And whether you prefer Android or iOS-based devices, it’s important to factor in pricing and device longevity when shopping for a new smartphone.  To help you decide which is the best phone for you, I’ve put together a list of the top smartphones you can buy right now, all thoroughly tested, daily-driven, and nominated by industry analysts, veterans in the mobile space, and, of course, ZDNET’s team of subject matter experts. No matter what your preference is, there’s a pick on this list that will satisfy your user needs. 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? Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 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. 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. It 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’s 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. 
Review: iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max Just as important is the upgraded 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.
Months later, the Google Pixel 7 Pro still impresses with a camera array that features a 50MP main lens, a 48MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide that shoots better low-light photography than ever before. ZDNET’s Jason Cipriani test both the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro back in October and found the latter the most impressive for its new 30x Super Res Zoom, suggesting that “Someone (Google) finally showed Samsung how these fancy zoo features are supposed to look.” Like the year before’s Pixel 6 Pro, the latest Google flagship complements the improved camera hardware with its tried-and-tested computational chops, including Magic Eraser for on-the-fly content-aware fill, a new Macro Focus for enhanced zoom-in shots (up to 30x), and more.  That’s not to take away from the overall design and performance of the Pixel smartphone. The Pro model still features the now-iconic Pixel camera bump that beams from side to side, polished aluminum build quality, and a vivid 6.7-inch LTPO display that refreshes between 1 to 120Hz. The larger footprint also gives room for a beefy 5,000mAh battery that should keep the Pixel running for hours on end.  Review: Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro At $899, the Pixel 7 Pro undercuts its closest competitors, the iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Even then, you can expect snappy performance thanks to the Tensor G2 chip, with at least five years of consistent software and security updates.  While the clock is ticking for the upcoming Pixel 7a, last year’s Pixel 6a remains the best pick for younger children or teens, or those on a budget. It retails for $449, though occasional sales make it easy to find the affordable Pixel for as low as $300. And just because the phone is budget-friendly doesn’t mean it skimps out on features. Despite its price, ZDNET’s reviewer Jason Cipriani found the experiences of the Pixel 6a nearly identical to that of its more-expensive sibling, the Pixel 6 Pro.  For example, the 6.1-inch screen uses an OLED panel for better color volume and range, enhanced contrast, and improved detailing. The Google Tensor processor has also been carried over from the Pro version, letting you launch apps, call, text, and video chat faster and more easily. Review: Google Pixel 6a With 128GB of internal storage, there’s plenty of space for photos, videos, apps, and documents. And if you need more room, you can sync your phone to your favorite cloud storage service to free up your local drive. The phone is also water resistant up to 4 feet, so you won’t have to worry about rain, sweat, or spills ruining the phone. A slow-charging phone can be a real pain point, especially if you’re always on the go. That’s why the OnePlus 11 carves out its own best category, beating Apple, Google, and even Samsung when it comes to charging speed. The latest model comes with 100W SuperVooc fast charging or 80W in the US, which is still great.  For reference, the highest-end iPhone 14 Pro Max has a charging speed limit of 30W and Samsung’s just-released Galaxy S23 Ultra caps out at 45W. From ZDNET’s testing and comparisons, both of those devices take a least an hour to go from 0% to 75% battery, falling noticeably short of the OnePlus 11’s numbers. In less than 27 minutes, the OnePlus can go from empty to full. That charging speed, and the fact that OnePlus includes its proprietary charger in the box, put it a step above the rest. Review: OnePlus 11 The best part is that the rest of the phone is no slouch either; you’re getting a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a 5,000mAh dual-cell battery, and a competitive triple-camera array that gets the job done. In total, OnePlus is charging you a starting rate of $699, which is just as good of a value pickup as the best budget smartphone on this list. Flip phones have made a (somewhat) triumphant return with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, once again letting you sassily hang up on someone by snapping the phone shut while also bringing the form factor up to speed with modern expectations.  While the larger Galaxy Z Fold 4 is both flashier and more powerful, “most people are better served with the Galaxy Z Flip 4, which is more affordable, acts as its own selfie tripod, and disappears in your pocket,” says Avi Greengart, Lead Analyst at Techsponential. The Flip 4 is incredibly compact when folded, about 3 inches square, making it perfect for slipping into your pocket, purse, or travel bag. It also features a cover screen to provide quick, easy-to-read alerts for phone calls, texts, and app notifications without needing to open your phone.  Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 And not only is the Flip 4 compact, but it’s also water and dust-resistant, so rain, sweat, and everyday use won’t be an issue. The screen uses Corning Gorilla Glass to protect against cracks, scratches, and chips while still giving you complete control over your apps and phone.  Can’t decide between the Flip 4 and Fold 4? You can read our full comparison to help you decide which is the right folding phone for you. The previous generation of iPhones is still a great option if you’re looking to upgrade but aren’t concerned with having the latest and greatest models. The iPhone 13 Pro offers up to 1TB of internal storage for apps, photos, videos, and music, but if you somehow need more room, you can sync your phone to iCloud to free up local drive space.  The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display gives you incredibly lifelike images with great color volume and detailing that’s perfect for photography, as well as streaming videos and video chatting with friends and family. “This (iPhone 13 Pro) is certainly very viable given the excellent software support that Apple provides, typically supporting five generations of iOS features,” adds Ben Wood, Chief Analyst and CMO of CCS Insight. “Usually, the biggest challenge for any user will be battery deterioration or a broken screen, both of which can be replaced to extend the lifespan of the device.” Review: iPhone 13 Pro Aren’t sure if you should spring for the iPhone 14? You can read our full comparison of the iPhone 13 and new iPhone 14 to see which model is best for you. If you’re looking for your teen’s first smartphone, a budget-friendly and less feature-heavy option may be better to prevent overspending as well as misuse. And if you’re a content creator or other creative professional, you’ll want a phone with an excellent front and rear camera to capture photos and videos for your social media feed. Over the past year, we tested new phones from Google, Samsung, Apple, OnePlus, and several others. Also: Google Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Which flagship should you buy? For example, the latest iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts a 29-hour battery life. But you’ll most certainly get less than that if you habitually scroll through social media or stream video and music. And the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 has just a 9 hour battery life, which is further reduced by streaming, social media, and making calls.