The very best smartphones available have top-notch cameras, the kind of processing power needed for multitasking, and a sizeable battery.
In order to help you choose the best smartphone for your needs and budget, we also compare the top camera phones to see which ones offer the best image quality under various lighting conditions.
Due to the fact that there are outstanding solutions available at various price points, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to buy something excellent.
You can get a dependable mid-range phone with all the features you need for less than $500.
On our list of the best smartphones, there is a phone for everyone, from great prices to amazing flagships for those who are willing to pay a premium.
We’ve included all the top phones below based on our tests.
The top smartphones are listed below.
The best cell phones currently on the market
1. iPhone 14 Pro Max
In general, the best phone.
Specifications
- Display Size: 6.7-inch OLED (2796 x 1290)
- CPU: A16 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / No
- Rear Cameras: 48MP (f/1.8) main with 2x optical zoom, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 12MP (f/2.8) telephoto with 3x optical zoom
- Front Camera: 12MP (f/1.9)
- Weight: 8.5 ounces
- Battery Life (Hrs:Mins): 14:42
Advantages
- Outstanding 48 MP camera.
- Incredible Dynamic Island.
- Best-in-class battery life.
- Outstanding Action mode.
Disadvantages
- Continues to charge at 20W.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best phone since it has all the features you might desire in a flagship.
You can see the clock, battery level, widgets, and notifications without turning on the phone thanks to the new always-on functionality.
A stunning 6.7-inch display is also included.
Even better is the brand-new Dynamic Island, which replaces the notch and shows everything from timers and music playback status to your next Maps destination near the top of the screen.
Along with a powerful new 48MP camera that gives you the choice of brighter images or greater resolution in ProRAW, the iPhone 14 Pro Max also has a powerful A16 Bionic CPU that crushes all Android phones.
Furthermore, the new video Action Mode is highly smooth and fascinating.
The best feature of this device, which makes it a true beast and well worth the price, is the battery life, which we observed to be close to 15 hours.
2. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The best Samsung phone.
Specifications
- Display: 6.8-inch OLED (3200×1400; 1-120Hz)
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8GB, 12GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Rear Camera: 108MP wide (f/2.2), 12MP ultra wide (ƒ/2.2), 10MP telephoto (3x zoom, f/2.4), 10MP telephoto (10x zoom, f/2.4), laser AF sensor
- Front Camera: 40MP (ƒ/2.2)
- Weight: 8.1 oz
- Battery Life (Hrs:Mins): 10:13
Advantages
- Excellent display.
- Inbuilt S Pen.
- Improved Night mode on upgraded cameras.
- Charges 45W more quickly.
Disadvantages
- Battery life is less than that of the S21 Ultra.
- Exorbitant pricing.
- Less RAM is available at launch compared to the previous generation.
The finest Android device for heavy users is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
It has a built-in S Pen, much like the Galaxy Note, and performs 70% smoother owing to 70% less latency.
The 6.8-inch display is by far the best, boasting brightness and color saturation that are at the top of their class.
This screen is ideal for reading outside in the bright light as well as watching programs and movies.
The improved camera is the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s secondary advantage.
There is no need for Night mode because the primary 108MP sensor is larger and lets in more light.
Additionally, there are times when using Night mode will result in images that are even better than those produced by an iPhone 13 Pro Max.
When you combine 45W charging that is quicker with a fashionable design, you have a winner.
It would be nice to have a little bit longer battery life.
3. iPhone 14 Pro
The ideal smaller mobile phone.
Specifications
- Display Size: 6.1-inch OLED (2556 x 1179)
- CPU: A16 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / No
- Rear Cameras: 48MP (f/1.8) main with 2x optical zoom, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 12MP (f/2.8) telephoto with 3x optical zoom
- Front Camera: 12MP (f/1.9)
- Weight: 7.3 ounces
- Battery Life (Hrs:Mins): 10:13
Advantages
- Excellent cameras.
- Android cellphones are destroyed by A16 Bionic.
- Brighter visuals.
- Mode of Action.
Disadvantages
- Charging could go more quickly.
Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro is the best Android and iOS smartphone under $1,000.
The greatest camera performance in a one-handed design and best-in-class performance of the A16 Bionic chip is to blame for this.
