Best Phones in 2026 | Top-Rated Smartphones and Cellphones Compared

With the iPhone 17, Apple has significantly narrowed the chasm separating its baseline model from its Pro counterparts. The $899 iPhone 17 — which saw a $100 price hike following the release of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September — shares many of the same camera features with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, like Dual Capture and Center Stage. It also finally gets a display with a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, so you can enjoy smoother scrolling and enable the always-on display and see your notifications at a glance. And by updating to iOS 27, you can tap into improved Siri capabilities. All that without spending upwards of $1,100 for a Pro model, albeit with slightly scaled-back battery life and cameras.

Why we like it

The iPhone 17 is a baseline phone that shares many hardware and software features with the iPhone 17 Pro models, making it feel like a worthy, money-saving contender to those pricier devices. Generous battery life, faster charging and camera upgrades help it stand apart from last year’s iPhone 16, even if it looks almost identical.  

Who it’s best for

The iPhone 17 is a great choice for the average phone user who wants good cameras, solid battery life and a quality display. It’s also a good size for anyone who doesn’t like larger phones.  

Who shouldn’t get it

If you’re a photography enthusiast and a particularly heavy phone user, the 17 Pro or 18 Pro might be the way to go, because you’ll get a telephoto lens on the back, as well as longer battery life. On the other hand, if you’re a lighter phone user, you can save more money by choosing the slightly more budget-friendly $599 iPhone 17E.

Read CNET’s iPhone 17 review.

• CNET Labs Award for Fastest Wired Charging, May 2026

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t a radical upgrade from the S25 Ultra, but there are improvements where it counts. It’s the thinnest and lightest Ultra, at 7.9mm thick and 214 grams — an admittedly minor slim-down that’s still noticeable. 

The hardware advancement that steals the spotlight is the Privacy Display, which prevents others from seeing what’s on your screen. Unlike a $10 screen protector you can buy from Amazon, you can toggle Privacy Display on for certain apps, like a banking app or your email, as well as your lock screen, so no one sees your password or PIN. You can also enable it just for incoming notifications, so only part of your screen gets blacked out. 

The S26 Ultra carries over the same camera specs as last year, but it consistently delivers high-quality images. Plus, a neat new Horizontal Lock feature when recording videos keeps the horizon level even as you rotate your phone 360 degrees, leading to astonishingly stable footage.

Why we like it

The S26 Ultra prioritizes both hardware and software. Along with a thinner design and the Privacy Display, there’s also a handful of new intuitive AI features. For instance, Now Nudge surfaces real-time suggestions based on what’s on your screen, so if someone asks for photos from your trip, it’ll automatically point you toward those images in your Gallery so you don’t have to dig for them. And Document Scan will automatically appear when you’re snapping a photo of a document to remove shadows and creases, then let you export the final product as a PDF. Plus, the S26 Ultra’s battery can last well over a day and a half, and it supports 60-watt wired charging, a major perk.

Who’s it best for

If you’re a power user who likes having a larger display, a bigger battery and top-notch cameras — as well as the signature S Pen — the S26 Ultra is the way to go. It’s a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want to worry about charging their phone at the end of each day, since the battery can last well over a day and a half.

Who shouldn’t get it

The S26 Ultra keeps its $1,300 price, even amid a RAM shortage that threatens to raise phone prices. But that’s still not pocket change. If you don’t need the most high-end cameras and prefer a smaller device, the baseline S26 shares many of the Ultra’s features, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and all those AI features.

Read CNET’s Galaxy S26 Ultra review.

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are photography powerhouses. Their variable aperture, manual camera controls and focus tracking are a camera nerd’s dream. But when you combine that niche appeal with an $1,199 starting price ($1,299 for the 18 Pro Max), reality starts to come into focus. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max’s features and price expand the gap between Apple’s flagship Pro versions and the standard model, which was not updated to round out the 18 family, and is now expected early next year. I genuinely think most people would be better served by grabbing an iPhone 17, even at its higher $929 starting price, than one of the new Pros. Heck, I’d even say look at the iPhone 16. I mean, do you really need that telephoto camera?

Why we like it

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are aimed more at creative types than at regular folks, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re outstanding, powerful phones. The battery life in my testing so far matches that of the 17 Pro and Pro Max, and charging is fast. iOS 27’s improvements make interacting with the iPhone feel lively and less tedious. I’ve enjoyed Siri AI and think that when more folks try out the beta voice assistant, it will win over a lot of new fans.

