9 Best Smartphones of 2023 According to Tech Youtuber MKBHD

Popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) has released his highly anticipated annual smartphone awards, choosing the top phones across various categories. MKBHD thoroughly tests smartphones throughout the year before making his selections. Here are MKBHD’s picks for the best smartphones of 2023.

Galaxy S23 Ultra (Best Big Phone)

The Galaxy S23 Ultra wins Best Big Phone for its massive 6.8-inch, quad HD, 120Hz LTPO display, quad camera system with insane zoom capabilities, 5000mAh battery, latest Snapdragon chip, integrated S Pen stylus, and major software updates. Despite an understated design, the S23 Ultra is packed with top-tier hardware, has excellent battery life, and provides unmatched telephoto zoom for distant subjects.

ASUS Zenfone 10 (Best Compact Phone)

Chosen as the Best Compact Phone, the Zenfone 10 packs flagship performance into an impressively small one-handable 5.9-inch phone with excellent battery efficiency.

Galaxy A54 (The Value Award)

With good cameras, battery life, and screen at a consistent sub-$400 price, the Galaxy A54 strikes the ideal balance between essential features and budget cost to win The Value Award.

Honor Magic V2 (The Design Award)

The astonishingly thin and creaseless Honor Magic V2 wins The Design Award for dramatically shifting expectations of foldable phone hardware with its full-sized external screen, expansive internal foldable display, and huge battery capacity.

OnePlus Open (Best Foldable)

Best Foldable goes to the OnePlus Open for providing the most practical and enjoyable folding phone experience with its clamshell design, near bezel-less inner display, great specs, useful software features, and innovative multi-window multitasking.

Nothing Phone 2 (Most Improved)

With improvements like a better display, upgraded cameras, and new features in Nothing OS based on Android 14, the Nothing Phone 2 is named Most Improved.

iPhone 15 Pro (Best Camera)

The iPhone 15 Pro wins Best Camera for its class-leading video performance across lighting conditions and Log format support, incredible low-light photography, and unmatched usability.

iPhone 15 Plus (Best Battery)

Thanks to an efficient 60Hz display and optimized hardware/software, the iPhone 15 Plus takes the Best Battery award for delivering incredible all-day endurance.

Google Pixel 8 (Phone of the Year)

With its dramatically improved display, excellent cameras, smooth performance, and industry-leading 7 year software support lifespan, the Google Pixel 8 is MKBHD’s well-deserved Phone of the Year.