BEST MOBILE PHONES

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the most premium device in Samsung’s S23 lineup. Its design, while premium and still unique, has not changed by much, but Samsung has made use of sustainable materials in its construction.

The display is still the best you can get on an Android smartphone in India and offers the same high screen refresh rate as last year’s model, but its touch sampling rate fell short of our gaming expectations.

A highlight of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is its unique processor which Samsung has customised to its own requirements. Software operation is buttery smooth but there are tons of bloatware both from Samsung and third-party apps, that can thankfully be uninstalled.

Camera performance is better than last year’s Ultra and this is mainly down to the new sensor of the primary camera. Zoom performance has also improved and so has video recording which can now record proper 8K footage at 30fps. Battery life is solid but charging is relatively slow

The Galaxy S23 is a compact premium flagship smartphone from Samsung. The phone offers a design that is very similar to its predecessor and is made of glass and metal. While little has changed in terms of design, its compact form factor makes for easy one-handed usage.

The phone has a 6.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a flat screen. Powering the smartphone is a customised Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor which offers more than enough power for day to day tasks and even gaming.

Camera performance is quite good and is something one would expect from a premium flagship. The same can be said about the phone’s video recording quality. The phone is also capable of capturing 8K video at 30fps.

Battery life is impressive for a compact device and the phone easily manages a full day of use on a single charge. However, wired charging is quite slow for a premium smartphone.

The OnePlus 11R 5G offers users a flagship-grade processor, the same primary camera as the 11 5G, and very quick charging — all at a starting price of Rs. 39,999. The OnePlus 11R 5G has a 6.74-inch display with the same curved edges on the left and right as the 11 5G, but with slightly narrower top and bottom bezels. 

The OnePlus 11R 5G is powered by the very capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. This processor probably won't deliver the same benchmark numbers as the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but is still plenty powerful for most practical use cases.

The OnePlus 11R 5G will appeal to many OnePlus fans who have been waiting for something similar to the OnePlus 7T to come along — a phone with a proper flagship SoC under Rs. 40,000. If you're someone who plays a lot of demanding mobile games and require good battery life, the 11R 5G does not disappoint. The main camera is also very capable, although the rest of them leave a lot to be desired. I think what many are going to like though is the fact that the 11R 5G looks just like the more expensive 11 5G, giving it more flaunt value.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G has launched in India with a relatively-expensive price tag. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G successor finds itself in the Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge price category, courtesy of the upgrades on offer.

The phone comes with a glass back and a 120Hz AMOLED display. The 6.67-inch screen is flat and has a hole-punch cutout. Its headlining feature is the 200-megapixel primary camera. The triple-camera setup also features an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera.For selfies, there is a 16-megapixel front camera.

The Note 12 Pro+ 5G runs on the Android 12-based MIUI 13, which is a bummer considering rivals are shipping with Android 13.The phone features a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC. It has up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage on offer.

Another HyperCharge feature that the premium Note gets is 120W fast charging support for the 5000mAh battery.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro gets the premium treatment with a sharper curved edge display, more cameras and bigger battery. The Pixel 7 Pro looks premium compared to the matte-finished Pixel 7 even though the two smartphones share the same core hardware.

Inside you will find Google’s Tensor G2 processor which in India is available with 12GB of RAM. There’s a different ultra-wide-angle camera which now also doubles up as the macro camera because it features autofocus. The Pixel 7 Pro also packs in telephoto capability offering up to 5X optical zoom and 30X digital zoom.

Software performance is top notch and Pixel 7 Pro comes with no bloatware whilst delivering the fluid Pixel Android experience. Camera performance is top notch and so is the macro mode which is a first for Google Pixel lineup.

Battery performance is not the best as it only lasts a day on a single charge. Charging speeds too are relatively slow compared to the competition.

The Pixel 7 is Google’s latest flagship Pixel has an odd name given that it’s almost on par with the more expensive Pixel 7 Pro, be it design, performance or imaging quality. The Pixel 7 has the same core specifications as the Pixel 7 Pro, which includes the new Tensor G2 processor and the same primary and selfie cameras. 

Google has gone with minor changes to the phone’s design when compared to its predecessor, but the Pixel 7 gets a slightly different matte-finished frame and camera module instead of the polished finish of the Pixel 7 Pro.

