Which device should you get right now?
The 14 Pro: A heavy-weight, big-but-not-so-light, early-adopter model of the Apple ecosystem
Most people want the new Apple device. It’s not the iPhone with the neat new display features or a high-resolution camera. It’s the iPhone with a big display and a battery that goes for days.
The best phone you can buy is the iPhone 14 Pro, which costs more than $1,000. But it’s a bit of an early adopter special. There is plenty that is good but a lot of space for Apple to improve and fine-tunes the features over time. If you are not willing to spend a lot of money on a new design, look at the previous-gen Apple device. The standard iPhone 14 is an incremental upgrade over the 13 and doesn’t get you that much more; the 13 is still available and starts at $699. That is the choice most people make, and the 14 Pro has a lot to offer.
It’s big but it’s not as heavy as I expected. It weighs 7.16 ounces (203g), or just about an ounce (28g) more than the iPhone 14 — and a little less than the 6.1-inch 14 Pro. This phone didn’t fit in my pants pocket, so I appreciated the light weight of it, as it came out of my joggers. In use, it makes the 14 Plus feel a little easier to handle than the Pro Max iPhones.
There’s no ProMotion, super-smooth scrolling 120Hz refresh rate here, which is a shame. For the Pro models, Apple has reserved a place for fast refresh rates and the same price for other phones. It is something that you will see if you are using a phone with the same 60Hz refresh rate, but I did see it when I switched from the 14 Pro. On the other hand, the lower refresh rate is less power-intensive and probably contributes to the 14 Plus’ excellent battery performance. Most people will happily live with that tradeoff.
Apple 14 Plus: A High-Usability, Low-Scale Camera for Drivers’ Diary of Experience in Driving and Detection
People don’t want small phones and the screen, too, is part of that. Big screens let you see more and scroll less — the fact that the phone isn’t really pocketable or usable with one hand doesn’t seem to bother most people. This isn’t the best big phone screen Apple offers, but it’s still very good.
Apple’s claim of the “best battery life in an iPhone” isn’t an exaggeration. In my experience, a day of moderate use with 2 hours of screen time and few hours away from the internet drained the battery by 25 percent. I even managed to get three days of use on a single charge. Reader, I can’t remember the last time I used an iPhone that comfortably made it through multiple days of use.
There are a couple of new emergency features included on the 14 Plus (also available on other 14 and 14 Pro models): Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite. Crash Detection uses multiple phone sensors and inputs to automatically detect when you’ve been in a car accident and call emergency services. We haven’t tested it, but early reviews are mixed. It can work too well on one hand. If you haven’t been driving in a while, it may miss crashes if it doesn’t use a lot of signals to tell you you are in a moving car.
Satellite can be used to relay a message when you’re out of cellular range. It might cost extra down the line, but for the first two years, it’s included free with the iPhone 14 Plus. Even if you don’t end up needing it, you will likely be able to try it out to see how it works.
The upgraded dual-lens camera system on the iPhone 14 is enhanced by a fancy new software called the Photonic Engine. To make it easy: the new Apple device is designed to capture bigger, more detailed photos, offer improved flash, and promise better low-light photography and even auto-stabilize shaky videos. In real-world use, this all translated to a camera that was a joy to use during daily adventures.
Buying an iPhone and Finding the Right Fits for Your Device: The Eight Eight iPhone Models to Check Before You Get a New iPhone
Each smart device requires you to agree to a series of terms and Conditions before you can use it. It is not possible for us to read and analyze all of these agreements. But we’re going to start counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate.
Picking a new iPhone feels like it should be simple. But like so many other modern problems (have you tried simply choosing something to watch on TV lately — an impossible task) it’s a little more complicated than it seems. Counting previous models that are still hanging around, along with all the Pros and Pluses and Maxes, Apple currently sells eight different iPhone models on its website. Eight! It is like trying to buy an iPad.
Check out our other guides, including the Best MagSafe Accessories, Best iPhone 14 Cases, Best iPhone 13 Cases, Best iPhone 12 Cases, Best iPhone SE Cases, and Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers. Wondering what’s new in iOS 16? We have more information about that as well.
Why should a mobile device be sold? One year subscriptions for $5$: a guide for comparing the build and performance of an iPhone
There’s a special offer for people who read the magazine – get a one-year subscription for $5. You can get unlimited access to the WIRED.com and our print magazine. We do a lot of work that is supported by subscriptions.
