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Black Friday guide

Buying guide · 6 picks compared

Best phone UK 2026

The Apple iPhone 17 is the best phone for most people, with a 6.3-inch ProMotion screen that refreshes up to 120 times a second for smooth scrolling.

See the top pick on AmazonCompare all 6Affiliate

Want seven years of updates? Choose the Google Pixel 11, because Google promises seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates.

By , Editor✓ Updated

★ Our top pickApple iPhone 17 256GBImage: AppleSee it on Amazon

Which one is for you?

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Which pick suits which need
Ifyou want the easiest all-round phone, or you already use an iPhoneApple iPhone 17 256GBSee it on Amazon
Ifyou want Android with seven years of updatesGoogle Pixel 11 256GBSee it on Amazon
Ifyou want a compact Samsung that weighs 167 gSamsung Galaxy S26 256GBSee it on Amazon
Ifyou want the longest optical zoom and an S PenSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GBSee it on Amazon
Ifyou want a Pixel with a 48MP 5x telephoto cameraGoogle Pixel 11 Pro 256GB (Canyon)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want a phone that folds to fit a pocketSamsung Galaxy Z Flip8 256GB (Graphite)See it on Amazon

The 6 picks compared

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  1. 1★ Top pick

    Apple

    Apple iPhone 17 256GBBest for most people

    Get a smooth 120Hz screen and two 48MP rear cameras

    See it on Amazon
  2. 2

    Google

    Google Pixel 11 256GBBest for seven years of updates

    Seven years of updates for your new phone

    See it on Amazon
  3. 3

    Samsung

    Samsung Galaxy S26 256GBBest for compact Android

    Get a compact Android phone with 8K video and 12 GB RAM

    See it on Amazon
  4. 4

    Samsung

    Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GBBest for zoom camera and S Pen

    Zoom in close on far-off things and write with the S Pen

    See it on Amazon
  5. 5

    Google

    Google Pixel 11 Pro 256GB (Canyon)Best for 48MP 5x telephoto

    Zoom in close on far-off things with a 5x zoom camera

    See it on Amazon
  6. 6

    Samsung

    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 256GB (Graphite)Best for folding pocket phone

    Fold it small, flip it open to a big screen

    See it on Amazon

Side by side

From the makers' and retailers' published factsAffiliate
The picks side by side
PickBest forPriceThe fact that sets it apartWhere to buy
Apple iPhone 17 256GBmost people£899It has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz.See it on Amazon
Google Pixel 11 256GBseven years of updates£879Google lists seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates.See it on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S26 256GBcompact Android£959It has a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz maximum refresh rate.See it on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GBzoom camera and S Pen£1,359It has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at Quad HD+ resolution and up to 120 Hz.See it on Amazon
Google Pixel 11 Pro 256GB (Canyon)48MP 5x telephoto£1,079The rear cameras are a 50 MP wide, a 48 MP ultrawide with macro focus and a 48 MP 5x telephoto, with Pro Zoom up to 120x.See it on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 256GB (Graphite)folding pocket phone£1,149The main display is 6.9 inches at up to 120 Hz, and the cover display is 4.1 inches.See it on Amazon

Prices from the maker or retailer named on each pick below, checked 26 October 2026. A dash means the price changes too often to quote: tap through for today's.

Get a current flagship that suits how you use your phone, without reading a dozen spec sheets. This guide is for you if you're replacing your main phone and want a brand with UK support. Three things decide the choice: how many years of updates you get, whether you need a telephoto lens (a camera for long-distance zoom), and how big and heavy the phone is. Our top pick for most people is the Apple iPhone 17.

Our picks in detail

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Apple iPhone 17 256GB
Image: Apple

1★ Top pickBest for most people

Apple iPhone 17 256GB

Get a smooth 120Hz screen and two 48MP rear cameras.

What it is
The iPhone 17 gives you a 6.3-inch screen that refreshes up to 120 times a second, so scrolling feels smooth. Two 48MP rear cameras and an 18MP front camera cover your everyday photos and selfies.
Perfect for
It suits most people who want one solid all-round phone for everyday life.
Why we picked it
Apple rates it IP68 with a maximum depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes, so a rainy day is no problem. It comes in lavender, sage, mist blue, white and black, so there is a colour to suit your style.
Price
£899 (apple.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz.
  • The rear cameras are a 48MP Fusion Main and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, and the front camera is an 18MP Center Stage camera.
  • Apple rates it IP68, with a maximum depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes.
  • It comes in lavender, sage, mist blue, white and black.

