The Best Phones for Music: 7 Top Picks

There’s no shortage of articles rating the best smartphones based on factors such as screen size and camera setup. But for music lovers, what also matters is speaker quality, headphone jack availability, battery life, and storage capacity. In this article, we break down the best phones for music and audio based on these factors and more. 

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Our Criteria

When you’re in the market for a new phone that doubles as a high-quality music player, certain buzzwords should be music to your ears. Whether you’re an Apple lover, an Android enthusiast, or somewhere in between, here are the criteria we used to arrive at our list of the best phones for audiophiles:

• High-End Storage Capacity: With apps like Spotify and Amazon Music, your phone needs ample storage for hi-res playback of your favorite tunes. Among flagship phones, we looked for generous built-in storage or options for expandable memory.
• Headphone Jack and Connectivity Options: For audiophiles who prefer the nuances of wired headphones, a phone with a traditional headphone jack is vital. Additionally, we considered the Bluetooth codec support for high-quality wireless earbuds and AirPods connectivity. Note that many of the most popular modern smartphones don’t come with headphone jacks in which case you’ll need wireless earbuds or headphones that can connect to your phone via Bluetooth.
• Strong Battery Life: Look for a phone to keep the music playing all day. Phones with long battery life and efficient processors like the Snapdragon or Apple Bionic ensure your playlists keep rolling without interruption.
• Advanced Processors and Crisp Displays: A powerful processor like the Snapdragon or Apple Bionic is key for smooth audio playback and efficient operation of music apps. An OLED or AMOLED display enhances the visual experience, especially for apps like Spotify and YouTube.
• Support for High-Quality Formats and Codecs: For the ultimate audio experience, ensure your new phone supports various formats like LDAC, aptX, and lossless codecs. Whether you’re streaming from Spotify or listening to downloaded hi-fi tracks, this feature is crucial.
• Brand-Specific Features: Every brand should strive to bring their own unique features to the table. We considered the specific audio enhancements and specs offered by each, like the Xperia 1’s Hi-Res audio or the Pro Max models in the iPhone series.
• Best Phone for Recording Audio: Having strong audio systems on your phone offers up a lot of possibilities. With a good microphone, you can record crisp voice lines and distinct instrumental tracks without hooking everything up to a computer.
• Best Phone for Musicians: With the right phone, musicians can use their phone as their primary device for setting up and reviewing recordings.

Top 7 Picks for Best Phones for Music

1. iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are a great fit for any music lovers. Both models feature advanced stereo speakers with Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos support, and lossless playback, providing great sound that makes the most of compatible tracks.

With built-in support for Lossless Audio and Dolby Atmos, Apple Music subscribers can also take advantage of higher-quality streaming. And, for those who connect a pair of AirPods or AirPods Max, head-tracking Spatial Audio can create a more immersive listening experience. Also, playlist syncing and offline downloads make it easy to manage your library across devices.

The Pro Max, with its larger 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and up to 39 hours of video playback (even longer for audio), is great for extended listening or watching music videos.

Meanwhile, the more compact 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro offers the same audio features in a smaller package. Both models are powered by the A19 Pro chip and support MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, so you can keep your music playing without worrying about any wires.

However, neither model includes a headphone jack, so you’ll need to use Bluetooth headphones or connect through USB-C with compatible headphones or an adapter. Also, a wired connection is required for the best audio quality.

2. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is another great choice for music lovers, since it brings together powerful hardware with a range of audio customization options. It works with popular music apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music, giving you lots of ways to listen.

Samsung's Sound Assistant app gives you extra control, with tools like an equalizer, per-app volume settings, and scheduled sound profiles.

The large 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display makes music videos and live concerts look great, while the 5000 mAh battery gives you plenty of power for long listening sessions.

