Better Than iPhone 12? A Review of the Best Smartphones of 2020

Date Oct 16, 2020
Blog category Mobile Phone
By Staff Writer
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Apple’s iPhones are considered one of the best phones you can buy, but they’re also known as one of the most expensive. Luckily, other players are also releasing better phones on different price tiers every year!

More competition means you have more options to choose from. It’s always best to compare products and services to find exactly what you need. If you’re looking for the best smartphones of 2020, we got you covered! Take a look at the list according to their price tiers.

Best budget phones 

Budget phones are those under the $700 mark price point. These are perfect for Kiwis who are on a tight budget, but still want the best specs and fast performance. If you’re someone who only uses their phones for basic tasks like texting and calling, then this price point should suit you.

OnePlus Nord

Known as the “flagship killer” in the smartphone industry, OnePlus has now introduced an entry-level mobile to cater to a wider audience. OnePlus Nord sports an above-average chipset, which helps in image-processing and smooth gaming experience. For only $694 on the base variant, you can already get a 5G-ready phone!

Xiaomi POCO F2 Pro

Xiaomi is one of the most popular smartphones in this category because they offer flagship specs for a quarter of the price! Their latest POCO F2 Pro sports the highest-end Snapdragon 865, which is the same ones you’ll see in the most expensive offerings of Samsung and Apple. Great chipset, ergonomic design, and quick charging — all of these specs for as low as $690!

Google Pixel 4a

If you want to achieve Android at its cleanest, then get a phone from Google! As they’re the people behind the software, you can achieve simple, clean, and just a smooth overall experience. Clean software also aids with better image-processing, perfect social media, and professional use. The great news is, you can get this software for as low as $660 through Google Pixel 4a!

Best mid-range smartphones

If you have more budget but not quite ready to purchase the most premium expensive phones, then get a mid-range smartphone. This category is flourishing with competition, as Kiwis find $700-$1,300 just reasonable for a smartphone. If you’re a light to moderate gamer who also casually streams, then these are the perfect phones for you.

iPhone SE 2020

iPhones are best known for well-optimized performance, thanks to their great software and efficient chipset. Fortunately, you can now get one at a more reasonable price with the introduction of iPhone SE 2020. Priced at $750, they have an attractive design in the hardware and operating system with the latest iOS 14.

Read: The New 5G iPhone 12 Series: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

The S20 lineup has a new family with the launch of Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE). Costing only $1,100, you can still get the same chipset, camera module, high-resolution screen, and all the specs you can find in its more expensive brothers. The catch is, you won’t get as many colour options and it has a plastic back.

Oppo Find X2 Lite

Oppo Find X2 Lite is a great example of finding the right balance of everything in your phone. They aren’t the best ones in the category, but they have a capable processor, cameras, battery life, screen, design, and more. For only $800, you can already get a capable phone that can handle all the essential things you need in one. a mobile.

Best flagship smartphones

If you want no compromises when it comes to your mobile device, then purchase the most capable phones in the market — flagship phones. When you’re in this category, expect only the best of the best specs, whether it’s camera, processor, software, aesthetics, battery life, and more. You shouldn’t expect less in your mobile, especially as you’re paying more than $1,300 for a tech device!

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

If you want your phone to be a productivity machine, then get a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Its S Pen has multi-functionality to assist you in work, play, leisure, and everything you ask for. Another great thing is, Samsung improved this pen to lower the latency and quicker response time. However, this high-end efficiency doesn’t come cheap at $1,980. 

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

Another Samsung phone is included in this list, with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra packing truly flagship features. Its camera module is capable of capturing with 100x zoom, ultrawide, telephoto, on top of the regular camera. It’s also packed with AI features and 5G capability, which makes its price of $1,980 fairly reasonable.

iPhone 12 Pro Max

If you can spend $2,099 for a smartphone, then get the latest iPhone 12 Pro Max. They’re powered by the fastest A14 Bionic chipset, backed by the newly updated iOS 14. They also have a massive upgrade from last year’s camera sensors, which helps in low-light photography, AI integration, and stabilised video.

Best smartphone for you

While iPhones are known as the best in the market, they’re surely not for everyone. There are plenty of great and excellent alternatives — and they don’t have to be in the highest-end flagship, either. Most of the time, Kiwis are only looking for a mobile device that’s capable of handling their daily online activities, which even the budget phones can provide.

To get the perfect phone for you, it’s important to determine what you need to do in your phone. Then, consider how much you can spend for a device. Finally, start searching for the phone that you feel has the best specs for your budget and needs.

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