Best Windows Phone in 2021

Best Windows phone Windows Central 2021

If you need a Windows Phone in 2019, the Lumia 950 XL is your best bet thanks to its good camera and manageable device size. However, we don’t recommend buying a Windows Phone at all in 2019. Instead, we’re recommending other Android phones that we think are a good fit for Windows Phone users looking to make the switch.

Our pick

Lumia 950 XL

The only flagship offering you can still buy in 2019

The Lumia 950 XL is our pick for best Windows Phone in 2019 thanks to its large display in a small package, excellent camera, and removable battery. It’s also the only good flagship Windows Phone you can buy new in 2019.

Who should buy the Lumia 950 XL

If we’re entirely honest, you really shouldn’t be buying a Windows Phone in 2019. Starting in December, Microsoft will no longer update Windows 10 Mobile handsets with security patches and bug fixes, and soon, features and apps will stop working. Only buy a Windows Phone if you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Is it a good time to buy a Windows Phone?

It’s not. Microsoft recommends customers purchase an iOS or Android device and install Microsoft’s apps instead.

Reasons to buy:

• Great camera
• Nice size
• 16:9 display
• Can buy new in 2019

Reasons to not buy:

• Windows 10 Mobile is out of support soon
• Battery is not good in 2019

Why buy a Lumia 950 XL?

If you’re not deferred by the impending death of Windows 10 Mobile, the Lumia 950 XL is a great buy thanks to its relatively small form factor for a 5.8-inch device with a 16:9 display that isn’t bezel-less.

This phone is good to shoot pictures with. The rear-facing, 20-megapixel PureView camera has a ZEISS F/1.9 lens and a three-LED flash that captures stunning stills and 4K video, while the front-facing, 5-megapixel camera is enough for selfies and video chats.

The Lumia 950 XL comes with 32GB of included storage that can be expanded by up to 200GB with a microSD card, which is great for anyone who loves to shoot 4K video. It’s the best camera on a Windows 10 Mobile device today.

Unfortunately, those are the only stand-out features of the Lumia 950 XL in 2019. Every other non-Windows Phone flagship released in the last 12 months beats the Lumia 950 XL in all departments.

Alternatives to Windows Phone

We do not recommend buying a Windows Phone in 2019. Here’s a list of devices that we do recommend instead.

Best overall for Windows Phone converts

OnePlus 7 Pro

The OnePlus 7 Pro is OnePlus’s first big flagship for 2019, and wow is it something special. The pop-up selfie camera allows for a display without any bezels or notches, there are three cameras on the back, and blazing fast performance with great software. All of that, and it costs hundreds of dollars less than some competing flagships.

We outright recommend the OnePlus 7 Pro as the device to get if you’re just switching from a Windows Phone since the software is so easily customizable. You can load it up with all of Microsoft’s software and services, including the Microsoft Launcher, Your Phone Companion, Outlook, Edge, and more, and essentially turn it into a Microsoft smartphone. It also integrates nicely with Microsoft’s Your Phone app on PC.

Best camera for Windows Phone converts

Google Pixel 3a

Whether you get the Pixel 3a or larger 3a XL, these are two of the best mid-range Android phones we’ve seen so far in 2019. The camera performance has no competition for anything in this price range, and when you add that together with a great software package, smooth performance, and solid OLED displays, you end up with two pretty great handsets.

The Pixel 3a is an excellent pick if you’re not too keen on splashing out a lot of cash for a new Android phone, but want to ensure you have an excellent camera in your pocket. At just $399, the Pixel 3a is packing the same flagship tier camera found in the normal Pixel 3 line, providing clear and crisp photos that are unmatched in the smartphone industry. It’s also a great first time Android device for those switching from Windows Phone, thanks to its plastic shell, cheap price, and clean software experience.

Best flagship for Windows Phone converts

Samsung Galaxy S10+

Samsung has once again topped the competition with the Galaxy S10+. It offers features that anyone can lust after, wrapped up in a beautiful hardware package with the best screen you can get on a smartphone today. The new triple camera is fun and consistent, and battery life is exceptional.

If you’re not afraid of the Android ecosystem and want the absolute best of the best, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S10+. It has everything, even features you probably don’t need. It features an under display fingerprint sensor, five cameras throughout the front and back, the best OLED screen on the market, a hole-punch camera cutout for the dual-front facing cameras, and an excellent premium design. This all comes at a premium cost too, so you know it’s a true Android flagship.

