The best smartphones of 2026, according to Consumer Reports |
The best smartphones of 2026, according to Consumer Reports
Gut instinct drives most phone upgrades. Consumer Reports rated 67 smartphones on battery, camera, display, and durability to find the top 10 of 2026
Maskot / Getty Images
Smartphone sales hit record highs in 2026, with more than 1.4 billion devices shipped globally, yet most buyers make their choice based on ads and instinct, not testing data. Price gaps between flagships and mid-range models have narrowed considerably, while the difference in performance — from battery endurance and low-light camera accuracy to real-world durability — has widened.
Consumer Reports tested 67 smartphones on battery life, display quality, camera performance, and durability to find the 10 highest-scoring models of the year.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Herman Vlad / Getty Images
Samsung's highest-scoring model in 2026, the Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,500. Its 200-megapixel main rear camera produces sharp, bright images across a range of lighting conditions, and Consumer Reports' lab tests rated the 6.9-inch display excellent for brightness, sharpness, and responsiveness. Battery life measured 51.5 hours, among the longest CR has recorded, and the phone supports wireless charging. CR praised the Galaxy S26 Ultra's durability, noting it survived 100 tumbler drops and full water immersion without functional damage, and its overall score of 88 is the highest in the 2026 ratings.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Kenneth Cheung / Getty Images
Apple $AAPL's iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 and is the highest-tier model in the iPhone 17 lineup. Its triple-rear camera system centers on a 48-megapixel main sensor that Consumer Reports rates as excellent for still photos and video across lighting conditions, and the 6.9-inch display scores at the top tier for brightness, color, and........