As we enter 2023, the market for smartphones in the US has become incredibly competitive, with multiple manufacturers vying for the top spot. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best phones available in the US right now. The Best Phone 2023: Smartphones in The US Right Now
The Best Phone 2023
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1. iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max
Apple’s top iPhones
SPECIFICATIONS
Release date: September 2022
Weight: 206g / 240g
Dimensions: 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9mm / 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9mm
OS: iOS 16
Screen size: 6.1-inch / 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1170 x 2532 / 1284 x 2778
CPU: A16 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery: 3,200mAh / 4,323mAh
Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Why it’s ranked 1st: Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro is the most intuitive, well-designed smartphone, packed with every feature we’d want. Apple’s continued service and support, with high trade-in value, make this our top pick.
Screen: The iPhone 14 Pro has the brightest screen of any smartphone, capable of an outdoor boost to 2000 nits. It’s super sharp and very fast, with a 120Hz refresh rate. Instead of the familiar ‘notch,’ Apple now uses a punch-hole for cameras it calls the Dynamic Island.
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2. Google Pixel 6a
The best on a budget
SPECIFICATIONS
Release date: May 2022
Weight: 178g
Dimensions: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm
OS: Android 12
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Google Tensor
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,410mAh
Rear camera: 12.2+12MP
Front camera: 8MP
The Google Pixel 6a takes much of the essence of the Pixel 6 and distils it into something more affordable, making this a great mid-range option. Like all Pixels it has brilliant, bloat-free software, and it also benefits from a snappy fingerprint sensor and a compact size.
Why it’s ranked 2nd: If you’re shopping on a budget then this is arguably the best phone you can get. So while it’s not as high-spec or feature packed as most other phones on this list, it’s better value than a lot of them, and has basically everything most buyers will need, from a FHD+ display to clever cameras and a bespoke chipset.
Screen: The Google Pixel 6a has a 6.1-inch 1080 x 2400 OLED display, so it’s got just as many pixels as the Pixel 6, but packed into a smaller size. The refresh rate is an ordinary 60Hz, but if you want a compact, high-resolution panel on a budget then you won’t do much better than this.
Battery life: Battery life isn’t the Pixel 6a’s strong suit, as despite having a respectable 4,410mAh juice pack we found it often struggled to last a day. Charging also isn’t fast at 18W, so bear that in mind before buying this phone.
Camera: The Pixel 6a’s 12.2MP main and 12MP ultrawide camera both perform well, and are helped out by Google’s AI tricks that get that the most out of shots, as well as powering clever features like Magic Eraser, which lets you remove unwanted elements from photos. There’s no telephoto camera though.
(Image credit: Peer Hoffmann)
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The best Samsung phone
SPECIFICATIONS
Release date: February 2023
Weight: 234g
Dimensions: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm
OS: Android 13 w/ One UI 5.1
Screen size: 6.8-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 3088
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy
iPhone 14 Pro Max: The iPhone 14 Pro Max is Apple’s flagship phone for 2023 and comes with a 6.7-inch OLED display, 5G connectivity, and Apple’s latest A18 Bionic chip. The phone also features a triple-camera setup, including a 108MP main camera, and a battery that lasts all day.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra is a top-of-the-line phone that features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, and Samsung’s Exynos 2200 chip. The phone also comes with a quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main camera, and a massive 5,000mAh battery.
Google Pixel 6 Pro: The Google Pixel 6 Pro is a standout phone for its camera capabilities, featuring a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The phone also comes with a 6.7-inch OLED display, 5G connectivity, and Google’s latest Tensor chip.
OnePlus 10 Pro: The OnePlus 10 Pro is a great choice for those who value performance and speed, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and 12GB of RAM. The phone also features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, and a quad-camera setup with a 50MP main camera.
Xiaomi Mi 13 Pro: The Xiaomi Mi 13 Pro is a high-end phone with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. The phone also features a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main camera, and a battery that lasts all day.
Oppo Find X4 Pro: The Oppo Find X4 Pro is a sleek and stylish phone that features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. The phone also comes with a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main camera, and a battery that lasts all day.
LG V90 ThinQ: LG’s V90 ThinQ is a unique phone that features a dual-screen display, allowing you to multitask like never before. The phone also features a 6.9-inch OLED display, 5G connectivity, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. The phone’s camera setup includes a 64MP main camera, and the battery lasts all day.
Overall, these phones represent the best of what’s available in the US market right now. Each phone offers something different, whether it’s a standout camera setup, a unique design, or top-of-the-line performance. It’s important to consider your needs and budget before making a decision, but any of these phones would be a great choice for 2023. The Best Phone 2023: Smartphones in The US Right Now