Final thoughts

Do not buy a Windows Phone in 2019. It simply is not worth it. Apps are being removed, and Microsoft is outright pulling support for the platform at the end of this year. None of the phones that run Windows Phone today are «new,» and definitely not worth your money. Get an Android. If you must get a Windows Phone, the Lumia 950 XL is your best bet thanks to its good camera, large OLED display, and removable battery with expandable storage.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Zac Bowden is a senior editor at Windows Central, which means he covers a wide array of software and hardware here at Windows Central. Joining Mobile Nations in 2016, you can usually find him playing with new Windows 10 builds or secret unreleased prototype devices. Hit him up on Twitter: @zacbowden.

Daniel Rubino is executive editor of Windows Central. He has been covering Microsoft since 2009 back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Surface, HoloLens, Xbox, and future computing visions. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.

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Best phone 2021: the top 15 smartphones you can buy in the US right now

What’s the best phone in 2021? We have brand new entries

The best phone right now is an Android, but we’ve got a mixture of the best iPhones from Apple and a whole host of devices from a variety of manufacturers in our top 15 picks. Our phone experts have reviewed every smartphone on this list, and we’ve compared them all to come up with a list of the best phones for 2021.

Buying a phone is a complicated decision, as you’ll probably be spending a lot of money. You need options, so that’s why we’ve come up with a list of the best rather than just a single ‘best phone’ recommendation. We weigh the pros and cons of each model on our list.

We’re constantly updating our best phones list to make sure you’re buying the absolute best smartphone for your needs. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is our latest number one pick, but also consider the iPhone 12, OnePlus 9 Pro iPhone 12 Pro or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which we’ve found powerful phones for different reasons beyond operating system of choice.

So we have a top pick, but not everyone looks for the same smartphone features. Some demand Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime, so that means sticking with iOS 14, while others will want infinite customizations and Google Assistant, which is available in Android 11.

There are price considerations, too, and we’ve factored that in, with choices like the OnePlus 9 ranking high on our list for the value it provides. Some phones even debuted at a notably cheaper price than competitors, like the Google Pixel 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition, which are great picks for those who don’t want to spend a lot to get a good phone.

Likewise, your cell phone plan of choice may sway your preference; especially since certain carriers often provide especially good cell phone deals for some handsets in particular, whereas others don’t.

Almost all smartphone prices have crept up to – and above – $1,000 so you’ll want to take your decision seriously. We’re here to guide you through the top phone picks with all of the expertise we’ve gained doing phone reviews.

5G phones are becoming important and more prevalent and foldable phones will one day become a big deal. Plus, you should bear in mind this list may change a lot throughout the year with handsets like the iPhone 13, Sony Xperia 1 III and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 expected to debut in the next 12 months.

What does the best phone in 2021 need to have? It has a large display, yet is easy to handle. It packs a camera suite capable of replacing a point-and-shoot, and it has enough power and battery to get stuff done while you’re on the go. You won’t find slow smartphones with anything less than all-day battery life in our best phone ranking.

Best phone at a glance:

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

A top tier smartphone, and it takes our best crown

Specifications

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is our best smartphone in the world right now: here’s why.

Why it’s the best smartphone: We think the S21 Ultra is a fantastic choice for you with one of the best camera suites, phenomenal power, great battery life, a solid design and a whole host of other great features. The Galaxy S21 Ultra isn’t a cheap handset with a pricetag that, despite being cheaper than its predecessor, is still costlier than any competing flagship, but if you’re looking for the ultimate smartphone experience in 2021 you will be hard pressed to do better than this latest from Samsung.

Screen: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a top 6.8-inch screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a Quad HD resolution. This is one of the best smartphone displays on the market.

Battery life: The Samsung S21 Ultra’s battery life is solid, and we found it’d often see us through a whole day from a full charge. If you’re playing around with the 120Hz refresh rate, battery life is likely to drain faster, but it’s a top choice if you’re after a long lasting phone.

Note the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra doesn’t come with a charger in the box though, so you’ll have to use your existing one or buy one separately.

