Smartphones have become an essential part of our daily lives, serving as our communication tools, entertainment devices, and even virtual assistants. With the constant advancements in technology, the competition among phone manufacturers has become tougher, resulting in the release of some of the best phones we’ve seen so far. As the year comes to an end, it’s time to look back at the top phones that have made a mark in 2021. In this blog post, we will review and compare the top three phones of the year and help you make an informed decision before purchasing your next smartphone.
Introduction to Top Phones
Before diving into the reviews and comparisons, let’s take a moment to understand what makes a phone worthy of being called “top.” The first aspect is the design; a top phone should not only look good but also feel good in hand. It should have a sturdy build with premium materials and an ergonomic design. Secondly, the display plays a crucial role in the overall user experience. A top phone should have a high-resolution screen with vibrant colors and a high refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. The third factor is the camera performance; a top phone should be able to capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. And lastly, the performance and battery life are what sets a top phone apart from the rest. A top phone should have a powerful processor, ample RAM, and a long-lasting battery to handle all your daily tasks without any lag.
Now that we have established the criteria for a top phone let’s take a look at our top picks for 2021.
Phone 1: iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro Max was released in October 2020, but it has continued to dominate the market throughout 2021. This flagship device from Apple boasts impressive specifications and features, making it one of the top phones of the year.
Design and Display
The iPhone 12 Pro Max sports a sleek and elegant design with a stainless steel frame and a ceramic shield front glass. The back is made of matte glass, giving it a premium look and feel. The phone is available in four colors – Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite, and Silver. It has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, making it durable and reliable.
The display on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels. It has a high refresh rate of 120Hz, providing a smooth and responsive experience. The screen also supports HDR and Dolby Vision, making it one of the best displays on a smartphone.
Camera Performance
Apple is known for its exceptional camera performance, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max is no exception. It features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The cameras are equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, which helps in capturing stunning photos even in low light conditions. The phone also has a 12MP front-facing TrueDepth camera for perfect selfies.
Performance and Battery Life
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which is currently the fastest processor in any smartphone. It comes with 6GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and gaming. The phone is available in three storage options – 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. It runs on iOS 14, which offers a user-friendly interface and regular updates.
The battery life on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is impressive, with a capacity of 3687mAh. It also supports fast charging and wireless charging, making it convenient for users.
Phone 2: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung’s flagship device, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, was released in January 2021, and it has been one of the top phones of the year. This impressive smartphone boasts top-of-the-line specifications and features, making it a tough competitor in the market.
Design and Display
The design of the Galaxy S21 Ultra is similar to its predecessor, but with a few notable changes. It has a metal frame with a matte finish and a glass back. The phone is available in four colors – Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, and Phantom Navy. It also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
The display on the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels. It also supports HDR10+ and has a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen has curved edges, giving it a bezel-less look and providing an immersive viewing experience.
Camera Performance
The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a quad-camera setup with a 108MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, a 10MP telephoto lens, and a 10MP periscope lens. The cameras are equipped with Samsung’s new Dual Pixel Pro technology, which offers faster autofocus and improved low-light performance. The phone also has a 40MP front-facing camera for stunning selfies.
Performance and Battery Life
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is powered by either Samsung’s Exynos 2100 or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 processor, depending on the region. It comes with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, making it a powerhouse that can handle any task with ease. The phone runs on Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1, which offers a clean and customizable interface.
The battery life on the Galaxy S21 Ultra is impressive, with a capacity of 5000mAh. It also supports fast charging and wireless charging, making it convenient for users.
Phone 3: OnePlus 9 Pro
OnePlus has always been known for its high-performance devices at an affordable price, but with the OnePlus 9 Pro, they have stepped up their game. Released in March 2021, this flagship device has impressed many with its top-notch specifications and features, making it one of the top phones of the year.
Design and Display
The design of the OnePlus 9 Pro is sleek and minimalistic, with a metal frame and a glass back. It is available in three colors – Morning Mist, Pine Green, and Stellar Black. The phone has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, making it durable and reliable.
The display on the OnePlus 9 Pro is a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED with a resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels. It also supports HDR10+ and has a high refresh rate of 120Hz, providing a smooth and responsive experience. The screen has curved edges, giving it a bezel-less look and making it perfect for media consumption.
Camera Performance
OnePlus has collaborated with Hasselblad to improve the camera performance on the OnePlus 9 Pro, and it shows. The phone features a quad-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide sensor, an 8MP telephoto lens, and a 2MP monochrome sensor. The cameras are equipped with Hasselblad’s color calibration, which offers natural-looking photos and videos. The phone also has a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies.
Performance and Battery Life
The OnePlus 9 Pro is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 processor and comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM. It runs on OxygenOS 11, which offers a clean and customizable interface. The phone is available in two storage options – 128GB and 256GB.
The battery life on the OnePlus 9 Pro is impressive, with a capacity of 4500mAh. It also supports fast charging and wireless charging, making it convenient for users.
Comparison and Conclusion
Now that we have reviewed the top three phones of 2021 let’s compare them based on their specifications and features.
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | OnePlus 9 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 pixels | 3200 x 1440 pixels | 3216 x 1440 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Processor | A14 Bionic | Exynos 2100/ Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB/16GB | 8GB/12GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Camera | 12MP (Primary), 12MP (Ultra-wide), 12MP (Telephoto) | 108MP (Primary), 12MP (Ultra-wide), 10MP (Telephoto), 10MP (Periscope) | 48MP (Primary), 50MP (Ultra-wide), 8MP (Telephoto), 2MP (Monochrome) |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 40MP | 16MP |
| Battery | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | 4500mAh |
| Operating System | iOS 14 | Android 11 with One UI 3.1 | OxygenOS 11 |
| Price (approx.) | $1099 | $1199 | $969 |
As we can see, all three phones have impressive specifications and features, making it difficult to choose a clear winner. However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max stands out with its exceptional camera performance, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a stunning display. The OnePlus 9 Pro is the most affordable of the three, making it a great option for those on a budget.
In conclusion, all three phones – iPhone 12 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, and OnePlus 9 Pro – are worthy contenders for the title of top phone of 2021. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget when choosing the perfect smartphone for you. Whichever phone you choose, you can be sure to have a premium and high-performing device in your hands.
