The best phone of 2018: 15 top smartphones ranked and rated

In an age where it's hard to get a terrible smartphone, it can be a tricky job finding the one that stands out ahead of the pack - a phone that fuses good battery life, a great camera, a superb user experience with a fair price.

TechRadar's experts have tested and reviewed all of the best smartphones in the world so that we can bring you this list of the world's 15 best phones.

As you'll see below, the current best phone in the world is the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus but there are plenty of other fantastic options out there to choose from.

So stick with us as we walk you through all of the best mobile phone options in March 2018.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is a phone that's impressed us for a number of reasons - all the great tech that made the S8 Plus such a standout performer for 2018 has been improved upon, and the camera has new features that are going to force the competition to try and match up.

Screen: The Super AMOLED 6.2-inch display has been measured as one of the very best around right now, with super colours, great dynamic range and, essentially, the very best viewing experience you can have on a mobile phone.

Battery life: The battery life on the S9 Plus is better than the smaller version, thanks to the 3500mAh battery - although it's probably the weakest part of the phone, not offering as much life as we'd have liked.

Camera: The camera on the Galaxy S9 Plus is among the best on the market, and the dual-aperture capability offers some startlingly good snaps when things get a little darker. Colours can look a tad washed out when the exposure is higher, but the power of the sensor, with memory built into it, offers very low-noise shots.

Mini verdict: If you're after a bigger phone with all the latest and greatest features on it, the Galaxy S9 is that and more.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review

The iPhone X is the most impressive handset Apple has ever made. Ever. You could argue that the iPhone 4 or iPhone 6 should have that tag, but the X (that's 'X' as in '10') represents something that most iPhone buyers want: a new design, after years and years of the same thing being released.

Screen: The 5.8-inch OLED screen is the best display Apple has ever crammed into an iPhone. It’s far ahead of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus for so many reasons: the sharpness, the quality, the fact that it fills the whole front of the phone, and the color reproduction.

Battery life: The iPhone X's battery life is pretty good but it's by no means best in class. If you're a very heavy user you might struggle to last more than 12 hours but for most users it'll comfortably last a whole day.

Camera: Cameras on iPhones have always been superb and the iPhone X is no different. The camera on the X is often stunning, delivering still shots that are rich with detail. Perhaps not quite as brilliant as the Pixel 2, but still right up there with the best.

Mini verdict: This is the phone to buy if you want to treat yourself to a high-end handset – a little extra per month for something you really enjoy taking out of your bag or pocket is worth it (if you can afford it).

Read more: iPhone X review

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is every bit the smartphone we expected - it's improved on the tech that made the S8 such a stunner, although it doesn't move too far from that template.

Screen: A QHD 5.8-inch screen takes up most of the front of the phone - and it's still a stunning design. Brighter, more colourful and capable of showing the best of movies, the Super AMOLED tech is once again showing itself to be best thing to look at on a smartphone.

Battery life: Battery life is a little disappointing for a top-end smartphone, meaning you'll need to think about a top-up during the day if you're a harder user. Wireless and fast charging capabilities help with this though.

Camera: It's only a single sensor on the rear of the Galaxy S9, unlike the Galaxy S9 Plus - meaning it's not as good at photography. But don't think the S9 takes poor photos, as they're still stunning, and in low light it's a sterling performer, with very little noise.

Mini verdict: The Galaxy S9 is a smartphone with all the top-end features you'd want, and more on top. It's not quite at the level of the S9 Plus, and the iPhone X outranks it in some ways - but for a more palm-friendly Android phone it's utterly tops.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S9 review

A big-screen, pure Android experience and an incredible camera are the cornerstones of the Android smartphone fan's wish list - and they're all on show here.

Screen: The Pixel XL 2 has an expansive 6-inch display that's decent for gaming and video playback (although a few issues have surfaced around its viewing angles), and it boasts an improved design over the smaller Pixel 2, with slimmer bezels housing its dual front-facing speakers.

Battery life: The XL has good battery life - you won't have a problem with it. It will comfortably last you a full day under normal conditions and with normal use, and its ability to save power when it's not doing anything means it'll last a few days in standby.

