The smartphone market is in turmoil, with lots of new models launched in early 2020 and several phones coming out later in the year. At the moment, the wide choice makes it easy to find the device that best suits your needs, from the cheapest devices to the most exclusive top of the range. Let's see what are the best smartphones 2020, with a selection of the most popular and best-selling phones of recent months divided into each price range.
How to choose the best smartphone
The aspects to be evaluated to choose the right smartphone are really many, but you can focus on some main features. First of all it is essential to take into account the cost, in fact you can buy a cheap phone with a few less features and slightly lower performance, a mid-range device, by far the most popular, or a high-end device to buy the best available at the time.
Next it is essential to analyze the performance of the smartphone, from the power of the processor to the video quality provided by the GPU, including the storage capacity of the memory and the possibility of increasing the space with a microSD card. Similarly, it is necessary to evaluate the connection technologies, from support for 4G+ mobile networks to the 5G module for superfast connections, including the presence of Bluetooth and NFC for contactless payments.
At this point, it is necessary to take a look at the photographic compartment, with budget devices offering single or dual cameras and Full HD video recording, while the more expensive ones arrive at having up to 4 cameras, with ultra-wide-angle, 4K video and artificial intelligence systems to take practically perfect photos. No less important is the sound, preferring devices that offer Dolby stereo sound and have built-in speakers of good quality.
Among the factors to consider there is undoubtedly the type of display, so that the smartphone is well lit and able to provide an adequate resolution, at least FHD+ or possibly QHD or 4K. In this case the best screens are AMOLEDs, as long as they have good contrast and a wide viewing angle, however OLEDs and the iPhone Retina display are not bad either. Finally you should look at the battery capacity, autonomy data and support for fast charging or wireless.
Best 2020 smartphones cheap
If you don't want to spend too much you can buy a great cheap smartphone for less than 150 euros: here are the best models.
Xiaomi Redmi 8
The Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a simple but functional Chinese smartphone, with dual rear camera 12 + 2 MP and 8MP front sensor. The device sports a 6.22-inch HD+ LCD display, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 octa-core processor and Adreno 505 GPU, Android 9 Pie operating system, 3GB of RAM and 32GB expandable memory (Check out the price on Amazon).
Inside is an artificial intelligence system that helps you take sharp and in-focus photos, with the ability to set portrait mode. Xiaomi's Redmi 8 provides support for nanoSIM cards, you can increase the storage capacity up to 512GB with a microSD, it is also a Dual SIM smartphone, with Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and 4G LTE.
Huawei P Smart 2019
The best budget smartphone to buy is definitely the Huawei P Smart 2019, a modern and efficient phone perfect for not spending much without sacrificing quality. The device has a 2.2 GHz octa-core processor, with Kirin 710 chipset and Mali-G51 MP4 GPU, with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory expandable up to 512GB via microSD. Obviously it is a Dual SIM device, offered with the Android 9 Pie operating system.
For photos the Huawei P Smart 2019 is equipped with a dual rear camera 13 + 2 MP, with artificial intelligence system for face and object recognition, with 8MP front camera and video recording in Full HD resolution. The screen features a 6.2-inch FHD+ LCD display, with a 3400 mAh battery that ensures a long battery life, NFC technology and support for nanoSIMs. Buy the Huawei P Smart 2019 on Amazon.
Motorola One Macro
Under 150 euros you can buy on Amazon the Motorola One Macro, a budget phone with mid-range performance. This device has a 4000 mAh battery with support for 10W fast charging, the Android 9 Pie operating system and a 6.2-inch LCD display with FHD resolution at 720×1520 pixels. Connectivity is excellent, with NFC technology, Dual SIM option and GPS and GLONASS modules.
The Motorola One Macro offers a stunning triple rear camera, with 13MP main sensor and f/2.0 focal aperture with Autofocus, LED Flash and two cameras with Bokeh effect of 2MP each, while in front there is an 8MP camera. The phone allows you to record Full HD videos at 60fps, has HDR and face detection, fingerprint reader and an octa-core processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB memory.
Best 2020 mid-range smartphones
Mid-range smartphones have excellent value for money, great cameras and high performance at less than £300.
Redmi Note 9S
One of the best-selling mid-range smartphones ever is the Redmi Note 9S, equipped with the Android 10 operating system. This phone offers a 6.67-inch LCD display with FHD+ resolution at 1080×2400 pixels, with 60 Hz refresh rate and 20:9 aspect ratio. Performance is guaranteed by the octa-core Snapdragon 720G processor at 2.3 GHz, coupled with an Adreno 618 GPU, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB expandable memory.
Buyable on Amazon at a competitive price, the Redmi Note 9S features the innovative Quad Camera AI, with 4 sensors including the 48MP main camera with /1.8 focal aperture, an 8MP wide-angle lens, a 2MP Bokeh sensor and a 5MP Macro camera, with 4K video recording at 30 fps. Completing the equipment is a 16MP front camera, a 5020 mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging, Bluetooth 5.0 and Dual SIM functionality.
