Best 5G Phones in 2026: Talkmobile's 10 Recommendations

Key Points:

• The best 5G phones in 2026 include the Apple iPhone 17, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and the Google Pixel 10 Pro. 
• High-end 5G phones are viable, such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold7 and the Motorola Razr 70 Ultra.
• Budget 5G phones have come a long way, such as the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G and the Google Pixel 10a, which punch above their weight. 

The best 5G phones in 2026 let you make the most of your Talkmobile SIM-Only plan. The latest hyperconnectivity standard lets you use your smartphone with superfast internet, allowing for full, uninterrupted media playback, streaming, and even gaming at a high level. Over the last handful of years, 5G has thankfully become commonplace in the UK, with more cities becoming connected, and manufacturers gearing up their latest budget, mid-range, and flagship models that are ready to take advantage. We're going through our 10 top picks across iOS and Android further down the page.

Consider a 5G phone that's right for your needs. Not everyone needs a bleeding-edge four-digit device. Most people will be catered to by a mid-range offering. The iPhone 17 and Google Pixel 10a are more than enough.

The latest-generation Apple smartphone is also among the company's best to date. The iPhone 17 is a compact, capable, and incredibly powerful handset that's geared towards Apple Intelligence and the leading A19 chipset. What makes the iPhone 17 a standout compared to its predecessors is that you're getting features previously found only on far pricier Pro models. Chiefly, an always-on 120Hz display and the adoption of the 48MP Fusion camera system, all without the four-digit mark. Enthusiasts may want a little more power or an extra rear camera on the back, but for the vast majority of people, what this phone can do is more than enough to take advantage of 5G.

• Why we recommend it: The best and most powerful base-level iPhone yet. 

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a cutting-edge Android smartphone that's more than ready to push 5G connectivity to its limits. It's the "do everything" phone with its incredibly powerful Snapdragon 898 Elite processor, unrivalled 200MP camera system, integrated S Pen for added productivity, intelligently designed privacy filter, and quick-charging functionality. This device shows you the full capabilities of Galaxy AI, a powerhouse that excels against the competition. It's not the cheapest phone in our list, but it's our go-to pick for those wanting the best Android can offer right now.

• Why we recommend it: The ultimate power-user experience on Android. 

AI is rapidly becoming a more essential part of our everyday lives, and none is more represented than with the Google Pixel 10 Pro, which is purpose-built entirely around Gemini AI. For those who love the Google ecosystem, there's a lot to recommend with the latest flagship, namely, the custom Google Tensor G5 chip and a stellar camera system, complete with a 50MP triple setup. Hardware-wise, locally running Google AI can be demanding, and you won't need to worry, thanks to 16GB RAM as standard. What's more, it has up to 24 hours of battery life, so it literally lasts all day. If you're after a next-generation handset for 5G, then Google delivers.

• Why we recommend it: AI-powered users and the latest Google features all in one. 

For around the same price as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has all the functionality to make the most of Apple Intelligence and the latest version of iOS that's geared for 5G as standard. The largest and most powerful iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, is powered by the A19 Pro chip and built like a tank. Specifically, it's made of heat-forged aluminium with its unibody design, making it lighter and more durable than previous iterations. It also happens to be vapour-cooled and features a leading battery life, making this handset hard to beat in 2026. That's to say nothing of how incredible the revised 48MP Fusion camera system can be, with a full 8x zoom for shots that you just won't make on other phones.

• Why we recommend it: The biggest and most powerful iPhone ever. 

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 doesn't come cheap, but it offers a level of productivity and versatility that you just won't get out of any other 5G smartphone in 2026. True to its namesake, the latest-generation folding phone opens up from a fast and capable 6.5-inch cover screen, backed by a stellar Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a 200MP camera system, and a staggeringly slim 4.2mm thickness. Open it up, however, and the entire experience transforms; it becomes a fully-featured 8-inch tablet, comparable to the best Android tablets on the market, making it ideal for web browsing, social media scrolling, media playback, gaming, and more that 5G offers in spades.

• Why we recommend it: The full tablet experience on Android for power users. 

While many 5G phones are going all in on innovative gimmicks, the OnePlus 15 instead doubles down on the core functionalities that make a powerful Android phone worthwhile in 2026. That means a staggeringly large 7,300mAh battery and 120W quick charging, which is able to go from flat to full in less than 30 minutes. The leading hardware doesn't end there; the OnePlus 15 has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and 12GB RAM as standard, all for well under the £900 mark. You still get solid AI-powered assistance here, with OnePlus AI integrated as well. If you need a 5G phone that's built to last (and will last all day), then this could be the option for you.

• Why we recommend it: Ultra-fast charging and long-lasting battery life in a sleek package. 

5G Android smartphones don't need to cost the Earth, and that's the appeal of the entry-level Google Pixel 10a, which more than punches above its weight when compared to its similarly priced competition. Google promises seven years of new features and security updates, an incredible 30+ hour battery life, the best camera system on a mid-range handset, and Gemini AI baked in as standard, all wrapped up in a smooth, colourful, and durable chassis. You still get a powerful bespoke processor with the Google Tensor G4; while not quite as powerful as the chip in the flagship, it'll still run rings around CPUs found in phones at this price point, though.

• Why we recommend it: All-star mid-range smartphone with Google's clean Android user experience and longevity ensured. 

If you're after a 5G phone that's primarily all about photography above all else, then you'll want to consider the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. While many smartphones on our list feature excellent camera systems in their own right, none can hold a candle to the 1-inch dynamic sensor and Leica optical lenses available in Xiaomi's current-generation flagship. You're still benefiting from best-in-class performance here as well, as you would hope for from the near-26 Ultra price tag, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and a long-lasting 6,000mAh battery inside as well. AI fans are catered to as well, as Xiaomi HyperAI can help you to get that perfect shot.

• Why we recommend it: Incredible camera system for photography enthusiasts. 

The latest-generation Motorola Razr flagship continues the dominant run of one of the mobile industry's biggest comeback stories. This recently released version, the Motorola Razr 70 Ultra, instantly impresses with its dual Moto AI and Google Gemini integration, powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and leading design language, making it hard to beat in 2026. A crucial reason why we've gone with this model instead of a different 5G-enabled Android flip phone is due to the quick charging capability, with support for 65W turbo-charging, able to have enough power from flat in less than 10 minutes. Battery lives are always hit or miss with devices like this, but Motorola got it right, leading the charge.

• Why we recommend it: Sleek folding phone with a huge front-facing display. 

The best 5G smartphones don't have to cost four figures, and that's the ethos of the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G. As the cheapest option in our list, it more than punches well above its weight with a striking, sleek chassis and a triple camera system that's rarely seen in budget phones under the £500 mark. It's incredibly thin and light, coming in at less than 7mm thick, with a glossy glass finish and a distinct modern look. Under the hood, there's a 5,000mAh battery for a two-day lifespan, a stellar 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, and a respectable Samsung Exynos 1680 processor as standard. There's even Galaxy AI inside, proving the A57 5G is more than just a cut-down S-series handset.

• Why we recommend it: Entry-level price tag with mid-range performance capabilities and style.