Top 20 best phone in the world 2023 năm 2024

No smartphone manufacturer other than Apple or Samsung cracked the list of the top 10 selling smartphones on the planet in the first half of 2023, according to a new report. And the best-selling model is one of the most expensive phones on the market, even as the overall smartphone market is shrinking.

The top 10 phones in the first half of 2023 are:

  1. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max: 26.5 million
  2. Apple iPhone Pro: 21 million
  3. Apple iPhone 14: 16.5 million
  4. Apple iPhone 13: 15.5 million
  5. Samsung Galaxy A14: 12.4 million
  6. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: 9.6 million
  7. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G: 9 million
  8. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G:8.8 million
  9. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G: 7.1 million
  10. Apple iPhone 11: 6.9 million

“The global smartphone market is recording negative growth as the mid- to low-end market shrinks due to economic recession and the expansion of the used smartphone market,” says Omdia, the research firm that released the report. “On the other hand, the premium smartphone market is steadily increasing because replacement demand for Apple's premium models remains solid.”

The top two models are Apple’s most expensive models. The iPhone 14 Pro Max tops out around $1,600, while the 14 Pro can cost $1,500. The Samsung Galaxy A14, by contrast, can be under $200 and the A14 5G is around $300.

Global smartphone shipments for the first half of 2023.

Omdia

One major change from last year: there are no Chinese smartphone manufacturers in the top 10. A major concern for Samsung last year was the growing domination of Chinese brands, but the Korean company has successfully fought back that trend up to this point at least.

A key reason why: people want better phones with more features.

“Shipments of Chinese smartphone set makers have continued a double-digit decline since 2022 due to the slump in the mid- to low-end smartphone market,” Omdia says.

Apple will be releasing its new iPhone 15 models at an event in September, and Omdia expects that they will sell in similar volumes to Apple’s current top of the line models. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, the biggest and most expensive model, is expected to be about $100 more than the current iPhone 14 Pro Max thanks to a new camera with more optical zoom capability.

Samsung’s most expensive model, the dual-screen Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, which costs more than any Apple iPhone at about $2,000, did not make the list of most shipped smartphones.

It's tough to go wrong with most phones available in the US these days, and it's almost impossible to find a bad phone if you're looking for a premium device in 2024. Considering that, the "best phone" depends on your budget and priorities. Still, we can make a general assessment of the best phone overall.

Among the best phones available, Apple's iPhone 15 is our top option for most people due to its balance of performance, camera quality, camera reliability, battery life, and ecosystem for the price. Samsung's Galaxy S24 is the ideal pick for Android users for the same reasons as the iPhone 15.

On the more affordable end of the spectrum, Apple's iPhone 13 and Google's Pixel 7a are superb devices that offer incredible value. Indeed, they're not exactly "cheap," but we think they're well worth the price considering what they offer and their potential longevity.

Our top picks for the best phones

Best overall: iPhone 15 - See at Best Buy

Best phone for Android users: Samsung Galaxy S24 - See at Amazon

Best budget iPhone: iPhone 13 - See at Best Buy

Best budget phone for Android users: Google Pixel 7a - See at Amazon

Best camera phone: Google Pixel 8 Pro - See at Amazon

Best battery life: iPhone 15 Plus - See at Best Buy

Best foldable phone: OnePlus Open - See at Amazon

Best overall

Apple iPhone 15

The iPhone 15 offers the best balance of performance, features, user experience, and price. While it isn’t the most advanced iPhone, its pro-like attributes will more than satisfy most people.

These days, most smartphone users fall into either Team iPhone or Team Android. If you're platform agnostic and want a phone that requires the fewest compromises, we recommend the iPhone 15. (For those who prefer Apple, our best iPhone guide shows what else we recommend.)

While Android phones seem to go through identity changes more often than Ethan Hunt, iPhones have stayed relatively consistent year over year. Apple is largely sticking to a successful playbook for the iPhone 15: A phone that delivers a great user experience that revolves around a stable operating system, best-in-class camera system, popular apps, and the latest tech.

It may look like a typical iPhone, but the iPhone 15 has several improvements and new features over its predecessor. Les Shu/Business Insider

The iPhone 15 isn't a big departure from the iPhone 14, but there are noteworthy upgrades. It runs on the A16 processor and incorporates the Dynamic Island notification display, both of which were introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro. Performance has increased over the iPhone 14 and 13, which used the A15. The 6.1-inch display is also much brighter, with a slightly higher resolution.