The 48MP camera and Photoonic Engine of the iPhone 14 Pro create excellent low-light shots, especially outdoors.
Video is one more strong point of this phone, you have great smooth Action mode and sharp 4K Cinematic mode, which is a very clever replacement for Dynamic Island and an always-on display.
This is one of the best phones you can buy.
4. Google Pixel 6a
The best smartphone under $500.
Specifications
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED (2400 x 1080; 60Hz)
- CPU: Tensor
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No
- Rear Camera: 12.2MP wide (f/1.7), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
- Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.0)
- Weight: 6.3 ounces
- Battery Life (Hrs:Mins): 6:29
Advantages
- Excellent cameras.
- The display has good light.
- Inexpensive features powered by a tensor.
Disadvantages
- Mediocre battery life.
- Remarkably affordable materials.
These smartphones are both powered by the Tensor processor found in the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a.
That suggests that this smartphone, which costs less than $500, has access to the same AI-powered features as the more costly phone.
And Google raises the stakes even higher by adding additional tools to its outstanding Magic Erase image editing program.
Speaking of photos, the Pixel 6a carries on Google’s tradition of producing budget smartphones with top-notch cameras.
Even if the Pixel 6a’s camera hardware isn’t very outstanding, thanks to Google’s skill in computational photography, your photos will still be better than those taken with similarly priced cameras on other phones.
Even photos that can compete with those from a more costly handset could be obtained.
The Pixel 6a’s battery life might be greater, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to save money.
With the Pixel 6a, these compromises are really small, which is great.
5. Google Pixel 7 Pro
The best Android cameras.
Specifications
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED (3120 x 1440; 10-120Hz)
- CPU: Tensor G2
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB / No
- Rear Cameras: 50MP (f/1.85) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 48MP (f/3.5) with 5x optical zoom
- Front Camera: 10.8MP (f/2.2)
- Weight: 7.3 ounces
- Battery Life (Hrs:Mins): 6:31
Advantages
- Incredible cameras.
- Bright display.
- Strong chip.
- Exceptional tensor properties.
Disadvantages
- Only three years of Android updates.
- The telephoto camera’s color reproduction is a tad underwhelming.
- An inadequate battery life.
The Pixel 7 Pro is Google’s most well-known and impressive smartphone to date.
It boasts stronger cameras, a brighter screen, a stronger Tensor G2 chipset, and an enhanced design.
We still wish the battery life was better, despite the fact that it has improved this year.
Tensor G2 offers a variety of intriguing enhancements, such as Photo Unblur, Cinematic Blur, and Active Stabilization.
Google Assistant has greatly improved, including Direct My Call improvements, voice message transcription, and improved contextual understanding for speech typing.
When the enhanced Super Res Zoom and the 5x optical zoom of the Pixel 6 Pro are used together, several striking zoom effects are possible.
However, in tests, the colors of the telephoto shots appeared to be much less vibrant and a touch flatter than those of the iPhone 14 Pro.
In any event, get the Pixel 7 Pro if you want the best cameras.
Best cheap phones for 2023
These are the best affordable phones for under $500.
The finest budget phones still offer a ton of power, even if they may not have as many high-end features as flagship smartphones.
We researched many variants of these phones that cost less than $500, and they pretty much offer everything an Android or iPhone fan could desire.
We do not think that anybody would need to spend $800 or more on a flagship device when a sub-$500 smartphone delivers many of the same essential features.
The most affordable phones come with good cameras, screens big enough to watch films and play games, and batteries that can last most of the day.
5G connectivity is becoming a regular feature on low-cost phones.
You will need to make some compromises anyway because at this price point you won’t always get the most powerful CPUs, 120Hz displays, or adjustable zoom cameras.
But overall, you’ll be pleased with what the best low-cost phones have to offer.
Continue reading to learn about our best picks under $500.
In the text that follows, we bring you some of the cheap options you may consider.
Note that these are the best cheap phones currently you can buy.
The top inexpensive phones available right now
1. Google Pixel 6a
The best smartphone under $500.
Specifications
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED (2400 x 1080; 60Hz)
- CPU: Tensor
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No
- Rear Camera: 12.2MP wide (f/1.7), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
- Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.0)
- Weight: 6.3 ounces
- Battery Life (Hrs:Mins): 6:29
Advantages
- Excellent cameras.
