Table of Contents Buying a phone can be complicated. Whether you want a standard slab-style smartphone, a modern folding phone , or a basic feature phone, there are several small but important factors to consider before making a choice. PCMag has been covering cell phones for at least three decades and can help you sort through all the noise. Right now, four phones stand out among our Editors' Choice winners: the Apple iPhone 17 with its great mix of features and performance for the price, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with its artist-friendly S Pen stylus, the folding Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 with its expansive inner screen, and the simple Google Pixel 10a for its superb value. However, all the phones here are worth your attention, so be sure to explore our full reviews, linked below. Further down, we walk you through everything you need to know to pick the best one. Our Top Tested Picks Apple iPhone 17 This is the iPhone to buy for the smartphone shopper who wants the most features at the best price. Best value among iPhone 17 models Fast performance Competitive battery life Speedy wireless connections Pro-level display Flexible cameras No telephoto camera Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra The Galaxy S26 Ultra impresses with sharp cameras, smart AI features, a cutting-edge screen, and a classic design, making it easy to recommend to creatives pros. Class-leading cameras Excellent performance Privacy Display hides your screen Practical AI tools Useful S Pen stylus Limited viewing angles Average battery life Lacks magnetic charging Google Pixel 10 Pro The Pixel 10 Pro packs Google's best hardware and software into an elegant, compact device with standout AI features. Refined and appealing hardware Advanced, easy-to-use AI features Excellent cameras Long-term support Battery life should be longer No physical SIM card support Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 With a refined and appealing design, plenty of power, smarter AI, smoother multitasking, and improved cameras, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the best folding phone you can buy, bar none. Exceptional hardware Excellent displays Solid performance Powerful software Outlandishly expensive Only average battery life Google Pixel 10a With excellent cameras, a brighter screen, and strong AI features, the Pixel 10a remains one of the best values in midrange Android phones. Outstanding cameras for the price Sharp, bright screen Excellent Google AI Long software support commitment Simple, well-made hardware Outdated processor No magnetic charging Samsung Galaxy A17 5G The Samsung Galaxy A17 delivers exceptional value thanks to its large display, long battery life, good cameras, and long support commitment, making it our top pick for an affordable phone. Good battery life Quick-enough 5G and Wi-Fi Impressive cameras for the price 6-year support commitment Decent quality build Outdated processor Motorola Razr 2026 The Motorola Razr for 2026 is one of the most accessible entry points into the foldable lifestyle, packing fantastic battery life, sharp cameras, and AI smarts into a fun-filled flip phone. Over 19 hours of battery life Compact and pocket-friendly Low price for a foldable Swift wireless speeds Respectable cameras Displays could be brighter Only average performance TCL has completely reimagined its affordable Flip voice phone with a fresh design, extended battery life, and a 5G connection. Long battery life Quick performance Limited third-party apps Embedded battery Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max This is the most powerful iPhone you can get. Outstanding cameras Top video features Award-winning battery life Terrific screen Fast performance High-quality hardware Might be too big for some Most expensive iPhone Apple iPhone 17e Apple has built an excellent midrange phone that captures the essence of the iPhone experience, without many of the compromises you’d expect, and with some welcome upgrades over last year's model. Superb performance Long battery life Roomy 256GB base storage Camera takes sharp photos MagSafe charging Limited camera system Older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios The OnePlus 15 holds its own against top Android flagships from Google and Samsung, delivering a sleek design, category-defining battery life, lightning-fast performance, cutting-edge specs, and a dash of AI—all at a refreshingly affordable price. Award-winning battery life Excellent screen Quick performance Limited availability The Best Phone Deals This Week* Google Pixel 11 Pro 256GB Unlocked Phone With $200... — $1,099 ($1,299) Save $200.00 Google Pixel 10a 128GB Unlocked Phone (Obsidian) — $424 ($499) Save $75.00 Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB Unlocked Phone (Black) — $774 ($899) Save $125.00 Nothing Phone (3) 256GB Unlocked Phone (Black) — $599 ($799) Save $200.00 Apple iPhone 16 128GB Unlocked Phone (Black, Renew... — $599 ($699) Save $100.00 Get the Best Prices On Phones — Download Our Free Price Comparison Tool $0 Best Android Phones Best Cheap Phones Best Camera Phones Best Phones for Seniors June 17, 2026: With this update, we overhauled our recommendations across carriers, unifying our lists for shoppers at AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Our picks have been vetted for currency and availability. Best iPhone for Most People Apple iPhone 17 Best value among iPhone 17 models Fast performance Competitive battery life Speedy wireless connections Pro-level display Flexible cameras No telephoto camera Why We Picked It With the iPhone 17, Apple has