Best smartphones to buy now 2026 tested — Our top picks | Lazada’s Guide

Shopping for a new smartphone in 2026 is delightfully chaotic — and this week’s Galaxy Unpacked made the trend impossible to miss: phones are shifting from “apps you tap” to agentic AI helpers that can summarize, search, and nudge you through the day. Cameras keep getting better, batteries keep getting bigger, but the real shake-up is how much of your daily life your phone can handle for you — and how safely it does it.

Best phones: Quick menu

1. iPhone 17 Pro Max — The best phone overall
2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — The best camera phone
3. Google Pixel 9a — Best under ₱40,000
4. Google Pixel 10 Pro — Smartest phone
5. iPhone 17 — Best iPhone value
6. OnePlus 15 — Best Android flagship value
7. Pixel 10 — Best zoom camera for less
8. Nothing Phone 3a Pro — Best alternative value phone
9. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 — Best foldable phone
10. Apple iPhone Air — Best thin phone

The 3 best phones — quick list

Best Overall

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: A premium redesign, excellent cameras, top-tier performance and the best iPhone battery life we’ve tested.

Best Cameras

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The most versatile camera phone, with zoom that beats most rivals and an AI toolkit that actually feels useful.

Best Value

Google Pixel 9a: A ₱40,000 phone with a bright screen, great photos, strong AI features and seven years of updates.

The best phone overall

iPhone 17 Pro Max

The best phone overall

Specifications

• Display: 6.9-inch OLED (2868×1320; 1-120Hz)
• CPU: A19 Pro
• RAM: N/A
• Storage / Expandable: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB / No
• Rear camera: 48MP wide (f/1.78), 48MP ultra wide (ƒ/2.2), 48MP telephoto (4x zoom; f/2.8)
• Front camera: 18MP (ƒ/1.9)
• Weight: 8.22 oz
• Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 17:54

Reasons to buy

• Stunning new design
• A19 Pro performance with vapor chamber cooling
• Brighter, less reflective display
• Smart Center Stage front camera

Reasons to avoid

• Lacks “wow” AI features
• Heavier and thicker than iPhone 16 Pro Max

If you just want the short answer to “what’s the best smartphone to buy now,” this is it. The iPhone 17 Pro Max edges out the Galaxy S25 Ultra thanks to a bigger redesign, a stronger camera package and class-leading endurance in our testing.

The software has a fresh coat of paint in iOS 26 (including Apple’s Liquid Glass look), and Apple Intelligence is expanding — even if the most-hyped Siri upgrades are still expected later in 2026.

If you upgraded recently to an iPhone 16 Pro Max, this isn’t a must-buy. But owners of older iPhones will notice the jump in performance, photo processing and day‑to‑day smoothness.

Price and value: The starting price is still ₱86,990. That’s painful money, but you’re getting a faster A19 Pro chip, a bigger battery and a more premium design without an added price hike.

“Less expensive” is relative, though. If ₱86,990 makes your wallet attempt to escape your body, the smaller iPhone 17 Pro (or even the iPhone 17) can deliver much of the experience for less.

Camera performance: Apple swaps the older 12MP 5x module for a 48MP telephoto with 4x optical zoom, and leans on processing to reach “optical‑quality” 8x. You also get a new 18MP Center Stage front camera for easier group selfies and video calls.

Low‑light shots remain the iPhone’s superpower. Night mode photos look brighter and cleaner than most rivals, with detail that holds up when you zoom in.

Battery and charging: On our web‑surfing battery test, the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasted 17 hours and 54 minutes — an absurd result when many phones struggle to crack 10 hours.

Apple also bumps wired charging to 35W, so topping up takes less time than before (though it’s still not the fastest in the class).

Overall performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite phones are closer than ever to Apple silicon, but the A19 Pro still feels snappier in daily use and finishes heavy tasks quickly.

The vapor chamber cooling helps the phone sustain performance without turning into a pocket hand-warmer.

