TOP TENS SMARTPHONES

● TIPS & TRICKS

● The Dynamic Island makes it easier to control a call: tap it and hang up without switching apps.

● AirPods also show up in the Island when connected, and you can see their battery status.

● In Apple Maps, you can see turn-by-turn directions overlaid at the top of the phone’s screen.

1 HOT BUY

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max from £1139 / go.stuff.tv/14ProMax

This is essentially the same phone as the 14 Pro, but with a bigger screen and a bigger battery. So on paper it’s Apple’s best ever (not including the new 15 models on p29, which will be vying for the No1 spot next issue)… but while that justifies its promotion to top spot, it’s only worth it for people who really need that extra screen space.

Stuff says ★★★★★

The 2022 model gives the Pro Max a real bump, though all this quality costs

Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated

● NOW ADD THIS

Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1

This solid MagSafe charging dock lets you top up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. £110 / belkin.com

2 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

from £1249/ go.stuff.tv/S23Ultra

The flagship Galaxy phone’s remit hasn’t changed since the S22 Ultra: it’s still the very best of Samsung in a (non-folding) phone, with astonishing cameras and a productivity focus that few of its competitors can even come close to matching.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Unrivalled productivity, superb photos and stellar performance

3 OnePlus 11

from £729/ go.stuff.tv/OnePlus11

With rapid performance, a quality display and capable cameras, the OnePlus 11 makes no major compromises yet still manages to undercut the big guns.

Photography remains a small step behind the best, but it makes up for that in other ways.

Stuff says ★★★★★

A semi-affordable phone that can pretty much do it all

4 Google Pixel 7 Pro

★★★★★ from £849/ go.stuff.tv/Pixel7Pro

Plentiful performance and dependable battery life make this another worthy Google flagship.

5 Nothing Phone 2

★★★★★ from £579/ go.stuff.tv/Nothing2

Rivals edge it out in some areas, but they can’t match this phone’s pocket presence.

6 Xiaomi 13 Pro

★★★★★ £1099/ go.stuff.tv/Xiaomi13Pro

With its 1in main sensor, outstanding photography makes this one of 2023’s highlights.

7 Google Pixel 7a

★★★★★ £449/ go.stuff.tv/Pixel7a

Fast, long-lasting, and it takes a killer photo: this is the mid-range Android phone to beat.

8 Sony Xperia 1 V

★★★★★ from £1299/ go.stuff.tv/Xperia1v

A flagship with zero compromise, taking its best bits from all of Sony’s divisions.

9 Honor Magic5 Pro

★★★★★ £950/ go.stuff.tv/Magic5Pro

Capable cameras, ace performance and slick styling all add up to Honor’s greatest handset yet.

NEW

10 Fairphone 5

★★★★★ £649/ go.stuff.tv/Fairphone5

A lot more sustainable than any rival – and it’s not a total tech minnow either, with respectable cameras.

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

TOP TENS IN-EARS

Sony WF-1000XM5

£259 / go.stuff.tv/WFXM5

The WF-1000XM5 in-ears are significantly smaller than the XM4s, which were themselves a whole lot more compact than their predecessors. And yet Sony has still squeezed even larger drivers inside each earbud, along with the firm’s best active noise-cancelling yet. The feature list is as extensive as ever, and they’re priced to compete with Bose’s best. Add in decent battery life and a strong app, and you won’t find anything more well-rounded for less.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Sony’s already fantastic flagship in-ears get even better ANC, a more comfy fit and simply stellar audio

Beats Fit Pro

£220/ go.stuff.tv/FitPro These Beats are excellent on many levels. Unless you really love the earhook design of the Powerbeats Pro, they’re definitely the best workout ’phones in the Apple/Beats range and rival any others at the price.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Good battery life, punchy sound, lock-tight fit

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

£280/ go.stuff.tv/QCBuds2

You still can’t beat Bose for ANC. And while its latest buds can be bettered slightly when it comes to sound quality, and bettered comfortably for battery life, they make for a competitive total package.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Bose is back with its best effort in a long while

Technics EAH-AZ80

★★★★★ £260/ go.stuff.tv/AZ80

Excellent all-round in-ears that balance clean sound with good ANC.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

★★★★★ £229/ go.stuff.tv/Pro2Lightning

Apple’s pricier in-ears sound superb; we’ve tested the new USB-C version on p82.

OVER-EARS

Sony WH-1000XM5

£303 / go.stuff.tv/WHXM5

Nobody was able to displace Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones from the top of this list for two years… yet the latest model manages to be even better. Key to the XM5s’ overall quality is the new carbon-fibre composite 30mm drivers: they bring even greater clarity than the previous generation, and the sound reproduction is beautifully precise. The simple fact is that these are the best noise-cancellers around by almost every measure. You really won’t regret buying them.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Sony keeps its grip on the top spot with an unrivalled combo of great sound, ANC and comfort

Sennheiser Momentum 4

£279/ go.stuff.tv/SM4

These are headphones that sound naturalistic, engaged and entirely musical, making every recording sound like an event. And they’ll last a startling 60hrs – even with ANC switched on.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Great audio, great battery life, great price

Bose NCH 700

£350/ go.stuff.tv/NCH700

There are superior-sounding headphones, but if call quality and noise-cancelling are just as important to you then Bose’s flagship cans are the gold standard. The voice-pickup system is the best out there.

Stuff says ★★★★★

As all-rounders, these are hard to beat

Philips Fidelio L3

★★★★★ £167/ go.stuff.tv/L3

Refined and detailed: go for these if you value balance and accuracy.

Grado GW100X

★★★★★ £239/ go.stuff.tv/100X

No ANC, no app, no travel case… but more complete sound than any of Grado’s rivals.

TO READ THE FULL REVIEWS, VISIT STUFF.TV/TOP-10/IN-EAR-HEADPHONES & STUFF.TV/TOP-10/HEADPHONES

TOP TENS SMARTWATCHES

Apple Watch SE from £219 / go.stuff.tv/WatchSE

The SE is easily the best-value Apple Watch, even without the £40 price-drop prompted by the arrival of the Series 9. It tracks sleep and all the exercise you need, supports Apple Pay, works great with your iPhone and… what more do most people require? The user experience is broadly identical, and while the screen bezels are a bit larger than on the Series 8 it’s hard to tell them apart without getting right up close. Note also that your SE will now be carbon-neutral if you take it with a Sport Loop.

Stuff says ★★★★★

Offers most of the full Apple Watch experience for a whole lot less cash

Garmin Fenix 7 from £449/ go.stuff.tv/Fenix7

If your budget stretches, the impressive mix of rugged durability, serious battery endurance, excellent navigation skills and smartwatch features makes this the best all-round sports watch you can buy.