The best smartphones

There are many factors to consider, from design and operating system to security and durability. We fully test every phone we can get our hands on here at Digital Trends, and after conducting hundreds of reviews, we’re confident in recommending whether a particular phone is a good buy for you, or if you’re better off with something else.

After much debate and soul searching, we landed on the Apple iPhone 11 Pro as our top pick for the best phone available right now, though, for Android fans, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 Plus is still a close second. Here’s why the iPhone 11 Pro ultimately triumphed, and our picks for other smartphone categories.

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

Best smartphone overall

Why you should buy this: You get a beautiful screen, a versatile camera, and all-day battery life in a premium package.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants the best all-around phone available.

Why we picked the iPhone 11 Pro:

Apple has built on the elegant design of its flagship range with a raft of refinements, making the iPhone 11 Pro the complete package. With an awesome screen, versatile camera, and strong battery life, the 11 Pro is all about perfecting the core smartphone experience without the need for superfluous extras.

The iPhone 11 Pro is a touch heavier and thicker than its predecessor, but it’s a change you’ll be quick to accept in return for the improved battery life. It’s the same mix of stainless steel and glass, and the 5.8-inch screen size means that it fits perfectly in most palms. The back is now frosted to discourage unsightly fingerprints and smudges. Apple has dubbed the screen “Super Retina XDR,” but all you need to know is that it’s sharp and extremely bright. Colors are vivid and HDR content takes full advantage of this excellent display’s capabilities.

Apple’s A13 Bionic chip is lightning fast. It offers a 20% bump on the iPhone flagship’s earlier processor and beats out every other phone we’ve tested so far in terms of raw power. The iPhone 11 Pro runs iOS 13, which offers a lot of new features and small improvements, including a long-awaited dark mode.

Most manufacturers have stepped up their photography game in recent years and Apple was falling behind, but it has reclaimed top spot with the 11 Pro. The main camera features three lenses, arranged in a controversial square module at the top left on the back. There’s a standard 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/2.0 aperture, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.4 aperture. This camera is equipped for every situation, whether you’re snapping friends in a nightclub, capturing a beautiful landscape, or zooming in on some action from afar. Apple’s portrait mode is wonderful, you can fit more in with the 120-degree field of view that the new ultra-wide-angle lens offers, and there’s a night mode that performs amazingly well in low light conditions. On the front, the 11 Pro sports a 12-megapixel lens for selfies.

Battery life is another strength, with the iPhone 11 Pro easily seeing you through an average day with something left in the tank. There’s also 18W wired charging with a proper fast charger in the box, and you always have the option of charging, albeit more slowly, via wireless charging pads. The iPhone 11 Pro also has an IP68 rating, so water is nothing to worry about.

If the the iPhone 11 Pro is too unaffordable, then you may consider the iPhone 11 as a very good alternative. You’ll enjoy the same excellent performance, all-day battery life, and a great dual-lens camera. It lacks the telephoto lens of the 11 Pro, and the design and screen are nowhere near as good, but you’ll only notice that if you put them side by side. For most people, the iPhone 11 is probably the right pick from Apple’s lineup.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

Best Android smartphone

Why you should buy this: You want the most powerful, feature-packed Android smartphone ever.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants the best Android experience.

Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus:

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus sports a stylish, refined design that comes in an eye-catching Aura Glow option that everyone is sure to love. It’s a big phone, but Samsung has shaved it down as far as is possible with a device that has an enormous 6.8-inch screen. If you like to have plenty of screen real estate, then Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED is very hard to beat. With a sharp 3,040 x 1,440 resolution and HDR10+ certification, you won’t tire of gazing at this screen.

Inside there’s plenty of power to run the most demanding apps and games thanks to a Snapdragon 855 processor that’s paired with a staggering 12GB of RAM to make this a multitasking monster. As befits a phone built for productivity, there’s 256GB of storage and room for expansion via MicroSD card. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus runs Android 9.0 Pie with One UI over the top and it’s slick and accessible.

You’ll find an impressive triple-lens camera in the Note 10 Plus, which combines a 12-megapixel main lens with a variable f/1.5 to f/2.4 aperture and optical image stabilization, a 12-megapixel f/2.1 telephoto lens (with OIS), and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture; there’s even a time-of-flight sensor for better depth sensing. It’s a versatile setup that performs very well in most situations.

