iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Start with what you need the phone to do, how much you can spend in total, and how long you expect to keep it. Then compare specific models on software support, size, cameras, battery, storage, and the terms attached to the sale—not just the advertised price. There is no universal best phone: the right choice depends on your priorities, carrier, and location.
What should you look for when buying a new phone?
Before browsing, write down your budget and the features you will actually use. A phone that excels at photography may be a poor fit if you mainly need reliable messaging, long battery life, or compatibility with devices you already own.
- Budget: Set a ceiling for the total cost, not just the device’s headline price.
- Operating system and compatibility: Consider whether your apps, services, accessories, and other devices work well with the phone’s operating system.
- Size and screen: Think about readability, portability, and whether you can comfortably use the phone one-handed.
- Camera: Match camera features to what you photograph—such as people, moving subjects, or low-light scenes. Do not use megapixel count alone as a measure of camera quality.
- Battery and charging: Consider how you use your phone during a typical day and whether you can charge it when needed. Battery-life claims are most useful when they come from a test of the exact model using a stated method.
- Storage: Choose capacity based on your apps, photos, videos, and offline files. Check whether the specific model supports expandable storage if that matters to you.
- Support and repair: Check the model’s update commitment, warranty, and repair options, especially if you intend to keep it for years.
Consumer Reports’ U.S.-oriented buying guide, updated September 2, 2026, describes premium smartphones as potentially costing $1,000 or more and says phones under $600 can perform very well. These are broad category thresholds, not current quotes or guarantees for a particular model. Use them as context, then compare the features and total price of phones available to you. Consumer Reports’ Cell Phone Buying Guide
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHow do you compare phones without getting distracted by specs?
Compare two or three actual models against the same needs. A specification matters only if it changes your experience: a large screen may help with reading but make a phone harder to carry; more storage may be worth paying for if you keep large video files offline.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
| Compare | What to check |
|---|---|
| Total cost | Device price, shipping and fees, financing terms, carrier commitments, and trade-in conditions. |
| Compatibility | Operating system, required apps and services, and compatibility with your carrier and other devices. |
| Everyday fit | Physical size, screen characteristics, camera use, battery and charging needs, and storage capacity. |
| Ownership terms | Model-specific update support, warranty, repair options, return window, and refurbished condition if relevant. |
Do not treat a benchmark or battery figure as directly comparable unless the tests cover the exact phones under comparable conditions. The available guidance here does not establish current, directly comparable test results for specific models, so it cannot support a model ranking or a claim of personal testing.
How long will a phone get software updates?
Look up the support policy for the exact model before you buy. Update periods can differ between models from the same manufacturer, and the start date matters. Google says Pixel 8 and later phones receive seven years of OS and security updates, counted from when each device first became available on the Google Store in the U.S. That is a software-support commitment, not a promise that the hardware will last seven years. Earlier Pixel models have different terms. Google’s Pixel update policy
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
How can you check the real price and seller terms?
Read the full listing and calculate what you will pay under the conditions you can actually meet. A low advertised price may depend on financing, a particular carrier plan, trade-in eligibility, or another offer condition. Include shipping and fees where applicable, and check the return window before placing an order.
- Compare the upfront price with the total payments and any required plan or service commitment.
- For a trade-in, check the phone’s eligibility requirements and whether the quoted credit is conditional. Compare that credit with the cost of buying the new phone outright.
- Read the full product description, warranty, return policy, delivery terms, and seller identity. Save the listing and purchase records.
- Look at expert reviews from trusted sources and reviews across more than one site. Consider who wrote them and what they tested; star ratings alone are not enough.
The Federal Trade Commission advises shoppers to compare sellers and products and check them out before buying online. Its guidance also recommends reading terms and full product descriptions. FTC: Online Shopping
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Should you buy a refurbished phone?
A refurbished phone can be a lower-cost route, but the label by itself does not tell you the battery’s condition, what was inspected or replaced, or what protection you get if something goes wrong. Ask the seller:
- Who inspected the phone, and what checks were performed?
- Was the battery replaced? Are the parts original?
- What software version is installed, and what update support remains for this exact model?
- How long is the warranty, and what does it cover?
- What are the return conditions and deadline?
The FTC cautions that “refurbished” can describe a product that is not in perfect condition. Samsung’s U.S. Certified Re-Newed program is one example of a more specific offer: its program page describes genuine Samsung parts, a certified new battery, inspection and cleaning, current software, and a one-year warranty. Inventory, trade-in offers, and return terms can change, and these program details do not apply to other sellers. Samsung Certified Re-Newed
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
What should you do with your old phone before trading it in?
Protect your data and access before handing the phone over. The FTC recommends the following sequence:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Back up your data. Confirm that the backup includes the photos, contacts, messages, and other information you want to keep.
- Remove physical cards. Take out the SIM card and, if present, the SD card.
- Unlink accounts and trusted-device access. Remove the phone from accounts and trusted-device lists used for multifactor authentication.
- Restore factory settings. Do this after your backup and account changes, before selling or sending the phone in.
- Set up the new phone securely. Move or reactivate authenticator apps, then enable automatic locking, software updates, and backups.
The FTC specifically advises: “If you use an authenticator app to log into your accounts, set up the app on your new phone.” FTC: What to know before you upgrade your phone
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
