Best phone in the US for 2018: the top 15 smartphones we've tested

We're constantly changing our best phone in the US list for 2018 thanks to the flurry of new smartphones and our comprehensive testing when each one releases. The latest additions are the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and the LG V40. We're still waiting to test the iPhone XR, Google Pixel 3, and Google Pixel 3 XL before the end of 2018.

No, the best phone isn't simply the new iPhone, although our list is made up of familiar names: Apple, Samsung, Google and LG, all in the top 10.

The good news is that our team of smartphone experts has tested the best phones to be released in the United States, and buying the right one is more than just a hunch for us. We'll tell you which phone is best and explain why on this page.

We test out the latest and - sometimes - greatest phones in comprehensive mobile phone reviews. That's our job. We're here to separate the best from the mediocre. To drill down to a list of our favorites in the US for October 2018, we based our newly updated rankings system on a lot of geeked-out factors: design, performance, battery life, camera quality, and consistency software updates. The truth is they're all so close, but you want to walk away with the greatest phone for you.

Why we have more than just a No. 1 pick: Your personal preference among iOS 12 and Android Pie could sway you to another device besides our top-ranked phone. No one in the US wants to get rid of iMessages, and we understand that. Likewise, Android is better for a lot of people who like to tinker with their settings – that's Google's speciality with its mobile OS.

Likewise, your contract with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile is a preference. The best phone for AT&T may not be available on-contract on Verizon, and vice-versa. We have to take that into account to when recommending phones.

If you didn't catch it the first time, spoiler alert, our top pick isn't just Apple's iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max. We're not that predictable. Before you lock into a binding contract or spring for an expensive unlocked phone, consult our best phone guide, updated regularly.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the best phone you can buy today if you're not one to shy away from its $1,000 starting price for the 128GB version. The 512GB model is an eye-popping $1,250. But that version, when combined with a 512GB microSD card, gives you the first 1TB phone – bigger than many laptops sold in the US.

Screen: Samsung's 6.4-inch Infinity Display is slightly bigger (taller, but actually more narrow than the Note 8) and wraps around the sides for a nice curved look and feel. Samsung is anti-bezel and anti-notch. What you may not see at first is the extreme brightness of this display and the color reproduction. It's impressive when you see it in person.

Battery life: The Note 9 has a 4,000mAh battery and is the key reason we like it over the S9 Plus, the second best phone in the US. The capacity is 14.2% bigger than the S9 Plus and 33.3% bigger than the S9. It lasts all day with heavy use and deep into a day two with normal use. You can also charge over wireless easily, and fast charging boots in 17% battery in 15 mins.

Camera: The Note 9 camera is impressive, just like the S9 Plus six month before it, and it has the added benefit of remotely capturing photos from up to 30 ft away via the Bluetooth S Pen. Samsung also added AI smarts to the camera that automatically adjusts the white balance and color based on the scene it detects. The camera does as well as the Google Pixel 2 in low-light (sometimes better, sometimes worse, but not by much in either direction), and the default camera app is robust (more so than Google's), yet remains streamlined and initiative. It does lack HDR video recording, seen on other Android phones from Sony and LG.

Mini verdict: The Note 9 is bigger in all ways, including the price. It's one of the most expensive phones in the US, right up there with the iPhone X. But you're getting a better camera and more storage (and a microSD card slot) for your money. The battery is bigger, too. Samsung packs a lot into its all-day smartphone with a stylus.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is the second best phone you can buy today, and meant for anyone who won't use the stylus. It's slightly cheaper and marginally smaller than the Note 9. It's still a big phone with an expansive screen, top-of-the-line camera and all-day battery life. This is one of the best Samsung phones you can buy in the US if you're willing to pay the price and have large enough hands for its massive size.

Screen: Its 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display that really sells this phone, and not because it has more pixels than before (it doesn't) than last year's S8. It’s the futuristic-looking curved edges, vibrant colors, and high contrast ratio that make the screen pop. It's hard to go back to any other size once you hold this large, beautiful light beam in your hand.

Battery life: Samsung's 3,500mAh battery is large enough to last all day and a little bit more. It's better than the normal-sized S9, though other phones out of China are maxing out at 5,000mAh these days. It's the one area this handsets seems adequate and not Plus-sized. Luckily, it support Samsung's very quick fast charging standard.

Camera: Low-light scenarios are no match the the Galaxy S9 Plus dual-lens, dual-aperture. It does a fine job at amping up dark environments without adding noise that you'll see from other camera phone. It does smooth out textures in the process, but it's on par with, and at times better, than the Google Pixel 2.

