We're often questioned why we review and recommend smartphones when hi-fi and AV tech are our primary concerns. The simple answer is that smartphones are more than devices to take calls, doomscroll on social media and play Clash of Clans on; in fact, they're many people's primary devices for consuming music and movies.
While we'll always advocate for a TV over a smartphone to watch movies on, the reality is that the Apple iPhone, Sony Xperia or Samsung Galaxy will likely be the highest quality screen in their house, thanks to their OLED panels and HDR support. Most phones support Dolby Atmos audio too, meaning immersive movie viewing on the go is better than ever.
Furthermore, smartphones are easily the most popular form of portable music player, especially after Apple killed the iPod back in 2022. And while the headphone jack is an endangered species, Bluetooth codecs continue to improve to deliver higher-quality audio with wireless headphones and earbuds.
With that out of the way, we can delve into what we think are the best handsets on the market, though we should warn you that this list is due for a shakeup thanks to the recently announced iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models. Sony also has a new budget device on the market with the Xperia 10 VI which we anticipate will end up on this list as its prior iterations have seriously impressed for the money, though we need to review it first to ensure it's worthy of this lineup.
Speaking of reviewing these devices, every model on this list has been put through our rigorous testing process by our team of expert reviewers, so if you purchase one of these handsets for music and movies, then you can rest assured knowing you've got yourself a What Hi-Fi? approved smartphone. If you'd like to learn more about this process, then you can find a full breakdown of how we test smartphones at the bottom of this page.
Now, onto the fun part. Here are the best smartphones for taking your music and movies on the go:
I’m a Staff Writer on What Hi-Fi? who has grown up with smartphones. Over the years I’ve used everything from cheap Androids to eye-wateringly pricey iPhones, witnessed the near extinction of the 3.5mm headphone port first-hand, and spent more hours watching Netflix on trains than I’d care to count, so I know what makes a good phone. I’ve since reviewed multiple generations of flagship and affordable handsets, so while my day-to-day work testing televisions and surround-sound systems means I can identify the phones with the best picture and audio performance, I also know what to look for when it comes to general usability and camera quality.
The quick list
Best overall
Apple doesn’t shout about the AV qualities of its latest iPhone, but we will – the 15 Pro Max is a brilliant all-rounder.
Best Android
If you’re looking for the most cinematic Android phone you can buy, you’ve just found it.
Best cheap
The Xperia 10 V is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get brilliant mobile AV performance.
Best mid-range
Not the cheapest mid-range phone out there, but the Xperia 5 V is worth every penny.
Best Samsung
If you’re a Samsung supporter the Galaxy S24 is a solid performer that just lacks a little subtlety.
Recent updates
11th September 2024: Sony Xperia 1 VI replaces the Sony Xperia 1 V, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 becomes an also consider option.
The best smartphone overall
The launch of a new iPhone is always an event for Apple. It spends an hour or so every autumn extolling the virtues of its latest phone’s upgraded processors and cameras, but barely ever mentions any improvements to its AV abilities.
That seems odd to us, especially when you consider just how good the iPhone 15 Pro Max is when it comes to music and movies. Admittedly the changes are subtle, but they are significant. Brightness has been boosted, which gives way to extra contrast and helps to give the picture more depth. In fact, everything about this 6.7-inch OLED is impressive, from the high level of detail to the way it handles motion.
The same is true of its audio performance. You’ll need an adaptor to use a pair of wired headphones, but even over Bluetooth it’s weighty, full-bodied and natural. Its Spatial Audio skills, which require compatible content and headphones, also offer a particularly cinematic experience.
Elsewhere the 15 Pro Max has everything you could want from a modern smartphone. The cameras are excellent, its A17 Pro processor is capable of running console-quality games, the battery can keep it going for two days before it needs charging, and its titanium chassis is lightweight but strong.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max doesn’t come cheap, but as a portable movie and music device it’s unbeatable.
Read our full Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review
The best Android smartphone
Sony has gone for a more mainstream approach with the Xperia 1 VI, cutting back on some of our beloved AV features in the meantime – which should make it a worse phone in the process right? Well, that's not the case surprisingly, as Sony has struck a careful balance between retaining its AV pedigree while making it a more user-friendly device overall.
The 21:9 aspect ratio is the first casualty, and while we miss it for watching movies with no letterboxing bars, we find that the day-to-day operation of the handset is greatly improved. Plus the OLED display that's been supposedly tuned by Sony's Bravia TV division is still as crisp, vibrant and detailed as ever, even if it's no longer 4K.
Furthermore, the headphone jack survives for yet another generation, and the Xperia 1 VI is another top-notch handset where headphone audio is concerned. Wired audio is revealing, energetic and engaging, and while the competing iPhone tends to be slightly warmer and richer, the Sony makes up for it with excellent timing and dynamism.
