13 Best Flagship Smartphones in 2023

Flagship devices include smartphones equipped with a wide range of options and capabilities, and cutting-edge hardware. They also often add some exclusive interfaces, for example, a flexible screen, eSIM support, high charging speed, and so on.

Every year, manufacturers produce more and more technologically advanced and powerful gadgets. We’ve rounded up the best flagship smartphones in 2023 to help you make your choice.

Which smartphone is considered a flagship?

There are several characteristics by which you can determine that the gadget is a flagship:

CPU	The basis of flagship gadgets is fast processors based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 and 2, Apple A16 Bionic and higher. They are energy efficient, support demanding applications and guarantee high speed;
Display	The devices have AMOLED and OLED screens that provide improved color reproduction, high brightness, contrast and response speed;
Camera	Models usually have a module of several cameras, a double or triple LED flash, and an ultra-wide viewing angle (more than 90 degrees). All this guarantees excellent shooting quality;
Battery	For flagship gadgets, its value starts from 4700 mAh;
Design and materials	Top smartphone models have an attractive design. They can be produced with different back materials: eco-leather, stainless steel, aluminum alloy and others. There are devices with a combined back, for example, leather and plastic.

Editor’s Choice

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The smartphone has Dynamic Island (a notification widget that masks the front camera), a high-performance Apple A16 Bionic controller, a display with Full HD resolution (2796×1290) and a 6.7-inch OLED screen. The autonomy of the gadget when watching video is 29 hours. The model is equipped with a ceramic screen with support for the Always-On function (always on screen), a new 48-megapixel camera for better quality photo and video shooting.

Also, the effective operation of the device is ensured by RAM (6 GB) and built-in memory (from 128 GB to 1 TB). The objective disadvantages of the iPhone 14 Pro Max are: a new camera module with old software (buyers note that the quality of pictures has not changed compared to the iPhone 13 ) and there is no charging unit included.

Main characteristics

OS	iOS 16
Screen	6.7 inches
Cameras	Main 48 MP, front 12 MP
Storage	RAM – 6 GB, internal memory – 128 GB – 1 TB
Battery	4323 mAh

Rating of the top 3 flagship smartphones with a good camera

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

A 4860 mAh battery provides autonomy for one and a half days. The device provides a fast wireless charging system (up to 100% in 20 minutes). The gadget with a screen diagonal of 6.73 inches (3200×1440) is distinguished by the presence of a 50.3 MP camera, which will appeal to those who like to take pictures with their phone, as the shooting quality is truly impressive.

The fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and storage (12/256 GB) guarantee excellent operating speed of the model. Buyers note that the included case is of low quality, and the smartphone gets very hot when charging.

Main characteristics

HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro

The main features of the HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro are a 6.74-inch curved OLED screen, an attractive eco-leather panel, face unlock, fast wireless charging (up to 100% in 15 minutes). The 50 MP camera module allows you to take high-quality pictures at any time of the day, regardless of lighting.

Without recharging in gaming mode, the device can work for 5.5 hours (battery capacity 4700 mAh). The gadget has a high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, 8 GB RAM and 512 GB internal memory. Buyers note the strongly protruding camera on the back of the smartphone, as well as the slippery case included.

Main characteristics

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Galaxy S22 Ultra features a thin aluminum body and a convenient electronic S Pen for taking notes, drawings and easily controlling your phone. Thanks to the 108 MP camera, you get clear pictures even in complete darkness. The powerful Samsung Exynos 2200 processor is perfect for entertainment and work. The 6.8-inch diagonal AMOLED display (3088×1440) makes glare a thing of the past.

The gadget has a 5000 mAh battery, which makes it possible to watch videos without recharging for 15 hours (at low brightness). You can charge it with fast wireless charging up to 100% in 19 minutes. Several memory configurations are available: 8-12 GB of RAM and from 128 GB to 1 TB of internal memory. There is no eSIM support, the kit does not include a charger and headphones – the disadvantages of the model that buyers note.

Main characteristics

Rating of the top 3 best flagship smartphones with a good battery

OPPO Find X5 Pro

The gadget has a reliable panel made of ceramics, a light weight of 218 grams, a 6.7-inch display (3216×1440) and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 processor. The built-in memory of the device is 256 GB, RAM is 12 GB. A dual 50 MP camera module allows for night video recording in 4K.

A full charge of the 5000 mAh battery is enough for one day of calls. You can charge your device halfway using fast charging technology in just 12 minutes. The smartphone does not have the ability to expand the storage with a memory card, and buyers also note its rather large dimensions.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

The 6.7-inch device with a screen resolution of 3120×1440 is equipped with a powerful Google Tensor controller. The smartphone allows you to take high-quality photographs thanks to a 50 MP camera. The battery has a capacity of 5000 mAh, and in video viewing mode the battery life is 14 hours.

The phone has reliable protection against moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard (immersion under water to a depth of 6 meters for 30 minutes), fast charging (up to 50% in 16 minutes), and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The memory capacity is 12 GB (RAM) and 256 GB internal; installation of additional memory cards is not provided. The smartphone has a very smooth body, so it can easily slide off uneven surfaces.

Main characteristics

Xiaomi 12T Pro

The flagship gadget features a modern, stylish design, a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and a 5000 mAh battery. In gaming mode, the device holds a charge for about eight hours. The phone supports fast charging (up to 100% in 20 minutes). The smartphone is equipped with a camera system, the main resolution is 200 MP (triple module).

