Best phones to buy in 2026 reviewed and ranked

1. Apple iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 is Apple’s best all-rounder yet — and arguably the iPhone most people should buy in 2025. Despite being the entry-level iPhone, it delivers Pro-level performance without the eye-watering price or bulk. While its design hasn’t changed much, the new Ceramic Shield 2 improves scratch resistance, and the build feels as premium as ever.

The biggest win is the display. Apple’s finally upgraded the standard iPhone to a 120Hz OLED panel, matching the Pros for smoothness and adding a 1Hz always-on mode. During testing, scrolling felt far more fluid than on the iPhone 16, and brightness hit 3000 nits – clearly visible even in direct sunlight. The stereo speakers also pack a surprising punch when watching videos or gaming.

The dual 48MP camera system impresses in most conditions. In testing, macro shots showed noticeably better sharpness, and 1x photos looked rich and detailed. The lack of a telephoto lens remains the biggest gap versus the Pro models, digital zoom quickly loses quality beyond 2x, but 4K/60fps video recording and stabilisation keep it competitive.

Performance is stellar thanks to the A19 chip. Games like Assassin’s Creed ran smoothly (with only minor heating), and music production in Korg Gadget performed better than on an M1 iMac. Battery life easily lasts a day of mixed use. The main gripes? USB 2.0 speeds and iOS 26’s flawed “Liquid Glass” interface.

Despite that, Apple’s ecosystem remains unmatched for creative tools and premium apps. Unless you need a telephoto lens or ultra-thin bragging rights, the iPhone 17 nails the essentials. It’s powerful, practical and, for once, a sensible choice.

• Read more: iPhone 17 review

2. Google Pixel 10

Just like the iPhone 17 above, the Google Pixel 10 makes a strong case for skipping the Pro. After an extensive review, it’s clear Google’s flagship-lite hits that sweet spot between power, design, and practicality, making it the Android phone most people should buy.

Let’s start with the build. The satin-finish metal frame and glossy glass back strike the perfect balance of grip and polish. It feels better in hand than the Pro, and the flatter camera bar keeps it steady on a desk (a small but genuinely useful detail). The new Indigo colour of our review unit pops beautifully, and the whole design feels more refined without losing Pixel character.

The 6.3in Actua OLED screen is another highlight. At 3000 nits, it’s blisteringly bright outdoors, with 120Hz smoothness and rich HDR contrast that makes games like Subnautica and binge-watching Wednesday look top-tier. The stereo speakers are punchy too – loud enough to fill a room without that tinny edge you sometimes get on thinner phones.

Performance from the Tensor G5 chip is effortless. Everything runs fast and fluid, from multitasking to AI-powered tools like Magic Cue and Gemini’s smarter on-device help. Yes, benchmark hunters will find Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 phones that score higher, but in the real world, this thing is absolutely great.

Cameras are the real surprise. The Pixel 10 finally gets a 5x telephoto alongside wide and ultrawide lenses, making it a true triple-threat. Shots are sharp, vibrant, and consistent across all lenses, while AI tools like Auto Best Take genuinely save ruined group photos. Even the macro mode impressed; it’s great fun for texture shots and close-ups.

Battery life easily stretches through a day, and 30W wired charging plus 15W PixelSnap wireless top-ups keep it convenient. The only real gripe is 128GB base storage – it’s 2025, and that’s stingy.

Otherwise, this is the Pixel to buy. You get nearly all the Pro’s capability for hundreds less, wrapped in a design that feels just as premium. Unless you need the very best wireless charging speeds, the Pixel 10 is the smarter choice.

• Read more: Google Pixel 10 review

3. Google Pixel 9a

We’ve long been fans of Google’s affordable phones, and the Pixel 9a continues that record – even if it truly stretches the definition of “affordable” now. This is still as well-rounded a phone and as streamlined an Android experience as you’ll get for the cash, with a composite shell that does a stellar impression of the glass used by its premium cousins. You’re also getting pure Android 15, which the 9a’s Tensor G4 CPU (same as the Pixel 9 Pro) runs without a stutter.