Finally, the Xperia 1 VI features the latest Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm and a 120Hz display which makes it feel extra responsive, while the impressive camera array and intuitive camera app make the Xperia 1 VI a solid choice for budding photographers.
Read the full Sony Xperia 1 VI review
The best cheap smartphone
The cheapest phone in Sony’s current Xperia range, the 10 V might not have the 4K screen found on the 1 V, or the premium build of the 5 V, but it still offers a brilliant on-the-go entertainment experience.
That’s thanks largely to its 6.1-inch OLED display, which has the same 21:9 aspect ratio as the rest of the Xperia range. While that can make reaching the top of the screen a little tricky for those with smaller hands, it makes for a more cinematic experience when watching videos, with excellent contrast, impressive detail, rich and nuanced colours, and a real sense of depth.
It’s also more sonically dynamic than some phones that cost far more, particularly when using the 3.5mm headphone port, but music playback over Bluetooth is also impressive thanks to its support for LDAC, Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec, and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. The built-in speakers are also much better than the ones found on the Xperia 10 IV, with a fuller sound and better bass performance.
It’s arguably elsewhere that the Sony Xperia 10 V’s budget price tag is most apparent. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chip and 6GB of RAM work fine in day-to-day use, but there are doubts about how long that’ll last considering the age of the processor. Camera performance is also a giveaway, with slightly underwhelming photos from the triple lens setup on the back.
If you’re looking for the best budget phone available for music and movies, though, you can stop right now.
Read the full Sony Xperia 10 V review
The best mid-range smartphone
If your budget can’t quite stretch to a flagship phone but you still want something more capable than what’s available at the budget end of the market, Sony’s Android-powered Xperia 5 V is the ideal choice.
While many more affordable phones keep costs down by downgrading the screen, there are no such sacrifices here. The 6.1-inch OLED on the 5 V might not be the biggest, but it’s sharp and detailed, with excellent contrast and depth to the image. And with its 21:9 aspect ratio, it’s ideal for on-the-go movies.
The built-in speakers are a little lacking in weight, but Sony is one of the only phone manufacturers that still finds space on its handsets for a 3.5mm headphone port. With a pair plugged in you get a natural and rich sonic performance, plus there’s support for LDAC, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and LE Audio over Bluetooth 5.3.
In day-to-day use the pairing of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 8GB of RAM mean it runs all your apps without a hiccup, with a 5000mAh battery to power everything.
It’s all encased in a metal and glass chassis that feels suitably premium despite the less-than-flagship price tag, with a 48MP main shooter and 12MP ultra-wide snapper on the back, and a 12MP selfie camera on the front.
It might be one of the pricier examples of a mid-range smartphone, but the Sony Xperia 5 V is worth finding those extra coins for.
Read the full Sony Xperia 5 V review
The best Samsung smartphone
As we said in our full review "if we lived in an alternate universe where picture and sound weren’t paramount to how we review a phone, then we would have absolutely no trouble recommending the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra over its competitors."
The S24 Ultra is a clear step up in both the build and features departments, even if it looks eerily similar to the S23 Ultra from yesteryear. However, the new flat display is a clear upgrade, while the Galaxy AI features are truly useful even if they're not our primary area of concern.
While it is lacking in subtlety, the S24 Ultra delivers a bright and crisp image that's very easy to enjoy, and it is aided by its large screen that helps to give a semblance of cinematic scale even on this handheld device. It also sounds decent, with support for Dolby Atmos for headphones and the built-in stereo speakers.
Bundle that with lightning-fast performance, a quality camera system and a new titanium frame, and we think Samsung is onto a winner. If the next generation of Galaxy smartphones can nail the picture and sound subtleties then Sony and Apple could be in trouble.
Read the full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review
Also consider
The best alternative smartphones we've tested:
Apple iPhone 15 Plus: The iPhone 15 Plus takes a lot of what we like from the Pro Max and brings it down to a cheaper price point. The large OLED screen with Dolby Vision support is crisp and rich, while the sound performance is equally well-tuned. This is a stellar all-rounder if you're looking for an iOS alternative to the Sony Xperia 5 V on this list.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: The 8 Pro is Google’s best-sounding smartphone yet, but it’s not as precise as we’d like when it comes to timing, and when watching video it lags behind our favourites due to its clumsy handling of shadows and over-enthusiastic approach to colours. As a smartphone, it’s hard to fault, but the AV performance still needs work.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Foldable phones are firmly in the mainstream now, and it just so happens that Samsung's latest model is a fantastic option for those with deeper pockets. It delivers crisp and punchy visuals and improved audio performance compared to the S24 Ultra, alongside all of Samsung's latest AI features making it an excellent choice for those who want a cutting-edge smartphone.
How to choose the best smartphone for you
Picking the right smartphone that suits your needs best is harder than it sounds, and may in fact be a trickier task than picking the best TV or headphones. You use your smartphone every day, and for many of us it houses all the integral things we need to keep our day running smoothly. This is where the essentials come into play: good battery life, a design that's comfortable to hold, and a screen that's not too big and not too small.