The catch: There is no telephoto lens; the rear system is a Main and an Ultra Wide camera only.

Check today's price on Amazon
Google Pixel 11 256GB
Image: Google

2Best for seven years of updates

Google Pixel 11 256GB

Seven years of updates for your new phone.

What it is
Pixel 11 is a 6.3-inch phone with three rear cameras: a 48 MP wide, a 13 MP ultrawide and a 10.8 MP 5x telephoto. You get Super Zoom up to 30x, so distant subjects still fill your photos.
Perfect for
This is the one for you if you hold on to your phone for years and want updates the whole way through.
Why we picked it
Google says the new 48 MP main lens gives 56% better light sensitivity, and the phone now runs the Tensor G6 chip. The 6.3-inch Actua display runs its Smooth Display from 60 to 120 Hz, with a typical 4,985 mAh battery. Pixelsnap wireless charging runs up to 25 W, and storage starts at 256 GB.
What's new
Google says the new 48 MP main lens gives 56% better light sensitivity, and the phone moves to the Tensor G6 chip with 256 GB starting storage.
Price
£879 (store.google.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • Google lists seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates.
  • The rear cameras are a 48 MP wide, a 13 MP ultrawide and a 10.8 MP 5x telephoto, with Super Zoom up to 30x.
  • It has a 6.3-inch Actua display with a 60 to 120 Hz Smooth Display and a typical 4,985 mAh battery.
  • Pixelsnap wireless charging is Qi2.2-certified and runs up to 25 W.

The catch: The 30 W USB-C PPS charger needed for the quoted fast charging is sold separately.

Check today's price on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB
Image: Samsung

3Best for compact Android

Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB

Get a compact Android phone with 8K video and 12 GB RAM.

What it is
The Galaxy S26 is a 6.3-inch Android phone with 256 GB of storage for your photos and apps. Its screen refreshes up to 120 times a second, and it records 8K video at 30 frames a second.
Perfect for
This one suits you best if you want a compact Android phone rather than a larger one.
Why we picked it
Three rear cameras, at 50 MP, 10 MP and 12 MP, give you options for every photo. It weighs 167 g and is 7.2 mm thick, and its 12 GB of RAM helps it run lots of apps at once. A 4,300 mAh typical battery powers it along.
Price
£959 (samsung.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It has a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz maximum refresh rate.
  • The rear cameras are 50 MP, 10 MP and 12 MP with 3x optical zoom, and it records 8K video at 30fps.
  • The body is 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm and weighs 167 g.
  • It has 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage and a 4,300 mAh typical battery.

The catch: Optical zoom stops at 3x, where the Galaxy S26 Ultra has both 3x and 5x optical zoom.

Check today's price on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB
Image: Samsung

4Best for zoom camera and S Pen

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB

Zoom in close on far-off things and write with the S Pen.

What it is
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has rear cameras of 200 MP, 50 MP, 50 MP and 10 MP. You get 3x and 5x optical zoom, which uses real lenses to bring far-off things closer, plus digital zoom up to 100x.
Perfect for
Choose this if zoom photos and an S Pen matter more to you than anything else on this list.
Why we picked it
The screen is a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel at Quad HD+ resolution, and it runs up to 120 Hz. It has a typical battery capacity of 5,000 mAh. Samsung lists S Pen support as Yes, so the stylus is a real reason to pick it.
Price
£1,359 (samsung.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at Quad HD+ resolution and up to 120 Hz.
  • The rear cameras are 200 MP, 50 MP, 50 MP and 10 MP, with 3x and 5x optical zoom and digital zoom up to 100x.
  • Samsung lists S Pen support as Yes for this model.
  • The typical battery capacity is 5,000 mAh.

The catch: At 214 g and 7.9 mm thick, it is a big phone to carry.

Check today's price on Amazon
Google Pixel 11 Pro 256GB (Canyon)
Image: Google

5Best for 48MP 5x telephoto

Google Pixel 11 Pro 256GB (Canyon)

Zoom in close on far-off things with a 5x zoom camera.

