Sometimes having a top-of-the-range model may not be enough- anyone looking for the fastest and most functional smartphones will always have their eyes on smartphones with the best processors, right?
The highlight among the most powerful mobile CPUs is always inevitably connected to the latest chip available from Qualcomm on the Snapdragon line. But it’s equally interesting to see how the “war” of “mobile” processors comes into play whenever a new top-tier comes out of Huawei, Apple, and Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy S10, S10e, S10 + and S10 5G
- Processor– Snapdragon 855
- Memory RAM– from 8/12 GB
- Storage: from 128/512 GB
- Battery– 4,100 mAh
- Screen: 6.4 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: from 1029 €
Samsung introduced 4 versions of the Galaxy S10; we have the Galaxy S10, S10e, S10 + and S10 5G. They all have exciting features like the Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED display with HDR10 +, PowerShare, Samsung One, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and a Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 processor.
The S10 and S10 Plus have three chambers in the rear, a 12MP primary sensor, a 12MP telephoto lens, and a new ultra-wide 16MP lens. Other impressive specifications are the 1 TB base storage and the 12 GB of RAM.
Samsung Fold
- Processor– Snapdragon 855
- Memory RAM– 12 GB
- Storage– from 512 GB
- Battery– 4.380 mAh
- Screen– 4.6 to 7.3 inches
- Operating system– Android 9
- Price– should be around 2000 €
The new Samsung Galaxy Fold requires full attention with a folding display that can turn a 4.6 “smartphone into a tablet with a 7.3” screen. The “hybrid” features a hinged system, a Super AMOLED 4.6-inch screen, and an internal Infinity Flex QXGA + Dynamic AMOLED display.
Galaxy Fold’s starting price is expected to be around € 2000, and it will be launched in April 2019.
Huawei Mate 20 Pro
- Processor: Hisilicon Kirin 980
- Memory RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Battery: 4.200 mAh
- Screen: 6.39 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: € 779
The Kirin 980 processor, Huawei’s most powerful and fastest processor to date. Integrated is a neural system, the “engine” of all the functionalities of artificial intelligence of the smartphone.
But apart from the processor, what else stands out in Mate 20 Pro? Above all the rest we have already presented here at 4gnews, attention has been paid to the on-screen fingerprint sensor, the 4,200 mAh battery, and the triple main camera system, for example.
Huawei P30 Pro
- Processor: Hisilicon Kirin 980
- Memory RAM: 6/8 GB
- Storage: 128/256/512 GB
- Battery: 4.200 mAh
- Screen: 6.47 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: from 999 €
The P30 Pro defines Huawei but also sets a new standard for the entire smartphone industry. The four rear chambers are simply amazing, the design is attractive and the performance is excellent. It is a true top of the range.
The Chinese manufacturer declares “war” on competitors, by deploying four cameras in the gadget, and tries to “rewrite digital photography”.
Apple iPhone Xs and Xs Max
- Processor: Apple A12 Bionic
- Memory RAM: from 4 GB
- Storage: from 64 GB
- Battery: from 2.658 mAh
- Screen: from 5.8 inches
- Operating system: iOS 12
- Price: from 1,179 euros
The Apple iPhone XS Max brings us innovative features that make it an excellent choice for any type of use. Its thickness of only 7.7 millimeters makes it one of the finest mobile phones on the market.
It’s an upgrade to its predecessor, iPhone X, with an improved processor, battery capacity and significant improvement at the screen level. In conjunction with iOS, Apple’s system, make this smartphone a top machine.
Xiaomi Mi 9
- Processor– Snapdragon 855
- Memory RAM– 6/8 GB
- Storage: from 64/128 GB
- Battery – 3,300 mAh
- Screen: 6.3 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: from 450 €
Xiaomi launched the Mi 9 in February 2019. This is the first smartphone that includes three rear cameras, and the main camera uses the latest Sony IMX586 48MP sensor.
The Mi 9 gets better pictures than market models, in almost every situation. The Explorer Edition version of this well-equipped Xiaomi goes even further and presents us with a “transparent” back.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G
- Processor: Snapdragon 855
- Memory RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: from 64/128 GB
- Battery – 3,800 mAh
- Screen: 6.3 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: from 599 €
The Mi Mix 3 5G is almost the same phone as the Mi Mix 3, released last year. It retains the same innovative design, dual rear camera, dual front camera, rear fingerprint scanner and button dedicated to Google Assistant.
However, there are important internal updates, including the Snapdragon 855 with the Qualcomm X50 modem for 5G connectivity.
Mi Mix 3 5G is released in Europe for € 599 in May 2019.
Xiaomi Black Shark 2
- Processor– Snapdragon 855
- Memory RAM: 6/8/12 GB
- Storage: from 128/256 GB
- Battery– 4,000 mAh
- Screen: 6.3 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: should be around € 500
Xiaomi announced the Black Shark 2 in April 2019, one year after the launch of the first generation. The gadget is associated and developed to gaming, with powerful hardware, fast loading, liquid cooling system.
In addition, it has some interesting features, such as a glossy logo on the back cover, embedded fingerprint sensor, dual rear camera of 48MP + 12MP and accessories for gamers.
