The best smartphones spring 2023 - 33 reviewed phones compared
Our test winners: These are currently the best smartphones!
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best-equipped and most expensive phone in the series this year, and at the same time the best-rated smartphone in recent months. This is due to the consistent development of the concept, even though real innovations are missing this time. With support for the S Pen, a very bright LTPO OLED display and its long runtimes, the Samsung phone is still top.
If you want to spend a bit less money, but need a lot of screen space, you can go for the Samsung Galaxy S23+. Here, too, you get a very bright screen, but you have to make slight concessions in terms of the camera.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is very similar to the Plus model, but it is handier and has a bit less endurance.
We also rate the following device as "very good" Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. The latest edition of the phone especially for gamers comes with an attachable fan and can thus keep a reasonably cool head despite the immense performance reserves. At the same time, the accessory acts as a subwoofer, which results in one of the best sound experiences in a smartphone.
With the Honor Magic5 Pro the former Huawei subsidiary once again launches a great high-end phone on the market. With its very bright display, long runtimes and fast charging technology, it has some advantages that make it worth a look.
With great photo quality, the Vivo X90 Pro+ is convincing. Although it is only available as an import in Europe and could offer even faster charging performance, it has a very high-quality casing, strong performance and a bright screen.
The Xiaomi 13 Pro is also a great high-end option with snappy storage, sharp main camera and long runtimes. The only thing that is a bit annoying here is the lame USB 2.0 port.
More compact is the Xiaomi 13. It also offers many advantages like a fast charging technology, but struggles with the same equipment problem.
The Vivo X90 Pro is also available in Europe and is a great smartphone. However, it has been devalued a bit compared to the predecessor and lacks some features of the competition, such as an LTPO panel, for over 1,000 Euros (~$1092).
The Lenovo ThinkPhone can carry the big name of the ThinkPads into the smartphone world. It actually offers differences from the competition with a comprehensive PC integration, a freely assignable key and pure Android. It convinced us in the test.
Our Favorites - Editors Choice Awards Spring 2023
Based on our test results in the period under review, we conduct an editorial vote and subsequently award the Editors Choice Award.
The award is given to smartphones that stand out for their successful overall package, absolute top performance in specific areas, or a particularly good price-performance ratio, and that represent an attractive purchase option for our editors in the respective category.
Motorola Razr 2022
Folding phones are a specialty in themselves, but the Motorola Razr 2022 folds at the short edge, so it is really reminiscent of the phone from the 2000s. Compared to the predecessor, it is much better manufactured and offers a lot of power for everyday use.
However, you also have to live with some compromises in this device, such as the quite short battery life and the unstable durability of the foldable display. In return, the foldable is available at a relatively fair price of less than 1,000 Euros (~$1,000), for example at amazon.de.
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
The super-bright AMOLED display alone makes the Galaxy A34 is already worth a look. Added to that is the chic casing in the style of the Galaxy S23 and the fast SoC.
The device could load faster, but considering the 5-year warranty for security updates, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is already a very convincing overall package.
All this is available for under 400 Euros (~$437), for example at amazon.de.
Note: Commercial use of award graphics may be subject to licensing. Further details.
