Discover the Top-Rated Smartphones of 2023 in Pocketnow’s Exclusive Awards!
![](https://vision2mobile.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/li-pocketnow-awards-2023-best-smartphones-alt.png)
The year 2023 has been challenging for smartphone companies, but there have been many advancements in the latest smartphones such as the iPhones, Google Pixel devices, Samsung’s Galaxy phones, and tablets. The Pocketnow team has selected 13 devices in different categories and crowned the Best Smartphone of 2023.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has been awarded the Best Conventional Flagship for its all-around enhancements and improved features and hardware. It features a new 3nm, powerful chipset that’s capable of console-level gaming, a new titanium chassis, and a camera that’s notably better than in previous years. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra also received an honorable mention for its plethora of improvements.
In terms of the Best Camera Smartphone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max took home the award for its new periscope telephoto camera. The camera enhancements this year deserve a special mention as it delivers sharp, well-balanced, and noise-free images and videos, even in challenging conditions.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 was awarded the Best Foldable for its fantastic enhancements, including the inclusion of the S Pen and excellent software experience. This foldable is a solid recommendation for smartphone enthusiasts and those new to the foldable market. The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 is expected to arrive in the summer of 2024.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 received the award for Best Flip-style Foldable for its larger cover screen and premium chipset. This foldable offers the best overall package and is often available at an affordable price.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro was recognized as the Most Innovative smartphone for its third-generation Tensor G3 chip and promises an outstanding smartphone camera experience. It stands out with its unique photo and video editing features, AI enhancements, and beautiful new rounded looks.
Finally, the OnePlus Open was awarded the Best Design for its ergonomic design, immersive displays, and powerful performance. This foldable device is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and 16GB of RAM and is perfect for power users and those who want to multitask on a mobile device.
Overall, the smartphone industry faced challenges in 2023, but the advancements and innovations in the latest devices have proven to be exceptional. These award-winning smartphones have truly pushed their limits to the maximum and stood out with their unique features, major improvements, and innovative executions, making them the top choices of the year.