Best Android Phones of 2026
The Pixel 11 is the best Android phone for most people, and it’s often $150 off at Best Buy. Get the S26 Ultra for the biggest screen and S Pen, or the Pixel 10a to save money.
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Quick answer
The Pixel 11 is the best Android phone for most people, and it’s often $150 off at Best Buy. Get the S26 Ultra for the biggest screen and S Pen, or the Pixel 10a to save money. Best Android phone: Google Pixel 11, $899. Best big-screen Android phone: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, $1,399.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Android phone | Google Pixel 11 | most people | $899 ($749 at Best Buy) |
| Best big-screen Android phone | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | a big screen | $1,399.99 list; about $1,100–$1,200 at retailers |
| Best budget Android phone | Google Pixel 10a | a budget | $599 |
| Best cheap Android phone | Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | under $300 | $200–$245 |
This shortlist is built from Wirecutter’s[1][2] August 2026 Android phone guide and its September 2026 budget Android guide, with prices checked October 2026. For a cross-platform view, see best phones.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Phone | Price | Updates | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 11 | $899 Google Store; $749 Best Buy | Until 2033 | Most people |
| Pixel 11 Pro | $1,099 | — | Zoom camera |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | $1,100 Best Buy; $1,142 Amazon; $1,200 Walmart | — | Big screen, S Pen |
| Galaxy S26 FE | $700 | 7 years | Samsung on a budget |
| Pixel 10a | $599 | 7 years | Budget |
| Galaxy A17 5G | $200 Best Buy; $245 Amazon | Through 2031 | Under $300 |
The picks in detail
1. Google Pixel 11
Best for: most peopleWirecutter’s[1][2] top pick is the Pixel 11: Tensor G6, a 6.3-inch 120Hz display, a triple camera with zoom up to 30x and updates until 2033. It’s $899 at Google, but Wirecutter has seen it at $749 at Best Buy. Compare it in Galaxy S26 vs Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 vs iPhone 17.
Price (Oct 2026): $899 ($749 at Best Buy) Source
Pros
- Updates until 2033
- Triple camera
- Often discounted
Cons
- List price is high for a base phone
2. Google Pixel 11 Pro
Best for: camera upgradeWirecutter’s[1][2] upgrade pick is the Pixel 11 Pro at $1,099. Read Pixel 11 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra to see how it stacks up against Samsung.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,099 Source
Pros
- Pro camera hardware
- Same long update window
Cons
- $200 more than the Pixel 11
3. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best for: a big screenWirecutter[1][2] picks the Galaxy S26 Ultra for performance and screen size: 6.9 inches with a built-in S Pen. Retailers have it around $1,100 to $1,200, below Samsung’s list price (it launched at $1,299.99 and Samsung raised it to $1,399.99 on Oct 1; Samsung’s own store had it on sale for $1,149.99 on Oct 27), and Wirecutter suggests waiting for a sale. See iPhone 18 Pro vs S26 Ultra.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,399.99 list; about $1,100–$1,200 at retailers Source
Pros
- 6.9-inch display
- S Pen built in
- Fast
Cons
- Expensive
- Big and heavy
4. Google Pixel 10a
Best for: a budgetWirecutter’s[1][2] budget pick is the Pixel 10a at $599, with seven years of updates. Google raised its price by $100 this year, so compare it with the Galaxy A57 and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro.
Price (Oct 2026): $599 Source
Pros
- 7 years of updates
- Clean Pixel software
Cons
- Price rose $100
5. Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Best for: Samsung fansWirecutter[1][2] also mentions the Galaxy S26 FE at $700. It has the Exynos 2500 chip, a 3x telephoto camera and seven years of updates. See Galaxy S26 FE vs Galaxy A57.
Price (Oct 2026): $700 Source
Pros
- 3x telephoto
- 7 years of updates
Cons
- Exynos, not Snapdragon
6. Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
Best for: under $300Wirecutter’s[1][2] budget Android top pick is the Galaxy A17 5G, at $200 at Best Buy or $245 at Amazon, with support through 2031. For more options, see best Android phones under $300.
Price (Oct 2026): $200–$245 Source
Pros
- Very cheap
- Support through 2031
Cons
- Slower chip
- Basic cameras
Also considered
See best budget phones and best phones under $500. The Pixel 10 is still sold and often cheaper than the Pixel 11.
Software updates matter
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Android phone?
What’s the best cheap Android phone?
Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra worth it?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Wirecutter: The best Android phone (Aug 2026) (nytimes.com)
- Wirecutter: The best budget Android phone (Sep 2026) (nytimes.com)
Related
Best Google Pixel Phone to Buy in 2026
The $599 Pixel 10a is all the phone most people need. The $899 Pixel 11 is the step up, the $1,099 Pixel 11 Pro has the best cameras, and the $1,849 Pixel 11 Pro Fold is the foldable.
best ofBest Samsung Galaxy Phones of 2026
The Galaxy S26 ($849.99 on sale) is the best Samsung phone for most people. The S26 Ultra adds the S Pen and 5x zoom, the Z Fold8 is WIRED’s favorite foldable, and the A37 is the budget pick.
best ofBest Phones of 2026
The iPhone 17 and Pixel 11 both start at $899 and are the best flagship values. Spend more for zoom, or less with the $599 Pixel 10a.
comparisonSamsung Galaxy S26 vs Google Pixel 11
Pick the Pixel 11 for camera-first simplicity and the Galaxy S26 for Samsung’s display features and DeX-class versatility.
comparisonPixel 11 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Pixel wins for clean computational photography and years of software focus. S26 Ultra wins for S Pen, zoom hardware and One UI power-user features.
best ofThe Best Android Phones Under $300
Under $300 you are choosing battery life and update promises over flagship cameras — Samsung’s A17 and Motorola’s G Power lead.
best ofBest iPhone to Buy in 2026
The iPhone 17 is the right iPhone for most people. Save $200 with the 17e, or pay $1,199 for the 18 Pro’s variable-aperture camera and longer zoom.