Tech Advisor
Choosing a new phone is no easy task. You’ll use it for everything from staying in touch with friends and family to taking photos to accessing bank accounts and payment methods on the go, so the last thing anyone wants is to be saddled with a phone that doesn’t hit the mark. Thankfully, with the advice of our expert team, you won’t have to worry. As tech obsessives, our writers know exactly which phones are worth buying because they’ve put the latest options from Apple, Samsung, Google and more through a series of rigorous tests. This involves stress testing through benchmarking apps, playing demanding 3D games and documenting the battery drain over intensive days. With all that data to hand, this guide is updated with phones that we personally recommend so you don’t have to waste time getting your next upgrade. Even before you get to price, there are so many considerations to take into account. For instance, if your friends and family use iPhones, being part of that ecosystem can yield a ton of benefits, especially if you already have other Apple devices. Alternatively, if you’re obsessed with having the best features in a particular area, such as top-of-the-line cameras or a battery that can last for multiple days between charges, you may be better off choosing from the greater number of Android options. We’ve made the process of buying a new phone much easier by breaking down how the handsets in this guide stand out and the main reasons why you’d want to buy each of them. Scroll on to see which phones are the best to buy in 2026, but if you’d rather focus on handsets that don’t exceed a certain price, our guide to the best mid-range phones is ideal for those looking to spend around £500/$500, while the best budget phones are for those wanting to keep the cost below £300/$300. Best Android and iPhone phone reviews 1. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL – Best Phone Overall Pros Gorgeous design and display Superb camera experience Brilliant Android 16 software with long support The best wireless charging on Android Cons Big and bulky 100x zoom is disappointing Even more expensive Price When Reviewed: 1.299 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Google 1.299,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Buy a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL on iD Mobile with 100GB data for £37.99/month and £99 upfront If money is no object, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is the finest smartphone you can buy right now. It combines ultra-premium hardware with the most accomplished software experience you’ll find on any phone, while simultaneously having no significant weaknesses. Where shall we start? The stylish design and gorgeous 6.8-inch display immediately stand out, while the benefits of excellent durability and IP68 water- and dust-resistance become more significant over time. The cameras offer the best point-and-shoot photography experience you’ll find on any phone, with video quality not far behind. The AI camera features are hit and miss, with 100x Pro Res Zoom unusable at times, but they can easily be turned off. Elsewhere, the introduction of built-in Qi2 wireless charging and a new ecosystem of ‘Pixelsnap’ accessories is a big deal for Android. But improved 45W charging and solid battery life mean you shouldn’t need to rely on them too much. When it comes to software, the Pixel remains unmatched. While the phone runs Android 16 out of the box, the 10 Pro XL will be one of the first in line for Android 17 when it launches. Google has also committed to software support until 2032, making it superbly future-proofed. Who should buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL? You want the absolute best phone you can buy right now, are willing to pay for it and don’t mind using Android. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: Further considerations Look elsewhere for faster charging and better battery life. If you’re looking for something smaller, consider the Pixel 10 Pro or regular Pixel 10 , or you might even want to wait for the Pixel 11 series , which is expected in August. Read our full Google Pixel 10 Pro XL 256 GB review 2. Oppo Find X9 Pro – Best Phone Cameras Pros Phenomenal cameras Gigantic battery Excellent performance and software One of the nicest screens around Cons Expensive OS updates only until 2030 Price When Reviewed: 1299 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 1.299,00 € View Deal Galaxus 1.299,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Buy an Oppo Find X9 Pro on iD Mobile with unlimited data for £44.99/month and £19 upfront The Find X9 Pro is a stunning all-rounder. If you don’t love the Pixel software experience, Oppo’s latest flagship is your next best bet. What does it do so well? Pretty much everything. The Find X9 Pro is one of the very few phones with no real weaknesses, unless only four more years of Android upgrades is problematic. It sets a new standard for smartphone photography, delivering stunning stills in almost every conceivable scenario. And if you’re willing to buy the optional Hasselblad teleconverter kit, it can deliver zoom