Top 10 Phones 2021
1. APPLE IPHONE 12
BEST IPHONE TO BUY IN 2021
Apple introduced four distinct iPhone 12 models at about the same time, which is the most it has ever done. Despite the benefits, the base model is still a decent value. For the most people, the regular iPhone 12, which starts at nearly $830 for a 64GB model, is the greatest smartphone.
The 12 has the same overall design, CPU, wireless charging, Face ID system, 5G connectivity, front camera, main and wide-angle rear cameras, and front camera as the more costly 12 Pro, but it costs hundreds of dollars less. It also comes in five different colors, which is one more than the Pro models.
The iPhone 12 has a significantly bigger display and a larger battery than the iPhone 12 mini, two qualities that many people enjoy. It's big enough, at 6.1 inches, to make watching video and reading text pleasurable and enjoyable, but not so big that it's impossible to use with one hand or put in your pocket. The phone's battery life is also excellent; you can expect it to last all day without needing to charge it before night.
The iPhone 12 comes with 64GB of storage as standard, but because iPhones aren't expandable, we recommend spending the additional $50 for the 128GB model.
Overall, most consumers will choose the iPhone 12 because it offers top-of-the-line performance, design, and camera features at a cheaper price than other options on the market.
2. SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 ULTRA
BEST ANDROID PHONE TO BUY IN 2021
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the greatest Android phone you can purchase right now, regardless of size or price. It's the no-compromise choice, with a large 6.8-inch screen and the finest cameras available on an Android phone. Its cameras are capable of outperforming the iPhone 12 Pro Max in some situations.
On Android, the Galaxy S21 Ultra offers the most up-to-date and best specs. It is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which is the fastest Android processor currently available. It supports S Pen styluses, which are sold separately, if you wish to use a pen with your phone. The screen features a high refresh rate, which allows for more smoother scrolling. It also features a large battery that can easily last two days on a single charge.
The S21 Ultra has a new design that includes a metal rail that bends organically into the camera bump on the rear. It is now the best-looking large phone available. However, we can't say we're fans of Samsung's software, which is now crowded and includes advertisements in areas like the weather app.
The camera hump has a wide-angle lens with a 108-megapixel sensor, an ultrawide lens, and two distinct telephoto lenses. As a consequence, it's a versatile camera system with a variety of advanced video features including Pro modes and 8K recording.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a high-priced phone that starts at $1,199.99. Samsung smartphones, thankfully, are frequently reduced. If you're looking for one, shop around for a good bargain.
3. SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 / S21 PLUS
BEST ANDROID PHONE TO FIND A DEAL FOR
Despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus don't have the same astounding numbers as the S21 Ultra, they're still our top picks for the best Android phones under $1,000 right now. The Galaxy S21 ($800) has a 6.2-inch screen, while the Galaxy S21 Plus ($1,000) has a 6.7-inch screen.
The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus are nearly similar phones with three exceptions: screen size, battery capacity, and materials. We evaluated the standard Galaxy S21 and found it to be a highly capable phone, despite the fact that it is only a slight upgrade over last year's Galaxy S20.
The crucial element, though, has been refreshed: the CPU is the same Snapdragon 888 found in the Ultra. As a result, the Galaxy S21 is extremely quick and should survive for several years without slowing down.
There will most certainly be more fantastic Android phones in the future, but for the time being, the S21 is the Android phone with the finest mix of functionality and affordability.
4. APPLE IPHONE 12 PRO MAX
BEST PHONE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO IN 2021
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the best camera system currently available on a smartphone. Its three rear cameras — standard wide, ultrawide, and telephoto — collaborate with Apple's image processing to produce stunning images even in low-light conditions. If camera quality is your top priority when choosing a phone, the 12 Pro Max is the way to go.
The primary camera sensor distinguishes the iPhone 12 Pro Max from the other iPhone 12 variants. The 12 Pro Max features a physically bigger camera sensor, which helps it to capture more light and create higher-quality photos in low-light situations. Furthermore, the 12 Pro Max features an enhanced image stabilization technology that helps keep your photos crisp when light levels decrease.
However, unless you just care about camera quality, the 12 Pro Max isn't the greatest iPhone for most people. It's massive, and the squared sides give it a larger sense than its specs suggest. Most people will prefer the iPhone 12, which is smaller but still has a big screen.
