Ryan Haines / Android Authority
The 2026 Android landscape is quickly taking shape. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series has leaked to death, OnePlus already launched its big phone for the year, Google’s next Pixel A handset is right around the corner, and Motorola is getting back into the flagship race.
There’s a fair amount to look forward to, but even as a longtime Android fan, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get too excited about any of it the more we learn about the iPhone 18 Pro.
What do you think will be the best smartphone of 2026? 79 votes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 25 % Google Pixel 11 Pro 38 % OnePlus 15 5 % Motorola Signature 1 % iPhone 18 Pro 27 % Other (let us know in the comments) 4 %
The iPhone 18 Pro is going to be a problem
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
We frequently give Apple flak for releasing the same phone year after year, but 2025 was different. In addition to adding huge changes to the base iPhone 17 and trying something completely new with the iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 Pro was one of the most significant upgrades we’ve seen from Apple in years.
The new aluminum design, while somewhat controversial, was a bold redesign that largely paid off. The new 48MP telephoto camera is outstanding, as is the genius Center Stage selfie camera. Pair that with a powerful A19 Pro chip, good battery life, and faster charge speeds, and the iPhone 17 Pro was exactly the upgrade we’ve been waiting for.
Given all that, it would be safe to assume the iPhone 18 Pro will be a quieter release with no meaningful changes. However, if the latest rumors and reports are true, we’re in for another year of major upgrades across the board.
One of the most significant reported changes is that Apple’s Face ID sensor will be hidden underneath the display, while the front-facing camera is moved to the left corner, and the display bezels are smaller than ever. Dynamic Island is expected to remain, but the hidden sensors, repositioned camera cutout, and slimmer bezels should give the front of the iPhone 18 Pro one of the biggest visual refreshes since the iPhone 14 Pro.
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