The Best Smartphones You Can Buy, From $200 to $1,000+

[Duke9192]

But a bigger omission is 3D Touch, I use it daily on iPhones to turn the keyboard into effectively a touchpad to move the cursor like a mouse when typing, I still can’t believe most Android devices don’t have this yet as this has been on iPhones since the 6S!

If you are referring to the ability to move your finger from one key to another without lifting it, then it's called swiping. The Swiftkey keyboard app has had that feature for a very long time (I had it on a Samsung Galaxy S2) and I think that app is the main keyboard app installed by most users on Android devices.

He is referring to freely move the typing cursor kinda like a mouse without a click to place your typing cursor (ppl barely even knew about it until iphone 7 or 8).
Also peek on links/pictures to share is useful, I can't imagine myself without it.
Although Swiftkey is a relief for me (old Android and WP user) and I agree that keyboard is extremely useful and accurate, can't believe it's a Microsoft product (like my immortal white WMO 1.1a which is my travel mouse to work with everything)

The list is a bit misleading as others pointed out that there are more alternatives for budged or mid category too, and yes pixel phones are just ugly AF, period.
Only thing I don't like in the galaxy S series phones is the "infinity edge" screen, it just makes your life harder by no protective case can protect properly your phone, accidentally touched on the side when you grab it a bit harder, but that's just me and my humble opinion.

Also iOS devices (tablets and phones) way more optimised than Android counterparts and has less software issues, but there is one iOS software for nearly the same devices and in Android's case one system with slight changes to many different hardwares, also high memory and cpu usage.
IMHO

I totally agree with you about the infinity edge screen. If I could go back, I wouldn't have purchased the s9 due to the screen. I prefer a minimal phone case that doesn't bulk it up, and there is nothing protecting the curved edges. Also agree with the inadvertent touches on the edges as well. I miss my HTC 10....for more reasons than just the screen.

 

[wiyosaya]

I thought that I got a good deal on a Moto X4 64GB at $199. I still think that.

 

[Jyrkz]

This feels like 1mans favs phones article

 

[Uncle Al]

My old G5 is still going strong ...... just have to wait a bit further ..... measured in decades, I hope!

 

[m3tavision]

I am waiting for the Surface Phones. (And I don't care about price.)

 

[m3tavision]

Interesting comment on Huawei with all their troubles but there is no escaping the fact that if you are at all concerned about phone security and timely patches, Huawei and its sub-brands are ones to avoid like the plague. For more info on how bad they are at support browse: https://uk.community.huawei.com/software-40

Techspot should not even be including them in their reviews, since non of the phones are sold in USA, & the company has been charged with espionage.

 

[Stoly]

"Finally, for kids who want an iPhone, the older iPhone 7 and 8 series are still available direct from Apple, starting at $449."

And why would a kid have an iPhone?

 

[Stoly]

What about Xiaomi phones?

I've read good things about the Red Mi 8 and 9

 

[GeforcerFX]

"Finally, for kids who want an iPhone, the older iPhone 7 and 8 series are still available direct from Apple, starting at $449."

And why would a kid have an iPhone?

pretty common for 8-10 year olds to start getting there own phones.

 

[Capaill]

Techspot should not even be including them in their reviews, since non of the phones are sold in USA, & the company has been charged with espionage.

So Techspot is only for Americans? I guess Steve should be fired then.

 

[Mike89]

I'm still rocking on my Moto G6. If I was looking at a new phone, which I'm not, I would of course look at the Moto G7. Just not spending any more than that on a cellphone. Just can't bring myself to do it. I still pay about $18 a month for service on a Ting plan so shows you what speed I'm at on cellphone usage.

 

[lazer]

Good job to mention LG G6, good device that is underrated.

I also have a LG L6 and love it. Was cheaper than Samsung and outperforms my iPhone SE by such a big margin that iPhone is not in the game....

 

[picka]

I love Apple hardware but I just can't stand iOS. Android is far ahead on the things that I value on my phone.

Every time I use my iPad pro I get reminded why Android now has 75% market share (and increasing).

 

[Markoni35]

Because you're a reasonable human being. Which, unfortunately, is quickly becoming an extinct species. The world will remain on brainless morons that appreciate phone color more than battery, performance, or whatever. Here's an example:

1. How well it works AS A PHONE!
2. Battery
3. Camera
4. Performance
5. Unlocked
6. No bloat
99. How stylish, colorful & slim it is.

Get it cell phone companies? I don't care about carrying around an expensive fashion
statement. I actually care about how well it works as A PHONE, and how long the battery
last. Guess I'm out of the norm that they consider most users.
That's why I never buy the "flagship" overpriced crap. I wait until a new one appears, then
pick up a last years model for around 400-500 bucks, which is why I still use the Mate9.
Excellent battery, works very well as a phone and has good performance. Does it have
the latest and greatest OS/patches/updates?
Nope, but it is rock solid stable, which means (I never power down), it runs for MONTHS
at a time without having to reboot.

 

[Markoni35]

What....... no Huawei??

 

[Strider]

I bought a Motorola G6 a year ago, based on reviews like 'the best budget phone' herein. I love the phone, but... it's incompatible with my regional carrier's system. It cannot access data on the G4 LTE (or any) network. I spent weeks on the Motorola forums and with my provider's tech support--can't be done. I fear I would have the same problem with the G7

 

[HyperPete]

I bought a Motorola G6 a year ago, based on reviews like 'the best budget phone' herein. I love the phone, but... it's incompatible with my regional carrier's system. It cannot access data on the G4 LTE (or any) network. I spent weeks on the Motorola forums and with my provider's tech support--can't be done. I fear I would have the same problem with the G7

What carrier is that?! It can't be a major player...

