And just like that, we’re six whole months into the year. How time flies. The first half of 2023 has been a good period for smartphones, with lots of unique, class-leading releases. Let’s take a look at what we would consider the best smartphones of 2023 so far.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The S23 Ultra is arguably one of the best phones to launch this year. It makes its way into this list as not just the best flagship phone, but the best phone overall.
One thing that makes the S23 Ultra a great phone is its top-class performance backed by elite efficiency. All thanks to the Snapdragon 8Gen 2 for the Galaxy and Samsung’s optimization on One UI 5. Another area where the S23 Ultra stands out is in its camera. It packs a brand-new 200 MP main sensor. So with the S23 Ultra, you basically get everything: great battery life, great display, and an amazing camera.
Asus Rog Phone 7 Ultimate
The Rog Phone 7 Ultimate is ASUS’s latest top-end entry into the gaming/ultra smartphone market. If I were to describe this device in one word, I’d say “jam-packed”.
The 7 Ultimate enters this list as the best gaming phone of the year so far. It has well earned that title, because boy is this phone packed to the brim. The Rog Phone 7 Ultimate pack features like a 165 Hz high refresh rate display, a customizable back display panel, a 720 Hz touch-sampling rate, air triggers, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, just to mention a few.
If you’re a gamer, the Rog Phone 7 Ultimate packs nearly every gaming feature you need (and even those you don’t need).
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G makes a very deserved entrance into this list as the best budget phone to release in 2023 so far.
The Galaxy A14 5G gives you a big bang for your buck, packing a 1080 x 2408 pixels 90 Hz high refresh rate display. In the camera department, it features an impressive 50 MP main camera sensor. All this is powered by a massive 5000 mAh battery.
What really makes this phone stand out is its price tag. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G starts at just $200, $50 less than its predecessor. With this phone, you get great battery life, good cameras, and a high refresh rate screen, all for $200.
Google Pixel 7
The Pixel phone series has always been known to provide consumers and tech enthusiasts with the best value for money, and the latest Pixel phone release is no different. This year, the Pixel 7 makes its way onto our list as the best mid-range smartphone. I know, I know. Just hear me out.
Yes, the Pixel 7 was released late 2022 as a lower-end flagship with a fitting price of $600. But, as of the time of writing this, it’s come down in price, nearing $500 midrange price point. In just a few months, the Pixel 8 series will be released, so the Pixel 7’s price will drop even further.
To sum everything up, the Pixel 7 gives you performance, cameras, and features of a flagship smartphone at a lower price. It’s a no-brainer deal, and that’s why the Pixel 7 makes it to our list of the best smartphones of 2023.
Samsung Galaxy S23
The S23 Vanilla is the smallest of this year’s Samsung S series, featuring only a 6.1-inch display. This gives it a spot on this list as the best compact phone released so far this year. This smartphone packs everything it needs to be a great smartphone in a small form factor with minimal compromises.
If you want a compact smartphone that doesn’t sacrifice things like performance, efficiency, or battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is the best device for you.
