Mashable has published its ranking of the 11 best phones of 2026, and the list reads less like a verdict on which devices are the best and more like a warning about how much they cost. The publication’s coverage of smartphones dates back to 2011, and this year’s edition includes reviews of the latest Apple, Samsung, and Google flagships. But the central message is not about which phone wins. It is about why none of them come cheap.
Price Surge Behind the List
Smartphone prices surged in 2026 due to what Mashable calls “RAMageddon.” The global RAM shortage, driven by demand from the AI boom, has pushed up the cost of memory and SSD storage chips. That surge has hit consumer tech broadly, including laptops and gaming consoles. The result is simple: new phones cost more than they used to.
Apple, Google, and Samsung have all raised launch prices this year. Apple also increased the prices of some older iPhones by $100 after announcing the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and Duo. As of Oct. 1, Samsung has raised prices on its S26 line by $100 to $200. The trend is consistent across the industry, and Mashable advises shoppers to look for deals and carrier promotions before committing.
Trading in an older device remains the easiest way to save money on an upgrade. Carriers sometimes offer new phones for free in the form of monthly bill credits, provided you sign up for a new line or certain data plans. The new iPhone 18 Pro is free with eligible trade-ins and plans through AT&T and T-Mobile.
iPhone 17 Leads the Field
Mashable ranks the Apple iPhone 17 as the best iPhone for most people. The review notes that the phone has great cameras, a boosted battery life, and a screen with a 120Hz variable refresh rate. Performance is speedy, and the design looks the same as the iPhone 16. The bad news is that the iPhone 17 just got a $100 price bump.
The comparison between the iPhone 17 and the Pro models is instructive. According to Mashable senior editor Stan Schroeder, the iPhone 17 is “basically an iPhone 17 Pro with no telephoto lens, vapor chamber cooling system, or RAW video support.” The regular model also lacks a 1TB storage option. For most users, the difference is minimal. The iPhone 17 offers a buttery 120Hz display, stellar performance and battery life, and very capable main cameras, all for a couple of hundred dollars less than a Pro model.
Schroeder’s review described the iPhone 17 as “easily the most compelling standard iPhone in years.” He added that the phone delivers “fast, long-lasting, pretty, and equipped with nice cameras.” It is the Goldilocks of Apple handsets — not too basic, but not overkill.
First Foldable Lands in October
Apple recently announced the iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable phone. It is not out yet, but Mashable’s Stan Schroeder got to spend a little time with it at Apple Park earlier this month. Preorders start on Oct. 16, and the phone goes on sale on Oct. 23. Look for it to earn a spot in the guide to the top smartphones of the year by the end of the month.
The foldable is a notable addition to the lineup, but it arrives after the other devices have already set their prices. Whether it earns a place among the best phones of the year depends on how it performs in actual use.
Pixel 11 Stays Under $1,000
Mashable ranks the Google Pixel 11 as the best Android phone for most people. The review praises the cameras, noting that the slimmer camera bar makes it very comfortable to hold. The Magic Capture and Rambler AI features are described as cool and genuinely useful. Battery life is excellent, and the phone has not gotten a price hike.
There is a catch. Google killed the cheapest 128GB base model, and the Pixel 11 is basically identical to last year’s model with no camera upgrades. The phone has not changed much from one year to the next, which is a mixed blessing. It also lacks some of the features found in the Pro-tier models, such as an underwhelming LED notification system.
The Pixel 11 strikes the happiest medium between value and features, according to Mashable. It is largely the same device as its Pro-tier siblings, but it comes in safely under $1,000. Parents will appreciate the new Magic Capture camera feature, which automatically takes and edits photos when you are recording video. Instead of trying to capture both at once or wrangle fast-moving kids for a picture, you can stay in the moment.
Flagship Lineup at a Glance
Mashable’s list covers the major players across both iOS and Android. The iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17e are on the list, along with the iPhone 18 Pro. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is also included. The publication tested all of this year’s most exciting releases so far, and the results reflect a market where performance is strong but prices are the story.
| Phone | Operating System | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | iOS | Great cameras, boosted battery life |
| iPhone 17e | iOS | Unspecified |
| iPhone 18 Pro | iOS | Pro-level features |
| iPhone Duo | iOS | Foldable design |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | Android | Samsung flagship |
| Pixel 11 | Android | Under-$1,000 value |
The list is a mix of established favorites and new entries. The iPhone 17 leads the field for most people, while the Pixel 11 does the same for Android. The S26 Ultra represents Samsung’s high-end offering, and the Duo is the foldable outlier that has not yet reached buyers.
What the Duo Offers
The foldable iPhone Duo is a significant development for Apple. It is the company’s first-ever foldable phone, and it arrives with a price tag attached. The phone is not out yet, so its place on the list remains uncertain.
Mashable’s hands-on first impressions from Apple Park suggest the device is worth watching. The foldable format is a natural evolution for a company that has spent years pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can do.
Shopping Tips Before You Buy
The 11 best phones of 2026 are a mixed bag. They are powerful, well-made, and capable of doing almost anything you ask of them. But they are also expensive, and the reasons for that are structural. RAMageddon is not a temporary blip. It is a sustained shift in the market, and it is affecting every device with a memory chip.
The advice is straightforward: shop around. Deals exist, and trade-ins can shave hundreds off the price. Carriers offer incentives for new lines and data plans. The free iPhone 18 Pro offer through AT&T and T-Mobile is a good example of how a new phone can arrive without a full upfront cost.
For most people, the best phone is the one that fits the budget. The iPhone 17 and the Pixel 11 both deliver flagship performance without requiring a flagship price. The Pro models and the foldable Duo are worth considering, but only if you can afford the premium.
Mashable’s ranking is a useful starting point, but the real test is personal. What do you want your phone to do? How much are you willing to pay?
The 11 best phones of 2026 are here. The prices are not.
Source material: “The 11 best phones of 2026, tested by experts,” Mashable.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.