A smartphone is all but a necessity in today’s digital world, but it can be hard to know which one is right for you. There are a wide variety of smartphones available, each differentiated by software, features, and price point. The process of selecting the best smartphone can be complicated, but a few simple guidelines can help make the decision easier.

The latest smartphones are constantly launching, so it’s important to keep an eye out for new options. It’s also a good idea to avoid phones that run older versions of Android, as those may have security flaws that need patched. Look for a phone that promises at least two rounds of full operating system updates and regular security patches. For example, Google offers seven years of software updates for its Pixel 9 series, and Samsung has recently shifted to a similar policy with the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 devices.

In March 1996, Hewlett-Packard launched the OmniGo 700LX, a palmtop computer that piggybacked a Nokia 2110 mobile phone and ran ROM-based mobile phone applications. The OmniGo featured a 640 x 200 resolution CGA compatible four-shade gray-scale LCD display and could send text and image messages, email, instant messaging, and faxes, and access the internet via digital cellular data networks.

The first true smartphone came to market in 2007 with the release of the iPhone, which offered a sleek touchscreen device that could browse the web without the need for a dedicated data plan. Since then, the smartphone industry has exploded, with hundreds of manufacturers producing smartphones of all shapes and sizes to cater for different tastes and budgets.