Software performance is top-notch and the same can be said about its camera performance which lacks the newer macro capability on the ultra-wide camera and the 5X telephoto zoom camera from the Pixel 7 Pro.

Battery life is quite good with the phone easily lasting a day and half with casual use which also includes some gaming and camera usage. However, wired charging speeds are relatively slow.

The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion aims to strike the right balance by offering flagship-grade hardware wrapped inside a premium body. The phone sits between the Motorola Edge 30 5G and the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, which were launched earlier this year. Priced at Rs 42,999, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

In terms of design, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion features a glass back and an aluminium frame. The phone has an IP52 rating for water and dust resistance. The device offers great in-hand field due to its slim and lightweight form factor. The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion measures about 7.45mm and is only 175 grams heavy.

Software performance is also quite good. The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion runs on the Android 12-based MyUx skin to offer a near-stock Android experience. On top, you get some useful customisation options, such as Moto gestures, wallpapers, etc.

The phone promises smooth performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ SoC. It also packs a 4400mAh battery with support for 68W fast charging out of the box.

Camera performance is a bit shaky as the phone struggles to get the right skin tones when clicking human subjects. Otherwise, the main camera does a good job.

The iPhone 14 is virtually indistinguishable from the iPhone 13 in terms of design and it even uses the same SoC on the inside. With few differences and none of the headlining features that the iPhone 14 Pro can boast of, where does this phone fit in the lineup and should anyone really buy it? In terms of performance and camera quality, Apple has delivered consistent performance. Usage is smooth and the iOS ecosystem is refined, plus you have the company's promises of security and long-term updates. Crash detection and emergency satellite-based communciation is not available in India yet but these are new capabilties with this generation. Battery life is good but not great, and charging isn't as quick as what the competition offers. Apple might have bigger changes in store for next year's models, but for now a lot of people will be fine if they buy the iPhone 13 which costs less.

The iPhone 14 Plus is identical to the iPhone 14 in terms of features and most specifications, which means it has roughly the same capabilities as the iPhone 13. It does have a bigger screen and battery, so you get some of the benefits of the Pro Max models but at a relatively reasonable price. If you want a big screen or are looking for more of a reason to upgrade from an older iPhone, this might be the one for you. Battery life is fantastic, and overall performance is smooth. The cameras work very well in daylight and also do a decent job at night with favourable compositions. The iOS ecosystem promises security and software updates for many years. The iPhone 14 Plus might be a bit unwieldy but isn't too heavy. On the downside, you don't get features that many less expensive phones these days offer such as fast charging, a high refresh rate display with always-on functionality, and multiple rear cameras. 

The iPhone 14 Pro introduces a new Dynamic Island area instead of a notch, an upgraded 48-megapixel primary camera, and an always-on display. Other improvements such as crash detection and emergency satellite-based SMS communication aren't entirely relevant in India at the time of launch. It's available with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage. The new Deep Purple colour option is quite striking but not much has changed about this phone's looks compared to its past two predecessors. You get the A16 Bionic SoC on the inside, which powers only the new iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max this year. Battery life is decent, and everyday performance is very slick. iOS 16 has a few improvements to customisation and personalisation as well. All three rear cameras as well as the one in front have been improved in terms of low-light capabilities, and there's an Action Mode for video that delivers cropped and stabilised frames.  

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a premium smartphone that now not only caters to the fashion forward but also to the general user who is looking for something unique and special in Android smartphones.

Its design gets minor improvements compared to the previous model, but thanks to a smaller hinge it can now accommodate a bigger battery, which along with the new processor has drastically improved its battery life.

The displays appear to be the same as before with no differences in size. The cover display offers no additional functionality and still offers a rather restrictive experience forcing the user to open up the main display.

Photo quality has improved even though the camera setup appears the same on paper. The same can also be said about the low-light video quality which was a problem on the earlier model.

The Asus ROG Phone 6 comes with plenty of expected gaming upgrades over the previous model. The phone’s design sees some minor changes with a slightly pronounced camera bump and a second LED element on the rear panel.

