Whether you have trouble reading small type, or just prefer more screen real estate, large-screen phones allow you to get the most out of your phone.
As phones have become smaller and smaller, in many cases so has the available screen area. Not only can this make it harder to read smaller text, but it also makes it harder to navigate apps and can lead to frustration.
Phones with a large screen by definition have a larger body than most phones. This allows for a larger battery, larger camera lenses and really allows the largest components to be installed. So, you can end up with better functionality than a smaller phone.
Unfortunately, a larger phone can also mean a larger price tag, but there are some good budget large-screen options out there.
These are some of the best large-screen phones on the market today. We’ve defined ‘large-screened’ as anything above the standard 6.1-inch (15.49 cm) iPhone screen diagonally from corner to corner.
We’re looking at prices for buying the phones outright, as well as bringing you some offers from the telcos from our good friends at WhistleOut.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The equal largest – but outright most expensive – phone on our list is Samsung’s flagship phone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Boasting a massive 6.8-inch (17.27cm) screen, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is not just one of the best large-screen phones you can get, but one of the best phones full stop.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs on the Android operating system and is packed full of features, including and eight-core CPU, a 200-megapixel front camera and Samsung’s new GalaxyAI software. That massive screen also has an anti-glare coating, making the phone much easier to use in direct sunlight.
But the biggest phone comes with the biggest price, with the smallest 256GB model retailing for $2199. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is also available in 512GB ($2399) and 1TB ($2799) models.
OnePlus 12
At the other end of the price scale, but not the size scale, is the OnePlus 12. This Android phone is the flagship for Chinese manufacturer OnePlus and has the same 6.8-inch screen as the Samsung Galaxy Ultra – but for almost $1000 less.
OnePlus has done its best to get as much into the phone at this price as possible, and the company claims the large screen on the phone is actually able to achieve higher brightness levels than the Samsung, even in sunlight.
Costs are cut in other areas though, with only a 50MP camera and slightly lower-rated protective Gorilla glass than the Galaxy.
But these differences can be overlooked for the price. While the OnePlus 12 is much cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – it’s still not cheap, with the 256GB model starting at $1279.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
The iPhone is nothing short of a global phenomenon and the newly released iPhone 16 Plus is the big screen option. At 6.7 inches (17.02cm), the iPhone 16 has a slightly smaller screen than the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the OnePlus 12, but the difference is so small it’s virtually unnoticeable.
It has all the features you’d expect from the latest iPhone, including Apple’s new AI system that adapts to your usage patterns and can help you with tasks such as writing and navigating the internet.
Some of the specs, however, such as the 48MP camera and slower CPU put it a little behind the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it is cheaper coming in at $1599 for the 128GB model. It’s also available in 256GB ($1799) and ($2149).
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Last, but certainly not least, on our list is the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. The XL is the larger version of Google’s flagship Pixel 9, featuring a 6.8-inch screen.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL uses Google’s own proprietary Tensor G4 processor, its fastest yet. It also features a standard 48MP camera, 16GB of RAM for super-fast operation and makes extensive use of Google’s AI capabilities.
Pricewise, the Pixel sits in a similar range to the Apple iPhone, perhaps a little more expensive. The base 128GB model comes in at $1847 and there’s also 256GB ($1997), 512GB ($2197) and 1TB ($2547) models.
Do you prefer a phone with a larger screen? Have you tried any of these phones? Let us know in the comments section below.
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What about the much cheaper Samsung Galaxy A15. Large screen, quite a lot of features and power and can be had in 5g version for less than $300
Thank you, Gaz, for the information on the cheaper models. It would seem that Brad Lockyer is interested in pushing the expensive ones, not realising that a lot of older people don’t have that sort of money lying around. Next time, he should look at the more affordable ones.
I won’t ever have any phone that’s any larger than a 5″ screen. Most of the more popular latest phones are far too big for me to handle and are very heavy!
My 5″ phone fits into my wallet with no problems, and I’m happy. I don’t really care about being ‘left behind’, as I’m happy with an ‘older’ phone with the most recent update, and I can still use the apps I want.
Yes Gaz, there are a lot of fairly large screen phones available for a lot less, and the Galaxy A series have always been excellent value.
One model missing from the more expensive ones is the iPhone 16 Pro Max (which I have) and it has a very large screen at 6.9″ and is a similar price to S24 Ultra. I’ve only had this phone for a few days and the screen is excellent for me – easy to read and fits plenty on the screen at once. Yes Sue, it’s big and weighs some 230gms, but it does fit in my pocket and I really don’t notice the extra weight over my standard iPhone 12.
Of course for those really want screen real estate then there are the folding phones like the Galaxy Flip and particularly the Galaxy Fold (which is crazy expensive) and then Huawei have just released their Mate XT which is a triple fold screen that opens up to a massive 10.2″ and will only set you back $5K
What about the many of us who don’t want a smart phone anymore. Just a mobile phone, a simple phone that you can use and text and works. Mine cost around$100 some years ago and its all I want or need. If I want digital connection I go to the computer or tablet. Simple.