{
  "category": {
    "slug": "smartphones",
    "name": "Smartphones",
    "description": "Flagship and mid-range smartphones; tablets, e-readers and smartwatches are separate."
  },
  "url": "https://stierproducts.com/categories/smartphones",
  "markdown": "https://stierproducts.com/categories/smartphones.md",
  "updated": "2026-08-20T08:44:53.033Z",
  "productsRanked": 14,
  "summary": "On the stierproducts smartphones board, iPhone 17 Pro Max ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (#2, A tier) and iPhone 17 (#3, A tier). The board ranks 14 smartphones from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 20 Aug 2026, drawing on 875 outlet citations across the board. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Motorola Moto G04, Samsung Galaxy S25, and 1 other.",
  "method": {
    "summary": "Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.",
    "url": "https://stierproducts.com/methodology"
  },
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "terms": "https://stierproducts.com/license",
    "covers": [
      "text",
      "rankings",
      "tiers",
      "lp",
      "verdicts",
      "pros",
      "cons"
    ],
    "excludes": [
      "images"
    ],
    "imageRights": "Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence."
  },
  "tierMeanings": {
    "S": "Exceptional. Finishes top run after run; capped at 3 slots per category.",
    "A": "Excellent. Strongly recommended, beaten only by the very best.",
    "B": "Good. A solid choice with real caveats worth knowing.",
    "C": "Fair. Acceptable in the right situation, outclassed at its price.",
    "D": "Weak. Hard to recommend when better options cost similar money.",
    "F": "Avoid. The evidence points you elsewhere."
  },
  "products": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "tier": "S",
      "lp": 905,
      "name": "iPhone 17 Pro Max",
      "brand": "Apple",
      "slug": "iphone-17-pro-max",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/iphone-17-pro-max",
      "verdict": "The 2026 flagship delivers the best overall performance, camera system and software continuity, earning top marks from RTINGS and TechRadar.",
      "pros": [
        "All-round performance that outpaces rivals",
        "Top-tier camera system with advanced computational photography",
        "Seamless ecosystem integration across Apple devices",
        "Unparalleled camera system",
        "Excellent battery life"
      ],
      "citations": 34,
      "distinctOutlets": 32,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/iphone-17-pro-max.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "tier": "A",
      "lp": 788,
      "name": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra",
      "brand": "Samsung",
      "slug": "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra",
      "verdict": "Placed second for its flagship hardware, four-year Android updates and solid warranty.",
      "pros": [
        "Top-tier hardware",
        "4-year software support",
        "Robust warranty",
        "Premium Dynamic AMOLED display",
        "Versatile camera system with high-resolution sensors"
      ],
      "citations": 106,
      "distinctOutlets": 86,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "tier": "A",
      "lp": 752,
      "name": "iPhone 17",
      "brand": "Apple",
      "slug": "iphone-17",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/iphone-17",
      "verdict": "Ranked first for its unmatched build quality, five-year software support and extensive repair network.",
      "pros": [
        "Excellent build quality",
        "5-year iOS security updates",
        "Strong repair ecosystem",
        "High-quality camera system",
        "Solid battery performance"
      ],
      "citations": 147,
      "distinctOutlets": 106,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/iphone-17.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "tier": "B",
      "lp": 609,
      "name": "Samsung Galaxy S26",
      "brand": "Samsung",
      "slug": "samsung-galaxy-s26",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s26",
      "verdict": "Being part of the “Ultra” category suggests a premium experience, though its specific merits aren’t detailed beyond that.",
      "pros": [
        "Premium experience",
        "Part of Ultra lineup",
        "Solid performance",
        "Long battery life",
        "Good camera"
      ],
      "citations": 128,
      "distinctOutlets": 92,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/samsung-galaxy-s26.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 5,
      "tier": "B",
      "lp": 588,
      "name": "Google Pixel 10a",
      "brand": "Google",
      "slug": "google-pixel-10a",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/google-pixel-10a",
      "verdict": "Ranked third for its excellent camera, five-year security patches and durable design.",
      "pros": [
        "Excellent camera",
        "5-year security updates",
        "Durable construction",
        "Clean Android experience with timely updates",
        "Good camera performance for a low-cost device"
      ],
      "citations": 104,
      "distinctOutlets": 83,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/google-pixel-10a.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 6,
      "tier": "B",
      "lp": 525,
      "name": "Oppo Find X9 Pro",
      "brand": "Oppo",
      "slug": "oppo-find-x9-pro",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/oppo-find-x9-pro",
      "verdict": "Positive mention in \"ultra\" phone rankings places it as a contender in the high-end market.",
      "pros": [
        "Contender in high-end segment",
        "Strong camera system",
        "Solid construction",
        "4-year software updates",
        "Excellent AMOLED display"
      ],
      "citations": 82,
      "distinctOutlets": 69,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/oppo-find-x9-pro.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 7,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 492,
      "name": "Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold",
      "brand": "Google",
      "slug": "google-pixel-10-pro-fold",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/google-pixel-10-pro-fold",
      "verdict": "Fourth for being the best foldable with a robust hinge and long software life.",
      "pros": [
        "Best foldable hinge",
        "Long-term software support",
        "Solid build",
        "Foldable design that remains sturdy",
        "Top-tier camera performance with pixel-level clarity"
      ],
