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Here are the handsets with the best smartphone speakers

Speakers aren't always the top priority on a new smartphone, but a little bit of tuning goes a long way.
By

Published onAugust 18, 2024

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
MSRP: $1,299.99
Check price
Positives
Powerful, flexible cameras
Excellent update commitment
Brilliant flat display
Titanium build and Gorilla Armor durability
Loud, punchy speakers
Negatives
Expensive
Hit-or-miss on some AI features
Cameras struggle with motion
AI features only guaranteed to be free through 2025
Google Pixel 8 Pro
MSRP: $999.99
Check price
Positives
Excellent cameras
Improved wired charging
Premium build
Fun, exclusive Android 14 customizations
Industry-leading update promise
Negatives
Tensor G3 still benchmarks behind the best
Gimmicky temperature sensor
Some features not available at launch
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
MSRP: $1,199.00
Check price
Positives
Sleek design
Powerful processor
Ultra-Portable
Gaming controls
AI utilities
AniMe vision display
Negatives
Smaller battery
Short update timeline
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
MSRP: $399.99
Check price
Positives
Good 1080p OLED screen
Built-in stylus
Grippy textured back
Useful software features
Long battery life and fast charging
Negatives
Invasive bloatware
Stylus doesn't have pressure input
Only one OS update and three years of security patches
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
MSRP: $1,199.00
Check price
Positives
Strong titanium design
New Action button
Ray Tracing
Negatives
Slow charging
Pricey
The new action button performs just one task
Sony Xperia 1 VI
MSRP: $1,399.00
Check price
Positives
Excellent audio quality
Vibrant 120Hz display
Versatile camera performance
Exceptional battery life
Negatives
Expensive
Lackluster update support
No US availability
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
MSRP: $1,099.99
Check price
Positives
Solid dual-camera setup
Excellent build quality
Class-leading update commitment
Less-noticeable crease
Improved durability
Negatives
Battery life is still just fine
Good Lock remains confusing
Flat side rails aren't comfortable
Galaxy AI features don't justify price increase (yet)
OnePlus 12
MSRP: $799.00
Check price
Positives
Eye-catching green colorway
Bright, sharp display
Blistering-fast charging
Largely excellent performance
Approachable price
Negatives
Hit-or-miss low-light cameras
No AI features at launch
Limited water resistance
Good but not great software support

Most phone speakers are not that great, mainly because of their size. However, a few handsets pay more attention to audio than others, offering better quality sound and even front-facing speakers in some instances. Here are the smartphones with the best speakers.

Smartphones with the best speakers:

Editor’s note: We will regularly update this list of smartphones with the best speakers as new devices launch, but the latest isn’t always the best! We’ll always focus on the best audio rather than the newest, but natural tech improvements may mean clear winners are newer devices. Read on!


Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Galaxy s24 ultra in hand
Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a massive phone with an extensive list of features and abilities. It offers excellent performance, wears a vivid screen, boasts S Pen support, has great battery life, includes fantastic cameras, and more. Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is also one of the best phones with the best smartphone speakers.

In our Galaxy S24 Ultra review, we remarked that the phone has “loud, punchy speakers,” building on the solid sound offered by its predecessor. Like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the latest model’s speakers can double as a miniature boombox while keeping distortion in check.

It’s not a true audiophile phone, though. The device lacks a headphone jack, but at least you get plenty of Bluetooth support and can still use dongles. As Samsung’s top model, it’s costly, starting at $1,299. The device is starting to age, though, and you can often find it at a discount.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
AA Editor's Choice
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Powerful, flexible cameras • Excellent update commitment • Brilliant flat display
MSRP: $1,299.99
The best of the best in the S24 series
Samsung's true flagship device, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers the very best specs and features from any Galaxy phone to date. Ai and camera functions are the name of the game, with a 200MP primary camera, 50MP 5x telephoto, 10MP 3x telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide shooters. Smaller display bezels, 2,600 nit display, 5,000 mAh battery, an advanced cooling vapor chamber, up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, and 12GB of RAM make for a powerful mobile computing system. The new ProVisual Engine offers AI-powered camera tools for photo and video capture.

Galaxy S24 Ultra specs:

  • Display: 6.8-inch QHD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 200, 12, 50MP
  • Front cameras: 12MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Software: Android 14

Google Pixel 8 Pro

google pixel 8 pro hero
Ryan Haines / Android Authority

As usual, Google’s flagship phones stand out thanks to their excellent photo quality, stock Android implementation, and brisk updates. But you’re also getting a phone with some of the best phone speakers, thanks to its dual-speaker setup.

In addition, the Pixel 8 Pro has spatial audio support, just in case you want 360-degree sound when listening with supported headphones. We’ve tested spatial audio on Pixels in the past, and the results are quite impressive.

