Categories: Mobile

The best phones we’ve tested this year


Your smartphone is probably the most important piece of tech you own, and so we know that choosing your next upgrade can be a daunting decision. With so many phones on the market, all with their own pros and cons, finding the perfect one is far from easy.

That’s where our best phones list comes in to play. We thoroughly review a dozens of phones each year, from budget handsets to feature-packed flagships and everything in-between. This is the culmination of all those hours (and hours) of testing from our product experts.

We know that everyone wants something different from their phone. For some, the key is usability – can I hold it in one hand and does it fit in my pocket? For others, it’s whether the phone can make it from morning until bedtime without hitting 0%. Then there are those who buy a phone for its camera prowess, or because it can play the latest games with ease.

Below is our round-up of the best phones you can currently buy, covering both iPhones running iOS and Android devices. When selecting the best phone in this list, we’ve focused on the areas people care about the most. In our opinion, these are impressive cameras and easy to use software that’s frequently updated, along with reliable screens and batteries.

We also have other best lists for those after something a little more specific. Our best camera phone round-up focuses on a device’s photographic and videography skills, while our best cheap phone and best mid-range phone lists focus solely on more affordable options depending on how far you cash can stretch.

How we test

Learn more about how we test mobile phones

Every phone included in the below list has been properly tested and used for an extended period by one of our product experts. We don’t review phones based purely on specs or a manufacturer’s claims – we use them as our everyday device for at least five days and usually for much longer. 

If you read a phone review on Trusted Reviews, you’ll know the reviewer has popped their personal SIM card into the phone, transferred across their most-used apps and even their backlog of WhatsApp messages. We go all in, so you know you’re getting an honest view of a product.

Our review process includes a mixture of real-world tests, along with more than 15 measured tests and industry-standard benchmarks. We believe this gives the most rounded view of a device. The scores a phone receives from a run under our professional colorimeters isn’t worth much if the screen can’t be used comfortably on a sunny day.

iPhone 13 Pro

The best phone

Pros

  • Great to finally see a 120Hz display on an iPhone
  • Good battery life
  • Seriously impressive camera system

Cons

  • Other phones have better zoom
  • The notch feels dated

All things considered, the best phone you can buy right now is the iPhone 13 Pro. Apple’s latest high-end phone is reliable, takes great pictures, and comes in a duo of sizes so you can go big or small depending on your tastes.

The iPhone 13 Pro shines in a number of areas – though that shouldn’t really come as a surprise considering it’s also one of the priciest phones around. The camera is usually one of the main reasons to buy an iPhone, and that remains the case here. We prefer the more realistic, natural images from the iPhone 13 Pro compared to slightly too vivid results from the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, while Apple’s flagship produces comfortably more pleasing, stable video than both Samsung’s latest effort and the Google Pixel 6 Pro.

The overdue addition of a fast and smooth 120Hz ProMotion display – a feature common on just about every new Android phone now – gives a bit more zip to scrolling, while the screen itself just shines with excellent colours and high levels of brightness, greatly impressing our reviewer.

Updates are also handled better on iPhones than on their Android peers. The fast A15 Bionic not only makes the fastest phone on this list, but it’ll allow for multiple years of software and security updates, making the iPhone 13 Pro a sound investment for the long-term; in fact it’s already been confirmed to be one of the first iPhones to be upgraded to iOS 16 when it fully launches later this year.

The iPhone 13 Pro comes in two sizes; the regular 6.1-inch model is small enough for many to use one-handed, and is ideal if big and potentially unwieldy phones aren’t your thing. The larger iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display and is a better choice for those who watch a lot of videos or play games, making good use of that extra screen space. The Max size is also our pick if battery life is important, as we’ve found it comfortably outperforms the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Pixel 6 Pro and Oppo Find X5 Pro.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: iPhone 13 Pro Review

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The best flagship Android phone

Pros

  • Stunning display with fantastic detail and brightness
  • Versatile camera system with impressive zoom
  • Good low-light camera performance
  • Fast charging
  • Promise of many years of updates

Cons

  • Battery life should be better
  • Design a step backward
  • You need to buy the fast charger separately

For some, the fact our pick for the best phone runs iOS means that it is not really a choice at all. For those that want the very best of what Android has to offer, we don’t think you can go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.

It might be an S series smartphone in name, but really this is the next-generation Galaxy Note – and that means it’s the only handset on this list to boast an integrated stylus. The S Pen lets you doodle, jot down shopping lists or navigate the UI with a dinky pen – you can’t do that on the iPhone 13 Pro.

Samsung’s latest effort doesn’t always come out on top in all photographic situations, but it does comfortably leave the competition in the dust when it comes to zoom. If you push the duo of telephoto zoom as far as 10x, you’ll find that the results are far crisper and more usable than those of the iPhone 13 Pro and the Pixel 6.

