In a year where artificial intelligence took center stage and began revolutionizing our digital lives, the world of Android kept up, rewarding us with some of the most innovative smartphones we’ve seen in a long time. Whether it’s Motorola trying to set a new standard for foldable smartphones with its radical Cover Display on the Razr 40 Ultra or Google building the Pixel 8 Pro entirely around generative AI algorithms, this year’s Android smartphones have kept us on our toes. Now it’s time to take a look at all the launches we’ve seen this year and pick the best Android phones of 2023.
The beauty of Android’s versatility was on display this year as many brands tried new ways to attract buyers into their ecosystem. This year, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which we considered the best smartphone of 2023, pushed the boundaries of traditional smartphones with crazy specifications and a smart OS design. Then there was also the OnePlus Open, a foldable smartphone that beat Samsung at its own game by focusing primarily on the practical form factor rather than filling it with countless features.
We can continue to offer more such innovative phones across different price segments, but there can only be a few to make it to Augustman’s list of the best Android phones of 2023.
So, if you’re ready to ditch the nostalgia, let’s start with the best Android phones released this year, ranked in order.
Top-rated Android phones of 2023
Go to / table of contents
01
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
price: 5,699 Malaysian Ringgit
We picked the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as the best smartphone we’ve seen in 2023, and it was easy to see it topping our list of the best Android phones in 2023. With the Galaxy’s well-optimized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a giant 5,000 mAh battery and a Quad HD display + Gorgeous 6.8-inch AMOLED, the Galaxy S23 Ultra knows how to slay. Its 200MP main camera takes stunning photos in both day and night conditions, yet you get an arsenal of two telephoto cameras that offer up to 100x digital zoom and an ultra-wide camera. It’s the only mainstream smartphone that can take pictures of the moon!
However, the real surprise comes from the S Pen, which lets you scribble or take notes the old-school way. Once you’re done using it, you can store it neatly in its dedicated silo.
In essence, there is no better Android smartphone on the shelves currently than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
(Image credits: Courtesy of Samsung)
price: US$999 (RM4,701)
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the second best Android smartphone released in 2023 that money can buy. It may have a bad Tensor G3 chipset that likes to run hot, but Google’s flavor of Android comes packed with smart AI features never seen in any other Android smartphone. You can get Magic Editor to use Google-generated AI to magically remove subjects from a photo without leaving a trace! Then there’s Audio Magic Eraser to remove noise from videos, Night Sight for videos to brighten up whatever you’ve recorded via Google Photos and a Google Assistant that’s eager to help. You can also create wallpapers on the Pixel 8 Pro using AI.
Look beyond the AI features, and the Pixel 8 Pro will impress with its capable and versatile rear camera array, beautiful 6.7-inch Quad HD+ OLED display with up to 2,400 nits of brightness, and an impressive depiction of craftsmanship and solid build quality. However, the battery life could have been better.
(Image credits: Courtesy Google)
price: US$1,499 (RM7,055)
OnePlus has opened its innings in the premium foldable smartphone segment with an amazing product. The OnePlus Open showed Samsung and all other manufacturers how to create a well-balanced, well-specced foldable Android device.
The traditional 20:9 aspect ratio allows it, when folded, to look like a traditional smartphone with a functional display. Once you open it up, you’ll get a spacious, tablet-like 7.8-inch main display that achieves a high degree of immersion with no visible creases. Both displays can achieve refresh rates of up to 120Hz and brightness levels of up to 2,800 nits.
OnePlus has leveraged the versatile OxygenOS 13.2 interface that helps with serious multitasking, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for unparalleled raw performance, a 4,805 mAh battery for all-day endurance and 67W fast wired charging. It is also one of the few foldable smartphones to feature a pioneering camera system tuned by Hasselblad. Plus, you can’t go wrong with its sleek design.
(Image credits: Courtesy OnePlus)
price: 3,349 Malaysian Ringgit
Nothing can beat the value for money offering that the iQOO 12 offers! If you’re looking for the fastest smartphone released in 2023, look no further than the iQOO 12.
Equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset that will power the majority of 2024’s flagship Android phones, the iQOO 12 delivers an impressive blend of performance and power efficiency. For those who game a lot on their smartphones, the iQOO 12 offers high-quality frame rates. The phone also features a versatile triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP main camera, a 64MP telephoto unit with 3x optical zoom and another 50MP sensor for ultra-wide photos.
Other attention-grabbing features include a 67-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,000mAh battery, and 120W fast wired charging. You can’t ignore its unique design, especially the legendary color with BMW M Motorsport stripes as well.
