The best phone to buy right now Haven’t you heard? Phones are boring now. And that’s just fine! Most people buying a new phone just want something familiar that works better than the device they’re replacing. If that’s your MO, then you’re sure to find something reliable in my recommendations below. But even if you’re looking for something a little more extra, you’ve got some great options. They’re going to be pretty iterative compared to whatever you’re using now — we’re in more of a software era than a hardware innovation cycle these days — but you can still find a delightful new device. We finally have a folding phone that offers full water and dust resistance, there are flip phones that offer more than just nostalgia, and you can still buy a phone with no fewer than four cameras on the back. There are even a few that offer fun styles. Not bad for a boring season of phone hardware. And stay tuned — if CES 2026 was anything to go by, there may be some even more interesting phones in our future. A lot of people in the US get their phones through carrier deals, and no judgment here if that’s the route you take — it’s how I bought mine. Just be sure you know what you’re getting into and how many years you’ll need to stay on that Super 5G Everything Unlimited Plus plan to keep the monthly device reimbursements coming. If you’re looking to spend a little less and still get the best smartphone on a budget, you can find something really good for under $600. For those recommendations, check out our guide to budget smartphones. The best iPhone for most people Apple iPhone 17 Score: 8 ProsCons Always-on display makes it vastly more useful High refresh rate makes using the phone smoother The cameras are solid Battery lasts well through the day The price isn’t going up No redesign, but the green is nice Zoom capabilities are weak compared to the Pro Gets hot during heavy gaming sessions Apple Intelligence is still somewhere between useless and MIA Where to Buy: $799 at Apple (256GB) $829.8 at Best Buy (256GB) $999 at Apple (512GB) Screen: 6.3-inch 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate / Processor: A19 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 main with sensor-shift IS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 18-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 40W wired, 25W wireless MagSafe (Qi2) / Weather-resistance: IP68 This year’s standard iPhone offers a handful of major upgrades over its predecessor, including a larger 6.3-inch screen with a 120Hz panel and an always-on display. These two features make the everyday experience meaningfully better, but they’re not the only ones: you also get faster performance, better battery life, and twice the amount of base storage at 256GB. It also has the same starting price of $799, which is a shockingly great deal. On the camera front, the iPhone 17’s new 48-megapixel ultrawide matches the Pro’s resolution, delivering sharper, more vibrant shots, while the main camera remains reliably good in most conditions. It also features the Pro’s 18-megapixel selfie camera, which lets you take horizontal shots without rotating the device. If you care about zoom or portraits, the iPhone 17’s lack of a telephoto camera is the clearest reason to go Pro. For most people, though, the device’s 2x “optical quality” zoom will be fine for everyday snaps, making it a great upgrade. Read our full iPhone 17 review. The best Android phone for most people Google Pixel 10 Score: 8 ProsCons Qi2 wireless charging with magnets is great AI is actually kind of useful, finally Telephoto camera is a nice addition Main and ultrawide cameras aren’t quite as good as the Pro Battery life is just okay Where to Buy: $799 $649 at Amazon $799 $649 at Best Buy $799 $649 at Google Screen: 6.3-inch, 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G5 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS; 13-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide; 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,970mAh / Charging: 30W wired, 15W wireless / Weather resistance: IP68 The Pixel 10 is an easygoing Android phone that offers some handy upgrades over its predecessor. The addition of Qi2 with built-in magnets is a delight, making it easier than ever to quickly charge up without plugging in. AI features like Magic Cue, which can proactively suggest information based on what you’re doing on your phone, are finally showing promise. And for the first time ever, the base model features a dedicated telephoto lens. But, alas, there’s a catch: The Pixel 10 no longer features the same main and ultrawide camera hardware as the Pro. You’re essentially getting the two rear cameras found in the midrange Pixel 9A, plus a telephoto lens. Still, as a whole, the device’s triple camera system produces images that are totally fine. Beyond the cameras, the Pixel 10 features the same Tensor G5 chipset that’s found in the Pro phones — handy for those aforementioned AI features. Overall, the Pixel 10 mostly improves upon what made last year’s Pixel 9 such a solid release. We’re not thrilled with the downgraded camera, but the addition of Qi2 and a telephoto lens helps to soften the blow. If you can live with the camera tradeoffs, the Pixel 10 is still a smart pick for anyone who wants a flagship experience at a more approachable price. Read our full Pixel 10 review. The best high-end Android phone Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Score: 8 ProsCons Excellent screen Improved ultrawide camera Rounded corners are comfier Expensive Bulky AI is (still) hit or miss Where to Buy: $1299.99 $1023.45 at Amazon (256GB) $1299.99 $1049.99 at Best Buy (256GB) $1299.99 $1005 at Walmart (256GB) Screen: 6.9-inch, 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite / Cameras: 200-megapixel main with OIS; 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS; 50-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless, Qi2 ready / Weather resistance: IP68 Samsung’s “Ultra” S-series phone is still your best bet for a maximalist Android phone, even if ultra doesn’t quite mean what it once did. You still get four rear cameras — including a 3x and 5x telephoto — a massive screen, and a built-in S Pen stylus. The battery goes all day, the processor is top-notch, and there are AI features aplenty if you’re into that sort of thing. There’s just no other phone quite like it. This year, Samsung removed the Bluetooth features from the stylus. That stings a little, especially considering that the company swapped a 10x zoom for the shorter 5x camera the year before. It still amounts to a great phone, but it’s one of the priciest slab-style phones you can buy, and Samsung seems to be cutting features without adding back any extra value. It’s still “ultra” alright, but it doesn’t feel quite as special as it used to. Read my full Galaxy S25 Ultra review. The best phone for around $500 Google Pixel 9A Score: 8 ProsCons Robust IP68 rating Seven years of software updates Brighter, bigger screen Missing a couple of AI features AI is occasionally handy, usually weird Where to Buy: $499 $399 at Amazon (128GB) $499 $399 at Best Buy (128GB) $499 $399 at Google (128GB) Screen: 6.3-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 with OIS, 13-megapixel ultrawide, 13-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,100mAh / Charging: 23W wired, 7.5W wireless / Weather-resistance: IP68 Every year, we’re pleasantly surprised by how much Google packs into its midrange Pixel A-series devices. In 2024, it was the Pixel 8A, and last year, it was the even better Pixel 9A. For $500 (and very often, less), the 9A offers Google’s fourth-gen custom Tensor G4 chipset (the very same chip that’s in the pricier Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro), a brighter and larger 6.3-inch OLED display, and an IP68 rating for improved durability. Plus, you get the benefit of seven years of software updates and security support. What you end up with is a device that delivers fantastic value, especially compared to other inexpensive devices. The Pixel 9A offers a handful of other features that put it above the pack, like a 120Hz refresh rate, wireless charging, and the largest battery across the Pixel line. It does fall short in a few areas, though — the camera’s low light performance and Portrait mode could be better. That said, the 9A’s camera is still great for everyday snaps, and for the price, the device is an easy recommendation as the best in this category. Read my full Pixel 9A review. The best high-end iPhone iPhone 17 Pro Score: 8 ProsCons Solid battery life Brighter screen outdoors Center Stage camera Faster charging Doesn’t get blazing hot Orange What’s up with Siri? Heavier than last year Where to Buy: $1099 at Apple (256GB) $1099.8 at Best Buy (256GB) $1299 at Apple (512GB) Screen: 6.3-inch 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate / Processor: A19 Pro / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.78 with sensor-shift IS; 48-megapixel 8x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 18-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 40W wired, 25W MagSafe (Qi2) / Weather-resistance: IP68 The iPhone 17 Pro is the model to get if you want Apple’s most capable camera system and the longest battery life you can get in an iPhone. All three rear sensors use 48-megapixel lenses — including the telephoto with 4x zoom — and support creator-focused tools like ProRes RAW. Apple’s switch to an aluminum body with a vapor chamber also helps keep temperatures low during intensive tasks, including high-res video recording, while the Ceramic Shield 2 front improves durability. And it’s all wrapped in a fresh, rounded design. As part of that redesign, Apple carved out the frame to fit a larger battery, which lasts through a typical day of mixed use while browsing social media, gaming, etc. The 17 Pro supports 40W wired charging and slightly faster MagSafe charging, allowing you to take it from zero to 50 percent in as little as 20 minutes. It also supports USB 3 for lightning-fast transfer speeds, so you can quickly copy over all your vacation photos and videos to your laptop. Since the standard iPhone 17 has the same 120Hz refresh rate and an always‑on display, it’s easier to skip the Pro this year. That being said, if you want longer battery life and the most flexible camera system in the lineup, the 17 Pro is the way to go. Plus, it comes in a bold orange shade that’s unlike anything else in Apple’s lineup. Read our full iPhone 17 Pro review. The best flip phone Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Score: 8 ProsCons Samsung finally adopted the big cover screen All-day battery Reliable camera More susceptible to dust than your average phone Still too hard to run full apps on the cover screen Where to Buy: $1099.99 $1055.99 at Amazon (256GB) (“Blue Shadow” $1099.99 at Best Buy (256GB) $1219.99 $1099.33 at Amazon (512GB) (“Blue Shadow” only) Screen: 6.9-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED inner screen; 4.1-inch, 948p, OLED cover screen / Processor: Samsung Exynos 2500 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 main with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (inner