Smartphones are the heartbeat of modern society. They’re essential for communication and entertainment. Here’s ou guide to the very best smartphones of 2021.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The 2021 version of Samsung Ultra is designed to fix issues with the older phone. This result is a flagship device. This device is a step up from the S21 models. It has a premium build, better cameras, and a larger display.
Although it’s a large device, the screen is imposing. The phone is also desirable, especially in black. The package has a lot to offer, including good battery life and plenty of power, as well as support for the S Pen.
Oppo Find Pro X3
Oppo Find X3 Pro is a flagship model that deserves to be noticed.
Although it may not be as well-known as Samsung’s brand, Oppo is a severe contender in the Find X3 Pro. It offers great design, lots of power, and a great experience with the camera.
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
The 2020 iPhone 12 Pro features a new design that enhances screen protection and improves the camera capabilities on the rear. A LiDAR sensor has been added to enhance depth perception. Night mode is also available to give the camera more power across all cameras.
This phone is future-proofed with its powerful internals and introduction of 5G.
OnePlus 9
OnePlus used to be all about affordability. But in 2021, the OnePlus 9 is what we love the most. The phone comes with flagship-grade hardware that focuses on the core components of the phone.
We have taken some corners to lower the price, but, on balance, we believe that the package is worth the money, even without the OnePlus 9 Pro’s shortcomings.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE uses the best parts of its flagship phones and replaces the back with plastic. The display is flattened and the price drops. What’s the result? The result? A flagship experience that is more affordable than it costs, and with few real drawbacks.
The cameras are excellent, without any gimmicks. While the 5G version has plenty of power, the camera is great. The speakers are great and there’s the option to expand storage via microSD. What’s not great about this product?
Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi’s 2021 entry packs Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 into a critical phone that doesn’t rely on gimmicks. The primary camera is really good thanks to its display and quality design. However, the absence of a telephoto lens makes it less competitive.
The flagship price is a bit high, but the lack of waterproofing needs to be considered and the fact that Xiaomi will undoubtedly have a better phone with the Mi 11 Pro. Xiaomi’s software is still a problem. It’s not as sophisticated as other Android options.
Apple iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 is a slight upgrade to the iPhone 11. It adds 5G connectivity for next-gen connectivity and also moves the display to an OLED panel. This is the same as the iPhone 12 Pro.
It has a super-wide lens that is attached to the main camera. While it does not have the zoom functions of a 12 Pro, it provides the same experience. It’s a great phone with all of this packed into a modern design.
Sony Xperia 5 II
Sony’s most recent flagship phone is the Sony Xperia 5 II. It offers a small, powerful, and attractive phone.
It has a 21:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, great sound quality, and capable cameras. It is a compact and elegant entertainment phone.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20
For those who need a stylus, the Samsung Galaxy Note is still the best phone. There are two versions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 in 2020: the Ultra and the more subtle regular Note 20. We prefer the regular version.
The Galaxy Note is the best stylus device out there. It’s powerful hardware, 4G and 5G options, great display, and Samsung’s OneUI make it a great phone.
Apple iPhone 11
A slightly older iPhone model has the advantage of a lower price. The iPhone 11 offers almost everything that the iPhone 12 does, but is much cheaper. It’s also missing 5G, which may not be a concern to you. The iPhone 11 has a smaller display and older hardware than the 12.
You still get a great phone with access to all of Apple’s features. This is not the phone for those who are looking for the most recent model, but it might be a good option for someone who wants an iPhone that’s affordable.
How to choose a flagship smartphone
There are many things to take into consideration when shopping for a new flagship smartphone. The most important decision is whether to buy an iPhone or an Android phone.
What is the new iPhone?
The iPhone offers a variety of models, including the SE, mini and regular as well as Pro Max, Pro Max, normal, regular, Pro Max, Pro Max, Pro Max, Pro Max, and Pro Max. However, the overall experience is the same across all devices. This is true for older phones, which have strong support on the software side and consistent design over many generations.