- The display has good light.
- Inexpensive features powered by a tensor.
Disadvantages
- Mediocre battery life.
- Remarkably affordable materials.
These smartphones are both powered by the Tensor processor found in the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a.
That suggests that this smartphone, which costs less than $500, has access to the same AI-powered features as the more costly phone.
And Google raises the stakes even higher by adding additional tools to its outstanding Magic Erase image editing program.
Speaking of photos, the Pixel 6a carries on Google’s tradition of producing budget smartphones with top-notch cameras.
Even if the Pixel 6a’s camera hardware isn’t very outstanding, thanks to Google’s skill in computational photography, your photos will still be better than those taken with similarly priced cameras on other phones.
Even photos that can compete with those from a more costly handset could be obtained.
The Pixel 6a’s battery life might be greater, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to save money.
With the Pixel 6a, these compromises are really small, which is great.
2. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
The best mid-range product from Samsung.
Specifications
- Display: 6.5-inch AMOLED (2400 x 1080)
- CPU: Exynos 1280
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB / Yes
- Rear Cameras: 64MP main (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 5MP macro (f/2.4), 5MP depth (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 32MP (f/2.2)
- Weight: 6.7 ounces
Advantages
- A good screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Memory that can be expanded to 1TB.
- It is well-made and has a lovely design.
- Excellent software support.
Disadvantages
- Medium performance
If you’re searching for the greatest mid-range phone to start 2023, look no further than the Galaxy A53.
This great phone, which costs $450, performs practically everything well enough.
Its 6.5-inch AMOLED screen offers a 120Hz refresh rate.
Of course, the cameras ought to be superior, especially in light of the Pixel 5a.
They will do, though, if you don’t mind Samsung’s infamously oversaturated appearance.
Although the performance is not as strong as the iPhone SE (2022), it is still enough for the majority of daily operations.
3. iPhone SE (2022)
The best-priced iPhone.
Specifications
- Display: 4.7-inch LCD (1334×750)
- CPU: A15 Bionic
- RAM: Unknown
- Storage / Expandable: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB / No
- Rear Camera: 12MP (ƒ/1.8)
- Front Camera: 7MP (ƒ/2.2)
- Weight: 5.09 ounces
Advantages
- Affordable.
- A15 Bionic performance.
- Excellent camera performance.
Disadvantages
- A screen size of 4.7 inches.
- Big bezels.
- Cameras without a night mode.
With the iPhone SE 2022, Apple’s powerful A15 Bionic CPU improves the performance of low-cost phones.
Thanks to the same technology that powers the iPhone 13, it fully surpasses other Android phones when playing games or editing films.
Additionally, the new iPhone SE 2022 now offers a number of photography capabilities that the previous model lacked, such as Smart HDR 4, Magic Fusion for better detail, and Photographic Styles.
In fact, the iPhone SE occasionally creates photographs that are better than those of the Google Pixel 6a.
Sadly, Apple did not provide a Night option for low-light areas.
The newest iPhone SE has the same aesthetic as the outgoing model, which includes a small 4.7-inch display and large bezels.
However, some users may prefer to quickly unlock their phones using the Touch ID button that has been there for a while.
The iPhone SE 2022 is one of the best affordable smartphones despite certain drawbacks.
4. Moto G Power (2021)
A budget-friendly smartphone with long battery life.
Specifications
- Display: 6.6 inches (1600 x 720)
- CPU: Snapdragon 662
- RAM: 3GB, 4GB
- Storage / Expandable: 32GB, 64GB / Yes
- Rear Camera: 16MP wide (ƒ/1.7); 8MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 2MP macro (ƒ/2.2)
- Front Camera: 16MP (ƒ/2.0)
- Weight: 7 ounces
Advantages
- Battery life during the day.
- Low price.
- Beautiful design.
Disadvantages
- Only one Android update.
- Mediocre performance.
A very resilient phone lasts more than 11 hours on battery test.
The brand-new Moto G Power surpasses them all with a battery life of 14 hours, 4 minutes.
That is among the best phone battery life we’ve ever observed, especially given that the Moto G Power went on sale for less than $250.
The price has dropped even lower since the phone has been available for a while, especially if you select the variant with less RAM and storage.
But this device’s long-lasting battery isn’t the only reason it’s on our list of the best cheap phones.
