Which? Should you buy a new premium smartphone?
Dec 10, 2025
In this discussion, mobile phone expert Adam Spate dives into the great smartphone debate. He explains the psychological reasons behind our desire for premium devices and compares the pricing tiers of Apple, Google, and Samsung flagships. Adam highlights camera differences, including the iPhone 17 versus 17 Pro, and details the advantages of Pro models in battery life and performance. Finally, he offers practical buying advice, suggesting most users can stick with standard models while waiting for premium features to trickle down.
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Flagship Families Multiply Choices
- Premium phone lines often come as multiple variants with rising prices for added features.
- Apple, Google and Samsung each sell standard and pricier Pro/Ultra models that target different buyers.
What Pro Models Actually Add
- Pro models mainly differ in aesthetics, performance, display and camera capabilities.
- These hardware changes translate to real gains like better zoom, faster charging and larger batteries.
Camera Hardware Drives Visible Gains
- Pro phones add lenses and sensors that enable stronger zoom and improved low-light focus.
- Examples include telephoto lenses and LiDAR sensors that enhance photo quality in challenging conditions.