top phones: Our experts review the top 10 Android & iPhone models

Buy a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on iD Mobile with 100GB data for £42.99/month and £119 upfront

Samsung’s flagship phone has never felt quite so at odds with itself. There’s no magnetic Qi2 charging, which puts it a touch behind the Pixel 10 and iPhone 17 ranges, and it’s now more expensive than before, making it even more of an investment for true Samsung diehards. However, even with these setbacks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is still one of the best Android phones around and a true joy to use.

The 6.9-inch AMOLED display remains the most alluring feature – it makes streaming a bit of Netflix or Disney+ feel far more cinematic than it does with other phones. Pair that with the powerful stereo speakers onboard, and you’re looking at a true entertainment hub. What you won’t be looking at (from a distance) is sensitive information thanks to the all-new Privacy Display feature.

This incredible bit of tech can black out parts of the screen or the entire display, hiding personal texts or banking information you don’t want others around you to see. It’s a game-changer for making smartphones safer, particularly as we use them for so many applications. There’s also faster charging, with the S26 Ultra able to top up at 60W over a wired charge, and 25W over a wireless connection.

All of this sits on top of Samsung’s incredible One UI architecture, which has only gotten better in recent years, very much standing tall alongside iOS and Google’s stock Android as being some of the best phone software on the market – even Bixby is useful at long last. What gives the S26 Ultra an extra leg-up is the infusion of Galaxy AI, which runs incredibly well, largely thanks to the super-fast (and tailor-made) Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy CPU.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Flagship buyers who want nothing but the best from the latest Android crop, including a world-first privacy display.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Further considerations

The S25 Ultra can now be found for a lot less, and it’s very similar. Meanwhile, the base Galaxy S26 and S26+ offer the same core experience at a more affordable price.

Buy a Pixel 11 Pro XL on iD Mobile with 400GB data for £29.99/month and £349 upfront

Google has put the Pixel 11 Pro XL in a tricky spot. Because it’s not that much of a leap from the already brilliant Pixel 10 Pro XL, we’ve had to bump this phone down as it no longer works as our top recommendation, but that isn’t to say that it’s a bad phone. On the contrary, if you want a clean, iOS-like experience on Android but with top-of-the-line cameras, then you’re better off with this Google flagship than the S26 Ultra.

Admittedly, it’s not a complete replica of its predecessor, with the 11 Pro XL boasting a brighter 6.8-inch panel, plus you’re getting the much better-equipped Tensor G6 chipset, which can handle everyday apps and AI requests with ease. The problem is that in return for those benefits, the phone is now more expensive, and there’s less RAM in the base model, both of which are the result of the ongoing memory crisis currently affecting the tech industry.

Still, even with those trade-offs, a lot of what made the 10 Pro XL great remains the case here. This is a big-screen Pixel that’s fun to use, with wonderfully clutter-free software that the likes of Xiaomi, Honor and Oppo could only hope to replicate. It’s also possible to get the battery to last for up to two days at a time, and with seven years of OS updates from the time of launch, this is a great phone for the long-term.

The three rear-facing cameras, as well as the 42Mp selfie snapper, are all top-notch. Google just has an eye for computational processing that few other companies possess, and the end result is that even a bad picture can look great after Google’s software has worked its magic. Colours are vivid, and low-light performance is outstanding. The phone can’t quite beat Apple or Samsung on the video front, but if you’re only really looking to take pictures then you’ll love what’s available.

Who should buy the Pixel 11 Pro XL?

Camera-focused buyers who are shopping at the premium end of the market.

Pixel 11 Pro XL: Further considerations

If you want more of a bargain, the Pixel 10 Pro XL can now be found for less.

The Find X9 Ultra is a stunning camera that just happens to be a great phone too. If you don’t love the Pixel software experience, Oppo’s latest flagship is an incredible alternative for photography lovers.