The S Pen is the secret weapon in Samsung’s Note line and it’s more useful than ever, with remote control functions thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity. You can also have the Note 10 Plus convert your handwriting into text, or use the S Pen to draw in 3D with AR Doodle. Samsung has also formed a closer partnership with Microsoft, so it’s easy to link up with a Windows PC or laptop.

Battery life to write home about rounds out a truly desirable smartphone. The 4,300mAh battery can get through even a busy day with change and Samsung has improved its top charging speed, offering a 25W charger in the box, but also the possibility of 45W charging if you’re willing to spring for the right kit. There’s also fast wireless charging support and you can even wirelessly charge other Qi-certified devices with the Note 10 Plus.

You could argue some of the features here are gimmicky and unlikely to be used often, but Samsung’s kitchen-sink approach doesn’t prevent it from turning out phones that do all the basics well and the Note 10 Plus is the best phone that the company has ever made.

Google Pixel 3a

Best budget smartphone

Why you should buy this: You’re on a budget, but you still want a powerful phone.

Who it’s for: Bargain buyers who want a stock Android phone.

Why we picked the Google Pixel 3a:

The Pixel 3a is a fantastically solid smartphone with no real weaknesses. Google’s affordable midrange phone looks a lot like its flagship sibling, but is finished in plastic instead of glass. There’s a 5.6-inch OLED display with a 2,220 x 1,080-pixel resolution that’s sharp and legible, even in broad daylight.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor is backed by 4GB of RAM and performs admirably. Part of the silky smoothness comes from the fact it features Android as Google intended, which also ensures the very latest security patches and new Android versions as soon as they’re released.

While midrange and budget smartphones have been growing more and more attractive and powerful, certain elements always tend to be lacking, and the camera is the main one. Google’s Pixel 3a changes all that by making our favorite smartphone camera affordable. Google’s A.I. squeezes amazing results from the same single 12.2-megapixel lens you’ll find in the Pixel 3; the Pixel 3a is just a tad slower at processing images. There’s also a capable 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Pixel 3a comes complete with clever software features like Now Playing, which displays songs playing in your vicinity on the lock screen, and Call Screen, which enables Google Assistant to screen your incoming calls.

You get a decent 64GB of storage inside. There’s no space for a MicroSD card, but you do get a 3.5mm audio jack and a USB-C port for fast wired charging. To round out an excellent phone, there’s a 3,000mAh battery that will easily see you through an average day with change.

If we had to dig out a flaw, the lack of wireless charging is a little disappointing and there’s no IP rating, though Google says the Pixel 3a is splash- and dust-resistant. If you’re sold, but you prefer a bigger screen, then the Pixel 3a XL gives you a bigger, 6-inch screen..

Samsung Galaxy S10e

Best small smartphone

Why you should buy this: It’s the perfect size for easy, one-handed operation.

Who it’s for: Anyone seeking a smaller phone that still boasts great design and performance.

Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy S10e:

Samsung has taken some of the best elements of the S10 and packed them into an even more compact and affordable body in the shape of the Galaxy S10e. You’ll find a top-class 5.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 2,280 x 1,080-pixel resolution and HDR10+ certification. It lacks the curves of its bigger siblings, and it’s not quite as sharp, but it offers excellent color accuracy and you won’t get tired of staring it at it.

Inside, you get the same lightning fast Snapdragon 855 processor, which makes this phone capable of running all the latest games and apps. It comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and there’s room for expansion via the MicroSD card slot.

Samsung has gone with a dual-lens main camera in the S10e, pairing a standard 12-megapixel lens with a variable f/1.5 to f/2.4 aperture and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture. You’ll find a wide array of options and modes in the camera app, which also allows you to shoot 4K video in HDR. There’s a 10-megapixel lens with an f/1.9 aperture around front.

The 3,100mAh battery will get you through an average day, but it may need a top-up if you’re planning to be out at night. Sadly wired charging isn’t very fast, but you can wirelessly charge at the same speed. Ultimately, you get most of what makes Samsung’s Galaxy flagships special affordably with the S10e.

