Like the S21 Ultra, these phones take the flagship experience to the extreme
Apple iPhone 12
Pro Max
from £1099 / apple.comWhat’s the story?
For the most part, the iPhone 12 Pro Max
matches the iPhone 12 Pro: A14 Bionic
chip, 6GB of RAM, 5G. Where it differs
is in its outsize dimensions, larger OLED
display and superior camera system
that should show Apple’s ProRAW photo
format in the best light.Is it any good?
There’s no doubt the iPhone 12 Pro Max
is a quality iPhone – on paper, the best
Apple’s ever made. On that basis, it might
be the iPhone you want... but you have to
decide whether it’s the iPhone you need.
That will hinge on your level of comfort
with a device this size and your desire
for its deeply impressive camera system.
Anyway, as an upgrade from an iPhone XS
Max or older, it’ll have you grinning all day.KEY SPECS
Display 6.7in 2778x1284 OLED
Processor A14 Bionic RAM 6GB
Cameras 12+12+12MP rear, 12MP front
Battery 3687mAh
Dimensions 161x78x7.4mm, 228gOnePlus 8 Pro
£799 / oneplus.comWhat’s the story?
The 8 Pro may not be the hottest deal
OnePlus has ever put out, but with 5G
on board, a top display and decent spec
sheet, it’s an attractively priced flagship
that should still seem pretty fresh in
three years’ time. Provided you aren’t
desperate for great zoom, you get a solid
camera upgrade over the standard 8 plus
wireless charging and water-resistance.Is it any good?
OnePlus has got itself over an awkward
hump. Yes, you’re paying more than you
might be used to for the brand, but the
120Hz 1440p display and 5G give it more
longevity. Still, as OnePlus’s prices rise,
we have to be more critical about the bad
bits: rivals last longer between charges
and are better at taking photos of pets,
which these days is more important than
being able to make phone calls.KEY SPECS
Display 6.78in 3168x1440 OLED
Processor Snapdragon 865 RAM 12GB
Cameras 48+48+8MP rear, 16MP front
Battery 4510mAh
Dimensions 165x74x8.5mm, 199gOppo Find X2 Pro
from £900 / oppo.comWhat’s the story?
This is the fanciest phone Oppo has ever
made. It’s brilliant and bold, wrapped in
ceramic or vegan leather, and now costs
around £250 less than the Samsung
S21 Ultra. With a 120Hz display, a clever
camera system and features like 65W
fast charging, it absolutely belongs in the
same discussion as the top-end Androids
and Apples of this world.Is it any good?
This Oppo is as good as any flagship
phone out there. It looks great, feels
incredibly slick thanks to the 1440p
120Hz screen and has a camera that
lets you shoot close-ups of dogs without
stalking them. Oppo is a household name
in India and China; it remains a bit ‘cult’
here, but this is undoubtedly one of the
best Android options around – even if the
software needs tightening in a few areas.KEY SPECS
Display 6.7in 3168x1440 AMOLED
Processor Snapdragon 865 RAM 12GB
Cameras 48+13+48MP rear, 32MP front
Battery 4260mAh
Dimensions 165x74x9.5mm, 200gThe alternatives:
3 more big-screen blowers
Stuff says +++++
The only choice if you want to fully
Max your iPhone experienceStuff says ++++,
The cameras are merely decent, but
this is a sensible big-screen 5G buyStuff says +++++
Still one of the best Android phones
there is – and now much cheaperFIRST TEST SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 ULTRA 5GBEST FOR
PHOTO
TRICKSBEST FOR
STYLE &
SPECSBEST FOR
SAVING
DOSH