screen) / Battery: 4,300mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless / Weather resistance: IP48 Samsung finally got the memo with the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s cover screen. The company’s latest flip phone ditches the file folder-shaped look of its predecessor for a 4.1-inch, edge-to-edge display that wraps around the cameras. With more outer screen real estate, it’s easier to respond to texts and punch in a coffee order without flipping open the phone and getting sucked into a digital rabbit hole. The Flip 7 still makes you jump through a few hoops if you want to run full apps on the cover screen, but once you’ve wrangled the settings, it unlocks a lot of convenience for everyday tasks. That said, the cover screen isn’t perfect for every app. Sometimes a button hides behind the camera cutout, forcing you to change the app’s window size. But most tasks are a breeze, and opening the phone is always an option. Under the hood, Samsung swapped out Qualcomm’s processor for an in-house Exynos chip, though we didn’t notice any hits to performance. The new 4,300mAh battery will last you all day with moderate use, but heavy gaming and hotspot use will significantly impact battery life. The camera system, meanwhile, remains unchanged from the Z Flip 6, which isn’t a bad thing. You still get a 50-megapixel main shooter and all the fun flex mode tricks, which are great for capturing candids. Unfortunately, the Flip 7 still offers no protection against fine particles like dust or sand, which might work their way into the hinge and cause damage. This raises concerns about how the device might hold up over time. But Samsung’s beefed-up warranty and repair program can provide extra peace of mind. Plus, with seven years of OS and security updates, the Flip 7 should prove reliable until you decide to upgrade. Read our full Galaxy Z Flip 7 review. The best folding phone Google Pixel Pro 10 Fold Score: 8 ProsCons Full dust resistance! On a foldable! Qi2 support with built-in magnets Heavy and chunky Cameras aren’t as good as the other 10 Pro phones’ Pricier than a regular phone Where to Buy: $1799 $1499 at Amazon (256GB) $1799 $1499 at Best Buy (256GB) $1799 $1499 at Google (256GB) Screen: 8-inch, 2076p, 120Hz OLED inner screen; 6.4-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED cover screen / Processor: Google Tensor G5 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS; 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10.5-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (cover screen); 10-megapixel inner selfie camera / Battery: 5,015mAh / Charging: 30W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2) / Weather resistance: IP68 Concerns over long-term durability have kept us from recommending foldables to anyone but the most diehard gadget nerd. Then Google said “hold my USB-C cable” and bestowed an IP68 rating on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, making it the first foldable to provide full water and dust resistance. That means the device can survive a tumble on the beach without the hinge and inner screen failing. What’s more, the device features Qi2 support with built-in magnets for accessories and wireless charging. And with a new Tensor G5 chip, it offers smooth performance, whether you’re playing intensive games like Diablo Immortal or multitasking on the larger inner display. As much as we love the 10 Pro Fold’s improved durability, its cameras can’t quite keep up with those of other 10 Pro models. The device is also heavy and rather chunky; it’s over 40 grams heavier than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and nearly 2 millimeters thicker when folded shut. There’s a plus side to the thicker frame, though: it leaves more room for the phone’s larger battery, which can last a full day with minimal use of the inner display. If you find yourself spending most of your time using the larger display, you may need to find the nearest outlet by the end of the day. Read our full Pixel 10 Pro Fold review. Other phones we tested The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a very good device, and it’s basically the last small-ish Android phone you can buy in the US. I find the software to be fussier and more cluttered than the Pixel 10’s, so it’s not my overall pick, but it’s a reliable device — and your best bet for a phone that isn’t gigantic. Read our review. The iPhone 16E is a great phone that makes a lot of interesting trade-offs. Apple’s latest entry-level phone starts at $599 and comes with the company’s latest A18 processor, USB-C and wireless charging, a 60Hz OLED display, and the customizable Action Button found on Apple’s more premium handsets. The 6.1-inch phone doesn’t have MagSafe support or a Camera Control button, though, and it’s limited to a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera (sorry, ultrawide stans). That makes it hard for us to recommend over the standard iPhone 16, even if it does start at $200 less. Read our review. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is an excellent foldable that exemplifies what makes the brand’s phones so unique. It’s one of the best-looking phones you can buy, thanks to its gold-bronze chassis and wooden back. Plus, it features a spacious cover screen that’s handy for quickly performing tasks without opening the device. However, as much as we enjoy the Razr Ultra, Motorola’s promise of three OS upgrades and four years of security updates is on the shorter side. Read our review. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is an ultra-thin alternative to the big, chunky flagships we’ve seen over the past year. At just 5.8mm thick, it packs a 6.7-inch 1440p OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, a 3,900mAh battery, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Despite its thinner frame, battery life is surprisingly acceptable, though it won’t last as long as other flagship devices. The S25 Edge also lacks a telephoto camera, so it’s not the best phone for portrait photos. Read our review. The OnePlus 15R is the latest iteration in OnePlus’ less-expensive lineup, but unfortunately, its feature set doesn’t justify the somewhat lower price. Admittedly, it has some great features: excellent performance from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, and incredible performance from its 7400mAh battery — it can last days between recharges. However, it’s only $200 less than the flagship OnePlus 15, and the latter offers a much better camera (the 15R doesn’t include a telephoto lens, for example). In addition, the 15R still doesn’t offer wireless charging, which is getting harder to justify. Read our review. The OnePlus 15 is all about battery life. The $899 device features a massive, 7,300mAh silicon-carbon battery, which easily lasted two days during our testing. It also features a 6.78-inch display with a speedy 165Hz refresh rate, an IP69 rating for dust and water resistance, and a triple 50-megapixel rear camera with an upgraded periscope lens. In terms of performance, it boasts a Snapdragon Elite Gen 5 chip, which held up well during longer gaming sessions. It’s now finally available for purchase in the US following delayed FCC clearance. Read our review. The Nothing Phone 3 is the brand’s “first true flagship phone,” with a 6.67-inch OLED screen, a Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 chip, and a 5,150mAh battery. It also features four cameras — three on the back and one on the front — all of which are 50 megapixels. Additionally, the Phone 3 ditches Nothing’s signature light strips for a small dot-matrix LED display on the back, which can display images or emoji tied to specific apps and contacts. Read our review. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an impressive sophomore effort from Google. Like the Z Fold 7, the outer screen matches the dimensions of a regular slab-style phone, while the inner screen is great for multitasking. The whole package is also light enough that it sometimes doesn’t feel like you’re holding a foldable, though it does suffer from a slightly downgraded camera system compared to other Pixel 9 devices. There’s also no formal dust resistance, so long-term durability remains a concern. Read our review. The Pixel 10 Pro is Google’s most refined flagship yet, blending a premium design with meaningful hardware upgrades like the Tensor G5 chip and Pixelsnap wireless charging. Magic Cue delivers genuinely useful on-device AI that can surface helpful info in real-time, while the camera’s portrait mode is much improved over its predecessor. Battery life is just average, though, and some AI features still feel like they’re being shoved into corners of the device where it doesn’t really need to be. Most readers will be better served by the cheaper Pixel 10. Read our review. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is another thin book-style foldable that feels like a regular phone when folded shut, though its IP48 rating means it isn’t fully dust resistant. The spacious inner display is great for multitasking and gaming, and its battery can last all day with moderate use. However, with a starting price of $2,000 — $200 more than the 10 Pro Fold — it’s the most expensive device on this list, even if we have seen it occasionally drop to $1,599. Read our review. The iPhone Air is Apple’s biggest redesign in years, one that measures 5.6mm thick and weighs a mere 165 grams. It’s more durable than you might expect, too, thanks to its titanium frame and Ceramic Shield 2, and it feels deceptively small despite having a 6.5-inch display. However, there are a few downsides to the thinner frame, including shorter battery life and the lack of an ultrawide camera. Read our review. What’s coming next After months of anticipation, Samsung has officially announced the Z TriFold, with a US launch planned for the first quarter of 2026. The foldable features not one, but two hinges, resulting in a device that’s 12.9mm thick when it’s folded. Opening the device reveals an inner screen that measures 10 inches diagonally, with a resolution of 2160 x 1584 and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that can drop all the way to 1GHz. The 1080p outer display, meanwhile, measures 6.5 inches and features a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The device also has a ceramic-glass, fiber-reinforced polymer back panel that’s designed to resist cracking, along with an IP48 rating, meaning it’s fully water-resistant but not dust-tight. I tried it out at CES 2026 and found it surprisingly impressive. It’s still early days, but we’re starting to hear murmurs about Google’s Pixel 10A. Leaked CAD renders suggest it may look similar to the Pixel 9A, but Pixel 10-ified. That means we could see the entry-level 10A launch with some of the features found in the 10, including a Tensor G5 processor. Update, January 13th: Adjusted pricing / availability, removed mention of the OnePlus 13R, and added info about the Samsung Z TriFold and the OnePlus 15R. Brandon Russell and Barbara Krasnoff also contributed to this post.
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