The Apple 14 Pro (and its more basic sibling, the iPhone 14) have impressed us already with excellent performance from the processor and the camera. But if you’re not after the best iPhone around, you still have plenty of choices, including the Pixel 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. They both offer everything you could want in a device, from high-end performance to beautiful cameras, and Android users looking for the best around would be smart to put one in their pockets.
The sheer amount of smartphone competition means you get great options at whatever price suits your budget, regardless of whether your biggest concern is an AMOLED display, 5G data or a cracking camera.
To help you figure out the best of the best, we rounded up our picks for the best phone to buy. These phones are three of our top picks.
The best iPhone you can buy: Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Stephen Shankland, CNET
Apple's iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max introduce sweeping changes, like the "Dynamic Island," a new 48-megapixel camera system and Apple's new A16 Bionic processor.
Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max introduce sweeping changes like the “Dynamic Island,” a new 48-megapixel camera system and Apple’s new A16 Bionic processor. All the upgrades come together to make for an experience that feels fresh and fast. The upgrades to the main camera allow it to take some truly stunning photos, making the phone a solid option for those of you into your mobile photography.
As Apple’s top phone it doesn’t come cheap — especially if you want the larger Max model — but if you’re looking for the best all-around performance in an iPhone, then the 14 Pro is the phone to get.
Best Android phone Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Richard Peterson, CNET
Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra has an S Pen stylus you might remember from the Galaxy Note series.
Samsung’s latest flagship superphone, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, has an impressive lineup of specs, including a quadruple rear camera, a big, vibrant display and the S Pen stylus you might remember from the Galaxy Note series. It comes with a high price, but those of you looking for one of the best Android phones around should have this on your short list.
Still a top iPhone rival: Google Pixel 6 Pro
Google, CNET
Google Pixel 6 Pro's main camera is on par with the best iPhones.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro’s unique design, great software additions, superb camera quality and solid all-around performance have already earned the phone an excellent rating in our full review. With performance that’s every bit as good as its design, it’s the best phone Google has ever made. The main camera is on par with the best iPhones.
And at $899 for the base 128GB model, it trounces its premium phone rivals in price. (Bear in mind, too, that Google’s Pixel 7 was released Oct. 13, so those of you eyeing up the Pixel 6 Pro right now might want to check out the latest model as well.)
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
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Photo Credit: Gajus / Shutterstock
There are few consumer products as ubiquitous as the mobile phone. According to Pew Research Center, more than 97% of adults own some type of mobile device and more than 85% own a smartphone. As mobile phones have exploded in popularity over the past three decades, landline phone ownership has declined sharply.
According to data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, the percentage of households with only a landline (and no wireless) was 15.5% in early 2009, while the share of households with both a landline and wireless was nearly 60%. Over the next 10 years, these numbers were cut by about two-thirds and one-half respectively. In 2019, just over 31% of American households still had a landline.
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Photo Credit: Gajus / Shutterstock
There are few consumer products as ubiquitous as the mobile phone. According to Pew Research Center, more than 97% of adults own some type of mobile device and more than 85% own a smartphone. As mobile phones have exploded in popularity over the past three decades, landline phone ownership has declined sharply.
According to data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, the percentage of households with only a landline (and no wireless) was 15.5% in early 2009, while the share of households with both a landline and wireless was nearly 60%. Over the next 10 years, these numbers were cut by about two-thirds and one-half respectively. In 2019, just over 31% of American households still had a landline.
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
While households with only a landline phone have become rare, almost a third of U.S. While households with only a landline phone have become extremely rare, nearly one in three U.S. households continue to pay for a landline system alongside other services, such as cellular or broadband. Some households who might otherwise give up their landline phones still have them because they are bundled with their cable or internet service. Other households keep landlines in case of emergencies, since they work without power and are sometimes required for certain home security or medical alert systems.
Given these trends, it’s not surprising that older Americans and those living in older homes are far more likely to have landline phones. Among householders aged 75 and older, 75% have landlines in their homes. In comparison, the figure is less than 5% for householders under 25. Likewise, just 16% of homes built within the last few years—2018 to 2019—have landlines. In contrast, 35% of those built in the 1950s are equipped with a landline phone.
While households with only a landline phone have become rare, almost a third of U.S. While households with only a landline phone have become extremely rare, nearly one in three U.S. households continue to pay for a landline system alongside other services, such as cellular or broadband. Some households who might otherwise give up their landline phones still have them because they are bundled with their cable or internet service. Other households keep landlines in case of emergencies, since they work without power and are sometimes required for certain home security or medical alert systems.