meaningfully upgraded the base model to bring it in line with the rest of the iPhone 17 family—and competing flagships. With more than 24 hours of battery life, fast charging, modern radios, and high-quality hardware, it's a near-total package. Unless you're a power user who wants the photo and video tools of the Pro models, the iPhone 17 is the better value proposition. Value-seeking iPhone fans: The entry-level iPhone 17 would be considered a Pro-level model just a few years ago. In fact, it gets you much of the iPhone Pro experience for hundreds less. For $799, it packs 256GB of storage, a powerful Apple processor, and excellent cameras. What's not to like? Selfie lovers: Apple’s iPhone 17 introduces a new selfie camera capable of capturing both vertical and horizontal photos without requiring the user to rotate the phone. If you want some variety in your selfies without having to change the way you use your phone, the iPhone 17 is a great pick. Specs & Configurations Best for Artists and Note-Takers Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Class-leading cameras Excellent performance Privacy Display hides your screen Practical AI tools Useful S Pen stylus Limited viewing angles Average battery life Lacks magnetic charging Why We Picked It The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features high-end specs, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, up to 1TB of storage with 16GB of RAM, and the best camera stack available on an Android phone in the US. The embedded S Pen stylus is another significant point in its favor, particularly if you're an artist or note-taker who likes to sketch or jot on the run. Let's not forget Galaxy AI, which is equal parts useful and fun, and Samsung's powerful productivity software, which lets you multitask on the large screen with ease. Lastly, if you care about security, it has a Privacy Display that can hide the screen from view, reducing the risk of shoulder surfing. Privacy Seekers: The Privacy Display shields the display from onlookers, which means you can view sensitive material in public where only you can see it. Artist and Notetakers: The Galaxy S26 Ultra keeps stylus fans happy. The Ultra features a removable S Pen, which lets you place the stylus on the screen for longhand writing, mind-mapping, or sketching, in ways a keyboard cannot replicate. People who want the best Samsung phone: The S26 Ultra’s specs are out of this world, with a 5x optical telephoto zoom, a 200MP main camera, a superfast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and an enormous 6.9-inch OLED. Specs & Configurations Best Android Phone for Most People Google Pixel 10 Pro Refined and appealing hardware Advanced, easy-to-use AI features Excellent cameras Long-term support Battery life should be longer No physical SIM card support Why We Picked It Google’s Pixel 10 Pro packs the company’s best hardware and software into a tough, midsize phone. You get premium construction, a bright, detailed screen, sharp cameras, and AI that runs locally to speed up everyday tasks. Features like live call translation and language-based photo edits create standout experiences you rarely find elsewhere. Uncompromising small phone fans: The Pixel 10 Pro packs virtually everything its larger sibling has in a small, dense body. Google's AI features work exceptionally well on this phone, while its cameras produce some of the best photos you'll see from any smartphone. Long-term phone users: Google offers seven years of operating system updates, security fixes, and feature drops. That means the Pixel 10 Pro hardware may age, but its software will stay current thanks to Google's generous policy. If you prefer to hold onto your investment, the Pixel 10 is worth considering. Specs & Configurations Best Folding Phone Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Exceptional hardware Excellent displays Solid performance Powerful software Outlandishly expensive Only average battery life Why We Picked It The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the best large-screen foldable yet. It's lighter and more compact than the Z Fold 6, yet still offers a larger cover screen and a larger internal screen. We also like the IP48 rating and Samsung's commitment to seven years of software support. It features a stronger hinge, powerful multitasking capabilities, advanced Galaxy AI tools, excellent 5G and Wi-Fi radios, and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor—all of which contribute significantly to justifying its admittedly high price. Tablet lovers: If you want a larger screen while working with the Z Fold 7, just open it up, and you've got a tablet to work with. It's a great option for those looking to do more with one device (though it costs as much as two). Design buffs: Somehow, Samsung made the Z Fold 7 so thin that it resembles a regular (non-folding) smartphone while closed. Opening up the Z Fold 7 reveals its remarkable thinness, measuring just 0.17 inches. The refined hinge feels sturdy, while its excellent build quality showcases Samsung's capabilities. Specs & Configurations Best Midrange Android Phone Google Pixel 10a Outstanding cameras for the price Sharp, bright screen Excellent Google AI Long software support commitment Simple, well-made hardware Outdated processor No magnetic charging Why We Picked It The Google Pixel 10a is an excellent midrange value for Android fans thanks to its capable pair of cameras, bright screen, smooth performance, and refined design. It also offers a good range of AI-based photo-editing features, along with more than 14 hours of battery life and an IP68 rating for protection against