The world's best smartphones for 2018

By Ars Technica Staff on January 17, 2018 at 5:00am CST

It’s been a wild ride with smartphone releases in the past few years. There have been flagships from every major manufacturer and plenty of lesser-known phones that have shown us what it means to be great. With so much competition, how do we know which phones are truly the best? We've put together this list of our top picks for 2018, broken down by category, with a brief description of each phone's highlights and why we love them.

Flagships

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9 Plus

The latest version of Samsung's flagship phone is easily one of the best phones of 2018. The S9 and S9 Plus are packed with top-of-the-line hardware, including a new variable aperture camera lens that can change its focus depending on the lighting conditions, and an excellent OLED display.

Apple iPhone X

Apple's latest flagship phone is a stunning piece of design. The iPhone X features a nearly bezel-less OLED display, facial recognition (which works great, by the way), and a powerful A11 Bionic chip. n

OnePlus 6T

The OnePlus 6T is our favorite phone for people who want a top-of-the-line experience without breaking the bank. It's packed with high-end hardware, including an in-display fingerprint sensor, and it's available unlocked or on T-Mobile. n

Google Pixel 3/3 XL

The Pixel 3 and 3 XL are two great phones with a lot to offer. They both feature excellent cameras, Google Assistant integration, and a clean Android experience. The larger size of the Pixel 3 XL might be too big for some people, but it's worth considering if you need a powerful phone with a large screen. n

Mid-range

Moto G6/G6 Plus

The Moto G6 and G6 Plus are two of the best mid-range phones we've seen this year. They both feature excellent cameras, long battery life, and a clean Android experience. The larger size of the G6 Plus might be too big for some people, but it's worth considering if you need a powerful phone with a large screen. n

Apple iPhone SE

The iPhone SE is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable flagship phone. It features a 4-inch Retina HD display and an A13 Bionic chip, making it one of the fastest phones on the market. Plus, it's available unlocked or on AT&T/Sprint/Verizon. n

Affordable

Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite

The Mi 8 Lite is an excellent affordable phone that offers top-of-the-line features at a budget price. It's packed with high-end hardware, including a powerful Snapdragon 632 chip and a 15MP rear camera, and it's available on Amazon. n

Nokia 7.1

The Nokia 7.1 is another great affordable phone that we love. It features a high-quality camera, long battery life, and a clean Android experience. Plus, it's available unlocked or on AT&T/Sprint/Verizon. n