Audio quality aside, the Pixel 8 Pro is also a great phone in every other department. We loved its design, premium build, excellent cameras, and amazing seven-year update promise. Our only real complaint is that the Tensor G3 processor can get a bit too toasty.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is likely to replace this entry, but we haven’t tested it enough yet. We’ll have to pass judgment when we review it.

Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 8 Pro
AA Editor's Choice
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Excellent cameras • Fun, exclusive Android 14 customizations • Industry-leading update promise
MSRP: $999.99
Powerful Google phone with powerful camera features
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is packed with unique camera features and AI-assisted software that puts the smart into smartphone.

Pixel 8 Pro specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, 1,344 x 2,992
  • SoC: Google Tensor G3
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 50, 48, and 48MP
  • Front camera: 10.5MP
  • Battery: 5,050mAh
  • Software: Android 14

ASUS ROG Phone 8

ASUS ROG Phone 8 (3)
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

The following top picks for the best phone speakers are the two gaming phones that are part of the ASUS ROG Phone 8 series. Not only do they have excellent speakers, but they also have an old-fashioned 3.5mm headphone jack. The physical output has support for 32-bit audio, spatial audio, and AudioWizard with multiple listening profiles.

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 speakers are great out of the box, but they get an added bonus if you purchase the AeroActive Cooler X accessory. It has a 3.5mm headset jack, shoulder buttons, and a really cool look.

Audio quality aside, the devices also come with impressive specs, a gorgeous design, an amazing battery life, and a gorgeous screen with a 165Hz refresh rate.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
Sleek design • Powerful processor • Ultra-Portable
MSRP: $1,199.00
Built for gamers
Matching the ROG Phone 8 in almost every way, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro offers more ram and more internal storage, making it one of the most powerful gaming phones on the market at the time of launch.
ASUS ROG Phone 8
ASUS ROG Phone 8
AA Editor's Choice
ASUS ROG Phone 8
Zenfone-like design • IP68 rated, finally • Fast charging and excellent battery life
MSRP: $1,099.00
New look, same gaming greatness.
With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, AI-centric gaming features, a sleeker aesthetic, and additions like IP68 water resistance and wireless charging, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 is a mighty leap for the gaming phone king.

ROG Phone 8 specs:

  • Display: 6.78-inch, FHD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • RAM: 12/16GB
  • Storage: 256GB
  • Cameras: 50, 32, and 13MP
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Battery: 5,500mAh
  • Software: Android 14

ROG Phone 8 Pro specs:

  • Display: 6.78-inch, FHD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • RAM: 16/24GB
  • Storage: 512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 50, 32, and 13MP
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Battery: 5,500mAh
  • Software: Android 14

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)

Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) back
Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority

Motorola isn’t known for amazing flagship phones, but it sure knows how to make a great budget phone. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a great overall package considering the price, and it also happens to have some of the best smartphone speakers.

It has two, one in the earpiece and another one pointing downwards. In our Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) review, we mention how loud these get. In fact, we mention these are the loudest speakers we’ve ever tested in any Moto G models. That said, distortion does start creeping in past about the 50% volume levels. It isn’t horrible, but definitely noticeable.

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a pretty awesome phone elsewhere, especially at the $400 price point. We love the OLED screen, included stylus, textured back, and long battery life. We managed to get about two days per charge!

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Good 1080p OLED screen • Built-in stylus • Long battery life and fast charging
MSRP: $399.99
Stylus-tastic.
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a mid-range phone with a Stylus tucked away inside the chassis. It represents an upgrade for Motorola's long-running Stylus line, with a 6.7-inch 1080p OLED screen, 8GB of RAM, and a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor. It has a 5,000mAh battery and 30W wired and 15W wireless charging, which is faster than Motorola's other budget offerings.

Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, Full HD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128/256GB
  • Cameras: 50 and 13MP
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Software: Android 14

Apple iPhone 15 series

Apple iPhone 15 Pro lockscreen in hand
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We can have the Android vs iPhone argument all you want, but at the end of the day, we can’t deny Apple makes some pretty good phones, with a generally pleasant experience across the board. The same applies to the iPhone 15 series, which happens to also have some of the best speakers in mobile.

All four devices come with dual speakers; one is in the earpiece, and one is firing downwards. These are very well-tuned, and we had no issues raising the volume. Distortion is always unnoticeable. As it goes with mobile phone speakers, though, the bass could be improved.

Aside from the speakers, these iPhones come with great audio features. These include Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, spatial audio, and Dolby Atmos.