5. APPLE IPHONE 12 MINI
BEST SMALL SMARTPHONE IN 2021
If you want a phone that's easier to handle in one hand or fit into a small pocket, there's only one reason to buy an iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 12 mini is one of the only little phones on the market with high-end features and specs; you won't have to compromise on performance, build quality, or cameras with this one.
The iPhone 12 small is identical to the bigger model in terms of design, CPU, cameras, 5G capability, and build quality. It's only a little smaller and costs a little less, around $100 less.
If you prefer Android, the Asus Zenfone 8 is a wonderful choice. It has a 5.9-inch screen and isn't Verizon-compatible, but it's otherwise a very similar proposition: excellent build quality, a top-tier processor, and high-end features like a 120Hz screen, all wrapped up in a pocket-friendly device.
6. SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 20 ULTRA
IF YOU WANT A STYLUS BUILT INTO YOUR PHONE
It features a large 4,500mAh battery that can power its massive 6.9-inch screen for as long as you need it. Samsung's top-of-the-line Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the phone to purchase if you want a phone that can run from dawn to night with intensive use and still endure.
The Note 20 Ultra is a high-end phone in every other aspect. It boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth interactions, a triple rear camera system that is among the best on the market, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus CPU with 12GB of RAM that allows it to function smoothly. It also accepts pen input from Samsung's S Pen.
Although you can now use a pen with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, unlike the Note 20 Ultra, it is not incorporated into the phone. This might also be the last “Ultra” version of the Note, depending on Samsung's intentions - but rumours on that front have been contradictory.
7. ONEPLUS 9
IF YOU WANT AN EXCELLENT ULTRAWIDE CAMERA
The OnePlus 9 is a less expensive variant of the OnePlus 9 Pro, which is nonetheless an excellent device. However, picking the 9 saves a lot of money while without sacrificing too much. It boasts a Snapdragon 888 processor, fast 65W wired charging, and a fantastic ultrawide camera that will appeal to landscape photographers, just like the 9 Pro.
With a strong 50-megapixel resolution, the ultrawide camera sensor in the OnePlus 9 is physically larger than others. A new lens design corrects distortion without the funhouse mirror-like stretching seen in the corners of ultrawide images.
The 9 Pro offers optical image stabilization, which is useful for its ability to keep subjects looking sharp in lower light conditions. There's no telephoto lens — just digital zoom, which isn't as good as the 9 Pro's optical zoom. The 9 Pro also doesn't have a builtin Wi-Fi connection.
The OnePlus 9 is a great phone for the money, but it isn't compatible with AT&T's 5G network. For a little less than the highest-end Android alternatives, it provides a flagship feel and performance. Reviewer It's one of the greatest phones I've ever had the pleasure of using.
8. SAMSUNG GALAXY A52 5G
BEST CHEAP PHONE WITH HIGH-END FEATURES
Our current favorite Android phone under $500 is the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. It sports a 6.5-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and is waterproof to IP67. The phone's 4,500mAh battery lasts for more than a day when used moderately to heavily. Overall, it's a reasonably priced gadget with a robust feature set that should last for years.
9. GOOGLE PIXEL 4A
BEST ANDROID PHONE UNDER $400
The Google Pixel 4A is a $349 Android phone with a low price tag. It may not have the biggest screen or the quickest CPU, but software upgrades are assured for at least three years. The phone is the obvious pick if you're on a budget and want Android. It's only available in black with 128GB of storage.
Google's new Pixel 4A phone has a high-end camera that can compete with smartphones that cost $1,500 or more. The main claim to fame is its camera, which can take night photos, do astrophotography, and has a passable portrait mode. It can't hang with the iPhone SE for video but beats it for photos every time.
Google's new Pixel 4A phone is a mid-range version of its Nexus handset with a 5.8-inch screen and a headphone jack. There's no wireless charging, no fancy face unlock, and the body is constructed of plastic rather than glass, which would be more expensive. It doesn't even have an IP rating for water resistance (but a splash of water is probably fine)
10. SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 2
BEST FOLDING PHONE IN 2021
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 2 is its second-generation folding phone. Its main premise is that it unfolds to reveal a tablet-sized 7.6-inch display on the inside. When you're done using it, just fold it back up and stick it in your pocket just like any other phone. The phone is twice as thick when closed compared to normal phones, and its outside screen is much smaller than what you're used to.
