The best smartphones spring 2023 - 33 reviewed phones compared

Spring is also the season for high-end cell phones: The latest generation of Samsung's Galaxy S series hit the market, plus other flagships around the Xiaomi 13 Pro or the Honor Magic5 Pro. You can find the best new phones and our personal favorites here.

Florian Schmitt, 👁 Florian Schmitt, ✓ Brian Burriston (translated by DeepL / Ninh Duy), Published 05/11/2023 🇩🇪 🇷🇺

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	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	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 %
91.1 %	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	80.8 %	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 %
84.9 %	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	67.6 %	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 %
86 %	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	69.6 %	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.

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Editor of the original article: Florian Schmitt - Managing Editor Mobile - 1140 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2009

I initially wrote about gaming laptops when I joined Notebookcheck in 2009. I was then involved with the setup of the comparison portal Notebookinfo and worked with social media concepts for large companies like BMW and Adidas, while also returning to work for Notebookcheck in 2012. Nowadays, I focus on smartphones, tablets, and future technologies. Since 2018 I have been Managing Editor for mobile device reviews, working alongside my colleague Daniel Schmidt.

contact me via: @FloSchmi26, LinkedIn, Xing

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My main responsibility as an editorial assistant is maintaining the Library section, which aggregates reviews from other publications and channels. In addition, my daily breakfast is Notebookcheck's long list of new content, which I comb through to select the most interesting topics for translation from English to French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch."

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > The best smartphones spring 2023 - 33 reviewed phones compared

Florian Schmitt, 2023-05-11 (Update: 2023-05-11)