The best smartphones summer 2023 - 33 reviewed phones compared

Over the course of the last 3 months, we have thoroughly tested the smartphones who set out to knock the reigning champions - Apple and Samsung - off their thrones. Xiaomi, Sony, OnePlus, Motorola, Oppo and Huawei all have great smartphones to offer.

Florian Schmitt, 👁 Florian Schmitt (translated by Daisy Dickson), Published 08/06/2023 🇩🇪 🇷🇺

In this article, we have only included the smartphones which we have tested in the last three months. You can find further riveting recommendations and maybe even some great deals in the following top lists:

Our reigning champions: These are currently the best smartphones!

In the past three months, we liked the Sony Xperia 1 V the most. It offers many unique features that you can't often find on high-end phones: For example, a 3.5 mm jack or a microSD card reader. It has some great features for image recording - for photography as well as recording video - but it is a little weaker than its competitors when it comes to automatic mode, meaning it is best suited for professionals. You can find it on Amazon for around $1,279.

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a great camera phone, too, boasting a variable aperture and great focal length range. It also doesn't throttle as much under load as other high-end phones, and its faux leather case with a metal frame looks really sleek. Price: around $1,000.

The Motorola Edge 40 Pro is a little cheaper than other flagship phones, but you have to settle for a slightly simpler camera system and less frequent updates. In turn, it benefits from precise locating, long runtimes and super-fast charging. You can currently find it for around $850.

The OnePlus 11 5G has received quite a few updates, such as eSIM support and fast memory - at the same time, it has also suffered a few downgrades in comparison to its predecessor, such as its camera quality and slow USB 2.0 connection. However, it's still a bit cheaper than the competition. Currently, you can find it for around $800 on Amazon.

The next place is (unfortunately) taken up by something a little more exotic: The Oppo Find X6 Pro isn't officially available in the US. You might be able to find it as a China import and it features all the necessary mobile frequencies to be used here, too. Furthermore, it also has some great features including a bright display and high-quality case. Its camera is great - but it can't quite live up to other high-end phones. You can find this smartphone for around $940.

The Huawei P60 Pro might be able to be found in the States, however, it isn't easy to load any Google apps onto it. Due to its exotic software and missing 5G capabilities which can be put down to trade restrictions against the manufacturer, this phone comes with quite a few trade-offs. This is a shame, as its zoom camera, fast charging and great case are all impressive to say the least. Price-wise, the phone can currently be found for $1,290.

The Zenfone 10 is a nice flagship phone for a cheaper price - while still providing great performance. The smartphone also boasts a 3.5 mm jack, wireless charging as well as long software updates. If you can come to terms with its lack of eSIM support and slow USB 2.0 port, then you will get a compact yet powerful phone for the price. The Zenfone 10 currently costs around $700.

Our favorites - Editors Choice Awards summer 2023

Based on our test results during the review period, we conducted an editorial vote and then awarded an Editors Choice Award.

The award is given to smartphones that stand out for their successful overall package, absolute top performance in specific areas, or their particularly good price to performance ratio - and that represent an attractive purchase option for our editors in the respective category.

Motorola Razr+

With its huge front screen and very stylish case, the foldable smartphone Motorola Razr+ knows how to impress. Its hinge is found along the short edge and can keep the screen open in any position. The smartphone is still relatively lightweight and handy.

Although you will have to do without some premium features such as WiFi 7, the chic device nevertheless brings foldables a good step further towards the mass market. However, at $1,000, the foldable phone is still not necessarily cheap.

Google Pixel 7a

The Google Pixel 7a is yet again a really strong mid-range contender that leaves a lot for the competition to measure up to. With its 90-Hz display, fast USB port and good camera, it's good at a lot of things. In addition to this, its unusual camera module design makes the phone instantly recognisable as being part of the Pixel range.

Its joy isn't entirely unrestricted, though, as it is still missing the technology to suppress screen flickering and the competition's fast-charging capabilities are often better. Thanks to the phone's regular and long software update supply, the Google Pixel 7a is definitely still worth taking a closer look at.

Note: Commercial use of award graphics may be subject to licensing. More details.

