There are literally hundreds of phones to choose from today and dozens of trusted brands. However, the top spots are reserved for those that have gone that extra mile to beat out the competition. These flagships are just a cut above the rest.
Let’s go over some of these strong brands and their latest flagship smartphones.
1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The champion of the Samsung lineup is first up on our list of top 4 smartphones of 2021. It also includes support for an S Pen that is part and parcel of the Note series from Samsung. The beefy internals on this one make it an electronic monster. It has 5 image sensors, a 108-megapixel standard sensor, and 12 GB of RAM.
There may be no more impressive spec sheet out there.
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2. iPhone 12 Pro Max
No best smartphones list can be complete without the iPhone. The biggest and beefiest iPhone iteration of the latest release is the best for a reason. While it has the same chip and internals as the rest of the lineup, it has better performance.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a bigger screen, a better camera, and much better video recording capabilities. In fact, it has the best camera system in any smartphone right now. Its 3 rear cameras, the standard wide, ultra-wide, and telephone lens combine with Apple’s great image processing.
While the squared edges may make you feel uncomfortable, the 12 Pro Max has an excellent design. Its screen is exceptionally bright and as color-correct as you can get.
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3. OnePlus 9
OnePlus have slowly but surely established their brand identity within the US and around the world. Once the budget kings, they’ve now grown to the full flagship category. They offer perhaps the cleanest and most well-optimized Android experience on any smartphone. They also offer great services and a sleek design.
With the 9 they’ve also fixed probably the one problem that they’ve struggled with, the camera. This one has a great ultra-wide camera and the latest Snapdragon 888 processor. It also offers 5G support on both Verizon and T-Mobile’s networks.
The device offers both a flagship feel and excellent performance. It’s one of the best smartphones of 2021.
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4. Google Pixel 4A
This is the best budget phone that you can buy today. It has pure Android installed, the perks of original Google software, and the best camera on a budget phone.
The design of the Google Pixel 4A is simple and beautiful. At just $349, you can get probably the best camera on any smartphone, and 3 years of support and security updates.
It’s definitely one of the 4 best smartphones of 2021.
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Take Away
While there are other great deals out there, nothing beats these four titans of the smartphone world right now. Newer models coming out this year in October or November may put up a fight. However, these are the kings of the smartphone kingdom for now.
Last update on 2026-06-26 / We may get a commission on clicks or purchases from this page. / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