What does it do so well? Pretty much everything. The Find X9 Ultra is one of the very few phones with no real weaknesses – aside from the price (though it does have 512GB as standard).

It sets a new standard for smartphone photography, delivering stunning stills in almost every conceivable scenario. In our review, we described it as “the best camera phone of the year”.

The phone’s other main highlight is battery life, with a huge 7050mAh silicon-carbon battery that ensures multi-day battery life for most people – even if it’s slightly smaller than the Find X9 Pro’s monster 7500mAh cell. With 100W wired and 50W charging also on board, you can get topped back up in no time.

Performance from the top-class Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is predictably excellent, though the device can run hot when under load at times. Good luck finding any faults with the stellar 6.82-inch, 144Hz AMOLED panel, though – it’s incredible.

Who should buy the Oppo Find X9 Ultra?

Anyone looking for the absolute best smartphone cameras, bar none.

Oppo Find X9 Ultra: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for the best software support or a more compact design. The excellent Find X9 Pro shares a lot with its Ultra sibling but will save you some money.

Buy an iPhone 17 on iD Mobile with 100GB data for £37.99/month and £99 upfront

Apple’s shake-up of the iPhone range in 2025 – mainly introducing the Air and a big redesign for the Pros – means choosing isn’t as simple as the last few years.

The ultra-thin Air won’t suit most people’s needs, and the Pro design is more controversial. Plus, those three iPhones are expensive. This year, the humble entry-level iPhone 17 is the best model for the vast majority of people.

It offers the best value of this year’s range as the most broadly appealing design and set of features. As usual, owners of the last model – or perhaps even a 15 – won’t feel the need to upgrade, but if you’re coming from an iPhone 14 or earlier, the jump is huge.

It’s an all-rounder with a great screen, compact design, smooth performance, respectable battery life (now with faster charging with the right adapter), point-and-shoot cameras and twice the starting storage compared to last year – for the same price.

Sure, it’s not perfect. Apple Intelligence is only starting to meet expectations, and some features are exclusive to Pro models. The Camera Control button also needs work.

But the iPhone 17 can easily be your reliable daily driver for years to come, making it very easy to recommend. Note that Apple has only announced the 18 Pro models this September, so the 17 remains the entry-level option for now.

Who should buy the iPhone 17?

You want the best value iPhone from the current flagship generation, which also happens to be the most affordable. With no successor expected before 2027, there’s never been a better time to buy one.

iPhone 17: Further considerations

Similar-priced Android rivals have features such as telephoto cameras and better AI. Anyone shopping on a tighter budget may be better served by the iPhone 17e, but that comes with some pretty significant downsides.

Buy a Motorola Razr Fold on iD Mobile via Carphone Warehouse with 200GB data for £62.99/month and £99 upfront

Given that the company already makes some of the best flip phones that we’ve ever tested, it shouldn’t have been too surprising to assume that Motorola could turn its hand to book-style foldables fairly seamlessly, but the Motorola Razr Fold far exceeds our expectations. This isn’t just a great outing for Motorola in a new vertical; the Razr Fold is easily one of the best foldables of its kind, showing up both Samsung and Honor in different ways.

The eye-catching design is the first thing you’ll spot about the Razr Fold, and we love it. There’s a tendency for foldables to look a tad boring compared to more exciting candybar-style phones (like the ones that Nothing puts out), but the Razr Fold continues Motorola’s eye for colour. The Pantone Lily White variant is easily the nicest of the bunch, and the backing has a good grip to it.

Anyone who’s read our Motorola Signature review will know that the phone impressed us with a solid array of cameras, but that prowess has also made its way to the Razr Fold. The three rear-facing 50Mp sensors, in conjunction with Motorola’s computational processing, can produce some incredible shots. Daytime snaps carry an immediate vibrancy while low-light shots do a great job of extracting plenty of detail from the scene at hand.

