TOP TEN OF EVERYTHING
NEW
Time changes everything, including Stuff Top Ten entries.
BARGAIN BUY
A proper steal. Worth owning regardless of cashflow.
UPDATE
Straight outta testing and into our rankings.
HOW WE RATE
Always fair and accurate, our reviews are scored from 1 to 5 and might get one of these awards too:
A step up in approval, this can only be awarded to five-star products.
For selected products that are rated with four stars but stand out from the pack.
Our highest accolade is given out just a few times a year in each key category.
TOP TENS
PREMIUM PHONES
● Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated
TIPS & TRICKS
• Flick upwards in Control Centre to see the new layout; tap-hold and you can rearrange controls.
• Lightly press the camera control button twice to change settings for the current mode.
• Tap-hold any icon then select ‘Require Face ID’ so you can stop open access to particular apps.
1
Apple iPhone 16
from £799
/
go.stuff.tv/iPhone16
This year’s iPhone Pro lineup is a mighty fine selection to choose from (see the 16 Pro at No6 on this list), but it’s the standard model that does more to impress. The camera control button and the 2x telephoto zoom are great to have in particular, while the battery life is excellent. The 6.1in OLED screen’s refresh rate is fixed at 60Hz, which is a bit disappointing, but Apple clearly believes most people don’t care about that.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A pleasing update that’s much more appealing than spending more to go Pro
● NOW ADD THISApple MagSafe ChargerThe latest version of Apple’s wireless charger lets you fuel up your iPhone at up to 25W.from £39/apple.com
2
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
from £778 /go.stuff.tv/S24Ultra
Yet another epic do-it-all flagship, elevated to even more desirable status by its titanium build and superior screen. The AI additions are perfect for productivity and it also takes a very good photo, even if Samsung has taken its foot off the gas just a little on that front.
Stuff says ★★★★★ Proper ‘future phone’ vibes… and not as high-priced as it used to be
3
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
from £999 /go.stuff.tv/9ProXL
This is every bit the modern flagship. Styling is up there with anything from Apple or Samsung, real-world performance is suitably top-tier, and it takes fantastic pictures in all conditions… but don’t overlook the non-XL version, which is very nearly as good.
Stuff says ★★★★★ The best big-screen Pixel yet levels up Google’s AI efforts
4 Xiaomi 14 Ultra
★★★★★ £1151 /go.stuff.tv/14Ultra If you think in focal lengths and ISO values, this photography specialist should be your next phone.
UPDATE
5 OnePlus 12
★★★★★ from £749 /go.stuff.tv/OnePlus12 A compelling package thanks to its boosted camera and core specs – but the new 13 is tested on p74.
6
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
★★★★★ from £989 /go.stuff.tv/iPhone16Pro Bigger and better than before, this is a smarter buy than the giant 16 Pro Max.
7 Nothing Phone 2
★★★★★ from £449 /go.stuff.tv/Nothing2 Rivals edge it out in some areas, but they can’t match this phone’s pocket presence.
8 Samsung Galaxy S24
★★★★★ from £605 /go.stuff.tv/S24 The ‘basic’ S24 is not one for specs snobs, but it’s still an ace Android all-rounder.
9 Sony Xperia 1 VI
★★★★★ from £1299 /go.stuff.tv/XperiaOneSix More mainstream than Sony’s previous efforts, this is a fantastic flagship that majors on battery life.
10 OnePlus 12R
★★★★★ £549 /go.stuff.tv/OnePlus12R Ideal for mobile gamers who don’t need wireless charging or top-class cameras.
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS AND REVIEWS OF ALL THE BEST NEW PHONES, VISIT STUFF.TV/TOP-10/SMARTPHONES
TOP TENS
FOLDABLE PHONES
1 Honor Magic V3
£1459
/
go.stuff.tv/MagicV3
The Magic V3 is the first foldable we’ve used that’s like having a normal phone in your pocket – and that feels like a big deal. It’s almost unbelievably thin and seems superbly made. There are still some areas that could be improved, most obviously the limited multitasking powers; but along with its superb main camera and all-day battery life (further enhanced by wireless charging), the V3’s real achievement is that it makes carrying a foldable phone feel normal.