The best smartphones in spring 2023
Overall Rating | Model | Image | Price From | Housing Rating | Size | Thickness | Weight Rating | Weight | Display Rating | Display Type | Resolution | Pixel Density | Aspect Ratio | Screen-to-Body Ratio | Screen Brightness | DeltaE Colorchecker | Frame Rate | Camera Rating | DeltaE Colorchecker lowlight | DeltaE Colorchecker daylight | Application Performance Rating | PCMark for Android Work 2.0 Score | Rating Gaming Performance | 3DMark for A. Sling Shot Ext. (ES 3.1) Un. | GFXBench Aztec Ruins H.T. Onscreen | PUBG Mobile HD | Rating Battery Life | Battery Life WiFi 150 cd/mu00b2 | Rating Temperature | Top Idle | Top Load | Rating Audio | max. Audio Output (dB) | Rating Touchscreen Input | Rating Connectivity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
75 % | Cubot KingKong 7 Helio P60, Mali-G72 MP3 | ![]() | 78.4 % | 6.36" | 14 mm | 86.9 % | 267 g | 84.6 % | IPS | 2300x1080 | 400 PPI | 19.2:9 | 71 % | 466 cd/m² | 4.1 | 060 Hz | 47.2 % | 46.86 | 7.77 | 62 % | 10 % | 1268 | 4.7 | 90.7 % | 926 min | 94.9 % | 22.2 °C | 35.9 °C | 50 % | 83.8 dB | 89.4 % | 44.2 % | |||
87 % | Motorola Razr 2022 SD 8+ Gen 1, Adreno 730 | ![]() | 86.9 % | 6.70" | 7.6 mm | 88 % | 200 g | 89.4 % | OLED | 2400x1080 | 393 PPI | 20:9 | 81 % | 495 cd/m² | 1.99 | 144 Hz | 79.4 % | 20.83 | 11.61 | 81.6 % | 60.9 % | 10823 | 65 | 87.5 % | 565 min | 88.9 % | 23.3 °C | 45.3 °C | 73.8 % | 81.9 dB | 95.6 % | 52.8 % | |||
72.2 % | Ulefone Note 14 Helio A22 MT6761, PowerVR GE8300 | ![]() | 80 % | 6.52" | 8.95 mm | 88.9 % | 189 g | 82 % | IPS | 1600x720 | 269 PPI | 20:9 | 80 % | 379 cd/m² | 4.77 | 060 Hz | 40 % | 46.64 | 8.57 | 50 % | 3.8 % | 317 | 2.8 | 90.4 % | 883 min | 94.5 % | 22.3 °C | 35 °C | 40 % | 79.9 dB | 85 % | 43.5 % | |||
75.4 % | Cubot KingKong Mini 3 Helio G85, Mali-G52 MP2 | ![]() | 80 % | 4.50" | 13.4 mm | 92.4 % | 149 g | 83.6 % | IPS | 1170x480 | 22:9 | 62 % | 624 cd/m² | 4.98 | 060 Hz | 34 % | 47.36 | 12.92 | 58 % | 16.6 % | 1393 | 13 | 90.2 % | 863 min | 92.3 % | 21.9 °C | 39.4 °C | 60 % | 84.2 dB | 88.3 % | 41.9 % | ||||
86.4 % | Xiaomi 12T Dimensity 8100, Mali-G610 MP6 | ![]() | 81.9 % | 6.67" | 8.6 mm | 88 % | 202 g | 93.1 % | AMOLED | 2712x1220 | 446 PPI | 20:9 | 93 % | 914 cd/m² | 1.1 | 120 Hz | 67.8 % | 47.4 | 8.02 | 82.6 % | 60.6 % | 7875 | 32 | 60 | 90.7 % | 984 min | 94.4 % | 26.9 °C | 31.7 °C | 72.4 % | 87.4 dB | 93.3 % | 54.1 % | ||
