10 Best Phones for International Travel

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max comes at an upper midrange price offering 128GB of storage and runs on iOS. It features glass on the back and houses a hefty 4352mAh battery. The display is a 6.7-inch OLED screen without curved edges but with a high refresh rate for smoother visuals. Its screen delivers peak brightness for visibility even in bright conditions. The A15 processor paired with 6GB of RAM ensures top-notch performance. Camera capabilities are very good for both stills and videos, supporting HDR video and RAW output. It has a 12MP main camera as well as telephoto and ultrawide lenses. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is capable of 4K video recording and supports 5G connectivity. Note that it lacks a headphone jack, but offers NFC and dual SIM capabilities. If you're looking for high performance, excellent camera quality, and long battery life with premium screen features, this phone is a strong choice, albeit at a higher price point.

The Motorola Edge+ (2023) offers a good balance of features for its midrange price. With a glass body and a large 5100mAh battery, it promises solid battery life, lasting over 9 hours. It sports a 6.67-inch curved OLED display with high brightness and high refresh rate, enhancing visuals. Its triple camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, provides fair photo and video quality and versatility with HDR10+ video and RAW output. Performance is very good, thanks to 8GB of RAM and the latest Snapdragon chipset. Plus, it retains a 3.5mm headphone jack and supports 5G connectivity. However, if multiple, high-quality cameras are a top priority, you might look into other options as the camera quality is fair, not exceptional.

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a budget-friendly phone with a glass body and released in January 2021. It operates on Android, featuring a sizable 6.7-inch OLED display with a high refresh rate of 120Hz for smooth visuals, though it doesn't have a curved screen edge. With a battery capacity that allows for around 8 hours of battery life, it should last most users a full day on a single charge. Photographers will appreciate its good-quality triple camera setup including a 12MP main, 64MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide lens; it also supports HDR10+ video, captures still photos well, and can record video at high resolutions, including 8K at 24fps. The phone offers solid performance with the Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB RAM, ensuring apps and games run smoothly. It does not have a headphone jack, but it supports NFC, 5G connectivity, and wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging. Lastly, while it does not support SD cards, the internal storage of 128GB should be adequate for most users.

The Asus Zenfone 10 comes with a plastic body and is priced in the upper midrange. It has a 5.92-inch OLED screen with high refresh rates and a resolution offering good screen quality. Its camera setup provides fair video and poor photo quality, which might be a drawback for those who prioritize photography. The phone supports 5G, has a moderate battery life, and is powered by a competent processor with ample RAM, boosting overall performance. Storage space is standard, and it also features a convenient headphone jack and stereo speakers. However, bear in mind the battery capacity isn't the largest and the plastic construction may not feel as premium as other materials.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is positioned at an upper midrange price with 128GB of storage. Released in February 2023, it operates on Android, featuring a glass body and a 6.1-inch OLED screen without curved edges. The display offers excellent quality with a high refresh rate and is capable of high brightness. Its 3900mAh battery supports a reasonable length of battery life. The camera system is impressive with high-quality photo and video capabilities; it includes a 50MP main camera, 10MP telephoto with a 70mm focal length, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Video recording goes up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps. The S23 has stereo speakers but lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack and an SD card slot. It supports 5G, NFC, the latest WiFi 6e, and Bluetooth 5.3 standards, offers wireless charging, and has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, making it a durable choice. The device has a punch-hole front camera, in-display fingerprint sensor, and supports Wireless DeX for desktop-like functionality.

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro is a high-end device with a premium price tag, boasting a sleek glass back and the latest iOS operating system. It features a spacious 128GB of storage and a powerful A16 processor paired with 6GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance. The 6.1-inch OLED screen delivers sharp, high-quality visuals with a high refresh rate and always-on display capability. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the excellent camera system, including a 48-megapixel main camera and 12-megapixel telephoto lens, offering top-notch photo and video quality with features like RAW output and Dolby Vision HDR video. With a 3200 mAh battery, you can expect a respectable battery life, enhanced by wireless charging support. However, you won't find a 3.5mm headphone jack or expandable storage via SD card. The iPhone 14 Pro also offers robust build quality with dust and water resistance, and for security, it features Face Unlock. Overall, this phone is ideal for users who want premium performance, a superior camera system, and don't mind paying extra for Apple's ecosystem.

The Google Pixel 8 is a midrange-priced smartphone that offers good value, especially with its excellent still photo quality and very good video capabilities, thanks to the 50 MP main camera and additional features like HDR Video and Magic Eraser. With a 6.2-inch OLED screen and 120Hz refresh rate, it provides a smooth visual experience. While it operates on the latest Android version and uses Google's TensorG3 processor paired with 8GB of RAM for smooth performance, you will get a decent battery life of over 7 hours. This phone is designed with a glass body and has a fast under-display fingerprint sensor for security. It also provides durability with dust and water resistance. However, it lacks an SD card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, and stylus support, so be ready to rely on wireless solutions for your audio and storage needs.

The OnePlus 11 is an Android phone with high performance at an upper midrange price. It has ample storage, and the battery life is respectable. The camera system offers very good still photo and video quality, with features like Auto HDR, and can handle advanced tasks such as RAW output and HDR video. It sports a large 6.7-inch curved OLED display with high brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate, promising a top-notch viewing experience. Note that there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, SD card slot, or wireless charging, which may be important considerations for some users. It's built with quality materials and includes a high-performance charger in the box.

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro is a midrange-priced phone released in September 2021 that offers a balance between price and performance. It has a glass back, a 6.1-inch OLED display that does not curve at the edges, and supports high dynamic range video with Dolby Vision. The phone has a high refresh rate screen for smooth visuals, and a peak brightness good for outdoor use. Its A15 processor is paired with 6GB of RAM, providing strong performance, and the battery can last around 6.9 hours. The iPhone 13 Pro's camera system includes a 12MP main, telephoto, and ultrawide camera, delivering very good still photo and video quality with the option to shoot photos in RAW and HDR video. It lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack but supports 5G, has front-facing stereo speakers, and offers dual SIM capabilities. Additionally, it's equipped with Face Unlock, but doesn't have a fingerprint sensor, and is well protected against dust and water. The phone charges via a Lightning port and supports wireless charging, but does not have expandable storage via an SD card.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus comes with a premium price tag and is a high-end offering from Apple's 2023 lineup, released in September. It operates on iOS and features a glass back. The phone has a large battery and a 6.7-inch OLED screen without curved edges, offering a crisp viewing experience with high peak brightness, although it lacks a high refresh rate. The A16 processor and 6GB of RAM ensure top performance, while its 128GB storage is ample for most users. Camera enthusiasts would appreciate its excellent photo and video capabilities, with the main camera boasting a high megapixel count and additional features like RAW output and Dolby Vision for HDR video. The device supports 5G but omits a headphone jack and SD card slot. It is equipped with a USB-C port, offers great battery life, and is built to withstand dust and water exposure. If you value top-notch camera performance and a large screen in an iOS device and are not deterred by the high cost, the iPhone 15 Plus is an impressive choice.