The best smartphones of summer 2023

Overall rating	Model	Case rating	Size	Thickness	Weight rating	Weight	Display rating	Display type	Resolution	Pixel density	Aspect ratio	Screen-to-body ratio	Screen brightness	DeltaE color checker	Refresh rate	Camera rating	DeltaE color checker low light	DeltaE color checker daylight	Application performance rating	Gaming performance rating	3DMark for A. Sling Shot Ext. (ES 3.1) Un.	GFXBench Aztec Ruins H.T. Onscreen	PUBG Mobile HD	Battery life rating	Runtimes WiFi 150 cd/m²	Temperature rating	Top idle	Top under load	Audio rating	Max. audio output (dB)	Touchscreen input rating	Connectivity rating
78.7 %	Nokia G22 T606, Mali-G57 MP1	84.3 %	6.52"	8.5 mm	88.4 %	195 g	85.1 %	IPS	1600x720	269 PPI	20:9	82 %	641 cd/m²	4.45	090 Hz	58.4 %	44.3	15.1	68 %	12 %		6.4		91.7 %	1052 min	88 %	26.6 °C	42.4 °C	70 %	81.1 dB	91.7 %	47.1 %
89.4 %	Motorola Edge 40 Pro SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740	87.9 %	6.67"	8.6 mm	88.1 %	199 g	93.5 %	P-OLED	2400x1080	395 PPI	20:9	91 %	1055 cd/m²	1.28	165 Hz	78 %	36.65	11.08	95 %	65 %		85		90.9 %	984 min	85.4 %	22.6 °C	46.8 °C	81.6 %	85.9 dB	97.2 %	58.6 %
82.8 %	Motorola Moto G73 5G Dimensity 930, IMG BXM-8-256	86.3 %	6.50"	8.29 mm	89.6 %	181 g	86 %	IPS LCD	2400x1080	405 PPI	20:9	90 %	498 cd/m²	2.08	120 Hz	74 %	25.66	6.74	75 %	29.8 %	2589	11	30	91.5 %	1046 min	87.6 %	25.8 °C	43.9 °C	79.4 %	80.9 dB	88.3 %	47.7 %
79.4 %	Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Dimensity 700, Mali-G57 MP2	82.6 %	6.60"	9.1 mm	88 %	202 g	81.4 %	PLS LCD	2408x1080	400 PPI	20:9	80 %	543 cd/m²	7.6	090 Hz	56.6 %	46.27	7.32	69.5 %	26.5 %	2546	7.9	30	91.2 %	1029 min	93.3 %	34.2 °C	34.9 °C	78 %	90.4 dB	88.3 %	48.5 %
75.9 %	Samsung Galaxy A14 LTE Helio G80, Mali-G52 MP2	80.9 %	6.60"	9.1 mm	88 %	201 g	79.8 %	PLS	2408x1080	400 PPI	20:9	80 %	439 cd/m²	8.5	060 Hz	51.8 %	46.82	5.86	58.8 %	14.8 %	1346	4.8	17	90.5 %	896 min	90.5 %	30.6 °C	37.6 °C	72.6 %	90.7 dB	84.4 %	47.7 %
81.7 %	Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G SD 4 Gen 1, Adreno 619	84.4 %	6.67"	8 mm	88.9 %	189 g	91.1 %	AMOLED	2400x1080	395 PPI	20:9	85 %	663 cd/m²	1.4	120 Hz	64.2 %	46.22	7.25	71.9 %	29 %	2709	11	60	89.6 %	645 min	89.5 %	30 °C	40.3 °C	78.4 %	91.5 dB	88.3 %	51.2 %
85.4 %	Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G Dimensity 1080, Mali-G68 MP4	84.4 %	6.67"	7.9 mm	89.1 %	187 g	93.8 %	OLED	2400x1080	395 PPI	20:9	87 %	939 cd/m²	0.9	120 Hz	69 %	36.35	6.57	75.5 %	45.9 %	4362	14	40	90.8 %	978 min	93.3 %	29.6 °C	32.9 °C	77.4 %	89.2 dB	92.8 %	53 %
80.1 %	Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G SD 685, Adreno 610	83.3 %	6.67"	8 mm	89 %	188 g	91.9 %	AMOLED	2400x1080	395 PPI	20:9	85.3 %	658 cd/m²	1.55	120 Hz	61.2 %	44.16	8.67	67.6 %	16 %	1558	5.4		90.9 %	719 min	92.4 %	23.3 °C	38.9 °C	70 %	81.3 dB	90 %	48.3 %
85.1 %	Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G Dimensity 1080, Mali-G68 MP4	84.1 %	6.67"	9 mm	87.8 %	210.5 g	93.5 %	OLED	2400x1080	395 PPI	20:9	87 %	939 cd/m²	1.05	120 Hz	70.2 %	32.56	7.4	77 %	47 %		16	40	90.5 %	952 min	86.2 %	25.3 °C	46.5 °C	77 %	81.1 dB	92.8 %	55.1 %