You can use the back up option to transfer everything without loss of data when you switch to a newer model. Before you sell your old phone, make sure to factory-reset it. You might find our guides on setting up a new iPhone and how to fix it helpful. We can show you ways to reuse your device if you don’t want to sell it.
The iPhone 13 Mini has all the features and cameras of its bigger siblings, just in a smaller package. There is a smaller battery with the same A15 Bionic chip as other Apple phones and it has a bigger display.
If your iPhone is working just fine, there’s no need to upgrade. If your phone’s battery is not doing well, you can replace it at Apple for a small fee and increase the phone’s shelf life. We’ve also got tips on how you can fix your iPhone if you’re encountering strange problems. If your device is on its last legs, then you can upgrade.
Modern flagship smartphones are little engineering marvels. And they should be since they start around $800 and can cost well over $1,000. They tend to last upwards of four or five years, so the high cost is a little easier to swallow, but it’s still a major purchase for most of us.
When testing a mobile device, we switch over to it for a period of time. It becomes our daily driver, with our SIM card inside, the apps we use and our contacts. Using it for phone calls, texting with friends, capturing memories, playing games, chilling out with music, reading the news, and taking in content are all things we have done in the real world.
We pay attention to four areas. When evaluating the build of a phone, we analyze and test it. Does it feel good in the hand? Is it easy to hold, or is it a slippery mess? We also factor in what types of ports a phone has and, of course, check for a headphone jack. The larger the phone, the bigger it is taken into account.
Performance covers everything from the display to software, to even the connection. We use benchmark tests on each device and these are the same tests we run on devices in individual reviews. The battery test and Geekbench 5 are the calls out. In a variety of situations, both cellular and wireless were tested.
Night or Day: Shooting your family with a digital camera (Video Capture), charging times and battery lifetimes to get the most out of your phone
We tried to use cameras the same way as you would. Capturing family at night and during the day, testing the all-important Portrait Modes and just general shooting. We shook our hands together and saw how long it took to take a photo.
The battery life category was used to identify how long the phone would last, charging times and how much use could be made of it. A 4K video runs on a loop until the device kicks in. We ensure the brightness is set to 50% and turn off connectivity via airplane mode.
The Galaxy S20 Fan Edition: A big upgrade to the Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4/S3/M10/S10/M16
Like the Pro iPhone models, the S21 Ultra aims to level up the experience with a larger screen, truly high-end aluminum build and six cameras. Performance was on par with the S21 as a whole and we did our testing. Yes, the device has more RAM, but unless running large exports or using the device for video editing, the base RAM in the S21 is just fine. The other boosts are in the camera department. Our testing found that the dual telephoto lens allowed for 10x optical zoom. The 3X optical zoom and software processing on the regular S21 were not enough to capture images from afar, so we used a smartphones with a stunning amount of clarity. The standard S21 is cheaper and features the same amount of features as the long shots.
The phone with the longer battery life and faster charging is not as expensive as the S23, but it is a better alternative. While the overall user experience is not as good as it could be, it is better than what we would get from a competitor.
When the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is flipped open, you get a big 6.7-inch screen that handles just like the slab-style smartphone you’re used to. You can use the small outer screen to view things on the main screen if you fold it in half. It is fun and stylish, but it is unconventional. If you feel a bit adventurous, it’s a great option and you would appreciate a way to check info on your phone without having to engage with it.
The newer models of the Apple device seem outdated, but it’s still a solid option. It boasts a dual camera main system with a 6.1-inch OLED screen that impresses with vibrancy.
If you prefer Android, the Asus Zenfone 9 is a good alternative. It is a little bigger than the 13 Mini, with a 5.9-inch screen, and it does not work on T-Mobile, but it is a very similar proposition: great build quality, a top-notch processor, and high-end features like a 120Hz screen are all tucked
TheGalaxy S20 Fan Edition got almost everything right, nine months after the original S20. A $700 mash-up of Samsung technologies held together in a polycarbonate plastic build, it delivers a triple-camera setup on the back with support for Space Zoom. It’s a better choice for taking photos and video, but it requires more work than our best overall pick. The front of the 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display provides a 120 Hz refresh rate. We wish all phones, including the iPhone 12, offered the faster refresh rate. The iPhone 12 is $100 more expensive than the cheaper Pixel 4a 5G.
