Which smartphone should i buy

If you're someone who prefers smaller, pocket-friendly devices, this is the phone for you. The 6. While battery life isn't as long as the iPhone 13, Apple's petite iPhone doesn't sacrifice on camera capabilities or processing power. Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 folds like a clamshell phone and has a stunning design. It remains one of our favorite foldable phones.

It comes with a Hz refresh rate, an "aluminum armor" body, and a flexible build that makes it super-convenient to take photos and record video. Read our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 review. But if you're a photographer or videographer looking for professional-level features, you can't go wrong. The Xperia Pro is essentially four products in one: a phone, a camera monitor, a speedy photo file transfer device, and 5G machine suitable for broadcasting and live-streaming.

Read our Sony Xperia Pro review. If you're looking for a good budget phone that comes with a basic stylus and support for 5G, then the Moto G Stylus 5 is a great pick. It features a stylus that you can store inside the phone along with a built-in Notes app to help with productivity. This phone also offers a triple-rear camera, GB of internal storage and a robust 4,mAh battery. Read our Moto G Stylus 5G review.

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Andrew Hoyle , Lynn La. In terms of specs and hardware, though, you are getting a flagship package. The screen is a beast as well, not only measuring in at 6.

The screen has an eye-popping peak brightness of 1, nits as well. The OS is also the very latest version Android, too, Android 11, and the phone has a very versatile camera system with superb macro shooting mode. Overall, another strong mobile from Xiaomi, albeit it one that is rivalled for the price by various other manufacturers, including Samsung, Huawei and OnePlus.

Every phone that OnePlus has launched over the last year has been a hit in our eyes, and the OnePlus 8T is in some ways a combination of everything that came before this year: a mix of the OnePlus 8, the OnePlus 8 Pro, and the OnePlus Nord. It combines some excellent features with a very reasonable price in the mid-range section of the market. The headline features are perhaps the Hz refresh rate on the 6.

You can juice up the phone from zero to full in the space of just half an hour or so, and that means you might not need to put your phone on charge overnight ever again. There are plenty more specs to like as well, including the top-tier Snapdragon processor and plenty of RAM and storage. The camera isn't the best in the business, but it's certainly capable of taking some decent snaps, and that extends to low light and night time photography too. You do miss out on some flagship-level extras, like IP68 waterproofing and wireless charging, but everything considered including the price this is one of the best smartphones on the market in The Vivo X51 5G represents a new breed of premium mid-range phones that are currently taking the market by storm.

They offer plenty of flagship-grade features but do so while costing less as they tend to come with more mid-tier core hardware. Combined with a lightly skinned Android 10 operating system out of the box, and a price that rings in under the majority of flagship phones, and its easy to see how the Vivo X51 5G asks the question of if you need to spend more for, benchmark scores aside, small gains in terms of usage experience.

Overall, one of the best phones on the market for offering a near-flagship experience but at a noticeably lower price point. There's a huge amount to like when it comes to the Oppo Find X3 Pro , and the premium flagship phone comfortably earns a place in our list of the best phones available right now. It's polished, it's fast, it lasts a long time between battery charges, it has a fantastic screen, and the camera is great too — was there anything else you were looking for?

The quad-lens rear camera is worth a special mention actually, because as well as offering an ultrawide mode and 2x optical zoom, it also has a microscopic mode that lets you take super-close-ups of fabric, surfaces, and more.

It's a lot of fun to use and it helps the Oppo Find X3 Pro stand out even more. It's fair to say that the handset is on the expensive side, but you get plenty back in return for your money — including 5G connectivity, the top-tier Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, IP68 protection against water and dust, and plenty more besides.

Absolutely get this one on your shortlist. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is not the best phone for most people. Think of it less as a phone and more of a mobile film or photo studio. The 6. Check out our iPhone 12 Pro Max Review for examples. But if you primarily use your phone for photography or filming, this is the cream of the Apple crop.

Yes, both those phones offer some improvements in terms of specs over the standard S21, but in terms of core usage experience they are very similar.

And, well, the S21 delivers everything you would want from a modern smartphone. You get a large Hz display, rapid 5G connectivity, a feature-packed camera system, and a strong all-round internal hardware spec.

