Looking for the best cell phones available at Best Buy? You're in the right place! This guide will help you find the top picks, from the latest Apple iPhones to the newest Samsung models. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just need a reliable phone, we've got you covered.
Key Takeaways
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is a top choice for its excellent camera and performance.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a stunning display and advanced features.
- Google Pixel 8 is known for its great camera and clean Android experience.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 stands out with its innovative foldable design.
- Motorola Razr+ brings back the flip phone with modern upgrades.
1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the pinnacle of iPhone technology, offering a premium experience for users. This model features a stunning 6.7-inch Super XDR OLED display, perfect for media consumption and productivity. The new titanium body makes it lighter and more comfortable to hold compared to previous models.
One of the standout features is the USB-C connector, which supports faster charging and data transfers. This allows you to charge other devices, like the Apple Watch, directly from your iPhone. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also introduces a 5x zoom camera lens, making it ideal for capturing distant subjects with improved low-light performance.
The new Action button replaces the traditional mute switch, offering customizable shortcuts for quick access to your favorite apps. Powered by the A17 Pro chipset, this phone delivers exceptional performance, even for mobile gaming.
However, the battery life could be longer, and the charging speed is not the fastest available. Despite these minor drawbacks, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains a top choice for those seeking the best iPhone experience.
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a powerhouse in the smartphone world, offering a blend of top-tier performance and innovative features. This phone is perfect for those who want more than just a smartphone.
3. Google Pixel 8
The Google Pixel 8 is the real star of Google's Android lineup. The Pixel 8 offers a flagship-level experience with Google's latest AI and machine learning features, all for under $700. With fast performance, amazing camera capabilities, and a sleek design, it's a top choice for many.
Key Features
- Display: The Pixel 8 boasts a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, making every interaction feel fluid and smooth. The screen is bright and visible even on the sunniest days.
- Camera: Equipped with a 64MP main camera and a 13MP ultrawide lens, the Pixel 8 captures detailed and colorful photos in any lighting condition. The 13MP front camera is great for selfies, though it has a fixed focus.
- Performance: Powered by the Google Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8 handles everyday tasks with ease. It also includes advanced AI features like Magic Editor and Best Take for photo editing.
- Battery Life: The 4,492mAh battery can last a full day with average use. However, heavy users might need to recharge before the day ends.
- Software Support: Google promises seven years of software and security updates, ensuring your phone stays up-to-date for a long time.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable price for flagship features
- Bright and smooth display
- Excellent camera performance
- Long software support
Cons
- Battery life could be better for heavy users
- Fixed focus on the front camera
The Pixel 8 is a great option for those looking for a high-quality phone without breaking the bank. Its combination of performance, camera quality, and long-term software support makes it a standout choice in the midrange market.
4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a top-tier foldable phone that combines the functionality of a smartphone and a tablet. It's incredibly versatile, making it perfect for multitasking and entertainment.
Design
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 features a slimmer and lighter design compared to its predecessors. The premium finish and almost invisible crease make it look fantastic. However, the speaker placement is a bit odd.
Display
The phone boasts beautiful screens both inside and out. The large inner display is perfect for watching movies or running multiple apps at once. You can even use an S Pen, though you'll need the special version for Fold.
Camera
While the camera array is good, it doesn't match the best flagship phones. You'll still get quality photos, especially selfies, and the AI tools make editing fun.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers incredible performance. It's perfect for those who need a powerful device for work or play.
If you're looking for a device that offers the best of both worlds—a phone and a tablet—the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is worth considering. Just be prepared for the high price tag.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Incredibly versatile
- Excellent productivity software
- Beautiful screens
- Slimmer, lighter design
Cons:
- Pricey
- Odd speaker placement
5. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a lot of value for its price. Priced at just $199, it provides a well-rounded experience with several notable features.
Key Features
- Affordable Price: At $199, the Galaxy A15 5G is accessible to many buyers on a budget.
- Long Battery Life: The phone boasts a battery life of up to 14 hours and 3 minutes, ensuring you stay connected throughout the day.
- Competent Cameras: The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP secondary sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor, along with a 13MP front camera for selfies.
- Software Support: Samsung promises long-term software support, making this phone a good investment for the future.
Performance
While the Galaxy A15 5G is not the fastest phone on the market, it is powered by the Mediatek 6835 CPU, which is adequate for everyday tasks. However, some users may find it a bit slow and laggy compared to other budget phones like the Moto G Play.
Who Should Buy It?
If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone with long battery life and decent camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is a solid choice. It's especially suitable for those who value long-term software support and the ability to make contactless payments, thanks to its NFC feature.
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is a great option for those who need a reliable phone without breaking the bank. Its long battery life and competent cameras make it a standout in its price range.
6. Apple iPhone 15
The Apple iPhone 15 is a standout in the lineup, offering a great balance of features and price. It's the best value phone money can buy today. With a refreshed design, improved camera, and powerful performance, it’s a solid choice for most users.
The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super XDR OLED display, which is bright and responsive. However, the refresh rate is locked at 60Hz. The Dynamic Island replaces the notch, providing a more immersive experience.
The camera system includes a 48MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The main camera is a significant upgrade, allowing for detailed 24MP shots and a 2x zoom mode. This makes it a great option for those who want a camera upgrade without going for the Pro models.
Powered by the A16 Bionic chipset, the iPhone 15 delivers excellent performance. It can handle multitasking and graphically intense games with ease. The battery life is also impressive, lasting over 11 hours on a single charge.