Who it’s best for

This is a solid upgrade for those coming from an iPhone 14 Pro and older. And iPhone 15 Pro owners, check your battery’s capacity and health. I’d recommend replacing the battery instead of upgrading right now, especially in this economy. 

Who shouldn’t get it

If you’re just automatically upgrading from one pro iPhone to another, slow down. Owners of the iPhone 16 Pro or 17 Pro can comfortably sit this year out. Download iOS 27 and treat yourself to a nice meal with your loved ones instead. And while the iPhone 18 Pro and the upcoming foldable iPhone Duo are both positioned as creative tools, it’s like comparing a luxury SUV against a convertible.

Read CNET’s iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max review.

The $900 Samsung Galaxy S26 is a leading flagship with a price hike, and while it’s extremely likely that Samsung is just the first phonemaker in 2026 to give its phone a price hike, it still stings to have to pay $100 above last year’s Galaxy S25. Still, there are some notable software and AI upgrades, including the impressive Horizontal Lock feature that super-stabilizes recorded footage, no matter how you twist the phone around while shooting video.

Why we like it

The Galaxy S26 is a leading smartphone, a jack-of-all-trades that is blisteringly fast, takes good photos, shoots great videos, runs games well and has a decent battery. It’s not the absolute best at any of these among today’s top phones, but makes the podium for most of them, so it’s an easy all-around choice. The new AI features are fun if situational, and aside from Horizontal Lock, there aren’t any standouts. If one has to pay more for the phone, at least it starts at 256GB of storage.

Who it’s best for

The Galaxy S26 is a reliable pick for anyone who just wants a great phone that can do anything. While it won’t win any battery longevity awards (especially compared to the OnePlus 15), its cameras remain stellar, and its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip with 12GB of RAM result in smooth operations. It still gets seven years of software and security updates, so buyers will be able to keep it around for years and expect some AI features from newer Galaxy phones to trickle down, too.

Who shouldn’t get it

The Galaxy S26 doesn’t quite excel in anything — not battery life (OnePlus 15), photo AI features (Google Pixel 10 Pro) or display tech (its Galaxy S26 Ultra sibling). And the $100 price hike is more a reflection of the state of the industry than a result of upgrades, so if you’re looking for a cheaper but still powerful option, look for the Galaxy S25 or other Android phones from last year. 

Read CNET’s Galaxy S26 review.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a refreshing spin on Samsung’s existing book-style foldable design, with a squat, passport-sized build and a 4:3 aspect ratio when open, making it feel more like a tablet. 

With a spacious 7.6-inch inside display, it’s ideal for watching horizontal videos and multitasking in landscape orientation, and is well-suited for vertical content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok when turned to portrait. The 5.5-inch cover screen is just big enough to handle everyday tasks like sending a text, responding to an email or snapping a photo. Overall, it’s an incredibly versatile yet compact device that’s made for those of us who can’t stop scrolling or binge-watching.

Why we like it

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is not only adorable and satisfying to hold, but it’s also quite practical if you spend a lot of time consuming content on social media or streaming platforms. It also doubles as a great platform for reading documents and ebooks when held in a portrait orientation. Because of its adaptability, it’s well-suited for practically any type of media you want to consume. 

Who it’s best for

This phone is for anyone who spends a lot of time scrolling through social media, watching videos or reading digital documents or ebooks.  

Who shouldn’t get it

If you want pro-level photography or a better canvas for multitasking, the more traditionally designed Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra might be a better fit for you.

Read CNET’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 review.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is Google’s sleekest foldable phone yet. Measuring 5mm thick when open and 10.1mm thick when closed, it feels remarkably like a slab phone when you use the expansive 6.5-inch cover screen. The 8-inch inside screen is ideal for watching videos and multitasking. 

Impressively, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold keeps durability at the forefront. A sturdy aluminum frame allows the phone to be relatively lightweight, and an IP68 rating protects it against both dust and water — a rarity in the world of foldables.

Why we like it

Foldables are pricey, with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold starting at $1,899. Having a durable device offers some peace of mind. That’s the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s strong suit — quite literally. Along with an IP68 rating and scratch- and crack-resistant glass, Google’s latest foldable still maintains a sleek profile, allowing it to feel relatively slim and light.

