Which SMARTPHONES Do We Actually Use? 2026 Edition ft. MKBHD, Linus Tech Tips + More

Summary (tech concepts, product features, reviews/usage picks)

This video is a yearly SuperSaf TV collaboration where multiple tech YouTubers name the smartphones they actually use (framed from a “2025 lineup taken into 2026” perspective). The discussion emphasizes real-world daily-driver concerns, especially: camera/video quality, battery life, performance benchmarks, software maturity, and the modern foldable “thinness” trend.

Common themes across picks

• Foldables are going mainstream
  • Many creators highlight foldables (especially Samsung’s) as finally feeling like a normal phone when closed, while delivering tablet-like screens when opened.
• Camera/video consistency matters most
  • Repeated focus on reliable camera systems for both photos and videos, including zoom and front-facing framing.
• Battery + performance tradeoffs
  • Several phones are praised for day-to-day longevity and smooth performance, with some mentions of specific battery capacities and chipsets.
• Software/AI is improving—but not uniform
  • Some creators cite progress like Apple Intelligence and Android refinements, but also note gaps versus competitors.
• “Two-phone life”
  • Multiple reviewers run a mix of iPhone + Android to cover both ecosystems (work/testing vs personal preference).

Notable smartphone picks + what they’re praised for

Apple (iPhone series)

• iPhone 17 Pro Max / iPhone 17 Pro / iPhone 17
  • Consistently strong camera performance (photos + videos)
  • Excellent battery life and top-tier performance (including mention of Apple’s new silicon generation)
  • Some commentary that Apple Intelligence is behind competitors, but still described as a great overall phone
• iPhone Air
  • Praised for being extremely thin
  • Explicitly called “compromised”, with noted tradeoffs:
    • weaker cameras
    • “super thin” battery
  • Despite compromises, it’s praised for the feel and novelty of a thinner pocketable device (daily-driver sentiment from one creator)
• iOS preference variability
  • One creator plans to return to Android by 2026, citing battery/camera flexibility gaps on lighter iPhone models

Samsung (foldables and flagship)

• Galaxy Z Fold 7
  • The most frequently cited best all-around choice
  • Repeated praise for:
    • thinner, lighter form factor versus earlier generations
    • a reliable “regular phone” experience when closed
    • tablet-like usability when opened
    • improved software maturity and overall polish
    • camera refinement and a “durable candy-bar” feel (one reviewer claims near-candybar durability)
  • Battery/performance are also described as good enough for everyday use
• Other Samsung references
  • Used as part of “two-phone” setups and long-term carry devices (less detailed)

Other Android makers mentioned

• Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold / Pixel 10 Pro XL (and Pixel software)
  • Mentioned as an Android alternative based on:
    • expectations for foldable hardware (plus concerns like bugs/durability vs Samsung)
    • improving Android/software maturity, including references to “Pixel Drops”
  • One creator prefers Pixel 10 Pro XL for Android-side favorites and highlights camera bump similarity across choices
• Honor Magic V5 / Honor Magic 8 Pro
  • Honor Magic V5
    • Praised as the foldable with the least compromises
    • noted strengths:
      • very small closed thickness (~4mm range claimed in subtitles)
      • large external display, reducing how often you need to open it
      • strong internal productivity/media experience (~8-inch internal)
      • gaming/performance emphasis:
        • Snapdragon 8 Elite (chip mentioned)
        • 5820mAh battery mentioned
  • Honor Magic 8 Pro
    • Mentioned as a top contender due to balance of AI + hardware maturity
• Oppo Find X9 Pro
  • Positioned as:
    • best “all-round Android”
    • best camera for photography
• OnePlus 15
  • Praised for:
    • battery + performance combination
    • Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mentioned
    • very large claimed battery (~7300mAh), with 2-day endurance
    • smooth performance and solid software
  • Potential downside:
    • may not last into 2026 (lifespan prediction)
• “X300” small phone (from another creator)
  • Chosen mainly for:
    • compact form factor
    • camera bump not protruding much
    • “best looking photos” claim

Review/tutorial style content present?

• This segment is not a tutorial.
• It’s a collaboration round-up of real-world usage choices.
• The reasoning is mostly feature-based justification (battery, performance, camera/video, software maturity, and foldable usability), not formal how-to instructions.
• Some creators reference:
  • “full real world test” links for deeper evaluation (specifically for the Z Fold 7)
  • a forthcoming “Part two” covering best tech of 2025 (not smartphones)

Main speakers/sources (as stated in subtitles)

• MKBHD (Marques Brownlee)
• Linus Tech Tips
• Austin Evans
• I Justine
• Mr. Mobile (Michael Fisher)
• Tom the Tech Chap
• Ash / C4 Tech
• John Reinger
• Stokes (SuperSaf TV)
• Himera (Hime Rivera)
• David the Unlocker
• Jenn (Jenn Ezer)
• Lionus Tech Tips (spelled “Lionus” in subtitles—same creator context)
• SAF (host, SuperSaf TV)
• “FIFA” (another participant credited in subtitles)
• Mr. Q (Rakme TV)
• “Saf” and other SuperSaf TV collaborators (multiple intro greeters listed)