Apple · 2021
ProRes video, macro mode, and cinematic mode made the 13 Pro a filmmaker's phone.
Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Check price on Amazon MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2021
Every winner and runner-up from MKBHD's 2021 Smartphone Awards — including 9 categories like Phone of the Year, Best Camera, and Best Battery. Tap any category badge to see the full award history.
Video by Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) on YouTube. This is a fan-made archive site — not affiliated with or endorsed by Marques Brownlee.
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Phone of the Year
⭐ Featured Winner
2021
MKBHD's Phone of the Year 2021. Quad cameras, first Galaxy with S Pen support, and the best Android display of the year.
Display
Camera
Battery
Launch Price
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"Quad cameras, S Pen support, and the best Android display of the year. Samsung firing on all cylinders."
All Categories
Apple · 2021
Apple's biggest battery jump in years — the 13 Pro Max set a new standard.
Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung · 2021
The contour-cut camera bar started a design language that every brand copied.
Runner-up: iPhone 13 Pro
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Google · 2021
Google Tensor chip, excellent cameras, and a clean software experience at $599.
Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Samsung · 2021
Fold 3 brought S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance to the foldable form factor.
Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Apple · 2021
The best small phone ever made — compact, powerful, with ProMotion in the Pro for the first time.
Samsung · 2021
After the disappointing S20, Samsung came back stronger in every category.
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Microsoft · 2021
Two-screen gimmick, mediocre cameras, and software that never matched the hardware ambition.
Explore Award Categories
Each category has its own page with the full winner history from 2014 to present, brand statistics, and spec comparisons. See how the 2021 winners stack up against all-time results.
About the 2021 Awards
Samsung dominated 2021 with the Galaxy S21 Ultra taking home both Phone of the Year and Most Improved. Google Pixel 6 delivered the best value. The iPhone 13 mini won Best Small Phone in what would be its final year.
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