The iPhone 15 is priced at $799, making it a good value compared to the Pro models. It’s a definite step up from the iPhone 14, offering more features and better performance.
If you're not bothered by titanium sides, 120Hz scrolling, or high-spec zoom photography, then the standard iPhone 15 offers pretty much everything you could want from a flagship phone, but for significantly less money.
7. Motorola Razr+
The Motorola Razr+ is a standout in the world of flip phones, offering a blend of style and functionality. Its customizable outer display is perfect for those who want to manage notifications without constantly opening their phone. This feature helps reduce screen time and keeps you focused on what's important.
Key Features
- Compact flip phone design
- Larger external screen for better usability
- Good performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 CPU
- 6.9-inch bright and smooth display
- Improved cameras for better photos
- IPX8 rating for water resistance
- 14 hours of battery life
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent display quality
- Highly functional external screen
- Portable and stylish design
Cons:
- Unimpressive IP rating
- Dated processor
The Motorola Razr+ is ideal for those who want to take control of their notifications and decrease their screen time. Its customizable outer display makes it a unique and practical choice.
8. Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3
The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 is a top choice for those who need a rugged phone that can handle tough environments. Built to withstand harsh conditions, this phone is perfect for construction sites, warehouses, and outdoor adventures. It supports 5G connectivity, ensuring you stay connected no matter where you are.
Specs & Configurations
- Operating System: Android 13
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
- Dimensions: 6.06 by 2.95 by 0.57 inches
- Screen Size: 5.4 inches
- Screen Resolution: 2,160 by 1,080 pixels
- Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing): 64MP, 16MP, 2MP; 8MP
- Battery Life (As Tested): 13 hours
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Sturdy, tough build
- Removable battery
- MicroSD slot
- Solid overall performance
Cons:
- Underwhelming image quality and slow camera app
- Limited Android upgrades
Why We Picked It
Kyocera is a leading manufacturer of rugged work phones, and the DuraForce Pro 3 is no exception. With its MIL-STD-810H rating, it can handle dust, water, shocks, and vibrations. This makes it ideal for frontline workers or outdoor adventurers who need a device that can take a consistent beating and keep them connected.
The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 is for those who need a phone that can endure the toughest conditions while still providing reliable performance.
Who It's For
The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 is designed for frontline workers or outdoor adventurers who need a durable device that can handle rough conditions and keep them connected wherever they go.
9. OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 is a standout in the smartphone market, offering a blend of performance, battery life, and value that is hard to beat. Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, it can compete with top-tier phones like the Galaxy S24. The OnePlus 12 excels in graphics performance, even surpassing the latest iPhones in some tests.
Battery and Charging
One of the most impressive features of the OnePlus 12 is its battery life. It lasted more than 17.5 hours in our tests, far exceeding the average smartphone. With 80W wired charging and the return of wireless charging, you'll always be able to keep the battery juiced.
Camera Performance
The OnePlus 12 features a triple camera system designed with Hasselblad. While the low-light performance could be better, the overall camera quality is excellent. The telephoto lens now offers a 3x zoom, an improvement over previous models.
Verdict
The OnePlus 12 is the most complete OnePlus offering to date. It combines Qualcomm's best chipset, a high-quality camera system, and fast charging capabilities. At a starting price of $799, it offers great value for money.
10. Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is a gaming phone that has matured. It combines high performance with a sleek design, making it suitable for both gaming and professional use. It's a gamer dressed for a corporate job.
Design
The ROG Phone 8 Pro features an understated and classy design. Unlike previous models, it has a white LED display that flashes fancy patterns. This model is also IP68 water-resistant, adding extra durability.
Display
The display can refresh up to 165Hz, which is faster than most games can handle. It focuses on smoothness and framerates, making it ideal for gamers. Plus, it's incredibly bright, perfect for outdoor use.
Camera
The camera system has been improved with bigger sensors and a unique gimbal stabilization system. While not the best, it offers respectable photo and video capabilities.
Performance
With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and up to 24GB of RAM, the ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers top-notch performance. It can handle any game or app with ease. However, it lacks a port for cooling this year, which may affect sustained performance.
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, approaching the 19-hour mark in tests. However, it has a smaller battery compared to last year's model, so you'll need to charge it more often. The 65W wired charging allows for quick top-ups.
The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a high-powered device that wouldn't look out of place in the hands of any user. Still, gamers will get the most out of the ROG Phone's powerful processor and battery life.
Price and Value
At $1,199, it's not cheap. While it offers a lot of features, the price is steep, especially with only two years of software support. If you're looking for the fastest phone around, this is it, but it comes at a cost.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cell phone can be a daunting task with so many options available. Best Buy offers a wide range of smartphones from top brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google, ensuring that there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for the latest flagship model, a budget-friendly option, or a refurbished phone, Best Buy has you covered. Plus, with their knowledgeable staff and various services, you can get the support you need to make the best choice. Don't forget to check out their deals and trade-in programs to save even more. Happy shopping!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced at around $1,199.99, but prices can vary based on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.
How much does the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cost?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra typically costs about $1,299.99, though prices may differ depending on sales and deals.
Is the Google Pixel 8 a good phone for under $500?
Yes, the Google Pixel 8 is considered one of the best phones available for under $500, offering great performance and features.
What is special about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is unique because it has a foldable screen, allowing it to function as both a phone and a tablet.
Can I use the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G with any carrier?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is often available unlocked, meaning you can use it with any carrier that supports the phone.
What makes the Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 a rugged phone?
The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 is designed to be durable, with features like water and dust resistance, making it ideal for tough environments.
