OnePlus 11R is an all-round budget flagship offering that makes great use of its hardware. Power users will be happy to see the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC being employed on the 11R along with up to 16GB of LPDRR5 RAM. The triple-camera layout on the device is not the best but its primary shooter is actually quite good no matter the lighting conditions. As usual you get a Fluid AMOLED panel that has 120Hz refresh rate and decent brightness levels. Finally the 11R is able to juice up its 5,000mAh battery at 100W speeds.

Expert comment:   The Xiaomi 12 Pro is the company's flagship offering of the year and it can be considered a truly remarkable phone for its price. Backed by a triple-camera setup each with a 50MP shooter, photography enthusisats will have several avenues to explore with the device. Even performance needs are met thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and up to 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The phone's large 6.78-inch AMOLED panel is designed for visual pleasure and the battery can be juiced up rapidly with120W charging.

Expert comment:   The OnePlus brand has never been on top of the photography charts when compared to other premium flagship brands. With the OnePlus 10 Pro, the company is trying to redeem its brand value. The device packs in a triple-camera setup with the 48MP primary sensor from Sony's stable while the 50MP ultra-wide comes from Samsung. The phone has the backing of Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 along with support for fast 80W charging speeds. Alongside that the device also packs in a top-notch, super brightt WQHD+ 120Hz panel for the optimum viewing experience.

Expert comment:   Samsung has the knack of releasing phones that set the benchmark for other flagship devices early in the year. The Galaxy S22 Plus continues the trend with its top-notch cameras, fast processing and the best-in-class display. For the first time the Galaxy S series is getting a flagship Qualcomm chipset in the form of the Snapdragon Gen 1 and it is paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The 50MP camera is supported by a 3X telephoto and 12MP ultra-wide shooter. A 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED panel sets the bar high for viewing experience. Finaly there is the 4,500mAh battery with up to 45W charging support.

Expert comment:   The Vivo X80 is not marketed as the company's marquee flagship offering but it does hold on its own against the competition. It is powered by MediaTek's flagship Dimensity 9000 SoC making it one of the fastest phones on the planet. While the X80 does not have the same camera capabiliies as its Pro moniker, the hardware it does have puts it easily in the top 10 camera phones on the market. The device supports a FHD+ 120Hz E5 AMOLED display with extreme colour accuracy, HDR10+ support and high brightness. Lastly, the 4,500mAh battery can be juiced up at 80W speeds.

Expert comment:   Can a flagship foldable phone actually justify its price tag despite its clear durability issues? The answer is still no, but Samsung Galaxy Fold3 is closest to achieving this feat. The phone comes with top-of-the-line processor, S-Pen support, under-display selfie camera, and beautiful immersive displays (both inside and out). The crease in the middle of the display is still visible and the phone can easily give up on you in tough environments but that's the price you will have to pay if you want this futuristic piece of tech that you can buy right now.

Expert comment:   Samsung went the slightly less ambitious route with the Galaxy Flip3 compared with the Galaxy Fold3 but that might have been the brand's best decision in years. With an affordable price point, great hardware, and a foldable form factor that actually makes your daily driver more compact than ever, Galaxy Flip3 is probably the first foldable phone you should consider buying. Keep in mind that no phone with a foldable form factor can be described as particularly durable, and you would be good to go.

Expert comment:   The iQOO 9 Pro 5G can be considered the epitomy of offering the best specs in the premium flagship department. Having the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC is just the beginning of it. The device's viewing experience is handled by a WQHD+ 120Hz AMOLED panel with LTPO 2.0 technology. There is an in-display fingerprint reader which happens to be the fastest in the industry, two 50MP cameras for photography needs and 4,700mAh battery that can juice up at 120W.

Expert comment:   Vivo recently forayed into the premium segment with the X-series of phones. We have already been mighty impressed with the company's X60 Pro Plus and this year, the brand one-upped the competition with the X70 Pro Plus which improves upon its predecessor and offers both, wireless charging as well as IP rating. What's more, the device also comes with a phenomenal camera setup that is headlined by a 48MP Gimbal camera and a 50MP main sensor. Rest assured, if you want a capable Android that can do justice to stills as well as videos, then you cannot go wrong with the X70 Pro Plus.

Expert comment:   The iQOO 9T has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC at the helm for processing needs, making it one of the fastest phones on the planet. It ships with a 6.78-inch, FHD+, E5 AMOLED panel that can refresh at 120Hz and also has a dedicated V1+ chip for visual enhancements. As for cameras the 50MP GN5 handles primary image taking responsibilites supported by a 13MP ultra-wide and 12MP portrait lens. Combined with stereo speakers, 120W fast charging and more, the iQOO 9T is a top recommendation.

