The best smartphones of September

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

• Display: LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 6.7 inches, 2796×129 pixels.
• CPU: Apple A16 Bionic.
• Camera: main – 48 MP (main) + 12 MP (telephoto) + 12 MP (ultra wide angle) + TOF 3D LiDAR (depth sensor); frontal – 12 MP + SL 3D (depth sensor and biometric sensor).
• Memory: 6/128 GB, 6/256 GB, 6/512 GB, 6/1024 GB.
• Battery: 4 323 mAh.
• System: iOS 16.

One of the main differences between the Pro versions of the new smartphone was a screen with a hole instead of a notch. Apple is the first to use this technology, although it has long been used by Android device manufacturers.

The dark area that hides the cutout in the center is called the Dynamic Island. Its size changes when new notifications arrive – notifications, player control buttons and other interface elements are displayed there.

Another advantage of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max is the all-new A16 Bionic processor, which consumes 20% less power than the previous generation of Apple chips. In addition, smartphones are equipped with new cameras with high-definition telephoto and improved flash.

The prices are as follows:

• iPhone 14 Pro: from $999 (≈ 57,500 rubles);
• iPhone 14 Pro Max: from $1,099 (≈ 63,200 rubles).

Motorola Edge 30 Ultra

• Display: P‑OLED, 6.67 inches, 2400 × 1080 pixels.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1.
• Camera: main – 200 MP (main) + 12 MP (telephoto) + 50 MP (ultra wide-angle); front – 60 MP.
• Memory: 8/128 GB, 8/256 GB, 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB.
• Battery: 4 610 mAh.
• System: Android 12.

Motorola’s new flagship will be of interest to fans of mobile photography. This is the world’s first smartphone with a resolution of the main camera module of 200 megapixels. It is based on the Samsung ISOCELL HP1 sensor, which combines 16 pixels into one to produce 12.5MP shots. The sensor is complemented by optical image stabilization and allows you to record 8K video at up to 30 frames per second.

Also in the camera block, consisting of three modules, includes a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens and a Sony IMX663 telephoto camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels. It supports 2x optical zoom without losing quality. The front camera of the smartphone is based on a 60-megapixel OmniVision OV60a sensor, which will allow you to take bright and high-quality selfies with high definition.

Another feature of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is 50W fast wireless charging. The smartphone is not only able to charge in half an hour, but can also power other gadgets from its case, such as wireless headphones.

The device comes in Interstellar Black (black) and Starlight White (white). The starting price is 900 euros (≈ 54,000 rubles).

Huawei Mate 50 Pro

• Display: OLED, 6.74 inches, 2616 × 1212 pixels.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1.
• Camera: main – 50 MP (main) + 64 MP (periscopic telephoto lens) + 13 MP (ultra wide-angle); frontal – 13 MP (main) + TOF 3D (depth sensor and biometric sensor).
• Memory: 8/256 GB, 8/512 GB, NM card slot up to 256 GB.
• Battery: 4 700 mAh.
• System: Android 13 (EMUI 13) or (HarmonyOS 3.0).

Top flagship with a 6.74-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a set of selfie camera and biometric sensor in the “bangs”.

The smartphone will definitely appeal to photographers. Its triple camera on the back includes a 50MP Sony IMX766 main module that captures high-definition pictures. It is complemented by a 13MP wide-angle Sony IMX688 and a 64MP OmniVision OV64B periscope.

These modules allow you to record video with optical stabilization, minimizing hand shake during shooting. In addition, a 3.5x optical zoom is supported without loss of quality, and with digital zoom – when the picture is completed by a neural network – you can generally zoom in on objects in the viewfinder by 200 times.

The 4,700 mAh battery supports fast wireless and reverse charging, which allows you to not only power your smartphone without a cable, but also recharge other devices like headphones and watches from it. The case complies with the IP68 standard – the gadget is protected from accidental splashes of water, dust and raindrops, and can also withstand short-term immersion in water. There is NFC for contactless payment.

The rates are as follows:

• 8/256 GB – 6,799 yuan (≈ 59,600 rubles);
• 8/512 GB – 7,799 yuan (≈ 68,300 rubles).

Xiaomi Civi 2

• Display: AMOLED, 6.55 inches, 2400 × 1080 pixels.
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen1.
• Camera: main – 50 MP (main) + 12 MP (ultra wide-angle) + 2 MP (macro camera); front – 32 MP (main) + 32 MP (ultra wide-angle).
• Memory: 8/128 GB, 8/256 GB, 12/256 GB.
• Battery: 4 500 mAh.
• System: Android 12 (MIUI 13).

One of the lightest and thinnest Xiaomi devices – the thickness of the case is only 7.23 mm and weighs 171.8 g. The main feature of the smartphone is the display with a Dynamic Island-style cutout on the iPhone 14 Pro.

