If it’s less than about five years old, you’ll find a very good camera, lots of storage for photos and videos, a fully stocked app store and a good screen.īelow are Rob Waugh and Jack Rear’s reviews of the best smartphones in 2023, followed by an FAQ section and a guide to some of the jargon you’ll come across when phone shopping. When is upgrading the right choice for you?ĭespite the amazing things that some 2023 phones can do, if you find a good deal on an even older model it will still be worth considering. This year, the choice is further complicated with the proliferation of folding phones, which are very impressive but shockingly expensive. But it can’t be long before Apple and Samsung strike back. Google have been the first to capitalise on it, with the result that their remarkable Pixel 8 Pro has overtaken the iPhone at the top of our rankings. What is the best smartphone to buy in 2023? After a few years of incremental advances – a brighter screen here, a better selfie camera there – we are starting to see real differences again as AI transforms what mobile phones can do.