When it comes to entertainment, there are times when only total immersion will do. Epic movies and pulsating games demand serious screen real estate, together with pin sharp resolution, silky refresh rates, and Dolby Atmos through beefy stereo speakers.
And the biggest screens of today aren’t slabs at all. Foldable phones now rule the roost: book-style folds open out into tablet-sized displays, while flip phones give you a full-size screen that shuts down to fit a pocket. Alongside them sit the traditional giants, the Plus, Max and Ultra models that stretch past 6.7 inches.
So whether you want a phone that unfolds into a mini tablet, a flip that shrinks to pocket size or simply the biggest, best slab, here’s our guide to the best big phones of today.
Why buy? The biggest, best screen you can put in a pocket.
If you want the most screen money can buy, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is it. Closed, it works like a normal phone with a 6.5-inch cover display; open it out and you get a vast 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED that is closer to a small tablet, brilliant for films, gaming, multitasking and reading.
This is Samsung’s most capable fold yet, with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a serious 200MP main camera, a 5,000mAh battery and S Pen support. The adaptive 1 to 120Hz screens stay smooth and sip power, and seven years of updates mean it will last.
It is the most expensive phone here by some way, but nothing else combines this much screen with this much power.
Why buy? A tablet-sized screen, a little easier on the wallet.
The standard Galaxy Z Fold8 delivers the same core idea as the Ultra for less. Unfold it and you get an 8-inch 120Hz AMOLED, with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy keeping everything quick and S Pen support for notes and sketching.
The thinner, lighter design makes it the most pocketable Fold yet, and it gets Samsung’s full seven years of updates. You give up some of the Ultra’s camera firepower and polish, but the headline experience, a big folding screen, is all here.
If you want into foldables without stretching to the Ultra, this is the sweet spot.
Why buy? The most refined, durable foldable.
Google’s fold is the sensible, grown-up choice. It opens to an 8-inch 120Hz screen, and it is the only mainstream foldable with full IP68 water and dust resistance, plus a new gearless hinge that feels built to last.
Inside, the Tensor G6 brings Google’s clever software and class-leading photo processing, and uniquely it runs 16GB of RAM on every storage tier. The matched, bright inner and cover displays and Google’s App Handles make it one of the best foldables for genuine multitasking.
The camera sits a tier below Google’s best slab phones, but if you want a fold that is as tough as it is clever, this is the one.
Why buy? A full-size screen that folds to pocket size.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 comes at big screens from the other direction. Open, it is a full-size 6.9-inch phone with a tall, immersive display; closed, it folds in half to something that disappears into a small pocket or bag.
The useful cover screen handles notifications, selfies and quick replies without opening it, and inside it is a proper flagship with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and seven years of updates.
The folding design means a slightly smaller battery than a slab, but if you want a big screen that takes up less room, the Flip is genuinely clever.
Why buy? The best big phone that doesn’t fold.
If you want the biggest, best traditional slab, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is it. Its 6.9-inch ProMotion OLED is superb for films and games, and the A20 Pro chip is the fastest thing going, so nothing stutters.
It also lasts the longest of any iPhone, with up to 45 hours of video playback, and the camera system is Apple’s most capable. Years of iOS updates keep it current.
It is big, heavy and pricey, but as a non-folding big phone, nothing beats it.
Why buy? The best big Android phone.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the biggest, most capable traditional Android phone. Its 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED is one of the finest screens on any phone, with a 120Hz refresh rate and huge brightness, and the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy makes it flagship-fast.
The 200MP-led camera shoots everything, the battery lasts a long day, and the built-in S Pen is still unique at this size. Seven years of updates keep it going for years.
If you want a big Android slab rather than a fold, this is the one to beat.
Why buy? The same big-screen experience for less.
Last year’s big Pro is still an outstanding big phone, and now it costs less than the 18 Pro Max. It has the same enormous 6.9-inch ProMotion display, the quick A19 Pro chip and one of the longest battery lives of any phone.
Day to day there is very little between it and the newest model, so unless you must have the very latest chip and camera, it is the smarter buy.
For a big iPhone without paying the newest price, the 17 Pro Max is the value pick.
Why buy? Google’s biggest phone, with a huge screen and battery.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL is Google’s largest phone, built around a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED that is bright, sharp and runs at up to 120Hz, so it is a lovely big canvas for films, photos and gaming.
It pairs the Tensor G6 chip with Google’s clean software and class-leading camera, and the biggest battery in the Pixel range at 5,115mAh keeps that large screen going all day, with 45W fast charging to top it up. Seven years of updates mean it will last.
If you want a big phone with the best Google has to offer, it is the one to get.
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