Camera: Like the smaller Pixel 2, the camera on the XL is stunningly good. Photos look fantastic, and they'll please both casual and more serious snappers alike. Low light conditions in particular are where this phone shines - perhaps not as competent as the Galaxy S9 pair though - and you'll struggle to take a poor snap with this phone.

Mini verdict: This phone is for you if you want to go for a pure Android experience with the best camera on the market, and with a large screen. It's a pricey phone but worth it if the above appeals.

Read more: Google Pixel 2 XL review

The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is the phone to go for if you want great battery life –
the phone for someone who wants something a little different, and needs a handset that can easily last a day, and then some, on a single charge.

Screen: The full HD screen is a match for the Pixel 2 but not its other Android competitors like the Galaxy S9 and Note 8 phones from Samsung. As such, the screen on the 10 Pro is very good...but not spectacular.

Battery: The biggest talking point of the Huawei Mate 10 Pro is its battery. It’s big at 4,000mAh, and it translates to impressive performance, with the possibility of stretching usage to two days from a single charge if you knock it to flight mode overnight.

Camera: On the rear, the dual camera setup is a solid point-and-shoot option, but it really excels if you dive into manual mode; if you're a camera enthusiast who's willing to spend time fine-tuning, you can get some great shots from the Mate 10 Pro.

Mini verdict: It's not the best looking or bristling with the most features, but the Huawei Mate 10 Pro is a brilliant phone if you're looking for a big screen and best-in-class battery life.

Read more: Huawei Mate 10 Pro review

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is an incredibly impressive phablet that's perfect for anyone who wants a productive, powerful device. It's got one of the best displays, a top camera, and an excellent mix of speed and performance under the finger. On top of that, the S Pen is a real point of differentiation in a sea of similar phones.

Screen: The Note 8 maximises Samsung’s dual curved edge and nearly bezel-less Infinity Display to the point where this phone feels like a mini tablet from the future. It's more squared off than the Galaxy S phones, but still lovely to look at.

Camera: The camera on the Note 8 is superb and near the front of the pack for all round quality. On the rear its dual lenses allow for optical zoom as well as digital zoom, as well as live focus which enables you to do all kinds of effects including blurring the background - even after you've taken the shot.

Battery life: The battery in the Note 8 isn't quite best in class - you can thank the large screen and slender design for that. But it'll still last you all day unless you're streaming a lot of video or using it with the brightness pumped up.

Mini verdict: It's an expensive phone – only just behind the iPhone X in terms of out-and-out cost. But it's a better choice than the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus – its competitor in terms of overall size and quality – if you want to be able to jot things down in an instant and take beautiful bokeh photos, as well as splash the phone in water.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

If you're looking for a powerful phone that packs everything that's good about the Android world, look no further than the LG V30.

Screen: The V30 sports the fashionable 18:9 aspect ratio complete with an attractive 6-inch OLED display with 2880 x 1440 (QHD) resolution. While there are still bezels at the ends, the phone looks and feels superb.

Battery life: The battery life is one of the LG V30's best features, easily lasting a day and if you're a light user it could potentially go two days between charging.

Camera: The V30's camera is good - you'll be able to take shots in all conditions and be happy with them. But it's not quite as good as the camera on the Samsung S9 phones, the Pixel 2 or the iPhone X.

Mini verdict: The V30 is LG's best ever smartphone. It's got the most powerful processor around, a great camera and delivers one of the best sonic performances from a phone on the market right now, thanks to the dedicated Quad DAC inside.

Read more: LG V30 review

The Samsung Galaxy S8 was the best phone in the world for a few reasons, but none more so than the display: it set the tone for the new 'fullscreen' trend that all top phones are running with now.

Screen: The screen was the very, very best on the market and is still now a top performer, coming with the elongated, 18.5:9 ratio that stretches impressively up and down the phone. With powerful colour reproduction and contrast ratio that make everything look clear and crisp, it’s also got the QHD resolution that we expect from all the top phones.

Battery life: The battery life, despite being smaller than in previous devices from Samsung, is still pretty decent. It's not amazing, but it's not very far from the performance of the Galaxy S9 and will last around a day... although you might want a little top up wirelessly or fast charged.

