Last updated: 18 Jul 2026 · 5 products rated
The 2026 flagships have landed, the iPhone 17, Galaxy S26 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy Z Fold7, which means the phones on this list are now the previous generation. That is exactly why they are here. A year-old flagship is still a flagship: the cameras, processors and screens are barely a step behind the new models, and the prices have dropped. If you use your phone hard for photos, video, gaming or work, this is where the value sits right now.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still an excellent phone if you are in the Apple ecosystem, with a brilliant camera system and performance that has not aged. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the Android alternative for maximum power and features, basically a computer in your pocket with a stylus. Google's Pixel 9 Pro is underrated: the AI features are genuinely useful and the camera software is among the best you can get.
Samsung's foldables are still the pick if you want future tech, though they cost more and are earlier in their durability story. My honest take: do not buy a flagship every year. These phones last ages and the year-to-year gains are marginal, so buying last season's best and running it for three or four years is the smart money.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max was Apple's top phone before the 17 Pro Max, with a superb camera system and A18 Pro performance. Now a prior-generation buy, it holds up and costs less.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's prior-generation flagship now the S26 Ultra has landed. It still brings a massive 200MP camera, 5x optical zoom, and an included stylus, at a lower price.
The Pixel 9 Pro excels at computational photography and AI features, delivering exceptional photo quality with less megapixels than rivals.
The Galaxy Z Fold6 is Samsung's premium foldable with a 7.6" tablet-sized inner display. It's clever but expensive and best for power users.
The iPhone 16 is Apple's balanced flagship, pairing the A18 chip with a strong 48MP camera at a lower price than the Pro Max. Better value again now the iPhone 17 has landed.
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