Buy the iPhone 17 (from €1,119) if you live in Apple's ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (from €1,169) if you want the most powerful Android, and the new Google Pixel 11 (€999) if photography and clean software come first. For the best camera you can buy in Belgium, get the iPhone 18 Pro (from €1,479), on sale since 18 September. On a tighter budget, the Pixel 10a (€549) is the smart pick.
We checked every price below at Belgian retailers on 29 September 2026. Every phone in this guide supports eSIM, so you can switch plans the day your phone arrives, without waiting for a SIM card in the post.
Traveling with your new phone? Check Firsty plans.
Prices in Belgium right now
The table shows the lowest regular retail price we found in Belgium, including 21% VAT. Prices checked: 29 September 2026.
Smartphone | Best for | Price in Belgium (from) | Storage | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
iPhone 18 Pro | Best camera, pro users | €1,479 (Pro Max €1,629) | 256 GB | Apple BE |
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Android power users | €1,169 | 256 GB | Vanden Borre |
iPhone 17 | Apple ecosystem | €1,119 | 256 GB | Apple BE, Krëfel, MediaMarkt, Vanden Borre |
Google Pixel 11 | Photography, clean Android | €999 | 256 GB | Google Store BE |
OnePlus 15 | Battery and performance | €999 | 512 GB | Coolblue BE |
Xiaomi 17 | Flagship specs for less | €899.90 | 256 GB | Xiaomi BE store |
Nothing Phone (3) | Design | €849 | 256 GB | Nothing BE |
Google Pixel 10a | Best value | €549 | 128 GB | Google Store BE |
What changed in smartphones in 2026
On-device AI and battery life are the two real upgrades this year. Every flagship now runs AI models on the phone itself for translation, photo editing and assistant tasks, so they work faster and your data stays on the device. The iPhone 18 Pro's A20 Pro chip doubles Apple's Neural Engine to 32 cores, and the Pixel 11 runs Gemini Nano up to 3.5 times faster than the Pixel 10.
Batteries got bigger too. The OnePlus 15 carries a 7,300 mAh battery, and Apple rates the iPhone 18 Pro Max at up to 45 hours of video playback. Software support is now long enough to keep a phone for years: Google promises seven years of updates on the Pixel 11, and Samsung promises up to seven Android upgrades on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Two launches this autumn changed the line-up. Google released the Pixel 11 on 20 August, and Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro on 18 September. Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, goes on pre-order in Belgium on 16 October, from €2,339.
The eight smartphones worth buying in Belgium
iPhone 17
Buy the iPhone 17 if you already use a Mac, iPad, AirPods or iCloud. It starts at €1,119 with 256 GB, has a 6.3-inch 120 Hz display and a 48 MP dual camera. For most iPhone users on an iPhone 13 or older, it is the upgrade that makes sense.
Upgrading from an older iPhone? Find out where to sell your iPhone in Belgium to cut the cost of the new one.
Apple also sells the thinner iPhone Air (from €1,329), a style choice with fewer cameras than the Pro, and the iPhone 17e (from €869), the cheapest current iPhone.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Buy the iPhone 18 Pro if the camera matters most. Its 48 MP main camera has a variable aperture from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4, a first for the iPhone, and the A20 Pro chip is built on a 2 nm process. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at €1,479 and the Pro Max at €1,629, both with 256 GB.
It is the most expensive phone in this guide. If you do not shoot much video or low-light photos, the iPhone 17 gives you most of the experience for €360 less.
Already on Firsty? An eSIM stays linked to the phone it was first installed on, so get a replacement eSIM in the Firsty app for a one-time €0.90. Here is how to move Firsty to a new phone.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the most capable Android phone in Belgium. It has a 200 MP main camera, 3x and 5x telephoto lenses, a built-in S Pen and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. Samsung promises up to seven Android upgrades, so it will stay current well into the 2030s.