photography that surpasses what we previously thought possible. The phone’s other main highlight is battery life, with a monster 7500mAh cell that delivered the highest-ever score in our usual battery benchmarking test. It can easily be a two-day phone for many people, and if you have a compatible 80W charger, charging is rapid too. Don’t baulk at the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, either – performance is every bit as good as the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. With a gorgeous 6.7-inch OLED display, top-class build quality and impressively sophisticated software, it’s hard to fault the Find X9 Pro. Although the X9 Pro is going to be one of our key recommended phones for quite some time, it’s worth mentioning that for anyone who wants truly unbeatable specs, the even more powerful Oppo Find X9 Ultra is also available – albeit Who should buy the Oppo Find X9 Pro? Anyone looking for the best cameras or the longest battery life of any phone. Oppo Find X9 Pro: Further considerations Look elsewhere for the best software support or a more compact design. For anyone who wants truly unbeatable specs, the even more powerful Oppo Find X9 Ultra is also available – albeit at a significantly higher price. Read our full Oppo Find X9 Pro review 3. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – Best Phone Software Pros Slick software Still the best AI tools Exclusive Privacy Display APV codec and Horizontal Lock video Faster charging Cons Minimal upgrades S-Pen positioning is irksome No Qi2 magnets Expensive Price When Reviewed: 1449 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 1.449,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Buy a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on iD Mobile with unlimited data for £49.99/month and £99 upfront, plus free Galaxy Tab A11+ (worth £249) Samsung’s flagship phone has never felt quite so at odds with itself. There’s no magnetic Qi2 charging, which puts it a touch behind the Pixel 10 and iPhone 17 ranges, and it’s now more expensive than before, making it even more of an investment for true Samsung diehards. However, even with these setbacks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is still one of the best Android phones around and a true joy to use. The 6.9-inch AMOLED display remains the most alluring feature – it makes streaming a bit of Netflix or Disney+ feel far more cinematic than it does with other phones. Pair that with the powerful stereo speakers onboard, and you’re looking at a true entertainment hub. What you won’t be looking at (from a distance) is sensitive information thanks to the all-new Privacy Display feature. This incredible bit of tech can black out parts of the screen or the entire display, hiding personal texts or banking information you don’t want others around you to see. It’s a game-changer for making smartphones safer, particularly as we use them for so many applications. There’s also faster charging, with the S26 Ultra able to top up at 60W over a wired charge, and 25W over a wireless connection. All of this sits on top of Samsung’s incredible One UI architecture, which has only gotten better in recent years, very much standing tall alongside iOS and Google’s stock Android as being some of the best phone software on the market – even Bixby is useful at long last. What gives the S26 Ultra an extra leg-up is the infusion of Galaxy AI, which runs incredibly well, largely thanks to the super-fast (and tailor-made) Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy CPU. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra? Flagship buyers who want nothing but the best from the latest Android crop, including a world-first privacy display. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Further considerations The S25 Ultra can now be found for a lot less, and it’s very similar. Meanwhile, the base Galaxy S26 and S26+ offer the same core experience at a more affordable price. Read our full Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review 4. Apple iPhone 17 – Best iPhone Pros Double the storage Excellent screen Camera features for socials Solid battery life Cons AI features are still hit and miss Camera could be improved Price When Reviewed: 949 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €899 View Deal €899 View Deal €911 View Deal €919 View Deal 949,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Buy an iPhone 17 on iD Mobile with 100GB data for £37.99/month and £99 upfront Apple’s shake-up of the iPhone range in 2025 – mainly introducing the Air and a big redesign for the Pros – means choosing isn’t as simple as the last few years. The ultra-thin Air won’t suit most people’s needs, and the Pro design is more controversial. Plus, those three iPhones are expensive . This year, the humble entry-level iPhone 17 is the best model for the vast majority of people. It offers the best value of this year’s range as the most broadly appealing design and set of features. As usual, owners of the last model – or perhaps even a 15 – won’t feel the need to upgrade, but if you’re coming from an iPhone 14 or earlier, the jump is huge. It’s an all-rounder