Verdict: Expensive? Yes. But if you want the most well‑rounded flagship — premium build, excellent cameras, top-tier speed and standout battery life — the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the clearest “buy now” pick on this list.

iPhone 17 Pro Max breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	This is the most expensive iPhone Apple sells. You can save ₱7000 with the iPhone 17 Pro, if you don’t mind the smaller screen and less battery life.	★★★☆☆
Cameras	The iPhone 17 Pro Max is one of the best camera phones we’ve tested, though both the Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra beat it on zoomed shots.	★★★★☆
Power	Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered phones may have caught up to Apple’s silicon, but the A19 Pro continues to be a top performer, particularly when it comes to overall speed and daily tasks.	★★★★★
Battery life	You won’t need to charge your phone up during the day. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the longest-lasting iPhone we’ve ever tested, finishing ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.	★★★★★

The best camera phone

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Best camera phone

Specifications

• Display: 6.9-inch OLED (3120×1440; 1-120Hz)
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage / Expandable: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / No
• Rear camera: 200MP main (f/1.7), 50MP ultrawide (f/1.9), 50MP telephoto (5x, f/3.4), 10MP telephoto (3x, f/2.4)
• Front camera: 12MP (ƒ/2.2)
• Weight: 7.7 oz
• Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 17:14

Reasons to buy

• Impressive AI agent upgrades
• Great Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
• Superb cameras

Reasons to avoid

• No Qi2 magnets built in
• S Pen loses Bluetooth

The Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t reinvent the Ultra formula with dramatic hardware changes. The big story is Galaxy AI — and Samsung’s approach feels more like a real assistant this year than a collection of party tricks.

A standout is cross‑app actions: you can issue one command and have the phone string together multiple steps across supported apps (Samsung and Google apps first, plus options like WhatsApp and Spotify).

Samsung also leans on an on-device Personal Data Engine to power Now Brief, a feed meant to surface timely info like appointments and weather, based on your habits.

Additions like a lock‑screen Now Bar (Samsung’s answer to Live Activities) and upgraded Circle to Search keep the AI theme front and center.

Price and value: At ₱93,990.00, the S25 Ultra costs more than most rivals, even if Samsung avoided a price increase this year and starts you at 256GB of storage.

Camera performance: The upgraded 50MP ultrawide helps deliver sharper wide shots and better macro photos, while Samsung’s ProVisual Engine does a lot of heavy lifting in processing.

In head‑to‑head photo face‑offs, the S25 Ultra shines most on zoom, selfies and low light — and it remains the camera phone to beat if you use telephoto a lot.

There are still scenes where Apple’s processing can look more natural, but overall, Samsung’s output is strong enough that we’re comfortable calling this the best camera phone you can buy right now.

Battery and charging: The battery capacity hasn’t changed from the S24 Ultra, but efficiency gains help it last 17 hours and 14 minutes in our battery test — the best result we’ve recorded for a Samsung phone.

Charging speeds are mostly unchanged. Samsung adds Qi2 support, but without magnets built into the phone, you’ll want a Qi2-ready case to get the most reliable alignment.

Overall performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite gives the S25 Ultra serious speed, especially in graphics tests, and a vapor chamber helps it stay cool under load.

The only real bummer: the S Pen loses Bluetooth, which limits some remote-control tricks.

Verdict: If your top priority is camera versatility (especially zoom) and you want the strongest AI toolkit in Android right now, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the obvious pick — as long as you can stomach the price.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	As great a phone as the Galaxy S25 Ultra is, ₱93,990.00 is a lot to pay for a handset, especially when you can get an iPhone 16 Pro Max or Galaxy 9 Pro XL for ₱10000 less.	★★☆☆☆
Cameras	The camera competition between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro is a tight one. But based on the head-to-head shots we’ve taken so far, the better zooms and low-light images help the S25 Ultra edge out the iPhone 16 Pro Max.	★★★★★
Power	The days of Android phones playing second fiddle to Apple on performance are over. The Galaxy S25 Ultra excels in graphics testing and even beats the best iPhones in some CPU speed tests. A vapor chamber helps keep the phone cool	★★★★★
Battery life	The longest-lasting Samsung phone ever manages to outlast the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which was no slouch in the battery department, even with the same sized battery. Credit the Snapdragon 8 Elite for top power management features.	★★★★★

Best under ₱50,000

Google Pixel 9a

The best phone value

Specifications

• Display: 6.3-inch OLED (2424 x 1080; 120Hz)
• CPU: Tensor G4
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No
• Rear camera: 48MP wide (f/1.7), 13MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
• Front camera: 13MP (f/2.2)
• Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 13:08

Reasons to buy

• Price remains at under ₱50,000
• Incredibly bright display
• 7 years of software and security updates

Reasons to avoid

• Boring looking design
• Only 1 month free Gemini Advanced

If you want the best phone under ₱50,000, the Pixel 9a is the easy recommendation. Google kept the price at ₱49,690 and still managed to upgrade the display, battery and AI capabilities.