You also get the very latest version of Android as an OS, too. The battery isn't the most capacious on this phone, that is true, and you also don't get a charger in its box also, which is an added expense unless you're already outfitted with a USB Type-C wired charger or one the best wireless chargers , but aside from that there really isn't much to dislike at all.

Choosing the right phone is no easy task, as there are so many on the market and, truth be told, many of them are very similar.

There are some core questions you should ask yourself before pulling the trigger on a smartphone upgrade, though. Firstly, you need to establish if you're going to buy the phone SIM free as in buy the phone outright upfront or on contract. Both these options have their own strengths and weaknesses.

For example, buying a phone outright, and especially if it is a premium handset, can cost a lot of money, so you need to be able to swallow that. Once the phone is bought, though, then it is yours and you can go about getting one of the best SIM only deals , which offer better allowances for less money. On contract purchases are great in the sense that they often put the phone in your hand for comparatively very little money or even for nothing, but then you need to pay for the phone over the period of your contract, which is tied to a network SIM plan that, most of the time, doesn't offer as good allowances or value as a SIM only one.

Next up you should ask yourself what you budget is, and what you're primarily going to be using the phone for. If you're a gamer then you're going to need to ensure you have a phone with good gaming functionality, while if you're a creative then you could benefit from a phone with digital stylus support. Equally, if you love taking photos then you need to prioritise a phone with a great camera system, while if you're a massive streamer then bagging a phone with a large screen is smart.

If you're a busy working professional who travels a lot, then you'll want a phone with a large battery. Once you've identified your needs and budget you can start to get more granular with your sorting. Next up we'd suggest identifying which OS and phone platform is right for you.

Finally, once OS is decided start to add or take away features that you need or don't. For example, reverse wireless charging is really neat, but not every user will need it or use it, while phones that comes with huge amounts of RAM or storage may be useful for enthusiasts, but would go unused by many others.

These are just a few of the things we recommend people consider before buying a new phone, but we feel that providing each person does their research well something this buying guide can help with , there's an ideal mobile for everyone.

The most sold smartphone of so far is, unsurprisingly, the Apple iPhone This is the phone that is currently top of T3's best phones guide, and as of early September this year it has sold Interestingly, this is then followed by some interesting runners up.

Where you would think Samsung and Huawei would be snapping at Apple's heels with their flagship devices, in fact it is the mid-range Samsung Galaxy A51 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 that follow, with Indeed, it is then nothing but Xiaomi and Apple phones in the remaining top 10 in terms of most sold smartphones so far in , with Apple taking up 5 out of the top 10 slots.

Now, of course, we've still got some big releases to come this year, but considering the gap between first and second in this list, we can't see any other phone dethroning Apple and its iPhone And, to be honest, we're totally cool with that.

The iPhone 11 is a superb phone and that's why it is our number one phone recommendation for most people. As you can see, Chinese phone brands now account for 3 out of the top 5 phone makers in the world, with their ability over the past five years to deliver top-tier tech first, or for a cheaper price, ingratiating them with many users.

South Korean maker Samsung though remains at the head of the top table, though, and has a wide range of phones in its offering, including foldables like the Galaxy Z Flip, as well as 5G phablets like the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G. Apple remains incredibly popular around the world, too, and currently retains its number two spot in terms of smartphone sales globally.

There's a lot to consider when reviewing one of today's best phones, and for T3 we have a detailed five-stage process that each new device goes through. Firstly, we judge the phone from a build quality and fit and finish point of view, as well as how comprehensive its package is.

This stage is very much ascertaining how a phone feels in the hand, how robust it looks and what extras it does or doesn't come with. If a phone has a cheap plastic backplate and a spongy screen then we'll find out and let you know. Next up we review the phone from a setup and hardware point of view. This stage sees us set up the phone as we would if it were our own, as well as examine exactly what hardware it comes with, such as its processor, RAM, storage and GPU, among other things.

The goal here is to see how accessible setup is and what, on paper, your money is buying you. Thirdly, we then move onto the phone's software and highlight features. So, for example, on Android we test out how good the phone maker's user interface skin is, as each one if definitely not made equal. Or, for example, if testing a new Galaxy Note phone, we'll absolutely test out its digital stylus. We also test features like biometric security, fingerprint readers and reverse wireless charging.

