Because you deserve a phone that does everything, we test and rate the top phones. The best phones have great cameras and the ability to multitask. They also have enough battery life to last a whole day.
We test hundreds of smartphones in our lab to help you choose the right smartphone. To find the best cameras phones, we also compare them side-by-side.
There are strong options at all price points so you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get something good. A solid mid-range phone can be had for less than $500 and still deliver all the features that you want.
There is something for everyone on our top phones list, from great deals to flagships that are worth the price premium. Based on our testing, we have ranked all of the top smartphones. We have ranked them based on their performance and features.
Which phones are the best?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has been rated the best smartphone currently available. The phone boasts a 120Hz ProMotion screen and the best cameras. It also features a Cinematic mode for video, a macro mode, and brighter images in low lighting. In our tests, the battery lasts over 12 hours. If you are looking for a smaller display of 6.1 inches, the iPhone 13 Pro is a great choice. It has all the same features.
The iPhone 13 regular is the best iPhone under $800. It has a larger display than the iPhone 12, and better wide and ultra-wide cameras. This phone also offers a faster processor, a long battery life, and blistering performance.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra, Android’s top-of-the-line premium phone, is the best choice for Android. It has the most vibrant and colorful display we have ever tested, an S Pen that is 70% faster than the previous version, and better cameras. If you don’t require an S Pen or a super-powerful zoom, the Galaxy S22 Plus is a solid option. The Galaxy S22 allows you to enjoy many of the Plus features at a much lower price.
If you are looking for an affordable Android experience, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro offers great Android experiences. They both feature Android 12 and a Google-built Tensor Chip that allows smart AI features. The prices are also very affordable.
Google is a great option for budget-minded people. The Google Pixel 5a is a great camera at a very affordable price of less than $500. Another great deal is Moto G Power, which offers the longest battery life on the market. We will be reviewing the iPhone SE (2022) now that Apple has released a 5G version of its cheapest phone.
These are the best phones available today
1. iPhone 13 Pro Max
The top phone overall
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: OLED display 6.7 inches (2778×1284).
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage / Expandable : 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / None
Rear camera: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (f/2.8), and 12MP main (f/1.5).
Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2).
Weight: 8.5 ounces
Battery life (Hrs. Mins): 12/16
REASONS to BUY
+Best-in-class cameras+120Hz ProMotion display+Superior performance
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Charging could take less time-No Touch ID
A number of upgrades have helped the iPhone 13 Pro Max win the title of best smartphone. The new 6.7-inch ProMotion screen is a stunning 120Hz display for smooth animations. It also features an A15 Bionic chip that delivers incredible performance and a remarkable battery life of more than 12 hours during our web surfing test.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max’s cameras are among the best in their class thanks to better sensors that capture more light, and new photographic styles feature that allows you to modify the look of your photos. The best camera features include a macro mode that allows you to capture amazing close-ups and a Cinematic mode that creates a captivating bokeh effect with automatic focusing.
It could charge faster. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a great smartphone overall.
2. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung’s best phone
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 6.8 inch OLED (3200×1400; 1 – 120Hz)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM: 8GB, 12GB
Storage / Expandable
Rear camera: 108MP (f/2.2),12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2),10MP telephoto (3x Zoom, f/2.4),10MP telephoto (10x Zoom, f/2.4), laser sensor
Front camera: 40MP (f/2.2).
Weight: 8.1 oz
Battery life (Hrs. Mins): 10.13
TODAY’S TOP DEALS VIEW AT AT&T Visit AT&T Look at Amazon All prices (12 found)
REASONS to BUY
+Best-in class display +Built in S Pen +Improved camera with better Night mode+Faster 46W charging
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Battery life is shorter than S21 Ultra-Very costly-Less RAM than the previous model.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Android phone is for power users. The built-in S Pen works just like the Galaxy Note and offers 70% lower latency, which results in smoother performance. This 6.8-inch panel is the most impressive we have tested. It has a class-leading brightness level and color saturation. This panel makes it easy to read outside in direct sunlight, and is great for watching movies and shows.
