Best High End Smartphone ($500$800) in 2023

Moderators at OzBargain are now running yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. For more information on how these polls work, or if you want to suggest a new poll that isn't covered already, please refer to our announcement thread here.


Question

What is your favourite high end smartphone, (priced between $500 to $800) in 2023?

The Winner of last year's poll for high end phone was the Google Pixel 6 with 178 votes, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G. The Samsung Galaxy S21 took fourth place.

Seems most of you voted for the Pixel 6, because it had more votes than any of the other suggestions combined.

Remember: You can change your votes at anytime, and suggest more than 1 product over the course of the poll.


How do I suggest products to What Should I Buy polls?

If you have a product that you would like to suggest for the poll (that is currently not in the Poll Options), you'll need to make a top-level comment (i.e. not replying someone else's comment) and fill up "Suggestions" text box just above your comment:

Suggestion box

Do try to make a sensible suggestion (e.g make sure the phone is still available to purchase) and include a brief argument as to why you would recommend the product. You can only suggest 1 product at a time.

Poll Options expired

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2023. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.

closed Comments

  • +5
    Suggested Google Pixel 7

    The Google pixel 7 has been out for some time, and with it regularly priced under $800 and sometimes $750 you're getting Google's best Tensor G2 chip for much less than an equivalent-spec smartphone from Apple or Samsung.

    As for specs:

    • 6.3-inch OLED display (2400 x 1080)
    • 8GB RAM, 128GB, 256GB storage
    • 50MP (f/1.85) main; 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide
    • 4,355 mAh battery

    The Pixel 7 was released on October 13, 2022, with a promise of OS updates until at least October 2025 and security updates until at least October 2027 (that's 5 years worth of updates) so pretty good in terms of longevity. The only other Android phone brand that offers a 5 years support is Samsung.

    It unfortunately lacks a telephoto lens and Google is relying on AI image processing to get you better photos, and they haven't really given it much of a spec bump on the camera sensor from last year's models. Most people seem to agree that as long as you don't pixel peep in Adobe Lightroom (no pun intended) the images from this smartphone is good enough for social media.

    • damn, lack of telephoto is a big issue for me, such a great focal range for stills and video and important for many content creators. Arguably it is a 'pro' spec, as most people really wouldn't care. Pixels are typically my go-to phone but I would change brands just to get the tele at this price point.

      • 100% agree with this. I got a used S20 Ultra for $360 or so and damn I don't think I can go back to a phone without a decent telephoto lens. Use it almost daily. Great feature, especially if you enjoy the outdoors.

  • Should the 3rd gen iPhone SE be included? It is between $500-$800 with the standard RRP and it scores much higher on geek bench than any of those Androids. It scores higher than the Pixel 7 too which has a RRP of $999.

    • Yes, but you are sacrificing every other aspect of the phone for the "faster" cpu. Everything else is way better on the pixel 7.

      • -1

        Except of course that it runs Android.

  • Suggested Samsung Galaxy S23

    Was $750 on Amazon sale

    • And had been $828 at HN (cancelling the Optus plan) from Feb until last week. Initially with the double storage upgrade.

  • -1

    The recent Flip 4 has unfortunately broken all these polls, haha.

  • Suggested iPhone SE 2022 (3rd gen)

    Imma suggest it.

  • Suggested Google Pixel 6 Pro

    Pixel 6 Pro drops below $800 on sale.

  • Suggested iPhone 11

    iPhone 11 is still sold at some retailers.

  • +2

    For anyone open to buying refurbished phones, these ones are available under $800 in "as new" condition: (prices sourced from Reebelo)

    • $679 Pixel 6 Pro
    • $661 iPhone 11 Pro Max
    • $654 Pixel 6
    • $649 Galaxy S21 Ultra
    • $588 iPhone 11 Pro
    • $488 iPhone 12 mini
  • +2
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy A54

    Galaxy A54 released only last month

    • +1

      Really loving mine so far for the Price. You can get 10% off if you have Everyday Rewards Extras and buy from BigW

  • +1
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy A34

    Galaxy A34
    Also released very recently like the A54 Nillionaire suggested. Might be popular in the lower end of the price range of this poll or hopefully lower than 500 on sale in the future.
    - 120Hz AMOLED 6.6 inch
    - Android 13, solid samsung software and security updates (should be up to 4 years OS and 5 years security)
    - Dimensity 1080, probably should run into less problems than Exynos from what many seem to say
    - 5000mAh, 133hr endurance rating by gsmarena so probably very strong battery life
    - 48MP with OIS
    - 6GB/128GB

    • I wish it comes in 8GB, 256 GB and a headphone jack would be huge plus.

  • Google Pixel WITH GrapheneOS installed, unless you like having sexy times with Sunny.

  • If the Pixel 7 and Base S23 had a hybrid model that would be such a killer phone. I had a Pixel 7 and loved the software but it lacked in raw power and form factor was tad big for myself (I carry my kids in one hand so a one hand form factor phone is a must). I changed over to the base S23 and love the form factor and build quality but missing the stock Android software and the amazing photo quality the Pixel 7 produced. Also, Samsung is still trying too hard with their own implemented software, like why does Bixby still even exist.

  • Love how the only options are Pixel/Samsung/Apple. None of the other manufacturers even get a look in.

    • My guess is that thease companys actully give good support and updates for around 5y, unlike most others offereing as little as 1y most of the time 2

  • Suggested Google Pixel 7a

    Whats everyone ells thoughts on the new 7a, durable and affordable with a decent camera as seen on the previouse 6a

  • +1
    Suggested OPPO FIND X5 Pro

    2022 flagship phone from Oppo. Flagship specs that can hang-in with all 2023 flagships to date in terms of specs and performance. Was down to $659 in current Oppo trade-in deal. So dirt cheap price if you can find one in stock.

  • what is so good about the pixel 7?

    • It was the flagship Google phone at the time this poll was made alongside the Pixel 7 Pro. Now it's Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Pixel's are usually priced lower than Samsung and Apple which is why usually top the polls in this price range.

  • Strange, according to MKBHD there was some Asus phone, but here it's not in the list?

    • You're probably looking the ASUS Zenfone 9 or 10 or ASUS ROG Phone

      • Yeah you're right. That one.

  • Optus HN deal

  • I have been using android phone since the beginning but never bought a Pixel. Don't know why. My next phone is surely going to be a Pixel.

    • maybe because pixels didn't exist at the beginning? google's original line was called nexus

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