Ive tested almost every phone released this year here are my 5 favorite models of 2026 so far, including a top pick that isn't made by Samsung or Apple

Date:
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Description:
We're halfway through 2026, so I've rounded up my favorite phones of the year so far.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Were now halfway through the calendar year (yes, really), so what better time to round up our favorite phones of 2026 so far?

I say our favorite phones, but I really mean my favorite phones Ive collated five models that may not have perfect TechRadar review scores, but either surprised me in testing or offer something unique in todays busy smartphone landscape. The reviews for each model (which Ive included in each entry) may have been written by someone else, but Ive personally used all the phones listed below for specific feature deep-dives, video shoots, or general device comparisons. Dont agree with my list? Let me know your favorite phone(s) of 2026 so far in the comments below. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: 5. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Release date: March 11 Review rating: 4.5 / 5 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Any phone-related best of list has to include Samsung s latest Ultra-branded Galaxy device. This years edition is the feature-packed Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and while its not the most surprising phone Ive tested this year (hence its place at number 5), it is
the most powerful and versatile of the bunch. Its an everything phone an all-you-can-eat buffet of top-end hardware and software.

Chief among the Galaxy S26 Ultras new software features are Privacy Display and Super Steady Horizontal Lock. The former stops prying eyes from viewing content on your screen, while the latter stabilizes videos even when you turn the phone a full 360 degrees. Im a die-hard Apple fan, but the iPhone 17 Pro doesnt have either of these features, nor classic Samsung tools like DeX and the S Pen, so the Galaxy S26 Ultra feels like a cut above the current best iPhone when it comes to productivity. You may like I tested the 7 top
flagship phones of 2026 here's which models I recommend The best phone 2026: top smartphones to buy right now The best tech of 2026 so far the 21 finest gadgets we've tested this year

Add in some customarily premium hardware specs, and youve got a formidable pocket companion albeit one that will cost you an arm and a leg to own.

Read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Price comparison: Find the best deal for your next phone Contract Deals Sim Free Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Contract Deals Sim Free See all
prices (17045 found) Filter Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB LED) 36 months data 25GB 30 upfront Monthly 53.59 /mth 30 upfront 53.59 /mth View at EE Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB White) 36 months data 125GB 30 upfront Monthly 55.59 /mth 30 upfront 55.59 /mth View at EE Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB LED) 36 months data 30GB 30 upfront Monthly 56.59 /mth 30 upfront 56.59 /mth View at EE Show more 4. Google Pixel 10a Release date: March 5 Review rating: 4 / 5 (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol) Like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Google Pixel 10a is the definition of iterative upgrade, but its still my go-to recommendation
for buyers looking for an affordable Android phone with great cameras.
Googles excellent Android software is just as good on this cheaper device as it is on the premium Google Pixel 10 Pro, and Id go as far as to say that the 10a is actually the better-looking of the two phones (look at that flush camera!).

Sure, Googles Tensor G4 chipset is underpowered compared to the midrange competition, and you dont get any PixelSnap compatibility here, but at $499 / 499 / AU$849, its hard to argue against the Pixel 10as value for money. Its 6.3-inch Actua display is gorgeous, its two cameras are as good as anything youll find for the same price, and its AI-powered software features from Camera Coach to Call Screen are genuinely useful. Bravo, Google.

Read our in-depth Google Pixel 10a review What to read next The best Android phones 2026 The best Samsung phones 2026 I've been testing cameras for over
15 years here are my 5 personal favorites for 2026 so far Price comparison: Find the best deal for your next phone Contract Deals Sim Free Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Contract Deals Sim Free See all prices (6890 found) Filter Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low
to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Google Pixel 10a (256GB HDR) 36 months data 30GB 30 upfront Monthly 27.58 /mth 30 upfront 27.58 /mth View at EE Google Pixel 10a (256GB HDR) 36 months data 1GB 30 upfront Monthly 20 /mth 30 upfront 20 /mth View at Vodafone Ltd Google Pixel 10a (256GB HDR) 36 months data 150GB 30 upfront Monthly 31.58 /mth 30 upfront 31.58 /mth View at EE Show more 3. Motorola Edge 70 Fusion Release date: March 2 Review rating: 4.5 / 5 (Image credit: Future) I know what youre thinking: the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion? Surely this little-known device which isnt even available in the US is not my third-favorite phone of 2026 so far? Well, it is, if only because it surprised me (and our reviewer) so much in testing.

The Edge 70 Fusion costs just 379.99 / AU$499, but it looks like a flagship phone. Its slim and lightweight for its large size, and boasts a nice
textured finish on its rear panel. Its 6.78-inch display can reach 144Hz, and the 7,000mAh battery routinely got me through two days on a single charge.
And dont forget the IP68 and IP69 resistance ratings.