with a great screen, compact design, smooth performance, respectable battery life (now with faster charging with the right adapter), point-and-shoot cameras and twice the starting storage compared to last year – for the same price. Sure, it’s not perfect as Apple Intelligence is still behind the competition and below our expectations, and the Camera Control button still needs work, but the iPhone 17 can easily be your reliable daily driver for years to come. Anyone shopping on a tighter budget may be better served by the iPhone 17e , but that comes with some pretty significant downsides. Who should buy the iPhone 17? You want the best value iPhone from the current flagship generation, which also happens to be the most affordable. iPhone 17: Further considerations Similar-priced Android rivals have features such as telephoto cameras and better AI. Anyone shopping on a tighter budget may be better served by the iPhone 17e , but that comes with some pretty significant downsides. Read our full Apple iPhone 17 review 5. OnePlus 15 – Best Phone Performance Pros Best-in-class performance Great user experience with nice AI additions Phenomenal battery life Super-fast charging Cons Not quite top-tier cameras Software support could be longer Magnetic accessories require case Price When Reviewed: 949 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €778 View Deal €821 View Deal €821 View Deal 949,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The OnePlus 15 is a bold, exciting upgrade to the OnePlus 13 that gets almost everything right. Its highlight is the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 under the hood, which delivers staggering performance that no Android phone can match at the time of writing. Elsewhere, an incredible 7300mAh silicon-carbon battery delivers a full two days of battery for almost everyone. Super-fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging complement it superbly, even if Qi2 support still relies on a case. The 6.8-inch, 165Hz OLED display is gorgeous, while the new-look design is a real hit. And OnePlus’ OxygenOS 16 software is highly intuitive and packed with useful features, even if software support is a touch shorter than the best around. Ultimately, whether you buy this phone will hinge on the cameras. Despite some hardware downgrades, the trio of 50Mp rear sensors all deliver very impressive results, albeit with some small weaknesses when compared to the very best camera phones around. Whether that’s a dealbreaker for you will depend on how high a priority the cameras are. For the vast majority of people, this is an excellent all-rounder that takes performance and battery life to the next level. Who should buy the OnePlus 15? You want a phone that’s excellent in just about every department for under a grand with change to spare. OnePlus 15: Further considerations Look elsewhere for the best cameras if that’s really important to you. It’s also worth noting that OnePlus is rumoured to be exiting Europe and North American markets , which may affect long-term software support. Read our full OnePlus 15 review 6. Xiaomi 17 Ultra – Great Camera Phone Pros Excellent cameras Large, dazzling display Strong battery life & charging Top specs and performance Cons Bulky with large camera bump Mixed own-brand AI performance Fewer OS updates than some rivals Price When Reviewed: 1499 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €1199 View Deal €1199 View Deal €1249 View Deal €1499.9 View Deal €1404.74 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket When shopping at the high-end of the Android market, you’ve got tons of great phones to choose from, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, but Xiaomi’s most recent addition to this crowd holds its own. With a starting price of £1,299, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is quite an investment but one that delivers on almost all of its promises. Even though the S26 Ultra is arguably a better buy from a software standpoint, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is far better for those who want to go all-in on camera tech. The upgraded mechanical optical zoom system gives you DSLR-style shots of objects and subjects way off in the distance. Taking the Xiaomi 17 Ultra to a gig, we were able to capture crystal clear images of the lead singer from reasonably far away, and this was a tall order in a low-light venue. Because the camera system was co-developed with Leica once again, you can tap into Leica photographic styles for a bit of added flair. The 6,000mAh battery can keep up with all the shots you’ll be taking, as you can easily stretch it to last two days between charges. What lets the phone down yet again is the limited number of software updates, just six years’ worth from the point of launch. Given how expensive this phone is, we would have liked Xiaomi to match the long-term value offered by the likes of Apple, Google and Samsung. Who should buy the Xiaomi 17 Ultra? Photography enthusiasts who want a DSLR-style camera in their pocket. Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Further considerations It doesn’t match Samsung or Google on long-term software updates, while the high price tag means the regular Xiaomi 17 is worth considering. Read our full Xiaomi 17 Ultra review 7. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE – Best Mid-Range Phone Pros Flagship design and build Strong main and selfie cameras Impressive battery life One UI is slick and intuitive Seven years of updates Cons Supporting cameras could be better Occasional software bugs Not suitable for demanding gaming Price When Reviewed: 749 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 749,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Buy a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE on Mozillion (uses EE) with 100GB data for £25.21/month and £9upfront The Galaxy S25 FE is undoubtedly the best phone you can buy for £700/$700, our upper limit for mid-range handsets . It offers the premium hardware we’ve come to expect from flagships, with excellent build quality and a gorgeous 6.7-inch display. Its design is almost indistinguishable from the premium Galaxy S25+ , including the same excellent main rear and selfie cameras. With solid performance, strong battery life and 45W charging that’s on par with the S25 Ultra, the S25 FE ticks all the boxes for most people. But it’s the software that gives the phone a clear edge over the competition. One UI 8 is slick, intuitive and packed with useful features, while updates until 2032 are the icing on the cake. Unless you need great supporting cameras or a device for demanding gaming, the Galaxy S25 FE is the standout option in a crowded mid-range market. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE? Anyone who wants the best mid-range phone money can buy, especially if premium design and great software are important to you. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: Further considerations Look elsewhere for a more compact design or a more complete photography experience. The Pixel 9a and Xiaomi 15T Pro are alternatives worth considering. Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review 8. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max – Best Premium iPhone Pros Superb display Excellent performance Fantastic cameras Great battery life Cons Design might divide Expensive Heavy Price When Reviewed: 1449 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €1409 View Deal €1439 View Deal €1439 View Deal €1449 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Buy an iPhone 17 Pro Max on Mozillion with 100GB data for £54.38/month and £9 upfront The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the best phone Apple has ever made. This 6.9-inch behemoth is a force of nature, combining stellar performance with top-class build quality and superb cameras that can rival the best of Android. And while we can’t run the same battery tests, battery life is up there with the very best around. On the software side, iOS 26 is the most attractive and customisable UI that the iPhone has ever had, while Apple’s commitment to long and prompt software support should never be ignored. However, the new-look design, complete with a controversial camera plateau, won’t be to everyone’s taste. It’s also one of the largest and heaviest phones on the market right now. But if you’re looking for a no-compromise iPhone experience and are willing to pay the premium, it doesn’t get any better than the 17 Pro Max. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max? You want the ultimate iPhone experience and don’t mind paying for it. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: Further Considerations Look elsewhere if you value a more compact or cheaper device – the regular iPhone 17 is the sweet spot for most people. And of course, there are loads of options if you don’t mind Android. Read our full Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review 9. Xiaomi 17 – Best Compact Flagship Pros Excellent performance Beautiful display Superb battery life Super-fast and versatile charging Cons Display could be brighter and dimmer Limited telephoto camera performance Software support shorter than rivals Price When Reviewed: 999,90 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €1388 View Deal €1388 View Deal €1499.9 View Deal €1328.02 View Deal €1420.53 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you’re old enough to remember when the race for mobile dominance seemed to centre around making phones smaller instead of bigger, you may lament the lack of options now that can be comfortably used one-handed. There are still a few options available, such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the iPhone 17 , but in terms of cramming a true flagship experience into a compact frame, the Xiaomi 17 is the one to beat. With a 6.3-inch display, you don’t have to contort your hand to reach the top of the Xiaomi 17, and that’s great for when you’re on the move or stuck in a busy train carriage. Even with the smaller space, Xiaomi has crammed tons of tech into the panel, with a 1.5K resolution, 120Hz LPTO refresh and 3500 nits of peak brightness. You won’t feel as if you’re missing out on what the larger handsets can provide. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset onboard, you’re looking at top-of-the-line performance. Although the previous generation Snapdragon 8 Elite CPU was hardly a letdown, everything feels that bit smoother here, which makes gaming more fluid and engaging. We had trouble hopping out of Call of Duty Mobile during our gaming test because of how much fun it is to play on the Xiaomi 17. Cameras are mostly solid, and battery life also outdoes expectations as the 6330mAh cell can still have plenty left in the tank at the end of a long day, and it can be topped up quickly via 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. It’s a shame that, for a phone as pricey as this, you’re only getting five years of OS updates, which pales in comparison to even cheaper phones offered by Samsung and Google. Who should buy the Xiaomi 17? Fans of compact phones who still want flagship-level specs in a condensed form factor. Xiaomi 17: Further considerations Long-term software support is slightly behind Samsung, Apple and Google. And if you want the ultimate Xiaomi experience, go for the 17 Ultra instead. Read our full Xiaomi 17 review 10. CMF Phone 2 Pro – Best Budget Phone Pros Impressive cameras Excellent display Strong performance Excellent value for money Cons Only IP54 rated Longer software support elsewhere Price When Reviewed: 249 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price X-Kom 239,99 € View Deal Nothing 249,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Nothing sub-brand CMF’s second phone might adopt the ‘Pro’ name, but it’s still very much a budget phone. And with a starting price of just £219/$279 (you get more storage in the US), you won’t find a better handset for the money. What makes the Phone 2 Pro so special? Essentially, it takes most of what made the CMF Phone 1 so good and makes it significantly better, in exchange for only a small price increase. We’re talking two brand-new camera sensors, with the main lens also significantly improved. For the price, you can expect some of the best photos around. Add that to a brighter, more accurate display, a nice performance boost and the all-important NFC that was missing from the original (enabling contactless payments), and the Phone 2 Pro has a lot going for it. The standout, customisable design remains, as does Nothing’s user-friendly take on Android. The three years of OS updates are a little underwhelming, and you don’t get full water- or dust-resistance, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro undoubtedly has a lot going for it. Who should buy the CMF Phone 2 Pro? You want an amazing phone that’s around four times cheaper than many flagships. CMF Phone 2 Pro: Further Considerations Look elsewhere for a more traditional and more durable design, or longer software support, such as the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G . Read our full CMF Phone 2 Pro review Other phones tested Although the phones featured above are the current cream of the crop, they are just a handful of the devices that we review, many of which are still excellent but just miss out on making the cut: Honor Magic 8 Pro – Although Honor trails behind Samsung and Google when it comes to software, the brand easily has some of the best displays and cameras around, so if those aspects are your priority when buying a new phone, the Magic 8 Pro might be for you. The 6.71-inch display can reach a stunning 6000 nits of peak brightness, which is far more than most flagships right now. Motorola Signature – Even though it missed out on inclusion given the competitive Android flagship scene at the moment, the Motorola Signature is still a worthy option if you want a slim phone with top-shelf specs. At just 6.99mm thin, the Signature feels very svelte in the hand, and the 6.8-inch display spills over the edges to create a wonderfully immersive effect. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – Because of the sheer amount of choice available, we’ve had to make the best folding phones a separate guide, but if you are interested in the form factor for your next upgrade, look no further than the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Samsung’s flagship foldable is a marvel of engineering that’s just 4.2mm thick when unfolded, and it boasts the same 200Mp main camera as the Galaxy S25 Ultra . Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro Max – The X8 Pro Max delivers simply staggering performance and battery life for its £469 starting price, surpassing many flagship phones. With a gorgeous display and top-tier speakers, it’s ideal for gaming or content consumption, with bloated software the only major downside. If you want the absolute best hardware for under £500, this is it. Other phones to consider: Samsung Galaxy S26+ iPhone 17e Nothing Phone (4a) Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Motorola Razr 60 Ultra Nothing Phone (3) OnePlus Nord 5 Motorola Razr Fold Sony Xperia 1 VII Xiaomi 15 Ultra Chris Hall / Foundry Phone news that could affect your buying decision With the vast majority of phones typically replaced with a newer model every 12 months, and many contracts today lasting 24-36 months, deciding whether to buy now or wait for the next generation is always a tough decision. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice that is going to be affected by what you can afford and when, but it’s nice to know you’re not going to regret your decision almost immediately. One of the biggest launches of the year is for the Google Pixel 11 range , and it’s only a few short months away, expected in August. Before that, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 , Z Flip 8 and brand-new Z Fold Wide foldables are expected in July, just in time for Apple to hit back with its first-ever foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 series – likely in September. For the Oppo fans out there, you may have heard that the company has unveiled its top-of-the-line flagship for 2026: the Oppo Find X9 Ultra . Going even further than the Find X9 Pro, which is already a beast of a phone, the Ultra is designed to be a photographer’s best friend with five cameras on the back, two of which are 200Mp, while another is an industry-first 50Mp 10x telephoto. We’re currently in the process of testing the X9 Ultra , so if you’ve got more than a grand burning a hole in your pocket and you’re not quite sure which of Oppo’s two big flagships are best suited to your needs, we recommend holding off until the X9 Ultra review is live. Staying on the topic of camera-focused flagships, the Vivo X300 Ultra is another new contender that we’ve yet to test. Although a global launch seemed possible, the reality is a more scaled-back arrival than we anticipated. Alex Walker-Todd / Foundry The phone will be launching in several Western territories, with the exception of two key countries: Germany and the UK. If you live in either of those countries, you’ll probably have to give the X300 Ultra a miss in favour of a phone that’s been properly localised. Can I get a better phone deal? The prices displayed in our list of the best phones are updated daily, making sure you always see the top phone deals. Our recommendations are based on design, performance and typical value, among other things, but with retailer and mobile operator prices changing daily, we cannot factor in deals in the same way. Remember that a great deal could make a phone that appears lower down this list more attractive than one that sits at the top. Black Friday isn’t until November 2026, but plenty of deals remain all year round. If you’re looking for a dedicated event, Amazon’s next Prime Day event is confirmed for 23-26 June, though you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime member to access most of the offers. Another way to get a great deal is to consider buying a refurbished phone. Not only will you get it cheaper, but it’s also more eco-friendly. We have a regularly updated round-up of the best refurbished phone deals you should check out. You might also want to consider leasing your phone (and other tech) via a service like Raylo . This option comes with many benefits for the right person. How we test phones The only way to properly test a phone is to use it as our own. So that’s exactly what we do, putting in our personal SIM and using the handset around the clock for at least a week, and very often much longer. This in-depth testing tells us what it’s like to use the phone in the real world, from a user perspective, giving us insight into all features from the camera through to battery life. We pair this hands-on knowledge with traditional benchmarks to ensure we have comparable scores. Read more about how we test smartphones . Why you should trust Tech Advisor for phone reviews and buying advice Smartphones have been a core part of Tech Advisor’s coverage since the first iPhone was released in 2007 and Android made headlines in 2008. Since then, we’ve been guiding you through the fascinating and fast-paced rise of modern mobile phones, including the launch of 5G and the comings and goings of Windows Phone, Blackberry and brands like LG. We are testing new phones on a weekly basis and reviewing just about every model that comes to market. Our expert in-house team and contributors have many decades of experience combined. Who curated this article? Our full-time Mobile Editor, Anyron Copeman , is the lead on this list of the best phones. He spends almost all his time testing, reviewing and writing about phones and is often among the first in the world to get hold of the latest models. Our Managing Editor, Chris Martin , who has been testing phones for 15 years, provides assistance. How to choose the best phone When choosing a phone, you should consider these things: build quality and design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, software (do you want an Android phone or an iPhone?) and value for money. Generally speaking, a premium phone in 2026 will start at around £700/$700, but can cost over $1,000/£1,000 in some cases. If you’re buying that phone on a contract, you’re generally looking at between £30 and £50 per month on average in the UK, but you can spend a lot more if you want an expensive phone and lots of mobile data. In the US, you can often find very good contract deals on phones, typically better than in