dust and water ingress. We especially like that Google promises seven years of software updates, just like for the flagship Pixel 10 lineup. Google fans seeking a bargain: If you've ever wondered what the big deal is about Pixels, the Pixel 10a offers the best of Google in an affordable package. This is Android as Google envisions it, with various AI features that make the Pixel 10a fun to use. People who love taking photos: Every phone on this list can take good photos, but the $499 Pixel 10a provides the best value. Google’s hardware and software shape the Pixel’s image workflow to effortlessly produce beautiful pictures. Specs & Configurations Most Affordable Android Phone Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Good battery life Quick-enough 5G and Wi-Fi Impressive cameras for the price 6-year support commitment Decent quality build Outdated processor Why We Picked It The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is an excellent value for under $200. Highlights include a large 90Hz screen, a good camera system, an IP54 rating against dust and water, and a guarantee of six years of security updates. It's not as tough as pricier phones, nor as fast, but given its low price, you can't ask for more. Budget-conscious buyers: If your budget is limited, the Galaxy A17 5G is an excellent choice thanks to its good everyday usability, above-average cameras, and long battery life. Midrange models outgun it, but it's easily the best phone under $200. Parents: If the thought of spending nearly $1,000 on a flagship phone for your child seems daunting, the Galaxy A17 should grab your attention. This Samsung is perfectly capable of handling the basics, so kids won't think of it as a toy. The phone's six years of support also mean the device will remain secure for years to come. Specs & Configurations Best Flip Phone Motorola Razr 2026 Over 19 hours of battery life Compact and pocket-friendly Low price for a foldable Swift wireless speeds Respectable cameras Displays could be brighter Only average performance Why We Picked It The Motorola Razr for 2026 embraces its dual-screen design in a way many alternatives don't; you can run virtually any app you want on either the vivid 3.6-inch outer display or the expansive 6.9-inch inner panel. We also like its IP48 waterproof rating, stylish design, competitive performance, and fast 30W wired charging. People with small pockets: The Razr lets you easily carry a 6.9-inch screen around with you, no matter how big or small your pockets are, by folding it in half. Like the clamshell phones of old, the Razr closes with a satisfying thunk, giving you a squarish brick to carry around. Additionally, its front screen is large enough to allow you to accomplish a lot without opening the phone. The fashion - conscious: In a world of bland phones, the Razr stands out. Its folding form factor turns heads, while its color options are unlike anything in the competition, thanks to a partnership with Pantone. Specs & Configurations Best Voice Phone Long battery life Quick performance Limited third-party apps Embedded battery Why We Picked It The TCL Flip 4 5G is an excellent voice phone with an embedded battery, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C charging port. It also features a 2MP camera, which is useful in a pinch. Wi-Fi, 4G, and 5G connectivity, along with email access, can help keep you in the communication loop. People who just want to make calls: If you aren't interested in owning a smartphone, the affordable TCL Flip 4 5G confidently performs basic phone functions. The speakerphone and earpiece sound quite clear, and the battery lasts for a considerable amount of time. Retro enthusiasts: The Flip 4 is a classic-style clamshell flip phone designed for today's cellular networks. If you prefer to text using a physical number pad, the TCL Flip 4 is the ideal choice. This device has no touch screens and no social media apps, so forget about endless swiping. The Flip 4's limited app selection should be sufficient for the lightest tasks (such as email), but its primary function is simply to be a phone. Specs & Configurations Best Battery Life Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Outstanding cameras Top video features Award-winning battery life Terrific screen Fast performance High-quality hardware Might be too big for some Most expensive iPhone Why We Picked It The iPhone 17 Pro Max is packed with everything Apple has to offer. It features the largest screen among iPhones, its battery lasts over 32 hours, the Camera Control button offers more creative flexibility, and upgraded radios ensure faster wireless performance. It also features advanced video capture tools that are among the best available on any phone. Serious multimedia creators: The iPhone 17 Pro Max includes some of the most powerful camera and video features of any phone on the market. Few others can record super high-quality ProRes footage in HDR at 4K120. If you create content for a living, this is the phone to get. Moreover, it offers up to 2TB of storage, more than enough to hold all your projects. People who want the best battery life: The iPhone 17 Pro Max's battery life is remarkably long, lasting 32 hours and 11 minutes in our battery rundown test. The Pro Max outlasts not only its siblings but also most Android phones. Specs & Configurations Best Affordable iPhone Apple iPhone 17e Superb performance Long battery life Roomy 256GB base storage Camera takes sharp photos MagSafe charging Limited camera system Older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios Why We Picked It The iPhone 17e is a great update that adds user-favorite