The smartphone is the centre of the modern world, it's not only essential for communication, it's your entertainment, smart home control devices and your constant companion.
We continually update our best smartphone guide to reflect recent launches and recognise price changes. All of these top phones have been fully reviewed by us - we don't just include stuff we think sounds good.
If you're in the market for a cheap phone, then check out our sub-£400 smartphone and budget phone roundups, and consider a SIM-only deal if you're buying your phone outright.
1. Apple iPhone 11 Pro
Apple made some fundamental changes when it introduced its last range of phones, moving to address rivals who were running away with camera performance. The iPhone 11 Pro has three cameras, introducing wide-angle for the first time, and opening up new possibilities.
But there's also the ramping up of low light photo quality on the iPhone 11 series, making it a lot more competitive than previous models. Add that to the wonderfully fluid interface, oodles of power and wonderful build quality and the iPhone 11 Pro is one of the hottest phones around - if you can afford it.
2. Huawei P30 Pro
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We're cautiously returning the Huawei P30 Pro to our list of best smartphones. It's undoubtedly one of the best camera phones on the market, paired with a great powerful experience with outstanding battery life.
But there is that note of caution. With Huawei seemingly caught in the middle of the US-China trade war it's still a little unclear what's going to happen on the software front.
Android 10 is now rolling out to the P30 Pro with EMUI 10 and that will bring it up to date for most of 2020. Beyond that, who knows - while the phone will definitely retain its apps, we don't know if it will get an upgrade to Android 11, for example.
3. Samsung Galaxy S10+
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Samsung's 2019 flagship phone comes with a big reputation. There's power, performance and so much refinement in the software, it's hard not to want this phone.
It has one of the best displays you'll find on a mobile device, escaping the notch for a fantastic look. Premium design with waterproofing, a great fingerprint scanner in the display and the benefit of microSD support and 3.5mm headphone socket makes for a great all-rounder.
The addition of a wide-angle camera on the rear adds to the skill set, offering variety and shooting options. While some might not like the punch hole camera, it's given rise to some great wallpapers and avoids the fuss of pop-ups.
4. Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
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At one point, Xiaomi had suggested that it wouldn't be able to keep making flagship phones at silly-cheap prices. Then it launched the Mi 9T Pro at a cheaper price point than the Mi 9, leaving us scratching our heads - but filling our boots.
Xiaomi out-strips basically all rivals on price. Yes, the software is a bit clunky in MIUI compared to OnePlus or Samsung, but there's no questioning how much phone you get for your money. Sure, some areas could be better, but at this price, you really can't complain. There's even a 3.5mm headphone socket.
5. OnePlus 7T
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OnePlus was quick to update the 7, resulting in the 7T which brings a range of updates that means this phone is virtually on the level of the OnePlus 7 Pro. The triple camera system moves OnePlus forward in quality, while the 90Hz display is receiving rave reviews.
OnePlus' simple take on Android focuses on speed, rapid updates and the reduction of clutter, while the introduction of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ makes this one of the most powerful phones around.
6. Apple iPhone 11
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The Apple iPhone 11 comes with a number of surprises. That it's virtually as powerful as the Pro and only missing out on some of the camera features, isn't one of them. That it's been priced to be more competitive should be. That's right, with Apple's high-end devices getting more expensive, it's made a more compelling device lower down the range.
While it's not quite the Pro - and everyone will know you didn't go for the Pro - when it comes to actually using this phone, you won't be left wanting. Yes, there's no wide-angle camera, but you basically get everything else.
7. Motorola Moto G8 Plus
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Motorola has had great success with the Moto G line. For a long time it was the affordable phone to choose. Prices have risen, the range has diversified, but so too has the offering. The Moto G8 Plus is a stellar mid-range phone, packed with enough power to suit most people, great battery life and nice clean software.
It's packed into a design that belies its price, and while the camera is the best on the market, at this price point you're getting a lot of smartphone. Phones like the Moto G8 Plus demonstrate that you don't always need to go flagship to get a great experience.
8. Google Pixel 3a
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The Google Pixel 3a blasts into the mid-range, offering something special - the full potency of Google's camera. It's a single lens, but it's oh so smart, producing reliable results in all conditions with effortless ease. The 3a is our pick here thanks to the price point - step over to the XL and you're approaching the price of some much more powerful devices.
The Pixel 3a runs on mid-range hardware, so it doesn't quite have the punch that flagship phones offer, but otherwise it's an easy route into Google's Android system, free from bloat, at the front of the update queue and offering a great experience.
9. OnePlus 7T Pro
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OnePlus stepped up a level in 2019, launching a higher-level flagship phone in the OnePlus 7 Pro. That was updated - albeit incrementally - by the OnePlus 7T Pro. It's a great flagship phone, exhibiting solid design and a great display that doesn't have a notch or anything else thanks to the pop-up camera. Speed is the name of the game, with good, clean software and plenty of power.
The cameras aren't class-leading, however, and this phone is rather chunky overall - it's also undercut by the excellent OnePlus 7T, which offers much the same experience, but at a cheaper price point and in a slightly more manageable package.
10. Samsung Galaxy S10e
Samsung's lower-priced S10 series phone delivers the Samsung experience at a lower price. Importantly, the S10e gives you flagship power (unlike Samsung's A models), so the only real loss is in the camera configuration. What you do get is the impressive punch-hole camera in the display, an under-display fingerprint scanner and a fully-featured software experience.
If you're after a smaller handset that still packs a punch, then the Galaxy S10e is well worth considering.
11. Oppo Reno 10x Zoom
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Oppo has made a big splash with the Reno family, topped by the 10x Zoom. It's a silly name for a phone, but it mirrors much of the OnePlus 7 Pro in terms of hardware - all the way down to a pop-up wedge selfie camera to make sure that the display remains clear of notches and clutter. The result is a phone that's pretty big and bulky, but you do get good performance and battery life with that.
The Reno runs Oppo's ColorOS based on Android and while it's not hugely intrusive, there's a lot of changes and it's not as smooth and nice to use as the software you'll find on the OnePlus 7 Pro. There's also a 5G version - called the Oppo Reno 5G - but which offers the same core functions.
12. Motorola Moto G7 Power
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The Moto G family has long impressed with affordable phones. Offering a pretty clean Android build, they have been increasing the quality in recent years while pushing the price up a little. The Moto G7 Power offers something a little different, however, and that's unbeatable battery life. With a 5000mAh battery, you'll get two days of use - even if you're a power user.
So while it doesn't have the best camera, best display, or the most power, while all the other flagship devices on this list have died, the Moto G7 Power will battle through for another day. If battery matters, then definitely consider the G7 Power.
13. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
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Samsung made a major change for the Note 10 launch, introducing two phones, the Note 10 and the Note 10+. Of these, it's the Note 10+ which keeps the size, making it the natural Note successor. With it comes a range of enhancements in the S Pen, including a collection of gestures to make the phone do things without you touching it.
But outside of the S Pen, you might be better off with the Galaxy S10, because the Note 10 doesn't really move things long. Yes, it's a great phone, with a wonderful display and an interesting finish to the rear, but beyond the S Pen, it feels little different to Samsung's existing devices.
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