As we said these phones may have not fit specific criteria but they’re all great choices in their own right, take a look at them before you maybe rush to scroll down,

Nothing Phone (2)

Buy: International

Buy: Local

While the Nothing Phone(1) was one the biggest hits in the budget space throughout last year and even most of this year, the Phone (2) pretty much had a running start to expand its market and grow into more users, especially since it rolled out to more countries. And for the most part, the Phone (2) is an outright slam dunk compared to the original. It’s got a better 120hz screen with HDR10 support, last year’s flagship processor the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1( which is more than enough power for most people), an Improved front facing 32MP camera, adds water resistance, better speakers and a bigger battery with faster charging. Basically, it’s essentially a perfected version of the Nothing Phone(1), except it does have 1 glaring flaw : a $600 price. This makes it a “sub flagship” device, similar to the Galaxy S23 FE, but like the FE it’s not exactly a good deal when you consider big Flagships drop in price quickly ( a regular S23 costs $650 now  on sale). The original Nothing Phone didn’t have to deal with this at it’s $450 – $500 which made it the most awesome budget phone available. But for the Phone (2), it’s new price makes it very comparable to actual Flagships, and that makes it fall just shy of being easily recommendable. If you catch it on sale for $500 though, go for it. Because there’s still nothing on the market like it.

iPhone 13

Buy – Local | International

Yes it’s weird to have a 2 year old here for many of you. But that’s part of the struggles of the iOS ecosystem. Here’s the thing this year, if you want to buy a regular, non-pro iPhone, then buy the 15. It’s the biggest jump in iPhone specs since the iPhone 11. But if that’s not something you can afford then most people would probably opt for the iPhone 14…except the iPhone 14 is literally the iPhone 13 with a slightly brighter screen. That’s it. Same processor, same cameras, same body etc. They’ll both even get the same number of years of iOS updates. And while the 14 is still being charged around $600-700+, the 13 can be found for $500 or so, even here in Zim. So go for that instead and save yourself some bucks.

Google Pixel Fold

Buy –  International

The Pixel Fold caught a lot of people’s attention when it first launched, and mostly for the right reasons. It brought Pixel smarts, the camera and for a time, the thinnest design on a foldable ever. All which are still very impressive facets about the device which deserve praise in their own right. But while the Pixel Fold brought its own unique spin and capabilities to the foldable game, it didn’t quite run away with it. While I don’t mind it’s bezeled design, most agree it’s far less impressive than Samsung’s screen to screen approach there’s also a lack of fit and finish to the device that shows the device is definitely a first try at this, which would be excusable if OnePlus didn’t completely blow them away with their own first attempt, the OnePlus Open. Which leaves the Pixel Fold in a position where it’s less impressive than it’s OnePlus rival, and not quite compelling enough to pull most away from Samsung’s Z Fold 5, which while kind of boring now, has much better support and repair plans and more distribution around the globe. So the Pixel has to be third this year. Maybe next year Google.

iTel S23

Buy – Local

As far as Zimbabwe is concerned, this is probably one of the most successful phones of the year. iTel marketed the heck out of it, and many people were impressed by how an iTel now came with up to 8GB of RAM, 128GB base storage, and a 48MP camera. Add in the color changing body and you’ve got a really impressive specimen for a phone that launched at $150 and can now be found for lower if you know where to look. But while iTel does aim high with this phone, it doesn’t quite hit the marks that make it edge out the competition. As our review stated, this phone is good, just not the best for it’s price range everything from the Galaxy A14 and M14 to the Redmi Note 11 cost the same or just a little more expensive (usually 20 dollars more at most). And with those phones you get a better processor, cameras, storage configurations and build quality. Thus iTel misses the mark just a little here. Though even we agree that if they stay on this track, they might end up making the best phone under $200 on the market.

Sony Xperia 1V

Buy – International

I was personally conflicted putting this phone here, because let’s be clear, the Xperia 1V is a beast. This year Sony upgraded their main camera sensor to a 52MP sensor with 48MP cropped in for more detail. This means even more freedom when filming video, especially with an awesome cinematic profile look that literally looks like the professional footage from its alpha cameras, and if you know what you’re doing this phone is still easily a mobile camera rig and studio. There’s even a little bit more accessibility to it’s monster camera system, with a simple automatic mode that basically let’s any novice gain some great shots from its shooter. So why isn’t Sony taking the best specialist camera category that it’s held for almost 3 years now?  Because when it comes to the camera aspect of his phone, it’s actually been eclipsed by not one, but 2 Chinese manufacturer’s phones that you’ll also see further down this list. And with that major advantage out of its repertoire, you still have an amazing phone, but that’s too expensive for us to put it ahead of the Galaxy S23 and Pixel 8, and a little too niche to appeal to everybody. Don’t get us wrong, their IS one of the best phones you can buy right now. But it’s not the best at any one thing to definitively take any category, except maybe best analogue audio experience, which maybe only the biggest Audiophile will appreciate, but that’s not most of you either. So on that note Sony misses it just by a clutch this year. Hopefully they learn to lower prices soon, or go all out on their cameras like the competition.

Sony Xperia 10 V

Buy –  International

Unfortunately, this phone has finally fallen to the honourable mentions list. Not because it’s not as good, it really is. Rather because it’s basically unattainable in Zim. However if you’re willing to order a mid range phone from outside of the country, this one should be the one you get. Sony’s Xperia 10 phones have always been the cheaper, slightly cut down variants to their bigger Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 brothers, offering respectable, sometimes impressive specs for usually half the price. Except you forget half the price of a Sony flagship is $500, which made them less reasonable to buy compared to the competition in the Pixel A series or Galaxy A phones. Now though, at $350 online, this might be a huge contender for the best budget phone of the year, if not for one more glaring flaw. Sony is offering a phone with the same 48MP main camera as the 2 flagship Xperias, Has 6GB or 8GB RAM configurations, a respectably powerful Snapdragon 695 chip, 128GB of memory, flagship level water resistance and a lot of the creative apps that form the backbone of Sony’s software features now. However, Sony definitely cut a few too many corners with this device, especially with the screen, which is a great 1080p panel, but it runs at 60Hz. In a world where the $120 A14 can be 90hz, 60Hz just seems like robbery. We made the same complaint about the regular iPhone 15 and other regular iPhones, but while Apple fans probably can’t even believe it’s a flaw there, here we feel some Android users will notice the downgrade, especially those willing to specifically fork out cash for a Sony device. Other than that though, this is a phone that mostly punches above it’s weight class, and for most, that might be reason to love it to death

Asus Zenfone 10

Buy –  International

Alternative: Zenfone 9

Now sure, we called the S22 and 23 small, but neither really qualify as a small phone. You know, like the iPhone 13 Mini or Galaxy s10e. And yes most people want a big phone nowadays but what about those who don’t? Who have smaller hands or just like something easy to hold and use in one hand? Those are the people that get Asus’ Zenfone e 10.  iPhone phones may suggest the iPhone 13 mini but again that is a 2 year old phone now. The Zenfone 10 is most of the best Android and 2023 have to offer. High refresh rate display? Check. 50MP camera with great color science that actually wins some camera competitions? Check. Great memory (starts at 256GB) and the best processor available? Check. Even some impressive extra features like an action button (long before Apple copied it) and the a unique design of its own. The only downside? The plastic back may not be for everyone, especially for a phone that’s $700-750. If you want a cheaper alternative, the Zenfone 9 is as low as $500 now with similar specs and only lacking wireless charging that the new one has. But other than that both of these are the best small phones you can buy. Android or otherwise.