It’s also a rare midrange phone that feels “complete.” The 6.3-inch Actua display is bright, the build is sturdy, and the camera system punches above its weight.

The Tensor G4 chip brings many of the same smarts you get on pricier Pixels, even if you don’t get every flagship perk.

Worth noting: Google’s next budget phone (the Pixel 10a) is on the horizon and may share some hardware DNA, so bargain hunters could see deeper discounts over time.

Price and value: ₱50,000 is the headline, but the real value is longevity — Google pairs the Pixel 9a with seven years of software and security updates.

And because it’s a popular model, deals can push the price lower than ₱49,690 while bundling extras through carriers or retailers.

Camera performance: The 48MP main camera and 13MP ultrawide take a big step forward, and Google’s processing keeps faces, skin tones and HDR scenes looking consistent.

The flush-ish camera design is a change from the older camera bar look, but the photos are what matter — and they’re excellent for the money.

Battery and charging: The Pixel 9a reached 13 hours and 8 minutes on our battery test, comfortably above average for a phone in this price class.

The phone won’t outlast the endurance monsters on this list, but it’s solid all day for most people.

Overall performance: Tensor G4 is tuned for AI and photography. It’s not the fastest chip for raw benchmarks, but it keeps the Pixel experience smooth and feature-rich.

Google’s on-device AI tools are the real differentiator here, even if your free trial of Gemini Advanced is limited.

Verdict: The Pixel 9a is proof that “budget” no longer has to mean “basic.” If you want a dependable camera phone with a great screen, long update support and useful AI — without spending flagship money — this is the move.

Google Pixel 9a breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	Google keeps its midrange phone under ₱50000 making the Pixel 9a one of the better values you can find if you don’t want to pay flagship prices.	★★★★☆
Cameras	With an updated 48MP main camera paired with a 13MP ultrawide, the Pixel 9a not only take better photos, but it also gets proper macro and astrophotography modes.	★★★★☆
Power	The Pixel 9a uses the most recent Tensor G4, which effectively gives it nearly the same AI features found with the rest of the Pixel 9 series.	★★★★☆
Battery life	You’ll get better than average battery life with the Pixel 9a, lasting nearly as long as the pricier Pixel 9.	★★★★☆

Smartest phone

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Best AI features on a phone

Specifications

• Display: 6.3-inch OLED (2856×1280; 1-120Hz)
• CPU: Tensor G4
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / No
• Rear camera: 50MP wide (ƒ/1.68), 48MP ultra wide (ƒ/1.7), 48MP telephoto (5x zoom; ƒ/2.8)
• Front camera: 42MP (ƒ/2.2)
• Weight: 7.3 ounces (207 grams)
• Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 13:43

Reasons to buy

• Qi2 wireless charging
• Good battery life
• Great cameras
• Great looking, super-bright display
• No price hikes

Reasons to avoid

• Few upgrades compared to Pixel 9 Pro
• Magic Cue’s presence is barely felt
• Weak Tensor performance

AI is the headline feature across phones right now, and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro still feels like the most cohesive AI experience — even compared with Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI.

The Tensor G5 powers features that focus on getting things done (and fixing your photos) rather than just generating goofy images for the group chat.

Google also keeps the Pro line compact with a 6.3-inch model, while offering larger options for people who want more screen.

Price and value: The Pixel 10 Pro holds at ₱75,590.00, matching last year’s price. The problem is that upgrades over the Pixel 9 Pro are relatively modest.

If ₱75,590 feels steep, the Pixel 9a offers a lot of the Pixel magic for far less — though you give up a telephoto camera and some premium extras.

Camera performance: Hardware changes are minimal, but Pixels have never lived or died by megapixels alone. The Pixel 10 Pro still delivers excellent dynamic range and reliable color.

