TOP 5 SMART PHONE OF 2021

1. APPLE IPHONE 12

BEST IPHONE TO BUY IN 2021

Apple has released four different variations of the iPhone 12, more than it ever has at one time. The regular iPhone 12, which starts at around $830 for a 64GB model, is the best smartphone for most people 12 has the same overall design, the same processor, the same wireless charging, the same Face ID system, the same 5G support, the same front camera, and the same main and wide-angle rear cameras as the pricier 12 Pro but for hundreds of dollars less. On top of all that, it comes in five colors, one more than you can choose from in the Pro models. Despite all of those choices, the traditional, regular model is still a good pick.

THE IPHONE 12 BALANCES A BIG SCREEN WITH MANAGEABLE SIZE WELL

Compared to the iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone 12 has a noticeably roomier display and a bigger battery — two things that are important to many people. At 6.1 inches, it’s big enough to make watching the video and reading text comfortable and engaging, but it isn’t so big that it’s terribly hard to use in one hand or fit in your pocket. Battery life is also perfect; you can reliably expect this phone to last all day without needing to charge up before bed.

The iPhone 12’s camera system is the best you can get in this price range and is excellent at most anything you’d use it for. The 12 gives up the telephoto camera available on the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, but that’s something not everyone will miss. It also has the ability to shoot Dolby Vision HDR for brighter and more dynamic video.

Since the 12 has Apple’s latest smartphone processor, the A14 Bionic, it has high-speed performance and fluid animations. It also has a sleeker, more modern design than the previous iPhone 11 or iPhone XR, which feel frumpy in comparison.

The base iPhone 12 comes with 64GB of storage, but it's not expandable as usual with an iPhone, so we recommend buying the 128GB model for only $50 more.

In all, the iPhone 12 is an easy choice for most people: it offers top-level performance, design, and camera features while providing reliable battery life for less money than other options on the market.

2. SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 ULTRA

BEST ANDROID PHONE TO BUY IN 2021

If neither size nor price is a concern, the best Android phone you can buy right now is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. With a big 6.8-inch screen and the best cameras you can get on an Android phone, it’s the no-compromise pick. In some cases, its cameras can even best the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with the latest and best specs you can get on Android. It has the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which is the fastest you can get on Android. It features support for S Pen styluses if you prefer to use a pen with your phone, although it’s sold separately. The screen has a high refresh rate, which makes scrolling much smoother. It also has a huge battery that will last two days without much effort.

Samsung updated the design of the S21 Ultra with a metal rail that curves naturally into the camera bump on the back. It is the best-looking big phone you can get right now. However, we can’t say we like Samsung’s software as much, which at the moment is a bit cluttered and features ads in places like the weather app. For a sleeker experience, the OnePlus 9 Pro would be a good choice; the Ultra beats it on screen and camera quality, but it’s a good device all-around and offers a more grown-up take on Android OS.

That camera bump houses four cameras: a regular wide-angle with a 108-megapixel sensor, an ultrawide, and two different telephoto lenses. This makes it an incredibly versatile camera system with many advanced video features like Pro modes and 8K recording.

Starting at $1,199.99, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a costly phone. Thankfully, Samsung phones are discounted early and often. If you are in the market for one, it’s worth looking around for a deal before buying.

3. SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 / S21 PLUS

BEST ANDROID PHONE TO FIND A DEAL FOR

Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus don’t post the big numbers the S21 Ultra does, they are still our picks right now for the best Android phones under a thousand bucks. The regular Galaxy S21 with a 6.2-inch screen starts at $800, while the Plus version with a 6.7-inch screen starts at $1,000. However, both are frequently discounted with either price drops or bundles, so these are great candidates for hunting down sales.

The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus are essentially identical phones with three differences: screen size, battery size, and materials. We’ve reviewed the regular Galaxy S21 and found it to be a very competent phone, even though you could argue it’s a minor refresh over last year’s Galaxy S20.

However, Samsung refreshed the important part: the processor is the same Snapdragon 888 as the Ultra. That means the Galaxy S21 is super fast and should last more than a couple of years without slowing down.

There are likely more great Android phones coming soon, but right now, the Android phone that strikes the best balance of features and price is the S21.

4. APPLE IPHONE 12 PRO MAX

BEST PHONE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO IN 2021

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the best camera system you can currently get on a smartphone. Its three rear cameras — standard wide, ultrawide, and telephoto — combine with Apple’s image processing to produce stunning images, even in poor lighting. If camera quality is your most important factor when buying a phone, the 12 Pro Max is where you should be spending your money.

The big difference between the 12 Pro Max and the other iPhone 12 models is its main camera sensor. The 12 Pro Max has a larger camera sensor that gathers more light and produces better-quality images in dark or challenging lighting conditions. In addition, the 12 Pro Max has an improved image stabilization system that helps keep your images sharp as light levels drop.

But unless camera quality is all you care about, the 12 Pro Max isn’t the best iPhone for most people. It’s enormous, and the squared sides make it feel even bigger than its spec sheet implies. Most people will be happier with the smaller but still large-screened iPhone 12.

5. APPLE IPHONE 12 MINI

BEST SMALL SMARTPHONE IN 2021

There’s really only one reason to buy an iPhone 12 mini, but it’s an important one: if you want a phone that’s easier to use in one hand or put into a small pocket. The iPhone 12 mini is one of the very few small phones on the market with top-tier features and specs; you don’t have to compromise in performance, build quality, or cameras with this one.

Though it’s much smaller in size than the other iPhones released this year, the mini’s 5.4-inch screen is still big enough for text messaging, email, web browsing, apps, video, and games, and if you’re coming from an iPhone 6 / 7 / 8, it will feel quite spacious. But it’s also small enough that most adults, even those with small hands, will be able to reach all of the screens with their thumb comfortably. You won’t need a PopSocket on this one.

Otherwise, the mini is the same phone like the iPhone 12: it has the same design, processor, cameras, 5G support, and build quality as the larger model. It’s just smaller and has a smaller price tag, at about $100 less.

If you prefer Android, the Asus Zenfone 8 is a good alternative. It’s a little bigger than the 12 mini with a 5.9-inch screen, and it doesn’t work on Verizon. Still, it’s otherwise a very similar proposition: great build quality, top-notch processor, and high-end features like a 120Hz screen all tucked into a pocket-friendly device.

 

Apple iPhone 12 Mini

• $699

The iPhone 12 Mini is the smallest phone in Apple’s lineup and the best small phone you can get.

• $699 at APPLE
• $599 at WOOT (REFURBISHED)