Flagship smartphones are usually the ones that make the headlines, far more than most mid-range and budget devices. Every year, the press gets excited about the latest announcements from leading manufacturers like Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
They compare the styling, number of cameras, processor speed and other specifications of each device and try to conclude which manufacturer has developed the best device.
In 2020, there are several great options on the market if you want a leading mobile device. Which one you should buy depends on several factors, like whether you take a lot of photos and how much you want to spend. Here are your options.
Samsung Galaxy S20
Apple has been the market leader in the smartphone market since it released the original iPhone back in 2007. However, Samsung has been following closely and slowly closing the gap ever since.
While its early Galaxy S models were clearly 2nd best, that is no longer the case. The Galaxy S20 is the most recent release from the South Korean company, and it’s one of the most powerful smartphones of all time.
It packs in an eight-core processor and 16 GB of memory, meaning it’ll handle just about anything you throw at it with ease. This makes it great for gaming, whether you’re playing online casino games, RPGs, or fast-paced first-person shooters.
The S20 range supports 5G, but not mmWave. If you’re outside of North America, this won’t likely be an issue, but if you are, you’ll need to check which bands your carrier is using for its 5G network.
It comes in three main versions, although the base model contains most of the features but with slightly less memory, a smaller battery and fewer lenses on the rear camera. The S20 Ultra, which will set you back almost $1,500 has a 109 MP wide-angle lens and 10x optical zoom, making it great for photography.
Although it’s a good all-rounder, it’s the camera that makes it stand out from the others. So if taking great photos is something you value, the S20 range is likely the one for you.
OnePlus 8
OnePlus made a name for itself back in 2014 when it released a flagship phone for just $299. Its latest models, the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro will set you back a fair bit more than this, but at $699 it’s $300 less than the entry-level Galaxy S20.
It too has a processor with eight cores, but slightly less memory with 12 GB of RAM. This is still more than most people will need at the moment and is more than most consumer laptops have installed.
The OnePlus 8 will handle multitasking; all forms of gaming, including online slots; and most other apps with ease.
Like the S20, the OnePlus 8 supports 5G. Initially, only one of its two SIM slots will allow 5G connectivity, but this will be updated with a software patch so you can have full 5G capabilities in both SIMs.
The OnePlus is the only phone on this list to support two simultaneous SIMs, making it great for people who need two phone numbers either for work or travelling.
The base model lacks optical zoom as part of its camera lenses, but the 8 Pro does have a telephoto lens that packs in 3x zoom. Like the S20, it has four different lenses on the back, giving you versatility in your photography.
Given its low price, comparable specs and dual-SIM capabilities, the OnePlus 8 is a contender you should definitely consider.
Google Pixel 4
The Pixel 4 is now almost a year old and due to be replaced in the coming months. That said, it still also has an octa-core processor but only 6 GB of RAM. It also lacks 5G support, which makes it less desirable if you want a device that’ll last you several years.
On the back, you’ll find three camera lenses, including optical zoom, making it the cheapest flagship smartphone with this feature.
If the price is your only concern, then the Google Pixel 4 is the cheapest option out of the three with most retailers selling it for less than $600. However, mid-range devices like the OnePlus Nord have similar/better specifications for less money.
Given its age and price, Pixel 4 is unlikely to be many people’s first choice in summer 2020.