Mobile Phones: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Here at PCMag, every phone we review is put through extensive, hands-on testing informed by our many years of deep expertise, including benchmarks and real-world performance. Dive into our trusted results on battery life, speed, and cameras to find the right device for you.
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Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Find the Right PhoneWhether you're looking for an Android phone, an iPhone, or a simple handset for voice calls, these are the top phones we've tested for various budgets across the major US wireless carriers.
By Eric Zeman
Our Current Top Tested Picks
Apple iPhone 17
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
This is the iPhone to buy for the smartphone shopper who wants the most features at the best price.
Full Apple iPhone 17 ReviewPros
- Best value among iPhone 17 models
- Fast performance
- Competitive battery life
- Speedy wireless connections
- Pro-level display
- Flexible cameras
Cons
- No telephoto camera
Pros
- Best value among iPhone 17 models
- Fast performance
- Competitive battery life
- Speedy wireless connections
- Pro-level display
- Flexible cameras
Cons
- No telephoto camera
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
This is the most powerful iPhone you can get.
Full Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max ReviewPros
- Class-leading battery life
- Superb performance
- Outstanding cameras
- Excellent hardware quality
Cons
- $100 more expensive than last year's model
- Noticeably heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
Pros
- Class-leading battery life
- Superb performance
- Outstanding cameras
- Excellent hardware quality
Cons
- $100 more expensive than last year's model
- Noticeably heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
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.
Full Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra ReviewPros
- Class-leading cameras
- Excellent performance
- Privacy Display hides your screen
- Practical AI tools
- Useful S Pen stylus
Cons
- Limited viewing angles
- Average battery life
- Lacks magnetic charging
Pros
- Class-leading cameras
- Excellent performance
- Privacy Display hides your screen
- Practical AI tools
- Useful S Pen stylus
Cons
- Limited viewing angles
- Average battery life
- Lacks magnetic charging
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 sets a new standard for book-style foldables by pairing a squatter, video-friendly inner display with excellent battery life, quick performance, and genuinely helpful AI features, making it the foldable to beat.
Full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 ReviewPros
- Media-friendly aspect ratio is great for video
- Nearly 17 hours of battery life
- Strong, featherweight build
- Significantly reduced crease
- Useful AI software
- Long-term support
Cons
- No telephoto camera
- Still vulnerable to grit
- Only average cameras
Pros
- Media-friendly aspect ratio is great for video
- Nearly 17 hours of battery life
- Strong, featherweight build
- Significantly reduced crease
- Useful AI software
- Long-term support
Cons
- No telephoto camera
- Still vulnerable to grit
- Only average cameras
Google Pixel 11
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
There's little to dislike about the Google Pixel 11. It matches its pricier Pro siblings on speed, outlasts them on battery, and undercuts them on price.
Full Google Pixel 11 ReviewPros
- Top value among Pixel 11 phones
- Leading, all-day battery life
- Bigger and brighter camera sensor means better photos
- Performance on par with Pro models
Cons
- Audio can sound tinny
- Digital zoom is sometimes too aggressive
Pros
- Top value among Pixel 11 phones
- Leading, all-day battery life
- Bigger and brighter camera sensor means better photos
- Performance on par with Pro models
Cons
- Audio can sound tinny
- Digital zoom is sometimes too aggressive
Google Pixel 10a
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
With excellent cameras, a brighter screen, and strong AI features, the Pixel 10a remains one of the best values in midrange Android phones.
Full Google Pixel 10a ReviewPros
- Outstanding cameras for the price
- Sharp, bright screen
- Excellent Google AI
- Long software support commitment
- Simple, well-made hardware
Cons
- Outdated processor
- No magnetic charging
- No mmWave 5G
Pros
- Outstanding cameras for the price
- Sharp, bright screen
- Excellent Google AI
- Long software support commitment
- Simple, well-made hardware
Cons
- Outdated processor
- No magnetic charging
- No mmWave 5G
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
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.
Full Samsung Galaxy A17 5G ReviewPros
- Good battery life
- Quick-enough 5G and Wi-Fi
- Impressive cameras for the price
- 6-year support commitment
- Decent quality build
Cons
- Outdated processor
- Limited RAM
Pros
- Good battery life
- Quick-enough 5G and Wi-Fi
- Impressive cameras for the price
- 6-year support commitment
- Decent quality build
Cons
- Outdated processor
- Limited RAM
Motorola Razr 2026
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
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.
Full Motorola Razr 2026 ReviewPros
- Over 19 hours of battery life
- Compact and pocket-friendly
- Low price for a foldable
- Swift wireless speeds
- Respectable cameras
Cons
- Displays could be brighter
- Only average performance
Pros
- Over 19 hours of battery life
- Compact and pocket-friendly
- Low price for a foldable
- Swift wireless speeds
- Respectable cameras
Cons
- Displays could be brighter
- Only average performance
TCL Flip 4 5G
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
TCL has completely reimagined its affordable Flip voice phone with a fresh design, extended battery life, and a 5G connection.
Full TCL Flip 4 5G ReviewPros
- Affordable
- 5G and Wi-Fi
- Long battery life
- Quick performance
Cons
- Limited third-party apps
- Poor cameras
- Embedded battery
Pros
- Affordable
- 5G and Wi-Fi
- Long battery life
- Quick performance
Cons
- Limited third-party apps
- Poor cameras
- Embedded battery
Apple iPhone 17e
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
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.
Full Apple iPhone 17e ReviewPros
- Superb performance
- Long battery life
- Vibrant screen
- Roomy 256GB base storage
- Camera takes sharp photos
- MagSafe charging
Cons
- Limited camera system
- Older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios
Pros
- Superb performance
- Long battery life
- Vibrant screen
- Roomy 256GB base storage
- Camera takes sharp photos
- MagSafe charging
Cons
- Limited camera system
- Older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios
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