89.1 %	OnePlus 11 5G SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740	90 %	6.70"	8.5 mm	87.9 %	205 g	91.2 %	AMOLED with LTPO3	3216x1440	526 PPI	20.1:9	89.7 %	470 cd/m²	1.23	120 Hz	79.6 %	14.05	5.54	96.7 %	67.6 %	15422	56	60	91.2 %	803 min	86.7 %	27 °C	45.2 °C	84.4 %	85.7 dB	95.6 %	54.1 %
82 %	Honor Magic5 Lite 5G SD 695 5G, Adreno 619	80.1 %	6.67"	7.9 mm	90.1 %	175 g	92.1 %	AMOLED	2400x1080	395 PPI	20:9	90 %	853 cd/m²	1.3	120 Hz	54 %	46.1	5.62	83.1 %	37 %	3106	12		89.9 %	816 min	86.7 %	31.2 °C	44.3 °C	77.4 %	90.7 dB	91.7 %	42.8 %
81.4 %	Xiaomi Poco X5 SD 695 5G, Adreno 619	78.1 %	6.67"	7.98 mm	88.9 %	190 g	90.9 %	AMOLED	2400x1080	395 PPI	20:9	85 %	683 cd/m²	1.6	120 Hz	57.5 %	45.52	7.63	72.2 %	33.4 %	3069	12	30	89.1 %	662 min	94.8 %	27.2 °C	31.7 °C	75.6 %	93 dB	91.1 %	51.4 %
89.7 %	Xiaomi 13 Ultra SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740	90.8 %	6.73"	9.1 mm	87.6 %	227 g	93.6 %	AMOLED	3200x1440	521 PPI	20:9	89.5 %	1340 cd/m²	1.1	120 Hz	80.4 %	7.99	6.49	95.9 %	78.7 %	15192	51	60	91 %	1065 min	81.5 %	31.2 °C	48.4 °C	79.6 %	89.5 dB	95.6 %	67.2 %
88.9 %	Oppo Find X6 Pro SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740	91.1 %	6.82"	9.5 mm	87.7 %	218 g	93.8 %	AMOLED	3168x1440	510 PPI		90 %	1190 cd/m²	1.3	120 Hz	79 %	19.26	6.08	94.3 %	59.1 %	15344	54	60	92.5 %	936 min	78.1 %	31.9 °C	51.8 °C	77.8 %	89.4 dB	92.8 %	66.8 %
88.8 %	Huawei P60 Pro SD 8+ Gen 1, Adreno 730	93 %	6.67"	8.3 mm	88 %	200 g	93.4 %	OLED	2700x1220	444 PPI	19.92:9	90 %	1189 cd/m²	1.3	120 Hz	80.4 %	19.24	7.86	91.8 %	59.4 %	13026	52		89.7 %	792 min	83.8 %	30.5 °C	47.6 °C	75.2 %	89.1 dB	91.7 %	69.7 %
79.7 %	CAT S75 Dimensity 930, IMG BXM-8-256	81 %	6.58"	11.9 mm	86.9 %	268 g	82.8 %	IPS LCD	2408x1080	401 PPI	20:9	76.7 %	529 cd/m²	5.02	120 Hz	58.2 %	44.8	6.45	76.6 %	25.8 %		10	39	90.5 %	896 min	93 %	21.9 °C	38 °C	75.8 %	84.5 dB	90 %	48.3 %
86.4 %	Motorola Razr 40 SD 7 Gen 1, Adreno 644	87.3 %	6.90"	7.4 mm	89 %	188.6 g	92.8 %	P-OLED	2640x1080	413 PPI	22:9	85 %	1002 cd/m²	0.93	144 Hz	76.5 %	28.99	11.28	75 %	50 %	6286	21	40	89.9 %	743 min	85 %	27.6 °C	51.5 °C	78 %	77.3 dB	94.4 %	53.4 %
87 %	Motorola Razr 40 Ultra SD 8+ Gen 1, Adreno 730	87.6 %	6.90"	7 mm	89 %	188.5 g	88.8 %	P-OLED	2640x1080	413 PPI	22:9	89 %	830 cd/m²	3.02	165 Hz	78.8 %	32.27	11.19	82.3 %	57.5 %		58		89.5 %	669 min	82.5 %	26.9 °C	54.6 °C	77.6 %	79.7 dB	94.4 %	53.6 %
87.1 %	Google Pixel 7a Tensor G2, Mali-G710 MP7	85.6 %	6.10"	9 mm	88.6 %	193.5 g	93.7 %	OLED	2400x1080	431 PPI	20:9	81 %	1010 cd/m²	1.1	090 Hz	77.2 %	26.78	5.15	82.3 %	54.9 %	7756	44		90.7 %	821 min	83.6 %	28.6 °C	48.3 °C	77 %	90.4 dB	92.2 %	57.9 %
86.3 %	Huawei Mate X3 SD 8+ Gen 1, Adreno 730	88.1 %	7.85"	5.3 mm	87.4 %	239 g	92.9 %	OLED	2496x2224	426 PPI	10.10:9	89 %	969 cd/m²	1.4	120 Hz	77.2 %	10.9	10.21	93.5 %	62.2 %	13386	31		79.3 %	476 min	89.8 %	31.7 °C	41.6 °C	77 %	86.5 dB	90 %	68.2 %
81.4 %	OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G SD 695 5G, Adreno 619	83 %	6.72"	8.3 mm	88.4 %	195 g	85.6 %	IPS	2400x1080	392 PPI	20:9	87 %	656 cd/m²	3.88	120 Hz	63.8 %	40.47	12.33	74 %	30.3 %		12	30	90.8 %	986 min	87.9 %	25.5 °C	44.1 °C	76 %	84.9 dB	90.6 %	50.7 %