(Image credits: courtesy iQOO)
05
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
price: RM3,599
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is likely to be one of the coolest foldable smartphones to be released in 2023. Apart from its class-leading specifications like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for the Galaxy chip, the latest One UI 6 based on Android 14, and a removable OLED display… Folding 120Hz display and pair of 12MP main cameras, the Flip 5 features a 3.4-inch display in an interesting folder shape.
The cover display allows you to run some basic apps as well as providing a larger viewfinder for the main cameras. With Samsung Good Lock, you can launch almost any app on this screen, including Instagram and Snapchat! The only drawback is the weak 3700 mAh battery that barely lasts a full day.
(Image credits: courtesy Augsmann)
The OnePlus 11R is easily among the best value-for-money mid-range smartphones released in 2023. It features a very fast and capable Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED display with curved edges, and a powerfully massive battery. 5000mAh and 100W. Fast charging, the OnePlus 11R checks all the right boxes for mobile gamers who want to avoid expensive flagship phones. It even mimics the same flagship design as the OnePlus 11, thus ranking high on elegance.
The only weak point in this impressive package is an average triple rear camera setup that struggles to impress photography enthusiasts.
(Image credits: Courtesy OnePlus)
07
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
price: 6,299 Malaysian Ringgit
Although the OnePlus Open was our pick for the best foldable smartphone this year, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers a very compelling package for those who care about productivity. Despite having an unusually narrow aspect ratio and a thicker profile, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 impresses with its well-designed One UI 6 interface built on top of Android 14. You can run up to four apps simultaneously in windows Floating, and there’s a Windows 11-inspired taskbar to quickly access more apps. It supports S Pen input on the main screen, and there is a 4-megapixel video calling camera under the screen to make the experience more immersive.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset gives the Galaxy phone adequate performance, and Samsung’s intelligent optimization makes the battery last a full day. The cameras are good enough for casual photography, but the hefty price tag of the device may push consumers towards the more affordable and better-designed OnePlus Open.
(Image credits: Courtesy of Samsung)
08
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
price: RM2,785
If it weren’t for the older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra would be our top pick for the best foldable smartphone released in 2023. The basic concept of the Razr 40 Ultra is similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, but Motorola goes overboard with the cover display . Measuring 6.7 inches, it’s the largest cover display on any foldable smartphone, extending to the edge and swallowing the main dual-camera setup. Using a 144Hz OLED panel, Motorola’s version of the Pixel-like Android interface lets you run all your apps and games on this small screen without having to download a third app.
The rest of the phone has a good set of features for a premium smartphone. If you get it in the Viva Magenta color, it comes with vegan leather on the back.
(Image credits: Courtesy of Motorola)
The Realme 11 Pro Plus sets a good example of how affordable smartphones can look great too. With a premium vegan leather finish, a stunning overall back design and desirable curved edges on the massive 6.7-inch display, the Realme smartphone has captured our hearts since its release. Behind this elegant design also lies a feature-packed mid-range smartphone that is easy to recommend.
Realme 11 Pro Plus offers a 200-megapixel main camera that has impressed many photography enthusiasts with its decent performance. The Dimensity 7050 chip has enough performance to handle busy days with ease. Additionally, the 5,000 mAh battery keeps the phone running for an entire day, and when there is a need for charging, this Realme phone uses the 100W wired charger to fill the battery in less than 30 minutes.
(Image credits: courtesy Realme)
price: RM2,999
The Nothing Phone (2) redefines what a flagship mid-range smartphone should be. Prioritizing design over raw specs, the phone is quite impressive with its unique semi-transparent design accented by Glyph LEDs and a premium glass metal body. It’s as well designed as the iPhone 14.
Coming from former OnePlus CEO Carl Pei’s team, which prioritized high specs, the phone (2) gets a fast and capable Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED display, and a 4,700mAh battery. ampere per hour. Battery and up to 45W wired fast charging. However, the dual 50MP rear sensor does provide a reliable camera setup for photography enthusiasts and is best for casual photography. The phone (2) makes up for that with the well-designed and polished Nothing OS 2 based on Android 13.
(Image credits: none courtesy)
(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Edited by Augustman)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
– What is the best Android phone launched in 2023?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best Android smartphone launched in 2023.
– What is the most famous Android phone launched in 2023?
OnePlus 11, OnePlus Open, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and Nothing Phone (2) are some of the most popular Android phones launching in 2023.
In a constantly evolving market, the world of Android phones sees new releases and updates each year. As we move into 2023, consumers have an abundance of options to choose from, with each device vying for the title of the best Android phone. With features such as advanced cameras, 5G capabilities, and powerful processors, the competition is fierce. In this article, we will explore the ranking of the best Android phones for the year 2023, taking into account performance, design, and overall user experience. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or simply looking to upgrade your smartphone, this guide will help you make an informed decision on the top Android phones available in the market.