The telephoto remains strong, and Google’s processing is still among the best for sharp, share-ready shots.

Battery and charging: Battery life is good at 13 hours and 43 minutes in our test, though it doesn’t pull away from its predecessor.

Qi2 wireless charging support is a welcome add-on for people who want more reliable accessory compatibility.

Overall performance: Tensor G5 enables Google’s AI toolkit, but it trails Snapdragon and Apple chips in raw benchmark speed.

That said, day-to-day performance feels smooth, and the software experience is clean and consistent.

Verdict: If you want Pixel’s best AI tools and a compact premium phone with great cameras, the Pixel 10 Pro still belongs on your shortlist — just know it’s more refinement than revolution.

Google Pixel 10 Pro breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	On the bright side, the Pixel 10 Pro costs the same ₱75,590 as the Pixel 9 Pro. But the number of upgrades are minimal	★★★☆☆
Cameras	You’ll find few hardware changes compared to Pixel 9 Pro, but the Pixel 10 Pro still takes great shots. And the AI features are second to none.	★★★★☆
Power	The Tensor G5 enables a bunch of new AI-powered features that make the Pixel 10 Pro standout. But it badly lags behind Samsung and Apple phones in terms of speed.	★★★☆☆
Battery life	The Pixel 10 Pro doesn’t outpace the Pixel 9 Pro by much, but considering Google’s long-time issues with weak battery life any increase in longevity is a good thing.	★★★☆☆

Best iPhone value

iPhone 17

The best iPhone Value

Specifications

• Display: 6.1-inch OLED (2622×1206; 120Hz)
• CPU: A19
• RAM: N/A
• Storage / Expandable: 256GB, 512GB / No
• Rear camera: 48MP main (f/1.78), 48MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
• Front camera: 18MP (ƒ/1.9)
• Weight: 6.24 oz
• Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 12:47

Reasons to buy

• Much smoother 120Hz refresh rate
• No price hike
• Double the storage capacity
• Outstanding A19 performance
• iOS 26 visual makeover

Reasons to avoid

• Telephoto performance underperforms
• Barely any new Apple Intelligence features

The iPhone 17 is the iPhone we’d buy with our own money. It’s cheaper than the iPhone Air and far less than the Pro Max, but it keeps enough flagship traits to feel like a “real” upgrade.

This year’s model picks up more Pro-style perks — including a smoother 120Hz refresh rate — and iOS 26 gives the whole experience a visual refresh.

Price and value: The iPhone 17 starts at ₱57,990. That’s still a lot, but it’s easier to justify now that Apple doubles storage on the base model.

The iPhone 16e costs ₱10000 less and supports Apple Intelligence too, but you give up a second rear camera and features like MagSafe.

Camera performance: The 48MP main camera is strong and supports lossless 2x zoom, but there’s still no dedicated telephoto lens for longer shots.

The ultrawide benefits from a wider f/2.2 aperture for brighter captures, though telephoto-style performance is the main place Pro iPhones pull ahead.

Battery and charging: Battery life is solid for a compact phone at 12 hours and 47 minutes on our test, which should cover a full day for most people.

Charging remains competitive but not class-leading, and you’re not getting the fastest wired speeds Apple offers.

Overall performance: The A19 chip keeps everything responsive and fast, even with heavier apps and multitasking.

Verdict: If you want an iPhone that feels premium, stays fast for years and doesn’t demand Pro Max money, the iPhone 17 is the sweet spot.

iPhone 17 breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	Sporting the same₱57,990 as before, the iPhone 17 is a better value than ever mainly because of how it has more in common with the Pro models than ever before.	★★★★☆
Cameras	The 48MP main camera does a lot, but it still can’t beat a Pro iPhone due to the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens.	★★★☆☆
Power	Apple uses a variant of its latest chipset, but the A19 manages to deliver outstanding results that narrows the gap against the A19 Pro.	★★★☆☆
Battery life	As a compact phone, the iPhone 17 offers all-day battery.	★★★★☆

