Buying a new phone can feel a little overwhelming, given the amount of models on the market.
Deciphering the tech specs is no easy feat either — with hundreds of devices boasting features like artificial intelligence, impressive camera lens and crystal clear display.
Big brands like Samsung, Apple and Google come to mind, yet there’s also a number of quiet contenders like HMD and Nothing.
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Whether you’re replacing an outdated model that has begun to lag, or purchasing one for a younger member of the family, we’ve rounded up the best smartphone for every budget and need.
Best folding phone: Samsung Z Fold8 Ultra 16GB + 1TB, $3899 at Samsung
Samsung has been leading the pack in foldable phones for years, and their latest iteration cements that legacy as the phone to buy if you’re after a flexible display.
The Fold 8 is a brand-new take on the smartphone, ditching the traditional 9:16 screen ratio for a passport-style shape that fits really well in the pocket.
When opened up, the internal screen is a massive 4:3 display with a small hole for the front facing camera. And the folding screen on both the Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra are reinforced with a specialised titanium alloy which improves durability without compromising on size and weight.
The challenge with making phones thinner has always been what to do with the battery. Traditional lithium based batteries can only get so small while still having a useful capacity. This year though, Samsung is embracing silicon carbon technology with the batteries on the Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra.
The big draw card with this technology is the ability to squeeze more capacity in a smaller space. To have a 4800mAh battery in a device that is marginally thicker than a USB C port feels like magic!
Best budget phone: Nothing 4b, $629 at Nothing
Keen to upgrade your current phone but reluctant to splash too much cash? Tech brand Nothing delivers on that front.
The Nothing 4b, a $629 device, has quickly gained praise for its incredible design, Android experience, battery life and display. Essentially, it’s the best budget phone on the market.
Like other smartphones in the brand’s line-up, it features a cool, futuristic design, available in white, black and blue.
Considering the price point, the camera is still pretty impressive (you can shoot videos in 4K) and it has the longest-lasting battery from the brand, making it a reliable tech companion.
As for the everyday performance, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 promising sleek browsing, watching and even gaming with minimal lagging and delays.
Best camera: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB, $2999 at Amazon Australia
When Apple announced the iPhone 17 series — the whole world tuned in.
The global tech giant has pulled out all the stops with this release, delivering bigger batteries, more durable materials and seriously impressive camera systems that turn every snap into a professional shot.
The most advanced iPhone yet, the Pro Max packs in everything Apple could possibly fit into a phone.
From its heat-forged aluminium unibody to its ultimate pro camera system with 48MP lenses and 8x optical-quality zoom, this is the closest you’ll get to having an entire camera crew in your pocket.
Powered by the A19 Pro chip with vapour cooling, it delivers 40 per cent better sustained performance and the longest battery life in an iPhone to date.
Best AI integration: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, $1389.99 at Amazon Australia
For those embracing in-built AI into their everyday devices, you’ll love the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL because it has the most advanced artificial intelligence in a Pixel device to date.
So if you’re a loyal Google user across Gmail, Photos, Maps and Calendar, it’s easier than ever to use your voice or photos as prompts to search, create and call.
Complete with a triple rear camera, it’s a game-changer for taking high-quality photos, and the 6.8inch Super Actua Display makes viewing and watching a much more enjoyable experience.
For those on the move, the 24 hour battery life means even if you forget the charger overnight, you’ll be able to use your phone come morning.
But the biggest selling point is in in-built Gemini, allowing you to draft messages, ask questions, summarise emails and even prompt photos using just your voice.
Best for kids: HMD Fuse, $797 at Officeworks
For those on the hunt for a phone for their child, HMD launched the Fuse earlier this year — the world’s first kids’ phone that puts parents in charge from day one.
It starts with calls, texts and location only, and the only way to add any apps, internet or camera access is when a parent or guardian approves, and everything is blocked by default.
The safety controls sit inside the operating system, not as a separate app, which makes them harder to bypass. Parents link Fuse to their own phone and switch features on as a child proves they are ready.
Approvals can be granted or withdrawn in seconds, quiet times can be scheduled for homework or bedtime, trusted contacts can be whitelisted so strangers cannot get through, and location history can be viewed when needed.
The phone uses HarmBlock — an on-device AI that aims to stop nude content from being created, seen or saved across any app — and also provides protection across the camera, browsers, messaging and livestreams.