There are, of course, compromises. Motorolas software continues to be just
OK, while the Edge 70 Fusion specifically is only due to receive three years of major software updates. But for such a low price, these shouldnt be deal-breakers. The Edge 70 Fusion is my surprise package of 2026 so far, and it deserves more attention than its been given.

Read our in-depth Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review Price comparison: Find the best deal for your next phone Contract Deals Sim Free Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Contract Deals Sim Free See all prices (55 found) Filter Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) gift Motorola Edge 70 Fusion (256GB) 24 months data 100GB 39 upfront Monthly 14.99 /mth 39 upfront 14.99 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk Motorola Edge 70 Fusion (256GB Grey) 24 months data 100GB 39 upfront Monthly 14.99 /mth 39 upfront 14.99 /mth View at Carphone Warehouse gift Motorola
Edge 70 Fusion (256GB) 24 months data Unlimited 9 upfront Monthly 18.99 /mth
9 upfront 18.99 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk Show more 2. Nothing Phone (4a)
Pro Release date: March 19 Review rating: 4.5 / 5 (Image credit: Future) I recently played around with the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro for an upcoming best midrange phones video, and it blew the competition out of the water in terms of value for money.

As much as I love the Google Pixel 10a (as youll have read above), for the same price, Nothings latest a-series phone adds a 50MP telephoto camera, faster charging, and a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset into the mix. And best of all, the (4a) Pro is a thoroughly unique-looking device.

Nothing swapped the transparent rear panel of its other phones for an industrial, aluminum backplate on the (4a) Pro, making the huge camera module the star of the show. This module also features the gimmicky-but-fun Glyph Matrix introduced on the Nothing Phone 3, which, for me, has drawn as much attention in public places as the iPhone Air this year.

If the Google Pixel 10a is my safe value-for-money Android pick of 2026, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is my exciting value-for-money Android pick.

Read our in-depth Nothing Phone (4a) Pro review Price comparison: Find the best deal for your next phone Contract Deals Sim Free Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Contract Deals Sim Free See all prices (10 found) Filter Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Nothing Phone (4a) Pro (256GB Black) 36 months data 5GB
30 upfront Monthly 38.55 /mth 30 upfront 38.55 /mth View at EE Nothing Phone (4a) Pro (256GB Black) 36 months data 25GB 30 upfront Monthly 42.55 /mth 30 upfront 42.55 /mth View at EE Nothing Phone (4a) Pro (256GB Black) 36 months data 30GB 30 upfront Monthly 43.55 /mth 30 upfront 43.55 /mth View at EE Show more 1. Oppo Find X9 Ultra Release date: May 8 Review rating: 4.5 / 5 (Image credit: Future) And now we come to the Oppo Find X9 Ultra my favorite phone of 2026 so far. This is the first Ultra-branded Oppo phone to ship outside of China (though its unfortunately still not available in the US), and it blows the competition out of the water in terms of camera performance.

Specifically, the Find X9 Ultra boasts a 200MP (f/1.5) main lens, a 50MP ultra-wide (f/2) lens, a 200MP 3x telephoto (f/2.2) lens, and a 50MP 10x telephoto (f/3.5) lens, which is the sort of combination we rarely see on
even the best camera phones .

We recently compared the Oppo Find X9 Ultra against the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra , and the Chinese flagship won out in almost every category. My colleague, Tim, even compared the Oppo Find X9 Ultra to a Lumix TZ300 and Nikon Z8 , and the phone absolutely held its own, particularly at 10x zoom.

Away from camera performance, the Find X9 Ultra boasts a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 12GB of RAM, a 6.8-inch OLED display, and an enormous 7,050mAh battery, so it doesnt leave you wanting for power or endurance.

Its heavy, its thick, and its eye-wateringly expensive, but the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is still the most exciting phone of 2026 so far.

Read our in-depth Oppo Find X9 Ultra review Price comparison: Find the best deal for your next phone Contract Deals Sim Free Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Contract Deals Sim Free See all
prices (304 found) Filter Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) gift Oppo Find X9 Ultra (512GB) 24 months data 25GB 29 upfront Monthly 46.99 /mth 29 upfront 46.99 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk gift Oppo Find X9 Ultra (512GB Orange) 24 months data 200GB 40 upfront Monthly 54 /mth 40 upfront 54 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk gift Oppo Find X9 Ultra (512GB) 24 months data 100GB 29 upfront Monthly 47.99 /mth 29 upfront 47.99 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk Show more Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/ive-tested-almost-every-phone-released-this-y ear-here-are-my-5-favorite-models-of-2026-so-far


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