15 Best Phones in 2026: Expert Picks
Last updated: June 2026 | 10 min read
After testing more than 60 smartphones throughout 2025 and 2026, our expert panel has identified the 15 best phones across every category. Whether you need a flagship powerhouse or a capable budget pick, this guide covers it all.
15 Best Phones in 2026
1. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — Best Overall Phone
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Release Year | 2025 |
| OS | iOS 19 |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro |
| Display | 6.9" ProMotion LTPO OLED, 120 Hz |
| Main Camera | 200 MP |
| Battery | 4,685 mAh |
| Charging | 30W MagSafe |
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Price | From $1,199 |
| Real User Review Overview | Rated #1 smartphone 2025–2026 across TechRadar, The Verge, CNET; strongest camera + ecosystem |
2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — Best Android Phone
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| OS | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Display | 6.9" QHD+ AMOLED, 120 Hz LTPO |
| Main Camera | 200 MP |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| S Pen | Included |
| Price | From $1,299 |
3. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL — Best AI Phone
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| OS | Android 15 |
| Chipset | Tensor G4 |
| Display | 6.8" LTPO OLED, 120 Hz |
| Main Camera | 50 MP (AI-enhanced) |
| AI Features | Gemini Pro, Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur |
| Software Updates | 7 years |
| Price | From $1,099 |
4. OnePlus 13 — Best Value Flagship
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Display | 6.82" ProXDR LTPO4, 120 Hz |
| Cameras | 50 MP Hasselblad system |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh |
| Charging | 100W |
| Price | From $899 |
5. iPhone 17 Pro — Best Compact Flagship
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | A19 Pro |
| Display | 6.3" ProMotion OLED, 120 Hz |
| Cameras | Triple camera with 5x telephoto |
| Weight | 199 g |
| Price | From $999 |
6. ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro — Best Gaming Phone
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Display | 6.78" AMOLED, 165 Hz |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh |
| Cooling | Vapor chamber + fan |
| Triggers | Physical shoulder triggers |
| Price | From $1,099 |
7. Xiaomi 15 Ultra — Best Camera Value
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Cameras | 200 MP Leica main |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh |
| Charging | 90W wired |
| Price | From $899 |
8. Sony Xperia 1 VII — Best for Creatives
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Display | 6.5" 4K OLED, 120 Hz |
| Cameras | Zeiss triple camera with manual control |
| Video | LOG recording, Cinema Pro |
| Price | From $1,299 |
9. Samsung Galaxy S25+ — Best Mid-Range Premium
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Display | 6.7" AMOLED, 120 Hz |
| Battery | 4,900 mAh |
| Price | From $999 |
10. Google Pixel 9a — Best Budget Phone of 2026
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Tensor G4 |
| Display | 6.1" OLED, 120 Hz |
| Cameras | 48 MP main |
| Battery | 4,942 mAh |
| Software Updates | 7 years |
| Price | From $499 |
11. iPhone 17 — Best Mainstream iPhone
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | A19 Bionic |
| Display | 6.1" OLED |
| Cameras | 48 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide |
| Battery | 3,600 mAh |
| Price | From $799 |
12. Samsung Galaxy A56 — Best Mid-Range Android
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 1580 |
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED, 120 Hz |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP67 |
| Price | From $449 |
13. Nothing Phone (3a) — Best Design Phone Under $400
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| Design | Glyph Interface notification system |
| Display | 6.77" AMOLED, 120 Hz |
| Cameras | 50 MP + 50 MP 3x periscope |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Price | $399 |
14. Motorola Edge 60 Ultra — Best Surprise Pick
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Display | 6.7" pOLED, 144 Hz |
| Charging | 125W TurboPower |
| Price | From $749 |
15. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 — Best Flip Phone
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Form Factor | Clamshell foldable |
| Display (main) | 6.7" AMOLED, 120 Hz |
| Display (cover) | 3.4" |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Battery | 3,700 mAh |
| Price | From $999 |
Ranking by Category
| Category | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|
| Best Overall | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
| Best Android | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Best Camera | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Best Battery | OnePlus 13 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
| Best Budget | Pixel 9a | Nothing Phone (3a) |
| Best Gaming | ROG Phone 9 Pro | Legion Phone 9 |
| Best Compact | iPhone 17 Pro | Pixel 9 |
| Best Foldable | Galaxy Z Flip 7 | Galaxy Z Fold 7 |
What Buyers Say
iPhone 17 Pro Max: ★★★★★ — "Switched from Android. Won't go back."
Pixel 9a: ★★★★★ — "Best phone under $500, period. Nothing comes close."
OnePlus 13: ★★★★ — "100W charging and 6,000 mAh battery. Morning anxiety about battery life is gone."
Nothing Phone (3a): ★★★★ — "The Glyph lights are genuinely useful for notifications. Unique phone."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best phone to buy in 2026?
iPhone 17 Pro Max for iOS users, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for Android power users. For best value, Google Pixel 9a at $499 is exceptional.
What's the best phone under $1,000 in 2026?
OnePlus 13 at $899 is the best flagship-level phone under $1,000, followed by the Galaxy S25+ at $999.
Which phone has the longest software support?
Google Pixel 9a guarantees 7 years of updates. Samsung Galaxy S25 series also offers 7 years. iPhones typically get 5–6 years.
Is it worth buying a flagship phone in 2026?
For camera enthusiasts and power users, yes. For most people, mid-range phones like the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56 provide 90% of the flagship experience at half the price.
Bottom line: iPhone 17 Pro Max is our top overall pick, Pixel 9a is the best value at $499, and OnePlus 13 at $899 beats many $1,000+ phones on battery and charging speed.