It starts at €1,169 for 256 GB at Vanden Borre. Once it arrives, install your Firsty eSIM on a Samsung phone in a few steps.
Google Pixel 11
Buy the Pixel 11 for the best point-and-shoot camera on Android and the cleanest software. It launched on 20 August with a new 48 MP main sensor that captures 56% more light, a 5x telephoto lens and the Tensor G6 chip. Google promises seven years of OS and security updates.
It costs €999 with 256 GB, since Google dropped the 128 GB version this year. The Pixel 11 replaces the Pixel 10 as our Pixel pick. To get connected on day one, follow our guide to setting up an eSIM on Android and iOS.
Google Pixel 10a
Buy the Pixel 10a if you want Pixel software and cameras without paying flagship prices. At €549 it is the cheapest phone in this guide and still gets Google's AI features and long update support.
For even tighter budgets, see our guide to the best smartphones under €300, or find out whether a refurbished iPhone or Samsung is worth it in Belgium.
Xiaomi 17
Buy the Xiaomi 17 for flagship hardware at a lower price. It has a Leica-tuned triple 50 MP camera, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, a 6,330 mAh battery and 100 W charging. Xiaomi's Belgian store currently sells the 256 GB version for €899.90, down from €999.90.
Buy the European version from a Belgian retailer. Chinese-market imports do not have eSIM hardware. Then install your Firsty eSIM on a Xiaomi phone.
OnePlus 15
Buy the OnePlus 15 if battery life and speed matter most. Its 7,300 mAh battery is the largest in this guide, it charges at 120 W wired and 50 W wireless, and its 6.78-inch display runs at up to 165 Hz.
Coolblue lists the 512 GB version from €999, but stock was sold out when we checked. Look at other retailers before you order. Switching from another phone? See how to get Firsty on your new phone in a few steps.
Nothing Phone (3)
Buy the Nothing Phone (3) if you want a phone that looks different. The Glyph Matrix on the back shows notifications and small animations, and it has three 50 MP rear cameras, including a 3x periscope. Nothing promises five years of Android upgrades and seven years of security patches.
It costs €849 with 256 GB from Nothing's Belgian store. Setting it up takes a few minutes: see how to install an eSIM on Android.
How to choose
Answer four questions before you read another spec sheet.
Question | If your answer is… | Look at |
|---|---|---|
Which ecosystem are you in? | Mac, iPad, AirPods, iCloud | iPhone 17 or iPhone 18 Pro |
Google services, Windows, mixed | Pixel 11 or Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
How important is the camera? | Best everyday photos | Pixel 11 or iPhone 18 Pro |
Best zoom | Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
What is your real budget? | Under €600 | Pixel 10a |
€800 to €1,000 | Xiaomi 17, Nothing Phone (3), Pixel 11 | |
Over €1,100 | iPhone 17, Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 18 Pro | |
How long will you keep it? | Five years or more | Pixel 11, Galaxy S26 Ultra or an iPhone |
Quick comparison: which phone fits you?
Smartphone | Best for | Pick this if… |
|---|---|---|
iPhone 17 | Apple ecosystem users | You already use a Mac, iPad, AirPods or iCloud and want it all to work together. |
iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max | Camera and video | You want the best camera and the longest battery life on an iPhone. |
iPhone Air | Style-first buyers | You want a thin, light iPhone and do not need the Pro cameras. |
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Android power users | You want the most powerful Android phone, the S Pen and the best zoom. |
Google Pixel 11 | Photography lovers | You want the best point-and-shoot camera and clean Android with seven years of updates. |
Google Pixel 10a | Value seekers | You want Pixel software and AI for €549. |
Xiaomi 17 | Maximum specs for less | You want flagship hardware and Leica cameras for under €900. |
OnePlus 15 | Battery and performance | You want a 7,300 mAh battery and 120 W charging. |
Nothing Phone (3) | Design-conscious buyers | You want a phone that looks and feels different from every other Android. |
Your plan matters as much as your phone
Buy the phone outright and keep your Belgian mobile plan flexible. A two-year bundle ties you to one operator, and you pay for it every month whether the deal still suits you or not.
