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Which is the best phone to buy right now? There is no single winner that fits every buyer—or a shared test that makes every phone below directly comparable. For a mainstream iPhone, start with the iPhone 17; for Android, compare the Pixel 10 with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The other choices suit narrower priorities, from value and gaming to foldables. Check each model’s review status, price, regional availability, and compatibility with your carrier before buying.
How to use this 11-phone shortlist
These picks reflect recommendations and inclusions in several 2026 buying guides, not a head-to-head test of the same 11 phones. Stuff names the iPhone 17 its best phone overall and the Pixel 10 its best Android phone overall; Tech Advisor selects the Galaxy S26 Ultra as its best Android phone. Those are the outlets’ judgments, not a universal ranking. The remaining entries include phones identified by WIRED as guide selections and specialist candidates highlighted by Tom’s Guide. Their inclusion here does not mean every model was independently reviewed or tested by every publisher.
Use the category and review-status columns to narrow the list, then read the linked guide for the model you are considering. Some entries below have only limited comparative information in the cited coverage; they are options to investigate, not claims that one beats another in a test.
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|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 17 | Mainstream iPhone | Stuff names it best phone overall and says it offers a strong core experience without the Pro price premium. Stuff’s 2026 phone guide. |
| Google Pixel 10 | Mainstream Android | Stuff names it best Android overall and describes a 6.3-inch display, versatile cameras, and strong everyday performance. These are Stuff’s reported specifications and assessment, not measurements independently verified here. Stuff’s 2026 phone guide. |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Premium Android and power users | Tech Advisor names it its best Android phone and highlights Privacy Display, performance, and charging improvements. Tech Advisor’s 2026 phone guide. |
| Google Pixel 10a | Value-focused Android | Listed as a budget choice by TechRadar and WIRED. The cited coverage here does not establish a comparable test result or current price. TechRadar and WIRED. |
| Google Pixel 11 family | Buyers considering a new Google flagship | WIRED’s September guide includes the series, while TechRadar said reviews were pending. Treat it as an emerging option, not a completed independent test winner. WIRED and TechRadar. |
| Motorola Moto G Power 2026 | Budget buyers interested in battery life | WIRED includes it as a budget phone. Separately, Tom’s Guide reports a 19-hour-10-minute battery test for a “Moto G 2026”; the available coverage does not establish that this is the same model as the Moto G Power 2026, so do not attribute that runtime to this phone. WIRED and Tom’s Guide. |
| Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro | Gaming-focused buyers who also value long test runtime | Tom’s Guide reports the longest of the three cited battery-test results below, but also describes the phone as gaming-focused and says its software support was nearing its end in 2026. Check the manufacturer’s current support information before buying. Tom’s Guide’s 2026 guide. |
| Nothing Phone (4a) Pro | Buyers seeking another Android option to compare | WIRED says it added this phone to its September guide. The available coverage does not establish a specific category win or comparable test result for it here. WIRED’s Android guide. |
| Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) | Buyers considering a foldable | WIRED says it added this model to its September guide. The cited material here does not establish a specific test result or category win. WIRED’s Android guide. |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 | Buyers considering a large-screen foldable | WIRED says it added this model to its September guide. The cited material here does not establish a specific test result or category win. WIRED’s Android guide. |
| Fairphone (Gen. 6+) | Buyers comparing less conventional Android options | WIRED says it added this model to its September guide. The material cited here does not provide enough detail to establish its strengths, support term, or test performance; check the full review and exact model availability before deciding. WIRED’s Android guide. |
Which pick should you choose?
For an iPhone without paying for a Pro model
The iPhone 17 is the clearest choice on this list if you already prefer iOS and want a mainstream phone. Stuff’s recommendation is specifically that it provides a compelling core experience without the Pro price premium. Compare the storage configuration and current local price against the Pro models before purchasing; the cited guide does not provide a price that can be assumed to apply in every market.
#1 Best Overall
- Universal unlocked. Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
- Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display.*
- AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light with the 50MP camera**, look your best with a 32MP selfie cam*****, and capture extreme close-ups.
- Superfast 5G performance. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed*** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost****.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.****
For everyday Android use
The Pixel 10 is Stuff’s Android overall pick. Its guide describes a 6.3-inch display and versatile cameras, but those details should not substitute for checking the exact regional model or comparing camera samples for your own priorities. If price matters more, the Pixel 10a is a budget alternative named by TechRadar and WIRED, though the cited material here does not quantify the savings or establish a direct test comparison.
For a premium Android phone
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Tech Advisor’s preferred Android choice. Its cited strengths include Privacy Display, performance, and charging improvements. Consider whether you will use those premium features and whether the larger, higher-end device fits your budget and preferred size; the source judgments do not make it the best fit for every Android buyer.
Rank #2
- Universal unlocked. Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
- Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display.*
- AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light with the 50MP camera**, look your best with a 32MP selfie cam*****, and capture extreme close-ups.
- Superfast 5G performance. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed*** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost****.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.****
For gaming or battery-test results
The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is the specialist option in this guide. Tom’s Guide reports a battery-test result of 20 hours 34 minutes. That figure is a result under Tom’s Guide’s testing, not a promise of the same runtime in daily use. Its gaming-oriented design may be a poor match for someone seeking an understated general-purpose phone, and support was described as nearing its end in 2026.
