The Best Phones for 2026

With the iPhone 17, Apple has meaningfully upgraded the base model to bring it in line with the rest of the iPhone 17 family—and competing flagships. With more than 24 hours of battery life, fast charging, modern radios, and high-quality hardware, it's a near-total package. Unless you're a power user who wants the photo and video tools of the Pro models, the iPhone 17 is the better value proposition.

Value-seeking iPhone fans: The entry-level iPhone 17 would be considered a Pro-level model just a few years ago. In fact, it gets you much of the iPhone Pro experience for hundreds less. For $799, it packs 256GB of storage, a powerful Apple processor, and excellent cameras. What's not to like?

Selfie lovers: Apple’s iPhone 17 introduces a new selfie camera capable of capturing both vertical and horizontal photos without requiring the user to rotate the phone. If you want some variety in your selfies without having to change the way you use your phone, the iPhone 17 is a great pick. 

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is packed with everything Apple has to offer. It features the largest screen among iPhones, a battery that lasts over 34 hours, a variable-aperture lens that offers more creative flexibility, and an upgraded A20 Pro processor that ensures faster performance. It also features advanced video capture tools that are among the best available on any phone.

Serious multimedia creators: The iPhone 18 Pro Max includes some of the most powerful camera and video features of any phone on the market. Few others can record super high-quality ProRes footage in HDR at 4K120. If you create content for a living, this is the phone to get. Moreover, it offers up to 2TB of storage, more than enough to hold all your projects.

People who want the best battery life: The iPhone 18 Pro Max's battery life is remarkably long, lasting 34 hours and 31 minutes in our battery rundown test, earning it a PCMag Lab award for longest battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features high-end specs, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, up to 1TB of storage with 16GB of RAM, and the best camera stack available on an Android phone in the US. The embedded S Pen stylus is another significant point in its favor, particularly if you're an artist or note-taker who likes to sketch or jot on the run. Let's not forget Galaxy AI, which is equal parts useful and fun, and Samsung's powerful productivity software, which lets you multitask on the large screen with ease. Lastly, if you care about security, it has a Privacy Display that can hide the screen from view, reducing the risk of shoulder surfing.

Privacy Seekers: The Privacy Display shields the display from onlookers, which means you can view sensitive material in public where only you can see it.

Artist and Notetakers: The Galaxy S26 Ultra keeps stylus fans happy. The Ultra features a removable S Pen, which lets you place the stylus on the screen for longhand writing, mind-mapping, or sketching, in ways a keyboard cannot replicate. 

People who want the best Samsung phone: The S26 Ultra’s specs are out of this world, with a 5x optical telephoto zoom, a 200MP main camera, a superfast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and an enormous 6.9-inch OLED.

Move over, Samsung. Apple's first-ever foray into foldables, the iPhone Duo, is finally here. The device is the culmination of years of iPhone users' anticipation for a device that speaks their language. The iPhone Duo delivers everything you expect from a regular iPhone: leading performance, long battery life, a camera fit for most situations, speedy 5G connectivity, and the durability to handle real-life accidents. Apple reworked parts of iOS 27 to add a split-screen mode that makes multitasking on the Duo's inner display feel as fluid as if it were there from day one. It also supports Apple Pencil for on-the-go doodling.

iPhone users seeking change: You might be sick of the same old candybar-style iPhone. The iPhone Duo is an impressive first-generation foldable for those who have been waiting with bated breath outside the walled garden.

Multitaskers on the move: A bigger screen is great for reading, scrolling through digital documents, and watching videos, especially if you're stuck traveling for long stretches. A two-in-one phone-and-tablet is easier to carry than a third device alongside a laptop.

Google’s Pixel 11 packs the company’s best hardware and software into a tough, midsize phone. You get premium construction, a bright, detailed screen, sharp cameras, and AI that runs locally to speed up everyday tasks. Features like live call translation and language-based photo edits create standout experiences you rarely find elsewhere.

Uncompromising small phone fans: The Pixel 11 includes almost everything the Pro modesl offer in a small, dense body. Google's AI features work exceptionally well on this phone, while its cameras produce some of the best photos you'll see from any smartphone.

