The best phone right now is an Android, but we've got a mixture of the best iPhones from Apple and a whole host of devices from a variety of manufacturers in our top 15 picks. Our phone experts have reviewed every smartphone on this list, and we've compared them all to come up with a list of the best phones for 2021.
Buying a phone is a complicated decision, as you'll probably be spending a lot of money. You need options, so that's why we've come up with a list of the best rather than just a single 'best phone' recommendation. We weigh the pros and cons of each model on our list.
We're constantly updating our best phones list to make sure you're buying the absolute best smartphone for your needs. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is our latest number one pick, but also consider the iPhone 12, OnePlus 9 Pro iPhone 12 Pro or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which we've found powerful phones for different reasons beyond operating system of choice.
So we have a top pick, but not everyone looks for the same smartphone features. Some demand Apple's iMessage and FaceTime, so that means sticking with iOS 14, while others will want infinite customizations and Google Assistant, which is available in Android 11.
There are price considerations, too, and we've factored that in, with choices like the OnePlus 9 ranking high on our list for the value it provides. Some phones even debuted at a notably cheaper price than competitors, like the Google Pixel 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition, which are great picks for those who don't want to spend a lot to get a good phone.
Likewise, your cell phone plan of choice may sway your preference; especially since certain carriers often provide especially good cell phone deals for some handsets in particular, whereas others don't.
Almost all smartphone prices have crept up to – and above – $1,000 so you'll want to take your decision seriously. We're here to guide you through the top phone picks with all of the expertise we've gained doing phone reviews.
5G phones are becoming important and more prevalent and foldable phones will one day become a big deal. Plus, you should bear in mind this list may change a lot throughout the year with handsets like the iPhone 13, Sony Xperia 1 III and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 expected to debut in the next 12 months.
What does the best phone in 2021 need to have? It has a large display, yet is easy to handle. It packs a camera suite capable of replacing a point-and-shoot, and it has enough power and battery to get stuff done while you're on the go. You won't find slow smartphones with anything less than all-day battery life in our best phone ranking.
Best phone at a glance:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- iPhone 12 Pro / iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S21 / S21 Plus
- iPhone 12 / iPhone 12 mini
- OnePlus 9 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- iPhone SE 2020
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition
- OnePlus 9
- Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20 Plus
- Google Pixel 5
- iPhone 11
- Google Pixel 4a
- iPhone XR
- Motorola One 5G