The Moto G Power is an affordable smartphone with a large 6.6-inch full HD display, and good cameras with three lenses, a 48MP main camera, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor.
The Moto G Power 2022, a more modern model, provides a longer battery life.
Testing showed that, however, its processor is less capable than the one powering the 2021 model.
Even if the 2022 edition has superior specs, the older model is still cheaper.
5. Galaxy A32 5G
A more inexpensive, more aged Samsung 5G alternative.
Specifications
- Screen Size: 6.5 inches
- Android Version: 11 with One UI 3.1
- Processor: Dimensity 720
- Cameras: 48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 2MP depth (Rear); 13MP (Front)
- RAM / Storage: 4GB / 64GB
Advantages
- Very reasonable.
- Security upgrades going back four years.
- Powerful battery.
- 90Hz refresh rate.
Disadvantages
- Decadent HD+ visuals.
Even though more affordable 5G phones are always being produced, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is still a good option at a price under $300 provided you’re willing to make up for its mediocre display.
The A32 has a 6.5-inch screen and is a big phone.
It lasted over 12 hours in tests with its variable refresh rate enabled thanks to its sizable 5,000 mAh battery.
You may expect the Galaxy A32 to last longer overall than many other inexpensive choices because Samsung has promised three years of Android updates and four years of security fixes.
How to choose a Smart Phone
Numerous new phones are released each year.
In light of this, choosing which smartphone to buy could be difficult.
Consider the purposes for which you wish to utilize your new phone.
Do you intend to take photographs with it?
Or do you like to watch a movie?
In this essay, we’ll outline factors to consider while choosing a phone.
Each smartphone is distinct.
When selecting your choice, you should take into account several aspects depending on what you hope to do with your smartphone.
Think about the smartphone features that are most important to you.
Size
Size plays a key role in smartphone selection.
Smaller mobile phones can fit in your pocket and are easier to operate with one hand.
These smaller phones aren’t suitable for gaming, viewing movies, or watching television.
Smartphones with a little larger screen are a better choice for this.
With these, one-handed operations are more challenging.
Since they lack adequate space for a dependable battery, there aren’t many little cell phones accessible nowadays.
Camera
If you often want to use your smartphone to capture outstanding pictures, there are many complicated considerations to make.
Consider the kind of lens that the camera has as well.
A wide-angle lens may be used to capture wide-ranging landscapes, and a telephoto lens can be used to capture details up close.
Operating System
Android and iOS are the most extensively used operating systems.
iOS, which is used in Apple’s iPhones, is recognized for its security.
However, if you want to move data to a non-Apple device, there aren’t many options available.
Among the other manufacturers who employ Android as their operating system are Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi.
These businesses add their own fixed programs and other features to the operating system, enhancing it.
Regular security updates are also applied to Android One, a version of Android with fewer features.
Battery
You don’t want to swap between outlets all day long.
Make certain that the smartphone you choose has a powerful battery.
The battery life of a phone is influenced by your usage.
Check whether a device supports wireless charging or has a speedy charging option.
Speed
Whether you prefer playing games or using many apps at once, the performance of your smartphone is essential.
Finding a phone with good processing power is the main goal.
Furthermore important is the RAM.
With more RAM, a smartphone can execute more simultaneous tasks.
The operating system has an effect on speed as well.
The more recent the software version, the faster the device operates.
Updates
The lifespan of your smartphone depends on security and software updates.
Each year, Google (Android) and Apple (iOS) deliver software upgrades (Android).
These updates provide new features and, among other things, improve the functionality and battery life of your smartphone.
Security patches that address operating system weaknesses are released each month.
Each device receives software and security updates at a variable rate and frequency.
The longer and more regular the updates, the better.
4G or 5G
All smartphones today are compatible with the mobile 4G network.
By 2020, there are also a 5G network phones.
The speed of this network allows you to download a whole season of a show in a couple of minutes.
In crowded areas like a stadium or festival, your connection is less likely to drop since it is more stable.
Only mobile devices compatible with this network will be able to use 5G.
Specific comparisons
Now that you are informed, you can make a decision when choosing a smartphone.
Still, choosing might be challenging.
In case you still can not decide, look for our phone reviews and posts in which we recommend the best phones, be it the cheap or expensive option you are looking for.