Camera: The camera is still very strong, despite being usurped by the S9 - the auto mode offers clean, crisp and clear shots every time and combined with screen quality makes you want to show off your best snaps. There’s an easy-to-use pro mode as well to get the best out of your snapping.

Mini verdict: This is the phone to go for if you want a strong performer and don't mind it's a little older. As such, it's much cheaper than it was at launch and thus offers fantastic value for money. It will do the job for years to come, too - so if you buy this phone you'll manage a good couple of years out of it.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S8 review

The iPhone 8 Plus is the best 'regular' iPhone available right now – the iPhone X is the more impressive device overall, but the 8 Plus is a little more affordable. It has mostly the same design as previous handsets, with the removed headphone jack, bezelled front and longer design in keeping with the traditional iPhone shape.

Screen: The 5.5-inch screen is great and includes important upgrades to the colour reproduction and the temperature too - so images look more clean and lifelike. It's not as sharp as screens on the best Android phones but the inclusion of True Tone tech, first seen on the iPad Pro, means it still packs a punch.

Battery life: The battery life of the iPhone 8 Plus is good, but not amazing. You'll normally be able to survive a full day without topping up but on those days when you have the screen on a lot, watching video or using maps etc, you might find yourself just scraping by.

Camera: The camera on this phone is superb, with two 12MP lenses on the rear combining to deliver great images even in low light, and the double sensors creating some nice, refined blurred-background portrait shots.

Mini verdict: It's still a top iPhone and perfect for anyone who wants to upgrade but doesn't want to pay the eye-watering price commanded by the iPhone X. You won't be disappointed by this iPhone, as long as you don't mind the similar design to handsets from the last three years.

Read more: iPhone 8 Plus review

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is a pretty easy phone to work out - it’s 2017's best phone, but a bit bigger. It's got the same dimensions and look as the Galaxy S9 Plus, and while it's not got the same top-end camera, it's capable of some great shots and still packs some mouth-watering specs.

Screen: The 6.2-inch screen, actually called an Infinity Display by Samsung, spills to the edge of the phone, and is a well-made fusion of glass and metal. It feels great in the hand, thanks to a rolling design - and like the other Galaxies in this list, is water-resistant too.

Battery life: The battery life is better than on the Galaxy S8 and S9, thanks to having a larger power pack in there without much more work to do - it’ll easily last most people a day or so.

Camera: The camera is a top fusion of auto mode and pro settings for those that like to dig a little deeper - the quality of the snaps is more often than not pin-sharp, and the screen quality really highlights your photos. It lacks the dual sensor and low-light capabilities of the S9 Plus, but it's a terribly good performer nonetheless.

Mini verdict: Don't let the age put you off - this is still an immensely powerful phone with a strong spec list. The screen, camera and design are still premium, and while not as good as the S9 Plus, it's a lot a cheaper thanks to being on sale for longer.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus review

The key selling point for the iPhone 8 is that it's a smaller iPhone – you'll want it if you're looking for something a bit cheaper, and more compact. If you want a new iPhone, and can't afford / don't want the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 is a good choice for a number of reasons.

Screen: The screen may not be as sharp as the big-hitting Androids in this list but the iPhone 8 still delivers excellent performance with some clever refinements to improve the visual quality – and crucially its size makes for an easier in-palm experience.

Battery life: The battery life of the iPhone 8 isn't hugely impressive... but better than older iPhones. You'll just about be able to squeeze a day out of it and if you're upgrading from an iPhone 6 or 6S you'll find it a lot better (and it packs wireless charging too).

Camera: The camera is pretty comparable to that of the iPhone 7, which was itself a great camera phone. So there's not a huge step forward here, but you won't struggle to take a great picture.

Mini verdict: The iPhone 8 pales in comparison to the iPhone X, and offers fairly minimal upgrades to the iPhone 7... but still has some nice design refinements and easier charging thanks to wireless capabilities.

Read more: iPhone 8 review

You want Android the way Google intended, in a form factor that can be easily used one-handed? The Pixel 2 sits nicely in the palm, and the 5-inch screen can be easily manipulated with a single thumb.