The big new feature is the iPhone's switch to USB-C from Lightning, which, depending on the user, could be a celebration or an annoyance. There is satisfaction in using the same cable to charge all your devices. But it's inconvenient if you own just Lightning cables and accessories, which would require purchasing new chargers and adapters.

Most people, however, probably already have USB-C accessories, particularly those who own the newest MacBooks, iPads, PCs, and even Android phones, which have been using USB-C for some time now. Our disappointment with the iPhone 15's USB-C implementation is that it doesn't offer an improvement over Lightning regarding fast charging and data transfer.

The iPhone 15's main camera sensor has been bumped up to 48 megapixels from 12, and the optical zoom is now 2x instead of 1x. While iPhone cameras have always been solid, the iPhone 15 delivers improved low-light performance and picture quality, particularly when cropping into a photo.

While the newest Android phones aren't anything to sneeze at, we still recommend the iPhone for most people due to the polished hardware and software, ease of use, and Apple's lauded support.

For older iPhone owners who held back due to the lack of upgrades in the iPhone 14, the iPhone 15 is a more attractive recommendation. However, those who could use Apple's latest high-end features should consider the iPhone 15 Pro models, as they exclusively offer faster USB 3 charging, a customizable Action button, and dedicated zoom lenses.

See our guide to the best iPhone 15 cases to protect the phone.

Best phone for Android users

Samsung Galaxy S24

The Galaxy S24 runs on the most powerful processor for Android phones in 2024. It includes three excellent cameras, a super-smooth 120Hz display, Samsung's effective AI features, and stellar battery life, especially for a smaller phone.

With its triple-lens camera, class-leading performance, AI features, and excellent battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is the complete package. No other phone offers as much as the Galaxy S24 for an $800 base price, even among iPhones.

Indeed, the Galaxy S24's three cameras set it apart from other Android phones in its 6.1-inch size range and $800 price range. By including a 3x zoom lens, the Galaxy S24 offers a more versatile camera experience, allowing you to take better-quality photos of subjects further away.

Samsung's Galaxy S24 is easily the top Android phone for most people, as it makes the fewest compromises for a solid price. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

Ironically, the Galaxy S24's cameras are among our few complaints. To be sure, they're very good cameras, but they're generally less consistent than premium phones from Google and Apple, as irregular lighting can produce flat, shallow photos with reduced character.

That said, overall, the Galaxy S24 is our top pick among the best Android phones, as it is likely to satisfy most people with its stellar performance and high-end features at a reasonable price point.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 review, and see our guide to the best Samsung Galaxy S24 cases to protect the phone.

Best budget iPhone

Apple iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 may have been released in 2021, but it’s still a worthy model for its $599 price if you’re looking for a less expensive alternative to the latest iPhone 15, which starts at $799.

If you're looking for the best iPhone experience for the lowest price, go for the iPhone 13 rather than the iPhone SE (2022). Yes, the iPhone 13 has a $599 starting price compared to the iPhone SE's $429, which stretches the definition of "budget." However, we feel the iPhone 13's extras are well worth it.

The iPhone 13 runs on Apple's A15 Bionic processor (the same as the iPhone SE, coincidentally). Although two generations old, it can easily handle any app or game in the App Store.

The iPhone 13 is expensive for a "budget" iPhone, but it's a significantly better phone than the true budget iPhone SE (2022). Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

The iPhone 13 also features Apple's modern design rather than the iPhone SE's antiquated look with its top and bottom bezels. It also includes Face ID, a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, a dual-lens camera, and support for Apple's MagSafe wireless charging and accessories. To top it all off, the iPhone 13 has significantly better battery life than the iPhone SE.

With all this in mind, we think you'll better enjoy the experience with the iPhone 13 for the years you'll use it. Based on Apple's support cycle, we'd estimate Apple will support the iPhone 13 for another three years.

However, if budget matters more than features and design, you'll still be happy with the iPhone SE (2022), as it remains another top option among the best cheap phones available. But be aware that the iPhone SE uses an outdated design with a small screen and Touch ID.