Our reviewer praised the high-res display on the S22 Ultra for its accurate colours and beautiful representation of HDR video. We were also impressed with the excellent performance for both gaming and general use thanks to the top-end chipsets. It might not be able to match the iPhone 13 Pro for pure speed (both in Geekbench scores and our user experience), but really it’s not too far off.

However, the S22 Ultra does leave a little to be desired in its battery performance. This might not be so bad compared to other high-end Android phones like the Oppo Find X5, but it doesn’t last anywhere near as long in normal usage as the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Our reviewer managed to, in some cases, get through two days with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, while the S22 Ultra only just made it until the end of day one. Considering the size of both phones, this is a bit of a shame.

If you want a slightly cheaper – but still very capable – Android superphone then the outgoing Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra remains an admirable performer with an overall design that we actually prefer to the newer model.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review

Pixel 6

The best software

Pros

  • So many great software features
  • Nice array of colours
  • Strong camera hardware for the price

Cons

  • Some jank in the software
  • The display lacks the 120Hz refresh rate of many similarly priced rivals
  • A couple of odd design choices

For the sub £600/$600 price, we reckon there’s no better all-around Android choice than the Pixel 6. It has the best-looking software of any phone we have reviewed – yes, including the iPhone 13 – and uses Google’s excellent imaging skills to snap incredible low-light pictures that give the far more expensive flagships from Apple and Samsung a run for their money. If you want clear and bright snaps taken at night in bars and restaurants, then the Pixel 6 is a great pick.

Even though it’s lighter on the wallet, the Pixel 6 still has plenty of handy features. There’s wireless charging, an IP68 rating to protect against accidental splashes, and a bright and accurate screen. It’s not a small phone by any means, but it has dinkier dimensions than the Galaxy S22 Ultra, making it easier to hold comfortably.

Pixel phones are also great because they get the latest software updates straight from Google far quicker than the competition, and often for much longer. The four years of updates here gives you new features, and longer-term protection than similarly-priced phones.

There’s a larger, Pro version of the Pixel 6 too. For the extra £150/$200, you get better battery life, a bigger 6.7-inch display that’s a little bit sharper and three, rather than two, cameras. We do like the Pro a lot, but it doesn’t quite represent the great value for money of the smaller Pixel 6 based on our experience using the two.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Google Pixel 6 Review

iPhone 13

The best looking phone

Pros

  • Much improved battery life
  • Bright, vivid OLED display
  • Excellent main camera

Cons

  • No ProMotion
  • No optical zoom

Just as the Pixel 6 represents a more affordable Pixel 6 Pro, the iPhone 13 packs in many of the iPhone 13 Pro’s features at an appealingly lower price. If you’re coming from the iPhone 11 or older and are happy with that size of handset, then we’d say the iPhone 13 represents a strong upgrade on your current smartphone.

If you’re stuck deciding between this one or its superior sibling, then we’d recommend you go for the Pro model if you want the added versatility of the zoom camera (a feature missing here), or would benefit from the faster ProMotion display in high-end gaming sessions.

Still, the iPhone 13 is just as fast as the Pro model in benchmark tests and should get the same amount of software updates over the next few years as well. It runs the same iOS and has access to the same apps and games, and is also due to be upgraded to iOS 16 later this year. It doesn’t, however, come in a Max size – just a small 5.4-inch model and a still quite small 6.1-inch variant. If you want a big screen for video content then this simply isn’t right for you, and you should instead check out the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Bear in mind that the next model in the series, the iPhone 14, is due to be released in September or October this year in case you’d rather wait and see what benefits the new generation could bring to the range.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: iPhone 13 Review

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus

Best for features

Pros

  • Brilliant screen
  • Great camera
  • Attractive design
  • Strong performance

Cons

  • Battery life could be better
  • Expensive

Sitting below the Galaxy S22 Ultra in Samsung’s 2022 range of flagship devices, the Galaxy S22 Plus rids itself of a few of the pricier phone’s luxury features but comes in at a lower price. The display, for example, is 1080p rather 1440p so it’s not quite as sharp, while the camera array isn’t as extensive. You also miss out on the S Pen and the curved display.

If you’re happy with those omissions then we can easily recommend the S22 Plus as one of the best Android phones we’ve tested, especially if you’re familiar with previous Samsung phones.

The S22 Plus is a large phone, though it is marginally smaller and easier to slip into a pocket than the Ultra or the iPhone 13 Pro Max; however, it can’t match the Apple flagships for endurance. We managed to consistently get through the day with the S22 Plus, but it’s not a multi-day phone by any means

The three rear cameras offer lots of versatility, and images don’t look too different from the Ultra. Samsung loves to push up the colour saturation in its photo processing, so you’ll notice colours – especially reds and green – pop more than in the iPhone competition. These punchier colours look great on the phone’s bright OLED display.