Our least favorite part of a Samsung phone is the out-of-box software experience, as it comes with a lot of duplicate apps to replace or accompany Google’s stock apps like Messages, Google Calendar, and Google Assistant. Unless you are a fan of the Bixby feature, you will have to wait a while to get your hands on the S23 Plus. The Pixel 7 Pro offers a much more streamlined experience right out of the gate. But there’s good news: the phone ships with One UI 5.1 and is slated to receive four more OS platform upgrades and five years of security updates. That means you can keep using the phone safely well into the future and get the most out of your investment.
The first Pixel of 2020 struck a really nice chord. There is anOLED screen, a fingerprint sensor on the back, and a camera on the back. It’s a great 4G LTE-capable phone for its price, but in 2023 we’re also focused on longevity, and for a little bit more the Pixel 4a 5G gets you a more future-proof device.
The 2022, Motorola Edge is the best mid-range phone you can buy because it has a better display and better battery life. If you are looking for a premium screen that has a fast refresh rate for viewing videos, photos, or social media, theMotorola is the one for you. However, we’ve seen more premium feeling builds and better cameras from phones in the same $500 price range.
The first generation of the Razr did not a good job of folding and it wasNostalgia-fueled. The design is the same and you can feel it. But the fact that it feels more durable doesn’t get away from feeling the display fold and hearing it creak. The bigger display on the front is what we like most, even though the Z Flip has a tiny one. And Motorola making it available unlocked, instead of locked to Verizon, is a great move.
The flagship specifications and features of the Oxygen 8T are no different to those of its competitors, as is evidenced by the low price. It includes the latest Qualcomm processor, the Snapdragon 865, 5G connectivity, a big battery and four rear-facing cameras, including a macro lens for those photos where you need to get really close to your subject. All OnePlus phones are powered by Android and run OnePlus’ proprietary Oxygen OS on top of it. The 6.55-inch screen has a 120 HZ refresh rate, but the camera of the 8T wasn’t good enough to get it into our top picks.
Microsoft’s reentry into the smartphone space was a unique one. The Surface Duo doesn’t have a folding screen, but rather two separate screens that are connected by a stellar hinge. The design is meant to help you use the phone with intention since it doesn’t feature a screen on the front. And while the hardware is good, the software experience left us wanting a lot more. Android as a whole isn’t ready for the two-screen revolution, and it was really buggy when it came to sending applications to the proper sides of the display. Still, we have high hopes for version two.
The Highest Priced Android Phone for Under $500: The Case of the Rear Triple-Camera System and Multi-Sensor Capabilities
If you are looking to spend less and still get the best phone on the market, you can find a really good one for under $500. You can check out the guide to budget smartphones for those recommendations.
The rear triple-camera system is recycled from last year’s model and for the most part that’s fine. The main sensor produces 12MP photos if you click on them. Portrait mode photos from either the main sensor or 3x telephoto camera are fantastic, with excellent subject isolation. Outside of portrait mode, the 3x camera looks average. It’s a shorter focal length than the 5x telephoto on the Pixel 7 Pro, so it’s a bit less useful for distant subjects.
The larger sibling to the 14 Pro is called the 14 Pro Max. Otherwise, it shares the same features as the smaller model, including the new Dynamic Island status indicator and a 48-megapixel main camera.
Dynamic Island is one of the new tricks in the display. Apple took the notch — the area of the screen that houses the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors — and turned it into a pill-shaped cutout that appears to expand dynamically (get it?) to show system indicators and notifications. It is a great place to see what your phone does, whether it is using navigation, playing back music or sending files via AirDrop. It is, though, something Apple and other third-party developers will keep making more useful over the next few years.
It’s not our top pick just for anyone looking for a greatandroid phone because of the high starting price of $1,200. But if you’re looking for the best of the best — particularly if you live in the US where choice is limited — it’s at the very top of our list. The camera system is impressive; portrait mode photos are excellent, and it’s capable of very good images all the way to 30x zoom. A new 200MIP main camera sensor at the center of the rear camera array makes a good job of bringing out good details in both good lighting and low light conditions
The integrated S Pen isn’t new or updated for 2023, but it’s still a nice tool to have at the ready when you need to jot down a quick note. A variable refresh rate is available, from 120Hz to 1 Hz, which gives a smooth scrolling experience. The sizeable 5,000mAh battery powers it through a day of heavy use, but don’t count on getting a lot more than one day out of it.
Our usual gripes withSamsung software are applicable here, too, and if anything they’re a little more glaring on such a pricey phone. You can hide most of the extra apps you don’t want from the phone but it will download a bunch of them. But Samsung’s healthy software support policy is fitting of a $1,200 phone: you’ll get four OS platform upgrades and five years of security updates. Not quite as good as Apple, but among the best on Android.
