Top smartphones for 2021
There's lots to consider when you're buying a smartphone – do you want the best battery life to see you through a busy day, premium camera quality for your photos and videos or a model that makes the most of the games you download?
In the tables below, we pick out some of the models that excel in specific areas, based on how they've fared in our tough test labs. Not everyone has the budget for a flashy top-of-the-range phone, so we've chosen more affordable models to sit alongside pricier handsets.
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Our pick of the best smartphones
Don't want to compromise? We've picked three are great all-rounders at different price points. If you just want the very best phone for your budget, look no further.
Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of April 2021.
Haven't found the product for you? Browse all of our mobile phone reviews.
Best smartphones for battery life
The best phones we've tested last for more than 40 hours before going flat, while the worst manage just 16. That's the difference between your phone keeping up with busy days of scrolling, texting, calling and watching videos, and running out when you need it most. If long battery life is your most important feature in a phone, the models below will serve you well.
Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of April 2021.
How we test battery life
Each phone we test is rigged up to a robotic arm that simulates a full day's use on your phone, watching videos, making phone calls, using the camera and a map app. We measure how long it takes for it to run flat, so you can have peace of mind that your phone can keep up with you.
You may not always have time for a full charge, so we also check how long it takes to get to 100% and how well the battery copes if you can only plug it in for 15 minutes, taking both into account in the overall battery score.
If you're prepared to take a major hit on features and functionality, a simple mobile phone will give you much longer battery life than your average smartphone.
Best smartphone cameras
There's a fair amount of technical jargon around smartphone cameras, but it's worth knowing your way around it if you're looking for a phone that doubles as a camera.
First up, you should know what lenses do what. An ultra-wide angle lens helps you get more of a landscape in your shot, a telephoto lens is best for portraits and optical zoom, a macro lens gives great detail in a close-up and a time-of-flight lens works as a depth sensor to distinguish the foreground from the background.
Megapixels refer to the number of light capturing elements on the surface of the camera's sensor. The more pixels a camera has, the higher the resolution – and, in theory, the more detailed your photos will be. Bigger doesn't always mean better, though, and some of the best cameras we've seen have just 12Mp lenses.
Aperture (the amount of light that can enter the camera) is just as important for getting a good shot. Look for an aperture of f/1.8 or wider for the best results.
See below for the phones with front and rear cameras that take the best photos and videos.
Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of April 2021.
How we test camera quality
Camera specs only tell some of the story. The only real way to gauge a phone camera's quality is to test it in lots of different environments, which is exactly what our camera tests do. We look to see how well the front and rear lenses pick up colours, textures, detail and different skin tones, plus how well the zoom and image stabiliser works, so you don't end up with blurry or shaky images and videos.
Find our more by reading our expert guide on camera phones.
Best 5G phones
5G launched in the UK in 2019, and since then, EE, 02, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone have started to launch their network in major cities and towns, with plans to reach 90% of the country by 2024.
5G could revolutionise the way we communicate, with experts citing its potential use in connected cities and driverless cars. The average user could see huge improvements in download speeds, fewer dropped connections and better signal strength indoors. If you want to take advantage of this, you'll need a 5G contract with your provider as well as a 5G-enabled phone.
See the table below for the best 5G phones for your budget, or click through to check 5G coverage in your area.
Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of April 2021.
Best smartphones for gaming
A good gaming phone mainly needs three things: a large screen (we recommend 6.5-inches or more), a high-resolution display and a processor powerful enough to run the app without any glitches. Usually these requirements add up to a pretty pricey phone, but we've also chosen a cheaper model that fits the bill in the table below.
Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of April 2021.
The worst mobile phones to avoid
With the good come the bad. Not all smartphones are worth spending money on - the two we've highlighted below have dismal screens, rubbish cameras and unimpressive battery life.
Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of April 2021.
More on smartphones
Whether you're trying to pick a smartphone brand, deciding which features to prioritise or looking for advice on your current handset, Which? experts have you covered. Click through to read more on:
Which? Investigates episode two: Does your phone come with an expiry date?
10 smartphone tips every iPhone and Android owner needs to know
Fit for purpose?: The health apps that pose security risks
