The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn't a radical upgrade from the S25 Ultra, but there are improvements where it counts. It's the thinnest and lightest Ultra, at 7.9mm thick and 214 grams -- an admittedly minor slim-down that's still noticeable. 

The hardware advancement that steals the spotlight is the Privacy Display, which prevents others from seeing what's on your screen. Unlike a $10 screen protector you can buy from Amazon, you can toggle Privacy Display on for certain apps, like a banking app or your email, as well as your lock screen, so no one sees your password or PIN. You can also enable it just for incoming notifications, so only part of your screen gets blacked out. 

The S26 Ultra carries over the same camera specs as last year, but it consistently delivers high-quality images. Plus, a neat new Horizontal Lock feature when recording videos keeps the horizon level even as you rotate your phone 360 degrees, leading to astonishingly stable footage.

Why we like it

The S26 Ultra prioritizes both hardware and software. Along with a thinner design and the Privacy Display, there's also a handful of new intuitive AI features. For instance, Now Nudge surfaces real-time suggestions based on what's on your screen, so if someone asks for photos from your trip, it'll automatically point you toward those images in your Gallery so you don't have to dig for them. And Document Scan will automatically appear when you're snapping a photo of a document to remove shadows and creases, then let you export the final product as a PDF. Plus, the S26 Ultra's battery can last well over a day and a half, and it supports 60-watt wired charging, a major perk.

Who's it best for

If you're a power user who likes having a larger display, a bigger battery and top-notch cameras -- as well as the signature S Pen -- the S26 Ultra is the way to go. It's a great choice for anyone who doesn't want to worry about charging their phone at the end of each day, since the battery can last well over a day and a half.

Who shouldn’t get it

The S26 Ultra keeps its $1,300 price, even amid a RAM shortage that threatens to raise phone prices. But that's still not pocket change. If you don't need the most high-end cameras and prefer a smaller device, the baseline S26 shares many of the Ultra's features, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and all those AI features.

At $799, the Pixel 10 is a baseline device that packs many of the same features that help Pro-level phones stand out, like a telephoto camera, long-lasting battery and intuitive AI features. It's a nice, streamlined option for someone who simply wants a dependable phone, backed by seven years of software and security updates.

Who it's best for

If you want a phone with a solid camera for more casual photography, the baseline Pixel 10 should be perfectly suitable. It's also a great choice for someone who simply wants a phone that can last all day and that's equipped with all the latest Gemini features.

Who shouldn't get it

If you consider yourself more of a pro photographer, the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL may be more appealing options. Also, if you have a Pixel 8 or 9, you're probably fine holding onto your device for a few more years, as there aren't any major differences between those older devices and Google's latest baseline.

Why we like it

The OnePlus 15 is a premium smartphone that packs a bigger battery than every one of its competitors. It was also one of the top performers in CNET's battery lab testing. While larger capacity doesn't necessarily equate longer use time, in our tests, the phone easily lasted through two days of use. That means more time for gaming, streaming or other battery-draining activities, all within a svelte and normal-sized smartphone. Add in fast recharging and this is a phone that keeps going and going.

Who it's best for

Anyone who can't recharge their phone at the drop of a hat will revel in the extra battery capacity. And OnePlus didn't coast on that one feature, as the rest of the phone is premium, with a neat rounded minimalist design, powerful specs and good cameras. It's a top-tier alternative to leading Samsung, Google and Motorola phones.

Who shouldn't get it

While the OnePlus 15 leads the pack in battery capacity, it's a bit behind Samsung and Google in phone camera tech -- not by much, but OnePlus is still improving, especially in wholly taking over photo software from its former partner Hasselblad. It also overheated during extreme benchmarking, but never during regular use, so it's less of a worry and more something to watch out for when pushing pixels.
The phone's biggest flaw is in its software support, as OnePlus has only guaranteed four years of Android updates and six years of security software patches. That's far from the seven years promised by Google and Samsung, leaving OnePlus 15 owners behind in the features arms race in 2029 and unprotected in 2031.

The $900 Samsung Galaxy S26 is a leading flagship with a price hike, and while it's extremely likely that Samsung is just the first phonemaker in 2026 to give its phone a price hike, it still stings to have to pay $100 above last year's Galaxy S25. Still, there are some notable software and AI upgrades, including the impressive Horizontal Lock feature that super-stabilizes recorded footage, no matter how you twist the phone around while shooting video.

Why we like it

The Galaxy S26 is a leading smartphone, a jack-of-all-trades that is blisteringly fast, takes good photos, shoots great videos, runs games well and has a decent battery. It's not the absolute best at any of these among today's top phones, but makes the podium for most of them, so it's an easy all-around choice. The new AI features are fun if situational, and aside from Horizontal Lock, there aren't any standouts. If one has to pay more for the phone, at least it starts at 256GB of storage.

