by MARK SPOONAUER Aug 13, 2018
In the battle between Apple and Samsung for best smartphone, Apple currently has the edge with the iPhone X. This 5.8-inch flagship demands a hefty premium at $999, but in return you get the best OLED display we’ve tested along with top-notch cameras and innovative features like Face ID. Plus, this flagship’s A11 Bionic processor (also inside the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus) blows away every Android phone.
If you prefer Android, the Galaxy S9+ is a great option, offering a gorgeous 6.2-inch display, fast Snapdragon 845 processor and a much improved camera that records awesome slow-motion video. Samsung’s 6.4-inch Galaxy Note 9 is the big-screen phone to beat, adding new capabilities to the S Pen and improving the camera with AI-powered enhancements. Android purists and photographers should get the 6-inch Pixel 2 XL, which delivers the best camera we’ve tested and a squeeze-to-activate Google Assistant.
The mid-range phone to buy is the OnePlus 6, which for $529 delivers a big 6.3-inch OLED display, a fast Snapdragon 845 processor and dual cameras for just $529. If you’re on a tighter budget, check out the Moto G6. For just $250, you get a colorful 5.7-inch display with minimal bezels, solid performance from its Snapdragon 450 processor and helpful software features.
Tom’s Guide reviews dozens of new smartphones, and we evaluate them in our lab and in the real world based on design, features, performance, camera quality and battery life. Check out our top smartphone choices in multiple categories, along with new and notable phones we’re planning on reviewing shortly and the latest rumors about upcoming handsets.