Best 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.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
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. Best iPhone: Apple iPhone 17, $899. Best Android: Google Pixel 11, from $899. Best value: Google Pixel 10a, from $599.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best iPhone | Apple iPhone 17 | iPhone users | $899 / $929 (Apple, 256GB) |
| Best Android | Google Pixel 11 | Android users | From $899 (Google Store) |
| Best value | Google Pixel 10a | value | From $599 (Google Store) |
We compared the 2026 flagships and the best mid-ranger using Apple’s, Google’s and Samsung’s store and spec pages, with prices checked October 2026. Several prices went up this fall, and we note where list prices and store pages disagree. For budget picks, see best phones under $500.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Phone | Price | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | $899 (256GB) with carrier activation; $929 to connect later | A19, 120Hz ProMotion, 18MP Center Stage front camera | IPhone users |
| Google Pixel 11 | From $899 (256GB) | Tensor G6, 5x telephoto, 7 years of updates | Android users |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 | $999.99 list since Oct 1 (Android Authority); Samsung.com showed “From $899.99” on Oct 27 | Compact Samsung flagship with 3x telephoto | A smaller Samsung |
| iPhone 18 Pro | From $1,199 | Pro camera system | The best iPhone camera |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung.com shows “From $1,299.99”; list $1,399.99 after the Oct 1 increase | 200MP main, 3x and 5x telephotos, S Pen | Zoom and the S Pen |
| Google Pixel 10a | From $599 | Best-value Android; 7 years of updates | Value |
The picks in detail
1. Apple iPhone 17
Best for: iPhone usersThe base iPhone 17 now has a 120Hz ProMotion display, a 48MP main and 48MP ultrawide camera, and an 18MP Center Stage front camera. Apple charges $899 for 256GB with carrier activation, or $929 to connect later. See Pixel 11 vs iPhone 17.
Price (Oct 2026): $899 / $929 (Apple, 256GB) Source
Pros
- 120Hz ProMotion
- 256GB base storage
- Center Stage front camera
Cons
- No dedicated telephoto
- Price went up in September
2. Google Pixel 11
Best for: Android usersThe Pixel 11 adds a real 5x telephoto to the base model, runs on Tensor G6 and gets seven years of updates. It starts at $899 for 256GB. See Galaxy S26 vs Pixel 11.
Price (Oct 2026): From $899 (Google Store) Source
Pros
- 5x telephoto
- 7 years of updates
- 4,985mAh battery
Cons
- Tensor’s modem and thermals have been mixed in past generations
3. Samsung Galaxy S26
Best for: a smaller SamsungSamsung’s base flagship has a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP 3x telephoto. Android Authority[7] reported a $100 increase to $999.99 on Oct 1, but Samsung’s product page still showed “From $899.99” when we checked on Oct 27. Confirm the price at checkout. See iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S26.
Price (Oct 2026): $899.99–$999.99 (see note) Source
Pros
- 3x telephoto
- Long update promise
Cons
- Pricing is confusing after the increase
- 4,300mAh battery is smaller than the Pixel’s
4. Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Best for: the best iPhone cameraApple’s Pro model starts at $1,199 and adds a pro triple-camera system with telephoto. See iPhone 18 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Price (Oct 2026): From $1,199 (Apple) Source
Pros
- Telephoto camera
- Pro video features
Cons
- $300 more than the iPhone 17
5. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best for: zoom and the S PenThe Ultra pairs a 200MP main camera with 3x and 5x telephotos and includes an S Pen. Samsung’s product page shows “From $1,299.99”, its buy page showed the 256GB model discounted from $1,399.99 to $1,149.99 on Oct 27, and Android Authority[7] reported the $1,399.99 list price on Oct 1. See Pixel 11 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,399.99 list; $1,149.99 on sale at Samsung (Oct 27) Source
Pros
- Two telephotos
- S Pen included
Cons
- Expensive
- Confusing list vs sale pricing
6. Google Pixel 10a
Best for: valueGoogle’s $599 mid-ranger has a 120Hz display, a 5,100mAh battery and seven years of updates. See Pixel 10a vs iPhone 17e.
Price (Oct 2026): From $599 (Google Store) Source
Pros
- 7 years of updates
- Big battery
Cons
- Price went up $100 in October
- No telephoto
Also considered
The Pixel 11 Pro starts at $1,099, the iPhone Air at $1,099 and the iPhone 17e at $699. For more budget picks, see best budget phones. For cameras, see best phones for photography.
Fall 2026 price increases
Apple raised iPhone 17 prices in September, Samsung raised Galaxy S26 list prices on Oct 1, and Google raised the Pixel 10a in October. Carrier activation discounts and store sales are now a big part of the real price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best phone in 2026?
What is the best phone camera?
What is the best cheaper phone?
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.
- Apple: Buy iPhone 17 (apple.com)
- Apple iPhone 17 specs (apple.com)
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro (apple.com)
- Google Pixel 11 specs (store.google.com)
- Samsung Galaxy S26 (samsung.com)
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (samsung.com)
- Android Authority: Galaxy S26 price increase (androidauthority.com)
- 9to5Google: Pixel 10a price hike (9to5google.com)
Related
Best Folding Phones of 2026
Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, is PCMag’s top pick at $1,999. On Android, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is the best book-style foldable, and the $799.99 Motorola Razr is the most affordable.
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 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.
best ofBest 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.
comparisonGoogle Pixel 11 vs Apple iPhone 17
Both start at $899. Pixel brings a 5x telephoto and seven years of updates; iPhone 17 brings ProMotion and MagSafe.
best ofBest phones under $500
Price hikes pushed the Pixel 10a and iPhone 17e to $599 and $699, so the under-$500 field now belongs to Nothing, Samsung’s A-series and Motorola.
comparisoniPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Similar price class (S26 list rose to $999.99 on Oct 1, 2026), different ecosystems. iPhone 17 brings ProMotion to the non-Pro line; S26 leans on Galaxy AI and expandable Android flexibility.
best ofThe Best Phones for Photography
Flagship cameras in late 2026: variable-aperture iPhone 18 Pro, Pixel’s computational stills, and Samsung’s 200MP Ultra flex.
comparisoniPhone 18 Pro vs Pixel 11 Pro
Two mature flagships $100 apart. The Pixel 11 Pro is cheaper, lighter and more AI-driven. The iPhone 18 Pro has the variable-aperture camera, pro video tools, faster charging and up to 2TB of storage. For most people, the phone that matches your ecosystem is the right one.
comparisonSamsung Galaxy S26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Ultra adds a 200MP f/1.4 main camera, a 50MP 5x telephoto with 100x Space Zoom, the S Pen, the world’s first built-in Privacy Display, a bigger battery and 60W charging. The S26 is 47g lighter, much smaller and $400 cheaper.