78.5 %	Honor X8a Helio G88, Mali-G52 MP2	84.4 %	6.70"	7.5 mm	89.8 %	179 g	89.5 %	IPS	2388x1080	391 PPI	20:9	89 %	481 cd/m²	1.32	090 Hz	63 %	44.71	11.82	61.8 %	13.2 %	1386	4.8		90.7 %	927 min	88.4 %	28.8 °C	43.6 °C	69 %	80.3 dB	84.4 %	45.5 %
89.9 %	Sony Xperia 1 V SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740	89.7 %	6.50"	8.3 mm	89.1 %	187 g	93.7 %	AMOLED	3840x1644	643 PPI	21:9	84.2 %	948 cd/m²	1.5	120 Hz	79.6 %	23.11	9.74	85 %	68.5 %		67	60	89.3 %	743 min	85.8 %	32.8 °C	44.6 °C	83.8 %	90.6 dB	94.4 %	71.5 %
74.6 %	Honor X7a Helio G37, PowerVR GE8320	77.3 %	6.74"	8.3 mm	88.3 %	196 g	84.1 %	IPS	1600x720	260 PPI	20:9	85 %	562 cd/m²	4.24	090 Hz	58.4 %	44.82	11.14	37 %	5.4 %	532	4.9		91.4 %	1014 min	88.3 %	29.4 °C	44.4 °C	60 %	79.6 dB	86.1 %	46 %
78.2 %	HTC Desire 22 Pro SD 695 5G, Adreno 619	82.4 %	6.60"	9.4 mm	87.9 %	206 g	82.6 %	IPS	2412x1080	400 PPI	20:9	81 %	456 cd/m²	6.26	120 Hz	51.2 %	46.78	7.95	73 %	30 %	3103	12		90.5 %	903 min	84.5 %	33.2 °C	47.7 °C	54 %	79 dB	89.4 %	52.2 %
86.8 %	Motorola Edge 40 Dimensity 8020, Mali-G77 MP9	87.5 %	6.55"	7.49 mm	90.5 %	171 g	90.6 %	OLED	2400x1080	402 PPI	20:9	92.7 %	1042 cd/m²	1.6	144 Hz	73.8 %	22.66	5.36	77.9 %	60.2 %	7606	33	40	91.2 %	924 min	83.3 %	29.5 °C	46.9 °C	79 %	89.4 dB	89.4 %	52.7 %
88.7 %	Asus Zenfone 10 SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740	89.1 %	5.90"	9.4 mm	90.4 %	172 g	90.9 %	AMOLED	2400x1080	446 PPI	20:9	82 %	789 cd/m²	3.64	144 Hz	76.6 %	6.76	9.24	95.7 %	65 %		88		91.2 %	837 min	80 %	27.9 °C	55.8 °C	76 %	83.2 dB	95 %	56 %
77.2 %	Nokia G11 Plus T606, Mali-G57 MP1	82.6 %	6.52"	8.6 mm	88.7 %	192 g	82.3 %	IPS	1600x720	269 PPI	20:9	82 %	385 cd/m²	6.21	090 Hz	52.8 %	45.72	11.93	64 %	10 %	971	6.5		91.6 %	1038 min	86 %	27.9 °C	48.5 °C	66.4 %	82 dB	92.8 %	45.4 %
88.2 %	OnePlus Nord 3 Dimensity 9000, Mali-G710 MP10	86.8 %	6.74"	7.51 mm	88.6 %	193.5 g	90.6 %	AMOLED	1240x2772	451 PPI	20:9	93.5 %	478 cd/m²	1.4	120 Hz	77 %	11.48	4.51	92.2 %	65.9 %	10309	43	60	92.3 %	815 min	83.7 %	24.2 °C	49.2 °C	72.4 %	78.9 dB	95.6 %	53.7 %
73.8 %	Xiaomi Redmi A2 Helio G36, PowerVR GE8320	80.1 %	6.52"	9.1 mm	88.7 %	192 g	85.4 %	IPS	1600x720	269 PPI	20:9	81 %	379 cd/m²	3.31		49.6 %	44.67	6.48	37 %	5.3 %		5		90.5 %	894 min	91.3 %	29.3 °C	38.8 °C	56 %	79.4 dB	88.9 %	36 %
86.4 %	Huawei Nova 11 Pro SD 778G 4G, Adreno 642L	86.6 %	6.78"	7.9 mm	89 %	188 g	90.5 %	OLED	2652x1200	429 PPI	20:9	88 %	719 cd/m²	1.39	120 Hz	80.8 %	7.73	9.13	78 %	55 %	5515	16	40	88.9 %	689 min	83.2 %	27.2 °C	49.4 °C	66 %	78.2 dB	95.6 %	51.6 %
87.4 %	Nothing Phone (2) SD 8+ Gen 1, Adreno 730	85.4 %	6.70"	8.6 mm	88 %	201.2 g	92.8 %	OLED	2412x1080	394 PPI	20:9	86 %	948 cd/m²	1	120 Hz	72 %	24.35	10.1	88 %	66.1 %		59	60	91.1 %	909 min	86.5 %	28.8 °C	45.8 °C	74.6 %	81.9 dB	94.4 %	51.4 %
82.3 %	Nokia XR21 SD 695 5G, Adreno 619	90.3 %	6.49"	10.45 mm	87.5 %	231 g	88.1 %	TFT-LCD	2400x1080	406 PPI	20:9	77 %	487 cd/m²	2.4	120 Hz	65.8 %	43.83	3.89	72.1 %	33.5 %	3080	12	30	90.5 %	875 min	77.4 %	32.6 °C	51 °C	74.4 %	90 dB	94.4 %	48 %

