Best Flagship Phones of 2020
With multiple releases from Apple and a whole host of 5G-ready Android handsets to choose from, 2020 has been a big year for flagship phones. Several distinctive trends have emerged, like smoother displays with higher refresh rates, pared back bezels, increasingly ergonomic designs and more, so join us as we take a look at the best flagship devices of the year in further detail.
iPhone 12 Pro
Highlights: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, triple-lens 12MP+12MP+12MP rear camera, 12MP front camera, Li-Ion 2,815 mAh battery, 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm, 186g.
Part of a series released in October 2020, iPhone 12 Pro was the flagship amongst four devices that launched simultaneously, which included iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini.
This handset was hotly anticipated, and for good reason, with its groundbreaking A14 Bionic chip delivering a smooth and seamless user experience, and more than capable of supporting a 5G connection when in a 5G-ready area. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display has True Tone technology to maximise eye comfort when viewing, and is coated in Ceramic Shield to protect it from drops, scratches and everyday damage.
Meanwhile, the sophisticated triple-lens camera system on the rear incorporates an upgrade for Night mode, which can now be used with both the wide and ultra wide lens for stunning panoramas at sunset. Plus with 5x optical zoom range, closeups are perfect every time, and new Optical Image Stabilisation keeps your shots sure and steady, so fuzzy portraits are a thing of the past.
iPhone 12 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to video either, with the capability to record in Dolby Vision – the format used by professional film studios – and achieve up to 700 million colours for strikingly lifelike footage.
Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G
Highlights: 6.7-inch Infinity-O display, quad-lens 12MP+64MP+12MP+Depth Vision rear camera, 10MP front camera, 4,300 mAh battery, 161.6 x 75.1 x 8.3mm, 192g.
In terms of size, the Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G sits in the middle of the S20 series. It's not quite as large as the S20 Ultra, but still features a generous 6.7-inch Infinity-O display. This high-spec screen, paired with access to a next-generation 5G connection, make the S20+ 5G the ideal device for streaming your favourite shows, video calling and smartphone gaming – without a glitch.
As for the camera system, this device boasts a quad-lens setup, comprised of a 64MP telephoto lens, 12MP ultra wide and 12MP wide lens, as well as an additional DepthVision lens for greater control over focus and background blur. Samsung has also equipped the S20+ 5G with the ability to record in 8K – an advancement that enables cinematic videography that won’t lose its quality, even when you share it on the big screen.
There’s a long-lasting 4,500 mAh battery on board, so you won’t have to worry about limited screen time. When you do find yourself running low, you can make the most of Super Fast Charging, as well as PowerShare technology, which enables the transfer of charge between two compatible Samsung devices.
Google Pixel 5
Highlights: 6.0-inch FHD+ Smooth Display, dual-lens 12MP+16MP rear camera, 8MP selfie camera, 4,080 mAh battery, 144.7 x 70.4 x 8mm, 151g.
The second 5G-ready device released by Google, the Google Pixel 5 is the most affordable flagship phone in this list, but comes brimming with the latest specs despite this. Made of sleek aluminium, the smooth body of the** Pixel 5** has softly rounded corners for a comfortable grip, while the 6-inch FHD+ display has minimal bezels, with an 85.9% screen-to-body ratio.
The camera system on the rear is composed of one 12.2MP wide and one 16MP ultra wide lens; a combination which is bolstered by the broad range of photography settings on board. Night Sight makes shooting in low light more accurate than ever, while HDR+ automatically enhances the colour in your images, and Portrait mode artfully blurs the background, keeping your subjects front and centre.
Another highlight on the Pixel 5 is Google Assistant, which can do far more than help you organise your day. With interpreter mode, Google Assistant can translate text and speech in real-time, ideal if you’re adventuring overseas. This latest edition can also sense if you’ve been in car accident when you’re on the road, and help you to call 999, even if your phone is out of reach.
Huawei P40 Pro
Highlights: 6.58-inch Full HD display, quad-lens 50MP+40MP+12MP+3D Depth Sensing rear camera, 4,100 mAh battery, 158.2 x 72.6 x 9mm, 209g.
The premium device in the P40 series, the Huawei P40 Pro offers a spectacular viewing experience, with a Full HD 6.58-inch Overflow Display and 90Hz refresh rate that transforms streaming, scrolling and more. This handset is surrounded by a bevelled edge to ensure ergonomic comfort, and a fingerprint scanner is integrated directly into the screen, to make unlocking the device as simple as possible.
If camera-tech is a priority for you, the Huawei P40 Pro is an excellent choice, with an Ultra Vision Leica Quad Camera system that incorporates four lenses, including a 50MP SuperSensing main camera and a 40MP Cine camera lens, which is perfect for nailing panoramic landscapes. There are plenty of videography features to explore too, such as Ultra Low-Light video and Ultra Slow-Motion video recording, and with a 5G connection, you can share your footage in an instant once you’ve finished editing.
This premium device has been designed for intuitive navigation, and several of its minor features revolve around this sense of convenience. Face Unlock uses the front camera to recognise you, and grant you quick access to your data, while SuperCharge takes the time spent plugged in and powering up to a minimum. Huawei has even included its own smart assistant – Celia – on EMUI 10.1, to help you simplify your everyday tasks.
Whether you’re hoping to upgrade to a flagship device or looking for something midrange – you’ll find great SIM-free and contract deals on iPhone and Android handsets here at e2save.