Who it's best for

The Galaxy S26 is a reliable pick for anyone who just wants a great phone that can do anything. While it won't win any battery longevity awards (especially compared to the OnePlus 15), its cameras remain stellar, and its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip with 12GB of RAM result in smooth operations. It still gets seven years of software and security updates, so buyers will be able to keep it around for years and expect some AI features from newer Galaxy phones to trickle down, too.

Who shouldn't get it

The Galaxy S26 doesn't quite excel in anything -- not battery life (OnePlus 15), photo AI features (Google Pixel 10 Pro) or display tech (its Galaxy S26 Ultra sibling). And the $100 price hike is more a reflection of the state of the industry than a result of upgrades, so if you're looking for a cheaper but still powerful option, look for the Galaxy S25 or other Android phones from last year. 

The Motorola Razr Ultra is a beefed-up version of last year's Razr Plus, which won a CNET Editor's Choice Award. It's as if the Razr Plus hired a trainer and nutritionist and then got absolutely ripped -- warranting its name: Ultra. After testing, I've come to adore the Razr Ultra. It does all the "normal" nonfolding phone things I want and offers me a truly unique experience, thanks to its cover screen. I feel like the coolest kid in the coffee shop when Google Pay-ing for my cortado with my Razr Ultra closed. Read our Motorola Razr Ultra review.

But in taking nearly every aspect of the phone to the extreme, Motorola lost one of the most important parts of recent Razrs: the amazing value. The catch for all this ultra-ness: the Motorola Razr Ultra costs $1,300.

Why we like it

This is the best built foldable flip phone I've ever used. Motorola took the best parts of the Razr Plus and improved nearly everything else. The battery life is outstanding -- it can easily lasts a day on a single charge and can get you mostly through a second day even. The displays are brighter. The main 7-inch foldable display is larger and has more resolution than the Razr Plus and the cameras are improved. The fabric backing is delightful.

Who's it best for
This phone is for someone who wants a fun, unique and robust foldable phone. You're willing to pay top-dollar to get the best processor, battery, design and cameras Motorola has ever made.

Who shouldn't get it
If you're unsure of foldables, this might not be the best fit. If you find yourself in places with sand, dirt and other fine particles, the Razr Ultra (like all foldable phones) isn't worth the risk. The Razr Ultra has the same class-leading IP-rating for dust and water resistance, but the dust resistance is only for particles 1-mm or larger.

With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung has finally addressed some of the key issues with its previous book-style foldables. The impressively thin build and wider, 6.5-inch cover screen makes this feel like a standard phone when closed, and that wider 8-inch inside display is great for multitasking, with the ability to run up to three apps simultaneously. Perhaps most notably, the camera gets a major upgrade with the addition of a 200-megapixel main camera, which takes shots on par with the top-of-the-line S25 Ultra. 

Altogether, it’s a great choice if you want a bigger tablet-like display without the bulk or a compromise on camera quality.

Why we like it

The Z Fold 7 does a solid job combining what's great about standard slate phones and what's great about foldables. It feels wonderfully normal to hold when closed, thanks to its sleek design and lightweight build. It also packs great cameras and has an expansive main display that's 11 percent bigger than last year's Z Fold 6. 

Thankfully, a slimmer build doesn't force the battery to take a hit; the Z Fold 7 maintains that same 4,400-mAh battery as last year's foldable. That pales in comparison to batteries from Chinese competitors, but at least it's not a downgrade. The Z Fold 7 also packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor to power the many AI features you'll get onboard, from Galaxy AI photo and audio editing tools to Google's Gemini Live and Circle to Search. The phone also supports seven years of software and security updates. 

Who it's best for

If you're bored of standard slate phones and want something that feels a little more exciting, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a great choice. The slim design and wider cover screen helps it to feel as normal as possible when closed, with the added perk of an expansive main display that's great for multitasking and watching videos. The cameras are also impressive for a foldable that's so thin. 

Who shouldn't get it

The Z Fold 7's $2,000 price tag is perhaps its biggest caveat. Also, if you don't need a bigger display, it may not be worth the splurge. Ironically, the cover screen is so practical that you’ll rarely need to open the phone -- unless you’re watching movies or multitasking, in which case a phone like the Galaxy S25 Ultra might be a better fit.

Google’s Pixel 10A remains one of the best value options at $499, pairing consistent Android software updates with an excellent camera. While it won’t steal away anyone enamored by the more expensive Pixel 10, it’s still an easy recommendation when you just need a phone.

Why we like it

The Pixel 10A’s ability to send photos and files over AirDrop via Android’s QuickShare makes this phone a lower-cost way to switch from an iPhone SE to Android without losing that helpful feature. Even those that don’t care about AirDrop can appreciate the Pixel 10A’s camera, which remains one of the best available among phones under $500.

Who it's best for

Someone who wants a nice phone, but isn’t interested in poring through technical details. It’s also a nice gateway phone for people switching from an iPhone to Android, thanks to its AirDrop support.

