Best Phone Lists

Every "best of" list on this site is anchored to outcomes from MKBHD's Smartphone Awards. Award-winning picks are tagged so you can see why they made the cut.

List · 4 picks

Best Back to School Phone Deals 2026: Awarded Picks for Students

Best back to school phone deals 2026. Awarded picks for students with Apple, Samsung, and Google education discounts. iPhone 16, Pixel 8a, Galaxy S24.

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List · 5 picks

Best 5G Phone 2026: Top Picks for Sub-6 and mmWave Coverage

The best 5G phones of 2026: sub-6 GHz, mmWave, and standalone 5G compared. iPhone 17, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro picks.

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List · 7 picks

Best Android Phone 2026: Award-Winning Flagships and Picks for Every Buyer

The best Android phones of 2026, anchored to MKBHD's Smartphone Awards. Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro, Z Fold 7, and more — by use case.

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List · 6 picks

Best Big Phone 2026: Award-Winning Picks With 6.7-inch+ Displays

The best big phones of 2026 with 6.7-inch+ displays, anchored to MKBHD's Best Big Phone award winners. Xiaomi 17 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and more.

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List · 4 picks

Best Budget Phone 2026: Award-Winning Picks Under $500

The best cheap phones of 2026 under $500, ranked using MKBHD's Best Value award winners. Pixel A-series, Nothing, and Samsung Galaxy A picks.

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List · 6 picks

Best Camera Phone 2026: Tested by MKBHD's Awards Across 4 Generations

The best camera phones of 2026, anchored to MKBHD's annual Best Camera award winners (2022–2025). Phones for stills, video, low light, and zoom.

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List · 4 picks

Best Cheap Android Phone 2026: Top Picks Under $600

Best cheap Android phones in 2026: discounted flagships, Pixel A-series, and budget Galaxy picks. Anchored to MKBHD's Best Value award winners.

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List · 4 picks

Best Cheap iPhone 2026: Discounted Picks Under $700

The best cheap iPhones in 2026: discounted iPhone 16, refurbished 15 Pro, and 15 base picks ranked. With MKBHD's Best Small Phone and Best Camera award context.

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List · 5 picks

Best Compact Phone 2026: Pocketable Picks Under 6.4 Inches

The best compact phones of 2026 (under 6.4 inches), anchored to MKBHD's Best Small Phone winners. Z Flip 7, iPhone 17, Pixel 8 picks.

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List · 6 picks

Best Flagship Phone 2026: Award-Winning Top-Tier Picks

The best flagship phones of 2026 ($1,000+) ranked using MKBHD's Smartphone Awards. iPhone 17 Pro, S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro, and more.

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List · 3 picks

Best Flip Phone 2026: Modern Foldable Flips Ranked

The best flip phones of 2026 — modern foldable flips with full smartphone capabilities. Z Flip 7 (Best Small Phone winner) and alternatives.

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List · 5 picks

Best Foldable Phone 2026: MKBHD-Awarded Picks That Are Finally Mature

The best foldable phones of 2026, ranked using MKBHD's Best Foldable award winners and runners-up. Book-style and flip-style foldables compared.

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List · 5 picks

Best Gaming Phone 2026: Top Picks for Mobile Gamers

The best gaming phones of 2026 — sustained performance, fast displays, and battery life. Award-winning picks plus dedicated gaming hardware.

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List · 7 picks

Best iPhone 2026: Every Model Ranked and Picked by Use Case

The best iPhone to buy in 2026 by use case. iPhone 17 won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's awards; iPhone Air won Best Design. Every model ranked.

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List · 5 picks

Best Large-Screen Phone 2026: Top Picks With 6.7-inch+ Displays

The best large-screen phones of 2026 (6.7-inch+) ranked using MKBHD's Best Big Phone award. Galaxy S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and more.

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List · 5 picks

Best Mid-Range Phone 2026: Top Picks Between $400 and $700

The best mid-range phones of 2026 between $400 and $700. Pixel 8a, Galaxy S24, iPhone 16, Nothing Phone 2a — anchored to MKBHD's awards.

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List · 5 picks

Best Phone Deals Under $500 in 2026: Awarded Budget Picks

Best phone deals under $500 in 2026 — MKBHD-awarded budget picks at deeply discounted prices. Pixel 8a, Galaxy A54, Nothing Phone 2a.

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List · 5 picks

Best Phone for Battery Life 2026: Award-Winning Endurance Champions

The best phones for battery life in 2026, anchored to MKBHD's Best Battery award winners. OnePlus 15, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and the longest-lasting flagships.

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List · 4 picks

Best Phone for Business 2026: Top Picks for Professionals

The best phones for business in 2026: enterprise security, multi-app productivity, and battery life ranked. iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy Z Fold 7, S25 Ultra picks.

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List · 4 picks

Best Phone for College Students 2026: Affordable Picks With Long Support

The best phones for college students in 2026: affordable, durable, with long software support. iPhone 16, Pixel 8a, Galaxy S24 picks.

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List · 4 picks

Best Phone for Kids 2026: Safe, Affordable Picks With Strong Parental Controls

The best smartphones for kids in 2026: durable, affordable, and with strong parental controls. iPhone 16, Pixel 8a, Galaxy A54 ranked.

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List · 4 picks

Best Phone for Music Listening 2026: Top Picks for Audiophiles

The best phones for music listening in 2026: hi-res audio, Bluetooth codecs, headphone jack options. iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Asus Zenfone picks.

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List · 7 picks

Best Phone for Photography 2026: Award-Winning Cameras Ranked

The best phones for photography in 2026, anchored to MKBHD's Best Camera award winners (2022–2025). Stills, low light, and zoom champions ranked.