79.2 % | Realme 10 Helio G99, Mali-G57 MP2 | ![]() | 85 % | 6.40" | 8 mm | 89.9 % | 178 g | 86.1 % | AMOLED | 2400x1080 | 411 PPI | 20:9 | 85 % | 553 cd/m² | 4.23 | 090 Hz | 54 % | 35.15 | 6.42 | 68 % | 25 % | 2843 | 10 | 91 % | 966 min | 89.3 % | 23.7 °C | 43.5 °C | 50 % | 83.4 dB | 92.8 % | 47.6 % | |||
89.1 % | Xiaomi 13 SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 91 % | 6.36" | 7.98 mm | 88.9 % | 189 g | 93.1 % | OLED | 2400x1080 | 414 PPI | 20:9 | 89 % | 1208 cd/m² | 1.2 | 120 Hz | 72.8 % | 46.49 | 8.86 | 94.6 % | 68.8 % | 11914 | 66 | 60 | 91.5 % | 1021 min | 95.2 % | 25.7 °C | 30.9 °C | 75.8 % | 91.4 dB | 96.1 % | 55.3 % | ||
89.2 % | Xiaomi 13 Pro SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 91.1 % | 6.73" | 8.38 mm | 87 % | 229 g | 93.4 % | OLED | 3200x1440 | 521 PPI | 20:9 | 90 % | 1244 cd/m² | 1 | 120 Hz | 77.6 % | 24.61 | 8.85 | 93.7 % | 72.3 % | 51 | 60 | 91 % | 846 min | 94.8 % | 27.2 °C | 32.9 °C | 78.6 % | 88.5 dB | 96.1 % | 55.2 % | |||
86.4 % | Xiaomi 13 Lite SD 7 Gen 1, Adreno 644 | ![]() | 86.1 % | 6.55" | 7.23 mm | 90.5 % | 171 g | 92.8 % | AMOLED | 2400x1080 | 402 PPI | 20:9 | 89 % | 904 cd/m² | 1 | 120 Hz | 72.8 % | 41.53 | 13.45 | 77.8 % | 54.8 % | 5501 | 24 | 40, 40 | 90.6 % | 822 min | 93 % | 28.8 °C | 34.1 °C | 79 % | 91.6 dB | 88.9 % | 50.7 % | ||
90 % | Vivo X90 Pro+ SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 92.3 % | 6.78" | 9.7 mm | 87.7 % | 221 g | 93.7 % | AMOLED | 3200x1440 | 518 PPI | 20:9 | 90 % | 1124 cd/m² | 1.1 | 120 Hz | 79 % | 31.42 | 5.49 | 93.4 % | 74 % | 15543 | 50 | 90.5 % | 905 min | 94.5 % | 26.9 °C | 31.1 °C | 78.6 % | 90.4 dB | 94.4 % | 66.9 % | |||
70.2 % | Blackview A52 SC9863A, GE8322 / IMG8322 | ![]() | 78.1 % | 6.50" | 9.1 mm | 89.4 % | 183.6 g | 82.1 % | IPS | 1600x720 | 270 PPI | 20:9 | 95 % | 400 cd/m² | 6.97 | 060 Hz | 38 % | 47.09 | 11.26 | 45 % | 3 % | 3.8 | 89.2 % | 726 min | 92.3 % | 23 °C | 40.7 °C | 50 % | 81.6 dB | 83.3 % | 37 % | ||||
85.9 % | Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 83.4 % | 6.80" | 9.47 mm | 87.5 % | 228 g | 90 % | AMOLED | 2480x1116 | 400 PPI | 20:9 | 88 % | 817 cd/m² | 2.9 | 120 Hz | 61.2 % | 43.36 | 6.01 | 96.4 % | 81.9 % | 16067 | 60 | 92.2 % | 1120 min | 94.8 % | 26.7 °C | 30.3 °C | 75.8 % | 92.9 dB | 93.9 % | 58.6 % | |||
74.3 % | Blackview BV5200 Helio A22 MT6761, PowerVR GE8300 | ![]() | 84.4 % | 6.10" | 13.7 mm | 86.9 % | 268 g | 81.6 % | IPS | 1600x720 | 288 PPI | 20:9 | 81 % | 405 cd/m² | 5.8 | 060 Hz | 40.4 % | 47.37 | 8.36 | 48 % | 8 % | 2.9 | 90.5 % | 903 min | 95.3 % | 22.4 °C | 33 °C | 64 % | 79.1 dB | 91.7 % | 38.9 % | ||||