This means that the iPhone 12 will be supported for many years. Apple ensures that its hardware features won’t change over the next year because it values consistency across all of its devices.
This means that you can still buy an older iPhone model. It will not only save you money but also give you access to many benefits.
Or a new Android phone?
The wide range of options is Android’s biggest advantage over Apple. Android offers a wider range of manufacturers which can lead to different prices and designs. However, Android’s software is well-known so it’s easy to use.
Android manufacturers are more aggressive in introducing new technology. They often push new features ahead of Apple. However, they often only keep one model for a year before releasing a different design. Software support is not as consistent in Android.
While most devices will receive two to three versions of Android, they don’t have as much time as Apple. However, prices fall faster and there are often great deals on newer models.
Hardware considerations
Display size will determine the size of your device. Larger displays are ideal for content consumption, which is why gamers often prefer them.
However, larger displays can mean heavier phones. This might make it more difficult to use. However, many manufacturers consider the largest phone to be their best phone.
Some flagship phones offer a higher resolution than 4K or Quad HD, while others stick to 1080p. This is fine as long as you look closely at the display quality.
There are not many differences between flagship phones with OLED displays, but there are some that have curved edges, which can make it easier to use larger phones.
Refresh rate has been a popular feature in recent years. In an effort to make the content look more smooth, top phones now support 120Hz refresh rate. This is not about gaming. It’s also about scrolling in apps.
Gaming phones have higher refresh rates, but there isn’t much support for faster frame rates in apps or games.
Storage and core hardware
Flagship phones will be equipped with the most recent hardware. Although Apple sells its hardware, Android can choose from many suppliers. Many offer Qualcomm. Samsung will use Exynos, Qualcomm, and some may range into MediaTek – although this is typically reserved for entry-level or mid-range devices.
It is crucial to have enough storage. Although low storage will lower the price, fewer manufacturers offer microSD card expansion. This means that you will need enough storage to store the 4K and 8K video options.
Cloud storage is more integrated than ever, but you must remember that there is no free service – if your photos are large, you will have to pay.
Cameras
Phones can be very different in terms of their cameras. Often, the camera is the most talked-about aspect of any phone. Flagship phones have the best cameras. Top phones, from ZTE to Apple, have better or more cameras.
A good main camera is the most important thing. A good main camera will take good pictures, which means that most of your photos will be great. It doesn’t matter if you can’t get a decent normal shot from the main camera.
The ultra-wide angle can be used easily and produces great effects. Telephoto lenses allow you to get closer, but the quality of telephoto camera lenses varies greatly.
Periscope lenses are more popular, so 5x and 10x zooms are now an option on some models. Apple does not offer this option.
However, megapixels do not automatically mean a better camera. Poor photos are common on mid-range phones that use a high-resolution primary camera. It is more important how images are processed. AI and computational photography can make a significant difference over core hardware.
There are always many gimmicks, too. Pro modes you won’t use, capture options that you won’t bother with. Because that’s all you will use most of your time, the most important thing is the point-and-shoot performance.
Wireless charging is becoming more common, but not all devices can use it.
Battery life
Many flagship phones aren’t the most efficient when it comes to battery performance. The goal is to provide the best user experience and not just keep your phone alive for a week.
The mid-range phones will always outperform flagship phones. They have lower power, lower resolution, and lower brightness.
You can charge your phone faster if you have the right charger (which you may need to purchase separately) that will allow you to get it back to full charging in no time.
Is this the right phone?
There are so many options, but the most important thing is to get the phone you want and the phone that will deliver what you want.
It’s easy to switch between Android brands – provided you back up to Google. Switching between Apple and Android is also simple. While there are certain Apple services that you won’t be able to access on an Android phone like iMessage and other apps, the majority of apps work the same.
You’re likely to be convinced to stick with Apple if you spend a lot of money on the ecosystem. But it’s worth taking a look at your data and services used. Third-party options make switching platforms much more accessible.
There are many phones available, at a variety of prices. You can also read our phone reviews to assist you in making your decision.
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