Best Phone to Buy for 2023

While the base iPhone 14 doesn't have the same triple camera array or new Dynamic Island notch as its pricier 14 Pro sibling, it still offers a lot to be excited about and comes with a more affordable price. CNET editor Patrick Holland describes it as "a good upgrade for most people" thanks to its solid performance, updated main camera and various other tweaks including a more repairable glass back in case it takes a tumble. 

It's not a huge overhaul from last year's models, but if you're in the market for a new iPhone and you don't fancy spending the big bucks on the Pro series, then it's a great option to consider. Read our Apple iPhone 14 review.

Pros:

• Main camera upgrade is great
• Autofocus makes selfies look better
• Improved repairability is welcomed
• Action mode is smooth

Cons:

• Ultrawide photos are a step down in image quality
• Year-over-year upgrades are minimal
• Videos recorded in low light look just OK

Apple's iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max introduce sweeping changes like the Dynamic Island, a new 48-megapixel camera system and Apple's new A16 Bionic processor. All of these upgrades come together to make for an experience that feels fresh and fast. The upgrades to the main camera allow it to take some truly stunning photos, making the phone a solid option if you're into mobile photography. 

As Apple's top phone it doesn't come cheap -- especially if you want the larger Max model -- but if you're looking for the best all-round performance in an iPhone, then the 14 Pro is the phone to get. Read our Apple iPhone 14 Pro review.

Pros:

• The Dynamic Island is delightful
• Main camera takes excellent photos
• A16 Bionic chip is blazing fast

Cons:

• Telephoto camera is only good in bright light
• Wish there was an easier way to simplify the always-on display
• It's hefty

With its stellar triple camera, refined design and spacious 6.7-inch screen, there's a lot to love about the Pixel 7 Pro. Although it's not very different from the previous Pixel 6 Pro, it will feel like a big change to those upgrading from a phone that's more than two years old. Google has improved the zoom capabilities on the Pixel 7 Pro, giving it a 30x digital zoom compared to the 6 Pro's 20x range for capturing tighter shots. Both the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have some new features powered by Google's Tensor G2 chip, such as the ability to sharpen old photos. You'll also get free access to Google's VPN on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.

At $899, the Pixel 7 Pro is cheaper than both the $1,000 Galaxy S23 Plus and $1,200 Galaxy S23 Ultra at their regular starting prices, making it a solid choice for those who want a giant screen and an excellent camera for less. Read our Google Pixel 7 Pro review.

Pros:

• Stellar camera with awesome new features
• Design refinements look classy
• Android 13 is bliss to use

Cons:

• Battery life is only OK

The Galaxy S23 is a lot, but in a good way. It's more than most people need in a phone, but that doesn't make it any less impressive. Samsung made improvements to the camera's resolution (200 megapixels compared to 108 megapixels), color tones and dynamic range, while retaining the same edgy design and massive 6.8-inch screen as its predecessor. There's also a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that's been optimized specifically for Samsung's phones, which brings faster performance compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. 

Starting at $1,200, it may be an understatement to call this phone expensive. But those willing to pay more for a giant screen and a high-quality, versatile camera won't be disappointed. Read our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review.

Pros:

• Fast performance
• Excellent main camera, especially in low light
• Bright screen
• Included stylus
• Double the storage in the base model
• Four years of Android OS updates

Cons:

• High price
• Photos don't always look natural, especially selfies
• No improvements to fast charging

Android fans looking for a petite phone don't have much to choose from. But the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23 provides a compelling option for those who want a phone that feels compact but still provides enough screen space.

The Galaxy S23 comes with routine upgrades like a fresh processor (a version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that's been optimized for Samsung's phones), a slightly new design and a higher-resolution selfie camera. But it's the Galaxy S23's larger battery that makes it worth recommending. Read our Samsung Galaxy S23 review.

Pros:

• Attractive design
• 4 generations of Android OS updates
• Longer battery life than the Galaxy S22
• Fast performance
• More storage in the base S23 Plus

Cons:

• Cameras are basically the same as last year
• Expensive
• No improvements to fast charging
• Regular Galaxy S23 lacks base storage upgrade

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the biggest leap forward Samsug's flip phone has seen in years. Samsung has significantly expanded the size of the cover screen located on the outside of the device, meaning you can look up directions, take photos and send messages without opening the phone. It's this combined with the Z Flip's solid battery life and sturdy design that makes it a top pick.

