The Best Phones for Streaming Enthusiasts

Over the years designs of mobile phones have changed to be focused around either the camera or screen. In particular, we’ve seen iPhone get bigger and bigger to the point where each iPhone range includes a Pro Max option. The clue to this is the rapid evolution of how we browse the internet, the rise of social media and of course the demand to create and watch video content.

In This Article:

• What Are The Features A Streaming Phone Should Have?
  Find out what you should be looking out for when purchasing a mobile phone as a streaming enthusiast.

• Best Phones for Streaming
  Our top mobile phones for streaming enthusiasts and why.

• Best Budget Phones For Streaming
  Learn which phones are best for streaming when on a budget.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a new phone, then it is worth taking into consideration what you use it for most. If you rely on your pocket-sized device for listening to music or streaming your favourite shows on the go, then there are certain features and models to shortlist. Let's dive into.

What Are The Features A Streaming Phone Should Have?

When you’re looking to buy any new mobile phone, it’s always worth researching the features and specifications to see whether they match up with your daily needs and your budget. For example, if you’re someone who needs a lot of storage space, you may be more inclined to opt for a mobile phone that has expandable storage. Here is a list of features that we recommend you to consider when looking for a phone to stream content:

Display Quality: High resolution and a display that presents vibrant colours will ensure your viewing experience is up to scratch. OLED screens will provide deeper and richer colours.

Screen Size: If you want an immersive streaming experience then a larger screen will do just that. However, you should consider the balance between portability and comfortable grip for when you’re watching your favourite content.

Processor and RAM: Having a powerful and reliable processor will make sure that your streaming sessions are smooth and uninterrupted.

Battery and Optimisation Options: Big battery and efficient power management is probably the most important features to look out for when buying a phone, especially for streaming. The high spec Samsung Galaxy range offers fantastic battery optimisation options that can ensure your phone gets you through the day.

Connectivity: Your phone should support either 4G or 5G which isn’t hard with newer mobile phones. This is important if you want to prevent any buffering or interruptions whilst watching a movie or TV series.

Storage Capacity: Choose a mobile phone with large storage capacity e.g. 128GB or more or opt for one that offers expandable storage.

Audio Quality: Oftentimes people forget to check the specifications for speakers on a mobile phone. Having good audio quality will undeniably enhance your streaming experience, especially if you do not use headphones often.

Streaming Apps Support: Make sure the mobile phone you choose is compatible with the essential streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Youtube and Amazon Prime.

Price: It is hugely important to set a realistic budget for yourself when out shopping for a mobile phone. Most of the flagship phones do come with a hefty price tag, so ensure that you are prepared for this.

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Best Phones for Streaming

For streaming enthusiasts, there are so many factors to consider when choosing a mobile phone. Having the best viewing experience with all the top qualities is crucial and there are quite a few great mobile phones to choose from right now. Here’s our top mobile phones that we think are the best companions for enjoying your favourite content.

1. iPhone 14 Pro Max

With a large 6.7-inch OLED display, pixel resolution at 460 ppi and 5,000 mAh battery, this would be a great phone for streaming enthusiasts. It also has an LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display and adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz, so you can be sure you won’t encounter any slow blips whilst watching your favourite movie. This phone also has a ceramic shield, making it water resistant and safe from any sweet beverages you may have during your movie night.

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2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Similar to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the Galaxy S23 has a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, meaning you'll get rich colours and deep blacks, making videos look sharp and cinematic. This phone is known to be fantastic for both streaming and content creation due to the improved Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 processor. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate, which like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, will make for a smoother viewing experience.

3. Google Pixel 7

In comparison to its predecessor, this phone can now reach 1,400 nits of peak brightness. This is fantastic for those streamers who are on the go because it means you can watch content out in the sun. The Pixel 7 screen is 6.3-inches and offers a refresh rate of 90Hz as opposed to the standard 120Hz that most smartphone brands offer even within their flagship models. With a newer and more refined Google Tensor G2 processor, the Pixel 7 is more efficient and functions at a faster speed making it a great phone for streaming.

Best Budget Phones For Streaming

Although the mobile phones above are great options, you may not be prepared to spend a huge amount on your next phone. So, if you don’t want to splurge on the latest mobile phone, then consider shopping refurbished as it will save you a considerable amount and you will enjoy the same specifications. Aside from finding your perfect match among refurbished models, these two phones may be your ticket to streaming TV shows and movies on a budget.

Sony Xperia 10 IV

The first notable feature is the fact that the battery life on this mobile phone is great. It can stretch over a few days which is something that will be of major importance especially when watching content. When it comes to budget phones, there are always cons; the refresh rate is notably lower at 60Hz in comparison to flagship smartphones. By understanding this and your expectations are realistic, then this phone really is in line with the price starting from £379 as of August 2023.

OnePlus 10 Pro

Another mobile phone we think is great for streaming is the OnePlus 10 Pro. It offers a generous 6.78-inch bezel-less AMOLED display along with a long-lasting battery and 30W fast charging capability advertised to deliver 50% of charge in 30 minnutes. These are two features that will definitely have a positive effect on your overall streaming experience and when you pair this with Snapdragon 865 5G processor under the hood, you’ll be speachless. Brand new the OnePlus 10 Pro doesn't really fit the 'budget' description, but a refurbished model you can pick up under £500 (as of August 2023).

At Compare and Recycle, you can browse refurbished phones which will ensure your next purchase doesn't compromise on specifications and is both environmentally and budget friendly. Shop for your perfect streaming smartphone for less.

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Key Takeaways

So, if you’re a streaming enthusiast, then we guarantee that you will find at least one of these mobile phones useful and enhance your viewing experience. It’s important to look at the specifications especially if you are to be using your mobile phone for a particular purpose. Luckily for us, the majority of the latest phones, especially flagship ones, are all top spec and are sure to provide you with fantastic quality for messaging, streaming, emailing and browsing social media. However, it can be useful to know the small differences between two mobile phones with similar qualities.