Turn to p84 and you’ll find this trio occupying the top slots… but do they do enough to fight off the upstarts?
APPLE iPHONE 15 PRO MAX
Apple’s most specced-out phone zooms further, feels lighter, looks sleeker and upgrades the power to almost games console levels: if you haven’t seen Resident Evil Village running on it, you’re missing out. But it’s also a mighty expensive option, so why would you pick it over a Galaxy or Pixel… or indeed a OnePlus?
Well, to anyone already sold into the Apple ecosystem, this handset is as good as it gets. You’ll love the new titanium build, slimmer bezel and more immersive screen, and yes, even the Dynamic Island. It all feels like the best big phone Apple has ever made.
The camera also gets a boost with a new 5x telephoto lens, building on the last gen’s resolution bump for the main sensor while adding a host of pro-grade video features, including recording ProRes files to an external drive via USB-C.
Did someone just say USB-C? Yep, that’s new too – working in tandem with the A17 Bionic chip to put a production studio in your pocket for easy external drive and card-reader hotswapping, with the App Store’s class-leading suite of creative software.
from £1199 /go.stuff.tv/15ProMax
Key specs • 6.7in 2796x1290 120Hz OLED •Apple A17 Pro •256/512GB/ 1TB •48+12+12MP rear, 12MP front •4441mAh •160x77x8.3mm, 221g
STUFF SAYS USB-C and a 5x zoom camera top the list of steady upgrades ★★★★★
GOOGLE PIXEL 8 PRO
Samsung might have overtaken Google on the AI front, but the Pixel 8 Pro is still a seriously smart contender and a sterling camera phone, outclassing Galaxies and iPhones alike for photographers. This is the first pro-grade Pixel to pack a flat display and the quality is superb. All the better to see its snaps: three hi-res cameras with large-aperture lenses deliver some of the best low-light performance of any smartphone, and luscious macro photos too.
You get a winning balance of contrast, saturation and shadow… and plenty of AI-ification, whether you’re taking a group shot and want to swap someone’s gurning face, or just need to tidy up video.
Take me, I’m years
Running Android 14 and featuring extended software support for up to seven years, this Google handset – like the other two flagships on this page – will run fresh apps for a long time. But it’s not perfect.
Two areas where the Pixel 8 Pro falls behind Apple and Samsung are performance and battery life. It does occasionally run warm, and doesn’t handle the demands of gaming as well as its big rivals.
from £999 /go.stuff.tv/Pixel8Pro
Key specs •6.7in 2992x1344 120Hz OLED •Google Tensor G3 •128/256/ 512GB •50MP+48MP+48MP rear, 10.5MP front •5050mAh •163x77x8.8mm, 213g
STUFF SAYS Truly phenomenal for photos, plus more AI smarts
