Best Smartphones of 2026
Quick answer
For most people in 2026, the Google Pixel 11 is our top pick: Google puts 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates in writing, and it starts at $899 with 256 GB (as of 2026-10-02). The Apple iPhone 17 is the best fit for iPhone users, with an A19 chip and 120Hz display at $929 unlocked, though the Apple pages we read state no set number of update years. The Samsung Galaxy S26 has seven years of security updates and a 3x telephoto, but lists at $999.99 unlocked and has the smallest battery here. The Motorola Edge 2026 is the value pick at $599.99, with IP68 and IP69 ratings, but only two guaranteed OS upgrades. We weight Performance 30%, Value 25%, Reliability 20%, Ease of Use 15%, and Support 10%. Firsthand does not do hands-on testing; ratings come from each maker's published specs, prices, and policies.
This guide compares four current smartphones sold in the US in 2026: the Google Pixel 11, Apple iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy S26, and Motorola Edge 2026. Every price and specification is cited from the maker's official store, spec page, or launch release and is accurate as of 2026-10-02; phone prices change often, so check before you buy. Firsthand does not run a phone lab. We do not benchmark chips, test cameras, or measure battery life ourselves. Battery figures are reported as the maker's own claims. We give extra weight to what each maker puts in writing about software updates and warranty, because those decide how long a phone stays safe to use. We score each phone on five weighted criteria: Performance (30%), Value (25%), Reliability (20%), Ease of Use (15%), and Support (10%).
How we scored: every product below was rated 0–10 on five weighted criteria — Performance (30%), Value (25%), Reliability & Security (20%), Ease of Use (15%), and Support (10%). Firsthand does not run a lab: ratings analyze manufacturer-published specifications and official documentation, not independent benchmarks, and each figure is cited to a primary source with an as-of date. Affiliate commissions never affect scores or rank order. Read our full methodology.
2026 rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Rating | Best for | Price | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Pixel 11Not an affiliate — no commission earned | 8.2/10 | Android buyers who want to keep one phone for many years and value a long written update promise. | From $899 (256 GB) at launch, per Google (as of 2026-10-02) | |
| 2 | Apple iPhone 17Not an affiliate — no commission earned | 7.9/10 | iPhone users who want a current-generation phone with a 120Hz display without paying Pro prices. | $929 unlocked (256 GB) or $899 with carrier activation; $1,129 unlocked (512 GB) (as of 2026-10-02) | |
| 3 | Samsung Galaxy S26Not an affiliate — no commission earned | 7.6/10 | Android users who want a compact flagship with a 3x telephoto and a long security-update promise, and can shop around on price. | $999.99 unlocked (256 GB) and $1,199.99 (512 GB) on Samsung's US store product page (as of 2026-10-02) | |
| 4 | Motorola Edge 2026Not an affiliate — no commission earned | 7.1/10 | Buyers who want a durable, well-specified phone for about $600 and do not plan to keep it for many years. | $599.99 unlocked (128 GB) on Motorola's US store (as of 2026-10-02) |
Google Pixel 11
8.2/10The Pixel 11 pairs Google's Tensor G6 chip and a 5x telephoto camera with Google's written promise of 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. It starts at $899 for 256 GB. The warranty is a standard 1 year.
- Google states 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates, which covers OS upgrades as well as security patches, the broadest written update commitment in this guide, per the Google Store spec page
- The warranty listed on Google's spec page is 1 year, no longer than the other phones here
Apple iPhone 17
7.9/10The iPhone 17 brings Apple's A19 chip, a 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display, and IP68 water resistance, starting at $929 unlocked with 256 GB (as of 2026-10-02). The main gaps are USB 2 speeds and no stated number of update years on the Apple pages we read.
- Apple A19 chip with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, per Apple's official specifications
- Apple's US product, specs, and warranty pages we read do not state a set number of years of iOS updates, unlike Google and Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S26
7.6/10The Galaxy S26 is Samsung's compact flagship, with a 6.3-inch 120Hz display, IP68 rating, a 3x telephoto camera, and seven years of security updates. Samsung's US store lists it at $999.99 unlocked for 256 GB (as of 2026-10-02), and it has the smallest battery in this group.
- Samsung promises seven years of security updates for the Galaxy S26 series, per Samsung's official launch release
- Smallest battery here: typical 4300 mAh (rated 4175 mAh), against 4985 mAh typical on the Pixel 11 and 5000mAh on the Motorola Edge 2026, per each maker
Motorola Edge 2026
7.1/10The Motorola Edge 2026 costs $599.99 (as of 2026-10-02) and brings IP68 and IP69 ratings, a 5000mAh battery, and 60W charging. The trade-offs are a mid-range chip, 128 GB of storage, and only two guaranteed Android OS upgrades.
- Lowest price in this guide at $599.99, about $300 less than the Pixel 11, per Motorola's US store (as of 2026-10-02)
- Motorola guarantees only two Android OS upgrades, and its product page does not state how many years of security updates it gets
Frequently asked questions
Which smartphone is best in 2026?
We rank the Google Pixel 11 first for its 7-year written update promise and $899 starting price, the Apple iPhone 17 second for iPhone users, the Samsung Galaxy S26 third for its seven years of security updates and 3x telephoto, and the Motorola Edge 2026 fourth as the $599.99 value pick. Prices are from each maker's official store as of 2026-10-02.
Do you test these phones yourselves?
No. Firsthand does not run a lab and does not benchmark, photograph with, or battery-test these phones. Ratings come from each maker's official specifications, prices, warranty terms, and update commitments, and battery figures are labelled as the maker's claims.
Which phone gets software updates the longest?
Google lists 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates for the Pixel 11. Samsung promises seven years of security updates for the Galaxy S26 series. Motorola guarantees two Android OS upgrades for the Edge 2026. The Apple pages we checked do not state a set number of years for the iPhone 17.
Why is the OnePlus 15 not in this guide?
The OnePlus 15 is still listed on OnePlus's US store, but the store displays an Important OnePlus Business Adjustment Notice. Until we can confirm from OnePlus what that means for US sales and support, we have left it out.
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