Best Android flagship value

OnePlus 15

Best value flagship for Android

Specifications

• Display: 6.78-inch OLED (2,772 x 1,272 ); 1-120Hz; 165Hz gaming
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• RAM: 12GB, 16GB
• Storage / Expandable: 256GB, 512GB / No
• Rear camera: 50MP main (f/1.8), 50MP ultrawide (f/2), 50MP telephoto (f/2.8) with 3.5x optical zoom
• Front camera: 32MP (f/2.4)
• Weight: 7.44 ounces (211 grams)
• Battery life (Hrs: Mins): 25:13

Reasons to buy

• Obnoxiously long battery life
• Smooth 165GHz gaming refresh rate
• Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip
• Minimalist design
• Better OnePlus AI features

Reasons to avoid

• Screen could be a little brighter
• Selfie camera performance is soft

The OnePlus 15 is the endurance king. Thanks to a silicon‑carbon battery, it posted the best battery result we’ve ever recorded: 25 hours and 13 minutes in our test.

Even better, OnePlus manages that stamina without turning the phone into a brick. The 7,300 mAh cell uses advanced battery tech to pack more energy into a normal-sized body.

Price and value: OnePlus lists the phone at ₱49,990, and says pricing can vary with market conditions. For what you get — huge battery, big display, and top-tier performance — it’s still an excellent value.

If you’re comparing it to ₱49,990 flagships, the OnePlus 15 is more expensive, but it delivers a bigger screen and dramatically longer battery life.

Camera performance: The Hasselblad partnership may be over, but the triple 50MP camera setup performs well, especially the main camera in good light and the ultrawide for macro shots.

The 3.5x telephoto adds flexibility, and overall image quality is strong enough to compete with pricier phones.

Battery and charging: The headline is two-day real-world use. Fast charging helps, too, so you can refill quickly when you finally manage to drain the battery.

Overall performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is built for speed and gaming, and the phone’s high refresh-rate panel makes everything feel fluid.

The only real downsides are a screen that could be brighter and a selfie camera that looks a bit soft compared with the best.

Verdict: If battery anxiety is your personal villain origin story, the OnePlus 15 is the phone that defeats it — and it’s still a full-on flagship in every other way.

OnePlus 15 breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	Considering all the upgrades, its recording setting battery life performance, and new AI features, it’s still pretty astounding that OnePlus is keeping the cost unchanged at ₱49,990.	★★★★★
Cameras	Despite no longer having a Hasselblad partnership, the OnePlus 15 cameras still manage deliver improvements courtesy of the new sensors and its updated DetailMax Engine that enhances photos for more detail and clarity.	★★★★☆
Power	The best Qualcomm chip you can buy powers the OnePlus 15, and the benchmark results we tallied show why that’s important. The OnePlus 15 thrives at playing graphically intense games, and it can speedily handle any tasks you throw at it.	★★★★☆
Battery life	No other phone tops its battery life, which reaches a new level thanks to the new battery tech it’s offering. Even more impressive is that it’s the only flagship to offer 2+ days of real-world use.	★★★★★

Best Zoom camera for less

Pixel 10

Zoom photography for less

Specifications

• Display: 6.3-inch OLED (2556×1179); 60-120Hz
• CPU: Tensor G5
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No
• Rear camera: 48MP (f/1.7) main, 13MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 10.8MP (f/3.1) telephoto w/5x optical zoom
• Front camera: 10.5MP (f/2.2)
• Weight: 7.2 oz (204 grams)
• Battery life (Hrs: Mins): 13:13

At ₱80,000, the Pixel 10 sets a new baseline for “affordable flagship.” It feels more Pro-like than ever because Google finally added a dedicated telephoto camera without bumping the price.

That new 5x zoom lens changes how the phone shoots — and it makes the Pixel 10 a much better pick for creators and travelers who want reach without paying Pro prices.

Price and value: ₱75,590 matches last year, but you get more hardware and a bigger set of AI features that mirror the Pro models.

Camera performance: The main and ultrawide cameras carry over, but the new 10.8MP 5x telephoto gives you real zoom versatility, not just digital cropping.

Battery and charging: Battery life improves to 13 hours and 13 minutes in our test, and Google bumps wired charging to 30W for faster top-ups.

Overall performance: Tensor G5 still trails rivals in benchmarks, but it’s optimized for Google’s AI tools, and it feels smooth in daily use.

Verdict: If you want Pixel smarts, a compact phone, and serious zoom — without stepping up to Pro pricing — the Pixel 10 is the most compelling ₱69,990 phone we’ve tested.

