The frequency of release of new smartphones in 2021 will make us forget all the green washing campaigns of the giants of the sector. Never have manufacturers released so many models in a single year.

Apple now releases four models a year with an iPhone SE every 3 or 4 years. Xiaomi launches a new smartphone almost every other day and many of its compatriots are also going there with their multiple launches. Samsung is ultimately the only giant to cut back while offering foldable models that look like smartphones of the future.

In this ocean of new smartphones, which ones are definitely worth looking into. To see more clearly, we have concocted a very limited comparison of the best smartphones of the year 2021. If we had to retain only five, here are the models that we would recommend.

Contents

iPhone 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max: the best of Apple

How to review the year without mentioning the iPhone? If Apple's capacity for innovation is sometimes called into question, it is clear that the big Apple always hoists its Pommé smartphones among the market references.

The iPhone 13s are no exception to the rule. If they look like two drops of water to the iPhone 12, the four models of this new generation benefit from a few adjustments that make all the difference. The iPhone 13 are undoubtedly the brand's most mature iPhones.

Of the four models launched this year, the iPhone 13 Pro is without a doubt our little favourite. Unlike the previous generation, it inherits all the technologies integrated into the iPhone 13 Pro Max. So only a size difference remains. And in our opinion, the format of the 13 Pro is more pleasant for daily use than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, a bit too big for our taste.

Still, the two models stand out as market benchmarks. If your wallet allows it, you can crack with your eyes closed. Because yes, the iPhone 13 Pro remain the most expensive smartphones on the market (apart from folding models).

iPhone 13 Pro 128 GB at the best price Base price: €1,159 eBay -5% €1,100 See the offerRED by SFR -4% €1,109 See the offerCdiscount1 €159 See the offerAmazon1 €159 See the offerFNAC1 €159 See the offerDarty1 €159 See the offerBoulanger1 €159 See the offer See more offers iPhone 13 Pro Max 128 GB at the best price Base price: €1,259 RED by SFR -4% €1,209 See the offer offerRakuten -4% €1,209 See the offerCdiscount€1,259 See the offerAmazon1,259 € See the offerFNAC1,259 € See the offerDarty1,259 € See the offerBoulanger1,259 € See the offer See more offers

iPhone 13 mini: the best in a compact format

In the iPhone 13 family, I ask for the smallest of the four. Difficult in 2021 to find a smartphone in a compact format. The iPhone 13 mini stands out as the best choice even if the Asus Zenfone 8 (although a little larger) does not deserve it.

But since we are selecting the best and nothing but the best here, the iPhone 13 mini has its place. Because despite its small size, this iPhone embeds the best of Apple technologies.

If its size does not allow engineers to integrate a battery large enough for use for more than a day, the optimizations made compared to the previous generation make it possible not to systematically carry a charger with you.

For the rest, it has the same screen technology, the same chip, the same OS, the same materials… in short, the iPhone 13 mini is a very small but sturdy iPhone 13. Above all, it is the cheapest of the latest generation iPhones. Yet another significant argument.

iPhone 13 mini 128 GB at the best price Base price: 809 € RED by SFR -6% 759 € Consult the offereBay -4% 780 € Consult the offerCdiscount809 € Consult the offerAmazon809 € Consult the offerFNAC809 € Consult the offerDarty809 € See the offerBoulanger809 € See the offer See more offers

Google Pixel 6 / 6 Pro: king of photography, but not only

After several years of trial and error, Google finally offers a serious alternative to the iPhone. In reality, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are to the Android universe what the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro are to Apple, minus the high price.

Make no mistake, the Pixel 6 Pro remains a smartphone reserved for a public with comfortable finances since it still costs 899 euros. However, the entry ticket (the Pixel 6 therefore) is much more affordable. For 649 euros, you can afford a smartphone that excels in all areas.

Google is once again making its flagship smartphones the benchmark for photography. Above all, the American giant has corrected the major weak points of previous generations, namely weak autonomy and somewhat lazy recharging. With the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google finally has its iPhone killers. Our favorites of the year 2021.

