Best Smartphones of 2021!

Best Smartphones of 2021!

This video is sponsored by MediaTek.
Learn more about MediaTek:
https://www.mediatek.com/

Read our full article here: https://pocketnow.com/pocketnow-awards-best-smartphones-of-2021

Ah 2021. The year we all thought would be a full-on back to normal, only to get a watered down version of 2020, and matched with weird variant names, and then the unheard-of concept of a chip shortage. We saw some products sort of die, RIP Galaxy Note, we also saw some companies exit the game all together, RIP LG, and then we saw some weird moves we’re still trying to figure out, I’m looking at you, OnePlus. Yup, it’s been an interesting year to say the least, but at the same time, I also think it’s been the best year for smartphones.

I called 2020 a year of refinement where companies even embraced the mid ranger a bit more, but 2021 was kind of a different animal. I’d call it more a year of maturity. A lot of the products we saw before as nice gimmicks have now evolved to become trustworthy products, up to the point where it’s made us debate if what we’ve known as a flagship is actually the best you can buy. It almost feels like a transition year, so our list for the best of the best got even more interesting. I’m Jaime Rivera with Pocketnow and these are our top picks for smartphones of 2021, sponsored by MediaTek.

#Pocketnow #BestSmartphoneAwards

0:00 – Intro
1:40 – Best Budget Smartphone That Offered 5G
2:21 – Best Camera
3:22 – Best Conventional Flagship
4:36 – Best Design
5:57 – Best Mid-Ranger
7:08 – Best Value
8:10 – Best Compact Smartphone
8:58 – Best All-Rounder
10:00 – Best of the Best
11:36 – Conclusion

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50 Comments

  1. Moon Walk on January 6, 2022 at 3:41 pm

    You now my favourite pocketnow for choosing Samsung and being honest unlike other YouTubers who just chose apple to get likes



  2. gadget man on January 6, 2022 at 3:41 pm

    That’s joke



  3. Oa Estrada on January 6, 2022 at 3:43 pm

    What watch are you wearing Jaime.



  4. Gino Guillermo on January 6, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    So, here a question. What smartphone in 2021 under $500/£500/€500 (apart from an iPhone or an old Pixel) has the most accurate front and selfie camera photo quality in terms of skin tones and dynamic range? I will wait. Cheers.



  5. laroka24 on January 6, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    I love my fold 3



  6. hamid b on January 6, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    I love my 13 mini. Battery life is great ( I had 12 pro last year) no drop off. And perfectly sized for 95% of the time. I just don’t want a “phablet” and I hate the trend. Seriously a 5.4 inch screen was a Samsung note like 5 years ago. The 13promax is absolute bull. I have an iPad when I want to watch a movie so meh.



  7. ikbal Uddin on January 6, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    All my 4 phones made the list lol



  8. JohnRey Pines on January 6, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    The Z-flip is the definition of "Pocketnow" daily. 😅🙈



  9. A D on January 6, 2022 at 3:52 pm

    Well, I took your recommendation on the Z Fold 3 because Best Buy has it for $999 and so far, I’m loving it.



  10. Raymond Long on January 6, 2022 at 3:52 pm

    I’m glad this isn’t the Samsung awards!!!! Thanks Jaime!!!!



  11. Errick Kitchin on January 6, 2022 at 3:53 pm

    Watching this on my slate black S21 Ultra. I pre-ordered this phone, got it in January, and have loved it ever since.



  12. nuyou21 on January 6, 2022 at 3:54 pm

    Face it, there’s only one true winner and that’s Apple who laughs all the way to the bank every year at the so-called competition. 😁



  13. Jerome Gold on January 6, 2022 at 3:57 pm

    Great content. You think samsung was the best this year, just wait for 2022. There gonna knock it out of the park. Have a happy new year 🎉



  14. Different Perspective on January 6, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    Yep fold 3 definitely the best of 21



  15. SamPle Tek on January 6, 2022 at 3:59 pm

    I feel like your picks are valid and reasons were better than MKBHD’s 2021 picks.



  16. Aubrey Beauford on January 6, 2022 at 4:00 pm

    I completely agree with each category. Well done 👏



  17. Marasa on January 6, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    I agree 🙌



  18. vishal achari on January 6, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    Awesome …watching on my ZFold 3



  19. Prokelley1992 on January 6, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    We need to know why you chose the S21 Ultra as having the best camera when every other reviewer clearly stated that the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s camera and Google Pixel 6 Pro’s camera produced higher quality shots and videos….. I mean..at this point..you might as well just change your username to SamsungNow at this point 😂😂😂



  20. Andy Finkbohner on January 6, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    What watch are you wearing?



  21. Chee hwee Ong on January 6, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    S 21ultra should be all rounder champion !



