Mobile Phones: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Our Top Picks
Apple iPhone 17
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
This is the iPhone to buy for the smartphone shopper who wants the most features at the best price.
Full Apple iPhone 17 ReviewPros
- Best value among iPhone 17 models
- Fast performance
- Competitive battery life
- Speedy wireless connections
- Pro-level display
- Flexible cameras
Cons
- No telephoto camera
Pros
- Best value among iPhone 17 models
- Fast performance
- Competitive battery life
- Speedy wireless connections
- Pro-level display
- Flexible cameras
Cons
- No telephoto camera
Google Pixel 10 Pro
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Pixel 10 Pro packs Google's best hardware and software into an elegant, compact device with standout AI features.
Full Google Pixel 10 Pro ReviewPros
- Refined and appealing hardware
- Advanced, easy-to-use AI features
- Excellent cameras
- Long-term support
Cons
- Battery life should be longer
- No physical SIM card support
Pros
- Refined and appealing hardware
- Advanced, easy-to-use AI features
- Excellent cameras
- Long-term support
Cons
- Battery life should be longer
- No physical SIM card support
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the ultimate Android handset with top-of-the-line power, terrific cameras, a built-in stylus, and the most innovative AI features we've seen in a phone to date.
Full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ReviewPros
- Class-leading performance
- Powerful AI features
- Excellent cameras
- Sharp, anti-reflective screen
- Better ergonomics than previous Ultras
- Long software support window
Cons
- Expensive
- Less S Pen functionality than previous generation
Pros
- Class-leading performance
- Powerful AI features
- Excellent cameras
- Sharp, anti-reflective screen
- Better ergonomics than previous Ultras
- Long software support window
Cons
- Expensive
- Less S Pen functionality than previous generation
Google Pixel 9a
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Google Pixel 9a delivers flagship-level performance, terrific camera quality, and long-term software support, making it the best midrange Android phone you can buy.
Full Google Pixel 9a ReviewPros
- Powerful performance
- Excellent cameras
- Useful Google AI
- Seven-year software support commitment
Cons
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- No reverse wireless charging
Pros
- Powerful performance
- Excellent cameras
- Useful Google AI
- Seven-year software support commitment
Cons
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- No reverse wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
With a refined and appealing design, plenty of power, smarter AI, smoother multitasking, and improved cameras, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the best folding phone you can buy, bar none.
Full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 ReviewPros
- Exceptional hardware
- Excellent displays
- Solid performance
- Powerful software
- Strong radios
Cons
- Outlandishly expensive
- Only average battery life
Pros
- Exceptional hardware
- Excellent displays
- Solid performance
- Powerful software
- Strong radios
Cons
- Outlandishly expensive
- Only average battery life
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G offers a winning blend of performance, durability, and support, making it the top Android phone under $200.
Full Samsung Galaxy A16 5G ReviewPros
- Excellent value
- Good performance
- Above-average cameras
- Splashproof
- Six-year support window
Cons
- Large
- Plastic build
Pros
- Excellent value
- Good performance
- Above-average cameras
- Splashproof
- Six-year support window
Cons
- Large
- Plastic build
TCL Flip 4 5G
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
TCL has completely reimagined its affordable Flip voice phone with a fresh design, extended battery life, and a 5G connection.
Full TCL Flip 4 5G ReviewPros
- Affordable
- 5G and Wi-Fi
- Long battery life
- Quick performance
Cons
- Limited third-party apps
- Poor cameras
- Embedded battery
Pros
- Affordable
- 5G and Wi-Fi
- Long battery life
- Quick performance
Cons
- Limited third-party apps
- Poor cameras
- Embedded battery
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
This is the most powerful iPhone you can get.
Full Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max ReviewPros
- Outstanding cameras
- Top video features
- Category-leading battery life
- Terrific screen
- Fast performance
- High-quality hardware
Cons
- Might be too big for some
- Most expensive iPhone
Pros
- Outstanding cameras
- Top video features
- Category-leading battery life
- Terrific screen
- Fast performance
- High-quality hardware
Cons
- Might be too big for some
- Most expensive iPhone
Motorola Razr Ultra
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Motorola Razr Ultra is a potent folding phone with two excellent displays, epic battery life, and swift performance in a thin, fun, and convenient design.
Full Motorola Razr Ultra ReviewPros
- Bright displays
- Category-leading battery life
- Powerful performance
- Fun folding form factor
Cons
- Middling cameras
- Mediocre AI
Pros
- Bright displays
- Category-leading battery life
- Powerful performance
- Fun folding form factor
Cons
- Middling cameras
- Mediocre AI
OnePlus 13
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The OnePlus 13 offers most of what you want in a flagship phone—including a stunningly bright display, swift performance, and top battery life—at a slightly more palatable price than competitors.
Full OnePlus 13 ReviewPros
- Class-leading battery life
- Bright, crisp screen
- Impressive performance
- Fast wired and wireless charging
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- Shorter software support window than competing phones
Pros
- Class-leading battery life
- Bright, crisp screen
- Impressive performance
- Fast wired and wireless charging
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- Shorter software support window than competing phones
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The powerful Samsung Galaxy S26+ strikes a compelling balance between the pricier Ultra and the more affordable S26, thanks to its sharp screen and fast performance.
$1,099.99
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$1,999.99
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The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a compact powerhouse that aims high with a classy design, a beautiful screen, and great cameras. If you want a top-tier phone in a smaller package, it's worth a look.
$899.99