The Z Flip 5 may be our favorite flip phone, but there are still some drawbacks to be aware of. At $1,000, it's still expensive for a phone without a telephoto camera. And not all apps work natively on the front screen as they do on the Motorola Razr Plus. Read our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review.

Pros:

• Big cover screen is fun to use
• New hinge eliminates the gap when closed
• Solid battery life
• More storage in base model

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not all apps work on the cover screen natively
• Apps don't transition from main screen to cover screen
• Minimal camera updates

The Motorola Razr Plus raised the bar for what a flip phone should be in 2023. Its 3.6-inch cover screen allows you to use almost any app without opening the phone, plus battery life is long enough to get you through a busy day. It's also thinner than the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which could make it the ideal choice for those who prioritize portability in a phone.

While I recommend the Galaxy Z Flip 5 as the best flip phone overall, the Razr Plus is worth considering if you prefer a thinner design and want to use more apps on the phone's front screen without much extra fuss. The Razr Plus felt more fragile than the Z Flip 5 during my testing, but it's certainly thinner, making it a great choice for those who care about compactness above all else. Read our Motorola Razr Plus review.

Pros:

• Large, useful cover screen
• Crease is barely visible
• Thin design
• Good battery life
• Fun photography features like photo previews

Cons:

• Not as many Android updates as Samsung
• Flex View feels limited
• Front screen gathers fingerprint smudges easily
• $1,000 is still expensive

The Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola has a lot going for it, from its palatable regular $700 price to its unique aesthetic, easy compatibility with PCs and smooth 6.6-inch screen. But it's the ThinkPhone's incredibly fast charging that truly makes it stand out. It supports 68-watt fast charging and notably comes with a compatible power adapter in the box, making it one of the fastest-charging phones you can buy in the US. In CNET's testing, the ThinkPhone's battery went from empty to 92% in 30 minutes.

Every phone has its drawbacks. The cameras on the ThinkPhone struggle in low light, which means it may not take the best photos in dim restaurants and bars. And even though it's a great value at $700, there are some cheaper alternatives that are also compelling, such as Google's Pixel 7A. Read our Lenovo ThinkPhone review.

Pros:

• Cohesive design
• Incredibly fast charging
• Cross functionality with PCs
• Incredible value for the price

Cons:

• The cameras are good, but struggle in low light
• The Google Pixel 7 is $100 less

The Nothing Phone 2 stands out for its unconventional design that incorporates flashing LED lights, relatively low price and fast performance. And unlike the Nothing Phone 1, you can actually buy the Nothing Phone 2 in the US, for $700. It's best suited for those who want a phone with a large, bright screen, powerful processor and a design that makes a statement, all for well below $1,000.

That said, it's important to remember that Nothing has a lot of competition in this price range. If camera quality is your top priority, you can get the Pixel 7A at a lower price of $449. Read our Nothing Phone 2 review.

Pros: 

• Flashy design
• Powerful processor
• Large, bright display
• Attractive interface

Cons:

• Disappointing camera performance
• Needs to be cheaper to compete against rivals

Google's budget phone took a leap forward in 2023 with the Pixel 7A, which offers many of the same benefits as the Pixel 7 but at a cheaper price. Like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A runs on Google's Tensor G2 processor, meaning it has many of the same photo editing and language translation features as its pricier sibling. The Pixel 7A's 64-megapixel camera also takes excellent photos that rival the Pixel 7's in quality. 

While we still like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A's lower price makes it a better deal for most people. Only opt for the Pixel 7 if you really want a slightly larger screen and are willing to pay the extra $100 for it. Otherwise, the main differences between the Pixel 7 and 7A come down to the former's more durable build, slightly faster charging and its ability to wirelessly charge compatible accessories. The Pixel 7 also has a larger camera sensor that's more sensitive to light, according to Google, but CNET's Lisa Eadicicco didn't notice much of a difference. Read our Pixel 7A review.

Pros:

• Excellent camera
• Many of the same features as the Pixel 7 at a cheaper price
• Attractive design
• Gains wireless charging, face unlock and high refresh rate

Cons:

• Screen still looks dim outdoors
• Higher price compared with Pixel 6A at launch
• Only three generations of Android OS updates compared with Samsung's four

Google no longer sells the Pixel 6 Pro through its website, but you can still find it through some third-party retailers at a significant discount for now. The Pixel 6 Pro's unique design, great software additions, superb camera quality and solid all-around performance earned the phone an excellent rating when CNET reviewed it in 2021. 