What it is
The Pixel 11 Pro is a phone with three rear cameras: a 50 MP wide, a 48 MP ultrawide that focuses up close, and a 48 MP 5x telephoto. Pro Zoom takes you up to 120x.
Perfect for
It suits the shopper who often photographs things from far away, like a football match seen from the stands, more than those who mostly take close-up snaps.
Why we picked it
The 42 MP selfie camera has autofocus. You get 256 GB of storage for photos and video, plus 12 GB of RAM. All that comes in a 6.3-inch body with a Super Actua display.
Price
£1,079 (store.google.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • The rear cameras are a 50 MP wide, a 48 MP ultrawide with macro focus and a 48 MP 5x telephoto, with Pro Zoom up to 120x.
  • The selfie camera is 42 MP with autofocus.
  • The 6.3-inch model has a Super Actua display, 256 GB of storage with 12 GB RAM, and a typical 4,850 mAh battery.

The catch: Its typical battery (4,850 mAh) is a little smaller than the standard Pixel 11 (4,985 mAh).

Check today's price on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 256GB (Graphite)
Image: Samsung

6Best for folding pocket phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 256GB (Graphite)

Fold it small, flip it open to a big screen.

What it is
The Galaxy Z Flip8 folds in half to fit a pocket, then opens to a 6.9-inch main display running at up to 120 Hz. When folded, a 4.1-inch cover display sits on the outside.
Perfect for
It suits the shopper who wants a folding pocket phone that stays small when shut.
Why we picked it
It weighs 180 g, and it is 6.1 mm thick when open, so it feels light and slim in the hand. Its front camera is 10 MP. It records 4K video at 60fps, so your clips stay smooth and sharp.
Price
£1,149 (samsung.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • The main display is 6.9 inches at up to 120 Hz, and the cover display is 4.1 inches.
  • It measures 166.9 x 75.4 x 6.1 mm unfolded and 85.7 x 75.4 x 13.1 mm folded, and weighs 180 g.
  • The rear cameras are 50 MP and 12 MP, the front camera is 10 MP, and it records 4K video at 60fps.

The catch: There are two rear cameras (50 MP and 12 MP) and no telephoto lens.

Check today's price on Amazon

What we left out, and why

  • Apple iPhone 18 Pro: Adds a 48MP telephoto lens and the A20 Pro chip, but it starts at a much higher price than the iPhone 17 on Apple's UK shop.
  • Apple iPhone 17e: It has a 6.1-inch display and a 12MP front camera, where the iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch display and an 18MP Center Stage front camera.
  • Samsung Galaxy S26+: Its 6.7-inch model sits between the S26 and S26 Ultra, and the S26 and S26 Ultra already cover the compact reader and the big-zoom reader.

How we chose

Our buying criteria

Your next phone should do the big jobs well, and every model here had to prove it on paper. Each pick needed one clear strength: long software updates, a telephoto lens, a big battery, a compact body or a folding screen. mAh (milliamp hours) measures battery size, so bigger means more battery. Hz (hertz) counts screen refreshes per second, so higher means smoother scrolling. Every pick is checked against the maker's UK spec sheet and live UK listings, with one honest catch each.

  • Software updates: check how many years the maker promises, such as seven on the Pixel 11.
  • Zoom: look for a telephoto lens if you want to photograph far-off subjects, since the iPhone 17 has none.
  • Battery: compare the typical mAh each maker lists, such as 5,000 mAh on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
  • Size and weight: check grams and screen size, such as 167 g for the Galaxy S26 and 214 g for the S26 Ultra.

How we choose every pick

Your questions, answered

How long will the Google Pixel 11 get software updates?
The Pixel 11 gets seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates, as Google lists it. If you want a phone that stays up to date for years, this is your pick.
Does the iPhone 17 have a telephoto lens?
No, the iPhone 17 has no telephoto lens. Its two rear cameras are a 48MP Fusion Main and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide. For 5x zoom, both Pixels have a 5x telephoto: 10.8 MP on the Pixel 11 and 48 MP on the Pixel 11 Pro.
Is the iPhone 17 water resistant?
Yes. Apple rates the iPhone 17 IP68, tested to a depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes, so rain and spills are no worry.
Which phone has the biggest battery?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a typical 5,000 mAh battery. The Pixel 11 has 4,985 mAh and the Pixel 11 Pro 4,850 mAh, so the Ultra leads the figures given.
Does a Pixel 11 come with a fast charger?
No. To get Google's quoted fast charging, add a 30 W USB-C PPS charger, which is sold separately.
How much storage do these phones start with?
Every phone in this guide is the 256GB version, so you get plenty of room for photos and apps from day one.

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