Every phone in this guide supports eSIM, which means you can add a plan by scanning a QR code or through an app, with no physical SIM card. That is what Firsty runs on:
Firsty plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
Firsty Free | €0 | Watch a short ad to earn 20 MB, up to 360 MB a day, at up to 1 Mbps |
Classic | From €0.98 per GB | Data packs from 0.5 GB to 50 GB |
Unlimited | From €2 per day | Unlimited data |
No contract, no credit card needed for Firsty Free, and coverage in 180 countries. Every connection Firsty sells also connects someone in Belgium who needs it.
Selling or giving away your old phone? Remove its eSIM first with our eSIM safe checklist for used phones.
How much data you need depends on what you do. These figures come from our own data guides:
Activity (1 hour) | Data used |
|---|---|
WhatsApp voice call | 18–30 MB |
WhatsApp video call | about 300 MB |
YouTube at 480p | 480–660 MB |
YouTube at 1080p | 2.5–4.1 GB |
Netflix on Data Saver | 300 MB |
Netflix in HD (1080p) | 3 GB |
Read more: how much data WhatsApp uses, YouTube and Netflix.
FAQ
What is the best smartphone of 2026?
The best smartphone of 2026 is the iPhone 17 for Apple users, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for Android users and the Google Pixel 11 for photography. If money is no object, the iPhone 18 Pro has the best camera. For value, the Pixel 10a (€549) and the Xiaomi 17 (€899.90) are the strongest picks.
What is the best smartphone for the price in Belgium?
The Google Pixel 10a is the best value smartphone in Belgium at €549. The Xiaomi 17 (€899.90) and Nothing Phone (3) (€849) give you flagship-level cameras and performance for well under €1,000.
What is the best smartphone under €500 in Belgium?
None of the phones in this guide cost under €500. The Pixel 10a at €549 is the closest. For cheaper options, read our guide to the best smartphones under €300.
How much does the iPhone 18 Pro cost in Belgium?
The iPhone 18 Pro costs €1,479 in Belgium and the iPhone 18 Pro Max costs €1,629, both with 256 GB. Those are Apple Belgium prices, including 21% VAT. Versions with more storage go up to €3,129 for 2 TB.
Which smartphone has the best camera in 2026?
The iPhone 18 Pro has the best camera overall, thanks to its new variable aperture. The Google Pixel 11 is the best for everyday point-and-shoot photos, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best for zoom, with 3x and 5x telephoto lenses.
Is it better to buy a smartphone outright or with a plan in Belgium?
Buy outright if you can. Bundled phone-and-plan deals from Belgian operators usually lock you in for two years and rarely come out cheaper once you add up the monthly cost. An outright phone lets you switch plans whenever a better deal comes along. If your current phone came with a bundle, check whether it is locked first: using an eSIM on a locked phone.
Which smartphone will last the longest?
The Google Pixel 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra have the longest promised support, with seven years of updates. Apple does not publish a fixed number, but iPhones usually get updates for six years or more.
Do all these phones support eSIM?
Yes, every phone in this guide supports eSIM. For the Xiaomi 17, buy the European version: Chinese-market imports do not have eSIM hardware. Check if your phone supports eSIM.
How do I move my Firsty eSIM to my new phone?
Open the Firsty app on your new phone, log in, and go to Support → Purchase new eSIM. A replacement eSIM costs a one-time €0.90, and it's free if you joined through a partner such as Belfius, KBC or Grab. An eSIM can't be moved between phones, so keep the old one until the new one works, and ask support to move any remaining balance: how to transfer a Firsty eSIM.
Do I need a 5G plan for these phones?
Every phone in this guide supports 5G, but you only get 5G speeds with a 5G plan and 5G coverage where you are. For messaging, maps and calls, 4G is still fast enough.