      "citations": 101,
      "distinctOutlets": 72,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/google-pixel-10-pro-fold.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 8,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 488,
      "name": "Xiaomi 17 Ultra",
      "brand": "Xiaomi",
      "slug": "xiaomi-17-ultra",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/xiaomi-17-ultra",
      "verdict": "Its inclusion in \"ultra\" phone rankings indicates high-end performance and features, placing it favorably among competitors.",
      "pros": [
        "High-end performance",
        "Feature-rich design",
        "Top-tier processor",
        "Long battery life",
        "Great value for performance"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "No verified durability data",
        "Uncertain warranty"
      ],
      "citations": 111,
      "distinctOutlets": 87,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 6
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/xiaomi-17-ultra.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 9,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 419,
      "name": "Samsung Galaxy A17 5G",
      "brand": "Samsung",
      "slug": "samsung-galaxy-a17-5g",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-a17-5g",
      "verdict": "Sixth for being a budget flagship with reliable build and four-year updates.",
      "pros": [
        "Budget flagship",
        "Reliable build",
        "4-year software support",
        "Affordable price with high performance",
        "Strong camera capabilities for its segment"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Modest camera",
        "Limited battery"
      ],
      "citations": 58,
      "distinctOutlets": 46,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 5
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/samsung-galaxy-a17-5g.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 10,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 385,
      "name": "Google Pixel 9a",
      "brand": "Google",
      "slug": "google-pixel-9a",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/google-pixel-9a",
      "verdict": "Eighth for being affordable, durable and receiving five-year security patches.",
      "pros": [
        "Affordable price",
        "Durable build",
        "5-year security updates",
        "Great camera performance",
        "Clean Android OS"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Lower performance compared to flagship and mid-range phones"
      ],
      "citations": 78,
      "distinctOutlets": 65,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/google-pixel-9a.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 11,
      "tier": "D",
      "lp": 236,
      "name": "Samsung Galaxy A56 5G",
      "brand": "Samsung",
      "slug": "samsung-galaxy-a56-5g",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-a56-5g",
      "verdict": "Its recommendation within a specific budget range highlights its value proposition for cost-conscious buyers.",
      "pros": [
        "Good value within the ₹50,000 segment",
        "Decent build quality",
        "Competitive price",
        "Balanced specs for its price point",
        "Decent camera performance"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Limited software updates",
        "Poor camera quality",
        "Weak performance",
        "Mediocre camera",
        "Lackluster battery life"
      ],
      "citations": 54,
      "distinctOutlets": 46,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 2,
        "ofRuns": 7
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/samsung-galaxy-a56-5g.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 12,
      "tier": "D",
      "lp": 227,
      "name": "Motorola Moto G04",
      "brand": "Motorola",
      "slug": "motorola-moto-g04",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/motorola-moto-g04",
      "verdict": "While flagged as needing careful consideration, inclusion in the \"do not buy before watching\" list suggests it has some redeeming qualities that warrant investigation.",
      "pros": [
        "Redeeming qualities worth investigating"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Issues that require review before buying",
        "Short software lifecycle",
        "Poor build quality",
        "Slow processor"
      ],
      "citations": 14,
      "distinctOutlets": 14,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 2,
        "ofRuns": 3
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/motorola-moto-g04.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 13,
      "tier": "D",
      "lp": 223,
      "name": "Samsung Galaxy S25",
      "brand": "Samsung",
      "slug": "samsung-galaxy-s25",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s25",
      "verdict": "Ninth for good durability but slightly older than the S26 Ultra, still reliable.",
      "pros": [
        "Good durability",
        "Reliable performance",
        "Strong performance across apps and games",
        "Solid camera system",
        "Better value due to lower price"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Limited durability",
        "Shorter software support",
        "Outdated hardware",
        "Higher price than newer rivals"
      ],
      "citations": 108,
      "distinctOutlets": 76,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 2,
        "ofRuns": 4
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/samsung-galaxy-s25.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 14,
      "tier": "F",
      "lp": 208,
      "name": "Motorola Razr Flip",
      "brand": "Motorola",
      "slug": "motorola-razr-flip",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/motorola-razr-flip",
      "verdict": "The warning to review before buying indicates potential issues and a higher risk of disappointment compared to other options.",
      "pros": [
        "Iconic foldable design",
        "Good durability",
        "3-year warranty",
        "Retro flip design with modern internals",
        "Decent camera performance for a foldable"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Potential issues that may lead to disappointment",
        "Expensive price point",
        "Limited app ecosystem",
        "Hinge failure risk",
        "Lagging software updates"
      ],
      "citations": 1,
      "distinctOutlets": 1,
      "thinlySourced": true,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 3,
        "ofRuns": 7
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/motorola-razr-flip.webp"
    }
  ]
}