Our selection of the top high-end smartphones of 2023

If you’re in the market for a high-end smartphone and have an unlimited budget, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the many options available to you. From sleek and sophisticated models to aesthetically pleasing options, all compatible with 5G, the choices can feel overwhelming. No worries, we have compiled a list of the top three best high-end smartphones on the market today, along with two honorable mentions. Our selection is based on the reviews and feedback of users of these smartphones.

What are the best high-end smartphones in 2023?

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a high-end Android phone released in 2023. It boasts an elegant design, powerful performance, and long-lasting battery life. The phone comes in several original colors, and its appearance closely resembles its predecessor, the S22 Ultra. The S23 Ultra features rounded edges for a better grip and a large 6.8-inch screen protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The phone features a DYNAMIC Amoled X2 panel with an adaptive refresh rate that can be easily adjusted.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, making it one of the most powerful phones on the market. It can run all games at full speed without generating much heat. Impressively, the phone’s battery life, lasting up to two to three days with minimal usage.

The S23 Ultra’s camera offers versatility, featuring effective x3 and x10 zoom capabilities, an ultra-wide-angle lens, and excellent video stabilization up to 8K resolution. The software is also top-notch, with One UI and four years of Android updates and five years of follow-up.

The S23 Ultra is the premium model of the S23 series, which includes three models. The Galaxy S23 is a compact and high-performing smartphone with a 6.1-inch display and the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip as the S23 Ultra. The battery life is just as excellent for a smaller phone. The S23+ has a slightly larger 6.6-inch screen and better battery life than the S23.

Overall, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is an excellent choice for those looking for a premium phone with a big screen, powerful performance, and long-lasting battery life. The S23 and S23+ are also great options for those seeking compact and high-performing smartphones.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

The iPhone 14 Pro is the standout phone in the large iPhone family, just like last year. It boasts several new features that have impressed many users. The design of the phone has not changed, but the screen and internal components have been upgraded.

The 6.1-inch screen is flawless and perfect. The iPhone 14 Pro uses a new Super Retina XDR panel with a slightly higher definition than the iPhone 13 Pro. The color fidelity is almost irreproachable, and the notch has been replaced by a Dynamic Island, which is a mini dynamic notification center.

The photography component is still successful, with a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor and a 48-megapixel main lens. The software-generated x2 zoom is effective, and the Action mode offers good stabilization for videos. The new Pro model is one of the best photo smartphones available.

Apple has implemented a new chip, the A16 Bionic, for improved performance, and the results are impressive. The A16 Bionic is more efficient than that of the iPhone 13, and it perfectly manages its heating. There is also progress in the calculations made by AI.

However, the phone has some drawbacks. The charging is too slow, whether wired or wireless, and the weight of the phone is noticeable in hand. The price of the phone has also increased significantly, which may deter some buyers.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the same features as the 14 Pro, but with a larger 6.7-inch screen and gargantuan autonomy. It is a great phone, but it comes with a high price tag. Despite the price increase, the iPhone 14 Pro is a significant improvement over the previous generation, and it is highly recommended over the iPhone 14.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Google has launched its Pixel 7 Pro, a new high-end smartphone that offers a pure Android experience and a unique design. Compared to the Pixel 6 Pro, the design has undergone a slight evolution, with the coating of the lens bar transitioning from glass to metal.

The display of the Pixel 7 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch Amoled screen that offers excellent quality. It has a beautiful maximum brightness of 1331 cd/m² in HDR and an adaptive refresh rate that ranges from 10 to 120 Hz.

The smartphone is powered by the Tensor G2, the second iteration of Google’s SoC. Although it may not be a benchmark beast, it ensures an ultra fluid and responsive system. The chip is not dedicated to gaming, but it can still comfortably handle games like Fortnite or Genshin Impact.

The Pixel 7 Pro’s camera is where Google’s expertise in AI shines. The three sensors – 50 Mpx for the wide-angle, 12 for the ultra-wide-angle, and 48 for the telephoto lens – combined with Google’s algorithms, produce exceptional shots. The Super Res Zoom technology, a software zoom that uses machine learning to go up to x30 without losing too much quality, is also available.

When it comes to battery life, the Pixel 7 Pro has a standard capacity of 5,000mAh. It can last a day and a half, or even two days if you use your smartphone little. However, charging is extremely slow, and it takes about two hours to reach 100%.

Honorable Mentions:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4:

Samsung has a strong presence in the high-end mobile sector. They are a Korean company and are leading the way in foldable smartphones, having been the first to bring them to market. Now, the fourth iteration of the Galaxy Z Fold has arrived with some significant improvements.

The Z Fold 4 looks very similar to its predecessor, the Z Fold 3, in terms of aesthetics. The hinge is sturdy, but the fold is still noticeable and can be felt when touched. The external screen is small at only 6.2 inches, but it has a high resolution of 2316 x 904 pixels and can even support up to 120 Hz. Meanwhile, the internal screen is much larger at 7.6 inches and has a resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels.

In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor ensures that everything runs smoothly and provides a pleasant gaming experience. As for the camera, it is very versatile and takes great photos. Finally, when used in hybrid mode, the Z Fold 4 managed to last for 13 hours, which is a significant improvement compared to the earlier models of folding smartphones. Overall, Samsung has produced an impressive device that is sure to appeal to those in the market for a high-end mobile phone.

OnePlus 11:

The new OnePlus 11 model is targeting the high-end sector. It has garnered a lot of attention and is one of the favorites. The brand has gone back to its roots by focusing on power, performance, and premium features.

The phone features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and a minimum of 8 GB of RAM. This allows for running demanding mobile games and multiple applications simultaneously. Although it may heat up a bit in the long run, the phone remains efficient. The OxygenOS software offers a wide range of customizations that are very pleasant.

The OnePlus 11 has an excellent grip and is made of high-quality materials. The phone is pleasant to use, and the 6.7 inch Super AMOLED screen offers great performance with beautiful brightness and fairly accurate colors. It also has a monstrous battery life that lasts for two days with versatile use and 100 W fast charging that can get it to 100% in no time.

However, not everything is perfect. Despite its partnership with Hasselblad, the photography is quite average, especially when using the wide angle and ultra wide angle lenses. However, this is only when compared to other high-end phones. Overall, the OnePlus 11 remains consistent in terms of quality and features.

High-end smartphones are capable of doing everything. If you invest a lot of money in one, you can rest assured that it will be able to handle all your needs. These phones are designed for the most demanding users, offering the best photo quality and overall experience.

So, what makes a high end smartphone? Simply put, it’s the best that technology has to offer at the time of release. They feature the best System on Chips (SoCs), the most complete camera systems, and the most beautiful screens. Additionally, they usually come equipped with refinements such as wireless charging and waterproofing. The design, quality of construction, and materials used are also of utmost importance.

When it comes to brands, Samsung and Apple are the top two in the high-end segment. Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Oppo are also making a name for themselves and are hot contenders for third place.

Verdict

In conclusion, if you have an unlimited budget and want the very best in high end smartphones, any of the phones on our list will serve you well. From the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to the Google Pixel 7 Pro, each phone offers a unique set of features that make it stand out from the crowd. Whether you prefer Apple, Samsung, Google, or OnePlus, there is a high-end smartphone out there that will suit your needs perfectly.