3. Google Pixel 10 Pro

The Google Pixel 10 Pro is a strong choice for music fans who want an Android phone that provides high-quality audio. It has stereo speakers and spatial audio support, and works seamlessly with apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music. Additionally, Google’s Gemini AI can help with tasks like organizing playlists or transcribing lyrics.

The 6.3-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate makes music videos look sharp and smooth, and its peak brightness of 3,000 nits keeps everything clear even outdoors. A 4,870 mAh battery provides enough power for long listening sessions.

The Pixel 10 Pro also benefits from Google’s long-term software support — up to seven years of updates — so you can expect consistent performance for music apps well into the future.

4. iPhone 17

The third iPhone on this list, the standard iPhone 17 is a solid option for music lovers who want Apple’s audio features in a more affordable package than the Pro models. It includes Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio support, along with lossless playback through Apple Music when using wired connections or a USB-C DAC. Bluetooth listening works seamlessly with AirPods and Beats, though it doesn’t support true lossless quality.

Its 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display makes music videos look crisp and colorful, and the A19 chip provides great performance for streaming apps.

With up to 29 hours of video playback (longer for audio), the iPhone 17's battery is built for long listening sessions. As with other iPhones, there’s no headphone jack, so you’ll need Bluetooth headphones or a USB-C adapter for wired use.

5. Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+

The Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ both deliver a great music experience, with wide compatibility with apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music.

Samsung's Sound Assistant app adds extra control with features like an equalizer, per-app volume settings, and scheduled audio profiles. The difference here comes down to size and battery.

The Galaxy S26 has a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display and a 4300 mAh battery, while the larger S26+ offers a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display and a 4900 mAh battery for longer playback.

6. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

If you're looking for the ultimate phone for listening to music, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's most capable foldable yet. It pairs powerful stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support to create a rich, immersive soundstage whether you're streaming albums, watching live concerts, or gaming. Samsung's Sound Assistant app provides advanced audio controls, while Bluetooth 6.0 ensures a reliable, high-quality wireless connection for compatible earbuds and headphones.

The Fold8 Ultra's expansive 8.0-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display makes it one of the best phones available for music videos and live performances. It features a smooth adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, Vision Booster technology, and a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. A larger 6.5-inch cover display also runs at 120Hz, making it easy to browse playlists, change tracks, or control playback without unfolding the device.

7. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8

The Galaxy Z Flip8 combines its pocket-friendly foldable design with impressive multimedia features that make it a great choice for music fans. Its stereo speakers support Dolby Atmos for clear, balanced sound, while the compact design makes it easy to carry anywhere. Bluetooth 6.0 and support for high-quality wireless audio ensure a reliable listening experience with compatible earbuds and headphones, while wired headphones can still be connected with a USB-C adapter.

When unfolded, the Flip8's 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display delivers smooth 120Hz visuals and bright, colorful playback for music videos and livestreams. The larger 4.1-inch cover display lets you control music, check notifications, and manage playback without opening the phone. Samsung also increased the battery to 4,300mAh, providing longer listening sessions between charges, while FlexMode remains useful for hands-free video recording, interviews, and other audio recordings.

The Bottom Line

Great sound isn't limited to dedicated music players anymore. Today's flagship smartphones combine powerful speakers, long battery life, high-quality Bluetooth audio, and vibrant displays that make listening to music—and watching live performances—better than ever. Whether you prefer an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, or a foldable device, use Navi's free, unbiased Phone Deal Finder to compare prices and find the best deal on your next phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What phone is good for music?

Our favorite phone for music is the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It boasts one of the best sound systems available in a smartphone—nearing audiophile levels of sound reproduction.

Which phone has the highest audio quality?

We believe the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers the highest quality audio in a smartphone. That includes spatial audio and studio quality mics—truly an achievement for a smartphone.

Which phone is best for volume?

The phones with the best volume tend to offer loud, clear sound quality both for media playback and call audio. Top performers include the iPhone 17 series, the Samsung S26 series, and the Google Pixel 10 series.