Gaming performance is top-notch. The phone’s display is quick enough to give gamers an edge and the new Aeroactive Cooler accessory is also a must-have to take the phone’s performance to its limits. Having Android 12 is a bit disappointing, but Asus has included several software overlays to compensate for the same.

Battery life is excellent and the phone easily lasts a whole day with heavy gaming, and two days with casual use. Charging speeds are also quite fast despite using the bundled 30W charger. Camera performance has improved over the previous models when shooting during the day, but low-light performance is far from the best at this price point.

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G is a premium smartphone from the company that is focussed on offering a premium design. The phone has a slim and elegant design that uses glass and metal.

Its display gets quite bright and colours appear vibrant. It features a thin bezel all around that adds to its overall premium appeal. The phone’s display is also HDR10+ certified and it all works as expected when it comes to streaming supported content.

The phone runs Oppo’s ColorOS 12.1, which is based on Android 12. Everything works as expected and Oppo’s O-Haptics vibration system enhances the software experience.

Camera performance in daylight is quite good, but the same cannot be said about the ultra-wide and macro cameras. In low light, the phone captures good photos, but its performance is not consistent. Battery life is quite solid and lasts a day and half on a single charge.

The Poco F5 5G is an undeniable powerhouse at this price as it delivers raw performance that comes close to Qualcomm's flagship 8 Gen series SoCs. This, coupled with the good heat management makes the F5 5G an excellent option for anyone looking for a powerful smartphone for gaming. Other areas where the F5 5G excels are its display, good battery life, and slim design. I just wished it felt a bit more premium like its predecessor did. Overall, if you're looking for a powerful gaming smartphone at around Rs. 30,000, the F5 5G is worth considering. 

The Google Pixel 7a comes with several upgrades over its predecessor. Most of these upgrades and features make more sense thanks to the Tensor G2 SoC, which is also found in its premium flagships.

Its design, while using the same materials as before, appears a lot more premium even though quality has taken a bit of a hit. The phone also offers an IP67 rating.

The Pixel 7a gets a high refresh rate display which makes the Android 13 interface appear fluid. The phone offers the usual three years of software updates and five years of security updates, which is good to have.

Camera performance, while improved over the previous model, is also quite solid. The new chipset also brings some additional camera features like Long Exposure mode and a faster Night Sight mode. Battery life isn’t the best but you do get wireless charging.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is official with a starting price of Rs. 19,999 in India. The most affordable Nord series phone in India gets a bigger 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is flat and houses a 16-megapixel front camera inside the hole-punch cutout at the top.

At the back, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G has a 108-megapixel main camera. Its triple rear camera setup also features two 2-megapixel sensors for macro photography and depth mapping. The phone features a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging out of the box.

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC. The phone has 8GB of RAM as standard and offers 128GB/ 256GB of storage. There is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner along with AI face recognition.

The Nord CE 3 Lite 5G gets Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.1 out-of-the-box. It will get two major Android updates and three years of security support.

The iQoo Z7 5G is a successor to the Z6 5G, which was launched last year in India. The new 5G smartphone under Rs. 20,000 aims at offering segment-leading performance and a good fast charging experience.

The handset sports a 6.38-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate support. A waterdrop notch at the top gives the phone a slightly dated look. The Z7 5G’s display has 1,300 nits of peak brightness and HDR10+ certification.

There is a MediaTek Dimensity 920 SoC and a 4,500mAh battery. The phone supports 44W fast charging out of the box. For biometrics, there is an in-display fingerprint scanner.

The dual rear camera setup features a 64-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel portrait lens. For selfies, there is a 16-megapixel front camera.

The phone boots Android 13 and has Funtouch OS 13 on top. It is promised to get two major Android updates and three years of security support.

Poco X5 Pro is a new mid-range 5G smartphone under Rs. 25,000 in India. The new Poco X-series smartphone comes with a few upgrades over the outgoing model. The phone has a tall 6.67-inch 10-bit AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

The display is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Unlike its predecessor, the Poco X5 Pro gets a plastic rear panel. The phone has a triple rear camera setup with a 108-megapixel main camera. There is also an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 2-megapixel macro sensor.

The Poco X5 Pro 5G has a 16-megapixel front camera. It also features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC with up to 8GB of RAM. There is up to 256GB of storage on offer.