Who it’s best for

If you tend to work or watch movies on your phone, a foldable with an expansive inner screen like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold can be a good fit. It also has the advantage of being durable, with a dust-resistant and waterproof design that means you can hopefully take the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to the beach without worrying about sand destroying it.

Who shouldn’t get it 

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s expansive 6.5-inch cover screen is something of a double-edged sword. It’s spacious enough to comfortably type, scroll and watch movies, but that also means I tend to forget there’s a larger 8-inch screen inside, and so I typically stick to the cover screen.

That can defeat the purpose of a foldable phone, but I like cracking open the Pixel Fold for multitasking and a more immersive viewing experience. If you don’t have much use for a larger phone screen, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars by sticking with a premium slab phone like the Pixel 11 Pro or 11 Pro XL.

Read CNET’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold review.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8 packs a lot into its thin and foldable frame, making it a joy to use in hand. Plus, Samsung’s One UI 9 combined with Android 17 gives the Z Flip 8 fun features including My FanCam, which uses AI to track someone in a video so it looks as though the camera is following them. It also makes it a lot easier to switch from an iPhone if you’re making the leap to an Android phone.

Why we like it

The Z Flip 8 has a significantly improved cover screen, making it easier to use just about any Android app on it. Even with its thinner design, the phone still gets one of the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processors for snappy performance.

Who it’s best for

The Z Flip 8 is a great option for Galaxy fans that want something more compact that unfolds into a more standard-size phone. Seven years of software and security support should also make it a good long-term option.

Who shouldn’t get it

If you want a flip phone with more battery life, Motorola’s Razr Ultra will cost more at $1,500, but it has a bigger battery and faster wired charging than the Z Flip 8.

Read CNET’s Galaxy Z Flip 8 review.

Google’s $899 Pixel 11 refines and improves its base phone to include many of the Pro-level features you may be looking for — including a third telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. The phone’s one of the more iPhone-friendly Android phones out there, with an improved method for transferring data over from iOS, PixelSnap magnets that work with Apple’s MagSafe accessories and AirDrop support via Android’s Quick Share.

Why we like it

While the Pixel 11 isn’t Google’s most powerful phone, it includes nearly all of the company’s latest software and AI features. That includes Live Translate to automatically dub videos into other languages, Rambler voice dictation to remove filler words and omit any errors as you speak, and access to all of Google’s Gemini assistant features. The phone’s base price increase over the Pixel 10 is understandable, since its $899 price for 256GB matches last year’s storage equivalent.

Who it’s best for

This phone is an ideal upgrade for anyone coming from a Pixel 8 or older. It can also be a good fit for those looking to switch from an iPhone; if you’re using an iPhone 14 or older, you’ll see the most benefit from the Pixel 11’s upgraded features. 

Who shouldn’t get it

If you want a phone that’s better for gaming, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 and Apple’s iPhone 17 series have processors that are better suited for graphically intensive multiplayer games. If you want the absolute best cameras and don’t mind paying $200 more, the Pixel 11 Pro supports faster low-light photography and a 120x Pro Zoom that uses generative AI to sharpen details.

Read CNET’s Pixel 11 review.

Google’s Pixel 10A remains one of the best value options at $499, pairing consistent Android software updates with an excellent camera. While it won’t steal away anyone enamored by the more expensive Pixel 10, it’s still an easy recommendation when you just need a phone.

Why we like it

The Pixel 10A’s ability to send photos and files over AirDrop via Android’s QuickShare makes this phone a lower-cost way to switch from an iPhone SE to Android without losing that helpful feature. Even those that don’t care about AirDrop can appreciate the Pixel 10A’s camera, which remains one of the best available among phones under $500.

Who it’s best for

Someone who wants a nice phone, but isn’t interested in poring through technical details. It’s also a nice gateway phone for people switching from an iPhone to Android, thanks to its AirDrop support.

Who shouldn’t get it

Google’s prior A-series phones had been almost better versions of their pricier siblings with a lot of the same hardware, but the Pixel 10A doesn’t follow this tradition thanks to its slower processor and lack of a telephoto camera, which the $799 Pixel 10 has. It’s also not ideal if you absolutely need iMessage or FaceTime access.

Read CNET’s Pixel 10A review.