Where the Pixel 9a really excels is in the photography stakes. With powerful algorithms in its arsenal, almost every image it captures is balanced, noise-free and packed with detail. There’s no telephoto, but autofocus is rapid, while the combination of a high-pixel-count main camera and Night Sight smarts pulls true-to-life stills from tricky late-night scenes.

One-time luxuries like wireless charging and a 120Hz refresh rate are now standard, means you’ll struggle to find a better all-round Android experience for less.

• Read more: Google Pixel 9a review

4. OnePlus 15

After fully testing it for a couple of weeks, it’s clear OnePlus isn’t the underdog anymore. This is a confident, full-fat flagship that delivers on almost every front – and does it for less money than its biggest rivals. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip makes it feel ridiculously quick, even by 2025 standards, and the 7300mAh battery easily lasts two full days in real-world use. We ran our usual benchmarks, streamed HDR video, gamed, took hundreds of photos, and still struggled to drain it in a day.

The Sand Storm finish looks and feels fantastic, with a textured frame that’s more distinctive and durable than the usual glass slabs. The phone’s IP69K water resistance might be overkill, but it’s nice knowing it can take a soaking. The screen is another highlight – a 6.78in AMOLED that’s bright, sharp and wonderfully smooth, thanks to its 165Hz adaptive refresh rate. We only really noticed the difference in a handful of games, but everything else, from scrolling to swapping between apps, felt slick.

Cameras remain a strong point. The three 50MP lenses – wide, telephoto and ultrawide – all produce crisp, colourful shots with reliable exposure and great detail. We preferred the 3.5x zoom lens for portraits and close-ups, but the main camera handles almost everything with ease. Low-light performance can’t quite match the best from Samsung or Oppo, but it’s still more than good enough for most people.

Software has come a long way, too. OxygenOS 16 feels clean, fast and refreshingly light on bloatware. Mind Space and the new AI tools feel genuinely useful rather than gimmicky, and the promise of six years of updates is reassuring. Add in lightning-fast 120W charging, great design and bulletproof performance, and you’ve got one of the best Android phones of the year.

• Read more: OnePlus 15 review

5. iPhone 17 Pro Max

If you want the top-tier iPhone experience, the iPhone 17 Pro is the one to beat. It’s lightning-fast, takes outstanding photos, and its display is nothing short of gorgeous – though it doesn’t come cheap.

After spending time with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, there’s no doubt it’s every bit as powerful as Apple claims. Performance is jaw-dropping – in Geekbench 6, its single-core results were on par with the Mac Studio’s M3 Ultra chip. The new vapour chamber cooling keeps heat under control during gaming and high-zoom video recording, while the 4823mAh battery comfortably lasts close to two working days. A 40W charger refilled it to 50% in around 20 minutes.

The 6.9in OLED panel is a stunner, hitting a dazzling 3000nits outdoors – bright enough to stay clear even in direct sunlight. The refreshed “plateau” camera design stands out visually, and the updated 48MP triple-lens system produces sharp, detailed shots. Even at 8x optical zoom, images stay clean, and the 40x digital zoom easily outperforms the iPhone 16 Pro’s efforts.

The switch from titanium to aluminium won’t please everyone – ours picked up a tiny dent after a few days – but it still feels solid in the hand. iOS 26’s new Liquid Glass interface might split opinion, yet it looks stunning on such a large, vivid display.

If you want the most capable iPhone Apple makes, this is the one. But if you don’t need all the extras, the regular iPhone 17 gives you much of the same experience for less money.

• Read more: iPhone 17 Pro Max review

6. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra proves that sometimes refinement is just as important as reinvention. This year’s flagship keeps much of what made the S24 Ultra a fan favourite while introducing meaningful improvements in design, performance, and AI integration. With Gorilla Armor 2 glass for superior durability and reduced reflections, a sleek titanium frame, and a larger 6.9in AMOLED screen that dazzles despite not being the brightest in the market, it’s a stunning device in every sense.

AI improvements are now front and centre, giving this phone a smoother, more consistent feel that genuinely competes with the very best. The new 50MP ultrawide camera adds welcome flexibility, while the 200MP main sensor still delivers superb results, packed with detail and punchy colours. Though the zoom lenses lag behind the competition, they still capture sharp, balanced images.

Wait, how can the very best Android phone only score four stars? Essentially, Galaxy S25 Ultra is an iterative update over last year’s S24 Ultra, which can now be had for considerably less cash. 

