Buying the best phone in 2020 is an expensive investment no matter if it comes from Samsung, Apple, or Google, meaning your decision is all the more important. We’ve seen a mass of new phones in the first half of the year, and we’re expecting more soon.
We’re constantly updating our best phones list for this reason: to make sure you’re buying the absolute top smartphone for your needs. The Samsung Galaxy S20 series shook up our rankings, but also consider the iPhone 11 or Galaxy Note 10.
Why we have more than one pick: We have a top pick, but not everyone looks for the same smartphone features. Some demand Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime, so that means sticking with iOS 13 (and, soon, iOS 14 when it officially lands), while others will want infinite customizations and Google Assistant, which is available in Android 10 and soon Android 11.
Best smartphones by brand
Likewise, AT&T plans, Verizon plans, or your cell phone plan of choice may sway your preference; the best AT&T phone may not be available on Verizon, and vice-versa. We’ve seen more unlocked phones in the US, but not all of them are available for every carrier.
Almost all smartphone prices have crept up to – and above – $1,000 so you’ll want to take your decision seriously. We’re here to guide you through the top phone picks with all of the expertise we’ve gained doing phone reviews.
The best phone in 2020? It has a large display, yet is easy to handle; packs a camera suite capable of replacing a point-and-shoot; and has enough processor power and battery to get work done while you’re on the go. You won’t find slow smartphones with anything less than all-day battery life on this ranked phone list.
5G phones are becoming important and more prevalent and foldable phones will one day become a big deal. Plus you should bear in mind this list may soon change a lot. There’s the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, as well as rumors of the whole iPhone 12 range and Google Pixel 5 that may land before the end of the year.
Best phone at a glance:
- Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20 Plus
- iPhone 11
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- iPhone 11 Pro / Pro Max
- OnePlus 8 Pro
- iPhone SE 2020
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S10 / S10 Plus
- OnePlus 7 Pro
- Google Pixel 4 XL
- Samsung Galaxy S10e
- Google Pixel 4a
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- Moto G8 Power
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is the best phone you can buy today, while the smaller (and slightly less capable) Galaxy S20 is so similar that we’ve lumped to two together.
Why it’s the best phone: Its the value-for-money that allows Samsung to win over Apple. The S20 Plus starts at $1,199 and the S20 starts at $999. Yes, it’s a price increase from last year (and now matches what you’ll pay for the Pro-level iPhones), but you’re getting bigger screens, more internal storage, a microSD card slot for expandable storage and 5G – things that you won’t find on Samsung’s closest competitor.
Screen: The Infinity-O AMOLED displays on both phones – 6.2 inches for the S20, 6.7 inches for the S20 Plus – are gorgeous. The notches are both centralized like the Note 10, but they’re much smaller this time around, and the S20 Plus only has a single lens. The result: more screen. Also new this year is a 120Hz maximum refresh rate for silky-smooth media and gaming, though you’ll mostly notice it while browsing – and you’ll have to drop your display resolution down to FHD+ to enjoy it.
Battery Life: The S20 packs a 4,000mAh battery, while the S20 Plus has 4,500mAh of capacity. That is, to put it lightly, a lot, and frequently got us through over a day without recharging. Keep in mind that battery life estimate will dip down if you set the refresh rate at 120Hz, use a ton of 5G connectivity or lend juice with Wireless PowerShare, so adapt accordingly if you’re looking to keep your phone going longer.
Camera: The S20 and S20 Plus have truly spectacular cameras. No, not their 12MP main shooters, which are fine – it’s the 64MP telephoto that really shines with a 3x optical zoom (up from the usual 2x zoom). The camera can also crop zoom to a muddy 30x digital zoom – which means the interim intervals are still a good deal more impressive than the competition. The 12MP ultra-wide performs adequately, while the 10MP front-facing camera works great with fun filters. Another first-time bonus: 8K 24fps video from the rear camera.
Read our Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus review and Samsung Galaxy S20 review