The Editorial Team’s top smartphone picks – May 2023 edition

This list, which I’ll be updating continuously, is meant to provide only a quick and dirty answer. I’ve linked our in-house review of each device. If the smartphone you have in mind is not on this list, you might find its detailed review here in our product test report overview.

The Android all-rounder: Pixel 7 Pro

There are phones that outperform the Pixel 7 Pro in some aspects and, for example, recharge faster. However, such details aren’t very relevant in everyday life. Overall, the Pixel is the phone I can currently recommend without batting an eye. It offers ample performance, a fancy display and an excellent camera. Its clear advantage is the fast and reliable software updates provided by Google. I wouldn’t trade any other user interface for that – especially since I really like the uncluttered Pixel UI.

My first alternative among Android is the Galaxy S23; it packs decent performance and a good camera into handy dimensions. If you prefer your phones to be a bit bigger, the Galaxy S23 Plus is another option. But: for both models, I’m not entirely satisfied with the speed of the software and updates.

The iOS all-rounder: iPhone 14 Pro

Apples are notoriously difficult to compare to other things – hence this separate recommendation for Apple devices. Here, the iPhone 14 Pro is my first choice. It’s a very good smartphone with no weaknesses. At the same time, it is cheaper and handier than the Max version – without having to sacrifice any features like in previous generations. The slightly shorter battery life is something I’d be willing to put up with.

If you don’t have that kind of money to spend, a regular iPhone will do too. What you’re mainly giving up is the telephoto camera, Dynamic Island and a bit of display brightness. But you can safely ignore the 14; it’s basically an iPhone 13 coupled with an A15 processor (the Pro has the A16) – and you can get that cheaper. Compared to the iPhone 13, the 14 only has small changes in the aperture of two cameras, a minimally extended battery life and the satellite emergency call feature.

The cheaper all-rounder: Pixel 6a

For the same reasons that speak for the Pixel 7 Pro, I also recommend this significantly cheaper Google smartphone. The Pixel 6a has no negative points that stand out. It has the same processor as the Pixel 6 as well as an excellent camera. The display is nominally worse, but still nice. Like all Pixel smartphones, it also gets updates quickly.

The only reason to hesitate with buying it in May 2023? Google’s launch of the successor, the Pixel 7a. However, it’s currently much more expensive than the Pixel 6a.

If you want a low price, you have to be willing to compromise. This is also true for the Samsung Galaxy A54 – another mid-range alternative (despite few changes compared to its predecessor). If you’re looking for a very affordable smartphone, the Motorola Moto G13 is worth a look.

The stand-out design: Nothing Phone (2)

For comparison, the Nothing Phone (1)’s mid-range chipset is manufactured using the 6-nanometre process. Its set of features place it solidly in the mid-range segment – with a correspondingly lower price tag than a flagship. But a good mid-range phone is far from bad. Display, performance and software are good; only the camera might not be good enough for high demands.

Nothing has already announced the Phone (2) for summer 2023. It’s unclear whether the LEDs on the back will remain. Furthermore, the fact that it’ll come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 suggests a higher price.

The foldable phone: Oppo Find N2 Flip

If you ask me, smartphones that fold open like a book are unnecessary. If you’re absolutely dying to fold your smartphone, my colleague Michelle Brändle has a recommendation: the Find N2 Flip from Oppo. The phone won her over, especially after the outer display got even more features via software update.

Alternatives are the Galaxy Z Flip 4, an established Samsung device, and the Motorola Razr 2022, which offers many apps on its outer display.

The phone with a pen: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

There are very few smartphones with pens to choose from. Apart from its own predecessors, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has no competition. In addition to drawing and writing on the 6.8-inch display with the stylus, you can also use it as a remote control for the camera, music and videos. In addition, the Ultra stands out from the other S23 models with its very good telephoto lens. But this comes at a premium.

The Moto G Stylus is the only smartphone with an integrated stylus from another manufacturer. Alas, Motorola doesn’t sell it in Europe.

The gaming smartphone: nope

Hot take: gaming smartphones are completely unnecessary. Yes, the Asus ROG Phone 7 has extra features like extra cooling and shoulder buttons that scream gaming. Here’s the thing: for Android games, they’re not really necessary. Most standard smartphones in this price range offer enough power anyway and even have gaming modes to make notifications discreet or hide them altogether – and they’re usually also equipped with good cameras.

If you’re looking for a handy, mobile gaming gadget, I’d rather direct your gaze to the Switch and other gaming handhelds that have been popping up like mushrooms. Even though the latest release, the ROG Ally, didn’t win over my colleague Philipp Rüegg.