The elongated hole housed two 32 MP selfie cameras – the main one and a wide-angle (100 °). They have a special coating that reduces flare and ghosting when shooting portraits, and the built-in neural network improves the texture and color of the skin of people in the viewfinder.

The main camera is triple, with sensors of 50 MP (Sony IMX766, OIS), 20 MP (wide-angle, Sony IMX376K) and 2 MP (macro). This trio does a great job of capturing high-definition video and producing bright, crisp photos, though the Civi’s low-light shot quality is a bit lame.

The filling is the sub-flagship Snapdragon 7 Gen1 chip, which is more than enough for all modern games and programs. It is complemented by 8 or 12 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of internal memory. There is NFC for contactless payment.

Xiaomi Civi 2 will cost from 2,399 yuan (≈ 19,500 rubles).

Xiaomi Poco M5

• Display: IPS LCD, 6.58 inches, 2408 × 1080 pixels.
• CPU: MediaTek Helio G99.
• Camera: main – 50 MP (main) + 2 MP (macro camera) + 2 MP (depth sensor); frontal – 5 megapixels.
• Memory: 4/64 GB, 4/128 GB, 6/128 GB, microSDXC card slot.
• Battery: 5000 mAh
• System: Android 12 (MIUI 13).

Inexpensive smartphone from the Poco series. Its main camera of 50 MP is complemented by a macro module and a depth sensor of 2 MP each, which allows you to take good clear pictures. The heart of the device is the new Helio G99 processor, which is the first in the series to be made using a 6-nanometer process technology. The chip provides good performance at an affordable price, and it will be enough for all more or less modern games and applications.

The smartphone is equipped with a maximum of 6 GB of RAM. The storage capacity is up to 128 GB, you can add more space with microSD cards. The 5,000 mAh battery supports fast charging, and it is enough for two days of using the device in normal mode.

The back panel of the smartphone is plastic, with a skin-like texture. Three colors are available: yellow, green and black. The prices are as follows:

• 4/64 GB – 189 euros (≈ 11,400 rubles);
• 4/128 GB – 209 euros (≈ 12,600 rubles);
• 6/128 GB – 229 euros (≈ 13,800 rubles).

Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G

• Display: IPS LCD, 6.58 inches, 2408 × 1080 pixels.
• CPU: MediaTek Dimension 700.
• Camera: main – 50 MP (main) + 2 MP (macro camera); frontal – 5 megapixels.
• Memory: 4/64 GB, 4/128 GB, 6/128 GB, microSDXC card slot.
• Battery: 5000 mAh
• System: Android 12 (MIUI 13).

Another budget smartphone equipped with a 6.58-inch Full HD + display. On the back is a 50-megapixel main module and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The quality of the pictures, of course, is not the same as that of the previous photo flagships, but for such a price the pictures are decent – bright and juicy.

Inside the device is a Dimensity 700 chip that runs most games and applications – unless, of course, you get carried away with heavy shooters with fancy 3D graphics. It is equipped with 4 or 6 GB of RAM, the storage capacity is 64 and 128 GB.

The devices were equipped with a USB Type‑C connector, a 3.5 mm headphone port and an IR transmitter. The latter allows you to control almost any equipment in the house: TV, air conditioning, fan, extractor hood, in general, everything that can be controlled from the remote control.

The battery capacity is 5,000 mAh, it will be enough for a couple of days of using the smartphone in normal mode. The fingerprint scanner is located on the side, in the power button.

The price of Redmi 11 Prime 5G starts at Rs 13,999 (≈ 10,800 rubles).

Tecno Pova Neo 2

• Display: IPS LCD, 6.7 inches, 1640 × 720 pixels.
• CPU: MediaTek Helio G85.
• Camera: main – 16 MP (main) + TOF 3D (depth sensor); front – 8 MP.
• Memory: 4/64 GB, 4/128 GB, 6/128 GB, microSDXC card slot.
• Battery: 7000 mAh
• System: Android 12 (HIOS 8.6).

This budget smartphone boasts a very capacious battery – 7000 mAh. Without recharge, it can work two full days with normal use, or up to 31 hours of continuous talk time.

The display of the smartphone is quite large – 6.82 inches, the resolution is 1640 × 720 pixels. In the hole at the top is an 8MP selfie camera. The main camera consists of a 16-megapixel sensor, a depth sensor and an LED flash. You won’t get high-quality pictures from this device, but it can take a simple portrait or take a picture of a document.

Filling – MediaTek Helio G85 with 4 or 6 GB of RAM. RAM can be expanded up to 11 GB using Memory Fusion technology, when the system “pinches off” some of the built-in memory in favor of RAM.

The drive has a capacity of 64 or 128 GB. In addition, there is support for microSD memory cards up to 512 GB, which will fit an impressive collection of music or videos.

Tecno Pova Neo 2 is available at a price of 11,990 rubles for version 4 + 64 GB and 13,990 rubles for 6 + 128 GB.