Research and buying tips

What is an unlocked smartphone?

A locked smartphone is tied to a specific carrier’s network. An unlocked smartphone can be used on any network. If you’ve paid in full for your phone, then it should be free to unlock.

Can smartphones get viruses?

While it is possible to get viruses on iPhones or Android phones, what most people mean when they say “virus” is malware. Technically, the term virus means software that infects a host, inserting itself into an existing program, and then spreads that infection by self-replicating. They are a very small percentage of malware and extremely rare on smartphones, but malware isn’t. You should definitely think about how to protect your smartphone from hackers because a little common sense can save you from having to work out how to remove malware from your phone.

What should I do with my old smartphone?

The most obvious thing to do with your old smartphone is to pass it on to someone else. If you want to gift it, then make sure to wipe it first. You may also want to turn that old phone into cash, in which case you’ll want to read up on how to sell your smartphone. You may decide to keep it as a spare in case your new smartphone breaks, but you could also repurpose it with the right apps. It’s better to pass it on to someone who can use it or find another use for it than let it languish in a drawer. If you can’t think of a good way to reuse your smartphone then consider donating it or recycling it.

How long should a smartphone last?

Realistically, you should expect to get two to three years out of your smartphone. You can extend the life of any smartphone by taking proper care of it and it’s always worth shopping for good protective cases. There are also loads of good waterproof phones to choose from nowadays. The problem with many Android phones is that the manufacturers and carriers are slow to push out software updates, so the software can become dated and even insecure over time.

Do phones cause cancer?

The question of whether cell phone radiation is dangerous is still hotly contested in some quarters. It is technically classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” but that puts it in the same category as coffee, gasoline, and nickel. There have been many studies, but we still lack any scientific evidence to provide a definite answer to the question one way or the other. Most official bodies, including the Federal Communications Commission,  Center for Disease Control, and National Cancer Institute agree there’s no proven link right now, but also acknowledge that we need more research.

How do prepaid phones work?

Prepaid cell phones work just like any other phone, but they come without a monthly contract or long-term commitment. You usually pay for service in advance. When you buy a prepaid phone they tend to come with a fixed number of minutes, text messages, and possibly a fixed amount of mobile data. This removes the chance of any overage charges. When you run out, you simply top up by buying more minutes, texts, and data in blocks.

Which OS is best for you?

This is where things get personal. Picking a smartphone operating system is a huge deal. You’re buying into an entire ecosystem of apps and compatible products when you choose between Android and iOS.

Apple’s iOS is a beautiful, simple operating system and the App Store offers the best app selection imaginable. Each and every aspect of iOS is curated by Apple, and it shows. Android is more open and it has fewer rules, which means more customization options, but it also means that manufacturers and app makers can willfully ignore Google’s Material design language and do whatever they want, sometimes rendering Android unrecognizable and cluttered. Android is gorgeous, as seen on Google’s Pixel 3 and 3 XL, but you don’t always see it like that.

Since Apple is the only company that makes iPhones, it also has complete control over software updates. As such, iPhone users always get the most recent and best iOS experience possible. Android users don’t have that luxury. Unless you own a Pixel device — and very few of Android users do — you may have to wait months to get software updates.

How we test

A phone is so much more than its spec sheet. Your entire life is stored on it, from your photos and contacts to your music and your favorite apps. For that reason, we take great care when we review phones to recommend only the absolute best out there.

We use each phone we review as our daily driver for an extended period to test out all the features. We do benchmarks, play games, take photos, plunge them in water, and use them until their batteries expire. Then we charge ’em up and do it all over again. We test devices like real people use devices. We’re not in some stuffy lab during obscure tests. We’re running around the cities we live in using these phones just like you use your phones. Then we think about each phone in comparison with its competitors to come to a decision: Should you buy this phone or something else? If the answer is “something else,” we tell you what to buy instead.

Smartphone innovation has peaked, and the number of radical new features that come out each year is shrinking. As such, when you’re buying a phone, you’re buying a device that will be with you 24/7 for several years. It’s a big choice, and things like apps, a product ecosystem, customer support, and security should be important factors in your buying decision.