Another reason to purchase the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the improvements in the camera. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has a bigger main 108MP sensor, which allows for more light. This means brighter photos without the need to use Night mode. Even better photos can be taken with Night mode than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. You have a winner when you add in fast 45W charging and sleek design. We wish the battery life was a little longer.
3. iPhone 13
The best phone price for money
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: OLED display 6.1 inches (2532×1170).
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage / Expandable : 128GB. 256GB. 512GB. / No
Rear cameras: 12MP main camera (f/1.6),12MP ultrawide camera (f/2.4).
Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2).
Weight: 6.1 ounces
Battery life (Hrs. Mins): 10/33
REASONS to BUY
+Best-in class cameras+A15 Bionic blows out Android phones+Brighter screen+Long battery life
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Charging could take longer – No telephoto zoom and 120Hz screen
The iPhone 13 is the best smartphone for the price. It offers a great camera experience in a small design. The main camera now gathers more light and the ultra-wide camera captures a greater portion of the scene. The powerful A15 Bionic processor gives Cinematic mode for video a Hollywood-like depth and focus.
The iPhone 12 also features a larger 6.1-inch screen and a smaller notch at the top, which gives you more screen real estate. Battery life is the biggest improvement. We saw 10.5 hours of battery endurance. This is an increase of more than 1.5 hours over the iPhone 12. This iPhone is a great choice for $799, with 128GB base storage.
4. Google Pixel 6
Get the best Android experience at a great price
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: OLED Display 6.4 inches (2400×1080).
Google Tensor: CPU
RAM: 8GB
Storage / Expandable : 128GB, 248GB / No
The rear camera is equipped with a 50MP main (f/1.85), and a 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2).
Front camera: 8MP (f/2.0).
Weight: 7.3 oz
Battery life (Hrs. Mins): 8/13
REASONS to BUY
+Tensor chip gives smarts to your phone+Excellent photo editing features+Android 12 is a welcome upgrade
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Battery life may be reduced if you use a 5G-Lacks Telephoto Lens or a Pixel 6 Pro 120Hz Display.
If you are looking for the ultimate Android experience, the Google Pixel 6 is the smartphone to buy. This is especially true now that Google has begun using the Tensor chipset as the phone’s power source. Tensor is able to keep up with the Snapdragon 8888 in most top Android phones. But, more importantly, it provides the machine learning-driven experiences that make Google phones so unique.
Although the main lens is 50MP, the real story lies in the software. Tensor powers feature such as Magic Eraser to remove people from your shots and Motion Mode to make action shots more dynamic. You can upgrade to the pixel 6 Pro for $899 if you need a telephoto lens or a larger display.
This is $300 more than the Pixel 6’s starting price, and it also includes one of the best features of the phone. It is difficult to find a lower starting price for a premium device.
5. Google Pixel 5a
The best camera phone for under $100
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 6.43-inch OLED (2400×1800)
CPU: Snapdragon 765G
RAM: 6GB
Storage / Expandable 128GB / None
Rear camera: 12.2MP (f/1.7), 16MP (f/2.2) ultrawide
Front camera: 8MP (f/2.0).
Weight: 6.5 oz
Battery life (Hrs. Mins): 9:45
TODAY’S TOP DEALS VIEW AT AMAZON
REASONS to BUY
+Spectacular cameras+Bright display+IP67 water resistance
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Same chipset as Pixel 4a5G-Limited to U.S.A and Japan
Google Pixel 5a is currently the best smartphone under $500. It offers excellent photography for a mid-range price. The Pixel 5a is a great alternative to a flagship phone, especially for Android fans.
Google’s Pixel 5a adds a second rear camera to its budget phone, a 16MP ultrawide lens that augments the 12.2MP main cam. This increases the Pixel 5a’s flexibility over other models and continues to reap the benefits of Google’s computational photography skills. The Pixel 5a’s display has a large and bright display and is IP67 water-resistant, which is something that was missing in previous A-series models.
