# Best Smartphones: the stierproducts tier list - Source: https://stierproducts.com/categories/smartphones - Last researched: 2026-08-20T08:44:53.033Z - Products ranked: 14 - Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology - Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). 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. Flagship and mid-range smartphones; tablets, e-readers and smartwatches are separate. ## 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. ## Ranking | Rank | Product | Brand | Tier | LP | Outlets | Verdict | Page | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Apple | S | 905 | 32 | The 2026 flagship delivers the best overall performance, camera system and software continuity, earning top marks from RTINGS and TechRadar. | https://stierproducts.com/products/iphone-17-pro-max | | 2 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung | A | 788 | 86 | Placed second for its flagship hardware, four-year Android updates and solid warranty. | https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra | | 3 | iPhone 17 | Apple | A | 752 | 106 | Ranked first for its unmatched build quality, five-year software support and extensive repair network. | https://stierproducts.com/products/iphone-17 | | 4 | Samsung Galaxy S26 | Samsung | B | 609 | 92 | Being part of the “Ultra” category suggests a premium experience, though its specific merits aren’t detailed beyond that. | https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s26 | | 5 | Google Pixel 10a | Google | B | 588 | 83 | Ranked third for its excellent camera, five-year security patches and durable design. | https://stierproducts.com/products/google-pixel-10a | | 6 | Oppo Find X9 Pro | Oppo | B | 525 | 69 | Positive mention in "ultra" phone rankings places it as a contender in the high-end market. | https://stierproducts.com/products/oppo-find-x9-pro | | 7 | Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold | Google | C | 492 | 72 | Fourth for being the best foldable with a robust hinge and long software life. | https://stierproducts.com/products/google-pixel-10-pro-fold | | 8 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra | Xiaomi | C | 488 | 87 | Its inclusion in "ultra" phone rankings indicates high-end performance and features, placing it favorably among competitors. | https://stierproducts.com/products/xiaomi-17-ultra | | 9 | Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | Samsung | C | 419 | 46 | Sixth for being a budget flagship with reliable build and four-year updates. | https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-a17-5g | | 10 | Google Pixel 9a | Google | C | 385 | 65 | Eighth for being affordable, durable and receiving five-year security patches. | https://stierproducts.com/products/google-pixel-9a | | 11 | Samsung Galaxy A56 5G | Samsung | D | 236 | 46 | Its recommendation within a specific budget range highlights its value proposition for cost-conscious buyers. | https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-a56-5g | | 12 | Motorola Moto G04 | Motorola | D | 227 | 14 | While flagged as needing careful consideration, inclusion in the "do not buy before watching" list suggests it has some redeeming qualities that warrant investigation. | https://stierproducts.com/products/motorola-moto-g04 | | 13 | Samsung Galaxy S25 | Samsung | D | 223 | 76 | Ninth for good durability but slightly older than the S26 Ultra, still reliable. | https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s25 | | 14 | Motorola Razr Flip | Motorola | F | 208 | 1 | The warning to review before buying indicates potential issues and a higher risk of disappointment compared to other options. | https://stierproducts.com/products/motorola-razr-flip | ## Flagged as ones to avoid These entered one or more research runs as a product buyers cross-shop but should not buy, rather than as a pick. - Xiaomi 17 Ultra (#8, C tier): flagged by 1 of 6 runs. - Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (#9, C tier): flagged by 1 of 5 runs. - Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (#11, D tier): flagged by 2 of 7 runs. - Motorola Moto G04 (#12, D tier): flagged by 2 of 3 runs. - Samsung Galaxy S25 (#13, D tier): flagged by 2 of 4 runs. - Motorola Razr Flip (#14, F tier): flagged by 3 of 7 runs. ## Tier meanings - 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. ## How to read this - 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. - LP is the product's points on this category's ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories. - Outlets is how many distinct outlets are cited for that placement. The per-product page lists each citation, and shows which of their links were fetched and confirmed before publishing. - Nothing is hidden: every product the research placed is on this board.