The Editorial Team’s top smartphone picks – November 2023 edition

Since the May edition of our top smartphone picks, we’ve published 23 new smartphone reviews. But only a few have become so dear to us that we’re recommending them. Find out here why these smartphones in particular impressed us and who they’re good for.

Sony Xperia 5 V: more control in taking photos and videos (Michelle)

My current favourite is the Sony Xperia 5 V. It has everything I could wish for in a smartphone in a wieldy package with a 6.1-inch OLED display.

The camera takes good pictures and offers options for getting even more out of RAW images. The hardware and software work great. With a long battery life and a powerful chip, you’re equipped for lengthy days and creative work. In fact, some helpful apps are preinstalled for editing photos, videos and audio. This makes the Sony Xperia 5 V a smart companion if you want to edit your photos and videos on the go. What’s more, it comes with a MicroSD slot and a headphone jack. But it does come at a rather steep price tag.

If you’re willing to invest even more money, the Sony Xperia 1 V is another option. The performance remains pretty much the same, but the phone is larger at 6.5 inches and has an additional telephoto lens.

Folding phones are having a hard time (Michelle)

I’d have loved to recommend a folding smartphone. But neither the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra nor the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 have fully won me over. And the Oppo Find N3 Flip, the successor to my previous favourite, the Oppo Find N2 Flip, isn’t being released here. Oppo and OnePlus are increasingly pulling out of Europe, most recently out of Switzerland. That’s why I can no longer recommend the Find N2 Flip. If, however, you’re absolutely hellbent on getting a folding phone, I’d still recommend the Find N2 Flip (if you can still get hold of one).

Pixel 8 Pro because of the telephoto lens or the Fairphone 5 for a clear conscience (Jan)

I’ve been particularly taken with the Pixel 8 Pro and the Fairphone 5 in recent months, for very different reasons.

With the Pixel 8 Pro, it’s above all the telephoto lens with 5x zoom that won me over. Its image quality is on par with that of the main camera. It also has a very bright display, no rounded edges and fast software updates. Google always supplies its Pixel devices with updates first – and, for the first time, guarantees seven whole years of updates for the 8 Pro.

What speaks against the latest Pro? The Pixel 7 Pro is still very good and also has an excellent camera. In addition, my colleague Lorenz wound up more satisfied than expected with the Pixel 8, which doesn’t have a telephoto lens at all.

As for the Fairphone 5, I like the idea behind the device – a smartphone that’s easier to repair, manufactured using many recycled materials or at least sustainably extracted raw materials. In addition, the reportedly higher ethical standards throughout the entire production process ensure a clear conscience.

And you have to accept far fewer compromises than with the predecessors for this clear conscience. The fifth edition Fairphone has finally become a good mid-range smartphone. It may be more expensive than comparably equipped models, but if you really use the Fairphone 5 for eight years, as intended by the manufacturer, this puts the investment into perspective. You should get an entire extra year of software updates compared to Google.

Nokia G42: nobody really needs more phone than this (Lorenz)

If a smartphone is just another one of your many everyday items, then the Nokia G42 might be for you. The Finnish manufacturer is returning to old strengths. The 6.56-inch phone is robust, can be repaired by the user and has an excellent battery life. Despite costing less than 250 francs or euros, the Nokia’s camera is decent.

Of course, you do have to make sacrifices with the processor and screen, not so much that it’s a pain in daily use. In other words, you get an all-round solid entry-level device for little money.

iPhone 15: the value-for-money winner among iOS devices (Flo)

Instead of boring model updates, Apple has given its basic iPhone a lot of love. It boasts an OLED screen with 2,000 nits peak HDR brightness. Then there’s Dynamic Island as an extension of the notch. And – finally – a USB-C port.

In addition, the iPhone 5 finally has the same matt back as the Pro models. This makes it more resistant to fingerprints, and I prefer it over the glossy look. On the software side, I like to use iOS as a mobile office; you can simply connect the iPhone to a screen. I don’t miss the extra camera lens from the Pro model – mainly because of the steep price difference. Paired with its 6.1-inch size, the iPhone 15 the perfect package for me.

Your turn: what’s currently your favourite smartphone? Let us know in the comments!