Who shouldn't get it

Google’s prior A-series phones had been almost better versions of their pricier siblings with a lot of the same hardware, but the Pixel 10A doesn't follow this tradition thanks to its slower processor and lack of a telephoto camera, which the $799 Pixel 10 has. It’s also not ideal if you absolutely need iMessage or FaceTime access.

The Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL aren't a revolution over their predecessors, but almost every element from the software to the hardware has seen some kind of update, resulting in a phone that feels fresh but familiar. The processor isn't the fastest around, but it's got more than enough power for anything you're likely to need it for, while the cameras have proven themselves extremely capable in our testing.

Mix in the fun (and potentially quite useful) new AI skills and the long software support period and Google's new phones do a lot to earn their "flagship" title. 

Why we like it

The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL build on their already superb predecessors, offering more power and deeper, more useful AI skills. The cameras remain some of the best around while the large 6.8-inch display offers plenty of space to do justice to YouTube videos and mobile games on the go.

Who it's best for

While some Android rivals offer more straight-line speed, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL offer a truly slick all-around experience. These phones are easy to use, swift to operate and allow you to take stunning images with little input on your part. If you want a "do it all" phone that won't get in your way, you'll likely do well these phones.

Who shouldn't get it

Passionate mobile gamers wanting to hit the highest frame rates for pro-level mobile gaming may find the Tensor G5 processor's raw speed lacking.

When I first got my hands on Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip 7, I was delighted to discover that it has a smaller crease, larger cover screen, thinner design and bigger battery compared to last year's Galaxy Z Flip 6. But as I tested the new clamshell phone, I became enthralled by its inner screen. At 6.9 inches, this is the biggest screen on any Samsung phone aside from the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which has an 8-inch foldable display. 

The Z Flip 7's large screen size makes content feel more immersive and colors look lovely and vivid. This led to epic TikTok and Instagram sessions, watching widescreen films such as A Working Man and Back to the Future, as well as jumping back and forth between two apps stacked vertically on the screen, thanks to One UI 8's 90:10 split tool.

Every time I open the Flip 7, I'm consistently dumbfounded by how such a large display can unfurl from something about the size of a makeup compact. And when it's closed, there's a 4.1-inch cover screen that's fantastic in its own ways, with new clever animations for when you're recording a video, charging the phone or taking a selfie, all efficiently using the extra display real estate. In terms of functionality, though, the cover screen's software is about the same as the 3.4-inch one on the Flip 6.

The Flip 7 impressed me in nearly every way but one: its battery life. It has a larger battery than the Flip 6, but it doesn't last any longer in daily use. It did consistently get me through a day on a single charge, often having 15 to 20% left, but there were also a few days where it needed an early evening top-off.

Why we like it

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the most fully realized version of Samsung's ideal of a flip phone since the launch of the original Galaxy Z Flip in 2020. The Flip 7's appeal is simple: It's a thin phone with a big, bold screen that folds in half into a coaster-sized square. The larger cover screen and inner screen make content more immersive. It's design is thin (for a clamshell foldable) and comfortable to hold. Plus you get twice the storage this year compared to last.

Who is it best for

If you've been tempted by a clamshell-style foldable, you should definitely consider the Flip 7. If you have a Galaxy Z Flip 4 or older, the Flip 7 will be an upgrade in every way. It's harder to make that same recommendation for Flip 5 owners unless your phone is showing its age. And if you have a Galaxy Z Flip 6, you can sit this one out unless you really want those larger screens. 

Who shouldn’t get it

If you spend a ton of time around dirt or sand, this phone isn't for you.

Why we like it
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold looks a lot like its predecessor, but what it lacks in design innovation, it makes up for in durability, reliability and performance. It may not be as thin as other book-style foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, but it does pack a heftier 5,015-mAh battery. Perhaps most impressive is the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's IP68 rating for dust and water resistance -- a standout feature for a foldable phone.

What ties it all together is the solid triple-camera setup, which includes a 48-megapixel wide-angle, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide and 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera. There are also 10-megapixel selfie cameras on the inner and cover screens. It's just one example of a foldable phone that doesn't force you to choose design over functionality.

Who it's best for

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold can be a great choice for anyone who needs a compact device for multitasking. The cover screen feels practical for quickly checking texts or scrolling through apps, while the spacious internal display is ideal for running two apps simultaneously (though three apps would really be ideal). If you appreciate having the option to watch videos on a wider display, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold might do the trick.

Who shouldn't get it

If you're seeking true pro-level photography, you may want to opt for Google's non-folding Pixel 10 Pro or 10 Pro XL. Despite the "Pro" name on the Fold, its cameras are a step down from what you'll get on those other phones. For instance, you can zoom up to 100x with the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL and have AI polish up the final image; the 10 Pro Fold can only punch in up to 20x.