the UK and Europe. It’s worth noting that while this list highlights the best smartphones available right now, that doesn’t explicitly mean flagships (even though they do feature heavily here). There are entries that cross over with our mid-range and budget phone round-ups, too, but earn their place here based on their extraordinary value. Buying a phone outright will usually give you the best value, but we appreciate that finances in the real world don’t always accommodate such big one-off purchases. If you can afford to buy the phone outright, you’ll obviously also need to factor in the cost of the plan. FAQ 1. Should I buy an iPhone or an Android phone? There are a few mobile operating systems, but really only two worth talking about: Android and iOS. The vast majority of modern phones run Android. Android 16 is available now, with Android 17 expected to begin rolling out soon. But there’s no need to wait – all Android 16 phones will be eligible for the upgrade. Meanwhile, Apple’s current iOS 26 software is accessible to all compatible iPhones now, with iOS 27 expected to be revealed in June ahead of its debut on the iPhone 18 series and foldable iPhone . While it may have a lower market share worldwide, developers almost always release their apps on iOS first. As a result of this approach, it arguably offers a smoother app experience. If you have an Android phone or iPhone and want to move to a phone running the other OS (operating system), it’s fairly easy to transfer your contacts and other select data from one to the other. What you can’t move are paid-for apps and certain app data, so keep this in mind if you’re considering a change of platform – and research any specific concerns you may have about the process. 2. Should I buy an unlocked phone? An unlocked phone is not tied to any particular mobile network operator. Buying ‘unlocked’ usually means buying the phone outright without a SIM card or contract attached. The most important point is that an unlocked phone is almost always a better deal than buying a phone on contract, as long as you can afford it. The only real exception to this is Apple’s iPhones. Because of their traditional popularity, operators often subsidise the cost of buying an iPhone to lock you into a lucrative long-term deal. Generally speaking, if you can afford the upfront cost of the handset, you will pay less over the life of your phone by buying unlocked. More importantly, you are not locked into a lengthy contract. If you want a new handset at any time, you can buy one without having to pay your way out of the contract or commit to another two years. Just be sure to make certain the phone you’re getting is not locked to a certain network. All phones sold in the UK since December 2021 must be unlocked. 3. Which SIM or mobile plan should I get? One other thing to consider is the size and shape of the SIM required for your phone. Make sure you get a nano-SIM if a nano-SIM is what your phone requires. For the record, every phone in this list takes a nano-SIM, aside from some iPhone models in the US, which use eSIM . In the UK, the iPhone Air is the only eSIM-only handset. But for most people, it’s best to stick with a physical SIM card for now. Most networks send you a SIM card in three different sizes, so you can just pop out the one you need. If you’re looking for a SIM-free or unlocked phone, you probably already have a SIM card you’d like to use. 4G connectivity is still fine for most people. But if you want 5G, make sure both the phone and the SIM support it. 4. What is the best Android phone? Tech Advisor recommends the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL as the best phone available today. It’s a superb phone with no real weaknesses, excelling when it comes to both hardware and software. A close second best is the Oppo Find X9 Pro , which excels with its advanced cameras and incredible battery life. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t far behind in third place, with its innovative Privacy Display and built-in stylus making it ideal for productivity. However, the five other Android phones in this article are all worth considering, especially if you’re looking for something more affordable. 5. What is the best iPhone? Tech Advisor recommends the iPhone 17 as Apple’s top mobile phone. It delivers a fantastic core experience, including great cameras, a gorgeous screen, strong performance and solid battery life, for a fraction of the cost of Pro models. However, the iPhone 17 Pro offers a more advanced camera system, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers the most premium experience possible. And when it comes to a thin and light phone, the iPhone Air is unmatched. If you’re looking for something cheaper, consider the iPhone 17e , something from the iPhone 16 series or a refurbished phone . Related content Phone reviews Phone news Best mid-range phones Best budget phones Best Google Pixel phones Best Samsung Galaxy phones Best Xiaomi phones Best OnePlus phones Best Oppo phones Best foldable phones Best battery life phones Best camera phones Best dual-SIM phones
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