Google Pixel 6 128 GB at the best price Base price: €649 RED by SFR649 € See the offerFNAC649 € See the offerDarty649 € See the offerBoulanger649 € See the offerGoogle Pixel 6 Pro 128 Go at the best price Base price: 899 € Darty899 € Consult the offer

OPPO Find X3 Pro: our favourite

There are those tech products that arouse a certain emotion, a feeling, a different feeling. For unreasonable reasons, OPPO's Find X3 Pro falls into this category. If it is not better than its main competitors, it has that little something extra that makes all the difference.

Is it its ultra-fast charging system that breaks all records? Maybe. Is it its magnificent screen coupled with a high level of performance? Without a doubt. Did its photo quality and its microscope lens weigh on the balance? Certainly. Have we fallen in love with its unibody design with more elegant lines than ever? Very likely.

Anyway, the Find X3 Pro is our little favorite of 2021.

Oppo Find X3 Pro at the best price Base price: €1,149 Amazon -20% €918 Check the offerCdiscount -19% €932 Check the offerFNAC -17% €949 Check the offerDarty -17% €949 Check the offer offerBoulanger -17% €949 Check the offerRakuten -17% €949 Check the offer See more offers

Poco X3 Pro: the best technology-price ratio

© Xiaomi

A good smartphone is not necessarily a smartphone that you have to exchange for an organ. The arrival of Chinese brands on the French market has largely contributed to the move upmarket of low-cost smartphones.

In 2021, the Poco X3 Pro is among the models with the best technology-price ratio. To seduce users, Xiaomi puts the package on performance and an original design. While the camera is not the most advanced on the market, it meets the needs of most users.

Very durable, the Poco X3 Pro also has a fast charging system. The LCD screen is perfectly calibrated and promises a great multimedia experience. Offered from 200 euros, it stands out as a must-have for 2021.

Poco X3 Pro 6/128 GB at the best price Base price: €249 Aliexpress -39% €151 Check the offerAmazon -10% €224 Check the offerCdiscount -8% €229 Check the offerRakuten -6% €234 Check the offer the offerBoulanger€249 Check the offereBay€249 Check the offer See more offers Poco X3 Pro 8/256 GB at the best price Base price: €299 eBay -21% €237 Check the offerAmazon -19% €243 Check the offer the offerCdiscount -18% €245 See the offerRakuten -11% €265 See the offer See more offers

(Bonus) Galaxy Z Fold 3 / Z Flip 3: the turfu

© Lemon squeezer

For three years now, Samsung has established itself as the leading manufacturer of foldable smartphones. It must be said that it is still alone on the market, while waiting for Xiaomi and the Find N recently presented by OPPO.

With the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, the Korean gives us a glimpse of what the smartphones of the future will look like. With the Z Fold 3, the idea is to go from a smartphone format to a tablet format. A concept that will delight lovers of multimedia and productivity.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is for those who want to carry a compact smartphone in their pocket while enjoying a comfortable display. This model therefore takes the format of a flip phone, version 3.0.

If technically these models still deserve a few small improvements (the autonomy for example on the Z Flip 3), their lower prices tend to democratize the foldable smartphone. The Z Flip 3, for example, is more affordable than an iPhone 13 Pro. It remains to be seen whether you want to wait for the technology to improve or whether you prefer to set foot in the turfu now.

Best Price Galaxy Z Fold3 Base Price: €1,799 Rakuten -24% €1,369 Check DealeBay -22% €1,400 Check DealAmazon -16% €1,507 Check DealFNAC1 €799 Check DealDarty1 €799 View offerBaker€1,799 View offerSamsung€1,799 View offerCdiscount€1,831 View offer See more offers Galaxy Z Flip3 at the best price Base price: €1,059 Samsung€1,059 View offereBay - 27% €776 See the offerAliexpress -25% €795 See the offerAmazon -17% €876 See the offerRakuten -5% €1,003 See the offerCdiscount -5% €1,010 See the offerFNAC1,059 € See the offer Darty offer€1,059 See the offer See more offers

Here is our comparison of the 5 best smartphones of the year. Although it is based on specific criteria, this selection remains partly subjective. Do not hesitate to tell us which are your favorite smartphones for the year 2021.

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