The perfect telephone to purchase proper now

Haven’t you heard? Telephones are boring now. And that’s simply fantastic! Most individuals shopping for a brand new telephone simply need one thing acquainted that works higher than the system they’re changing. If that’s your MO, then you definitely’re certain to search out one thing dependable in my suggestions under.

However even when you’re in search of one thing somewhat extra further, you’ve acquired some nice choices. They’re going to be fairly iterative in comparison with no matter you’re utilizing now — we’re in additional of a software program period than a {hardware} innovation cycle lately — however you could find a pleasant new system. We lastly have a folding telephone that looks like the fitting measurement and form, flip telephones provide much more than simply nostalgia, and you may nonetheless purchase a telephone with no fewer than 4 cameras on the again. Not unhealthy for a boring season of telephone {hardware}.

Lots of people within the US get their telephones by service offers, and no judgment right here if that’s the route you are taking — it’s how I purchased mine. Simply ensure you understand what you’re stepping into and what number of years you’ll want to remain on that Tremendous 5G Every little thing Limitless Plus plan to maintain the month-to-month system reimbursements coming.

Should you’re seeking to spend rather less and nonetheless get the very best smartphone on a finances, you could find one thing actually good for beneath $500. For these suggestions, take a look at our information to finances smartphones.

The perfect iPhone for most individuals

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh price / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 predominant with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wi-fi MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP68

From a {hardware} perspective, the iPhone 16 (or the 16 Plus) is a straightforward improve alternative. Should you’re switching from an iPhone 13, 12, and even older, these 4 or 5 years of incremental efficiency enhancements add up. However there’s one thing fully new this time round — effectively, two issues: the Motion Button and the Digital camera Management button.

The customizable Motion Button, which replaces the mute change on the left fringe of the telephone, is a hand-me-down from the 15 Professional collection. You may set it to open a specific app, activate the flashlight, or virtually anything you may want on the contact of a button. On the opposite facet of the telephone is the Digital camera Management, which you should use to launch the digicam app. With the digicam open, it acts as a shutter button with a full press, and a light-weight press brings up different publicity choices you’ll be able to regulate. Even when you solely ever use it to launch the digicam, it’s fairly helpful, and it frees up the Motion Button.

The iPhone 16 and its bigger 16 Plus sibling use Apple’s A18 chipset, which is in the identical household because the 16 Professional’s processor. That bodes effectively for the telephones staying on the identical software program improve cycle. They each obtained Apple Intelligence within the fall, which included AI-powered writing instruments and notification summaries in its earliest iteration, and ultimately grew to help ChatGPT and a brand new Visible Intelligence function. However regardless of the similarities, the common 16 fashions lag behind the Professionals in two vital departments: the display and the digicam.

The Professionals include devoted 5x lenses and up to date predominant cameras that perform a little higher in low gentle. And also you’ll solely get a ProMotion show on the Professional fashions; the common 16 contains a slower 60Hz display. Mainly each different high-end telephone available on the market affords a 120Hz show, in order that’s a disappointment. If these two drawbacks don’t trouble you — and most of the people most likely gained’t thoughts them — then the iPhone 16 makes for an excellent improve.

The perfect Android telephone for most individuals

Display screen: 6.3-inch, 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 predominant with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wi-fi (with Pixel Stand 2) / Climate resistance: IP68

The Android ecosystem has been in search of a telephone just like the Pixel 9 for some time now. It’s simple and unfussy, takes reliably good pictures, and comes with the polished {hardware} you’d anticipate from a high-end telephone. It doesn’t have a devoted telephoto lens, which the equally priced Galaxy S25 does, however the software program is much less quirky than Samsung’s, making for a greater general expertise.

Exterior of zoom capabilities, Google’s Pixel digicam is simply as dependable as ever. The telephone comes with a Tensor G4 chipset that powers AI options aplenty, each inside and outdoors of the digicam app. Some are promising and a few are worrying, however there’s nothing right here that looks like a real game-changer. Which is okay.

The vital factor is that the Pixel 9 has the fitting stuff the place it counts. It’s straightforward to make use of, and among the Pixel collection’ persistent issues like poor thermals and buggy software program appear to be beneath management on this era. The 9 Professional is a worthwhile improve in order for you that telephoto lens and a barely nicer display, however in any case, the Pixel 9 looks like a top-notch system, in and out.