Tom’s Guide also reports 17 hours 54 minutes for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. These figures can offer a point of reference within that outlet’s testing, but they do not establish what a buyer will get from a different usage pattern or test protocol.
Rank #3
- Universal unlocked - Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
- Sharp, durable 6.8" 120Hz FHD+ display - Enjoy stunning views and a 120Hz refresh rate along with 360 degrees of protection.*
- TurboPower charging and up to 49-hour battery - Get hours of power in just minutes of charging, and nearly two full days of battery life.***
- 50MP camera system with OIS - Capture sharper low-light photos, smoother videos, and studio-quality selfies with an AI-powered camera system. ****
- 5G speeds and fast multitasking - Experience unimaginably fast 5G speeds with a MediaTek processor and up to 24GB of RAM with RAM Boost.*****
For a value or foldable shortlist
WIRED’s selections add the Moto G Power 2026, Pixel 10a, Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, Motorola Razr Ultra (2026), Galaxy Z Fold8, and Fairphone (Gen. 6+). Use these as candidates to compare in WIRED’s guide rather than assuming they share a category ranking or comparable test results. The Razr Ultra and Z Fold8 are foldable choices by model type; the cited material here does not establish that one is better than the other.
How to compare phones before you buy
Start with the trade-offs that change your everyday experience, rather than comparing headline specifications in isolation.
Rank #4
- Unlocked: Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other major carriers.
- Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display*.
- Superfast 5G performance**. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speeds** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost***.
- AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light thanks to a 32MP Quad Pixel camera**** with 4x better low-light sensitivity and an ambient light sensor.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging*****. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes*****.
- Budget and total price: Compare the exact storage variant, unlocked price, and any carrier offer. A lower-priced phone can be the better value only if its compromises are acceptable to you.
- Platform and ecosystem: Choose iOS or Android based on the devices, services, and apps you already use. Neither platform is objectively best for every buyer.
- Size and display: Decide whether one-handed use, a compact body, a large screen, or a foldable design matters most. Verify dimensions and regional versions for the exact model.
- Camera needs: Look for review comparisons of still photos, video, low-light shots, and telephoto reach if zoom matters to you. Megapixel counts alone do not determine image quality.
- Battery evidence: Treat runtime as useful only with the outlet and test attached. Test results are not guaranteed everyday battery life.
- Performance: Ordinary messaging and browsing have different demands from sustained gaming or video editing. For heavier workloads, look for information about sustained performance and heat as well as the chip name.
- Longevity and review status: Check whether the exact model has received a completed independent review and consult official support information for update commitments. A phone appearing in a guide is not proof that a finished review or test exists.
- Carrier and region: Confirm that the phone is sold for your market, is unlocked if you need it to be, and supports your intended carrier. A recommendation or compatibility detail for one country does not guarantee availability or service elsewhere.
What the published battery tests say—and do not say
Tom’s Guide’s 2026 phone guide reports these results from its battery testing:
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|---|---|
| Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro | 20 hours 34 minutes |
| Moto G 2026 | 19 hours 10 minutes |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 17 hours 54 minutes |
These are Tom’s Guide test results, not guaranteed screen-on time or a prediction for every user. The cited material does not state the detailed test protocol, so do not treat these numbers as a universal cross-publication comparison. In particular, Tom’s Guide’s “Moto G 2026” result should not be silently relabeled as a Moto G Power 2026 result.
Best Value
- Carrier Unlocked 5G device compatible with most GSM carriers including AT&T, Cricket, T-Mobile, Metro, and other supported GSM networks. Does NOT work with Verizon/Xfinity/Other MVNOs. Carrier unlocked devices may retain the previous carrier startup logo and preinstalled carrier apps.
- 6.7" HD+ 1604x720, 263ppi LCD display with 120Hz refresh rate, 20:9 aspect ratio, 5200mAh battery, upto 30W TurboPower charging, Android 16
- 128GB storage, 4GB RAM with RAM Boost, microSD support up to 1TB, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 6nm octa-core processor, Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP main + 2MP macro; Front Camera: 32MP; fingerprint reader, face unlock, NFC, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio
- North/South American 5G Support: NR band n2/5/7/12/14/25/26/29/30/41/48/66/70/71/77/78, Global 4G LTE - Nano-SIM + eSIM
Check availability and compatibility before ordering
Phone names, configurations, release timing, and carrier support can vary by country. In the United States, consider an unlocked device if you want flexibility, then confirm the exact model supports your carrier’s network and features. Before checkout, verify the seller’s precise model and storage variant, local return terms, and whether the phone has a completed review. Availability and review status can change quickly: TechRadar reported Pixel 11 reviews pending in its guide, while WIRED included the Pixel 11 family in its September selection.
Bottom line
For a simple starting point, choose between the iPhone 17 for a mainstream iOS experience and the Pixel 10 for mainstream Android; consider the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want a premium Android option. For every other priority, use the category list to build a shorter comparison, then verify model-specific reviews, local pricing, support, and carrier compatibility before buying.
Quick Recap
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.
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