Stuff says ★★★★★ A major step up from the previous model, the Magic V3 will change how you think about foldable phones
2 OnePlus Open
£1199 /go.stuff.tv/Open The Open’s camera system is the best of any folding phone, taking impressive photos in all conditions. Neither of the two screens feels like a compromise, and OnePlus’s UI is fantastically optimised for multitasking. Stuff says★★★★★
Well made and cheaper than its main rivals
3 Samsung
Galaxy
Z
Flip6
from £1049 /go.stuff.tv/ZFlip6 Samsung’s little clamshell finally has the camera hardware and battery to match the Galaxy S24. It keeps pace on performance too, and adds useful software tweaks that make great use of the form factor.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A near-zero-compromise foldable
4 Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
★★★★★ from £1449 /go.stuff.tv/9ProFold A slick sequel that fixes the flaws of the first Fold and adds some useful software smarts.
5 Motorola Razr 50 Ultra
★★★★★ £745 /go.stuff.tv/Razr50Ultra Moto doubles down on everything that made the last-gen Razr such a fabulous flipper.
BUDGET PHONES
TOP TENS
1
Google Pixel 8a
from £499
/
go.stuff.tv/Pixel8a
In recent years, Google’s cheaper ‘a’ models have dominated the mid-range phone market. They’ve delivered outstanding value by including many of the brand’s flagship features (think amazing cameras and slick software) and cutting corners where you’re less likely to notice. And the good news is, that’s still true of the Pixel 8a, which looks and feels almost identical to the full-on Pixel 8 and performs almost as well. It really is astonishing how good the cheaper Google phones are for photography.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Once again Google proves you don’t need to spend over £500 to get a great phone
2 OnePlus Nord 4
from £479 /go.stuff.tv/Nord4
If you don’t want a Pixel 8a with its excellent camera, this is the next best thing. That’s not the whole story, though, because the Nord 4 beats its Google rival for design: the metal unibody makes this a very appealing smartphone indeed. Stuff says★★★★★
You can’t get a better design at this kind of price
3 Nothing
Phone
2a
from £279 /go.stuff.tv/Phone2a
Despite more modest specs and less bling than the full-fat Nothing Phone 2, the 2a is a stylish budget triumph. Performance is impressive, it lasts longer than any previous Nothing, and it also delivers pleasing photos.
Stuff says ★★★★★
One of the finest affordable handsets around
4 Redmi Note 13 Pro+
★★★★✩ £309 /go.stuff.tv/Note13ProPlus
Loads of storage, a brilliant curved screen and a seriously impressive main camera.
5 Samsung Galaxy A55
★★★★✩ from £257 /go.stuff.tv/GalaxyA55
Samsung die-hards will appreciate the styling and photo processing… and the low price.
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS AND REVIEWS OF ALL THE BEST NEW PHONES, VISIT STUFF.TV/TOP-10/SMARTPHONES
TOP TENS
IN-EAR HEADPHONES
TIPS & TRICKS
• Sony’s eartips are great, as long as you use the right size. Be sure to try all four included in the box.
• 360 Reality Audio upmixing can add a sense of space to tunes, but not every track sounds better.
• Give the personalised EQ a try in the app. Its A/B choices are far simpler than a multi-band equaliser.
1
Sony WF-1000XM5
£175
/
go.stuff.tv/WFXM5
The WF-1000XM5 in-ears are significantly smaller than the XM4s, which were already a lot more compact than their predecessors. And yet Sony has still squeezed even larger drivers inside each earbud, along with the firm’s best active noise-cancelling yet. The feature list is as extensive as ever, and they’re priced to compete with Bose’s best. Add in decent battery life and a strong app, and you won’t find anything more well-rounded for less.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Excellent noise-cancellation, a comfy fit and simply stellar audio
● NOW ADD THISSpigen Rugged Armor CaseThis drop-resistant outer shield comes with a carabiner clip for keeping your buds within reach.£20/amazon.co.uk