Best budget phone for Android users

Google Pixel 7a

Google's Pixel 7a is like a premium phone at a major discount with its 90Hz display, flagship Tensor G2 processor from the previous Pixel 7 generation, and two cameras that take stunning photos with natural colors and beautiful lighting and depth.

Budget Android phones often try to appear more premium than they are, mostly with high refresh-rate displays and bunk "macro" cameras that few people will use. Most fall flat when it comes to performance or camera quality. Google's Pixel 7a, however, is the exception.

At its $499 starting price, the Pixel 7a pushes the boundaries of "budget," especially for an Android phone. Yet, we feel it's well worth it if your budget allows for it, as it's easily the best budget Android phone you can buy now, and it's often discounted. (We expect Google will launch a new Pixel A-series model around the company's Google I/O event on May 14. Consequently, you might want to wait for a price drop of the Pixel 7a or see what the next model offers.)

Google's Pixel 7a can be pricey for a budget phone, but the features are worth it. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

The Pixel 7a has a smooth 90Hz display, but that's par for the course on budget Android phones. What's impressive is that it runs on the same Tensor G2 processor as Google's flagship Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, meaning it has high-end performance at an excellent value.

The Pixel 7a's cameras also beat any other phone in its price range. In fact, the Pixel 7a's camera system comfortably competes with phones that cost twice as much. You don't get a dedicated zoom lens with the Pixel 7a, but it's not expected on a $500 phone.

Read our full Google Pixel 7a review, and see our guide to the best Google Pixel 7a cases to protect the phone.

Best camera phone

Google Pixel 8 Pro

The Pixel 8 Pro offers the best Android camera system we've tested, strong battery life and performance, and Google's Pixel-exclusive AI features.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro has three cameras: a 48MP ultrawide camera, a 50MP main camera, and a 48MP 5x zoom camera. It takes excellent photos and imparted the most confidence during our testing, over both Samsung and Apple phones, that it would reliably do so repeatedly.

The Pixel's signature photo look is gleefully present, with rich and natural colors, and lighting is properly balanced without trying to enhance darker and brighter details with extra brightness. Pixel photos have plenty of contrast, too, which gives photos gorgeous depth.

The Pixel 8 Pro gives us the most confidence that photos and videos will turn out great. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

Our top camera pick among the best Google Pixel phones, the Pixel 8 Pro's three lenses offer plenty of versatility, and we love its 5x zoom compared to the 3x zoom cameras that are more common.

If you want to stick to Apple's ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers the best camera system among iPhones, and it's the only option that matches the Pixel 8 Pro's 5x zoom lens.

Read our full Google Pixel 8 Pro review, and see our guide to the best Google Pixel 8 Pro cases to protect the phone.

Best battery life

Apple iPhone 15 Plus

The iPhone 15 Plus one-ups its smaller sibling with a larger screen and battery. For those who need a phone that can stay on for over a day without recharging, the iPhone 15 Plus is the best you can get.

The iPhone 15 Plus is our recommendation if you're looking for a phone that can last over a day on a single charge. Every user's mileage will vary, but we achieved, on average, 66% of battery life remaining after rounds of testing. A close runner-up is the Samsung S24 Ultra, which yielded similar test results but is a more expensive phone.

In terms of performance and features, the iPhone 15 Plus shares the same pros and cons as the iPhone 15. But the iPhone 15 Plus is a larger device that can accommodate a bigger battery. It also has a 6.7-inch display versus 6.1, which gives you more viewable real estate. The problem is that you can't get longer battery life without getting a large phone, so it's something to consider and worth trying out at a store. That said, we haven't experienced issues when holding it in our hand or stashing it in a pocket.

The iPhone 15 Plus' larger size allows for a bigger battery. Most people can expect over a day's worth of battery life before recharging Les Shu/Business Insider

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its 6.8-inch display, is a good example of how larger phones tend to offer longer battery life. However, it scored notably higher than other phones with large screens, like the Galaxy S24 Plus and Google Pixel 8 Pro.

That's all to say that the Galaxy S24 Ultra, specs-wise the best Samsung phone, offers the best battery life for Android users, but they have to pay a higher price than iPhone users.

See our guide to the best iPhone 15 Plus cases to protect the phone.

Best foldable phone

OnePlus Open

The OnePlus Open is our favorite foldable phone thanks to its comfortably familiar cover display, large tablet display, performance, superior build quality, and excellent cameras.

