Artificial intelligence has become one of the biggest selling points in the 2026 phone market, with manufacturers increasingly building AI into cameras, messaging, calls, writing tools, search, productivity and even the way users interact with their devices.
While almost every modern smartphone now advertises some form of AI, the quality and usefulness of those features vary significantly. Some phones use AI mainly for camera processing, while others can summarise meetings, translate conversations, search through personal information, edit images with text prompts and anticipate what a user may need next.
Based on the depth of their AI capabilities, software integration and practical features available in 2026, here are 10 phones that stand out.
1. Google Pixel 10 Pro
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro is arguably one of the strongest choices for users who want AI to be deeply integrated into everyday smartphone use.
The phone comes with Gemini built in, allowing users to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, analyse what they see through the camera and interact with their screen. Google has also introduced Magic Cue, which can proactively surface information from conversations, emails, screenshots and other apps when it predicts that the information will be useful.
For example, if someone asks about a flight in a message, Magic Cue can find relevant flight information from an email and suggest it as a response. It can also help users find photos or information without requiring them to manually search through different apps.
The Pixel 10 Pro also brings AI-powered camera features including Camera Coach, Auto Best Take, Add Me, Video Boost and generative editing, while Gemini can generate images and videos.
Its AI-powered calling features are another major strength, with tools such as Call Screen, Call Notes, scam detection and voice translation.
Best for: AI assistance, photography, productivity and smart everyday features.
2. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung’s most ambitious AI phone yet, with Galaxy AI integrated across photography, calls, notes, browsing, translation and everyday tasks.
One of its standout additions is Now Nudge, which understands what is happening on the screen and can suggest relevant actions. For example, it can offer to open the calendar when an event is mentioned or take the user to the gallery when someone asks for a photo. Samsung’s Now Brief also provides personalised information and reminders based on activity and information stored on the device.
The phone’s Photo Assist allows users to describe changes they want to make to an image using natural-language prompts. Galaxy AI can then modify the image based on those instructions.
Other tools include AI Select, Call Assist, real-time transcription and translation, Note Assist, Transcript Assist, Browsing Assist, Audio Eraser and Creative Studio.
The S26 Ultra therefore stands out because its AI is not limited to one area. It covers communication, creativity, productivity and device control.
Best for: The most comprehensive all-round AI experience on Android.
3. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple’s approach to AI is centred around Apple Intelligence, with the iPhone 17 generation benefiting from an increasingly capable set of AI tools.
One of the biggest developments is Siri AI, which Apple says can understand natural conversations, use personal context, answer questions about what is on the screen and perform actions across apps. It can search through information such as photos, emails and messages and use that information to respond to requests.
The iPhone also offers Visual Intelligence, allowing users to point their camera at something or examine content on their screen and ask questions about it.
For communication, Apple Intelligence provides Live Translation for messages, FaceTime captions and phone calls. There are also Writing Tools for proofreading, rewriting and summarising text.
On the creative side, users get Genmoji, Image Playground and Clean Up, which can remove unwanted objects and distractions from photographs.
Apple’s AI advantage is particularly noticeable for people already invested in the company’s ecosystem.
Best for: iPhone users who want AI integrated across the Apple ecosystem.
4. HONOR Magic8 Pro
The HONOR Magic8 Pro is one of the more interesting Android phones when it comes to turning AI into an actual assistant rather than simply a collection of camera effects.
The phone features an AI Button that provides quick access to AI functions. Its AI Screen Suggestions can recognise what is displayed on the screen and offer relevant tools such as summarisation, content creation and privacy protection.
HONOR has also introduced an AI Settings Agent, which can understand natural-language voice instructions and automatically change settings on the phone.
Its AI Photos Agent can perform tasks such as AI erasing, enhancement, outpainting, cutouts and styling. The phone also integrates Gemini, including Gemini Live, which allows users to discuss what they see through the camera or on their screen.
The Magic8 Pro also uses AI for photography, display management, power management and security features such as deepfake and voice-cloning detection.
Best for: Users who want an AI assistant capable of controlling and adapting the phone.
5. OPPO Find X9 Pro
OPPO has taken a particularly productivity-focused approach to AI with the Find X9 Pro.