Reviewer: Peter Phelps
Full review: Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus review

Realme GT 2 Pro

The best mid-range phone

Pros

  • Gorgeous display
  • Flagship-grade performance
  • Excellent battery life and fast charging

Cons

  • Lacks a dedicated telephoto camera
  • Paper-like design will divide opinion
  • No wireless charging or IP rating

If you’re unaware of Realme, then it’s certainly worth taking the brand seriously now it has launched the GT 2 Pro. For the price, this is a top Android phone that performs just as well as the Galaxy S22 Ultra in our range of benchmarking tests. Open up a game on the Realme GT 2 Pro, and it holds its own against much pricier competition.

It’s a similar story again with the display. We put the Realme GT 2 Pro next to the Pixel 6 and the 6.7-inch screen here is sharper, smoother when scrolling, and brighter in sunny conditions. It’s not quite on the level of the iPhone 13 Pro or S22 Ultra – but we wouldn’t expect that for this price.

In our charge tests, the GT 2 Pro impressed us again. Not only is there a charger in the box, but a full 0-100% charge only takes around 30 minutes, which is the fastest out of any phones included in this list.

Some sacrifices have been made to hit the desired price, but we don’t consider any of these to be a dealbreaker. The rear design lacks the glass finish of some of the top phones (though has an innovative paperlike texture in its place), while there’s no IP rating for protection against dust and water, and there’s also no wireless charging or telephoto camera for added versatility.

Reviewer: Tom Morgan
Full review: Realme GT 2 Pro review

Asus ROG Phone 5

The best phone for gaming

Pros

  • Long-lasting, fast-charging battery
  • 144Hz AMOLED screen
  • Fantastic stereo speakers

Cons

  • No telephoto camera
  • No wireless charging
  • Fantastic stereo speakers

Smartphones focusing purely on gaming are still very niche, but after a few years of being disappointed with what was on offer, we’ve finally been impressed by some of the gaming phones we’ve reviewed recently. 

The Asus ROG Phone 5 is, and we need to make this very clear, not for everyone – but if you like a gaming-focused aesthetic and highly prioritise performance over mobile photography for example, then by all means go ahead.

While you’ll get excellent gaming performance from an iPhone 13 Pro, Galaxy S22 Ultra or even the Pixel 6, the Asus ROG Phone 5 takes things up a notch with a ridiculously smooth 144Hz display, gaming accessories, and booming speakers. This one doesn’t have the latest Snapdragon silicon, so that likely means there’s a ROG Phone 6 set for release in the near future – but the performance remains excellent for now.

This is a bigger phone than many others on this list and as a result, it has a huge battery that puts it ahead of the Android competition. There are also a couple of touch-sensitive triggers on the top, letting you ditch the frequently underwhelming on-screen controls.

Reviewer: Basil Kronfli
Full review: Asus ROG Phone 5 Review

FAQs

What is a 90 or 120Hz display, and why would I want one?

Most of the phones included within this list feature a high refresh rate display, either at 90Hz or 120Hz. This means the display refreshes at either 90 or 120 times per second, up from the older standard of 60Hz. Having a fast display makes everything feel a bit smoother, be it swiping through Instagram or gaming. The iPhone 13 with its 60Hz display, for example, simply can’t compare to the smooth scrolling you’ll get from the 120Hz iPhone 13 Pro.

Should I buy a phone with 5G?

Most new phones, especially those over £400/$400, will now support 5G. This is the next step up from 4G, and provides faster and more reliable download speeds in areas where the network is live. 5G varies by country, with the USA touting a tech called mmWave that has far superior speeds if you’re in the right spot. While 5G isn’t a must have yet, it’s always good to futureproof your purchases and as most new phones come with the tech now you likely won’t miss out.

How much should I spend on a phone?

There are excellent phones at all price points these days, with the best often costing above a grand if you want the very best. If you aren’t so fussed on things like camera performance and display quality you can get an excellent device for £500/$600.

Comparison Specifications

Here are all the specs for our best phones. Remember, the amount of megapixels doesn’t always equal a better camera – as proved by the iPhone 13 Pro sticking with 12 on each rear sensor and still coming out on top.

UK RRP

USA RRP

EU RRP

CA RRP

AUD RRP

Manufacturer

Screen Size

Storage Capacity

Rear Camera

Front Camera

Video Recording

IP rating

Battery

Wirless charging

Fast Charging

Size (Dimensions)

Weight

ASIN

Operating System

Release Date

First Reviewed Date

Model Number

Resolution

HDR

Refresh Rate

Ports

Chipset

RAM

Colours

Trusted Reviews test data

While test data doesn’t tell the whole story, it’s an important part of our review process. As you can see, the iPhone 13 series is the king when it comes to benchmark, especially Geekbench, providing top scores.

Geekbench 5 single core

Geekbench 5 multi core

sRGB

Adobe RGB

DCI-P3

Max brightness

1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)

30 minute gaming (intensive)

30 minute gaming (light)

1 hour music streaming (online)

1 hour music streaming (offline)

Time from 0-100% charge

Time from 0-50% charge

3D Mark – Wild Life

3D Mark – Wild Life Stress Test



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