Straight outta testing and into our rankings.
NEW
HOT BUY
A product of techy genius that’s set our hearts aflame.
BARGAIN BUY
A proper steal. Worth owning regardless of cashflow.
Time changes everything, including Stuff Top Ten entries.
UPDATE
SMARTPHONES
• TIPS & TRICKS
• The Dynamic Island makes it easier to control a call: tap it and hang up without switching apps.
• AirPods also show up in the Island when connected, and you can see their battery status.
• In Apple Maps, you can see turn-by-turn directions overlaid at the top of the phone’s screen.
1 Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
from £1139/go.stuff.tv/14ProMax
This is essentially the same phone as the 14 Pro, but with a bigger screen and a bigger battery. So on paper it’s Apple’s best ever (not including the new 15 models on p29, which will be vying for the No1 spot next issue)… but while that justifies its promotion to top spot, it’s only worth it for people who really need that extra screen space.
Stuff says
The 2022 model gives the Pro Max a real bump, though all this quality costs
● NOW ADD THIS
Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1
This solid MagSafe charging dock lets you top up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.
£110/belkin.com
2 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
from £1249/go.stuff.tv/S23Ultra
The flagship Galaxy phone’s remit hasn’t changed since the S22 Ultra: it’s still the very best of Samsung in a (non-folding) phone, with astonishing cameras and a productivity focus that few of its competitors can even come close to matching.
Stuff says
Unrivalled productivity, superb photos and stellar performance
3 OnePlus 11
from £729/go.stuff.tv/OnePlus11
With rapid performance, a quality display and capable cameras, the OnePlus 11 makes no major compromises yet still manages to undercut the big guns. Photography remains a small step behind the best, but it makes up for that in other ways.
Stuff says
A semi-affordable phone that can pretty much do it all
4 Google Pixel 7 Pro
from £849/go.stuff.tv/Pixel7Pro
Plentiful performance and dependable battery life make this another worthy Google flagship.
5 Nothing Phone 2
from £579/go.stuff.tv/Nothing2
Rivals edge it out in some areas, but they can’t match this phone’s pocket presence.
6 Xiaomi 13 Pro
£1099/go.stuff.tv/Xiaomi13Pro
With its 1in main sensor, outstanding photography makes this one of 2023’s highlights.
7 Google Pixel 7a
£449/go.stuff.tv/Pixel7a
Fast, long-lasting, and it takes a killer photo: this is the mid-range Android phone to beat.
8 Sony Xperia 1 V
from £1299/go.stuff.tv/Xperia1v
A flagship with zero compromise, taking its best bits from all of Sony’s divisions.
9 Honor Magic5 Pro
Capable cameras, ace performance and slick styling all add up to Honor’s greatest handset yet.
NEW
10 Fairphone 5
A lot more sustainable than any rival – and it’s not a total tech minnow either, with respectable cameras.
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS AND REVIEWS OF ALL THE BEST NEW PHONES, VISIT STUFF.TV/TOP-10/SMARTPHONES
IN-EARS
1 Sony WF-1000XM5
£259/go.stuff.tv/WFXM5
The WF-1000XM5 in-ears are significantly smaller than the XM4s, which were themselves a whole lot more compact than their predecessors. And yet Sony has still squeezed even larger drivers inside each earbud, along with the firm’s best active noise-cancelling yet. The feature list is as extensive as ever, and they’re priced to compete with Bose’s best. Add in decent battery life and a strong app, and you won’t find anything more well-rounded for less.
Stuff says
Sony’s already fantastic flagship in-ears get even better ANC, a more comfy fit and simply stellar audio
2 Beats Fit Pro
£220/go.stuff.tv/FitPro
These Beats are excellent on many levels. Unless you really love the earhook design of the Powerbeats Pro, they’re definitely the best workout ’phones in the Apple/Beats range and rival any others at the price.
Stuff says
Good battery life, punchy sound, lock-tight fit
3 Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds II
£280/go.stuff.tv/QCBuds2
You still can’t beat Bose for ANC. And while its latest buds can be bettered slightly when it comes to sound quality, and bettered comfortably for battery life, they make for a competitive total package.
Stuff says
Bose is back with its best effort in a long while
4 Technics EAH-AZ80
£260/go.stuff.tv/AZ80
Excellent all-round in-ears that balance clean sound with good ANC.
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