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Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro (or Max) is a top-of-the-line premium handset, boasting amazing cameras and an attractive titanium design. If you’re in search of larger displays with more power and a more intelligent AI assistant than its predecessors, consider opting for this handset.
1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Display quality is outstanding, featuring vibrant colors and great contrast. Furthermore, I appreciate its placement and size of its selfie camera cutout that does not interfere when watching videos.
The S24 Ultra is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform and 12GB of RAM – an impressive amount to power any app or game on it.
It’s also the first Samsung phone with a titanium frame, which looks and feels more premium than aluminum. Furthermore, its flat screen avoids the curved edges found on previous Samsung flagship phones.
2. Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro is an instant successor to last year’s Pixel 8 Pro XL, with specs nearly matching: second-gen Super Actua display and Tensor G4 chipset; both devices also offer Google’s innovative Gemini assistant for editing photos and productivity-boosting.
The only significant distinction is that the Pixel 9 Pro XL includes an SOS satellite feature to quickly contact emergency services when off-grid. As with most Pixel devices, this one also comes equipped with seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates; monthly security patches as well as quarterly feature releases are scheduled over this period.
3. Sony Xperia XZ2
Sony’s XZ2 boasts an excellent camera, great gaming performance and unique dynamic vibration features – not to mention an unrivalled 960fps slow motion recording mode that beats out Samsung Galaxy S9’s 720p capability.
The Sony XZ2’s curved design makes it easy to hold, while its S-Force stereo speakers deliver exceptional sound quality. Unfortunately, though, its absence of a headphone jack is regrettable. Available unlocked for $799 from Best Buy with AT&T/T-Mobile LTE network support as well as T-Mobile 66 band, 64GB storage and more, it provides users with an enjoyable user experience.
4. Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Built around Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, this phone delivers a robust experience while remaining easily pocketable. Plus, its 64GB internal storage offers more room than last year’s model!
Sony’s design philosophy for photography-centric cameras can be seen clearly with this model, which captures photographs with breathtaking quality. Equipped with an outstanding 52MP sensor and laser autofocus as well as RGBC-IR color sensors for optimal results, its 52MP sensor guarantees outstanding imagery.
The Sony XZ2 Compact has drawn some criticism for its wide side profile and lack of 3.5mm headphone jack; but those willing to accept these drawbacks will find an outstanding device at an accessible price point.
5. Apple iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 upgrades its cameras, introduces useful new features like emoji tapbacks and supports satellite texting. Plus it features Apple’s latest high-performance processor for swift performance on everyday apps and demanding video games alike.
The iPhone 16e takes Apple’s most affordable smartphone to a whole new level with its 6.1in OLED display and A18 chip, ditching Dynamic Island for Magsafe functionality but providing top-tier performance as well as all of Apple Intelligence benefits – plus, you get Action Button too!
6. Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung’s 2025 flagship isn’t an enormous step up from the S8, but it adds some nice extras like a 50-megapixel telephoto camera and quicker software. Gaming wise, the Galaxy S9 proves formidable; easily running high-res titles that would choke lesser phones.
Samsung misses some opportunities to distinguish the S9, such as 3D emoji and face scanning features that fail to live up to expectations.
7. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is the flagship Android phone featuring a 6.2-inch curved screen and low light-defying dual lens camera, along with innovative hardware like its 12MP dual aperture camera which can switch between f/2.4 and f/1.5 settings to let in more light.
It also supports Super Slow-mo and allows users to create animated versions of themselves similar to Apple’s Animoji feature. Furthermore, it fixes an off-center fingerprint sensor location on last year’s S8 Plus model.
This phone may be costly, but its large, vibrant screen makes up for it. Furthermore, iris scanning security is included and no notches exist like on iPhone X and Pixel 2 XL models.
8. Samsung Galaxy S9+
The Samsung Galaxy S9+ is their latest flagship phone and one of the best Android smartphones around. Boasting a stunning 6.2-inch display with high screen-to-body ratio and Dolby Atmos audio support, it stands out as a superb Android handset.
It features an impressive dual aperture camera for its price, along with Selfie Focus technology to blur backgrounds when taking selfies.
It also retains key Galaxy features like a headphone jack, iris scanner, heart rate monitor and SpO2 sensor; supporting microSD cards up to 400GB capacity.
9. Apple iPhone X
Apple’s release of the iPhone X in 2017 caused quite a sensation. Boasting an attractive all-glass design and durable stainless steel construction, its 5.8-inch Super Retina display offers an immersive user experience.
Apple’s dual rear 12-megapixel cameras feature both wide-angle and telephoto lenses to deliver top quality images and videos, with Apple TrueDepth camera powering Face ID as a secure way of unlocking phones, authenticating apps and services, and authenticating users.
Apple-designed chips with six cores deliver extraordinary performance. Not only are complex tasks handled seamlessly – such as augmented reality and 3D gaming – they’re also quite energy efficient, meaning your power bills won’t rise so rapidly.
10. Samsung Galaxy S10
Samsung’s Galaxy S10 flagship phone offers an impressive list of features. However, you might be better served by looking into newer Android phones from Samsung such as their Galaxy S20 series (with improved specs than S10) as these may offer similar performance at reduced costs.
It features 5G connectivity and real camera upgrades. Furthermore, the Note 8 boasts Bixby with casual voice commands as well as integration of smart home devices – while still boasting a stylish small footprint design. Available colors are Prism Black, Prism White and Canary Yellow along with more expensive Ceramic Black or Ceramic White variants on 512GB or 1TB models.