Mini verdict: The Galaxy S9 Plus is Samsung's answer to the iPhone X, but better in several ways. It too has stereo speakers, face unlock, AR Emoji and vertically stacked 12MP dual cameras. What's better? Its better low-light photos, 3.5mm headphone jack and larger 6.2-inch curved all-screen display – without a notch. No one else has this combination right now.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review

The iPhone XS Max is Apple's new big iPhone with an expansive 6.5-inch display that can't be missed if you're looking for the best phone running iOS 12. It's fast, has a brilliant all-screen display, and gives you great photos out of its noticeably upgraded 12MP dual-lens rear camera.

Screen: The 6.5-inch OLED screen is the reason to choose the iPhone XS Max over its smaller 5.8-inch iPhone XS counterpart. The phone is still about the size of an iPhone Plus, but thanks to the all-screen display (minus the notch cut out at the top), you get a lot more real-estate. It looks more color-rich vs the old iPhone LCD displays, too.

Battery life: You'll get the best battery life out of the iPhone XS Max simply because it has room for a bigger battery. The 3,174mAh capacity is by no means the biggest (Samsung's Note 9 is 4,000mAh), but Apple's ownership of both software and hardware means it's smartly optimized. You'll get all-day battery life even with heavy use.

Camera: This is the best iPhone camera ever made, even if the 12MP dual-lens rear camera number hasn't changed in several years. It's all about the software inside and how the A12 chipset interprets scenes with Smart HDR. It's up there with the Google Pixel 2 and Samsung Galaxy Note 9, even if Apple's photos tend to be less vivid in our tests and more true-to-life.

Mini verdict: This is the iPhone for anyone who wants what's new and doesn't care what it costs. The iPhone XS Max is expensive, but it's the best upgrade if you're into big screens and Apple's ecosystem, like the App Store and iMessages. The iPhone XS is a good choice if you have smaller hands, and the iPhone XR may be better if you have a smaller wallet.

Read more: iPhone XS Max review

The Galaxy S9 is the standard-sized Samsung flagship for 2018, giving you a way to experience a curved screen smartphone. It's minor specs bump from last year's very similar looking handset, but it's a better value than the iPhone XS.

Screen: The 5.8-inch Quad HD curved screen is the standout feature, and you can hold this version in one hand without too much trouble. It's bright, with punchy colors thanks to Samsung's Super AMOLED technology, and even at the default 1080p resolution looks fantastic.

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: The Samsung Galaxy S9 takes stunning photos, and especially amps up low-light photos without increasing the usual noise we see from other cameras. It has a single rear sensor compared to the Galaxy S9 Plus, but it's nearly as good. You'll still be wowed by the camera.

Mini verdict: The Galaxy S9 is the top Android smartphone for people with smaller hands who don't want a giant phablet or pay top price. It's still expensive compared to the Galaxy S8 when there aren't that many advancements, but if you want a better camera and stereo speakers, this is the phone for you.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S9 review

iPhone XS is a minor, but important upgrade over last year's completely redesign iPhone. It's noticeably faster and has an improved dual-lens camera to make it a better choice, if you're willing to pay the same launch price. No the look of the 5.8-inch new iPhone hasn't changed on the outside, but if you want a more one-hand-friendly size for a cutting-edge iPhone, this is the one to buy.

Screen: The 5.8-inch OLED on this iPhone is big, but not a turn off for some people who literally can't handle the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max (which we like a bit more in our big mitts). This phone size isn't too much bigger than your old 4.7-inch iPhone 7 or iPhone 6 thanks to its reduced bezel – though you'll miss the Touch ID home button. You'll forget about that when staring into the color-rich OLED that's dreamier than the old iPhone LCD.

Battery life: The iPhone XS has about the same battery life as the iPhone X, so you'll get all-day battery life with normal use. Power users may struggle a bit without one of the best power banks, and although Apple says it has 30 minutes more battery life than the iPhone X, the smaller capacity and our tests show it's shy of that claim.

Camera: This is where you'll see differences in the otherwise familiar-looking iPhone XS. Its dual-lens camera offers Smart HDR and optical image stabilization (OIS). It's not as vivid as the cameras on a Google Pixel 2 or Samsung Galaxy S9, but you'll get true-to-life photos that make the 2018 iPhone's a worthy upgrade.

Mini verdict: Although still expensive, the iPhone XS is our best phone for someone who wants to use iOS 12 and doesn't want to spend even more money on the bigger iPhone XS Max. You have your limits, and that may be 5.8 inches and $1,000.