features like MagSafe charging, extended battery life, 256GB of base storage, and outstanding performance, all for $599. Budget buyers: If you want to save a few hundred bucks and get a phone that does nearly everything its bigger stablemates can at a more appealing price, the iPhone 17e is for you. First-time phone owners: With its lower price, waterproof build, durable glass surfaces, and compatibility with the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 17e is an ideal choice for a first phone. Specs & Configurations Best Alternative to Google and Samsung Award-winning battery life Excellent screen Quick performance Limited availability Why We Picked It OnePlus phones aren't as common to see as those from Google and Samsung, but they are often worth considering. The company's latest flagship matches today's leading phones spec-for-spec in terms of display, battery life, performance, and camera. It even sees OnePlus dipping its toe into AI and supports wired charging speeds of up to 80W via a proprietary power block. People who want to try something different: The OnePlus 15 is ideal if you're looking for a device not made by Google or Samsung. OnePlus produces consistently good phones with genuinely useful software that will receive four years of OS upgrades. Battery worriers: With more than 26 hours of battery life, the OnePlus 15 is one of the longest-lasting phones you can buy in the US. Its 7,300mAh silicon-carbon battery is second only to Apple's largest iPhone battery. Specs & Configurations The Best Phones for 2026 Compare Specs Which Cell Phone Carrier Has the Best Coverage? Despite all the recent innovations in hardware and mobile software, choosing a wireless service provider remains the most important decision. No matter what phone you buy, it's a paperweight unless you have reliable wireless coverage. You should choose a carrier with fair prices and the best coverage in your area. If you're interested in performance and live in a metro area, pay close attention to where the major carriers have deployed "mid-band" 5G (also known as C-band ) and use phones that support this technology. AT&T typically ranks third in national network surveys , but it still has excellent 4G and 5G performance nationwide. Although the carrier once confusingly sold its 4G network as 5G Evolution (or 5G E), it has since dropped that name from ads . AT&T uses a mix of low-band, mid-band (C-band), and high-band (mmWave) frequencies for its 5G networks. Low-band frequencies can reach faraway phones, but the trade-off is lower speeds. If your phone connects to AT&T's low-band 5G frequencies, it will display "5G" on the screen. You may experience speeds below 100Mbps on this connection. Mid-band frequencies range from 2 to 10GHz, and this is where you find C-band . In the US, C-band refers to frequencies between 3.7 and 3.98GHz . These allow for good range and better-than-LTE speeds, so it's important that your 5G phone supports them. Signals can reach about half a mile from their towers, and connection speeds can exceed 1Gbps. T-Mobile uses the whole menu of 5G frequencies—low, middle, and high—but mid-band is the sweet spot. The carrier's low-band 5G network has excellent coverage but little impact on performance, while its high-band network hasn't expanded much beyond its initial few cities. On the other hand, mid-band is available in most major and midsize cities and performs considerably better than 4G. All the 5G phones T-Mobile currently sells have mid-band, so you can choose a phone you like without worrying too much. Just double-check to make sure that your phone supports LTE frequency bands 12 and 71, as well as 5G band n41 and n77 to ensure optimal coverage. Verizon now has three kinds of 5G. C-band , branded "5G UW," is distinctly better than 4G when set up properly. Millimeter-wave 5G, also called "5G UW," is amazingly fast and powerful, like a wireless fiber connection. However, it's not available in most places (think big cities only). Verizon's nationwide "5G" is a little faster than its 4G, but not by enough to really matter. You can check 5G availability on Verizon's coverage map . Raw speed probably isn't why you're coming to or staying with Verizon, though. The carrier historically performs well in rural areas but sometimes loses out to T-Mobile in urban settings. Even so, third-party testing often highlights the reliability of Verizon's network. Almost all Verizon phones are available through the carrier itself, though some unlocked phones now work on its network as well. You can't bring just any foreign phone to Verizon—they have to be preapproved—but models from big unlocked brands in the US (including Google, Motorola, OnePlus, and Samsung), as well as most unlocked handsets from Amazon, should work fine. Of course, any iPhone will do well on Verizon's network; here's how to choose the right iPhone . Regional Carriers UScellular is currently available throughout the US, though much of its coverage is now provided by T-Mobile. Meanwhile, Boost Mobile covers a good portion of the country with its 5G-first service, though its future is not as secure. Many virtual operators use the big three networks for service, but offer lower monthly rates, cheaper international calls, or other benefits. They're typically better for less intensive users, and some don't offer family plans. Mint Mobile (on T-Mobile), Consumer Cellular (on AT&T), and Spectrum Mobile (on Verizon) all received higher ratings in our Readers’ Choice survey than the companies that host their services. AT&T owns Cricket, Dish owns Boost Mobile, T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile, Verizon