Camera: Samsung’s 108MP camera on the Galaxy S21 Ultra is going to be the highlight for many, and the camera doesn’t disappoint on this phone. Like its predecessor, you can take 100x zoom photography, but it’s far improved here over the Galaxy S20 Ultra with two telephoto cameras working in tandem to do the heavy lifting.

Current page: 1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: the best phone

The 5 Best Windows Phone of 2021

Windows phones for every user

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here . We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Best Overall: Alcatel Idol 4S

Has all the essentials

No fast charging

The Alcatel Idol 4S was a quality Windows phone for its time. Alcatel brought its newly developed design language to the Windows world with a banger of a smartphone. One of the most recent Windows 10 phones available, the Alcatel Idol 4S features a Snapdragon 820. The 820 remains an efficient beast for smooth Windows 10 Mobile operation.

While incredibly vivid, the 5.5-inch AMOLED display only pushes a 1080p resolution, but it’s plenty sharp if apps are your bread-and-butter. For optics, you get a 21MP camera with phase detection autofocus and an 8MP sensor for selfies and video calls. Memory tops out at 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, but you can add up to 1TB to the latter with a microSD card. The 3,000mAh battery inside will last about a day. And while it does feature a USB-C port, charging speeds are on the slower side at just 10W. Still, the Alcatel Idol 4S is a reliable Windows phone that can handle anything you need.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Lumia 950 XL

Wide LTE compatibility

16:9 aspect ratio

The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is among the last examples of great Windows Phones and is one of the few with a 5.7-inch AMOLED Quad HD display. It also has Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chipset with 3GB of RAM, which was once a flagship configuration. Successors have eclipsed that power half a dozen times, but it does an excellent job handling the highly optimized Windows 10 Mobile OS.

True to the Lumia namesake, its 20MP Zeiss camera produces respectable results with features like optical image stabilization. A 5MP sensor joins it on the front. The Lumia 950 XL uses USB Type-C 3.0 for charging and data, a rare trait for a Windows phone, which offers considerably faster data transfer speeds. That distinction is worth pointing out as many manufacturers tend to skip out on handy piece of tech. Rounding out the list of positives, you’ll get 32GB of expandable storage (microSD), a 3,340mAh battery, and a gaggle of LTE bands for use on virtually any modern wireless network of the world.

Best Windows Phone Alternative: Samsung Galaxy S10

Blazing fast internals

Premium construction and features

Excellent One UI experience

Not an actual Windows phone

You’re likely asking yourself how an Android phone can top the list of the best Windows phones. That’s because Microsoft has phased out the Windows Phone, and we feel it’s better to go with an Android phone, just as Microsoft recommended when they shuttered the OS. The Samsung Galaxy S10 is an ideal device for the task.

The S10 is an all-around beast that sits at or near the top of every relevant category of the modern smartphone. It also helps that these two companies once worked together to make special Windows Edition Galaxy phones. You can expect a harmonious relationship between Samsung’s phone and Microsoft’s apps, all of which are available at Google Play.

As for specs, you’ll enjoy an excellent, big OLED display, fast Snapdragon 855 chipset, five quality cameras, wireless charging with PowerShare, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and more. Whether it’s Microsoft Office, Cortana, or notification mirroring from your Windows 10 PC, the Samsung Galaxy S10 is the best choice for Windows Phone refugees.

Best for Business Users: HP Elite X3

Best specs in a Windows Phone

Multiple biometric security options

Nearly a tablet

With Microsoft’s push to get Windows Phone into the enterprise sector, HP took that opportunity to revive its smartphone-making efforts with the HP Elite x3. If its muted design didn’t already tip you off to its place in the business world, then the added biometric security options and desktop computing capabilities surely will.

HP included both a fingerprint and retina scanner for added convenience and security. It’s also fully equipped with a Snapdragon 820 to handle all your apps with keen efficiency, 4GB of RAM for multitasking ability, a massive 5.96-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, a 16MP rear camera, and an 8MP front camera. Bang & Olufson lends its expertise for the powerful speakers at the bottom for excellent sound quality.

Running Windows 10 Mobile, the HP Elite x3 is compatible with a desktop dock that emulates a traditional PC experience when used with a mouse and keyboard. Other Windows phones can claim similar tricks, but the HP Elite x3 is the only model bundling the accessory with your purchase.