Our winter smartphone showdown involved testing 34 new devices, including the Apple iPhone 16 series, exciting foldables, and the Google Pixel 9 series. While some devices fell short, the mid-range market delivered some pleasant surprises, and there were options for privacy-conscious users too.
Top Performers: Apple iPhone 16 Series
Our new rating system makes achieving a "Very Good" rating challenging, and only three devices reached the top: all from Apple. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 lead the pack.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple's largest and most feature-rich offering, received the highest rating. It boasts the fastest mobile processor available, excellent battery life, a top-notch camera, and a brilliant display. Prices start from €1,380 at Amazon.de and $1,188 on Amazon US.
Apple iPhone 16
The base iPhone 16 model is also impressive, particularly its 6.1-inch display. Available from €870 at Amazon and $830 at Best Buy US, it lacks some Pro features (like a faster USB port and a 120Hz display), but excels in performance, battery life, and precise GPS.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro offers a great balance of performance and size. It features the new camera control button and excellent camera performance. Prices start from €1,100 at Amazon and $1,000 at Best Buy US.
Technetbook Awards
OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 stands out as a flagship contender with its sleek design, impressive gaming performance, ultra-fast charging, and long-term software support. While the lack of wireless charging and an IP rating might be missed by some, this device offers exceptional value, earning our Editor's Choice award.
Honor Magic V3
The Honor Magic V3 is an exceptionally slim foldable phone with excellent cameras, performance, and a bright display. While lacking some features found in standard phones (latest Wi-Fi, UWB), its design and performance earned an Editor's Choice Award. Prices begin at €1,625 at Amazon.de and $1,899 at Amazon US.
Full Smartphone Comparison Table
| Model / Review | Price | Weight | Drive | Display | Screen / Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | List Price: 1449€ | 227 g | 256 GB NVMe | 6.90" 2868x1320, 458 PPI, Super Retina XDR OLED | 92 % |
| Apple iPhone 16 | List Price: 1329€ | 170 g | 512 GB SSD | 6.10" 2556x1179, 460 PPI, Super Retina XDR OLED | 86 % |
| Apple iPhone 16 Pro | List Price: 1200 Euro | 199 g | 128 GB NVMe | 6.30" 2622x1206, 460 PPI, Super Retina XDR OLED | 91 % |
| Sony Xperia 1 VI | Amazon: $1,069.94 List Price: 1399€ |
192 g | 256 GB | 6.50" 2340x1080, 396 PPI, OLED | 87 % |
| Honor Magic V3 | List Price: 2000€ | 226 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 7.92" 2344x2156, 402 PPI, OLED, 2nd Screen: 6.3", 2376x968, Glass Victus 2 | 89 % |
| Apple iPhone 16 Plus | List Price: 1100€ | 199 g | 128 GB NVMe | 6.70" 2796x1290, 460 PPI, Super Retina XDR OLED | 88 % |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | List Price: 2119€ | 239 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 7.60" 2160x1856, 375 PPI, AMOLED, HDR - HDR10+, HGL, 2nd Screen: 6.3", 2376x968, Glass Victus 2 | 91 % |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | List Price: 1299€ | 221 g | 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.80" 2992x1344, 482 PPI, OLED | 89 % |
| Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 | List Price: 1250€ | 226 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 7.98" 2488x2224, 418 PPI, AMOLED LPTO | 89.4 % |
| Google Pixel 9 | List Price: 899€ | 198 g | 128 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.30" 2424x1080, 421 PPI, OLED | 87 % |
| Xiaomi 14T Pro | List Price: 1000€ | 209 g | 1 TB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.67" 2712x1220, 446 PPI, AMOLED | 89.1 % |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 5G | Amazon: $947.00 List Price: 1319€ |
187 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.70" 2640x1080, 426 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 86 % |
| Nubia Z60S Pro | List Price: 599€ | 220 g | 256 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.78" 2800x1260, 453 PPI, AMOLED | 89 % |
| Xiaomi Mix Flip | List Price: 1299€ | 190 g | 256 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.86" 2912x1224, 460 PPI, AMOLED | 87.5 % |
| Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | List Price: 700€ | 209 g | 1 TB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.67" 3200x1440, 526 PPI, AMOLED | 89 % |
| Realme GT 6 | List Price: 800€ | 199 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.78" 2780x1264, 450 PPI, AMOLED | 91.8 % |
| Xiaomi Poco F6 | Amazon: $349.99 List Price: 500€ |
179 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.67" 2712x1220, 446 PPI, AMOLED | 90 % |
| Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version | List Price: 779€ | 246 g | 256 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.80" 2480x1116, 400 PPI, AMOLED | 89 % |
| OnePlus12 | List Price: €849.00 | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.82 inches" 1440 x 3168 pixels 510 ppi density, LTPO AMOLED | 88 % |
| Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | List Price: 1200€ | 189 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.90" 2640x1080, 413 PPI, P-OLED | 84.9 % |
| Honor Magic V Flip | 193 g | 512 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.80" 2520x1080, 403 PPI, OLED | 85 % | |
| Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | List Price: 429€ | 190 g | 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.70" 2400x1080, 393 PPI, AMOLED | 88 % |
| Motorola Edge 50 | List Price: 600€ | 180 g | 512 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.70" 2712x1220, 444 PPI, P-OLED | 93.1 % |
| Oppo Reno12 Pro | 184 g | 512 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.70" 2412x1080, 394 PPI, AMOLED | 89 % | |
| Sony Xperia 10 VI | Amazon: $360.50 List Price: 399€ |
164 g | 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.10" 2520x1080, 449 PPI, OLED | 82 % |
| Motorola Edge 50 Neo | List Price: 499€ | 171 g | 512 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.40" 2670x1220, 459 PPI, P-OLED | 91 % |
| HTC U24 Pro | List Price: 549€ | 199 g | 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.80" 2436x1080, 392 PPI, OLED | 88.3 % |
| Motorola Razr 50 | List Price: 899€ | 188 g | 256 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.90" 2640x1080, 413 PPI, P-OLED | 84.9 % |
| OnePlus Nord 4 | List Price: 549€ | 199.5 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.74" 2772x1240, 451 PPI, AMOLED | 88 % |
| Motorola Moto G85 | Amazon: $239.50 List Price: 349€ |
171 g | 256 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.67" 2400x1080, 405 PPI, P-OLED | 86.2 % |
| Xiaomi 15 Pro | List Price: 999€ | 204 g | 256 GB/512 GB/1 TB UFS 4.0 | 6.73" 3200x1440, 522 PPI, AMOLED | 91 % |
| Motorola Moto G35 | List Price: 179€ | 188 g | 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.72" 2400x1080, 392 PPI, IPS | 86.3 % |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | $1,299.99 | 233 g | 256 GB/512 GB/1 TB UFS 4.0 | 6.8" 3088x1440, 500 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 89 % |
| Vivo 200 Pro | List Price: 799€ | 210 g | 256 GB/512 GB UFS 4.0 | 6.78" 2800x1260, 452 PPI, AMOLED | 88 % |