One of its most distinctive features is AI Mind Space, essentially an AI-powered second brain. Users can press the phone’s Snap Key to capture a screenshot, voice note, image or other information. AI then analyses and organises the material so it can be retrieved later.
Mind Space can also work with Gemini to turn saved information into useful plans. For example, travel information collected from different sources can be combined to create a personalised itinerary.
The phone also includes AI Recording, which can transcribe conversations, identify speakers and automatically create titles, chapters and summaries. AI Writer can help create emails, social-media posts and other written content.
Other AI tools include AI Summary, AI Speak, AI Document, AI Unblur, AI Clarity Enhancer and AI Portrait Glow.
Best for: Professionals, students and anyone who uses their phone for work and information management.
6. OnePlus 15
The OnePlus 15 combines Google’s Gemini ecosystem with OnePlus’ own AI tools.
Its AI features include AI Scan, which can automatically scan documents and presentations, even when they are photographed at an angle. There is also AI Portrait Glow, which improves portrait lighting, and AI Perfect Shot, which can help correct facial expressions and other imperfections in photographs.
The phone also includes AI Recorder and Intelligent Search, while Gemini provides access to Google’s wider AI ecosystem.
OnePlus has also integrated Mind Space, allowing users to capture information and subsequently use Gemini to turn it into plans and tasks.
The combination gives the OnePlus 15 a useful balance between generative AI, productivity tools and photography features.
Best for: Users who want powerful AI without sacrificing performance and battery life.
7. Xiaomi 17
The Xiaomi 17 brings AI into several parts of its HyperOS experience while also making extensive use of Google’s Gemini.
The phone offers AI Writing, AI Speech Recognition, AI Search and AI Dynamic Wallpapers, alongside Gemini and Gemini Live.
Gemini can be accessed through an overlay without completely leaving the current app. Users can also use Gemini Live to discuss what they see through the camera or on their screen.
Xiaomi also allows Gemini to interact with connected applications, making it possible to pull information from different apps and take actions without having to constantly switch between them.
For users who want generative AI, the phone can also create images through Gemini.
Best for: Users who want Google’s Gemini capabilities combined with Xiaomi’s own AI tools.
8. vivo X300 Pro
The vivo X300 Pro stands out particularly for users who want AI-powered photography and productivity tools.
Its AI Image Studio provides tools for editing and transforming images, while AI features can remove unwanted objects, improve images and help users create new visual content.
The phone also incorporates Google’s Veo 3 through Gemini, allowing users to create videos with sound using generative AI.
For work, vivo offers DocMaster, which can use AI to summarise, refine, expand and translate documents. AI Search allows users to search the phone using natural language, while AI Captions can transcribe, translate and summarise speech from meetings, calls and videos.
AI Creation can also rewrite, summarise, expand and translate documents and notes.
Best for: Content creators, photographers and professionals who work with documents.
9. Motorola Razr 60 Ultra
Motorola has developed one of the more distinctive approaches to AI with Moto AI, and the Razr 60 Ultra benefits from many of these capabilities.
Moto AI can summarise notifications through Catch Me Up, record and summarise meetings through Pay Attention, and save information for later through Remember This.
The foldable design also makes some of these features particularly convenient. Users can interact with Moto AI while using the phone in different modes, while features such as Look and Talk allow hands-free interaction.
Motorola also integrates Gemini and provides AI-powered creative tools such as image generation.
The result is a phone that uses AI not just for generating content but also for reducing the amount of information users have to manually process.
Best for: Foldable-phone users who want practical AI assistance.
10. Nothing Phone (3)
The Nothing Phone (3) takes a different approach to AI, focusing heavily on organising information and helping users remember things.
Its standout feature is Essential Space, which acts as a second memory for the user. With the dedicated Essential Key, users can capture screenshots, voice recordings, ideas and other information. AI can then organise the information, generate summaries and create action points.
Essential Space can also recognise speakers in meetings, transcribe conversations, generate meeting summaries and identify tasks that need to be completed.
The phone also offers Essential Search, allowing users to search for information stored on the device using natural-language queries.
Nothing has also integrated AI into photography through features such as AI semantic segmentation and GenAI Ultra Zoom.
Best for: Users who want AI focused on organisation, memory and productivity.
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