• The Snapdragon 888 5G SoC powers the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
• The cover screen's current maximum refresh rate is 120Hz.
• Battery life and camera performance in low light might be improved.

Google Pixel 7 is the best Android phone for most users. This category is challenging because the phone at the top of the list isn't always the one with the best features overall. However, due to its performance, features, and overall value for money, it's the greatest phone for the majority of users and the one that ordinary consumers should prioritise.

The recently announced Google Pixel 7 also wins this category, with prices starting at $599. The Pixel 7 has several key flagship features, including Google's second-generation silicon Tensor G2 and a flagship 50MP main camera, which when combined with Google's camera software prowess, makes for arguably the best main camera around. This is true even though it costs almost half as much as the typical flagship phone. 

You also get IP68 water resistance, a 6.3-inch OLED screen (slightly smaller than the Pixel 6's 6.4-inch), and a lovely, distinctive design with some extremely vibrant colours. Of course, there are trade-offs made to bring the price of this phone down, including the display's limited refresh rate (90Hz), the absence of a dedicated zoom lens, and the relatively slow wired and wireless charging.

 However, Google's UI optimization is so good that animations feel smoother than that anyway. But for those who want a phone that feels and looks like a flagship but costs half as much, these concessions are extremely simple to accept.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Snapdragon 888 5G SoC powers the Galaxy Z Fold 3. A quick pricing check first. In India, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage costs as little as Rs. 1,49,999. The pricing of the second edition, which has twice the storage (512GB) but the same amount of RAM, is Rs. 1,57,000.

 Although it has been released in three colours around the world, Indian users can only choose from Phantom Black at the time of this review. There is no denying that this phone is costly. However, there's a chance you might have received discounts and extra perks like Samsung Care+ if you had picked it up at the pre-booking stage. 

The only visual difference between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and its predecessor is a slight redesign of the rear camera module. When unfolded, this phone is slightly thinner than its predecessor and weighs 271g (as opposed to 282g), however when folded, it is just as bulky and the two pieces don't fit together flush, creating a gap when the phone is closed. 

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is manageable to hold when folded, but it feels fairly heavy in a pocket. It is smaller and almost as tall as an iPhone 12 Pro Max, which makes it easier to hold. To unfold it, though, you'll need two hands. 

If the phone were divided into two parts, the upper panel would have the stereo speakers on the top and bottom, a microphone, and a dual-SIM card slot on the right, while the lower panel would have the remaining microphones and a USB Type-C connector (USB 3.1 Gen1).