The table above shows all the smartphones we tested during the last three months including their overall and partial scores in our detailed reviews as well as a selection of important parameters and benchmarks. All results and details can be found in the linked reviews.
The table can be sorted in each column - just click on the respective column title, for example "weight".

Further interesting phones of summer 2023

The manufacturer Nothing impresses with its Phone (2) which finally also includes high-end power. Its Glyph interface consisting of dozens of LEDs on the back has been expanded again, but even without this gimmick, the smartphone could still very well be a great and cheaper alternative to other manufacturers' flagships.

The OnePlus Nord 3 is a cheap and well-equipped mid-range phone with fast Wi-Fi and a great AMOLED screen. Its high-quality camera sensor also isn't necessarily standard within the phone's price range: At the time of writing, it is available for as little as $500, although it is unfortunately not currently for sale in the US.

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Editor of the original article: Florian Schmitt - Managing Editor Mobile - 1086 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2009

I initially wrote about gaming laptops when I joined Notebookcheck in 2009. I was then involved with the setup of the comparison portal Notebookinfo and worked with social media concepts for large companies like BMW and Adidas, while also returning to work for Notebookcheck in 2012. Nowadays, I focus on smartphones, tablets, and future technologies. Since 2018 I have been Managing Editor for mobile device reviews, working alongside my colleague Daniel Schmidt.

contact me via: @FloSchmi26, LinkedIn, Xing

Translator: Daisy Dickson - Translator - 123 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2023

Originally from Scotland, I grew up and lived in Germany until I completed my high school qualifications before moving back to Scotland to complete my university studies. Growing up bilingual led me to form a close relationship with the English and German languages, often working in the fields of teaching and translation. Most of my childhood was shaped by playing around on new consoles, computers and gadgets and getting to grips with the new craze of the internet and smartphones. This interest has stayed with me well into adulthood. Nowadays, I live in Glasgow and work as a freelance translator and digital media coordinator. I have been translating for Notebookcheck since early 2023.

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> Notebook / Laptop Reviews and News > Reviews > The best smartphones summer 2023 - 33 reviewed phones compared

Florian Schmitt, 2023-08- 6 (Update: 2023-08- 7)