 

[Arris]

I love Apple hardware but I just can't stand iOS. Android is far ahead on the things that I value on my phone.

Every time I use my iPad pro I get reminded why Android now has 75% market share (and increasing).

At least with the upcoming iPadOS they are bringing widget style stuff to the home screen. Finally you aren't just stuck with all your apps on your home screens. I have over 90 apps installed in my phone. Having them all on the phones screen would be a right mess. Widgets and prioritizing informational content on my Android devices screens is something I'd really miss if I went to iPhone.

 

[slamscaper]

No mention of the Note series... Always liked them better than Samsung's S series phones. Bought the Note 8 when it launched for $950 and it still is amazing. I couldn't live without wireless charging, that's for sure. Hope the Pixel 4 makes me want to switch. But that depends on how good the Note 10 is.

 

[Verrm]

WTF?! You put such an article 1 week before Xiaomi K20 Pro hits the shelves? This is not acceptable! While I understand that every month there are new phones being released and you're always releasing an article before one of the launches, the K20 Pro (9T Pro) is going to be the new king of the value and you purposefully ignore this! It can be the best phone (value-wise) released in 2019 and you ignore all of this releasing recommendations before it's launch. Just... no.

 

[Strider]

I bought a Motorola G6 a year ago, based on reviews like 'the best budget phone' herein. I love the phone, but... it's incompatible with my regional carrier's system. It cannot access data on the G4 LTE (or any) network. I spent weeks on the Motorola forums and with my provider's tech support--can't be done. I fear I would have the same problem with the G7

What carrier is that?! It can't be a major player...

Inland Cellular, a regional provider generally between Spokane, WA and Lewiston, ID.

 

[m3tavision]

So Techspot is only for Americans? I guess Steve should be fired then.

No, but all of Europe will soon have the Huawei ban too... why wouldn't they, as we all know they are using their phones to spy. Or is it that Europe is going top bend over hard, for China...?

So why should Techspot even support, or report or promote stolen Chinese technology..?

 

[GregonMaui]

"The Pixel 3a is a $400 handset that packs the best camera in the market". Is it a false narrative to say this is the best camera? Spec for Spec it appears identical to other current cameras. The "reviewers" seem to harp on things light Nightsight which is an app feature, not a camera feature. So shouldn't we be saying has the best Camera App instead.

Why that is important is simply that there is an app for that. If these features are important to you, can't you do the same things on other Android phones and on iPhones?

Don't get me wrong, I think Google did some good stuff here, but hardware is hardware and can't be replaced, apps are upgradeable and selectable.

Take for instance that stupid google commercial that brags about unlimited photo storage, Google offers unlimited cloud storage to all users of their cloud product. Is it different?

 

[GregonMaui]

Because you're a reasonable human being. Which, unfortunately, is quickly becoming an extinct species. The world will remain on brainless morons that appreciate phone color more than battery, performance, or whatever. Here's an example:

1. How well it works AS A PHONE!
2. Battery
3. Camera
4. Performance
5. Unlocked
6. No bloat
99. How stylish, colorful & slim it is.

Get it cell phone companies? I don't care about carrying around an expensive fashion
statement. I actually care about how well it works as A PHONE, and how long the battery
last. Guess I'm out of the norm that they consider most users.
That's why I never buy the "flagship" overpriced crap. I wait until a new one appears, then
pick up a last years model for around 400-500 bucks, which is why I still use the Mate9.
Excellent battery, works very well as a phone and has good performance. Does it have
the latest and greatest OS/patches/updates?
Nope, but it is rock solid stable, which means (I never power down), it runs for MONTHS
at a time without having to reboot.

Are you saying that other people are stupid if they don't share your product selection criteria? At the end of the day, its only a phone, you use it ow you want to, and are happy with it, or get a new one.

Most phones have long since passed the good enough threshold, there are only minor spec differences that don't matter a whole lot to people anymore. Take speed, the iPhone has long been the champ on most indicators, but the snapdragons are plenty fast. Downloads on Qualcomm are generally faster, but iPhones are usually plenty fast enough. Google has a great camera app, but so does Samsung, Apple, ...............

Same thing happened to PCs when Intel got in a feature and speed rut. No need to upgrade, slowed sales, because your current PC was fast/good enough. Now phones are slowing, because your old one and a cheaper one are good enough, no need to spend $1600 or something ridiculous

 

[lalalaacn]

So Techspot is only for Americans? I guess Steve should be fired then.

No, but all of Europe will soon have the Huawei ban too... why wouldn't they, as we all know they are using their phones to spy. Or is it that Europe is going top bend over hard, for China...?

So why should Techspot even support, or report or promote stolen Chinese technology..?

Can you provide any evidence to prove Huawei is using their phones to spy? Can you tell which part of their phones use stolen technology? Don't just be a brainwashed hater.

 

[m3tavision]

Can you provide any evidence to prove Huawei is using their phones to spy? Can you tell which part of their phones use stolen technology? Don't just be a brainwashed hater.

How old are you..?

China didn't get all this technology in just 10 years without stealing it. And yes, the US department of defense is the one who issued the ban on them. They have been stealing technology and patents since I have been alive... everyone knows this except you?

Or are you (and your like) just been dismissing it over the past 15-20 years because you didn't know, or care..?