Screen: Unlike its chief competitors, the Pixel 2 has a lower-res screen - it's only a full HD resolution and so it's outmatched by all the Samsung phones in this list. The screen-to-body ratio is not as good as the S8 or the iPhone X, with bigger bezels top and bottom - so it looks a lot less impressive visually.

Battery life: The Pixel 2 makes fantastic use of Android's battery saving features and thus sports all-day battery life. It's not top-end, but has good enough life and will last a day with medium usage.

Camera: The seriously impressive 12MP rear camera is by far the best feature of the Pixel 2. This phone has the best camera of any phone out there, whether in low light or taking stunning portraits, so if the snapper is the most important part of a phone for you, the Pixel 2 is the phone to get.

Mini verdict: The dual front-facing speakers are great for firing audio directly at you, while a Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM keep everything running smoothly – and its water-resistant body means the Pixel 2 will even survive a dip in the bath. The Pixel 2 is a great phone and it's the camera that really stands out as best in class.

Read more: Google Pixel 2 review

Read more: Google Pixel 2 review

There's a secret second market brewing in the phone world, and that's brands that are offering great specs for lower money - Honor and OnePlus are the best examples of this, and the View 10 is the best you can buy right now.

Screen: The 6-inch screen on the Honor View 10 is in the new trendy 18:9 format, meaning more screen in a smaller package. It's LCD and is Full HD resolution, but it's still colourful and sharp enough for the price.

Battery life: The 3750mAh battery pack in this phone will last you up to two days if you're a little sparing - it's not great at full power, but for those that just like a few photos, podcast and music streaming it's more than capable.

Camera: The dual camera has as dizzying array of modes, and the two sensors offer great zoom, HDR and bokeh effects. They're not the strongest on the market, but still very capable and offer high spec for the lower price point.

Mini verdict: The Honor View 10 is the best mid-range phone around right now, with a great set of specs for a low, low price. It won't beat the dizzying heights of the iPhone X or S9 Plus, but it's also less than half the price...

Read more: Honor View 10 review

If it's an affordable flagship you're after, well, see what theThe OnePlus 5T has to offer. It's bringing facial recognition, a 6-inch 18:9 display, dual rear cameras, a premium metal body and the latest power under the hood, all for a price that comfortably undercuts Apple, Samsung and friends.

Screen: The 6-inch AMOLED display on the OnePlus 5T is fantastic, especially given the low price tag. It's the best screen ever seen in a OnePlus handset and features the same 18:9 aspect ratio seen on the other Android flagship phones.

Battery life: Solid all-day battery life is what you'll get out of this phone. So it fits nicely in with the competition then - not as good as the LG V30 but comfortably as good as the Galaxy S9 and the rest.

Camera: The camera, again, is decent without being standout. You won't have any problems with it and you'll be able to take some amazing photos with it. It's not as good as the Pixel 2 but the far cheaper price tag will explain why.

Mini verdict: If you're willing to put up with a few small compromises then you could argue the OnePlus 5T could be even further up this list. One thing is for sure though: in terms of value for money it won't disappoint.

Read more: OnePlus 5T review

We thought the days of the 4K phone were over – but Sony's back, and has reinvigorated the technology by cramming in HDR compatibility, which really makes videos look stunning.

Screen: This is the only phone out there with a full-blown 4K screen, and it also comes with HDR tech. The amount of HDR content for mobiles is increasing all the time, but even without that this screen makes even the most mundane image look brighter and more colourful, and the rest of the phone is impressively powerful.

Battery life: The XZ Premium does pretty well given how many pixels it's driving on that 4K screen. It'll last you a full day with a little more to spare on moderate use, thanks to some dynamic screen technology that actively alters how much is being used.

Camera: The camera is on the XZ Premium is capable of taking exceptional pictures, the slow motion capabilities are insanely great in the right light, and the raw grunt of the handset is up there with the very best. If you're a Sony fan, you'll love this phone.

Mini verdict: The square corners won't appeal to everyone but if you want to watch 4K video and review your photos in as much detail as possible, this is a great phone.

Read more: Sony Xperia XZ Premium

TechRadar has built its own price comparison tools to help you find the best deals on the best phones. Use the tool below or check out our full mobile phone deals page.