Reference
FAQ
Answer in brief
Short answers to the most common phone buying questions. The best phone right now is the iPhone Duo ($1,999); for most people, the iPhone 17 ($799).
Updated . US launch prices; check before you buy.
Every question we answer
What is the best phone?
The best phone right now is the iPhone Duo ($1,999), Apple's first foldable and our editor's choice. If you don't want to spend that much, the iPhone 17 ($799) is the best phone for most people. On Android, get the Google Pixel 11 ($899). For the longest battery life, get the OnePlus 15 ($899), and on a budget, the Google Pixel 10a ($499). More
What is the best Android phone?
The best Android phone for most people is the Google Pixel 11 ($899). If price doesn't matter, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra ($1,299) is the best Android phone you can buy. For the longest battery life, get the OnePlus 15 ($899), and on a budget, the Google Pixel 10a ($499). More
What is the best iPhone?
The best iPhone is the iPhone Duo ($1,999), Apple's first foldable. For most people, the best iPhone is the iPhone 17 ($799). The iPhone 18 Pro Max ($1,299) has the best camera and the longest battery life of any iPhone, and the cheapest current iPhone is the iPhone 17e ($599). More
What is the best budget phone?
The best budget phone is the Google Pixel 10a ($499 list), with 7 years of software updates. If you want an iPhone, the cheapest is the iPhone 17e ($599). For a bigger Samsung, the Galaxy A57 ($549.99 at launch). Under $300, the Moto G Play 2026 ($249.99). More
Which phone has the best camera?
In the US, the phones with the best cameras are the iPhone 18 Pro ($1,199) and iPhone 18 Pro Max ($1,299), which add a variable-aperture camera and new Pro controls. On Android, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra ($1,299) has the most versatile zoom. Outside the US, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is the camera leader. More
Which phone has the best battery life?
The phone with the best battery life is the OnePlus 15 ($899). Its 7,300 mAh battery lasted 25 hours 13 minutes in Tom's Guide's battery test, the longest of any phone tested. Among iPhone, Samsung and Pixel, the iPhone 18 Pro Max ($1,299) lasts longest at 18 hours 27 minutes, ahead of the Galaxy S26 Ultra (16 hours 40 minutes) and Pixel 11 Pro XL (14 hours 28 minutes). More
What is the best foldable phone?
The best foldable phone is the iPhone Duo ($1,999), Apple's first foldable. Reviewers call it the most polished foldable yet, and it outlasted every Android foldable in PCMag's battery test. On Android, the best foldable is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 ($1,899). More
What is the best smartphone of 2026?
The iPhone Duo ($1,999) is our editor's choice. The best smartphone for most people is the iPhone 17 ($799), and the best Android smartphone is the Google Pixel 11 ($899). More
What is the best phone under $1,000?
The iPhone 17 ($799), or on Android the Google Pixel 11 ($899) or OnePlus 15 ($899). More
Is the iPhone Duo worth $1,999?
If you want one device that works as both a phone and a small tablet, yes; reviewers call it the most polished foldable yet. If you just want a great phone, the iPhone 17 at $799 is the smarter buy. More
iPhone or Android?
Stick with what you have unless something bothers you. Messages, AirDrop and Apple Watch make leaving iPhone harder than leaving Android. Starting fresh, the iPhone 17 and Pixel 11 are both safe picks. More
Should I wait?
Not for most phones; the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Pixel 11 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 all launched this year. The standard iPhone 18 is expected in spring 2027. More
Is Pixel or Samsung better?
For most people, the Pixel 11 ($899) is the better value. The Galaxy S26 Ultra ($1,299) is better if you want the S Pen, more zoom and the most features. More
What is the best Samsung phone?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra ($1,299). For a foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 ($1,899). On a budget, the Galaxy A57 ($549.99 at launch). More
Should I buy the iPhone 17 or wait for the iPhone 18?
Buy the iPhone 17 if you need a phone now. The standard iPhone 18 is expected in spring 2027. More
iPhone Duo or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Duo if you want the big folding screen. The 18 Pro Max if you care most about camera zoom and battery life; the Duo has no telephoto lens. More
Which iPhone has the best battery life?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max, at 18 hours 27 minutes in Tom's Guide's battery test. More
What is the best phone under $500?
The Google Pixel 10a ($499 list). More
What is the cheapest good iPhone?
The iPhone 17e ($599). More
Is the iPhone or Samsung camera better?
For most photos and video, the iPhone 18 Pro. For long zoom, the Galaxy S26 Ultra. More
Does the iPhone Duo have a good camera?
Good, not the best: it has 48MP main and ultrawide cameras but no telephoto lens, and reviewers say it's a step behind the iPhone 18 Pro. More
Does the iPhone or Samsung last longer?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max lasts longer than the Galaxy S26 Ultra in most published tests. More
Which foldable has the best battery?
The iPhone Duo: 18 hours 15 minutes in PCMag's streaming test, ahead of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (16 hours 30 minutes). More
Are foldable phones worth it?
Only if you'll use the big inner screen daily. For less money, an iPhone 17 or Pixel 11 is a better phone for most people. More
iPhone Duo or Galaxy Z Fold 8?
The Duo if you use an iPhone or want the most polished foldable. The Fold 8 if you're on Android or want to save $100. More