Given these trends, it’s not surprising that older Americans and those living in older homes are far more likely to have landline phones. Among householders aged 75 and older, 75% have landlines in their homes. In comparison, the figure is less than 5% for householders under 25. Likewise, just 16% of homes built within the last few years—2018 to 2019—have landlines. In contrast, 35% of those built in the 1950s are equipped with a landline phone.
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
At the geographic level, similar trends hold, with locations that have an older housing stock and older population more likely to report higher rates of landline use. To find the metropolitan areas where residents still have landlines, researchers at HireAHelper analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The researchers ranked locations according to the percentage of homes with a landline. Researchers also calculated the total number of homes with a landline, the percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline, and the percentage of householders 55 and over.
The Census Bureau data only includes statistics from select states and metropolitan areas. Of these locations, here are the metros with the greatest share of households with landline phones.
At the geographic level, similar trends hold, with locations that have an older housing stock and older population more likely to report higher rates of landline use. To find the metropolitan areas where residents still have landlines, researchers at HireAHelper analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The researchers ranked locations according to the percentage of homes with a landline. Researchers also calculated the total number of homes with a landline, the percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline, and the percentage of householders 55 and over.
The Census Bureau data only includes statistics from select states and metropolitan areas. Of these locations, here are the metros with the greatest share of households with landline phones.
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 27.1%
- Total homes with a landline: 141,400
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 45.9%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 38.9%
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Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 27.1%
- Total homes with a landline: 141,400
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 45.9%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 38.9%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
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Photo Credit: Jeremy Janus / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 27.3%
- Total homes with a landline: 417,200
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 48.2%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 40.5%
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Photo Credit: Jeremy Janus / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 27.3%
- Total homes with a landline: 417,200
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 48.2%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 40.5%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: ESB Professional / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 27.7%
- Total homes with a landline: 1,219,200
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 45.0%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 43.6%
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Photo Credit: ESB Professional / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 27.7%
- Total homes with a landline: 1,219,200
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 45.0%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 43.6%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 28.6%
- Total homes with a landline: 489,600
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 42.9%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 49.3%
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Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 28.6%
- Total homes with a landline: 489,600
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 42.9%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 49.3%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Matt Gush / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 29.0%
- Total homes with a landline: 398,700
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 41.4%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 43.2%
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Photo Credit: Matt Gush / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 29.0%
- Total homes with a landline: 398,700
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 41.4%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 43.2%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
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Photo Credit: Oleg Podzorov / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 29.3%
- Total homes with a landline: 1,040,900
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 46.3%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 46.7%
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Photo Credit: Oleg Podzorov / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 29.3%
- Total homes with a landline: 1,040,900
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 46.3%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 46.7%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Paul Brady Photography / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 30.9%
- Total homes with a landline: 196,600
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 45.6%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 45.7%
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Photo Credit: Paul Brady Photography / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 30.9%
- Total homes with a landline: 196,600
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 45.6%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 45.7%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: yhelfman / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 34.1%
- Total homes with a landline: 584,100
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 49.8%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 42.8%
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: yhelfman / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 34.1%
- Total homes with a landline: 584,100
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 49.8%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 42.8%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: yhelfman / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 37.7%
- Total homes with a landline: 331,700
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 51.8%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 46.6%
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: yhelfman / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 37.7%
- Total homes with a landline: 331,700
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 51.8%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 46.6%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: A G Baxter / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 38.6%
- Total homes with a landline: 866,400
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 58.1%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 41.2%
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Photo Credit: A G Baxter / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 38.6%
- Total homes with a landline: 866,400
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 58.1%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 41.2%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 39.3%
- Total homes with a landline: 346,500
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 54.9%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 51.2%
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Photo Credit: Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 39.3%
- Total homes with a landline: 346,500
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 54.9%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 51.2%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Travellaggio / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 40.5%
- Total homes with a landline: 763,600
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 59.2%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 46.2%
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Travellaggio / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 40.5%
- Total homes with a landline: 763,600
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 59.2%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 46.2%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Gang Liu / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 40.9%
- Total homes with a landline: 957,300
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 54.7%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 48.7%
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Photo Credit: Gang Liu / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 40.9%
- Total homes with a landline: 957,300
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 54.7%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 48.7%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Lukas Uher / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 41.6%
- Total homes with a landline: 3,054,700
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 57.0%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 44.3%
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Lukas Uher / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 41.6%
- Total homes with a landline: 3,054,700
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 57.0%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 44.3%
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3 of the best smartphones for less than $200
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Jason Sponseller / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 45.8%
- Total homes with a landline: 483,300
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 62.9%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 53.6%
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Jason Sponseller / Shutterstock
- Percentage of homes with a landline: 45.8%
- Total homes with a landline: 483,300
- Percentage of householders 55 and over with a landline: 62.9%
- Percentage of householders 55 and over: 53.6%
