Every few years, you may think about upgrading your smartphone. A lot of thought and research goes into your next choice, whether it’s the price, features or brand reputation. Maybe you’re eyeing the latest and greatest, or considering a different phone brand or model altogether. Our readers’ opinions may help you decide.
CNET’s People’s Picks dives into what our readers really think about their tech devices and services, like their internet service provider, TVs and even their mobile carrier.
This round was all about readers’ phone brands, just in time for Apple’s Sept. 9 Surprise and shine event, where we expect new iPhone models to be revealed. We asked about everything from brand loyalty to battery life, durability and even price-to-value. The results came down to four big-name tech brands. While there’s only one overall winner, other brands win in key categories that can make a big difference in your day-to-day tasks if you’re upgrading soon.
Overall winner: Google
Google is the overall winner for CNET’s People’s Picks for Phones. CNET averaged the scores across three categories to determine the overall satisfaction rating, which includes customer satisfaction, battery longevity and price-to-value.
Google wins with a score of 4.52 out of 5, while Motorola trails closely behind with 4.45.
“It’s no surprise to me that Google and Motorola scored top marks because both sell some of the most affordable phones that people can buy. Motorola’s Moto G series costs hundreds of dollars less than Apple’s cheapest iPhone,” said CNET’s Director of Content, Patrick Holland. “At $500, Google’s Pixel 10A is one of the best values that you can buy today, especially as phone prices spike due to the ongoing RAM shortage caused by AI and data centers. It just goes to show that in 2026, you can spend less than $500 and still have a great phone that lasts you years.”
On the other hand, Samsung and Apple trail behind with scores of 4.19 and 3.87, respectively. Both brands have evolved in the smartphone space with AI-powered features, upgraded cameras, and thinner phone designs, but fell short in this category.
“There are a few factors at play here, most notably that Google and Motorola ship a fraction of the phones that Samsung does — so Pixel and Razr buyers are a more devoted core of customers than the many who buy Galaxy phones,” said CNET Managing Editor of Mobile David Lumb. A Counterpoint Research report on phone shipments in the first quarter of 2026 noted that Google (3% of the US market) and Motorola (10%) combined accounted for half of Samsung’s market share (26%).
The other thing to remember is that Google sells mostly premium phones.
“Aside from the Pixel 10A as a midrange device. Motorola and Samsung have wider ranges of more affordable and cheap phones, so I’d guess there’s less consumer fondness at the lower end of the device price scale,” Lumb said.
Apple’s fourth-place spot is a tougher nut to crack. Perhaps consumers haven’t seen as many upgrades in successive years as they would like in new iPhones, or they’re miffed at the higher prices Apple’s phones sell for. What’s most likely the case, Lumb suggested, is that there are simply more people buying new iPhones. In the Counterpoint report above, Apple handsets accounted for 58% of all phones shipped in the US.
AI features
AI features like photo editing, live translation and AI-powered summaries are becoming the focal point for new smartphone models. But what matters more is how much you’ll use those built-in features. Google Pixel wins with 88% of its users saying their phone’s AI features are essential and occasionally useful.
“Out of the four brands, only one is a true AI company, and that’s Google. In fact, Google’s Gemini AI can run on phones from all four brands, including the iPhone via an app. The Gemini Assistant can be used on Motorola and Samsung phones,” said Holland.
Lumb added that Google has led the charge in both including and promoting AI features in its Pixel phones that people actually use, like Magic Eraser and live translation.
“Pixel owners have been using AI features for years, and combined with Google aggressively inserting its Gemini assistant throughout the phone, it makes sense that Samsung Galaxy owners would feel a lesser impact from AI.”
Samsung has made plenty of AI advancements, like a health assistant and browser upgrades, but it falls behind, with only 64% of its users saying the same. Apple and Motorola trail behind with 14% and 8% each. Most Motorola users say the phone lacked built-in tools or ignored them.
What few AI features are available on iPhones were introduced more recently, so it’s unsurprising that their owners wouldn’t consider them essential to daily use, Lumb said. While Gemini continues to evolve, Apple’s advanced AI Siri was delayed for years and will finally launch with the upcoming iOS 27.
