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The Hottest Phones for the Holidays

If a phone is on your shopping list, make sure you’re getting the latest and greatest device. These are the best smartphones you can pick up this holiday season.

Chandra Steele
 & Chandra Steele Senior Features Writer

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Overview

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Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. Read our editorial mission & see how we test.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

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  • Apple iPhone XR
    Budget-Friendly iOS Access

    Apple iPhone XR

    3.5 Good

    Pros & Cons

      • Available in gorgeous colors.
      • Super-fast processor.
      • Bright screen.
      • Wireless performance isn't up to par with XS models.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Apple iPhone XR is the fashion-forward model of this year's iPhones, but it trades top-notch performance for a colorful design.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (As Tested) Test pending minutes
    CPU Apple A12 Bionic
    Dimensions 5.94 by 2.98 by 0.33 inches
    Screen Resolution 1,792 by 828 pixels
    Screen Size 6.1
    Get It Now
    Learn More Apple iPhone XR Review Review
  • Apple iPhone XS Max
    Big-Screen iOS Access

    Apple iPhone XS Max

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Huge, awesome screen.
      • Fastest processor available.
      • Excellent camera.
      • Long battery life.
      • Expensive.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The iPhone XS Max is the best expression of Apple's smartphone philosophy so far, with a giant, gorgeous screen connecting you to everything.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (As Tested) 9 hours, 50 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming)
    CPU Apple A12 Bionic
    Dimensions 6.2 by 3.05 by 0.3 inches
    Screen Resolution 2,688 by 1,242 pixels
    Screen Size 6.5
    Get It Now
    Learn More Apple iPhone XS Max Review Review
  • LG V40 ThinQ
    Audiophiles

    LG V40 ThinQ

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Sharp OLED screen.
      • Relatively compact design.
      • Three rear cameras can simultaneously take pictures with three different angles.
      • Dual front cameras for wide-angle selfies.
      • Strong audio features.
      • Doesn't run the lastest version of Android.
      • Non-remappable Google Assistant button.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The LG V40 ThinQ has a sharp 6.4-inch OLED screen, impressive audio capabilities, and a total of five cameras for a first-class multimedia experience.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (As Tested) 9 hours, 22 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming)
    CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
    Dimensions 6.25 by 2.98 by 0.3 inches
    Screen Resolution 3,120 by 1,440 pixels
    Screen Size 6.4
    Get It Now
    Learn More LG V40 ThinQ Review
  • OnePlus 6T
    Power for the Price

    OnePlus 6T

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Amazing price for the power.
      • Huge screen for the size.
      • Fast, smooth software.
      • Camera doesn't quite lead the pack.
      • No headphone jack.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The $549 OnePlus 6T is the best value for your Android smartphone dollar today.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (As Tested) 8 hours, 31 minutes (LTE video streaming)
    CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
    Dimensions 6.18 by 2.94 by 0.32 inches
    Screen Resolution 2,340 by 1,080 pixels
    Screen Size 6.41
    Learn More OnePlus 6T Review Review
  • Google Pixel 3
    Low-Light Photography

    Google Pixel 3

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Compact.
      • Fast performance.
      • Beautiful OLED screen.
      • Sharp front and rear camera with impressive low-light, zoom, and bokeh capabilities.
      • Useful Google Assistant functionality.
      • Highly optimized software with guaranteed updates.
      • No headphone jack or memory card slot.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Google Pixel 3 is the best small Android phone you can buy with the latest specs, impressive camera capabilities, and genuinely innovative AI features.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (As Tested) 7 hours, 57 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming)
    CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
    Dimensions 5.7 by 2.7 by 0.3 inches
    Screen Resolution 2,160 by 1,080 pixels
    Screen Size 5.5
    Get It Now
    Learn More Google Pixel 3 Review Review
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 9
    Taking Notes

    Samsung Galaxy Note 9

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Big battery.
      • Lots of storage.
      • Excellent S Pen stylus.
      • Class-leading processor and modem.
      • Expensive.
      • Heavy.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is an attractive pen-enabled phablet with a fast processor, a terrific modem, and a huge battery.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (As Tested) 14 hours (LTE video streaming)
    CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
    Dimensions 6.38 by 3.01 by 0.35 inches
    Screen Resolution 2,960 by 1,440 pixels
    Screen Size 6.4
    Get It Now
    Learn More Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Review Review
  • Palm Phone

    Palm Phone

    2.5 Fair

    Pros & Cons

      • Beautiful, and beautifully tiny.
      • Poor Wi-Fi, LTE, and call quality.
      • Mediocre camera.
      • Short battery life.
      • Can't handle popular messaging software.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The new Palm is a tiny phone you're supposed to carry around as a secondary device when you don't want your big phone with you. It's a great idea, but it doesn't get performance basics right.