Many of us also acquire our smartphones through a contract, most commonly these run for 24 months, so you need to plan ahead. Will the phone you choose have a powerful enough processor and enough RAM to last for two years? Which software platform do you want: Apple's iOS that's exclusive to iPhones, or Google's Android platform that's used by the likes of Samsung, Sony and OnePlus? And does the phone have enough features to keep you going for that time, such as a versatile camera or micro SD card support to expand the memory.
However, if you're after the highest quality AV performance (as we are), then that's where things become more black and white. You'll want an OLED screen for inky blacks and vibrant colours, with a 18:9 or 21:9 aspect ratio and minimal bezels, ideal for watching content uninterrupted and as the the filmmaker intended. As standard, many phones come with either a 1080p or 1440p, or in some cases a 4K display on the highest-end models. As smartphone displays are much smaller than TVs and even tablets, they are often very pixel dense, meaning that the highest resolution isn't always paramount, so don't be put off if your handset doesn't feature the highest-spec screen.
Audio is equally important, and the audio landscape on mobile phones has changed greatly in the last few years. Many now feature a stereo speaker setup that combines a loudspeaker and earpiece to create an often impressively loud and spacious sound. However what modern smartphones giveth, they must also taketh away as is the case with the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is an endangered beast on modern devices.
With all of these key factors in mind, many see it a daunting task to pick a new phone, dreading the day their contract is up. But fear not, all of the picks above are fully approved by us, which should be enough to help you make your decision.
Smartphone FAQ
What’s the difference between iOS and Android?
Every phone has an operating system (a bit like Windows on a PC) that makes everything work and allows you to navigate to and use its features. There are two main operating systems to choose from: iOS and Android. iOS is exclusive to Apple phones, whereas Android, which was created by Google, is open-source, meaning any handset manufacturer can install it. Some even add their own skins on top and – for better or worse – preload exclusive apps.
Android tends to be more customisable than iOS, and in general Android phones are cheaper than iPhones, but the differences between the two are probably more negligible than ever these days and it usually just comes down to personal preference.
Which is better: iOS or Android?
The answer to that question is almost entirely subjective, and, unless this is your first smartphone, depends largely on which platform you’re used to. Both come with whole ecosystems of apps, cloud storage and other compatible devices, so sometimes it can feel like you’re locked into whichever one you chose initially.
At least with Android the wide-ranging list of manufacturers means you have plenty of choice when it comes to handsets, with nothing to stop you switching from Samsung to Sony or OnePlus to Google almost seamlessly.
Many Android users cite the freedom to customise as a big selling point, but there’s also something to be said for the more limited approach that Apple takes. Its tighter control over apps and services allows for a more consistent performance from and across iOS devices; with an iPhone you always know what you’re going to get.
Is resolution the most important screen spec?
Resolution is a good place to start, but having as many pixels as possible is arguably less important when you’re dealing with a display that’ll fit in your pocket, so you don’t need to worry about making sure your phone screen is 4K. Instead, look for the pixel density (or PPI, which stands for pixels per inch).
You’re going to be using your phone in all kinds of lighting conditions, so it’s also worth paying attention to the maximum brightness, which is measured in nits. The brighter the screen will go, the better it’ll be able to compete with direct sunlight, so you should be able to see it more clearly on nice days.
Refresh rate is another factor to consider. The higher the number the smoother it should feel in operation, although many phones now have screens with variable refresh rates, which change depending on what you’re asking the phone to do. That means it’ll be high when scrolling or watching video, but can be very low in order to enable an always-on mode.
All of the phones on our list have OLED screens, which tend to offer the best contrast, but cheaper phones will often use LCD instead.
How we test the best smartphones
While it’s true that smartphones aren’t our core focus at What Hi-Fi? (the clue’s in the name), the fact that they’ve become many people’s most-used item of technology, and for some the primary way they consume music and video, we think that it’s important to find out which ones are the best at doing just that.
Every product we test at What Hi-Fi? is subject to the same thorough process, which involves spending some time in our state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath with our expert reviewers, but perhaps more than any other product type we also spend time with smartphones out in the real world. We use them in our day-to-day lives – while we commute, around the office, out and about at the weekends – testing every feature exhaustively.
Of course, we pay particular attention to the audio and video performance, so while it’s important to try out the camera and see how long the battery lasts, our smartphone reviews are skewed towards listening to music and watching videos. If that’s also important to you, you should read them carefully before taking the plunge on a phone that you might have to keep for the next two years or more.
Every smartphone we test is compared to its rivals, whether that’s the latest iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or a handset from one of the newer upstarts like OnePlus, and all verdicts are the result of a collaboration that involves the whole editorial team, so you’re never getting the opinion of just one reviewer.
For more on how we test and review products, you can read our in-depth guide.
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