With 2023 drawing to a close, it’s time to reflect on which phones stood out. I like compact, premium devices and I’m certainly not a power user, expert photographer, or avid mobile gamer. The fact is, compact phones are hard to find these days, but Apple, Samsung, and Google each offer one. And while foldables aren’t inherently compact, Oppo and Samsung offered two great options that deserved a place in my top 5.
iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro series represents an epochal change in Apple’s history. It’s not just because of the USB-C port on the bottom, although that’s a welcome change for Apple users. My biggest design issue with the last two iPhone Pro models has been their weight attributed to the stainless steel chassis. This issue has been resolved with the 15 Pro generation which is 20 grams lighter than its predecessors and offers new titanium frames that don’t show signs of wear as easily as the polished stainless steel ones of their predecessors.
My pick is the smaller 15 Pro due to its size and small compromises compared to the 15 Pro Max. It has a class-leading ProMotion display with excellent brightness and color reproduction. There’s performance on offer for years thanks to the 3nm Apple A17 Pro chip, and iOS is still a “just works” experience. The battery life leaves a little to be desired but is sufficient for everyday use. Add iOS exclusives like AirDrop, FaceTime, and iMessage along with excellent software support, and you have a phone without any major flaws.
GooglePixel8
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are Google’s most competitive flagships in years, and while the 8 Pro comes with more powerful cameras, it’s the vanilla model that caught my attention. It has an ergonomic design on the back that makes the phone feel good to hold without digging into your palm, and the visor is the most unique-looking camera design choice on any smartphone and a defining part of the Pixel look.
The brighter 120Hz OLED screen is a fantastic addition over the Pixel 7, and the smaller 6.2-inch footprint combined with the smaller bezels make it one of the best compact phone screens on the market. The Pixel camera experience is still top-notch, and the suite of AI features make it one of the most fun to experiment with. If we add regular discounts, the Pixel 8 represents one of the best values in the world of Android flagships.
Samsung Galaxy S23
The Galaxy S23 may not excel in any specific point, but it’s a compact and well-rounded premium phone that gets my vote. Battery life has improved significantly over the S22, as has performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen finally arriving in all markets. OneUI is easily the most feature-rich Android UI, and Samsung’s focus on providing timely software updates has made the flagship S Series easy to recommend to those looking to keep their phone for at least three years.
Samsung DeX is another top-notch feature that’s still exclusive to flagship Galaxy phones, and the trio of cameras on the back cover all shooting scenarios, however, it might be time for Samsung to upgrade those aging sensors. If you want a compact flagship with a premium design, great software, and top-notch hardware, then the S23 is an easy recommendation.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
If slab phones no longer excite you, then foldables are worth considering, and the Z Flip5 is one of the best compact devices in its segment. Samsung has refined the design of the Z Flip5 with an improved hinge mechanism that now folds away, offering a little more peace of mind. The big update this year is the 3.4-inch cover screen that adds a whole new dimension of interacting with your device so you don’t have to do basic tasks.
And that’s the key thing with foldables: they don’t take up much space in your pocket but you have immediate access to a large screen with a quick opening. The Z Fold 5’s 6.7-inch AMOLED is great for media consumption, and its tall aspect ratio suits more vertical information in social media apps. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 at the helm can hold its own against the best chips out there and brought better battery life than the Flip4. The dual 12MP cameras get the job done and offer more versatility when propping the phone up like a tripod, but the sensors could definitely use an upgrade that will hopefully arrive with the Flip6.
Oppo Find N3/OnePlus Open
The Oppo Find N3 or OnePlus Open as it is known in some parts of the world is my favorite foldable book of 2023. It offers the ideal blend of power, refined software and top-notch cameras with a touch of Hasselblad tuning.
The proportions of both the lid and the main screens make the Oppo and OnePlus foldables more fun to use than some of their direct competitors. Both devices also share excellent build quality and a clean, understated design. The three-position mute switch, camera tripod mode, reliable battery life, and feature-rich software experience make the Find N3/OnePlus Open a worthy consideration in the foldable space.
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