In terms of battery life, Motorola leaves Samsung in the dust here with a long-lasting 6,000mAh cell that can be topped up with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. On the software side of things, once you remove the annoying pre-installed bloatware, the Razr Fold’s take on Android is quite clean and uncluttered, although Moto AI is still a bit of a mess that should probably be abandoned in favour of Google-led AI features.

Who should buy the Motorola Razr Fold?

Foldable fans who want great specs across the board, particularly with cameras and battery life.

Motorola Razr Fold: Further considerations

The software side isn’t quite as seamless as Samsung and Google foldables.

Buy a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE on Mozillion (uses EE) with 100GB data for £24.54/month and £9 upfront

The Galaxy S25 FE is undoubtedly the best phone you can buy for £700/$700, our upper limit for mid-range handsets.

It offers the premium hardware we’ve come to expect from flagships, with excellent build quality and a gorgeous 6.7-inch display. Its design is almost indistinguishable from the premium Galaxy S25+, including the same excellent main rear and selfie cameras.

With solid performance, strong battery life and 45W charging that’s on par with the S25 Ultra, the S25 FE ticks all the boxes for most people.

But it’s the software that gives the phone a clear edge over the competition. One UI 8 is slick, intuitive and packed with useful features, while updates until 2032 are the icing on the cake.

Unless you need great supporting cameras or a device for demanding gaming, the Galaxy S25 FE is the standout option in a crowded mid-range market.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE? 

Anyone who wants the best mid-range phone money can buy, especially if premium design and great software are important to you.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: Further considerations 

Look elsewhere for a more compact design or a more complete photography experience. It’s also worth noting that a successor in the Galaxy S26 FE is official, though upgrades are minimal and the price is higher.

Buy a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra on iD Mobile with 50GB data for £56.99/month and £149 upfront

Despite the somewhat confusing naming convention as its ‘Ultra’ variant is more traditional follow-up to the previous-gen Z Fold 7, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is one of the most intriguing foldable phones that we’ve used in years, and although its form factor isn’t exactly new, it is certainly the device that will catapult the squat-design into the mainstream, largely because this feels like the most well realised version of what that concept has to offer.

When closed, the Z Fold 8’s 16:10 5.5-inch outer display is wonderfully compact and easy to use, bringing back memories of Apple’s iPhone Mini range and the smaller Asus Zenfones of old. It’s great for responding to messages quickly or for lining up a quick photo, but the real fun kicks in when you unfold the device and are greeted with the wide, tablet-like 7.6-inch display inside.

This larger panel makes it feel like you’ve been carrying around a TV in your pocket as it’s brilliantly suited for widescreen films and TV shows, giving them the ideal ratio to spread out, particularly against taller foldables that would squash streaming apps with heavy letterboxing. It’s even better for gaming as titles like Genshin Impact can make use of all the available space. Throw in a kickstand and a Bluetooth controller, and you’ve got the perfect on-the-go gaming hub.

Even though this is a new vertical for Samsung, because it’s not the brand’s first foldable, the Z Fold 8 benefits from all of the One UI optimisations we’ve seen over the years, managing to outdo competitors from Honor and Motorola on the core software experience. It is a shame that with such a hefty £1,699/$1,899 price tag you’re only getting two cameras on the back. Ideally, a better main sensor and the inclusion of a telephoto lens wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8?

Anyone looking for a perfect all-in-one entertainment hub for gaming and streaming.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: Further considerations

The camera set-up should be much better given the asking price.

Buy an iPhone 17 Pro Max on Mozillion (uses EE) with 100GB data for £52.46/month and £9 upfront

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the best phone Apple has ever made.

This 6.9-inch behemoth is a force of nature, combining stellar performance with top-class build quality and superb cameras that can rival the best of Android. And while we can’t run the same battery tests, battery life is up there with the very best around.

On the software side, iOS 26 is the most attractive and customisable UI that the iPhone has ever had, while Apple’s commitment to long and prompt software support should never be ignored.