Pixel 10 breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	There’s a ton more value this year than before because of all the hardware and software upgrades it receives, while remaining at ₱53,990.	★★★★★
Cameras	The Pixel 10 hands down set the benchmark for all camera phones in the ₱53,990 price range. The addition of a dedicated telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom gives it a big boost.	★★★★★
Power	The Tensor G5 might still be underpowered against its rivals, but it doesn’t change the fact that normal tasks are unhindered.	★★★☆☆
Battery life	Google upgrades it to a 4,970 mAh battery, delivering longer results than before.	★★★★☆

Best alternative value phone

Nothing Phone 3a Pro

Even cheaper than the Pixel 9a

Specifications

• Display: 6.77-inch AMOLED (2392 x 1080); 30-120Hz
• CPU: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No
• Rear camera: 50MP (f/1.88) main, 8MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 50MP (f/2.55) telephoto 3x optical zoom
• Front camera: 50MP (f/2.2)
• Weight: 7.44 ounces
• Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 14:33

Reasons to buy

• Outstanding value
• Much improved camera performance
• More customization with Nothing OS 3.1
• All-day battery life

Reasons to avoid

• Limited availability
• Essential Space feature lacks polish
• Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 underperforms

Budget phones usually come with obvious compromises, but the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is weirdly generous for ₱27,990. It looks different, feels fun to use, and finally brings a more capable camera setup to the series.

The Glyph Interface and Nothing OS remain the star of the show, and Nothing OS 3.1 adds more ways to customize the experience.

Price and value: ₱27,990 undercuts most rivals — and it’s even cheaper than the Pixel 9a. The catch is availability: the best pricing is usually direct from Nothing.

Camera performance: A triple-camera setup at this price is rare, and the 3a Pro’s improvements are meaningful, especially compared with prior Nothing phones.

Battery and charging: The 5,000 mAh battery is good for all-day use, and fast charging helps you recover quickly when you do run low.

Overall performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 isn’t a speed demon, so heavy gamers may feel the limits.

Software quirks: Features like Essential Space show promise, but they still feel undercooked compared with the polished tools on Pixels and Galaxies.

Verdict: If you want the most personality per dollar — and you can live with midrange performance — the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is one of the best value buys right now.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	For the amount it’s going for, the ₱27,990 almost feels criminal in this day and age because few phones are priced at this without being stripped away of features.	★★★★★
Cameras	Camera improvements on successive phones are often minor, but they’re night and day with the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. Not only does it get upgraded to a robust triple camera system, but the performance is better than expected for a value phone.	★★★☆☆
Power	This is one of the biggest drawbacks of being a value phone because the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 isn’t equipped to handle intense graphics processing.	★★☆☆☆
Battery life	The 5,000 mAh battery carries the phone for all-day use, while also outlasting its main rivals.	★★★★☆

Best foldable phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

The best foldable phone overall

Specifications

• Display: Interior: 6.9 inch AMOLED (2520 x 1080) 120Hz; Exterior: 4.1 inch AMOLED (948 x 1048) 120Hz
• CPU: Exynos 2500
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage / Expandable?: 256, 512GB / No
• Rear camera: 50MP main (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
• Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2)
• Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 12:24

Reasons to buy

• Larger Flex Window display
• Support for Multimodal AI and Samsung DeX
• Improved battery life from past Flips

Reasons to avoid

• Few camera improvements
• Performance lags Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered foldables

Samsung’s Flip line gets its groove back. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is more practical than past models thanks to larger screens and better battery life, while keeping the compact, pocketable foldable charm.

The 4.1-inch Flex Window is the big win: it’s large enough to handle more tasks without constantly opening the phone.

Price and value: Samsung holds the line at ₱78,990 after last year’s price hike, which helps. There’s also a cheaper ₱78,990 Z Flip 7 FE, though it’s closer to the older Flip 6 in features.

Design: This is one of the best-looking foldables around, and durability improvements make it easier to recommend to normal humans (not just gadget monks).

Camera performance: Specs don’t change much, but Samsung’s processing improves results. Flex mode also makes it easier to frame shots and take hands-free photos.