The perfect high-end Android telephone

Display screen: 6.9-inch, 1440p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite / Cameras: 200-megapixel predominant with OIS; 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS; 50-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi, Qi2 prepared / Climate resistance: IP68

Samsung’s “Extremely” S-series telephone continues to be your greatest wager for a maximalist Android telephone, even when extremely doesn’t fairly imply what it as soon as did. You continue to get 4 rear cameras — together with a 3x and 5x telephoto — a large display, and a built-in S Pen stylus. The battery goes all day, the processor is top-notch, and there are AI options aplenty when you’re into that form of factor. There’s simply no different telephone fairly prefer it.

This 12 months, Samsung eliminated the Bluetooth options from the stylus. That stings somewhat, particularly contemplating that the corporate swapped a 10x zoom for the shorter 5x digicam the 12 months earlier than. It nonetheless quantities to an excellent telephone, nevertheless it’s one of many priciest slab-style telephones you should purchase and Samsung appears to be reducing options with out including again any further worth. It’s nonetheless “extremely” alright, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel fairly as particular because it used to.

The perfect telephone for round $500

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Tensor G3 Cameras: 64-megapixel f/1.89 with OIS; 13-megapixel ultrawide; 13-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,492mAh / Charging: 18W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate-resistance score: IP67

It’s arduous to beat the Pixel 8A on sheer ROI. For $500, you get an excellent finances telephone that comes with seven years of OS and safety updates; most telephones at this value will solely see a handful of OS upgrades, if that. The 8A additionally comes with a superb digicam that covers the fundamentals. It’s not as fancy because the Pixel 9 or 9 Professional, nevertheless it gained’t stop you from capturing that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

The Pixel 8A offers a number of different belongings you wouldn’t essentially anticipate from a $500 telephone, like wi-fi charging and an IP67 score for resistance in opposition to full water immersion. After all, you’ll be able to’t have every thing. The 8A’s again panel is matte plastic relatively than glass, sadly, and its 6.1-inch 1080p display isn’t the very best in its class.

There are different telephones accessible for beneath $500 price contemplating, lots of that are lined in our information to the very best cheap telephones. However when you’re in search of absolutely the most worth you may get from a $500 telephone, then look no additional than the 8A.

Display screen: 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh price / Processor: A18 Professional Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.8 with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W MagSafe wi-fi, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP68

Like all mainline iPhone 16 fashions, the 16 Professional gained the brand new Digital camera Management button, nevertheless it acquired one other vital replace, too: a 5x telephoto lens. Within the 15 collection, that longer telephoto lens was reserved for the larger Professional Max mannequin. This time round, it’s on the smaller Professional, too, making it an excellent choice for somebody who needs to improve with out upsizing their telephone.

Just like the Professional Max, the iPhone 16 Professional makes use of an A18 Professional chipset designed to help Apple Intelligence, which began rolling out within the fall of 2024. The primary replace included issues like notification summaries and the brand new glowing-border Siri UI, which Apple centered its launch occasion on. Subsequent updates introduced ChatGPT integration and Visible Intelligence. However don’t anticipate something radical — no less than at first.

Exterior of AI, the 16 Professional is a reasonably iterative replace. The brand new Digital camera Management makes it simpler to launch the digicam and get proper to taking pictures, and it additionally frees up the Motion Button when you have been utilizing it as a digicam shortcut. The display is somewhat greater at 6.3 inches in comparison with 6.1 inches, despite the fact that the telephone is mainly the identical measurement. You may file 4K video at 120fps now. And the brand new Photographic Kinds, which can be found on all iPhone 16 fashions, allow you to take extra management over your pictures than ever.

There’s nothing right here that somebody with an iPhone 15 Professional ought to improve for, nevertheless it’s an all-around stable system that may please Apple devotees, particularly those that want a telephone that isn’t too large.

Display screen: 6.7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED inside display; 3.4-inch, 720p, OLED cowl display / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 predominant with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (inside display) / Battery: 4,000mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP48

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t probably the most enjoyable flip telephone you should purchase proper now; that will be the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus. However enjoyable solely goes up to now, and the Z Flip 6 is the extra dependable of the 2. In the case of the system you employ day in and time out, reliability counts for lots.

Motorola’s tackle the fashionable flip telephone embraces nostalgia with cute animations and a mode that sends the entire system again to the early 2000s. The Z Flip 6 lacks this sort of appeal, however you do get an up to date cowl display UI that’s extra customizable than the Z Flip 5’s. The Flip 6 additionally comes with seven years of software program updates, which matches the very best software program insurance policies available on the market. The {hardware} will most likely give out lengthy earlier than the software program, truthfully.