It's almost two years old, but many of our initial impressions still hold true. All told, it's a worthwhile choice for those who want a spacious screen and a top-notch camera on a budget. Read our Pixel 6 Pro review.

Pros:

• Excellent cameras
• Solid all-round performance
• Neat Android 12 interface
• Attractive design

Cons:

• Battery is good, but not great
• Fast charge isn't all that fast
• No face unlock

While Apple's new iPhone 14 and 14 Pro might be the more exciting options with their upgraded cameras and the Pro's new Dynamic Island notch, Apple is still selling the base iPhone 13. 

The standard iPhone 13 is a reliable choice for most people, sporting a 6.1-inch screen and two excellent rear cameras. We loved the iPhone 13's balance of power, camera performance and price and while it's not a huge amount of money saved over the base iPhone 14, if you're looking for a new handset and trying to keep your costs down it could be money well saved. Read our iPhone 13 review.

Pros:

• Cameras are lovely
• Longer battery life
• Cinematic mode is fun

Cons:

• Still want a smaller notch
• Cinematic mode is more of a novelty than a pro feature
• Selfie camera could be better

The $700 OnePlus 11 is a powerful phone that's well equipped to handle gaming, video streaming and other common tasks. In typical OnePlus fashion, this phone is also cheaper than the $800 Galaxy S23 and $900 Pixel 7 Pro. The cameras aren't the best, but they're fine for casual photographers that just want to capture their next vacation or a night out. What sets the OnePlus 11 apart from many of its rivals is its blazing fast 100-watt fast charging, which can replenish the battery in just 25 minutes. (The US version only supports 80-watt charging, but that's still an improvement over the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 45-watt charging).

Overall, the OnePlus 11 is ideal for those who want a powerful phone that charges quickly and won't break the bank. Read our OnePlus 11 review.

Pros:

• Incredible performance for gaming
• Slick, refreshed design
• Hyperfast charging
• Five years of security support

Cons:

• Cameras are good, but not great
• Rivals offer better waterproofing

Apple's 2022 iPhone SE may not have the incredible multiple cameras of the top-end iPhone 13 Pro, but the iPhone SE has a lot to offer if you're looking for a great experience without spending flagship levels of cash. It's 5G-enabled, for one, it runs the latest iOS 15 software and it packs the same A15 Bionic processor found in Apple's top phones. As a result, performance is lightning-fast. Read our iPhone SE review.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Home button and Touch ID FTW
• Good battery life so far
• Camera takes good photos and videos

Cons:

• Lacks night mode for photos
• Screen could be brighter
• Bezels above and below screen look dated
• Selfie camera not on par with rear camera
• 20-watt USB-C charger not included

The Pixel 6A impressed CNET's Lisa Eadicicco last year with its attractive design and Tensor processor, which enabled it to inherit many of the same features as the Pixel 6 but at a cheaper price. Now, Google has knocked the price down to $349, making it an even better value.

The Pixel 6A has a 6.1-inch screen, making it the same size as the Pixel 7A and slightly smaller than the Pixel 7. While it's missing out on certain newer features that require the Tensor G2, it still has a lot to offer for the price. With the Pixel 6A, you get Google-specific features like Face Unblur, which sharpens a subject's face in blurry photos, and Real Tone, which renders skin tones more accurately in photos. Read our Pixel 6A review.

Pros:

• Great camera
• Affordable price
• Premium design for a midtier phone
• Among the first to get new Android updates

Cons:

• Somewhat dim display
• Not a great value alongside discounted Pixel 6
• Not as many years of guaranteed Android updates as Samsung
• Video quality isn't as good as still photos

If you're someone who prefers smaller, pocket-friendly devices, this is the phone for you. The 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Mini is easy to use with one hand and even fits into tight jean pockets. Starting at $599, this is the cheapest model in Apple's iPhone 13 lineup.

While battery life isn't as long as on the iPhone 13, this petite Apple iPhone doesn't sacrifice on camera capabilities or processing power. Read our iPhone 13 Mini review.

Pros:

• Cameras are lovely
• Longer battery life
• Cinematic mode is fun

Cons:

• Still want a smaller notch
• Cinematic mode is more of a novelty than a pro feature
• Selfie camera could be better