Mobility

Photos: The best smartphones for tech experts in 2019

By // February 21, 2019, 9:00 AM PST

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  • 1. iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max

    There are a number of impressive phones on the market this year, but these are the ones tech and business professionals should pay attention to.

    The iPhone XS and XS Max are Apple's most powerful iPhones yet. So for techies who are already Apple fans, upgrading to the iPhone XS is a no brainer. Both the XS and the XS Max have two 12-Mp rear cameras and a 7-Mp rear camera. With OLED displays and A12 Bionic processors, both phones present incredible augmented reality (AR) functionality. The main difference between the XS and the XS Max is the size (the XS is 5.8", while the XS Max is 6.5") so for techies wanting a larger display, opt for the XS Max.

    Buy one here.

    SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

  • 2. Samsung Galaxy Note 9

    The Galaxy Note 9 was Samsung's flagship phone before the S10. With a 6.4" edge-to-edge display, a 4,000mAh battery, and storage options beginning at 128GB, this phone packs quite the punch. For business users, the storage space is particularly useful for holding necessary documents and projects on the device. Additionally, techies may love the S Pen, a Bluetooth-connected smart stylus that allows you to control your phone from afar.

    Check it out here.

    SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

  • 3. iPhone XR

    The iPhone XR is Apple's less expensive version of the XS--great for Apple lovers who want an Apple device but don't need advanced functionality. This version has a 6.1" LCD display with Liquid Retina Display, but has the same 12-MP wide camera as the iPhone X.

    Grab one here.

    SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Image: ZDNet

  • 4. Samsung Galaxy S9

    The S9 has a 5.8" display, with tiny bezels and an 8-Mp front camera. Unlike the iPhone, the Galaxy S9 has both Face ID and fingerprint scanning, making it easier for users to unlock their phones. Techies would especially be excited about the display being notchless--a pet peeve for many users.

    Order one here.

    SEE: BYOD (bring-your-own-device) policy template download(Tech Pro Research)

    Image: Josh Miller/CNET

  • 5. Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

    The Google Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL are the most popular Android phones on the market. The 5.5" Pixel 3 and 6.3" Pixel 3 XL are almost identical, barring their physical size and battery size. Both phones feature louder speakers than their predecessors, a combination glossy and matte exterior, artificial-intelligence (AI)-powered cameras, AR capabilities, and a Google Titan security chip. Any Android techie would adore this device, as it's arguably Android's most advanced smartphone yet.

    Snag one here.

    SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Image: Google

  • 6. OnePlus 6T

    For techies on a budget, the OnePlus 6T is one of the best smartphones you can get for the price. Starting at $549, the OnePlus 6T maintains many of the flagship phone's specs: Snapdragon 845 processor, large AMOLED display, big battery, and dual cameras. It even has an in-display fingerprint reader, face ID unlock, and a tiny notch. While it isn't waterproof and takes a little longer to charge, the phone is a steal for the features it does have.

    Buy one here.

    SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Image: ZDNet

  • 7. Huawei P20

    Huawei phones aren't available in the US, but foreign techies can and should definitely take advantage. The Huawei P20 was meant to rival the Samsung S9, and is probably most attractive to professionals because of its impressive camera. With a 12-MP dual Leica camera and a hybrid optical-digital zoom, the phone uses machine learning to take the best photo across nearly 500 different scenes. The P20 is able to capture an image in 0.3 seconds, and features six new scenery detection functions that use predictive focus and intelligent motion detection.

    Get yours here.

    SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Image: Andrew Hoyle/CNET

  • 8. Nokia 7.1

    The Nokia 7.1 is very similar to the OnePlus 6T--and comes in at $200 cheaper. However, the Nokia 7.1 doesn't have as many advanced features as the OnePlus 6T. This device has a 5.8" screen, dual 12-megapixel cameras, Android One support, and a headphone jack. While performance can be sluggish, a techie looking for a less expensive device will definitely still get their money's worth.

    Buy one here.

    SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Image: Josh Miller/CNET

  • 9. Moto G6

    Motorola's Moto G6 may be the best of all the more inexpensive smartphone options. At only $199, the Moto G6 has all the basics a techie would want: HD display, dual rear cameras, and fingerprint sensor. It's simple, but effective, with a 3,000 mAh battery and Android 8.0 Oreo.

    Order one here.

    SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Image: Motorola

  • 10. Huawei Mate 20 Pro

    The Huawei Mate 20 is great option for international users who don't mind spending a pretty penny. This device has an in-screen fingerprint scanner, triple cameras, and supports HDR10. The front camera is 24MP, making for some high-quality selfies and easy 3D Face Unlock. With fast charging and great battery life, this phone is great for a techie doing work on the go.

    Purchase one here.

    Image: Sandra Vogel/ZDNet

  • 11. Galaxy S10, S10 Plus

    Samsung's latest flagship devices are the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus. The S10 has a 6.1-inch display, three rear cameras, and one front facing camera. The S10 Plus is only slightly bigger, with a 6.4-inch screen, as well as a higher-capacity battery. The Plus also features a second 8-megapixel front-facing camera, totaling five cameras total. The phones have a tiny hole cut out for the camera lens, which is more attractive to many than the huge notches in Apple's latest smartphones. The phones start at $900.

    Pre-order here.

    Image: Sara Tew/CNET

  • 12. Galaxy S10E

    Comparable to the iPhone XR, the Galaxy S10E is the less expensive version of Samsung's latest flagship phone. A little smaller than the S10, the S10E has a 5.8-inch display and a smaller-capacity 3,100-mAh battery. The phone has only three cameras total--one forward-facing and two rear--and starts at $750.

    Pre-order here.

    Also see

    Image: Sara Tew/CNET

1. iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max

There are a number of impressive phones on the market this year, but these are the ones tech and business professionals should pay attention to.

The iPhone XS and XS Max are Apple's most powerful iPhones yet. So for techies who are already Apple fans, upgrading to the iPhone XS is a no brainer. Both the XS and the XS Max have two 12-Mp rear cameras and a 7-Mp rear camera. With OLED displays and A12 Bionic processors, both phones present incredible augmented reality (AR) functionality. The main difference between the XS and the XS Max is the size (the XS is 5.8", while the XS Max is 6.5") so for techies wanting a larger display, opt for the XS Max.

Buy one here.

SEE: Smartphones and Mobile Tech (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

Related Topics:

Mobility Hardware Security Software Apple Android Google

By Macy Bayern

Macy Bayern is an Associate Staff Writer for TechRepublic. A recent graduate from the University of Texas at Austin's Liberal Arts Honors Program, Macy covers tech news and trends.