The Pixel 5a will cost $100 more than the Pixel 4a, but Google has also added 5G connectivity to the model and a faster processor. The Pixel 5a is $50 cheaper than the Pixel 4a last year. While the Pixel 6’s Tensor ship delivers a better experience overall, it costs $150 less than the Pixel 5a. However, this phone is still a great bargain for bargain-hunters.
6. iPhone 13 Pro
This flagship is a powerhouse with an incredible battery life
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: OLED display 6.1 inches (2532×1170).
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage / Expandable : 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / None
Rear cameras: 12MP main camera (f/1.5), 12-MP ultrawide camera (f/1.8), and 12MP telephoto camera (f/2.8).
Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2).
Weight: 7.2 oz
Battery life (Hrs. Mins): 11:42
REASONS to BUY
+Fast A15 Bionic performance+Stellar cameras+Long battery life
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Relatively slow charging – No Touch ID
The 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max is the perfect phone for those who want the same power as the iPhone 13 Pro Max but in a smaller package. The flagship features the same outstanding performance and features as its larger brother, including a 3x Telephoto Zoom camera, 120Hz ProMotion display, and support for ProRes video.
Battery life is longer on the iPhone 13 Pro. This iPhone was able to last over 11 hours in our web surfing battery test. The charging speed is a bit slow. A brighter display, an impressive Cinematic mode for video, and amazing macro photography make this a great phone.
7. Google Pixel 6 Pro
Excellent flagship value
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 6.71 inch OLED (3120×1440).
CPU: Tensor
RAM: 12GB
Storage / Expandable : 128GB. 256GB. 512GB. / No
Rear cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 48MP main (f/1.85), 48MP (f/3.5), 4x telephoto
Front camera: 11MP (f/2.2).
7.4 ounces
Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 7;49 (Adaptive), / 7:55 (60%).
REASONS to BUY
+Incredible cameras+Tensor performs very well+Better than other flagships+Attractive design
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
Disappointing battery life
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is the premium Android phone, but the Google Pixel 6 Pro is the flagship smartphone for the OS. Google made a major change last year with its Pixel 6 series. It introduced a completely new design and an internal chipset. Tensor is a system-on-chip that specializes in AI, machine learning, and other applications.
The Pixel 6 Pro also offers the class-leading Pixel camera experience. There are three rear cameras on the Pixel 6 Pro. This includes a telephoto that can zoom out to 4x. The front-facing camera is capable of zooming out to take ultra-wide selfies. The Pixel 6 Pro’s greatest flaw is its poor battery life. You could blame an older 5G modem.
The Pixel 6 Pro is also at the top of the line for Android updates and will be eligible later in the year for the Android13 betas.
8. Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
A great big screen Galaxy
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 6.6 inch Dynamic AMOLED (2340×1080).
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM: 8GB
Storage / Expandable : 128GB, 248GB / No
Rear cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2).
Weight: 6.9 ounces
Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 9;46 (adaptive), and 9:57 (60Hz).
TODAY’S BEST DEALS CHECK AMAZON
REASONS to BUY
+Beautiful, bright display+Powerful performance+Faster charging of 45W+Strong Telephoto camera
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
This year’s batteries aren’t as long-lasting as last year’s
Although it is an incremental upgrade to the Galaxy S22 Plus, it is still a fantastic Android phone. The Galaxy S22 Plus middle child is a great phone, with its bright display and powerful performance. It also has better cameras and better sensors.
The Galaxy S22 Plus does a lot right but its battery life is not impressive. It actually barely beats its predecessor in Tom’s Guide testing. The rest of the phone makes up for this. We love the bright display and the great cameras.
The Galaxy S22 Plus costs $999 and there is a lot of competition, as the Pixel 6 Pro. However, if you don’t want to spend the extra money on the Galaxy S22 Ultra but still want to enjoy the large-screen Galaxy experience, the Plus is the best choice.
9. iPhone SE (2022).
The iPhone with the lowest price
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 4.7-inch LCD (1333 x 750).
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage / Expandable 64GB, 128GB and 256GB /
Rear camera 12MP (f/1.8).