  22. TheRover951 on January 6, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    ProMax🔥



  23. sein farage on January 6, 2022 at 4:05 pm

    Awesome video n happy new year from Sénégal



  24. Ricky Aus on January 6, 2022 at 4:07 pm

    A very Happy New Year to you all 🙏🎊🎉🤞 Also Fold 3 is such a hot 🔥 looking device.



  25. Mr. X on January 6, 2022 at 4:08 pm

    iPhone 📱 is the best phone ever!



  26. Dan bish on January 6, 2022 at 4:09 pm

    👍 agree . To me the Fold is the real new note. As for me the top Dogg is the S21 ultra . It just fixes everything the S20 Ultra failed at.



  27. 2011Kestrel on January 6, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    I’ll miss LG, but not much – LG had not offered many of their phones in Canada for years. I’d have to import one, which would make an already expensive phone even more costly. And forget about “try before you buy”.

    I’m currently using a Samsung phone because I couldn’t buy the LG phone I wanted.



  28. Dom Larry on January 6, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    google pixel phones 📱 👌



  29. Awar Bamerni on January 6, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    May HTC and LG rest in peace



  30. D.T. on January 6, 2022 at 4:11 pm

    Was really looking forward to a new Blackberry this year.



  31. Benokan Ruzgar on January 6, 2022 at 4:12 pm

    Dissapointing to not to see any Sony phones on your list.

    Put camera aside (sony most probably has the best, optically and by sensor size), but even as an aspect ratio of 21:9, Sony’s phones are the best when "single hand use" is a criteria. And yes, you have "best mini phone" criteria, which I think Sony Xperia 5 III would fit in.



  32. BKDon718 on January 6, 2022 at 4:13 pm

    I agree with the number one pick. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is an all round beast



  33. Dany Talks Music on January 6, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    I’m guessing there’s no mention of xiaomi or real me due to the lack of support in the US…



  34. Vinay Koushik on January 6, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    I would give samsung as the best camera phone when they clean the delay in lens transition



  35. Jay White on January 6, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    My favourite phone of 2021 is the iPhone 13 Pro Max



  36. Moon Walk on January 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    Samsung is king



  37. BostonHooligan08 on January 6, 2022 at 4:21 pm

    FYI, in Florida it’s back to normal.



  38. Alvee One on January 6, 2022 at 4:21 pm

    Funny how Samsung seems to be the best innovator this year and this is the first year I don’t have one. I need that 1440p screen and only the S21 Ultra has it. It’s too big! Samsung! Please bring back 1440p in smaller phones again! 🙏



  39. Ԁяєɰp904 on January 6, 2022 at 4:21 pm

    LOVING MY Z FOLD 3!!!



  40. Sr H on January 6, 2022 at 4:25 pm

    Which one do you choose from that selection, Jaime?



  41. Kai-Ryzma Canvas on January 6, 2022 at 4:25 pm

    Nobody thought 2021 was going to be "back to normal" but in some places I damn near was but as long as the Craccine is being used as a tool of division and eugenics things will be an up and down rollercoaster



  42. Matthew Lemmers on January 6, 2022 at 4:26 pm

    Don’t even need to watch the video to know that most of the devices are either Samsung or Apple. Probably not even going to mention any of the devices from the competition.



  43. Aman Chaturvedi on January 6, 2022 at 4:27 pm

    in midrange category, def oneplusnord2 did it’s best in India by burning itself in your hands🌞



  44. eder oliveira on January 6, 2022 at 4:29 pm

    Kkkkkk



  45. asdf on January 6, 2022 at 4:29 pm

    1) Fold3
    2) S21 Ultra
    3) Mi 11 Ultra

    Samsung king of Innovation and most valuable brand of the year, Mi for most VFM flagship



  46. bad65dad on January 6, 2022 at 4:30 pm

    Yes I love how you did this review I feel it was very true I do have the Z fold 3 I was moved how good it is after having note phones many years. It’s a beast on Android 12 beta.



  47. Workaholic on January 6, 2022 at 4:30 pm

    We love your summary!



  48. Decan Frost on January 6, 2022 at 4:30 pm

    i still have my note 10+



  49. Jerry Berglund on January 6, 2022 at 4:34 pm

    Sony Xperia Pro-I is definitely best phone this year. Sony Xperia’s the most underrated phones if the year. Sony Xperia 5 III is a darn compact she almost as wide as Sonys older compact-line. Definitely should be mention in the compact honourable mentions.



  50. NtoTheU on January 6, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    I agree. I got the Z fold 3. It’s a game changer and it’s now going to be hard to go back to a normal phone! I’ve got an excellent deal too so it’s not so much more expensive than other top range flagship phones