We prefer book-style foldable phones that unfold into compact tablets for their superior functionality and performance relative to clamshell foldables, which fold into compact squares.

Among the three phone-tablet hybrid foldables available in the US, the OnePlus Open is our favorite option, topping the Google Pixel Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

The OnePlus Open sets itself apart with its build quality, larger displays, and a traditional shape and size for the cover display that's familiar and comfortable to use. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

All phone-tablet hybrid foldables essentially offer the same level of performance, top-of-the-line displays with premium specs, like 120HZ refresh rates and OLED panels, excellent camera quality, and superlative battery life.

What sets the OnePlus Open apart is its superior, rock-solid build quality, its cover display that's sized and shaped like a traditional phone, and its slightly larger cover and tablet displays compared to other available foldables.

The only gripe we have with the OnePlus Open is the omission of wireless charging, which should be expected on a phone with a $1,700 price tag. It does support super-fast 67W charging speeds, but only with the included proprietary OnePlus charger.

Read our OnePlus Open hands-on assessment, and see our guide to the best foldable phones for other top picks.

Which is the best phone to buy right now?

Overall, Apple's iPhone 15 is the phone we'd recommend to most people, at least those who live in the US. Android phones these days are fantastic, but they still lack certain key features, like advanced biometric authentication that's on par with Apple's Face ID. Even minor features, like Apple's Dynamic Island, make us lean toward the iPhone 15 for an overall recommendation.

How we test phones

We test and use phones extensively to land on the top options for our guides. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

We test iPhones and Android phones as if they were our daily drivers for at least a week, often longer, to get a feel for their performance, battery life, cameras, and new features. We have extensive experience testing various phone models from different companies at various price points, which lets us quickly identify any issues.

In addition to real-world usage, we conduct standardized tests on all phones reviewed and included in our guides.

For performance, we put phones through a series of benchmarking apps to check for discrepancies between devices. We use Geekbench 6 for general performance and the 3DMark Wild Life Stress Test to gauge extended heavy gaming performance. These tests help us estimate how long a phone could maintain its performance relative to comparable phones.

For camera testing, we photograph a consistent set of scenes with every phone and compare the results with their direct competitors. We take photos and videos with each lens on each phone and evaluate the differences. We even compare budget camera phones to premium options to assess the discrepancies in image and video quality.

For battery life, we run phones through a stress test that simulates a range of typical daily workloads, like streaming video and music, and high-intensity activities, like playing demanding games. This test includes five runs of the Geekbench 6 app, two runs of the 3DMark Wildlife Stress Test, two hours of video streaming at a set average brightness, and one hour of music streaming with a Bluetooth speaker connected. At the end of the test, we note the phone's remaining battery percentage.

FAQs

How much storage should a phone have?

These days, 128GB is the standard, minimum option for storage on most phones. Anything lower than that, like 64GB, can be quite limiting in terms of how many apps you can install, and you can basically forget about storing a significant number of photos, videos, and music.

128GB of storage can be enough, especially if you use cloud storage for photos and often stream. Depending on how many apps you use, you can also get by downloading videos for flights.

You should opt for more than 128GB of storage if you tend to download your music rather than stream it or store lots of photos and videos on your phone. More storage can be helpful if you have many apps and games.

How long should a phone's battery life last?

A phone's battery should last you through a typical day, even for heavy users with extensive screen time. Thankfully, most phones tend to have good enough battery life to do so.

Larger phones tend to have longer battery lives than smaller ones, so users with lots of screen-on time would benefit from a larger phone if not for the larger display.

Your best options for a phone that can last longer than a day routinely are Apple's iPhone 15 Plus and Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra, large-screen devices that scored the highest among all phones in our intensive battery test.

What is a good camera for a phone?

More than anything, a good camera for a phone should give you the confidence that you'll get a high-quality photo or video without making you feel like you need to check and retake your content.

We find that Google's Pixel phones and Apple's iPhones tend to give us the most confidence in this regard. Correspondingly, our top overall picks for phone camera systems are Google's Pixel 8 Pro and Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max, which both offer a dedicated 5x zoom lens.

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].

Apple's iPhone 14 was the best-selling smartphone of 2023, with the US and China making up half of its sales.

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