In the ever-evolving world of consumer technology, flagship smartphones are always at the forefront of innovation. This year is set to be no different, with a slew of exciting new releases from various smartphone manufacturers.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the best flagship smartphones of 2023, highlighting what makes then special and reasons you should buy them.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Specifications
- Apple A16 Bionic
- 6GB RAM, up to 1TB Storage
- 50MP dual camera
- 6.7″ Super Retina XDR OLED display
- RRP: Starts RM5,799
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is undoubtedly one of the most popular flagship smartphones of 2023. The Pro Max features a stunning 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as an all-new A16 Bionic chip for lightning-fast performance. The camera system is also an upgrade from the previous model, with improved low-light capabilities and the addition of a periscope zoom lens.
If you planning to get into Apple’s ecosystem, this is the phone to get right now. Honourable mention goes to the iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus that are cheaper but offer most of the same experience.
Check out our in-depth review of the iPhone 14 Pro Max here.
Where To Buy?
- Apple Official Store
- Machines Official Shopee Store
- Machines Official Lazada Store
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Specifications
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy
- 12GB + 256GB / 8GB + 513GB / 12GB + 1TB
- 200MP quad camera system
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
- RRP: RM5,699 / RM6,199 / RM7,199
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is another highly anticipated flagship smartphone of 2023. The device is features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Under the hood, the S23 Ultra is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 customised for the Galaxy S23 series. Additionally, the camera system is a significant upgrade from the previous model, with a 200 megapixel main shooter, improved low-light capabilities and the addition of a periscope zoom lens.
Check out our in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra here.
Where To Buy?
- Samsung Official Store
- Samsung Official Shopee Store
- Samsung Official Lazada Store
OnePlus 11

Specifications
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 8GB + 128GB / 16GB + 256GB
- 50MP triple camera
- 6.7″ 120Hz AMOLED display
- RRP: RM3,299 / RM3,599
OnePlus has built a reputation for creating high-performance smartphones at an affordable price point. However, the predecessor suffered from some irritating quirks. Thankfully the OnePlus 11 is a much improved device. It is equipped with a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
The camera system is also a significant upgrade from the previous model, with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 32-megapixel telephoto, and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide. Additionally, the OnePlus 11 comes with an updated Oxygen OS based on Android 13.
Check out our in-depth review of the OnePlus 11 here.
Where To Buy?
- OnePlus Official Store
- OnePlus Official Shopee Store
- OnePlus Official Lazada Store
Honor Magic5 Pro

Specifications
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 12GB + 512GB
- 50MP triple camera
- 6.81″ 120Hz LTPO OLED
- RRP: RM4,299
Honor’s latest Magic5 Pro is arguably the most polished Honor flagship smartphone to date. MagicOS 7.1 is well designed, with tons of customisation options for the users to make the smartphone their own.
The camera is also no slouch, with quick and consistent autofocus performance and decent low-light capabilities. Working in tandem is the large storage of 512GB, allowing users to store tons of images, apps and games without having to delete older files (at least for quite a while).
Check out our in-depth review here.
Where To Buy?
- Honor Official Shopee Store
- Honor Official Lazada Store
Xiaomi 13 Pro

Specifications
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 12GB + 256GB / 12GB + 512GB
- 50MP triple camera
- 6.73″ 120Hz AMOLED display
- RRP: RM4,599 / RM4,999
The Xiaomi 13 Pro is a the latest flagship smartphone from the Chinese manufacturer. The device is features a 6.73-inch ,curved edge AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is also powered by the capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.
The camera system co-developed with Leica is one of the device’s main selling points, with a primary 50-megapixel 1-inch sensor and two secondary 50-megapixel cameras. Additionally, the Xiaomi 13 is one of the first devices to have MIUI 14.
Where To Buy?
- Xiaomi Official Shopee Store
Huawei P60 Pro

Specifications
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G
- 8GB + 256GB / 12GB + 512GB
- 48MP Ultra Lighting XMAGE triple camera
- 6.67″ 120Hz OLED display
- RRP: RM4,699 / RM5,499
The Huawei P60 Pro carries on Huawei’s legacy of producing flagship smartphones with excellent imaging capabilities. While its chipset is not the latest and fastest (thanks, sanctions), the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is still a capable chipset that handle most tasks with ease. Moreover, the Rococo Pearl finish adds a touch of je ne sais quoi to differentiate it from its peers.
The camera in this flagship smartphone excels in low-light, allowing for proper exposure with lots of sharpness and detail. There is also a physical adjustable aperture to give users additional control over exposure and depth of field.
Check out our in-depth review here.
Where To Buy?
- HUAWEI Official Shopee Store
- HUAWEI Official Lazada Store
How To Choose A Flagship Smartphone?
When choosing a flagship smartphone, it is essential to consider the display, processor, camera, and software features, to ensure you select the device that best suits your needs and preferences.
For more tech news, buyer’s guides, and reviews, be sure to stay tuned to The AXO.