91.2 % | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra SD 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 94.7 % | 6.80" | 8.9 mm | 87.5 % | 233 g | 93.3 % | Dynamic AMOLED 2x | 3080x1440 | 500 PPI | 19.3:9 | 90 % | 1133 cd/m² | 2.2 | 120 Hz | 82.4 % | 14.82 | 7.39 | 94.5 % | 70.1 % | 14487 | 60 | 60 | 92.8 % | 1100 min | 95.5 % | 23.7 °C | 31.1 °C | 76.2 % | 91.8 dB | 96.7 % | 72.1 % | ||
90.3 % | Samsung Galaxy S23+ SD 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 91.1 % | 6.60" | 7.6 mm | 88.4 % | 195 g | 92 % | Dynamic AMOLED 2x | 2340x1080 | 390 PPI | 19.5:9 | 87.6 % | 1136 cd/m² | 2.7 | 120 Hz | 79.4 % | 16.89 | 9.31 | 93.8 % | 67.8 % | 14136 | 100 | 60 | 93.1 % | 1196 min | 95.1 % | 24.1 °C | 32.7 °C | 76.4 % | 91.8 dB | 93.9 % | 68.5 % | ||
90.5 % | Samsung Galaxy S23 SD 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 92.1 % | 6.10" | 7.6 mm | 90.8 % | 167 g | 91.3 % | Dynamic AMOLED 2x | 2340x1080 | 422 PPI | 19.5:9 | 88 % | 1122 cd/m² | 3.2 | 120 Hz | 79.8 % | 16.89 | 9.23 | 92.9 % | 69.7 % | 13955 | 98 | 60 | 91.2 % | 926 min | 95.3 % | 25.2 °C | 30.6 °C | 76.2 % | 91.5 dB | 93.9 % | 67 % | ||
88.8 % | Motorola ThinkPhone SD 8+ Gen 1, Adreno 730 | ![]() | 90.1 % | 6.60" | 8.3 mm | 88.9 % | 189 g | 93 % | OLED | 2400x1080 | 399 PPI | 20:9 | 87 % | 1024 cd/m² | 1.38 | 144 Hz | 75.4 % | 35.37 | 13.75 | 89.8 % | 70 % | 12214 | 68 | 60 | 91.1 % | 946 min | 85.8 % | 24.5 °C | 46.1 °C | 78 % | 83.5 dB | 97.2 % | 50.5 % | ||
79.1 % | Motorola Moto G53 SD 480+, Adreno 619 | ![]() | 79.7 % | 6.50" | 8.2 mm | 89.5 % | 183 g | 87 % | IPS | 1600x720 | 270 PPI | 20:9 | 83.9 % | 559 cd/m² | 2.6 | 120 Hz | 60.6 % | 39.45 | 14.1 | 64 % | 20 % | 2638 | 20 | 30 | 91.4 % | 1035 min | 90 % | 26.4 °C | 40.8 °C | 60 % | 82.7 dB | 90.6 % | 47.4 % | ||
87.2 % | Honor Magic Vs SD 8+ Gen 1, Adreno 730 | ![]() | 87.7 % | 7.90" | 6.1 mm | 87 % | 261 g | 89.6 % | OLED | 2272x1984 | 382 PPI | 10:9 | 88 % | 809 cd/m² | 2.27 | 090 Hz | 77.4 % | 10.09 | 11.66 | 81.2 % | 69.7 % | 45 | 90.1 % | 756 min | 90.2 % | 27.8 °C | 46.9 °C | 65.2 % | 75.3 dB | 95.6 % | 52.9 % | ||||
78.1 % | Gigaset GX4 Helio G99, Mali-G57 MP2 | ![]() | 86.1 % | 6.10" | 12.2 mm | 86.9 % | 270 g | 80.7 % | IPS | 1560x720 | 282 PPI | 19.5:9 | 71 % | 602 cd/m² | 8.2 | 060 Hz | 48.8 % | 43.49 | 5.81 | 70.6 % | 33.5 % | 2813 | 19 | 92.4 % | 1143 min | 92.6 % | 32.5 °C | 35.5 °C | 73.2 % | 92.5 dB | 82.8 % | 49.6 % | |||
