The best smartphone of 2020 is the Apple iPhone 12.
So let's talk about that.
We test a lot of phones here at CNET I reached out to our reviewers to find out which was the best smartphone of the year and they said, the iPhone 12.
Now, I was a bit surprised by this.
I know that Samsung Google and one plus make some great phones as well.
So how did the iPhone 12 come out on top?
Let's look at the iPhone 12.
Then it's got a new design from the previous generation and like always, it has apples fit and finish meaning it's a very premium device.
That's a bit of a throwback design.
It looks like the iPhone four or five a little bit.
But design is not everything.
Just because something is beautiful.
Does not mean much.
So inside we've got 5G, this is the first iPhone five G, that's great.
We've got this super fast wireless network being built out in the US and 5G is great when you go out for groceries, I guess.
We've got an OLED screen, great.
Other phones have OLED, this is not a new thing.
So let's talk about the camera to no one's surprise Apple put another great camera on the iPhone 12.
This has been an area where Apple has had a huge lead for years over Android devices.
Google and Samsung have made big steps.
So over the past few years to bridge the gap between apples cameras and their own, but here's the thing cnet's Patrick Collins says the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro have the best camera system you can buy on a phone right now.
You might be wondering what does Holland to know about cameras and I'll say a thank you to change your tone.
And this guy has been testing phones and their cameras for years.
He says the 12 has the best camera system.
The iPhone 12 has the best camera system.
The iPhone 12 also starts with $830 if you buy it without a carrier, it costs 799 if you get it with a carrier, so maybe now is a good time to talk about the competition.
What about the Samsung Galaxy S 20?
That's a great phone like the iPhone 12 it's got an excellent camera 5G and an OLED screen Then you start looking at that price tag $999.
If you want the more premium s 20 Ultra, they're looking at $1400.
Also in Jessica doll courts review of the s 20.
She called it thick, heavy and unrefined.
Jess has had a long career reviewing phones and if jest says it's thick, heavy and unrefined That's the truth, those three words almost never describe an Apple product though.
What about the Samsung Z Fold 2, is it the best phone of the year?
I think it might be one of the more innovative devices out there.
But I agree with my colleagues.
It is more of a fringe device.
It's kind of difficult to suggest the folds to to an average user.
But what about the Google Pixel fuss?
It's the most iPhone like of the Android phones.
Google makes the hardware and it makes the software does West5G Would integrate camera system.
And it's pretty inexpensive at 699.
What holds the pixel 5 back?
The Android competition, you can get more power from a 1 plus 8.
If you want expandable storage on the pixel five, that's not happening, buddy.
What about 8k video recording?
On the pixel five?
Now note the iPhone 12 maxes out at 4k video recording.
What about my personal favorites?
The Galaxy notes 20 Ultra.
I love the camera.
I love the performance.
I love writing on the screen.
It's a beast of a machine and it is pricey.
It's an investment you don't read on the screen.
There's almost no reason to pick it over the S 20 line.
If you're not invested in either ecosystem Apple or Android, the iPhone 12 beats out a lot of the competition on price alone.
But what about performance?
As we all know Apple knows a thing or two about building fast chips.
The company is so confident about its chips, its own Apple m one is powering its new lineup of computers in performance benchmarks the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, Recorded the highest scores of any phones CNET has tested.
That's crazy.
There's also the biggest invention of all time.
magsafe stick a puck on the iPhone.
Whoo.
Now if you're buying a phone because of a magnetic charger I question a lot about your buying decisions.
All right, putting the whole picture together.
We've got an iPhone 12 with great specs, great fit and finish and pretty much great everything.
On the Android side we've got an underpowered pixel and unrefined as 20 pricing notes, wacky z fold to looking at that landscape.
The iPhone 12 looks pretty good this year.
Will I be switching to an iPhone 12 over my notes 20 Ultra.
No, just because something is the best overall does not mean it's the best for everyone.
I've been the best IS actor and I'll see you online.