While it may not represent a seismic leap from the S24 Ultra, it excels as a long-term upgrade for Samsung fans ready to take advantage of AI-driven software improvements. Not everything is perfect, of course. The S Pen’s downgrade and the battery’s limited stamina are worth noting, but for anyone after a high-end Android experience, the overall package remains hard to beat.

• Read more: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review

7. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

The Pixel 10 Pro XL might look familiar, but it’s a refinement in all the right ways. Google’s flagship feels more mature this year, a polished mix of superb design, a class-leading screen, excellent cameras, and thoughtful upgrades that make it easier to live with day-to-day.

The new Moonstone finish looks stunning, Qi2 wireless charging finally brings Android into MagSafe territory, and the 6.8in OLED display is an absolute treat – sharp, fluid, and ridiculously bright, hitting up to 3300 nits.

Performance is strong, too. The Tensor G5 chip may not break benchmark records, but it’s fast, consistent, and cool-running. Paired with 16GB of RAM, multitasking feels effortless. The 5200mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day, and with 45W wired or 25W Qi2 wireless charging, topping up never feels like a chore. Sound quality has had a big step up, too, with upgraded speakers delivering a fuller, more balanced tone that suits both gaming and video.

As for the cameras, they’re every bit as good as you’d expect from Google. The trio – 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto – deliver beautifully detailed shots with natural tones and crisp contrast. Night Sight continues to lead the pack, while the AI-assisted 100x Pro Res zoom is fun to play with, even if it occasionally leans into generative territory.

But what really surprised us this year was the AI. Gemini’s smarter, more context-aware features are genuinely helpful, not gimmicky. Magic Cue brings up useful prompts mid-conversation – flight details when you call your airline, addresses when messaging friends – and it feels organic, not intrusive. Live Highlights and the new journalling app still need refinement, but they point in an interesting direction for Google’s software future.

The real breakthrough, though, is Camera Coach. This early preview feature analyses your framing in real time and suggests better angles or modes to improve your shot – complete with generative previews of what the change could look like. It’s simple, intuitive, and honestly, the first AI tool that’s made us want to use AI more, not less.

• Read more: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL review

8. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

That the Galaxy Z Fold 7 arrived as unbelievably thin as it did was honestly a bit of a shock. We were used to Samsung phoning it in a bit with each successive generation, but this Fold feels entirely new, being just 4.2mm when unfolded and rocking a larger, more sensibly proportioned outer display. It feels like a traditional smartphone, until you unfurl it and see the giant 8in display lurking inside.

Performance is top-tier, courtesy of a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, and the software is much improved too. It arrives running Android 16, which brings some welcome boosts to multitasking, and all the AI-assisted apps continue to get smarter as well. A 200MP rear camera inherited from the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the icing on the cake.

Chinese brands were beginning to dominate the foldable space, leaving the rest of the world to look on with jealousy. That’s not the case anymore. Samsung is back at its best here.

• Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review

Want more folding phone suggestions? Check out Stuff’s guide to the best folding smartphones.

9. Sony Xperia 1 VII

The Xperia 1 VII picks up where Sony’s most ‘mainstream’ flagship for years left off. A 19.5:9 OLED screen with a Full HD+ pixel count is more in keeping with what rivals are doing, but there’s still room at the top and bottom for a pair of forward-facing stereo speakers.

All the other Sony hallmarks remain, including a 3.5mm headphone port and a microSD card slot (which you can get to without having to keep a SIM tray tool with you at all times). The overall styling is beginning to show its age, though, with some of the thickest screen bezels you’ll find for this kind of cash. Underneath, a Snapdragon 8 Elite does all the heavy lifting, and stays wonderfully cool in the process.

On the photography front, Sony has properly stepped up its ultrawide game this year, and the results speak for themselves. When it comes to fitting more of a scene into every snap, the Xperia VII is a class leader. It can still handle rapid burst shooting in HDR, with plenty of manual options for serious snappers, while the auto mode is there for people who prefer to just point-and-shoot.

It’s a pricey handset, no doubt, making it harder to recommend to all but those already converted to the Xperia way of life.

• Read more: Sony Xperia 1 VII review