The best smartphone of the year (2020): their review and videos are here
At the rate that each manufacturer has marked in its strategy each year, we already have here some of the smartphones that are candidates for the best mobile phone of the year 2020. Their characteristics, performance, or cameras can only be fully evaluated when we analyze them.
All the new smartphones of 2020 go through our test table and we can compare them and choose the best thanks to their videos, notes, and reviews.
Samsung Galaxy S20+
The middle option in (almost) every way of this year’s Galaxy S20. The Samsung Galaxy S20 + has also passed through our review team and we found that it had many of the most attractive features of these phones, but in much more comfortable dimensions than the Ultra version.
In favor
✅ Without being a strictly small mobile, it is compact and very comfortable compared to other phones with an approximate diagonal screen.
✅ A pity that we cannot use it at full resolution with 120 Hz, but this refresh rate really suits the user experience.
✅ Sound Quality (and the headphones they deliver are very good).
Against
❌ The camera app could improve a lot to better accompany the hardware.
❌ The battery isn’t brilliant or a mess, but it looks fair.
❌ One UI still feels like it has a lot to polish.
OnePlus 8 Pro
The OnePlus 8 Pro follows in the wake of the previous model by improving the processor and adding 5G, as well as other updates at the software level. It is part of those smartphones that bet on a higher refresh rate, reaching 120 hertz.
In favor
✅ The screen, except for the curves, is a benchmark for the high-end 2020 in many respects.
✅ The design and construction are very good in terms of comfort and dirt, and eliminating the pop-up module has benefited at the level of internal component space.
✅ You can handle it all and you’re always fluent, even at 60Hz. And wireless fast charging is just as fast as wired.
Against
❌ We do not understand the addition of a fourth lens. In our opinion, it has been to the detriment of what could have been a greater evolution in the three that already existed and in their performance.
❌ Curves or good experience: accidental scrolling is inevitable even with a cover, here you have to improve tactile sensitivity (which discriminates against involuntary touches) or return to a flat panel (hopefully).
❌ It is quite slippery, perhaps something inevitable with these finishes.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
The franchise terminal of the Korean manufacturer has not taken long to place itself at the top of our competition for being the best phone of the year 2020. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is not only a marvel in specifications and power, but getting its 9.1 helps a lot its 120 Hz display.
In favor
✅ Welcome 120 hertz: it is a noticeable improvement and very beneficial for the interaction with the software (not so much for battery life).
✅ The audio is of high quality and contributes to a very good multimedia experience.
✅ The module sticks out a lot, but the fact that the curvature on the screen has decreased has improved the design in terms of use.
Against
❌ It is very large, something as inevitable as perhaps negative for some users (because it tires), although taking into account that there are almost 7 inches of the screen it is not surprising either.
❌ The autonomy is quite regular taking into account precedents and competition, although it has its logic.
❌ The cameras perform somewhat below expectations considering what they offer on paper.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Picking up the witness of the previous one (and coincidentally with the same note) is the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The S Pen mobile that this year releases to color and incorporates new software functions more focused on productivity and aerial gestures in its pointer.
In favor
✅ The S Pen is still a very useful add-on that makes sense of this model. The new aerial gestures go very well and the autonomy is infinite.
✅ The use of the front is impressive and the matte back improves on previous finishes.
✅ The screen lives up to its features, even though you have to choose between the highest refresh rate and resolution.
Against
❌ The battery is not the best for the size of the mobile, although the adaptive frequency seems to be a plus.
❌ We miss a less aggressive and more natural processor in photographs and video, despite having many options, it has a lot of room for improvement.
❌ One UI is an increasingly complete software layer, but it is still “heavy” relative to another.
OPPO Find X2 Pro
With a terminal of more than 1000 dollars, OPPO has managed to enter the podium of the best smartphones of 2020. It does so with one of the best marks of the year so far, a 9.1. The OPPO Find X2 Pro proved in our in-depth test that its screen is among the best on the market by far, without giving up a technical sheet of the scandal and a fast charge that does all the honor to its name.
In favor
✅ The strongest display on the market today.
✅ Performance and impeccable technical sheet.
✅ Fast charging of the highest level.
Against
❌ Large size with a quite slippery and heavy design.
❌ The battery is penalized if we want to enjoy the screen in all its splendor.
❌ Price above 1000 dollars.