Long-term phone users: Google offers seven years of operating system updates, security fixes, and feature drops. That means the Pixel 11 hardware may age, but its software will stay current thanks to Google's generous policy. If you prefer to hold onto your investment, the Pixel 11 is worth considering.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the best book-style foldable yet. It's lighter and more compact than the Z Fold 7 or Z Fold 8 Ultra, yet still offers a large-enough cover screen and a larger internal screen. We also like the IP48 rating and Samsung's commitment to seven years of software support. It features a stronger hinge, powerful multitasking capabilities, advanced Galaxy AI tools, excellent 5G and Wi-Fi radios, and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor—all of which help justify its admittedly high price.

Tablet lovers: If you want a larger screen while working with the Z Fold 8, just open it up, and you've got a tablet to work with. It's a great option for those looking to do more with one device (though it costs as much as two).

Design buffs: Somehow, Samsung made the Z Fold 8 so thin that it resembles a regular (non-folding) smartphone while closed. Opening up the Z Fold 8 reveals its remarkable thinness. The refined hinge with Flex Titanium feels sturdy, while its excellent build quality showcases Samsung's manufacturing capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is an excellent value for under $200. Highlights include a large 90Hz screen, a good camera system, an IP54 rating against dust and water, and a guarantee of six years of security updates. It's not as tough as pricier phones, nor as fast, but given its low price, you can't ask for more.

Budget-conscious buyers: If your budget is limited, the Galaxy A17 5G is an excellent choice thanks to its good everyday usability, above-average cameras, and long battery life. Midrange models outgun it, but it's easily the best phone under $200.

Parents: If the thought of spending nearly $1,000 on a flagship phone for your child seems daunting, the Galaxy A17 should grab your attention. This Samsung is perfectly capable of handling the basics, so kids won't think of it as a toy. The phone's six years of support also mean the device will remain secure for years to come.

The Google Pixel 10a is an excellent midrange value for Android fans thanks to its capable pair of cameras, bright screen, smooth performance, and refined design. It also offers a good range of AI-based photo-editing features, along with more than 14 hours of battery life and an IP68 rating for protection against dust and water ingress. We especially like that Google promises seven years of software updates, just like for the flagship Pixel 10 lineup.

Google fans seeking a bargain: If you've ever wondered what the big deal is about Pixels, the Pixel 10a offers the best of Google in an affordable package. This is Android as Google envisions it, with various AI features that make the Pixel 10a fun to use.

People who love taking photos: Every phone on this list can take good photos, but the $499 Pixel 10a provides the best value. Google’s hardware and software shape the Pixel’s image workflow to effortlessly produce beautiful pictures. 

The Motorola Razr for 2026 embraces its dual-screen design in a way many alternatives don't; you can run virtually any app you want on either the vivid 3.6-inch outer display or the expansive 6.9-inch inner panel. We also like its IP48 waterproof rating, stylish design, competitive performance, and fast 30W wired charging.

People with small pockets: The Razr lets you easily carry a 6.9-inch screen around with you, no matter how big or small your pockets are, by folding it in half. Like the clamshell phones of old, the Razr closes with a satisfying thunk, giving you a squarish brick to carry around. Additionally, its front screen is large enough to allow you to accomplish a lot without opening the phone.

The fashion-conscious: In a world of bland phones, the Razr stands out. Its folding form factor turns heads, while its color options are unlike anything in the competition, thanks to a partnership with Pantone.

The TCL Flip 4 5G is an excellent voice phone with an embedded battery, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C charging port. It also features a 2MP camera, which is useful in a pinch. Wi-Fi, 4G, and 5G connectivity, along with email access, can help keep you in the communication loop.

People who just want to make calls: If you aren't interested in owning a smartphone, the affordable TCL Flip 4 5G confidently performs basic phone functions. The speakerphone and earpiece sound quite clear, and the battery lasts for a considerable amount of time.

Retro enthusiasts: The Flip 4 is a classic-style clamshell flip phone designed for today's cellular networks. If you prefer to text using a physical number pad, the TCL Flip 4 is the ideal choice. This device has no touch screens and no social media apps, so forget about endless swiping. The Flip 4's limited app selection should be sufficient for the lightest tasks (such as email), but its primary function is simply to be a phone.

The iPhone 17e is a great update that adds user-favorite features like MagSafe charging, extended battery life, 256GB of base storage, and outstanding performance, all for $599.

Budget buyers: If you want to save a few hundred bucks and get a phone that does nearly everything its bigger stablemates can at a more appealing price, the iPhone 17e is for you.

First-time phone owners: With its lower price, waterproof build, durable glass surfaces, and compatibility with the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 17e is an ideal choice for a first phone.