The best Google Pixel phones 2026

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the most impressive phone yet on Google's roster. It does have a hefty price tag, starting at $1,099, but it is worth it. The 9 Pro XL has excellent camera hardware, coupled with a stylish design, while keeping a bit of an aesthetic difference from other brands' metallic approach.

There are a few useful AI features that we had a lot of fun testing out in our review, but the best thing about the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the display. The screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, double that of the iPhone 15 Plus' 60Hz, and boasts a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, which is more than enough to make the display shine no matter the lighting scenario. It's just stunning, and if you're someone who spends a lot of time streaming YouTube, Netflix, or anything else on your smartphone, the 9 Pro XL is a standout option.

Despite this, there are a couple of caveats. It's perhaps not the best choice for gamers, as Google's own Tensor G4 chipset struggles to keep up with the performance you might get from devices with Snapdragon chipsets, like the Honor Magic6 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24+.

It's also worth pointing out that not all the AI features are quite there yet in terms of usability; Pixel Studio, especially, could do with a little more work. However, we could see future software updates make them all a little more user-friendly.

Read our Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review here for more information.

The Google Pixel 8 brings an array of upgrades compared to its predecessor and holds up as an excellent phone even with the next generation now available. Though the Pixel 8 is a little physically smaller than the Pixel 7, it retains a sleek design with a satin finish that has had a little refresh to keep it modern and in line with the newest tech.

We really enjoy the AI features that come with the Pixel 8's camera. Editing photos has never been easier; thanks to Best Take, you can blend similar images to fix any imperfections, while the Magic Editor can remove items you don't want. The Macro Focus mode allows you to really get in there and take crisp close-ups.

This Google phone comes with Android 14, including some Pixel-exclusive features. There's even a promise of constant updates for the next seven years, keeping your device up to scratch.

Considering the Pixel 8 is one of Google's flagships, its price is competitive compared to other brands, but it is still higher than the last generation - though that's something we can't avoid. Read our Google Pixel 8 review here for a deeper dive into how the device works.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro has some better features than the Pixel 7, however, this doesn't necessarily mean it's the absolute best model for everyone. In terms of competition, it keeps up alongside the Samsung S23 and Apple's iPhone 14 devices.

The Pixel 7's cameras may be the best out there, despite the phone itself costing almost two-thirds less than the best competitors - retailing at $899/£849, or less now that quite a few months have passed since release.

The Pixel 7 Pro works like a dream thanks to the Tensor G2 processor, meaning it can handle intense photo editing and all manner of apps and games, and it even comes with an in-built VPN for added privacy. However, there's no microSD or dual SIM slot, so if you want more storage, there's not much you can do. The battery life also lets the Pixel 7 Pro down, so we can't recommend it as a gaming phone.

Read our Google Pixel 7 Pro review.

The main thing separating the Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel 7 is the price, so this is a key thing to note if you have a specific budget in mind. The Pixel 7 is an improvement on the Pixel 6 but isn't world-shatteringly different. The fingerprint sensor is noticeably better in the 7 than in the 6, but that's the only really obvious upgrade.

In terms of what differs from the 7 Pro, it comes down to size and resolution. The Google Pixel 7 is 6.3 inches with a 1080 x 2400 resolution, making it a decent option no matter what you're doing, and it's not too big to hold for long periods - but it adds a bigger screen than its counterpart.

The drawback is that the Pixel 7 doesn't include a microSD card slot, something missing from a few of Google's handsets. If the ability to expand your storage space is something you know you're looking for, this may affect your decision.

Read our Google Pixel 7 review.

The Google Pixel 8a is a great option if you're looking for an affordable, middle-of-the-road phone or want to try out Google's devices. It has a 120Hz refresh rate and a gorgeous OLED screen, so everything looks great on it. This means it's a great all-rounder for anybody who likes to use their phone to play the best mobile games or to watch TV shows and movies.

The addition of futuristic AI features really impressed us with this phone. Now, as writers, we don't like AI, as it's going to take all of our jobs, but when it comes to convenient tweaks to phones, we can let it slide. One feature the Pixel 8a has is Circle to Search. This lets you circle anything in a picture and then search it to immediately get information on it.

Another really handy feature is Live Translate, which does exactly what you might think and works seamlessly with a number of other apps. It's really impressive stuff.

The two cameras it has on the back are really cool as well. They offer 64 MP wide and 13 MP ultrawide shots, and they look truly wonderful. These can also be somewhat enhanced with AI, with features like Magic Erase (which removes unwanted features from the backgrounds of photos) and Best Take (which makes an amalgamation of multiple photos so that you can get the best of all worlds).

It's a pretty impressive phone, and while we wish that it could charge a bit faster or even that its battery would last a bit longer when it's fully charged, there's very little that we could say against it. For its price, it's an excellent choice of a smartphone.

Read our full Google Pixel 8a review.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a fantastic foldable phone, with gorgeous internal and exterior displays, a quality build, and more than capable cameras. Whether you're looking to stream videos on your commute or get a bigger display for mobile gaming on the sofa, this phone has you covered.

As far as generational improvements go, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a lot better than its predecessor, with a less noticeable crease and a slimmer design that doesn't feel as hefty in your hand. You also get access to a bunch of fantastic Google services, including the tech giant's class-leading photo editing tools.

While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold isn't quite as much of a performance beast as the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, it's still more than capable of running your favorite games. The only other potential drawback is that it's a pretty pricey phone, but that goes for all foldables, and it's still a good $200 cheaper than the latest Samsung alternative.