Front camera: 7MP (f/2.2).
Weight: 5 ounces
Battery life (Hrs. Mins): 9:05
REASONS to BUY
+Best value for money +High quality photos+Longer lasting design
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
Camera support for Night mode is not available.
The iPhone SE (2022) is a great value for money. The newest budget iPhone is $429 and outperforms all other phones in its price range. It even surpasses the most expensive Android phones. The iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic powers the iPhone 13 SE, and the SE is just as powerful.
It recycles the iPhone 8’s body, just like its predecessor. This means that there are large bezels but you also get a Touch ID home key. The tired design and lack of Night mode won’t please everyone. This is why the iPhone SE does not rank higher. You also miss out on Verizon’s Ultra Wideband network.
The iPhone SE (2022), which offers many features and is among the most affordable phones under $500, is a great choice. The iPhone SE trades with the Pixel 5a. This means that iPhone buyers on a tight budget have two options. The other option is the iPhone 11 LTE-only for $499.
10. Samsung Galaxy S22
Galaxy’s new flagship is low-cost
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 6.2-inch Dynamic MOLED (2340×1080).
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM: 8GB
Storage / Expandable : 128GB, 2256GB
Rear cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP (f/2.4). 3x Telephoto
Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2).
Weight: 5.89 oz
Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 7/51 (adaptive), 8/02 (60Hz).
TODAY’S TOP DEALS VIEW AT AT&T View at AT&T Amazon All prices (16 found)
REASONS to BUY
+The most affordable Galaxy S22 model +Improved zoom, low-light photos+Solid performances
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-Below-average battery life-Cameras still trail Pixel 6, iPhone 13
Although it doesn’t have S Pen support or any other advanced features on the Galaxy S22 Ultra the Galaxy S22 has, the Galaxy S22 offers something more important to people who don’t have the budget for a flagship phone: a low price. The Galaxy S22 is $799 cheaper than the iPhone 13 and offers a savings of a few hundred dollars over the S22 model.
There aren’t many trade-offs to get a lower price. This model uses the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset as other S22 smartphones in the U.S. The Galaxy S22 Plus also features the same camera enhancements — a stronger main lens, a larger sensor for better low light shots, and a 3x optical Zoom — as the Galaxy S22 Plus. This is the Samsung phone you should get if your goal is to have all the amazing Galaxy S22 features at a low price.
11. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
A foldable screen is the best feature on a phone
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: Interior: 7.6 inches OLED (2208×1768; 120Hz); Exterior 6.2 inches (2268×832; 120Hz).
CPU: Snapdragon 888
RAM: 12GB
Storage / Expandable : 256GB,512GB / No
Rear camera: 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (f/2.4), 12MP long (f/1.8),
Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2), 4MP under-display (f/1.8)
Weight: 9.55 ounces
Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 7/52 (60Hz), 6/35 (120Hz).
REASONS to BUY
+More durable, water-resistant design+Dual 120Hz displays+Improved multitasking
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
-S Pen not included- Still expensive
Samsung is continuing to push foldable phones to mainstream consumers. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 represents a major step forward in this regard. Although the price of $1,799 is still high, it’s $200 less than the Galaxy Z Fold 2 at its debut. The phone’s IPX8 water resistance rating, Armor Aluminium Frame, and Gorilla Glass Victus screen make it more durable than ever.
New features include displays with 120Hz refresh rates (both indoors and out), under-display cameras on the interior screens, and S Pen support. This stylus is an optional feature, so you will need to pay more for it.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 supports more apps than ever, so the chances are that the multitasking capabilities of the phone will be beneficial to the apps you use every day. Although the Galaxy Z Fold 3 may not be for everyone, it is one of the most popular foldable phones Samsung has ever released.
12. iPhone 12
It’s still a great iPhone
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: OLED display 6.1 inches (2532×1170).
CPU: A14 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage / Expandable 64GB, 128GB and 256GB /
Rear cameras: 12MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide.
Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2).