Read more: iPhone XS review

Google Pixel 2 is the best phone if you're looking for a pure Android experience with a big screen, incredible camera and stereo speakers. It's not cheap like an old Nexus phone, but it's a big improvement in terms and quality and specs.

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 OnePlus 6 represents excellent value compared to its competitors, with a strong package put together for far less money than you might expect given the spec and performance of this thing.

Screen: The negative thing here is that we're looking at a Full HD display, but it's a long 19:9 ratio with a notch at the top. Yes, it lacks HDR, but it does have decent OLED contrast ratio - it's far from shabby to look at.

Battery life: The battery life of the OnePlus 6, despite using the thirsty Snapdragon 845 chipset, is more than decent, with it mostly landing on around 15% left at the end of the day through medium usage.

Camera: A dual 16MP sensor on the back, combined with a 16MP option for the front, means that you'll get some decent snaps out of this phone. There's no 'AI smarts' to play with here, but ultimately you're getting some good bokeh modes and impressive low-light work.

Mini verdict: Sure, there's nothing here that really wows... except the price. The design, screen, battery life and camera are all more than serviceable, and the operating system is pretty close to stock Android, which will attract many. There's a lot of power and storage on offer here too, making it an easy recommendation.

Read more: OnePlus 6 review

The LG G7 ThinQ is an impressive little phone from the brand (irritating name aside), bringing with it a strong package and a decent price in many regions. There's an attempt to right the wrongs of the LG G6 - and it's resulted in a good alternative to the traditional big hitters.

Screen: LG's Super Bright screen might not be OLED - LCD is preferred here - but it's capable of delivering good peak brightness, can handle HDR10 and Dolby Vision playback and has a large, expansive look with a smaller notch. It's a little large to hold, but it's one of the most capable screens around.

Battery life: At 3,000 mAh, the LG G7 ThinQ isn't the largest on the market... and it shows in the performance. It's not terrible, with some clever background processing keeping things going, but it'll only last you around a day when others are starting to eke into two.

Camera: The smart camera here is great if you want to capture more of the picture, with a much wider field of view bringing in more information. The smart sensor tries to work out what's in front of you - with great results, but only when it gets things right. It's not the best camera out there, but you can take some stellar shots.

Mini verdict: It's so tight at top of our best smartphone list that the small tweaks can make all the difference, and LG impresses thanks to offering up a tightly-made package for a pretty reasonable price - it's similar to many other top Android phones out there, but you'll certainly find some elements to enjoy here.

Read more: LG G7 ThinQ review

The LG V40 is all about its cameras, and that's obvious with one look at it – the five cameras are its standout feature. It doesn't rival Google, Apple, or Samsung on photo quality, but it does have more angles and that's fun for creative types. We ranked it just below the LG G7 only because its price is unnecessarily higher.

Screen: This smartphone has a great big OLED display that stretches 6.5 inches with support for HDR10. It's almost as bezel-free as an iPhone XS, and it includes a smaller notch, with just enough room for a small speaker and two selfie cameras.

Battery life: The LG V40 battery is smaller than we had hoped, which is a key reason why this phone didn't rank a lot higher. You'll get all-day battery life, thanks to the lower peak brightness of the display, but you may want to take the charger with you to work and on overnight trips.

Camera: There are a total of five cameras on this phone, and that's been the most fascinating part of testing it. It offers both super-wide and telephoto lenses on back as well as a regular lens. On the front, you get a wide lens and normal lens. The HDR isn't always as good as you'll find on a Samsung, Apple or Google phone, but there are some creative perspectives you can capture and neat tools like Cine Shot (cinemagraphs) and Cine Video (tap-to-zoom-anywhere).

Mini verdict: The LG V40 is for creatives, even if its execution puts it behind Apple, Samsung, and Google. If it's on sale below $900, it's something you should consider. The dedicated Quad DAC gives it good audio, and you'll have fun with all five cameras.

Read more: LG V40 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

No surprise, the curved Samsung Galaxy S8 was the best phone when it launched a year ago and it deserves to remain on our top 10 list thanks to its remarkable design and now cheaper price.

Screen: The 5.8-inch curved screen was deemed the best on the market when it launched and it still holds up thanks to its 18.5:9 aspect ratio that stretches up and down the phone. Its color reproduction and contrast ratio look even, if if you don't have it cranked all the way up wot Quad HD.

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: The Samsung Galaxy S8 is an easy way to upgrade a recent Samsung flagship smartphone without paying the full price of the slightly superior Galaxy S9. It has a great camera and enviable curved screen design. The not-center-aligned rear fingerprint sensor is a pain, but one you can overcome if the price is right.

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