Expert comment:   The OnePlus 10T is current;y one of the most powerful devices in terms of its processing capabilties thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC housed inside. Benchmark scores indicate that the OnePlus 10T also does not throttle under sustained load and manages to deliver excellent performance on any task. As for the viewing experience, teh 6.7-inch, FHD+ (2,412×1,080), Fluid AMOLED panel amplifies your visual content. You also get a 150W charging capabiltiy on the 4,800mAh battery, which can juice up the phone in less than 20 minutes, and a reliable software experience.

Expert comment:   The Realme GT 2 Pro is currently the company's best attempt at a flagship smartphone and it certainly makes heads turn. The device packs in the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset while also getting a WQHD+ LTPO 2.0 AMOLED panel that refreshes at 120Hz. In terms of photography, you will not find a better combo at this price than the two 50MP shooters provided on the back. With its suave backpanel design, large 5,000mAh battery that supports 65W charging along with excellent stereo speakers, the GT 2 Pro is one of the best smartphones on the market.

Expert comment:   On paper, the iPhone 13 might not seem as equipped as some other competing devices on this list. That said, the smartphone is still backed by the fastest mobile processor from Apple in the form of A15 Bionic SoC. Lastly, the smartphone's cameras are a notch above what you'd get with the iPhone 12. In fact, the iPhone 13 clicks sharper images during the day and at night, the shots have lesser noise in them too. It also helps that the phone benefits from Apple's sensor shift technology and supports photographic styles and cinematic video mode too.

Expert comment:   Realme's efforts with the GT Neo 3 have been to secure a stronger foothold on the budget flagship market and with its impressive spec sheet lineup, it certianly makes a statement. The device has150W super fast charging technology that allows for instant battery top up. MediaTek is also providing the phone with a Dimensity 8100 chipset while on the optics side, the 50MP Sony IMX766 handles primary photo taking responsibilities. Display-wise the phone makes do with an AMOLED panel that can refresh at 120Hz. The Realme GT Neo 3 has all the makings of a great Android handset.

Expert comment:   OnePlus 10R continues where the previous iteration left off and tries to secure the budget flagship segment for the company. The device is powered by the new MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC that gives it parity to current flagship smartphones from Qualcomm. The phone has the ability to charge at 150W which can top up the 5,000mAh battery less than 20 minutes. The phone is covered from a software standpoint as well while image taking is handled by a trio of sensors. With subtle design choices and an excellent 120Hz AMOLED panel, the OnePlus 10R is one to look out for.

Expert comment:   The POCO F4 5G checks all the right boxes while being priced below the Rs 30,000 mark. With a 64MP primary camera that can snap impeccable photos and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 870 SoC at the helm to offer lightening fast processing speeds, the POCO F4 is truly a breakthrough device. The phone doesn't cut corners in the viewing department thanks to the 6.67-inch E4 AMOLED panel up front that can refresh at 120Hz. Combine that with a sturdy build quality, 80W fast charging and more, the POCO F4 is the smartphone to beat this year.

Expert comment:   The OPPO Reno8 Pro touts a familiar yet enticing spec sheet headlined by the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC. While its pricing can be considered a bit high the Redno8 Pro still packs in quite a punch. The device impresses the audience with its stylish aesthetic and lightweight design. In the camera department, the device features a 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor which works alongside an 8MP ultrawide shooter. The screen up front is an Full HD+, AMOLED panel that can refresh at 120Hz while battery needs are taken care by the 4,500mAh cell.

Expert comment:   ASUS ROG Phone 5 deserves a category of its own but as we don't have that now, lets just say it is the best value for money premium phone in the market. Why we say that you ask? The ROG Phone 5 doesn't compromise in any department at all. Whether it is display, where you get industry-leading 144Hz refresh rate, or battery life for days, this phone truly exceeds expectations. Also, did we mention that it looks like a gamer's dream? Now you know.

Expert comment:   iQOO 7 Legend can be described as a dark horse. While no one saw this phone coming, once it arrived, everyone took notice of it. The handset comes with top-of-the-line chipset, but more importantly, you can feel that the phone is blazing fast in real-world performance. You also get 120Hz display refresh rate and fast-charging support. If you can somehow get past the weird branding of the phone, iQOO 7 Legend is one of the most attractive phones in this price range.

Expert comment:   It is no surprise that the most affordable phone with Snapdragon 888 SoC lands directly on this list. However, Realme GT 5G is more than that. The phone doesn't just deliver big time on performance but comes with a design that can best be described as a head-turner. While we didn't find the camera quality offered by the phone to be particularly impressive, the phone doesn't aim to be the best camera phone in this category anyway. If you want a no-nonsense phone that offers powerful hardware and 5G support, Realme GT 5G does just that.