The display of the gadget is 6.67-inch AMOLED (2712×1220), and the memory has two versions of RAM (8 and 12 GB) and internal (128 and 256 GB).

Users note that the smartphone’s fingerprint scanner does not work every time, and that the microphone (sensitive display) often turns off randomly during a conversation.

Main characteristics

Rating of the top 3 best Chinese flagship smartphones

Realme GT2 Pro

A design reminiscent of the structure of a thin sheet of paper, a biopolymer back cover, a thin body (8.18 mm), durable glass are the advantages of the Realme GT2 Pro smartphone. 8 GB RAM, 256 GB built-in storage and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 processor are responsible for the uninterrupted and lightning-fast operation of the model.

The display of the gadget is 6.7 inches (3216×1440), the battery capacity is 5000 mAh, it also supports fast charging (up to 50% in 18 minutes). In video viewing mode, the phone holds a charge for 20 hours. The resolution of the main camera is 50 MP. The lack of wireless charging and moisture protection are disadvantages of the model.

Main characteristics

HONOR 70 5G

The smartphone has a bright 6.67-inch display (2400×1080), a 4800 mAh battery and an impressive amount of data storage (8/256 GB). The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G Plus processor ensures stable operation of the device without lag.

For those who like to take pictures with their phone, the gadget has a triple camera module with a main resolution of 54 MP. The autonomy of the model in video viewing mode is 14 hours. The device is not waterproof or dustproof and has a rather slippery body.

Main characteristics

OnePlus 9 Pro

The flagship OnePlus 9 Pro is equipped with a 6.7-inch (3216×1440) screen with high-quality color reproduction. The 48 MP camera will allow you to create colorful pictures and videos. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor is responsible for the lightning-fast performance of the Chinese model.

The filling is complemented by 8 GB RAM, as well as 256 GB built-in memory. The autonomy of the smartphone in video viewing mode is 13 hours (battery capacity – 4500 mAh). It gets very hot when playing games, unstable operation of the proximity sensor (ripples) – disadvantages noted by users.

Main characteristics

Rating of the top 3 best inexpensive flagship smartphones

iPhone 11

The flagship in a durable metal case is suitable for work and play thanks to the powerful Apple A13 Bionic controller. To store personal data, the device has 4 GB RAM and a choice of built-in memory (64-256 GB). You can shoot videos and take good pictures using the dual 12 MP camera module.

Color reproduction is ensured by a 6.1-inch display (1792×828) with a protective coating against moisture and dirt. The phone holds a charge in gaming mode for 10 hours, the battery capacity is 3110 mAh. Strong heating during charging, unstable operation of Face ID are the disadvantages of the model.

Main characteristics

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

The model has a stylish design, a fast Exynos 1280 processor and a 6.5-inch screen (2400×1080). The device for lovers of mobile photography has a module of four cameras (the main resolution is 64 MP). The RAM and internal memory of the gadget are available in several configurations: 6-8 GB and 128-256 GB, respectively. If necessary, its reserve can be expanded to 1 TB, since the flagship has a slot for microSD.

Talk time is 32 hours (battery capacity 5000 mAh). The package does not include a charger. The phone does not have a 3.5 mm analogue mini-jack jack.

Main characteristics

Realme GT Neo 3T

The flagship will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G processor, fast charging function, and a decent amount of memory for data storage (8/128 GB). Other features of the smartphone include a unique checkered flag design, a 6.62-inch (2400×1080) AMOLED display, durable scratch-resistant glass, and a 64 MP main camera.

In video playback mode, the gadget operates for 26 hours thanks to a 5000 mAh battery. Buyers note that the phone does not provide for increased memory, and also gets very hot during games.

Main characteristics

How to choose a flagship smartphone

When purchasing a top-end smartphone, you should consider the following characteristics:

CPU

The flagship must work at lightning speed, so the processor in it must be high-performance. For example, models with Exynos 1280, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 and 2, Apple A16 Bionic and newer processors can be an excellent choice.

Battery

The autonomy of the model also depends on the battery capacity. A worthy option is a smartphone with a battery capacity of 5000 mAh or more. If a smartphone is called a flagship, it means it has a powerful processor, good color reproduction, and copes with multitasking – the charge of such gadgets is spent much faster than that of “standard” smartphones. Of course, when choosing a flagship, you shouldn’t rely only on the battery capacity – in order for the device to hold a charge well, it must at least have an adapted operating system and proper distribution of resources inside the smartphone.

Memory

An impressive memory reserve allows you to always operate with a large amount of data. In addition, the memory resource has a significant impact on the speed of the gadget. Preference can be given to a smartphone with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB built-in memory.

Additional functions

eSIM support, fast charging, music with Dolby Atmos technology, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, Dynamic AMOLED screen and more – all these also become reasons for choosing a flagship device.

Expert review of flagship smartphones

Georgy Titov , division director of TFN Group, shares his experience of using the flagship phone :

“I use two flagship smartphones at once. Both devices have a stylish design, an excellent camera (50 MP each) with optical stabilization, 8 GB RAM, and a 5000 mAh battery capacity. There are no complaints about them, except that sometimes they freeze during online gaming. Another disadvantage is the lack of a slot for a memory card and a charging unit in the package. Now I want a newer model, since their batteries are already “degrading”. The current models of smartphones from Chinese brands have improved greatly, so they deserve attention. They have the best combination of price and quality.”

Popular questions and answers

Georgy Titov , division director of TFN Group of Companies, answers popular questions from readers about flagship smartphones :