Battery and charging: Battery life hits 12 hours and 24 minutes in our test — the best result for a Flip — though some rival foldables last longer.

Overall performance: The Exynos 2500 isn’t as fast as Snapdragon 8 Elite foldables, but it’s still capable for everyday tasks, multitasking and camera work.

Bonus features like Samsung DeX and multimodal AI support help the Z Flip 7 feel more like a “real” productivity phone, not just a style accessory.

Verdict: If you want the most polished flip-style foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the one to buy — especially for that bigger cover screen.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	You’ll have to pay more than ₱78,990 for the Galaxy Z Flip 7. but at least this year’s phone didn’t feature a price hike	★★★☆☆
Design	Bigger screens, a thinner design and solid durability mark the Galaxy Z Flip 7 as one of the best-looking foldable phones out there. And the crease on the main display isn’t as visible as it once was.	★★★★★
Power	The Exynos 2500 chipset inside the Galaxy Z Flip 7 can’t keep pace with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but in everyday use, the Flip can hold its own. Excellent AI features add to the appeal.	★★★☆☆
Battery life	Battery life is better than on any previous Flip, though Motorola’s foldable flip phones lasted longer on our battery test.	★★★★☆

Best thin phone

Apple iPhone Air

Thinnest phone around

Specifications

• Display: 6.5-inch OLED (2736 x 1260; 120Hz)
• CPU: A19 Pro
• RAM: N/A
• Storage / Expandable: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / No
• Rear camera: 48MP main (f/1.6)
• Front camera: 18MP (f/1.9)
• Weight: 5.82 oz
• Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 12:02

Reasons to buy

• Thin design
• Durable titanium frame
• Big and bright display
• Speedy A19 Pro chip
• Smart Center Stage front camera

Reasons to avoid

• No telephoto or ultrawide lens
• Doesn’t get faster charging
• Camera bump area can run hot

The iPhone Air is the thinnest phone in this list, and it feels borderline sci‑fi in hand. At 5.64mm thick, it’s a premium flagship experience built around one idea: make it lighter and slimmer than everything else.

Price and value: Thinness comes with trade-offs — and you pay for it. The iPhone Air starts at ₱59,990, putting it close to Pro pricing without all the Pro hardware.

The biggest compromises are a smaller battery and a single rear camera, which is a bold move in a world where even budget phones bring multiple lenses.

That said, you still get flagship-level power with the A19 Pro chip, 256GB starting storage, and a bright 6.5-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh.

Camera performance: Even with just one rear camera, results are impressive — especially in low light — thanks to Apple’s processing and a strong main sensor.

Battery and charging: Battery life is the weak spot. It lasted 12 hours and 2 minutes in our test, which is fine, but it’s not what you buy an “Air” for.

Charging speeds don’t get a big boost, and the camera bump area can warm up during long shoots or heavy workloads.

Overall performance: A19 Pro keeps the Air fast and fluid, and the Center Stage front camera is great for video calls.

Verdict: If you’re obsessed with thin design and you want an iPhone that feels radically different in hand, the iPhone Air is a fascinating buy. If you want the best overall phone, stick with the Pro Max.

Apple iPhone Air breakdown

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Price	You’re really paying a premium with the iPhone Air. At ₱59,990, it’s almost as expensive as the iPhone 17 Pro, so you’re ponying up most for its ultra-thin design and lightweight package.	★★★☆☆
Cameras	Although it’s only a single rear camera setup here, its performance holds up to some of the best camera phones out there.	★★★★☆
Power	Powered by the A19 Pro, it doesn’t show any signs of weakness with its peppy response, solid benchmark scores, and smooth gaming experience.	★★★★☆
Battery life	With a time on our battery test that’s around 2 hours better than the average phone, the iPhone Air actually lags behind the flagship pack due to a much smaller battery capacity.	★★☆☆☆

Best phones: Key specs compared

Here’s how our top picks compare on display brightness and our battery test.