Expert comment:   Realme's latest smartphone shatters the barriers of camera performance in the mid-range segment. It packs in flagship-level optical hardware including the 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor. The 6.4-inch AMOLED display on the front is highly colour calibrated for the price and supports HDR10+ and a 90Hz refresh rate. Together with a Dimensity 920 SoC and stellar battery life, the Realme 9 Pro+ is surely the top phone to consider below the Rs 25,000 mark.

Expert comment:   Realme's latest attack on the budget flagship space comes in the form of the new Realme GT NEO 2 5G which is priced starting at Rs 31,999. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, the device will push through all kinds of processor-intrensic tasks without breaking a sweat. The 6.6-inch AMOLED panel supports a 120Hz refresh rate and Samsung's E4 Luminiscent material for excellent contrast ratios and lower power consumption. Together with a 64P triple-camera setup and a 65W charging capability on its 5,000mAh battery, the Realme GT Neo 2 is definitely a device to keep in mind.

Expert comment:   It is hard to not include Realme X7 Max on this list as the handset ticks all the right boxes when it comes to important specifications. Whether it is 5G connectivity or processor capability, camera performance or premium design, the phone leaves little room for any complaints. Now, let us be very clear that this phone doesn't offer best possible hardware in any of these fields, but because it comes at such an affordable price point, we can't hold this against Realme X7 Max. If you go for this phone, you won't have any regrets.

Expert comment:   OnePlus Nord 2, the latest addition to the brand's affordable Nord series, is a perfect fit between the premium mid-range phones and the affordable mid-range phones that offer good features. The phone basically tries to offer best of both worlds and in many departments, does it successfully. OnePlus Nord 2 is a perfect phone for you if you're looking at a phone that offers a clean UI, supports 5G connectivity, takes decent images, and offers good battery life. While the phone doesn't excel in one particular area, it tries to cover most aspects.

Expert comment:   The iQOO Z6 Pro continues to push forward the newly found legacy of the former Vivo sub-brand in the mid-range market. Like all iQOO devices, the focus of the Z6 Pro falls squarely on performance. To that end the device has a Snapdragon 778G handling processing while the supporting cast includes 8GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. Improvements have been made to the viewing experience thanks to an AMOLED display which is capable of refreshing at 90Hz and has 1,300 nits of peak brightness. Lastly, the phone's 64MP camera makes it a decent image capturing machine.

Expert comment:   Xiaomi has had a distinguished record for delivering quality smartphone experience for the price as part of its signature Redmi Note series. The company's latest, called the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ looks to build on the legacy. On offer is a 108MP primary camera alongside a 120Hz AMOLED panel, both of which are best-in-class. The processing is handled by the capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC while RAM and storage options are bountiful. Together with its stylish design, lasting battery and fast charging capabilties, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is likely the best phone under Rs 20,000.

Expert comment:   The Realme 9 SE 5G is truly a special phone thanks to the extreme performane boost provided by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 778 SoC. Apart from its blistering processing capabilties, the Realme 9 SE 5G also has the segment first 144Hz refresh rate panel adding to the fluidity of the UI. The 5,000mAh battery runs the device easily for more than a day and it can be topped up at 30W. It has a 48MP sensor at the helm for image capturing and the device runs on Android 11 for the time being.

Expert comment:   Redmi 9 Prime came like a breath of fresh air in the market that was disrupted by the price hikes due to change in GST rates in India. The handset is priced below Rs 10,000 but you get a quad camera setup, a really good processor, good battery life, and even fast charging support with the Redmi 9 Prime. While Xiaomi was losing its charm with the aggressive push from Realme and Samsung in last year, Redmi 9 Prime put the brand back in the driving position for this price segment.

Expert comment:   Remember the times when you had to compromise on various fronts when buying a budget phone? Realme C3 is testament to the fact that times have changed. With Realme C3, you get a premium-looking handset that offers a clean UI and a fullscreen display view.The handset even manages to offer 2-day battery life, a feat that is matched by few phones in the market regardless of the price range. The camera department could have been better but you can only point this out if you forget the retail price of this phone in the first place.

Expert comment:   After the hike in GST rates in April 2020, we were all worried for a while whether great value for money phones from Xiaomi and Realme will ever be available at as good prices as they were available earlier. Redmi 9A is a proof that those days are just around the corner again. The phone comes with modern aesthetics, decent processor, and a massive battery life to offer a decent deal for the price. While you will have to make some compromises in display and camera quality, at this price point, it should be understandable.