79 % | Motorola Moto G23 Helio G85, Mali-G52 MP2 | ![]() | 82.3 % | 6.50" | 8.2 mm | 89.3 % | 184.3 g | 83.8 % | IPS | 1600x720 | 270 PPI | 20:9 | 84 % | 502 cd/m² | 4.63 | 090 Hz | 58.2 % | 47.08 | 12.52 | 60 % | 15.5 % | 1438 | 7.5 | 92.4 % | 1152 min | 92.2 % | 24.5 °C | 38.7 °C | 69 % | 77.9 dB | 92.8 % | 47.7 % | |||
79 % | Motorola Moto G13 Helio G85, Mali-G52 MP2 | ![]() | 80 % | 6.50" | 8.2 mm | 89.4 % | 183.5 g | 83.9 % | IPS | 1600x720 | 270 PPI | 20:9 | 84 % | 553 cd/m² | 5.17 | 090 Hz | 60 % | 47.14 | 10.95 | 60 % | 16 % | 7.7 | 92.1 % | 1115 min | 92.5 % | 24.3 °C | 38.4 °C | 70 % | 78.9 dB | 93.3 % | 45.5 % | ||||
78.3 % | Telekom T Phone Dimensity 700, Mali-G57 MP2 | ![]() | 79.7 % | 6.52" | 8.7 mm | 88.4 % | 195 g | 81.2 % | IPS | 1600x720 | 269 PPI | 20:9 | 81 % | 391 cd/m² | 6.1 | 060 Hz | 50 % | 47.09 | 5.55 | 68.3 % | 30 % | 2518 | 16 | 90.5 % | 894 min | 93.2 % | 31.5 °C | 32.5 °C | 79.6 % | 91 dB | 85 % | 47.8 % | |||
90.1 % | Honor Magic5 Pro SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 93.3 % | 6.81" | 8.77 mm | 87.7 % | 219 g | 92.6 % | OLED | 2848x1312 | 460 PPI | 19:54:9 | 91 % | 1289 cd/m² | 1.7 | 120 Hz | 80.2 % | 26.29 | 6.49 | 96.2 % | 65.6 % | 14893 | 59 | 59 | 91.8 % | 1074 min | 92.3 % | 34 °C | 34 °C | 77 % | 86 dB | 93.3 % | 69.6 % | ||
76.6 % | Xiaomi Redmi 12C Helio G85, Mali-G52 MP2 | ![]() | 81.1 % | 6.71" | 8.8 mm | 88.7 % | 192 g | 84.6 % | IPS | 1650x720 | 268 PPI | 20.6:9 | 84 % | 397 cd/m² | 3.81 | 060 Hz | 50.8 % | 45.83 | 8.43 | 66 % | 15.2 % | 9.3 | 90.8 % | 933 min | 88 % | 26 °C | 44.7 °C | 66 % | 79.7 dB | 86.1 % | 43.5 % | ||||
78.3 % | CAT S53 SD 480, Adreno 619 | ![]() | 84.6 % | 6.50" | 16 mm | 86.1 % | 320 g | 84.5 % | IPS | 1600x720 | 270 PPI | 20:9 | 74 % | 504 cd/m² | 3.18 | 060 Hz | 47.6 % | 46.74 | 8.87 | 60 % | 24.2 % | 19 | 92.3 % | 1135 min | 88.1 % | 24.4 °C | 45.1 °C | 70 % | 89.9 dB | 92.8 % | 50.4 % | ||||
78.2 % | Telekom T Phone Pro Dimensity 700, Mali-G57 MP2 | ![]() | 79.7 % | 6.82" | 8.9 mm | 87.8 % | 215 g | 81.9 % | IPS | 1640x720 | 263 PPI | 20.5:9 | 82 % | 392 cd/m² | 5.2 | 060 Hz | 52 % | 47.15 | 9.06 | 71.3 % | 26.4 % | 2520 | 17 | 90.1 % | 851 min | 93.6 % | 32.3 °C | 32.5 °C | 79.6 % | 91.2 dB | 85 % | 47.5 % | |||
85.4 % | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro SD 778G 5G, Adreno 642L | ![]() | 83.6 % | 6.67" | 7.9 mm | 89.6 % | 181 g | 91.9 % | AMOLED | 2400x1080 | 395 PPI | 20:9 | 87 % | 778 cd/m² | 1.6 | 120 Hz | 67.4 % | 43.91 | 7.95 | 84 % | 49.9 % | 5341 | 19 | 40 | 90.3 % | 827 min | 94.3 % | 26.6 °C | 32.8 °C | 74.4 % | 90.8 dB | 90.6 % | 53.4 % | ||
