Google Pixel won ‘Best Smartphone’ back-to-back, but lost to the iPhone 17 this year

Ben Schoon | Mar 6 2026 - 3:00 am PT

Google’s efforts with Pixel phones have been improving over the past few years, to the point where the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series both managed to win “Best Smartphone” awards at MWC in back-to-back years, but the iPhone 17 has taken back the crown this time around.

MWC’s GLOMO awards recognize the best technology in various categories, including the “Best Smartphone.”

For 2024 and 2025, Google Pixel managed to win this category, taking home the award for the Pixel 8 series and Pixel 9 Pro, respectively. Prior to that, Apple had won in 2022 and 2023 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro, respectively, with Galaxy S21 Ultra taking the win in 2021.

The Google Pixel 10 series was nominated for “Best Smartphone” this year too, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Oppo Find X9 Pro, and Honor Magic V5, but it was ultimately Apple’s iPhone 17 series that took back the crown for the 2026 win.

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Criteria for judging the best smartphone included:

Physical design and innovation
Device performance and form factors
Genuine new innovation deployed e.g. in form factor, technology, features
Product usefulness in terms of functionality and features
Price point and perceived value for money
Commercial success in global territories
User experience, quality & reliability
Environmental and sustainability credentials
On-going commitment on support e.g. software upgrades

While Google almost certainly earned high marks in all of these categories, Apple’s iPhone 17 series has been a major upgrade for the company.

Honor, notably, took the award for “Disruptive Device Innovation” for the “implementation and commercialisation of silicon carbon battery technology” in devices, including its new Magic V6 foldable, which won one of our Best of MWC awards this year.

What do you think? Should Google Pixel 10 have taken the win for the third year in a row? Let us know in the comments below.