It's easy to get carried away and lose sight of just how far we've come in the smartphone world. Apple's iPhone 14 is 7.8 millimeters thick but can communicate directly with satellites, boasts photographic talents that eclipse dedicated cameras and action cams, and does so starting at just $799.

Improved low-light camera performance, Clever safety features (you hope you won't need)

Improvements feel evolutionary, eSIM may prove a headache, iPhone 13 offers much the same for $100 less

The iPhone 14 is very similar to the iPhone 13, which itself was very similar to the iPhone 12. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad phone — it’s just less of an upgrade for anyone using a phone that’s only two years old.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 didn't really need to change a bunch of stuff compared to its predecessor to remain a stellar little phone. Little being the operative word: this is a small flagship with big successes, including a better battery than the last-generation model, and a neat design that's...

Great small-scale Android option, Battery capacity increase, Updated design language

Battery life less than Plus & Ultra models, No true camera upgrades like in the Ultra, Not hugely different to Galaxy S22

Samsung wants to prove that a Samsung Galaxy experience doesn't have to be expensive.

Great premium feeling in the hand, Great display, Display brightness is really good, Amazing speakers, Smooth performance, Smooth gaming performance, Latest Samsung software, Fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate

Heats up considerably

It might not be all that different from the Galaxy S22, but the Samsung Galaxy S23 remains an excellent compact choice without much compromise, boasting top-end performance, versatile camera chops and, for the first time, true all-day battery life – and with the release of the newer S24, it’s...

Pocketable, minimalistic design, All-day battery life, True flagship performance, You want a small-screen phone without compromise: The pocket-friendly S23 boasts flagship features and performance in a smaller package than most of the competition.

Near-identical to Galaxy S22, Slow charge speeds, Display only drops to 48Hz, You want a phone that’ll charge quickly: With the slowest charging in the range, the Galaxy S23’s 25W charge speeds may leave you wanting more.

“The S23 has a clean design, a compact size that makes it comfortable to hold, a gorgeous display, a snappy processor, and reliable cameras. There's a lot to like about this one.”

Sleek and compact design, Comfortable for one-handed use, Very fast performance, Reliable cameras take great photos, Long-lasting battery life, Five years of guaranteed updates

Base storage is still 128GB, Fast charging up to only 25W, Limited zoom quality past 10x

A good option for budget-conscious Samsung fans....

Bright OLED screen, Good build quality, Solid cameras, Excellent software update policy, A decent value

Older, hotter processor, Larger than S23 Plus with a smaller screen, Finicky fingerprint reader, Aging Gorilla Glass

There’s nothing wrong with the Galaxy S23 FE, but it feels like an uninspired collection of surplus components rather than one for the fans.

Nice, big display, Fun color options!, Four years of OS upgrades and five years of security support

Lackluster telephoto lens, Sluggish portrait mode, Costs extra if you buy unlocked from Samsung

In essence, the Galaxy S23 FE is a budget flagship phone, one that outguns anything in the midrange Galaxy A-series line-up but is just a few paces short of Samsung’s current-gen flagship phones.

Great quality display, Larger vapour chamber ensures better sustained performance, Good primary camera, Excellent battery life, Has DeX mode

Only primary camera has OIS, Base display refresh rate bottoms out at 60Hz

Slightly better cameras but otherwise, not much of an update - buy the iPhone 14 Pro or switch to Android instead

Better low-light photography, Slightly longer battery life, Action mode gives super stabilised video

The same performance as the iPhone 13, No Dynamic Island or Always-On display, 60Hz screen