ZDNET’s team of mobile experts tested the latest phones on the market and curated a list of the best options, all of which offer stellar cameras, performance, battery life, and unique featur
We’ve officially hit the halfway point of 2023, and there’s already been a handful of fantastic smartphone releases, including one with a 200-megapixel camera, the return of the Motorola Razr, and Google’s very first foldable.
And if the annual timeline holds true, with Samsung a month away from launching its next big thing and Apple readying new iPhones come fall, even more great phones are on the way.
Also: Best Android phones you can buy right now
For smartphone shoppers today, ZDNET’s team of subject matter experts has compiled the definitive list of top phones you can buy right now based on our hands-on testing. Our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S23, thanks to its large display , long battery life, and 256GB of base storage. Check out all of our picks for the best phones of 2023 below, no matter your budget or your preferred phone manufacturer.
best phones of 2023
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
best phone overall
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra tech specs: Screen size: 6.8 inches | Storage: Up to 1TB | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Panel type: WQHD+ Edge | Color: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender | Battery life: 5,000 mAh | Water and dust resistant: yes
Samsung’s new Galaxy S23 Ultra is undeniably the most complete smartphone you can buy right now. It’s built with a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display that produces vibrant visuals both in the brightest and dimmest environments, a reliable 5,000mAh battery, four cameras at the rear to help you capture a variety of shots, and an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset.
That last bit is especially important given how much more powerful yet efficient the new Ultra flagship is, even when compared to last year’s S22 series. In my ZDNET review, I mentioned that “the mobile platform brings meaningful improvements to the Galaxy phone experience, while Samsung’s done its part to optimize the S23 Ultra with a larger vapor cooling chamber and more efficient back-end processing.
Together, you get a phone that’s powerful enough for any type of user, including mobile gamers.” For a smartphone that’s not made specifically for gaming, that’s as high praise as it gets, right?
The S23 Ultra proves just as much of its worth through unique specs and features, ones that truly matter to day-to-day usage. That includes the base storage of 256GB (versus the industry’s 128GB standard), the integrated S Pen that gives you enhanced precision and inputs, Samsung’s five-year commitment to security updates, and even Samsung DeX, its mobile-to-desktop service that turns your S23 Ultra into a full-on computer when connected to a monitor or TV.
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
pros
Most complete smartphone experience money can buy
Reliable quad-camera setup
256GB base storage leads the competition
Integrated S Pen stylus for enhanced functionality
cons
Phone can be unwieldy for some, especially with a case
Fast charging is still capped at 45W
Pricier than most Android phones
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best iPhone overall
pros & cons
pros
Excellent battery life and camera performance
4K and Dolby Vision support
Wi-Fi 6 support
Satellite SOS and crash detection
cons
Satellite SOS requires monthly fee
Very expensive, especially at larger storage capacities
more details
iPhone 14 Pro Max tech specs: Screen size: 6.7 inches | Storage: Up to 1TB | Processor: A16 Bionic | Panel type: Super Retina XDR | Color: Midnight, Space Black, Purple, Deep Purple, (Product)RED, Silver, Starlight | Battery life: 29 hours | Water and dust resistant: Yes
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is part of Apple’s latest lineup of smartphones, and it continues to prove why the company dominates the mobile space. The 6.7-inch display uses Apple’s Super Retina XDR panel for bright colors, finer details, and enhanced contrast. even supports 4K resolution for video playback as well as Dolby Vision for HDR. But perhaps the most intriguing visual feature is the new Dynamic Island, which transforms that notch of dead space on previous models into a notification hub.
During testing, ZDNET Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner remarked that “Despite its silly name, Dynamic Island is both functional and elegantly designed. And there are now subtle and useful new animations for a whole host of activities, from FaceID unlock to AirPods pairing to live sports scores.”
New sensors are also present on the Pro iPhone, allowing users to use Apple’s new crash detection feature, which automatically knows when you’ve been in a car accident or have fallen and contacts emergency services. The 14 Pro Max is also equipped with the new satellite SOS system, which allows you to call for help even if you don’t have LTE service.
Just as important is the up graded battery, now giving you up to 29 hours of use on a full charge. And with fast charging, you can get up to 50 percent battery with just 35 minutes of charging; which is perfect for when you forgot to charge overnight and need to top up on your lunch break or during a work meeting.
Can’t decide between the Pro and Pro Max? You can read our full comparison to see what differences there are between the two models.
Review: iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
We’ve officially hit the halfway point of 2023, and there’s already been a handful of fantastic smartphone releases, including one with a 200-megapixel camera, the return of the Motorola Razr, and Google’s very first foldable.
And if the annual timeline holds true, with Samsung a month away from launching its next big thing and Apple readying new iPhones come fall, even more great Smartphoneare on the way.