Alright, let's talk about finding a budget flagship phone. You know, those gems that pack premium features without making your wallet cry. These phones are all about giving you that high-end feel at a mid-range price. Whether you're into snapping photos, gaming, or just want a reliable and stylish smartphone, there's something out there for you. In this guide, we'll check out some top picks, breaking down their key features, pros, and cons to help you make a smart choice.
Now, "budget flagship" might sound like a contradiction, but it's a real thing in the smartphone world. These phones often come with the latest processors, top-notch displays, and advanced cameras, all while keeping the price way below traditional flagship phones. Perfect for savvy shoppers who want top-tier performance without the hefty price tag. From Google's Pixel series to Samsung's Galaxy lineup, and even some lesser-known brands, there's a lot to choose from.
Let's dive into some of the best budget flagship phones out there. We'll look at what makes them stand out, who they're best for, and what our experts think. Whether you're upgrading or looking for a secondary device, these phones offer great value and are sure to impress.
First up, the Google Pixel 7 Pro. If you love taking photos and want smooth performance, this one's for you. Our experts love its 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, its excellent camera system with 50MP standard, 48MP telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide lenses, and its smooth performance thanks to the Google Tensor G2 processor. It's perfect for those who want the latest Android updates and a solid build. The downsides? The battery life is just okay, and the 23W wired charging is a bit slow for a flagship. But overall, the Pixel 7 Pro offers a premium experience at a mid-range price.
What our experts say: The Pixel 7 Pro is a solid choice for those wanting a powerful flagship phone at a mid-range price. It features a high-quality display, excellent camera performance, and a smooth software experience.
Who Should Buy this Product: Ideal for users who prioritize camera quality, smooth performance, and timely software updates.
Highlight: Best for camera quality and smooth performance.
Pros:
- High-quality 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Excellent camera system with 50MP standard, 48MP telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide lenses
- Smooth performance with Google Tensor G2 processor
Cons:
- Battery life is just average
- 23W wired charging is relatively slow for a flagship
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Next, let's talk about the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This one's for those who need expandable storage, a built-in stylus, and a big, high-quality display. Our experts picked it for its large 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, built-in S Pen for productivity, and expandable storage via microSD card. It's great for productivity-focused users. The downsides? The selfie camera struggles with darker skin tones, and the battery life is just okay. But the Note 20 Ultra remains popular due to its SD card support, built-in S Pen, and robust performance.
What our experts say: The Note 20 Ultra remains a popular choice due to its SD card support, built-in S Pen, and robust performance. Despite its age, it still offers a premium experience.
Who Should Buy this Product: Perfect for users who need expandable storage, a built-in stylus, and a large, high-quality display.
Highlight: Best for productivity with a built-in stylus.
Pros:
- Large 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Built-in S Pen for productivity
- Expandable storage via microSD card
Cons:
- Selfie camera struggles with darker skin tones
- Battery life is just okay
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Another great pick is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. If you want a premium Samsung experience with excellent camera capabilities and a high-quality display, this one's for you. Our experts love its 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, its excellent camera system with 108MP standard, 10MP periscope telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide lenses, and its solid performance with the Snapdragon 888 processor. It's perfect for those who want a top-tier Samsung experience at a mid-range price. The downsides? It gets warm during extended gaming sessions, and the battery life is just decent. But the S21 Ultra offers a premium experience with its high-quality display, excellent camera system, and solid performance.
What our experts say: The S21 Ultra offers a premium experience with its high-quality display, excellent camera system, and solid performance. It is slightly cheaper than the Note 20 Ultra, making it a great value.
Who Should Buy this Product: Ideal for users who want a premium Samsung experience with excellent camera capabilities and a high-quality display.
Highlight: Best for premium Samsung experience.
Pros:
- High-quality 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Excellent camera system with 108MP standard, 10MP periscope telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide lenses
- Solid performance with Snapdragon 888 processor
Cons:
- Gets warm during extended gaming sessions
- Battery life is just decent
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Now, let's look at the Apple iPhone 13. If you prefer iOS and want a reliable, long-lasting device with excellent performance, this one's for you. Our experts picked it for its modern design with an aluminum frame, high-quality Super Retina XDR OLED display, and excellent performance with the A15 Bionic chip. It's perfect for those who want a reliable iPhone at a mid-range price. The downsides? The battery life is just decent, and it is limited to 4GB of RAM. But the iPhone 13 offers a modern design, excellent performance, and long-term software support, making it a great option for those looking for a mid-range iPhone with a premium experience.
What our experts say: The iPhone 13 offers a modern design, excellent performance, and long-term software support. It is a great option for those looking for a reliable iPhone at a mid-range price.
Who Should Buy this Product: Perfect for users who prefer iOS and want a reliable, long-lasting device with excellent performance.
Highlight: Best for reliable iOS experience.
Pros:
- Modern design with aluminum frame
- High-quality Super Retina XDR OLED display
- Excellent performance with A15 Bionic chip
Cons:
- Battery life is just decent
- Limited to 4GB of RAM
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Lastly, we have the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus. If you want a modern Samsung device with a high-quality display and solid performance, this one's for you. Our experts picked it for its modern design with an aluminum frame, high-quality 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 1750 nits peak brightness, and solid performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. It's perfect for those who want a recent flagship at a mid-range price. The downsides? It lacks the zooming capabilities of Ultra models, and the battery life is just decent. But the S22 Plus offers a modern design, high-quality display, and solid performance, making it a great option for those looking for a recent flagship at a mid-range price.
What our experts say: The S22 Plus offers a modern design, high-quality display, and solid performance. It is a great option for those looking for a recent flagship at a mid-range price.
Who Should Buy this Product: Ideal for users who want a modern Samsung device with a high-quality display and solid performance.
Highlight: Best for modern design and solid performance.
Pros:
- Modern design with aluminum frame
- High-quality 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 1750 nits peak brightness
- Solid performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
Cons:
- Lacks the zooming capabilities of Ultra models
- Battery life is just decent
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Conclusion
So, there you have it! The market for budget flagship phones is packed with options that offer premium features at a more accessible price. Whether you're after a device with an amazing camera, a productivity powerhouse with a built-in stylus, or a modern design with solid performance, there's something for everyone. The Google Pixel 7 Pro shines for its camera quality and smooth performance, making it a top pick for photography lovers. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is great for those who need expandable storage and a built-in stylus. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a premium Samsung experience with its high-quality display and excellent camera system, while the Apple iPhone 13 provides a reliable iOS experience with long-term software support. Lastly, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus offers a modern design and solid performance, making it a great option for those looking for a recent flagship at a mid-range price.
Each of these phones has its own unique strengths and minor drawbacks, but they all offer excellent value for money. By considering your specific needs and preferences, you can find the perfect budget flagship phone that meets your requirements without breaking the bank. Whether you're upgrading from an older model or looking for a secondary device, these phones provide a high-end experience at a more affordable price. So go ahead, explore your options, and find the budget flagship phone that's right for you. Happy shopping!