Our forth stage of testing is dedicated purely to the phone's camera system, as truth be told they are one of the most important parts of a phone today and a primary reason why people choose one model over another. This stage involved taking photographs with the phone and testing out each of its main shooting modes, as well as analysing what video capabilities are on offer, too. Lastly, we then consider each phone from a purely experiential point of view — as in, how is it like to use on a daily basis?

This is a really important part of our testing as it strips away all the technical jargon and components and is just intended to reveal how good it is use. This procedure takes one to two weeks and often also encompasses battery testing.

Only then, when all five of these phone review procedures are complete, do we award a score to a phone, with 5 stars been the highest rank a product can get. Deputy Editor for T3. You can find Rob's work in magazines, bookazines and online, as well as on podcasts and videos, too. Feel free to contact him with any related products, events, and announcements. For work, school, or play, the iPad makes a great Black Friday deal, and there are many options to choose from. The regular Galaxy S21 with a 6.

However, both are frequently discounted with either price drops or bundles, so these are great candidates for hunting down sales.

The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus are essentially identical phones with three differences: screen size, battery size, and materials. However, Samsung refreshed the important part: the processor is the same Snapdragon as the Ultra. That means the Galaxy S21 is super fast and should last more than a couple of years without slowing down. There are likely more great Android phones coming soon but right now, the Android phone that strikes the best balance of features and price is the S The most affordable model in the S21 line has a 6.

The Galaxy S21 Plus includes a 6. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the best camera system you can currently get on a smartphone. If camera quality is your most important factor when buying a phone, the 12 Pro Max is where you should be spending your money. The big difference between the 12 Pro Max and the other iPhone 12 models is found in its main camera sensor.

The 12 Pro Max has a physically larger camera sensor that allows it to gather more light and produce better-quality images when in dark or challenging lighting conditions.

In addition, the 12 Pro Max has an improved image stabilization system that helps keep your images sharp as light levels drop. Most people will be happier with the smaller but still large-screened iPhone Otherwise, the mini is the same phone as the iPhone it has the same design, processor, cameras, 5G support, and build quality as the larger model.

If you prefer Android, the Asus Zenfone 8 is a good alternative. It has a massive 4,mAh battery that keeps its enormous 6. The Note 20 Ultra is also a high-end phone in every other respect. Its giant screen supports a Hz refresh rate for smooth interactions; its triple rear camera system is one of the most advanced you can get; and the Qualcomm Snapdragon Plus processor and 12GB of RAM allow it to perform without a hiccup.

Like the 9 Pro, it offers great performance with a Snapdragon processor, fast 65W wired charging, and something that will appeal especially to the landscape photographers out there: a great ultrawide camera. If you're looking for a larger screen and a better battery, opt for the very similar but slightly more expensive Plus model.

Screen: Much has been said about Samsung's switch to Full HD for the Galaxy S21's display, but in our testing we didn't notice the knock down in resolution much unless we were testing the phone side by side with a QHD display.

With a Hz refresh rate and great brightness, the Galaxy S21's screen will satisfy many. Looking for that larger screen? You'll get it with the S21 Plus.

Battery life: The battery life on the Samsung Galaxy S21 will last you a full day from a single charge, and its 4,mAh cell means you'll get a lot of usage out of the handset without having to recharge the phone. The battery on the S21 Plus is even better with a 4,mAh cell inside. Camera: The Galaxy S21's camera is much the same as the Galaxy S20, but a few software tweaks have been included from Samsung that make it just that touch better.

Overall, this isn't as phenomenal as the Galaxy S21 Ultra but for most just wanting to shoot the odd snap, this will suit you perfectly. And actually it probably has slightly more power than its Android rivals. Screen: With its 6.

Battery life: In our tests the iPhone 13 reliably lasted through a day of use, but not much more. Read more: iPhone 13 review Price comparison: The best iPhone 13 deals. The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro came out in October to much fanfare over its new Google-designed Tensor chipset, which the company alleged would enable incredible AI software performance. While we were too quick to expect Apple A-series Bionic levels of performance from Tensor — both Pixel 6 and 6 Pro benchmarks are well below iPhone 13 and Samsung S21 levels — the cameras take the most color- and light-balanced photos we've ever seen from a smartphone.

Why it's 5th: The Pixel 6 phones are a real step up from the Pixel 5, but there are still some things that keep it from the top, like middling battery life and a divisive physical redesign.