Motorola Moto G8 Plus
Able to achieve in less than a year a level of approval among the best in its category, an excellent mid-range smartphone is the Motorola Moto G8 Plus. Of great impact is the photo compartment with four sensors, with 48MP main camera, Laser Autofocus, ultra-wide angle, 5MP sensor with Bokeh effect and 25MP front camera. High battery life with the 4000 mAh battery, compatible with 18W fast charging.
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus features a 6.3-inch Max Vision LTPS display, with FHD+ resolution and a Dolby stereo speaker system. The 2.1 GHz octa-core processor has a Snapdragon 665 chipset and an Adreno 610 GPU, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Complete to connectivity, with Bluetooth 5.0, NFC technology for contactless payments, GPS and GLONASS modules, with water-resistant coating and two color options available. Check the price now on Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy M21
Released in early 2020, among the best smartphones under 300 euros we find the Samsung Galaxy M21, a latest generation phone featuring a beautiful 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution. Undoubtedly this is one of the smartphones with the best camera, thanks to 3 sensors with a 48MP main camera, an 8MP wide-angle with f/2.2 focal aperture, a 5MP camera with Bokeh effect.
The Galaxy M21 (available on Amazon at the best price) features an octa-core Exynos processor at 2.3 GHz, with 4GB of RAM and a memory of 64GB, Android 10 operating system, fingerprint reader under the screen, gyroscope and digital compass. There is no lack of Dual SIM option, with Bluetooth 5.0, support for 4G+ mobile networks, NFC technology with Samsung Pay and a powerful 6000 mAh battery with 15W fast charging.
Best 2020 high-end smartphones
If you want to buy a top-of-the-line smartphone, you can choose from the best 2020 models from Huawei, Sony, Samsung and Apple.
Sony Xperia 5
One of the best 2020 smartphones is the Sony Xperia 5, a sleek and rather lightweight phone. The device is equipped with a triple rear camera with 3 12MP sensors, with super wide angle, telephoto and Eye AF autofocus. For 4K videos there is the Optical SteadyShot system to eliminate shake, there is also an 8MP front camera and a 6.1-inch CinemaWide OLED display, with FHD+ resolution, HDR technology and 21:9 aspect ratio (find out the price on Amazon).
Performance is provided by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform processor, designed specifically to support gaming, with Adreno 640 GPU, 6GB of RAM and 128GB memory expandable via microSD up to 512GB. The operating system is Android 9 Pie, there's Dual SIM, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou modules, with a fingerprint reader and one of the best features as far as sensors are concerned, including barometer, eCompass, gyroscope and pedometer.
Huawei P40 Pro
Among the absolute novelties of 2020 is the Huawei P40 Pro, a modern and elegant smartphone designed specifically to ensure high performance. In front is a stunning OLED display with curved edges, a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a resolution of 1200×2640 pixels. The 2.86 GHz octa-core processor also supports 5G networks at 4.7 Gbps, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB internal memory, with Bluetooth 5.1, NFC technology and GPS/GLONASS modules.
This Huawei smartphone, offered at a bargain price on Amazon, offers four Leica cameras of which three are on the back, with 50 + 40 + 12 MP sensors, 5X Zoom and Dual LED Flash. In front there is a 32MP selfie camera, with the ability to record videos in 4K. The 4200 mAh battery is supports fast charging at 40W and wireless charging at 27W, there is a Dual SIM feature and IP68 certification for dust and water resistance.
iPhone 11 Pro
While waiting for the release of the iPhone 12, which is expected to be launched by the end of the year, the iPhone 11 pro remains at the top of the list of the best top-of-the-line 2020 smartphones. It is a modern and stylish device, with a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display and triple rear camera, with a 12MP main sensor, 120° ultra-wide angle and a 12MP camera, with optical image stabilization, Autofocus and LED Flash capable of recording 4K videos at 60 fps.
In addition to the 12MP front-facing camera for selfies, the iPhone 11 Pro has a 6-core 2.1 GHz processor with A13 Bionic chipset, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage in the standard version. The 3110 mAh battery is compatible with fast and wireless charging, there is also Face ID technology integrated with Apple Pay for contactless payments, with Bluetooth 5.0 and iOS 13 operating system. Buy it now on Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy S20+ Ultra 5G
Launched on the market in early 2020, a truly exclusive smartphone is the Samsung Galaxy S20+ Ultra 5G. This model, which can be purchased on Amazon, is the top of the range of the Korean company, capable of supporting the new ultrafast 5G mobile connections. Inside is a 2.7 GHz octa-core processor, with Exynos 990 chipset, 8GB of RAM and 128GB expandable internal memory, all supported by a mighty 4500 mAh battery compatible with 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging.
The Samsung Galaxy S20+ Ultra 5G mounts a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, with QHD+ resolution at 1440×3040 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. There is a quad camera, with 64MP main sensor, 30X Space Zoom, 3X Optical Zoom and 8K video recording, while in front there is a 10MP camera. The Dual SIM device is a smartphone with eSIM support, with Bluetooth 5.0 and Android 10 operating system.