That’s the opposite facet of the flip telephone coin: long-term sturdiness is iffy. Certain, the Flip 6 is constructed to resist full water immersion, nevertheless it nonetheless doesn’t have any formal mud resistance. For that cause, it isn’t a telephone I might advocate to only anybody.

That mentioned, the Z Flip 6’s outer display does turn out to be useful. You are able to do so much with the prebaked widget choices accessible to make use of, and when you’re just a bit adventurous, you’ll be able to run any app you need on the little display. Beginning a Strava exercise or sending a fast textual content is a cinch, which is an enormous a part of the attraction of a flip telephone. Simply, you understand, hold this telephone away from the seaside.

Display screen: 8.0-inch, 2076p, 120Hz OLED inside display; 6.3-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED cowl display / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 predominant with OIS; 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10.5-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display); 10-megapixel inside selfie digicam / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

It’s arduous to convey simply how good the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is to make use of. It’s the primary book-style folding telephone that absolutely delivers on the promise of a foldable: it’s a pill whenever you want it and a daily telephone whenever you don’t.

Samsung’s Z Fold collection feels somewhat too slim and cramped in its closed configuration, and the unique Pixel Fold was too cumbersome and heavy to make use of comfortably. The 9 Professional Fold is lighter, and utilizing its 6.3-inch outer display feels mainly like utilizing a traditional telephone, which is an enormous win.

That’s actually the theme of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold: it simply feels regular. However there are a few decidedly not-normal issues to contemplate: value and sturdiness. The 9 Professional Fold prices $1,799 — mainly the going price for a book-style foldable however nonetheless some huge cash for a telephone.

And long-term sturdiness is unclear, particularly provided that that is solely Google’s second folding telephone. It’s rated to resist full water immersion, however as with all foldable, mud is a priority, so that you’ll wish to take somewhat further care with this system. All that mentioned, somebody with the abdomen (and pockets) for the 9 Professional Fold will discover it a really rewarding system.

The perfect telephone for one thing fully completely different

Display screen: 6.7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.9 predominant with OIS; 50-megapixel ultrawide; 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP54

The Nothing Cellphone 2 isn’t for everybody, however for the proper of individual, it’s an excellent various to the Galaxies and Pixels of the world. It’s a style-driven system, from the dot-matrix-inspired UI to the flashing gentle strips on the again panel. Will its distinctive {hardware} and software program options assist you take again your consideration span as Nothing claims? Eh, most likely not. Largely, it’s only a cool-looking gadget and a thoughtfully designed system.

The Cellphone 2 is provided with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is a barely older however nonetheless very succesful processor. Its 6.7-inch, 1080p display helps a quick 120Hz prime refresh price, and its lowest 1Hz refresh price permits it to supply an information-rich always-on show. The digicam system is sweet, although not fairly as constant because the Pixel 7’s. There’s wi-fi charging, quick 45W wired charging, and an all-day battery.

That’s the entire excellent news. The unhealthy information is that it’s solely rated IP54, that means it’s not absolutely dustproof, and it’s solely proof against splashes relatively than full immersion in water. Most different telephones at this value provide a full IP68 score, and a few cheaper midrange telephones, just like the Pixel 8A, nonetheless embrace IP67 water resistance. The Cellphone 2 additionally lacks official help for Verizon’s community, which guidelines it out for lots of people within the US.

There’s the Glyph Interface, too — these lights on the again of the telephone. It’s a neat concept with some attention-grabbing purposes when you make investments somewhat time in tweaking it. You may flip it over to silence notifications whenever you want a while to focus and handpick sure “important” alerts to gentle up the Glyph. Personally, I discover it much less useful than a standard focus mode and even the Cellphone 2’s always-on show. However others may discover it helpful, and if nothing else, it appears to be like neat.

The Cellphone 2 isn’t your best option for sheer worth — the Pixel 8A is a a lot better deal. It’s not your best option for somebody who simply needs a telephone to get them by their day with minimal problem. But it surely’s undeniably completely different, and when you’re in search of one thing outdoors of the bizarre with a sure visible attraction, then it’s a worthy candidate.

Replace, March third: Adjusted pricing/availability and added a point out of a number of new telephones, together with the Google Pixel 9A and Samsung’s Galaxy A36. Brandon Widder additionally contributed to this put up.