However, the new-look design, complete with a controversial camera plateau, won’t be to everyone’s taste. It’s also one of the largest and heaviest phones on the market right now.

But if you’re looking for a no-compromise iPhone experience and are willing to pay the premium, it doesn’t get any better than the 17 Pro Max.

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

You want the ultimate iPhone experience and don’t mind paying for it.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: Further Considerations

Look elsewhere if you value a more compact or cheaper device – the regular iPhone 17 is the sweet spot for most people. You also might want to wait for our reviews of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which you can expect in the near future.

If you’re old enough to remember when the race for mobile dominance seemed to centre around making phones smaller instead of bigger, you may lament the lack of options now that can be comfortably used one-handed.

There are still a few options available, such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the iPhone 17, but in terms of cramming a true flagship experience into a compact frame, the Xiaomi 17 is the one to beat.

With a 6.3-inch display, you don’t have to contort your hand to reach the top of the Xiaomi 17, and that’s great for when you’re on the move or stuck in a busy train carriage. Even with the smaller space, Xiaomi has crammed tons of tech into the panel, with a 1.5K resolution, 120Hz LPTO refresh and 3500 nits of peak brightness. You won’t feel as if you’re missing out on what the larger handsets can provide.

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset onboard, you’re looking at top-of-the-line performance. Although the previous generation Snapdragon 8 Elite CPU was hardly a letdown, everything feels that bit smoother here, which makes gaming more fluid and engaging. We had trouble hopping out of Call of Duty Mobile during our gaming test because of how much fun it is to play on the Xiaomi 17.

Cameras are mostly solid, and battery life also outdoes expectations as the 6330mAh cell can still have plenty left in the tank at the end of a long day, and it can be topped up quickly via 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. It’s a shame that, for a phone as pricey as this, you’re only getting five years of OS updates, which pales in comparison to even cheaper phones offered by Samsung and Google.

Who should buy the Xiaomi 17?

Fans of compact phones who still want flagship-level specs in a condensed form factor.

Xiaomi 17: Further considerations

Long-term software support is slightly behind Samsung, Apple and Google. And if you want the ultimate Xiaomi experience, go for the 17 Ultra instead.

For a good long while, it was the excellent CMF Phone 2 Pro that sat on this list as our go-to handset for folks on a budget. Unfortunately, following the cancellation of a direct successor amidst the ongoing RAM crisis, which continues to drive up prices across the tech world, the Phone 2 Pro is no longer available to buy. Thankfully, it’s not a complete wipeout as CMF’s parent brand, Nothing, still has an excellent alternative awaiting potential adopters in the Nothing Phone (3a).

What’s even better is that the phone is now slightly cheaper than it was at launch, so you can bag a bargain if you shop around. The best thing about the Nothing Phone (3a) is that, from first glance, you’d never know that it was a budget phone. With Nothing’s eye-catching design philosophy on full display, the space-age look of the (3a) makes a lot of flagship phones seem boring by comparison.

The Glyph Interface on the back can light up to convey various bits of information, including the charging progress of the phone and any incoming notifications. Flip the phone over and you’ll find that the design continues in the software, with Nothing OS being one of the few Android overlays at the budget end that isn’t cluttered with bloatware. In fact, there are plenty of exclusive widgets that help you to dress up your homescreen with a bit more flair than usual.

The 5000mAh battery exceeded our expectations as we were able to reach just shy of two days of use across a single charge, which speaks to a fair amount of optimisation under the hood. Although the 50Mp main and telephoto lenses do a great job of capturing nice-looking pictures in a pinch, it’s the 8Mp ultra-wide that feels like a letdown. Without any autofocus on this particular lens, it’s a bit of a dud and should have really been left out of the phone completely.

Who should buy the Nothing Phone (3a)?

Budget buyers who want plenty of style, both in hardware and software, for their money.

Nothing Phone (3a): Further considerations

The ultra-wide camera is a real mess.