The Small-But-Efficient Mini-Fold: A Case Study with the Pixel 6A, 6 Pro, 7 and 8 Smartphones
The Mini is smaller than most other modern phones, but it is still large enough for text messaging, email, websites, games, and more, and it is compatible with almost any Apple device including the iPhone 6, 7, and 8. It is small enough for most adults to comfortably reach all of the screen with their thumb. You don’t need a PopSocket on this one.
A camera stabilization system mimics the effect of using a Gimbal, and a small 5.9-inch display is what the Zenfone 9 has.
The Pixel 6A is similar in performance to the 6 and 6 Pro. And it should keep up for a long time: the phone will get security updates through July 2027. The 6A misses out on some nice things but it is where it counts.
The cameras are marginally better than the current flagships, but the main 12-megapixel camera and 12- megapixel ultrawide are still very capable. Face Unblur, which uses information from both rear cameras to make humans appear sharper even in dim lighting, is one of the ways that Tensor helps with image processing.
The Flip 4 has the same cameras that the Flip 3 has, but they are behind what you’d expect from a flagship phone. There’s a 12-megapixel main camera with slightly bigger pixels than the last one, a 12-megapixel ultrawide, and a 10-megapixel selfie camera. Most other phones priced at $999 will throw in a telephoto lens of some kind, but not the Z Flip 4. It is a lot of fun to take pictures and record videos on the phone. (Just try and name another phone that comes with its own built-in kickstand.)
The Flip 3 has a harder glass that protects the inner screen. The previous model had a screen saver in place but it was not user-replaceable, and this one has a stronger glue on it. Some owners of previous-gen foldables have seen a bubbling problem.
The inside screen makes everything from reading books and browsing the web to watching video and playing games more enjoyable. Just fold it up again and stick it in your pocket just like any other phone, when you finish using it. The big screen on the big screen is what you need when you need it, and the 6.2-inch outer screen is what you can use for simpler tasks. The Fold 4 is best for a person who wants to get the most out of their mobile device, but it costs too much.
The outer screen of the Fold 4 is very similar to other slab-style phone screens, but you can unfold the device and see something different. The screen protectors are not replaceable, so they protect the display against scratches and ultrathin glass which allows it to fold is easy to damage without it. The whole device has robust water and dust resistance but no dust resistance. Folding phones: not recommended for the beach.
A 3x zoom lens has been upgraded to the newer model of the GALAXY FOLD 4. There are six cameras on the rear panel, two of which are standard wide and two of which are ultrawide. The image quality is similar to the S23 and S23 Plus. You’d get a more powerful set of cameras on the significantly less expensive S23 Ultra, but the Ultra doesn’t fold in half.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/22163811/best-phone
The OnePlus 11+ and OnePlus 7+ are both GOOD, but not SO GOOD. The iPhone is the worst smartphone under $500$ — its Apple will have to deal with FOMO
However, OnePlus cut a couple of corners to get to that relatively low price. It comes with an IP64 rating for splash resistance, which is less robust than the IP68 rating most devices in this price bracket carry — they can withstand full immersion in water. There’s also no wireless charging, another feature that virtually every other phone over $500 includes. You get 80W if you’re in the US and 100W elsewhere. The phone can be fully charge in less than 30 minutes. You have to use the included charger and cable, and they don’t deliver the same speeds as other devices — bummer. Well, hey! There is a charge in the box.
That is the bad news. Back to the good news: the OnePlus 11 works on all three major 5G networks in the US right out of the gate — previous devices came with patchy 5G support at launch. The fan-favorite three-stage alert slider is back after taking a hiatus on the OnePlus 10T. And the 1440p OLED offers excellent detail along with smooth scrolling thanks to a 120Hz top refresh rate. It is a great screen and good value.
Pixel 6 and 7 owners have also reported their fair share of software bugs and unusual hardware problems. Thanks to the frequent updates of thePixel series, bugs are usually fixed in a timely way and Google seems to be doing the right thing. With the S23 Plus,Samsung is pretty much on cruise control.
None of it is exactly life-changing, but they’re features that Apple is almost certainly going to incorporate in new models going forward, and third-party app makers will follow suit. It’s the iPhone to get if you suffer from technology FOMO.
The 2022 iPhone SE will last for over five years if it’s taken care of thanks to Apple’s excellent track record of offering iOS updates to older devices. It is too small to fit on a big screen and may be difficult to use in five years, while larger screens are still being designed.