Poco has packed a 5000mAh battery in the phone, which supports 67W fast charging. The Poco X5 Pro 5G boots Android 12-based MIUI 14 out of the box.

The Realme 10 Pro+ is the latest mid-ranger from the company. It has received some upgrades in multiple departments over the Realme 9 Pro+, with the display being the highlight.

The Realme 10 Pro+ 5G sports a 6.7-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate support. It is the most affordable smartphone to feature a curved screen. The phone's base model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is priced at Rs. 24,999. The 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB storage options are priced at Rs. 25,999 and Rs. 27,999.

The phone comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC, and a 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging support.

The 108-megapixel main camera misses out on OIS support. Its triple-camera setup includes an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. For selfies, there is a 16-megapixel front camera. The handset runs on the Android 13-based Realme UI 4.0 out-of-the-box.

Lava Blaze 5G is the most affordable 5G smartphone in India. Priced at Rs. 10,999, the Lava Blaze 5G comes in a single 4GB + 128GB storage option. The budget 5G smartphone comes with support for eight 5G bands in India.

The Lava Blaze 5G comes with a premium glass back design and a plastic frame. It features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD with an HD+ resolution (720x1600 pixels). The screen also supports a 90Hz refresh rate.

There is a MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC, which is a budget 5G processor. The device packs a 5000mAh battery with 15W fast charging support. It weighs about 207g and measures 165.3x76.4x8.9mm.

The device has a triple-camera setup on the back with a 50-megapixel main camera. For selfies, there is an 8-megapixel front camera.In terms of software, the Lava Blaze 5G runs Android 12 out of the box. The company has promised to release the Android 13 update and provide two years of security support.

The Moto G72 is a new smartphone launched in India, under Rs. 20,000. The device is aimed at offering a no-compromise experience but lacks support for 5G networks in India. The Moto G72 scores points for its design. While the phone comes with a polycarbonate back and frame, the Polar Blue colour with a PMMA-acrylic finish makes it look premium. The phone is also fairly light at 166g and is 7.9mm thick.

There is a 6.6-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a full-HD+ resolution. The 10-bit display also comes with an HDR10+ certification. The mid-range smartphone features a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, which is also found in the likes of the Redmi 11 Prime 4G and the Redmi Pad. Routine tasks can be performed smoothly and the phone also handles casual gaming fairly well.

The Moto G72 packs a 5000mAh battery and supports 33W fast charging. It also comes with a 108MP triple-camera setup on the back. There is a 16MP front camera inside the hole-punch cutout. Moto G72 runs on the Android 12-based MyUX skin and is promised to get the Android 13 update along with support for security patches for up to three years.

iQoo has launched the Z6 Lite 5G as its most affordable 5G smartphone in India. The iQoo Z6 Lite 5G sits at the bottom of the Z6 series. For its starting price of Rs 13,999, the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G aims at providing reliable performance and 5G network support.

While design preferences are subjective, the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G in its Stellar Green colour looks more premium than it is. The phone comes with a flat frame and a plastic body. It is 194g heavy and 8.3mm thick. The LCD display offers 120Hz refresh rate support, which is the highest in the price segment.

The highlight of the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G is its performance. There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC. The phone also packs a 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. You do not get a charger in the box.

There is a dual-camera setup on the back. The phone features a 50-megapixel primary camera along with a 2MP depth sensor. The daylight shots are quite good but white balance is a hit or miss. For selfies, the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G comes with an 8MP front camera.

Software-wise, the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G runs on the Android 12-based Funtouch OS 12 skin out of the box. It has its fair share of bloatware pre-installed along with some notifications from the browser app that spam a lot. The custom skin does offer options for customising and personalising the software experience.

Some of the features of the Nothing Phone 1 that really stand out are its premium build quality, vibrant display, good primary camera, and clean Android experience. The glyph lights are a nice differentiator but you may or may not find them actually useful for daily use. The one thing that needs the most improvement right now is the secondary cameras, especially in low light. Video recording could also benefit from better stabilisation and features.

Phones such as the Xiaomi 11T Pro and iQoo 9 SE offer better specs and features for a simialr price. However, if you want a phone that looks completely unique while still having all the essential features, there's nothing quite like the Phone 1 right now.