SMARTPHONES
- TIPS & TRICKS
- Become friends with the camera control on the righthand side, and you’ll never miss another opportunity to fill out that digital scrapbook.
- Everything is a button, even that plastic back. Delve into the settings and assign basic functions to your phone’s rear, activating them with a simple double-tap.
- Remember IR blasters? The Magic8 Pro does, offering an easy solution to that remote control that’s just out of reach as you plop yourself in front of the TV.
Honor Magic8 Pro
R28 000 | vodacom.co.za
You’d be forgiven for thinking the Magic8 Pro hadn’t fallen too far from the Apple tree, especially once you’ve had a look at the ‘AI button’ that doubles as a camera control. You also get one of the best batteries in the business, clocking in at 7 100mAh, coupled with an impressive 100W charging speed. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 tucked inside will keep Honor’s creation chugging along at the speeds you’d expect from the big boys like Samsung or Apple. Rounding out a fantastic effort is a fantastic triple-camera array with a 200MP telephoto shooter leading the charge.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A fantastic price sets Honor’s efforts apart in this overcrowded market.
• NOW ADD THIS
TARGUS 25 000MAH 100W PORTABLE POWER BANK
100W charging is of no use to anyone without the right power bank stowed away in their backpack. Targus’ 25 000mAh option is certainly that.
R2 100 | firstshop.co.za
Vivo X300 Pro
R40 000 | vodacom.co.za
Vivo’s new X300 Pro’s Dimensity 9500 chipset does a lot of heavy lifting to make sure this is one of the smoothest devices you’ll have the pleasure of interacting with. Ditto for the 120Hz-capable LTPO AMOLED that runs the show, and the 6,510mAh battery. Unfortunately, it stumbles with a too-high price that’d make even Apple blush.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A dazzling reminder that Samsung and Apple don’t run the show anymore.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
R31 000 | incredible.co.za
Like clockwork, Samsung’s latest flagship has conquered this list without even trying. You’ve seen it all before – the 6.9in AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and a huge reliance on artificial intelligence to help with the marketing. Where the Ultra technically outshines the rest of the family is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, which technically makes this the best phone Samsung has ever released.
Stuff says ★★★★★
It may be a marvel of a specimen, but Samsung’s older flagships may still be the way to go.
iPhone 17 Pro
★★★★★ R27 500 | vodacom.co.za
You know the drill. Apple’s A19 Pro chip is the Fruit Company’s best yet, shoved inside that gorgeous body.
Huawei Pura 90s Pro
★★★★★ from R20 000 | consumer.huawei.com/za
Jumping ship to Huawei is always tough, but this could be the raft you’ve been looking for. You’ll nab an excellent 6.6in OLED and 6,000mAh battery.
Honor Magic V5
★★★★★ R33 500 | vodacom.co.za
How Honor managed to cram a massive 5 820mAh battery under the hood of a foldable LTPO AMOLED, we’ll never know.
Huawei Mate 80 Pro
★★★★★ R22 000 | takealot.com
The Mate 80 Pro looks dressed to the nines, and it’s no different inside, with a Kirin 9030 Pro and 100W charging.
iPhone 17
★★★★★ R21 800 | istore.co.za
Not fussed by the iPhone 17 Pro’s overqualified internals? The A19 chipset here makes a case for being your new daily driver.
Huawei Pura 80 Pro
★★★★★ R19 000 | amazon.co.za
A lack of Google services may seem like a con, but it’s encouraged Huawei strive for greatness and build a fantastic all-rounder like this one.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
★★★★★ from 14 000 | hificorp.co.za
For most, this is the Samsung to get. It’s somewhat affordable while still shipping an excellent battery and gorgeous screen.