owns Visible, and Google owns Google Fi (which also runs on T-Mobile). Verizon also owns Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Total Wireless, and Tracfone. We spotlight some of our favorite virtual operators in our roundup of the best cheap phone plans . We also have a story on the best cheap phones . You can find more 5G recommendations on our list of the best 5G phones . Should You Get an Unlocked Phone? Carriers often have confusing service and pricing plans, making unlocked phones as relevant and invaluable as ever. Unlocked phones are those you buy from a third-party store or directly from the manufacturer; they aren't tied to a specific carrier. Usually, you can use them with AT&T or T-Mobile. However, some popular unlocked phones are also compatible with Verizon. For the most flexibility, look for a recent Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S or Z flagship, or high-end Motorola Edge or Razr phone. If you use a low-cost MVNO service, ensure your unlocked phone is compatible; some MVNOs don't support phones that should work on their networks. In the past, unlocked 4G phones typically worked on all major carriers; however, 5G phones are different. Apple, Google, and Samsung's 5G phones typically work on all major US carriers; however, many other brands have limited band support or are certified only for specific carriers. Recommended by Our Editors What Is the Best Smartphone? There's actually less diversity in smartphone platforms and designs than ever. Android and iOS are the two remaining major smartphone platforms, both in US sales and in the availability of third-party apps. The iPhone has a well-developed App Store and some of the best media features. But Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem can feel stifling to some, though iOS is more customizable than ever. Android handsets offer a greater variety, and the OS allows you to customize nearly everything to tailor your phone to your needs. But it can also mean carrier bloatware you can't remove, and less consistent OS updates. Google and Samsung provide up to seven years of OS updates and security fixes. If you want an Android phone for the long run, consider those two manufacturers. Motorola's support ranges from two to five years. Strictly interested in Android? Head over to our roundup of the best Android phones . Baffled by the variety of iPhones? Here's how to decide which iPhone to buy . And if you want to document the world around you with your phone, we've also rounded up the best camera phones . What Is the Best Feature Phone? Some people still use simpler phones despite the limited number of choices. The top reasons to consider these models are their lower prices, ease of use, and often cheaper associated service plans (since mobile data is often not a factor). You'll find great deals on voice-only plans from virtual carriers such as TracFone and Consumer Cellular. Unlike smartphones, feature phones are "what you see is what you get." They don't receive software upgrades or run thousands of apps. Wireless network coverage is always the biggest factor, but individual phones can vary in reception, earpiece quality, microphone transmission quality, and sidetone (the echo of your voice that helps prevent you from yelling at the other person on the line). A phone with middling to poor reception quality can be almost impossible to use in areas with marginal coverage. In contrast, one with excellent reception can make the best of the little signal available. For more, see our picks for the best phones for seniors and our roundup of the best phones for kids . What's the Best Time to Buy a New Phone? The best time to buy a new phone is when you need one. If your phone dies on the pavement, get whatever is available that best meets your needs. However, if you're watching your budget or staying on the cutting edge, a little knowledge and planning can save you from buying a phone that's about to be discounted or replaced with something newer and more advanced. For instance, Google's flagship Pixel phones launched last August. Apple released the iPhone 17 models in September. Samsung introduced its new Galaxy S series in February, and the newest Galaxy Z folding phones are expected this July. Motorola sticks to a spring cadence for its folding phones, while OnePlus announced its latest flagship in late 2025. We update this story every time we review a new phone worth a spot on the list, so it changes often. Be sure to check back soon for our latest recommendations. About Our Expert I've been into technology for as long as I can remember. As a PCMag mobile writer, I get to test the newest phones and tablets. Since you rely on our buying advice, I make sure you get everything a manufacturer claims, which means lots of testing. This is your phone we're talking about; it's like a part of you. I've covered technology as a career for around two decades (yikes, I had to think about that). You've seen my work at The Apple Blog, PCMag (from my first go around), This Week in Tech, and CNET. I also occasionally produce independent video projects, including This Old Nerd, a how-to series that shows practical ways to get the most from your tech. Wireless Carriers Modems & Hotspots The Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for 2026 The Best Wireless Chargers for 2026 The Best Phones for Seniors in 2026 The Best Car Phone Mounts for 2026 The Best Mobile Hotspots for 2026 More from Iyaz Akhtar Weekend Project Further Reading What's the best graphics card for 4K gaming? Should I get the iPhone 17 or the iPhone 17 Pro? 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