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List · 4 picks

Best Phone for Seniors 2026: Easy-to-Use Picks With Long Support Windows

The best smartphones for seniors in 2026: easy-to-use, accessible, with long software support. iPhone 17, Pixel 8a, Galaxy A55 picks ranked.

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List · 4 picks

Best Phone for Streaming Video 2026: Top Picks for Netflix, YouTube, and Apple TV

Best phones for streaming video in 2026: HDR display, stereo speakers, and DRM support. iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 7 ranked.

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List · 4 picks

Best Phone for TikTok 2026: Top Picks for Creators and Watchers

The best phones for TikTok in 2026: front cameras, vertical video, stabilization. iPhone 17, Pixel 9 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra ranked.

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List · 5 picks

Best Phone for Travel 2026: Top Picks for International and Domestic Trips

The best travel phones in 2026: dual-SIM, eSIM, long battery, telephoto cameras. iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro picks.

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List · 5 picks

Best Phone for Video 2026: Top Picks for Mobile Video Creators

The best phones for shooting video in 2026 — ProRes, Cinematic mode, 8K capture compared. iPhone 17 Pro and the best Android video phones.

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List · 6 picks

Best Phone Under $1,000 in 2026: Award-Backed Picks

The best smartphones under $1,000 in 2026, anchored to MKBHD's Smartphone Awards results. Phone of the Year tier without the Pro-tier markup.

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List · 3 picks

Best Phone Under $300 in 2026: Cheap Picks That Don't Feel Cheap

The best phones under $300 in 2026, ranked using MKBHD's Best Value award winners. Pixel 7a, Galaxy A54, Nothing Phone 1, and other budget picks.

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List · 5 picks

Best Phone Under $500 in 2026: Top Picks That Punch Above Their Price

The best phones under $500 in 2026, ranked using MKBHD's Best Value award winners. Pixel A-series, Nothing, Samsung Galaxy A, and discounted flagships.

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List · 3 picks

Best Phone With a Headphone Jack 2026: The Few That Remain

The best phones with headphone jacks in 2026 — a vanishing category. Asus Zenfone 9, Sony Xperia, and rugged picks ranked.

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List · 3 picks

Best Phone With a Stylus 2026: S Pen and Stylus-Compatible Picks

The best phones with stylus support in 2026. Galaxy S25 Ultra, Z Fold 7 with S Pen Pro picks ranked. With MKBHD award context.

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List · 5 picks

Best Phones On Sale Right Now: Awarded Picks Currently Discounted

Best phones currently on sale in 2026 — MKBHD-awarded picks with active discounts at Amazon, Best Buy, and carriers.

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List · 4 picks

Best Prepaid Phone 2026: Top Picks for No-Contract Plans

The best prepaid phones in 2026 — work on Mint Mobile, Visible, Cricket, Metro. iPhone 16, Pixel 8a, Galaxy A54 picks.

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List · 5 picks

Best Refurbished Phones 2026: Awarded Picks at Used Pricing

Best refurbished phones to buy in 2026 — MKBHD-awarded picks at used or refurbished pricing. Save $300+ with full warranty coverage.

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List · 4 picks

Best Rugged Phone 2026: Durable Picks That Hold Up to Real Abuse

The best rugged phones in 2026 — IP68+ water resistance, drop ratings, and military specs. Top picks plus mainstream durable options.

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List · 5 picks

Best Small Phone 2026: Pocketable Picks Backed by MKBHD's Awards

The best small and compact phones of 2026, ranked using MKBHD's Best Small Phone award winners (2022–2025). Pocketable flagships and budget options.

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List · 7 picks

Best Smartphone 2026: Award-Backed Picks for Every Buyer

The best smartphones of 2026, ranked using outcomes from MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards. Phone of the Year, runners-up, and category specialists with where to buy.

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List · 5 picks

Best Unlocked Phone 2026: Award-Winning Carrier-Free Picks

The best unlocked phones of 2026 — work on any US carrier. iPhone 17, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro picks anchored to MKBHD's awards.

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List · 5 picks

Best Water-Resistant Phone 2026: IP68-Rated Picks for Real-World Durability

The best water-resistant phones of 2026: IP68-rated flagships and budget picks. iPhone 17, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro, Galaxy A54 ranked.

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List · 6 picks

Best Black Friday Phone Deals 2026: Awarded Picks to Watch

What to expect at Black Friday 2026 — which MKBHD-awarded phones will hit their best discounts. iPhone 17, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro picks.

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List · 5 picks

Best Cyber Monday Phone Deals 2026: What to Expect on December 1

Cyber Monday 2026 phone deals to watch. MKBHD-awarded phones with the deepest expected discounts on December 1.

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List · 4 picks

Best Father's Day Phone Gift 2026: Awarded Picks for Dad

Best phones to gift for Father's Day 2026. MKBHD-awarded picks across price ranges, with seasonal carrier deals.

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List · 4 picks

Best Graduation Phone Gift 2026: Awarded Picks for New Grads

Best smartphones to gift for graduation 2026. MKBHD-awarded picks with long support windows for new graduates entering the workforce.

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List · 6 picks

Holiday Phone Gift Guide 2026: Awarded Picks for Every Budget

The best smartphones to gift this holiday season — anchored to MKBHD's Smartphone Awards. Picks for every budget from $300 to $1,300.

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List · 4 picks

Best iPhone Trade-In Deals 2026: Where to Get the Most Value

Best iPhone trade-in deals in 2026. Carrier promo windows, Apple Trade In, and peer-to-peer options compared with awarded upgrade picks.

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List · 4 picks

Amazon Prime Day Phone Deals 2026: Awarded Picks to Watch

Amazon Prime Day 2026 phone deals to watch. MKBHD-awarded phones expected to hit deepest summer discounts at Amazon.

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