Stuff TOP TEN

1 HOT BUY

● Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated

Huawei bumped its own magnificent P20 Pro off the top spot with another flagship phone that’s left Apple and Samsung scrabbling to catch up. The Mate 20 Pro brings back the triple-lens camera of the P20 Pro, only now it’s got a 20MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a new version of its predecessor’s AI-assisted night mode. It’s the most tech-packed phone in the world, yet battery life is a match for any of its rivals. No contest.

Stuff says ★★★★★

A stunning smartphone that makes the competition look lazy in comparison

TIPS & TRICKS

• The phone itself doubles as a wireless charger, so you can share juice with any Qi-enabled device.

• An AI-assisted video trick lets you create colour portraits with black and white backgrounds.]

• The 3D Face Unlock security feature lets you wake up the Mate 20 Pro with just a glance.

● NOW ADD THIS

Huawei Smart View Flip Cover

This case has a transparent window that will display your Mate 20 Pro’s notifications, time and weather. £16.95/amazon.co.uk

OnePlus 6T

From £499 / stuff.tv/OnePlus6T This is the gentlest of upgrades on the OnePlus 6. It gains an in-screen fingerprint sensor but loses the headphone jack; its selfie camera and screen are tweaked but the cost nudges up yet again. If only the legit top-end vibe will do, the 6T is still killer value.

Stuff says ★★★★★

The best way to avoid spending £800 or more on a phone

Apple iPhone XS

From £999 / stuff.tv/iPhoneXS This is the iPhone X with some new bits crammed in. But there’s enough going on here to make the XS a significantly better phone. Namely, it can take better pictures and there’s more power on tap. It’s fast, smart and full of fun features… and a better deal than the XS Max.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Familiar on the outside, hiding treats on the inside: this is the X but better

Samsung Galaxy S9

★★★★★ £649 / stuff.tv/S9 Samsung’s flagship isn’t a huge upgrade on the Galaxy S8, but it’s still a very welcome one

Honor 9 Lite

★★★★★ from £169 / stuff.tv/Honor9Lite Cutting-edge design at a price that won’t shred your wallet: this is an excellent budget phone.

Moto G6 Plus

★★★★★ £209 / stuff.tv/MotoG6Plus Superb both on paper and in use, the G6 Plus raises the bar when it comes to affordable phones.

Honor 8X

★★★★★ £230 / stuff.tv/Honor8X A bigger, better screen, more power and serious camera upgrades make this a steal for the price.

Sony Xperia XZ3

★★★★★ from £699 / stuff.tv/XZ3 Sony’s best contender to date combines a fine display, a great camera and slick performance.

Samsung Galaxy Note9

★★★★I from £849 / stuff.tv/Note9 You’ll have to pay a premium for the S-Pen and extra screen, but this is a superb phone for creatives.

Google Pixel 3 XL

★★★★I from £769 / stuff.tv/Pixel3XL The latest Pixel isn’t a dramatic revolution, but it’s still one of the best Androids around.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS AND REVIEWS OF ALL THE BEST NEW PHONES, VISIT STUFF.TV/TOP-10/SMARTPHONES

Apple iPad Pro (2018)

from £769 / stuff.tv/iPadPro2018

The latest iPad Pro isn’t cheap, but it’s a mobile powerhouse like no other, with a diverse and rich app ecosystem, tons of power, a gorgeous screen, and the kind of focus on creativity and productivity that just doesn’t exist on other tablets. If you just want to faff on Facebook or Netflix it’s massive overkill, but then there’s the standard iPad or a slew of other tablets for doing that. Still, even if you don’t actually need the new iPad Pro, you’re going to want one if you have it in your mitts for five minutes.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Once again Apple blasts ahead of the pack, witha stylish, powerful tablet full of creative potential

Data Wing

£free / Android, iOS

This game starts off as if Asteroids had a baby with a top-down racer: your triangular craft blasts around circuits, gaining speed when its bum scrapes neon track edges. Soon you discover you’re part of an OS ruled by a deranged AI. Story and game quickly expand, as you glimpse the world beyond the screen and battle gravity in cavern-based sections that recall 8-bit classic Thrust. Rarely do mobile titles pack in so many hours of clever, thoughtful narrative. Pretty much never are such games free.

Stuff says ★★★★★

A mobile game we’d happily recommend if it cost a fiver – for nowt, it’s an absurdly generous bargain

Microsoft Surface Go

from £379 / stuff.tv/SurfaceGo

Having this slinky Windows tab up your sleeve (not quite literally) is like carrying a mini PC on you at all times. The processor is adequate for everyday tasks and the 10in screen is lovely.

Stuff says ★★★★★ An affordable, ultra-portable workmate

Apple iPad (2018)

from£319/stuff.tv/iPad2018TheremightnotbeawholelotdifferentherecomparedtothepreviousiterationofthestandardiPad,butsubtleimprovementsandarelativelyaffordablepricemeanthisisthebesttabletformostpeople.

Stuff says ★★★★★

A versatile tablet for both work and play

Amazon Fire HD 8

★★★★★ £60 / stuff.tv/FireHD8 For the price, you get a stonkingly capable tablet that doubles as an Echo Show.

Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro 10.8

★★★★I from £426 / stuff.tv/M5Pro This may not beat the iPad Pro, but it gets you similar skills for much less cash.

Euclidean Skies

£4.99 / iOS

This is a challenging mobile game that pulls off quite the achievement in managing to create demanding and labyrinthine pathways from what are essentially single-screen puzzles.

Stuff says ★★★★★

A sequel packed with brilliant new ideas

Oddmar

£1.99 / iOS

Oddmar looks like it could have breezed in from a PS4. It’s packed full of superb level design, arresting set-pieces and lush animated visuals, as a beardy Viking oaf sets out to save his tribe.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Touchscreen platformers can be great after all