QUESTION
Best overall: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — the strongest pick if you want a top-tier phone and are comfortable with iOS.
Best for premium iPhone buyers
Maars picked this for iPhone users who want the strongest overall flagship experience: it is the safest premium choice if you already like iOS.
At a glance
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Google Pixel 10 | Pixel 10 Pro XL | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Best overall if you want a premium iPhone | Best Android for most people | Best premium Android | Best value iPhone | Best high-end Samsung option |
| Platform | iOS | Android | Android | iOS | Android |
| Buying logic | Choose it if you want the highest-end iPhone experience | Choose it if you want a balanced Android flagship | Choose it if you want a larger, more premium Android phone | Choose it if you want iPhone quality without going all-in on the Pro Max | Choose it if you like Samsung’s flagship features and large-phone style |
| Main thing to check | Price, storage, and whether the large size works for you | Carrier compatibility, storage, and current deals | Size, price, and whether you need the XL model | Storage and whether you need Pro-level camera/display features | Size, price, carrier compatibility, and whether you’ll use the extra features |
Also compared
Best for most Android users
Maars picked this for Android users who want the easiest default choice: it is a balanced pick for everyday use without jumping to the largest premium model.
Best for premium Android buyers
Maars picked this for Android buyers who want a bigger, more premium phone: it is the step-up choice when budget is less of a concern.
Best for value-focused iPhone buyers
Maars picked this for iPhone shoppers who want better value: it keeps you in the Apple ecosystem without paying for the top Pro Max model.
Best for Samsung flagship fans
Maars picked this for Samsung fans who want a feature-packed Android flagship: it is the high-end choice if you like large phones and Samsung’s software features.
Alternatives
Google Pixel 10
Best for most Android users
A strong default Android choice for everyday use, camera quality, and clean software.
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Best premium Android
Best fit if you want a larger, more premium Android phone and price is less important.
Apple iPhone 17
Best value iPhone
A better-value iPhone pick than the highest-end Pro Max model for many buyers.
Found this helpful?
Best for premium iPhone buyers
Maars picked this for iPhone users who want the strongest overall flagship experience: it is the safest premium choice if you already like iOS.
At a glance
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Google Pixel 10 | Pixel 10 Pro XL | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Best overall if you want a premium iPhone | Best Android for most people | Best premium Android | Best value iPhone | Best high-end Samsung option |
| Platform | iOS | Android | Android | iOS | Android |
| Buying logic | Choose it if you want the highest-end iPhone experience | Choose it if you want a balanced Android flagship | Choose it if you want a larger, more premium Android phone | Choose it if you want iPhone quality without going all-in on the Pro Max | Choose it if you like Samsung’s flagship features and large-phone style |
| Main thing to check | Price, storage, and whether the large size works for you | Carrier compatibility, storage, and current deals | Size, price, and whether you need the XL model | Storage and whether you need Pro-level camera/display features | Size, price, carrier compatibility, and whether you’ll use the extra features |
Also compared
Best for most Android users
Maars picked this for Android users who want the easiest default choice: it is a balanced pick for everyday use without jumping to the largest premium model.
Best for premium Android buyers
Maars picked this for Android buyers who want a bigger, more premium phone: it is the step-up choice when budget is less of a concern.
Best for value-focused iPhone buyers
Maars picked this for iPhone shoppers who want better value: it keeps you in the Apple ecosystem without paying for the top Pro Max model.
Best for Samsung flagship fans
Maars picked this for Samsung fans who want a feature-packed Android flagship: it is the high-end choice if you like large phones and Samsung’s software features.
Google Pixel 10
Best for most Android users
A strong default Android choice for everyday use, camera quality, and clean software.
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Best premium Android
Best fit if you want a larger, more premium Android phone and price is less important.
Apple iPhone 17
Best value iPhone
A better-value iPhone pick than the highest-end Pro Max model for many buyers.
Found this helpful?
Explore follow-up questions based on this answer.