Battery life
Ties with Motorola
For a phone’s battery to exceed expectations, it must last a day or more. Motorola and Google tie in this category, with 74% saying their phones’ batteries exceed expectations by lasting a full day or longer without needing to be charged. Comparatively, Samsung and Apple fall behind, with only about half (52%) saying their phones’ batteries exceed expectations, while others say they just meet expectations. Apple finishes last, with only 31% reporting the same for their iPhones’ batteries. Most said their phone needed to be charged midday.
“The number one factor for battery life is how you use your phone. And I think this result speaks volumes about how much iPhone owners are on their phones,” said Holland.
CNET’s phone battery testing found that Apple’s phones had the longest battery life, with OnePlus placing second and Motorola third. However, the test doesn’t account for how you use your phone specifically each day – everyone is different. If you’re hyper-connected and your default is scrolling through social media apps or streaming videos, even the best battery life won’t be enough for you, Holland said. “Thankfully, Google, Motorola and Samsung, along with Apple, have all increased the charging speeds on their handsets to at least make topping them off less of a pain point.”
Motorola
J. Hazelwood/CNETValue
Motorola wins in price-to-value, with 82% of its readers saying it offers exceptional value by delivering more than its price suggests. Only 4% rate the brand as overpriced.
“Before Motorola brought back the Razr as a foldable phone, its most popular handsets were its Moto G line that start as low as $200 and top out at $350,” said Holland. “Motorola has deep, long-term relationships with phone carriers, which often sell these phones at a discount.”
Compared with other brands, 45% of Pixel owners say Google’s phone offers exceptional value, and 35% of Samsung users say the same.
The surprising fact is that Apple places fourth in this category, with 58% of iPhone users saying it’s overpriced. Only 12% find the phone’s value exceptional. However, many tech brands are raising prices due to the RAM shortage, which makes it tough to determine what’s worth the high cost.
“The only company that hasn’t raised prices on its phones this year is Apple. There’s a chance it might announce a price hike at its Sept. 9 event. The cheapest iPhone the company sells starts at $600. You can find incredible Android phones for less, like the Google Pixel 10A for $500,” said Holland.
Apple
J. Hazelwood/CNETDurability
Choosing a phone that doesn’t shatter, crack or leave you with a broken camera can make a big difference when you need one to last a few years. Some phones are more durable than others. Apple wins this category with 78% of readers saying it’s highly durable against drops and daily use with minimal to no damage. The remaining 22% either deal with normal wear and minor scuffs over time, report their phone as fragile or always have a heavy-duty case to protect it.
Holland said that when Apple released the iPhone 12 in 2020, it was the first to have a flat, dense build with squared-off sides to increase durability. In the years following, Samsung followed suit, adopting a flat build for its Galaxy S and S Plus models, and Google implemented a similar design with its Pixel phones.
Google follows closely behind with 72% saying their Pixel smartphone is highly durable, while 28% say it’s moderately durable.
Not as many readers with a Motorola say the phone is highly durable (65%), but even fewer readers with a Samsung (58%) phone say the same. Samsung users say their foldable phone and screens are fragile and only moderately durable. Some readers criticize the brand for the phone’s fragility and susceptibility to damage from drops.
Brand retention and loyalty
Despite Apple falling short in several categories, 86% of Apple users said they’re extremely likely to buy the same brand next time.
“Apple’s most popular product is the iPhone, but its iPhone-only features like iMessage and FaceTime, not found on Android, that keep people tied in,” said Holland. “Also, if you want to learn about how to use your iPhone or get it fixed, you can go to the Apple Store and talk with an actual human – I think those retail stores are Apple’s secret weapon.”
Whereas 79% of Samsung owners share the same sentiment for the brand. Over half of Google Pixel owners (58%) would buy a Google phone again, but only 42% of people with Motorola phones would. Other Motorola owners are using competitor research to determine their next phone purchase.
Methodology
CNET commissioned Alchemer to conduct the People’s Picks survey to compile data. The survey was carried out online, and all figures are from Alchemer. The total sample comprised 1,107 adults. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18 plus). Fieldwork was undertaken from July 1 to July 28, 2026.
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