Weight: 5.78 ounces
Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 8/25
REASONS to BUY
+Attractive new design with MagSafe+Comprehensive 5G coverage+Impressive dual cameras
RAISONS TO GET AWAY
Base storage is only 64GB. Subpar battery life
Although the iPhone 12 is over a year old it is still a great choice. The iPhone 12 introduced 5G, but it came at the expense of the great battery life that we experienced with the iPhone11. The iPhone 12 introduced a new design language to iPhones. We hope that you enjoy squared-off edges.
The display is a 6.1-inch OLED, which means that colors are brighter and blacks are more intense. Apple did not introduce 128GB storage to the iPhone 13 base model until then. The iPhone 12’s base storage starts at 64GB, which is a lot less than other models.
Your iPhone 12 will shine with all the new features, thanks to iOS15. Despite being released in turbulent 2020, it’s still a great phone.
13. Moto G Power (2021).
The best phone for battery life
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 6.6-inch LCD (1600×720).
CPU: Snapdragon 662
RAM: 3GB, 4GB
Storage / Expandable 32GB, 64GB / None
Rear camera: 48MP main (f/1.7); 2MP macro (f/2.4); 2MP depth (f/2.4)
Front camera: 8MP (f/2.0).
Weight: 7.3 oz
Battery life (Hrs. Mins): 14.04
REASONS to BUY
+All-day battery life+Low cost including a model below $200
REASONS TO GETAWAY
Only one Android update is available
Motorola’s Moto G Power models are a great choice for a durable phone. The latest version of the budget phone continues this trend. Its 5,000 mAh battery can last for 14 hours plus in our battery test. This puts Moto G Power (2021), alongside the last year’s edition, at the top of our best phone battery lives list.
The Moto G Power is more than a large battery. Even the macro lens is decent for a budget smartphone. Motorola offers a lower-end version for those who don’t mind having less storage and RAM. The 3GB/32GB model is $199 while the 4GB/64GB model is $249. The Moto G Power (2022) offers more storage, but it has a weaker chipset. We believe 2021 is still the best budget phone for budget-minded users.
How to select the right smartphone
- Android or iPhone? Android phones offer more options in terms of size, price, and innovative design. iPhones, however, offer faster software updates, better apps, and greater privacy and security. Check out our iPhone vs Android battle.
- Are you looking for a carrier or unlocked phone? The majority of Americans buy their new phones through their wireless carriers. An unlocked smartphone allows you to purchase the device and bring it to your provider.
- Screen Size: A large phone is the best choice. The largest phones measure 6.5 inches to 6.8 inches. Do you want something that you can use with one hand? Choose one of the best small smartphones with a screen less than 6 inches.
- Cameras Don’t focus on the number of megapixels. To see how the photos look in low light, compare the camera faces between different phones. Check out our top camera phone roundup.
- Battery Life: Generally phones with bigger batteries (measured by mAh) have the longest battery life. However, this is not always true. We conduct our own battery testing.
How to test smartphones
A smartphone must pass several tests before it can be considered the best. Some of these tests are done in our labs, while others are performed in the real world.
To measure graphics performance, we rely upon synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 5 or GFXBench. These benchmarks allow us to compare the performance of Android and iPhone devices. Each phone is also subject to a real-world transcoding test using Adobe Premiere Rush. The result is recorded and timed.
Lab tests are used to measure the quality and brightness of a phone’s screen. Higher numbers are preferred in these cases. Also, we measure the color accuracy of each panel using a Delta E rating. Lower numbers are better while 0 is perfect.
The Tom’s Guide battery testing is one of our most important tests. We test the battery by running a web surfing test using 5G and 4G at 150 nits brightness until it runs out. A phone that lasts for 10 hours or more is considered good. Anything over 11 hours makes it to our top phone battery life list.
We also take the top phones out into the field to capture photos at night, indoors, and outdoors in low light. This allows us to compare their performance with the closest competitors. We can take photos of landscapes, food, and portraits. You also have the option to compare them in our reviews.
- The Best Waterproof Phones Available Now
- 5G smartphones: What can you buy now
- Best camera phones: Our top picks