Both phones have their audience, though: the Pixel 6 at its lowest price which varies between carriers is cheaper than the iPhone 13 mini and Samsung S21, while the Pixel 6 Pro has premium perks like a periscope telephoto lens, a QHD screen, and an ultrawide selfie camera, all cheaper than the iPhone 13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus. But both phones' 50MP main camera and Google's photo software with even more neat tricks can't be beat. Screen: The Pixel 6 has a 6.

The Pixel 6 Pro bumps that up to 6. Colors are rich on the OLED display, and thanks to the dual front-facing speakers, it makes for a handy streaming device. Battery life: The Pixel 4's battery woes are gone, but don't expect more than a day's battery life out of either phone. The Pixel 6 packs a 4,mAh battery, while the Pixel 6 Pro has a 5,mAh battery, but don't expect too much difference thanks to the larger display.

Yes, there are battery-saving settings to eke out more life, and the 30W charger is an improvement over its predecessors, but it's lower than the 65W chargers that work with the OnePlus 9, for instance. Wireless charging maxes out at a respectable 21W, but only with Google's first-party charger.

Camera: The Pixel 6's cameras are its best selling point. The main camera has finally been improved with a 50MP shooter which, combined with Google's photo software, results in incredibly true-to-life photos. The 12MP ultra-wide feels better aligned with the photo capabilities of the main camera they take similar photos , and if you opt for the Pixel 6 Pro, you'll get a periscope telephoto capable of 4x optical zoom for some truly great distance photos.

The Pro also swaps the 8MP selfie camera with degree field of view for an 11MP front-facing camera degree field of view for an ultra-wide effect. The Tensor chipset and AI software have new tricks, like erasing unwanted objects and capturing motion blur around a still subject, along with the best Night Mode we've seen.

The OnePlus 9 Pro is a top-tier flagship and one that improves on the main weakness of previous OnePlus phones — their cameras. This is a phone that can compete with the other top handsets, and some may even prefer its camera to the other phones on this list. Why it's ranked 6th: OnePlus may have focused its attention on the cameras for the OnePlus 9 Pro, but this is an overall incredible smartphone offering top-end power, a great display and most features you'd expect from any other phone you'll find on this list.

Battery life isn't the absolute best, and it's remarkably expensive considering OnePlus' history in the smartphone market but it has earned its place this high on our best smartphone list because it's the overall package. Screen: This 6. Not only does it make game look better, but simply scrolling the web looks smoother. Battery life: If you need your phone battery to last all day long, the OnePlus 9 Pro achieves that, but it doesn't offer the absolute best battery life we've seen on a smartphone.

It features a 4,mAh battery, and this is set to last you a full day from a single charge but it may not offer that if you're using the phone an extraordinary amount. It also have great fast charging and wireless charging features. It isn't the absolute best camera phone, but it's a remarkable step up from the company with a great 48MP main camera alongside an 8MP telephoto and 50MP ultrawide.

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is Samsung's most expensive non-foldable phone, and generation's big perk of the Note is that it comes with an amazing camera.

Get ready for extreme close-ups with the 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom. The S Pen returns with new tricks like recording voice notes and syncing them with handwritten notes. Why it's ranked 7th: This is one of Samsung's most powerful phones, but it's more expensive than most of the S21 series. You get it all with the Note 20 Ultra: a stylus, a camera with a 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom, a faster chipset at least in the US version and a 6.

Not everyone needs an 'everything phone' like this, but if you want it all and don't want to wait for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 , this is one of Samsung's best. Screen: The 6. A big difference is in the fluidity of the screen via a Hz refresh rate. Another literally small perk: the front-facing camera punch hole is smaller than ever. Battery life: The Note 20 Ultra has a solid 4,mAh battery, and we found that it goes more than a day with normal use without a problem.

Even power users won't have a problem, based on our tests. Samsung includes a 25W fast wired charger in the box and offers compatibility with 15W fast wireless charging, but it has backed off of supporting 45W wired charging for some reason. Camera: The Note 20 Ultra has one of the best cameras on an Android phone, and that's in part because of its 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom.

It makes 2x optical zooms from the iPhone seem like minor cropping at the edges of 1x photos. With 5x optical and, in good light, 10x digital, Samsung punches in with a dramatic zoom and usable photos on Instagram 50x zoom is mostly a party trick.