With Valentine's Day less than a week away, if you are still on the hunt for a gift to give your significant other, not only are smartphones readily available, but they are also some of the best gifts to give because of their involvement in most of our day-to-day lives. Though the sheer number of devices makes picking the best option quite the task, so to help you out, here is our guide on which smartphone to buy for the occasion.
If you are looking to get a smartwatch for your girlfriend or wife, make sure to visit our Smartwatch Gift Guide for this Valentine's Day.
Best from Apple: iPhone 13 Pro
Source: Pocketnow
Buying an iPhone is never that complex of a decision to make as not only is the upgrade experience streamlined, but there is always only one top-tier model to get. Hence, if you want a no-compromise device, the iPhone 13 Pro is the perfect option, more so if your significant other's current phone is on its last legs.
To brief you on its features, the iPhone 13 Pro ships with a high-refresh-rate display and the largest battery Apple has ever packaged into the chassis of its 6.1-inch phone. The cameras have also improved to capture brighter images due to the larger sensor sizes. So be it content consumption, business, or playing games, the 13 Pro will not sweat.
If you wish to have a larger canvas, you can also consider upgrading to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which offers the same feature set with a larger screen and consequently a larger battery.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
With the iPhone 13 Pro, users can expect great images and performance that will keep them satisfied for years. It features a 6.1-inch display and ships with the best SoC on the market, the A15 Bionic.
Best from Samsung: Galaxy Z Flip 3 or Galaxy S21 Ultra
Source: Pocketnow
Samsung is an OEM that is hard to ignore on any best options list. So if your significant other is a smartphone power user, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the smartphone to get for its large battery and display that makes multitasking an easy thing to do. The 2021 flagship SoC, Snapdragon 888, will also ensure that the phone does not slouch in the years to come. And the Korean OEM is one of those who feature one of the best software update policies as of recent years.
But if you are looking for a phone that is more of a fashion statement and forward-looking, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the smartphone to keep in your eyesight. Its foldable form factor and capable hardware make for a smartphone that is easy to handle and use daily.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
Powered by the Snapdragon 888, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a no-holdback foldable flagship that features a good 120Hz OLED panel that gets bright enough for outdoor use and a camera system that can produce acceptable results, all while managing to look great on the outside.
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a robust set of cameras and a variety of special modes that leave in your hands the ability to capture moments in more than one way. It also packs the Snapdragon 888 that will ensure uncompromised performance.
Best Bang for the Buck: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Source: Pocketnow
The Galaxy S21 FE came out later than most of us would have anticipated, but it is here and at $699 — while not as inexpensive as other midrange devices — it offers some of the best value and a great bang for your buck if you wish to buy a phone from Samsung. The cameras are great for nighttime shots and compete with the best when capturing images in daylight, while the Snapdragon 888 will keep it running full throttle in any game or app your throw at it.
It is available in four colors, including muted Graphite, classic White, and a fun Lavender that can be the perfect choice for many. Its display is also a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Galaxy S20 FE. And its overall package makes it highly comparable to the Google Pixel 6 featured next in this list.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
The latest fan edition from Samsung offers a robust package of hardware that includes a 120Hz display, Snapdragon 888, and a triple camera array capable of capturing great shots.
If you decide to buy this device, we recommend visiting our Best Cases Guide for Galaxy S21 FE to ensure it has protection from any possible damage.
Best for Added Convenience: Google Pixel 6 Series
Source: Pocketnow
If you have found your partner delving into smart home technology and have seen them getting excited about software features, the Google Pixel 6 Series is one of the best lineups to consider. With AI-based features like Text-to-Speech, Call Screening, Magic Eraser, and many others, the convenience that these devices add to one's life can become irreplaceable.
Apart from this aspect, Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro offer great build quality and some of the best hardware combinations. The camera prowess on this lineup has invigorated with new hardware, and the images you capture will continue to blow the minds of those who would expect them to be from a dedicated camera.
Note: The Pixel 6 Pro has made its way into several articles because of the bugs affecting the user experience. Your mileage may vary in this aspect, but make sure to keep this in mind.
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Googe Pixel 6
The Google Pixel 6 is the device to get if you're looking for something that will provide a reliable Android user experience with most of the bells and whistles found in premium Android flagships.
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pixel 6 pro
If you're someone who prefers the smartphone to remove complexity from a shot and give you the best possible result, the Pixel 6 Pro features a camera configuration suited to do just that. It uses a triple camera array of a 50MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 48MP telephoto camera.
Check out Pocketnow's guides on the best cases for Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro to make sure the new phones have security against accidents.
Best Compact Phone: iPhone 13 mini
Source: Pocketnow
If compact smartphones are up the alley of the person who you plan to buy the phone for, the iPhone 13 mini is the best device and, in most cases, the only one to consider on the market.
It features Apple's flagship A15 Bionic SoC and camera hardware that shares several aspects with the iPhone 13 Pro. Battery life — a gripe for owners of its predecessor — has also been improved to the point that it lasts a whole day before you would find yourself looking for a plug point.
iphone 13 mini
The iPhone 13 mini is the best compact phone of 2021 due to its impeccable performance and battery life. Its camera system is also one that doesn't fall short of any of its competitors.
Best Mid-range: Google Pixel 5a or Samsung Galaxy A52
If you're on a strict budget, the Google Pixel 5a is a great alternative to the Pixel 6. It features a processor from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 765G, and grants access to a similar set of software features that are responsible for the added convenience of Google's flagship lineup.
The Samsung Galaxy A52 is an alternative to Pixel 5a if the person you're buying the phone for is comfortable with Samsung's take on Android. While its feature set won't blow you out of the water, its hardware does have an essence of reliability and capability that will keep the receiver satisfied.
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Pixel 5a
The Google Pixel 5a is an alternative to the Pixel 6 that's perfect to get if your budget doesn't extend any further. It grants access to the competitive Google camera algorithm and efficient plus reliable performance due to its Snapdragon 765G.
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Galaxy A52
The Galaxy A52 is a device with mid-range specs that won't blow anyone away but if you're looking for an experience that remains steady, this phone is the one to get. The device's key features are its great display, above-average battery life, and a build that's hard to dislike.
This marks the end of our best smartphones to buy for him or her this Valentine's Day. If you have some other devices in mind that you think are worth considering, let us know in the comment section below.