Phone	Screen size	Brightness test results (nits)	Battery life test results (Hrs: Mins)
iPhone 17 Pro Max	6.9 inches	1,899	17:54
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	6.9 inches	1,860	17:14
Google Pixel 9a	6.3 inches	2,076	13:08
Google Pixel 10 Pro	6.3 inches	1,976	13:43
iPhone 17	6.3 inches	1,505	12:47
OnePlus 15	6.82 inches	1,222	25:13
Pixel 10	6.3 inches	2,333	13:13
Nothing Phone 3a Pro	6.77 inches	1,259	14:33
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7	6.9 inches (interior display); 4.1 inches (exterior)	1,989	12:24
iPhone Air	6.5 inches	1,678	12:02

FAQs: Finding the best phones

What is the best Android phone?

Right now, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is our top Android pick. It’s expensive, but it’s the most complete Android flagship we’ve tested — especially if you care about cameras and AI features.

What phone has the best camera?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the crown for camera versatility. The 200MP main camera, strong ultrawide and dual telephotos — plus Samsung’s processing — make it the most reliable choice across zoom, portraits and low light.

Which phone is better: iPhone or Samsung?

Neither is objectively “better.” If you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem, iPhones integrate smoothly with Macs, iPads, AirPods and the Apple Watch. Samsung’s phones pair best with Galaxy watches, tablets and services — and Samsung is currently more aggressive with AI features.

How will tariffs impact phone prices this year?

So far, pricing hasn’t shifted dramatically due to tariffs, but phones are global products, so policy changes can ripple into costs. Keep an eye on pricing around major launches — especially fall iPhone releases — and expect promotions to do a lot of the “real” discounting.

Should I get an Android device or iPhone?

Android gives you more choice in price, size and design (including foldables). iPhones tend to offer longer software support and a simpler ecosystem. The best move is to pick the platform that matches the apps and devices you already use daily.

When do new phones come out?

Flagship Android phones tend to arrive early in the year, while iPhones usually land in the fall. Budget models often show up in spring. If you’re close to a launch window, waiting can get you either the new model or a discount on the previous one.

Is it better to buy an unlocked phone?

Unlocked phones give you the most freedom: you can switch carriers, travel more easily, and avoid long contracts. Carrier deals can be cheaper up front, but read the fine print on trade-ins and payment plans.

How big of a phone should I get?

Big phones are great for video, games and typing, but they’re harder to use one-handed. If you prioritize comfort and pockets, a ~6.1–6.3-inch phone is the sweet spot. If you want maximum screen, go 6.7 inches or larger.

What should I consider when looking at camera features?

Megapixels don’t tell the whole story. Look for a good main camera, optical zoom (a telephoto lens), strong night mode, and reliable video. If you shoot a lot of people, consistent skin tones and fast shutter speed matter more than spec-sheet bragging rights.

What do I need to know about smartphone battery life?

Battery size helps, but efficiency matters just as much. We recommend looking at tested results (not just mAh). If you’re a heavy user, prioritize phones that can exceed 12–13 hours in repeatable drain tests — and consider fast charging as a safety net.

What about AI features?

AI features are moving fast. The most useful ones today help you search, summarize, edit photos and automate tasks across apps. Treat flashy generative tools as a bonus — and focus on the basics: performance, cameras, battery and updates.

How we test smartphones

To make this list, a phone needs to excel across repeatable lab tests and real-world use.

For performance, we run synthetic benchmarks such as Geekbench and 3DMark to compare CPU and graphics speed across devices.

For displays, we measure brightness (in nits) and color coverage. Higher numbers are usually better, but consistency and readability outdoors matter, too.

For battery life, we run a continuous web-surfing test over cellular at a calibrated screen brightness until the phone powers down.

For cameras, we shoot side-by-side photos outdoors, indoors and in low light, then compare details, color, dynamic range and zoom results.

Also Tested

These phones didn’t make the top 10, but they’re still worth a look depending on what you value.

OnePlus 15R — ₱36,990

A cheaper alternative that borrows some of the battery advantages of OnePlus’ newer tech while keeping the price more manageable.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 — ₱74,490

One of the most expensive phones you can buy, but it delivers the big-screen foldable experience with meaningful upgrades over its predecessor.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 — was ₱69,999, now ₱63,499

Motorola’s best phone, especially if you like flip foldables. Deals can make it much easier to recommend.

What to look out for this year

Apple also has a March event on the calendar — and now that Samsung is framing “agentic AI” as the next baseline for phones, it’ll be worth watching how Apple responds, whether that’s an iPhone 17e, a new push in on-device intelligence, or both.