    Specs & Configurations

    Dimensions 3.8 by 2 by .29" inches
    Screen Resolution 1280-by-720 pixels
    Screen Size 3.3
    Learn More Palm Phone Review Review
The Hottest Phones for the Holidays

Compare Specs

Select Up To 3Select Up To 2
Your Selections
Apple iPhone XR

Apple iPhone XR

Apple iPhone XS Max

Apple iPhone XS Max

LG V40 ThinQ

LG V40 ThinQ

Our Pick
Apple iPhone XR
Apple iPhone XR
Apple iPhone XS Max
Apple iPhone XS Max
LG V40 ThinQ
LG V40 ThinQ
OnePlus 6T
OnePlus 6T
Google Pixel 3
Google Pixel 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Palm Phone
Palm Phone
Apple iPhone XR
Apple iPhone XR
Apple iPhone XS Max
Apple iPhone XS Max
LG V40 ThinQ
LG V40 ThinQ
Rating
3.5 Good
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.5 Outstanding
2.5 Fair
3.5 Good
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
Best For
Budget-Friendly iOS Access
Big-Screen iOS Access
Audiophiles
Power for the Price
Low-Light Photography
Taking Notes
Budget-Friendly iOS Access
Big-Screen iOS Access
Audiophiles
Screen Size
6.16.56.46.415.56.43.36.16.56.4
Screen Resolution
1,792 by 828 pixels2,688 by 1,242 pixels3,120 by 1,440 pixels2,340 by 1,080 pixels2,160 by 1,080 pixels2,960 by 1,440 pixels1280-by-720 pixels1,792 by 828 pixels2,688 by 1,242 pixels3,120 by 1,440 pixels
Dimensions
5.94 by 2.98 by 0.33 inches6.2 by 3.05 by 0.3 inches6.25 by 2.98 by 0.3 inches6.18 by 2.94 by 0.32 inches5.7 by 2.7 by 0.3 inches6.38 by 3.01 by 0.35 inches3.8 by 2 by .29" inches5.94 by 2.98 by 0.33 inches6.2 by 3.05 by 0.3 inches6.25 by 2.98 by 0.3 inches
CPU
Apple A12 BionicApple A12 BionicQualcomm Snapdragon 845Qualcomm Snapdragon 845Qualcomm Snapdragon 845Qualcomm Snapdragon 845Apple A12 BionicApple A12 BionicQualcomm Snapdragon 845
Battery Life (As Tested)
Test pending minutes9 hours, 50 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming)9 hours, 22 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming)8 hours, 31 minutes (LTE video streaming)7 hours, 57 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming)14 hours (LTE video streaming)Test pending minutes9 hours, 50 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming)9 hours, 22 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming)

Buying Guide: The Hottest Phones for the Holidays

Holiday Gift Guide

None

Recommended by Our Editors

Motorola Crams 2-Day Battery Life Into an Impressively Thin Edge
Motorola Crams 2-Day Battery Life Into an Impressively Thin Edge
Apple WWDC 2026: How to Watch and What to Expect, Including iOS 27, Siri Updates, and More
Apple WWDC 2026: How to Watch and What to Expect, Including iOS 27, Siri Updates, and More
Surprise! Apple Just Boosted Trade-In Values. Here's How to Prep Your iPhone to Get the Max Payout
Surprise! Apple Just Boosted Trade-In Values. Here's How to Prep Your iPhone to Get the Max Payout

For more, check out our picks for the best tech gifts under $50, under $20, and our full Holiday Gift Guide.

About Our Expert

Chandra Steele

Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My Experience

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme. 

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

My Areas of Expertise

  • Making incomprehensible tech news easy to understand
  • Expanding the boundaries of topics covered in the industry
  • Figuring out tips and tricks in apps and on devices and letting you know about them
  • Putting together gift guides for everyone in your life 

The Technology I Use

All that gadgets is gold for me: my iPhone 11 Pro, my fifth-generation iPad that I use only for streaming videos and music, my iPad mini 4 that I like to take with me whenever I carry a bag that can fit it, and my MacBook Pro. Why are they all different shades of gold, though? What’s going on, Apple? 

None of them quite live up to my two past loves: my LG Lotus LX600 phone and my Sony Walkman NW-E005 MP3 player. 

I've never given up wired earbuds so I was ahead of all those trend pieces. I use a Mangotek Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter to connect them to my phone. 

I have had so many ebook readers, but I prefer paper to them all. Still, my Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for traveling or when I’m too impatient to wait for a book to be released in paperback.

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