OnePlus 8T
The fourth (and for the last moment) OnePlus mobile for this year is the OnePlus 8T. A high-end smartphone that is halfway between the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro, maintaining the 120 Hz on its screen but with some concessions.
In favor
✅ 4,500 mAh go a long way even if there are high refresh rates and the proof is this mobile: the normal thing is that a charge lasts more than a day and a half.
✅ Fluency is constant whatever we do.
✅ It does not get dirty, it is comfortable and although it is bulky it is not heavy or uncomfortable.
Against
❌ In photography they seem to have not advanced, we miss a higher quality globally.
❌ It does not have a mini audio jack or wireless charging.
❌ It seems that some optimization is still missing for OxygenOS, especially for the camera app.
Samsung Galaxy S20
Full of the three Galaxy S20 in this compilation of the best mobiles. In this case, it is the smallest of the family, the Samsung Galaxy S20, which has little to envy its older brothers, being also high-end and with a design and features that are not far from them either.
In favor
✅ The 120 hertz is a before and after, everything seems to “scrape” when we go below this refresh rate.
✅ The audio is exceptional, both at the maximum volume level and at the final quality.
✅ Compact design and tight curves make it very comfortable in one hand.
Against
❌ The battery is a very improvable point. It is difficult to reach the end of the day when we demand a little.
❌ The cameras are of a great level, but Samsung is still off the throne for another year.
❌ Although it is comfortable and compact, it gets dirty easily both with fingerprints and traces of oil from the hands.
OnePlus 8
The younger brother of the OnePlus this year gives an experience very similar to that of the Pro, although as we see it is somewhat lower in our assessment. However, it borders on the outstanding, although some changes with respect to the previous model have seemed a step backward.
In favor
✅ Great design with excellent finishes.
✅ The experience with the screen is very good despite the FullHD.
✅ OxygenOS is one of the best layers of Android.
✅ Level performance.
Against
❌ The macro lens is a step back from the previous model.
❌ The matte finish is very nice, but it does slip a lot.
ASUS ROG Phone 3
The latest mobile from the ASUS gaming sub-brand has not disappointed us in the longest games. The ASUS ROG Phone 3 highlights some specifications, but what captivated us the most is the software dedicated to its adjustment for the game.
In favor
✅ The 144Hz refresh rate is noticeable beyond gaming, and the auto-adjust option is a great incentive.
✅ The battery is very good considering the demanding use that can be given.
✅ The software dedicated to the configuration of the mobile phone and the settings for the game is brutal, complete, and stable.
Against
❌ Photography still does not enter the league of photographic totems, although there are improvements and positive points.
❌ A great battery is not “free” and the price to pay is the weight.
❌ It is not uncommon to notice the increase in temperature, and it is something that should be monitored in the long term.
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
By little, but the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro won by note to its predecessors. In its datasheet, its maximum refresh rate at 144 Hz stands out above all, although what also improves is the fact that it came out with a starting price much lower than the one we will see below.
In favor
✅ The adaptive refresh rate works very well and gives a very good experience without compromising autonomy too much.
✅ It’s heavy but very well built and designed — it’s still comfortable.
✅ Biometric systems work very well, especially the speed and efficiency of facial recognition comes as a surprise.
Against
❌ We miss something more quality in the audio through speakers (but very good that it is stereo).
❌ The cameras are sometimes more reminiscent of what a very ambitious mid-range would give.
❌ MIUI and the ads: a movie that is repeated and that we do not like.
Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
This year the Xiaomi Mi has released a Pro version from the beginning. It is precisely the one that we were able to thoroughly analyze, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro, an up-to-date smartphone that goes to the timid fashion of matte backs (and at a starting price of 1,000 dollars).
In favor
✅ The matte back suits you very well and doesn’t attract fingerprints as much.
✅ The arrival of the portrait lens has been a success.
✅ Power to spare for the most demanding
✅ The 90Hz screen gives a plus of fluidity.
Against
❌ The curves of the screen cause accidental touches.
❌ The battery is correct, but in a mobile of this size, we expected a more powerful battery.
❌ The camera has a lot of room for improvement in low light, especially the wide-angle.
So, this is the best 11 smartphone (Android) that can buy this time, but we will definitely add more to the list. Till that time, please let us know in the comment, which one is your daily driver in 2020.