Best Big Phone 2026: Award-Winning Picks With 6.7-inch+ Displays
Big phones are now the default — most flagship buyers in 2026 want 6.7+ inches. MKBHD's Best Big Phone award has tracked this category since 2022, and the winners are remarkably consistent: Galaxy Ultras, premium Chinese-brand flagships, and the iPhone Pro Max.
Updated · 6 picks · Rankings reflect MKBHD Smartphone Awards outcomes.
How we picked
Phones with 6.7-inch or larger displays that won or placed at MKBHD's Best Big Phone award between 2022 and 2025.
- #1
Won Best Big Phone at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. 6.9-inch AMOLED, 7,500 mAh silicon-carbon battery, triple 50MP cameras, and a 3-inch always-on back display. The most ambitious smartphone hardware of the year.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2025 Best Big Phone winner
- 7,500 mAh battery
- Innovative back display
Cons
- Limited US availability
- HyperOS less polished than One UI
- #2
Runner-up Phone of the Year — best mainstream big phone
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung · 2025 · From $1299
Runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED with anti-reflective coating, S Pen, 200MP main camera, and 7-year update commitment. The most capable big phone in the US market.
Pros
- Runner-up Phone of the Year 2025
- Brightest mainstream display in 2026
- S Pen, 200MP camera, 5x periscope
Cons
- 232g — heavy
- $1,299 starting price
- #3
2024 Phone of the Year and Best Big Phone winner
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung · 2024 · From $1299
Won both Phone of the Year and Best Big Phone at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Now $300+ off launch — same camera array, same S Pen, and same 7-year update commitment as the S25 Ultra at much better value.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Phone of the Year and Best Big Phone
- Now $300+ off launch
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- One generation behind on chipset
- Heavy at 232g
- #4
6.8-inch Super Actua display, same triple-camera array as the Pixel 9 Pro, and the longest-lasting Pixel battery. The right Pixel for buyers who want the smartest Android in a big-phone form factor.
Pros
- Cleanest big-phone Android UI
- Best on-device AI features
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- Tensor G4 trails Snapdragon 8 Elite
- $100 more than Pixel 9 Pro
- #5
Won Best Camera at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards and was a strong contender for Best Big Phone. 6.82-inch AMOLED with the most consistent triple-50MP camera system on the market.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2025 Best Camera winner
- Most consistent triple-lens system
- 5,600 mAh battery
Cons
- Limited US availability
- ColorOS less polished than One UI
- #6
Won Best Battery at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. 6.82-inch AMOLED display + 7,300 mAh silicon-carbon battery + 100W wired charging. The longest-lasting big phone you can buy.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2025 Best Battery winner
- 100W wired charging
- Snapdragon 8 Elite at sub-flagship pricing
Cons
- 4 years of OS updates only
- OxygenOS less polished than One UI
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best big phone in 2026?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro won Best Big Phone at MKBHD's 2025 awards. For US buyers, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the closest equivalent — it was runner-up Phone of the Year at the same awards.
Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max for a big-phone buyer?
Galaxy S25 Ultra wins on display size (6.9 vs 6.7 inches), camera zoom (5x periscope vs 5x telephoto with shorter reach), and S Pen utility. iPhone Pro Max wins on creator-app ecosystem and software longevity (parity at 7 years).
Are big phones still in style in 2026?
Yes — they're the dominant form factor for flagship phones. Most 2026 'flagship' bodies are 6.7+ inches; smaller phones (iPhone 17, Pixel 9 Pro) are now considered the compact option.
About this list
We index every phone that won or placed in MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025) and surface the strongest matches for this category. Award badges link to the full award history. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.