Sony Xperia 1
- Processor: Snapdragon 855
- Memory RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: from 64/128 GB
- Battery– 3,330 mAh
- Screen– 6.5 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: from 999 €
Sony completely abandoned the XZ brand, instead, the Sony Xperia 1 was introduced. They redesigned the smartphone and opted for the trend.
The Xperia 1 is the world’s first smartphone equipped with an OLED 4K HDR display. In addition, it features the CinemaWide 21- 9 format and Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound. Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, as usual, and IP68 certified, for water resistance.
LG V50 ThinQ
- Processor– Snapdragon 855
- Memory RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Battery– 4,000 mAh
- Screen: 6.4 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: from 950 €
It was unveiled in February 2019; it is LG’s first 5G device. It features a 6.4-inch FullVision OLED screen and a triple rear camera configuration.
The most exciting feature of the V50 is the Dual Screen, which is LG’s alternative to the new foldable phone trend. It has been a contested design because it should not be much practice in our day-to-day life.
LG G8 ThinQ
- Processor– Snapdragon 855
- Memory RAM– 6 GB
- Storage– 128 GB
- Battery– 3.500 mAh
- Screen– 6.1 inches
- Operating system– Android 9
- Price– from 999 €
Launched in February 2019, it has a Z-chamber, which is a flight time chamber (ToF), for depth detection. It includes 3D facial recognition, Air Motion gesture instructions, without touching the phone you can perform specific pre-programmed actions, you can even examine the veins in your hand.
Triple rear camera, a Hi-Fi Quad DAC and a fingerprint sensor on the back of the device. It offers a technology known in the world of televisions, the OLED Crystal Sound, which will vibrate the glass surface to generate sound.
Smartphones with the predecessor Snapdragon 845
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
- Processor: Snapdragon 845
- Memory RAM: from 4 GB
- Storage: from 64 GB
- Battery: from 2.915 mAh
- Screen: from 5.8 inches
- Operating system: Android 9
- Price: from 700 euros
These are the “official” smartphones from Google, so the new Android 9 is one of the main highlights, as it could not fail to be. And Google pixel 3 and 3 XL also have the Snapdragon 845 processor.
Then the dual primary camera system is another attraction of these mobile phones, which are also shown with 5.5 and 6.3-inch screens, among other features worthy of the latest high-end devices.
Xiaomi Pocophone F1
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
- Memory RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: 64 GB
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Screen: 6.18 inches
- Operating system: Android 8.1
- Price: from 329 euros
Xiaomi is convinced by the price and its relationship to the specifications list of this fantastic Pocophone F1: 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage space and the Snapdragon 845 processor.
The 4,000 mAh battery is the other most prominent point in addition to the various ways to unlock the screen (facial recognition and fingerprint sensor), something that virtually every other smartphone in this article also includes — 6.18-inch screen, keeping the trend of screens above 6 inches.
Vivo Nex
- Processor: Snapdragon 845
- Memory RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Screen: 6.59 inches
- Operating system: Android 8.1
- Price: from 556 euros
On-screen fingerprint sensor, 4,000 mAh battery, 8 GB of RAM. Luxury looks to accompany the Snapdragon 845 processor. We also have a beautiful 6.59-inch AMOLED screen.
Vivo NEX is also a big brand bet on design, that’s for sure, to better follow the list of features of the gadget.
Oppo Find X
- Processor: Snapdragon 845
- Memory RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Battery: 3.730 mAh
- Screen: 6.42 inches
- Operating system: Android 8.1
- Price: from 739 euros
Once again, the 128 GB + 8 GB binomial team with Qualcomm’s fastest processor, the inevitable Snapdragon 845. And this makes Oppo Find X almost ready for any demanding multimedia task.
The battery is not the most “capable” of this batch of smartphones with the best processors of the moment, that’s for sure, but the 6.42-inch screen fits in nicely with a design that jumps in the eye at the very least.
Asus ROG Phone
- Processor: Snapdragon 845
- Memory RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: from 128 GB
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Screen: 6 inches
- Operating system: Android 8.1
- Price: from 1,094 euros
The other gaming model we have listed here for including the Snapdragon 845 processor is the Asus ROG Phone that the brand introduced a few weeks ago during the Comic Com festival in Lisbon and has for some time been the fastest Android smartphone in the world!
What is not lacking in this device are advanced technologies, as we know, but as important as the processor turns out to be the 4000 mAh battery, the 8 GB of RAM and the 6-inch screen with a resolution of 2,160 x 1,080. Gamers thank!
Recommendations in choosing a top of the range
- We know that the processor is important, but remember, just like on a computer, the other specifications also determine the performance of the device. If you are undecided between one model or another, you choose to rely on more RAM and more storage space, for example.
- The screen may be central to the decision, from our point of view. It all depends on the type of use that you want to give your smartphone, it’s true, but you can count on an “infinite” screen with excellent resolution and pixel density.
- There are smartphones that currently have CPU, RAM, and other high-end points, but then “disappoint” in other important aspects.
- If the primary purpose is to run the latest games for Android, it is equally crucial to choose a device with the best possible GPU. Here there is more variety at the level of the available chips, but, as a rule, the best models of each brand already contemplate this feature. Especially gaming gadget.