85.4 % | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G Dimensity 1080, Mali-G68 MP4 | ![]() | 84.4 % | 6.67" | 7.9 mm | 89.1 % | 187 g | 93.8 % | OLED | 2400x1080 | 395 PPI | 20:9 | 87 % | 939 cd/m² | 0.9 | 120 Hz | 69 % | 36.35 | 6.57 | 75.5 % | 45.9 % | 4362 | 14 | 40 | 90.8 % | 978 min | 93.3 % | 29.6 °C | 32.9 °C | 77.4 % | 89.2 dB | 92.8 % | 53 % | ||
85.3 % | Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Dimensity 1080, Mali-G68 MP4 | ![]() | 85.9 % | 6.60" | 8.2 mm | 88.1 % | 199 g | 91.7 % | Super AMOLED | 2340x1080 | 390 PPI | 19.5:9 | 85 % | 930 cd/m² | 2.5 | 120 Hz | 72 % | 35.52 | 5.47 | 76.4 % | 45.1 % | 4321 | 17 | 40 | 91.9 % | 1024 min | 88.2 % | 26 °C | 34.2 °C | 74.4 % | 90.4 dB | 93.9 % | 53 % | ||
85.7 % | Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5 | ![]() | 88.1 % | 6.40" | 8.2 mm | 88 % | 202 g | 92.6 % | Super AMOLED | 2340x1080 | 403 PPI | 19.5:9 | 83 % | 935 cd/m² | 2.4 | 120 Hz | 66 % | 32 | 7.78 | 76.5 % | 50.5 % | 4897 | 20 | 30 | 92.1 % | 941 min | 91.9 % | 27.3 °C | 37.4 °C | 73 % | 88.7 dB | 93.9 % | 54 % | ||
90.2 % | Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate SD 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740 | ![]() | 87.8 % | 6.78" | 10.3 mm | 87.4 % | 239 g | 93 % | AMOLED | 2448x1080 | 395 PPI | 20.4:9 | 82 % | 1016 cd/m² | 1.3 | 165 Hz | 70.8 % | 25.86 | 7.49 | 94.5 % | 78.7 % | 16100 | 77 | 60 | 92.6 % | 1050 min | 95.2 % | 27.3 °C | 30.7 °C | 84.6 % | 90.7 dB | 99.4 % | 75.6 % | ||
89.1 % | Vivo X90 Pro Dimensity 9200, Immortalis-G715 MP11 | ![]() | 90.7 % | 6.78" | 9.3 mm | 87.8 % | 214.9 g | 93.7 % | AMOLED | 2800x1260 | 453 PPI | 20:9 | 91 % | 1026 cd/m² | 0.9 | 120 Hz | 74.8 % | 23.77 | 7.36 | 90.1 % | 69.4 % | 14878 | 82 | 60 | 90.6 % | 909 min | 96 % | 26.4 °C | 27 °C | 74.4 % | 92.3 dB | 92.8 % | 66.7 % |
The table above shows all smartphones tested in the reviewed period with their overall and partial scores in our detailed test as well as a selection of important parameters and benchmarks. All results and details can be found in the linked test reports.
The table can be sorted in each column, just click on the respective column title, for example "Weight".
More interesting phones in spring 2023
Telekom adds its own cell phone to its portfolio: The T Phone is available for very little money, yet it comes with 5G. Thus, you can use the latest cell phone standard, but you should not hope for very high speeds.
Thanks to four years of updates and good runtimes, the inexpensive phone could still be worth a look. The Pro version with a larger display and more memory is now even available on amazon.com.