See price at Amazon
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best camera in iPhone line
Titanium design
Ray Tracing
See price at Amazon
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
USB Type-C port
High-end specs
Titanium design
See price at Apple
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
USB Type-C port
Good looking display
Great 48MP camera
See price at Amazon
Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 15
Excellent update commitment
Top-tier build quality
USB-C port, finally!

iPhone 15 specs:

  • Display: 6.1-inch, 1,179 x 2,556
  • SoC: Apple A16 Bionic
  • RAM: 6GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 48 and 12MP
  • Front camera: 12MP + 3D depth sensor
  • Battery: 3,349mAh
  • Software: iOS 17

iPhone 15 Plus specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, 1,290 x 2,796
  • SoC: Apple A16 Bionic
  • RAM: 6GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 48 and 12MP
  • Front camera: 12MP + 3D depth sensor
  • Battery: 4,383mAh
  • Software: iOS 17

iPhone 15 Pro specs:

  • Display: 6.1-inch, 1,179 x 2,556
  • SoC: Apple A17 Pro
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 48, 12, and 12MP + 3D LiDAR depth scanner
  • Front cameras: 12MP + 3D depth sensor
  • Battery: 3,274mAh
  • Software: iOS 17

iPhone 15 Pro Max specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, 1,290 x 2,796
  • SoC: Apple A17 Pro
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 48, 12, and 12MP + 3D LiDAR depth scanner
  • Front cameras: 12MP + 3D depth sensor
  • Battery: 4,441mAh
  • Software: iOS 17

Sony Xperia 1 VI

sony xperia 1 vi review front content great north - Best phone speakers
Alex Walker-Todd / Android Authority

Sony has offered smartphone speakers with great audio quality for a long time, including other original big brand ideas like being one of the first to commit to offering water-resistant Android phones. To the goods: the Sony Xperia 1 VI kept the stereo front-facing speakers and still offers a 3.5mm jack.

The full-stage stereo speakers also offer a balanced left and right playback, making sound much more immersive and natural. Sony mentions it has made improvements to reduce distortion at high volumes and optimize low-frequency sounds. Additionally, there is support for all the highest standards, including DSEE Ultimate, 360 Reality Audio, LDAC, Hi-Res wireless audio, Bluetooth LE audio, and Snapdragon sound.

Otherwise, Sony’s phone is quite impressive, offering top-of-the-line specs for outstanding performance, a great camera experience, a simplified but elegant design, and a 4K display. Just be ready to pay a pretty penny for it, as it carries a £1,299 price tag. Another big downside is that there are no plans to officially bring it to the USA.

Sony Xperia 1 VI
Sony Xperia 1 VI
AA Recommended
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Excellent audio quality • Versatile camera performance • Exceptional battery life
MSRP: $1,399.00
Sony's best is better than ever.
Packed with a 6.5-inch 120Hz display, capable cameras, and a powerful set of internals, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is one of the better 5G phones from Sony.

Xperia 1 VI specs:

  • Display: 6.5-inch, 4K
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 256/512GB
  • Cameras: 48, 12, and 12MP
  • Front camera: 12MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Software: Android 14

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 09 - Best phone speakers
Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority

If you’re looking for a foldable phone with some of the best phone speakers, we think the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is the right choice. The previous generation had remarkable speakers, and the latest Samsung flip phone follows the tradition. The device is very loud for such a small phone, and the audio is very nice and clean, even at the highest volumes.

Additionally, this is a very nice device elsewhere, and it’s also on our list of the best foldable phones. We are fans of its sizeable external display, gorgeous design, performance, and overall experience. The cameras are also pretty nice, even if they aren’t quite up there with the best of the best.

Of course, you can read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review to learn more about the device.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
AA Editor's Choice
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Solid dual-camera setup • Excellent build quality • Class-leading update commitment
MSRP: $1,099.99
The Flip gets refreshed.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 introduces several exciting updates over previous Flip phones. It is equipped with a larger battery, improved cooling, and a next-gen chipset. 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage mean you do not need to compromise on performance. The 3.4-inch front display offers info at a glance, while the 6.7-inch 22:9 main AMOLED display offers a 120Hz refresh rate.

Galaxy Z Flip 6 specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, Full HD+, 3.4-inch external with 720 x 748
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 256/512GB
  • Cameras: 50 and 12MP
  • Front camera: 10MP
  • Battery: 4,000mAh
  • Software: Android 14

OnePlus 12

Oneplus 12 back in hand - Best phone speakers
Ryan Haines / Android Authority

OnePlus doesn’t usually stand out in terms of speaker quality, but it did things right with the OnePlus 11, and the OnePlus 12 is keeping the momentum going. The stereo speakers are loud and punchy. There’s also support for Dolby Atmos and spatial audio.

Otherwise, it’s a pretty good phone, overall. We love the design, it has a stunning display, powerful performance, and the fast charging is insane at 100W (80W in the USA). The price is also pretty enticing at $800. While this often means OnePlus has to make some sacrifices to reach these price levels, our only real concerns are the cameras and the limited IP65 rating.

Otherwise, OnePlus seems to have addressed what was wrong with the OnePlus 11. The OnePlus 12 now has wireless charging support, and it can charge at amazingly fast 50W speeds.

OnePlus 12
OnePlus 12
AA Recommended
OnePlus 12
Bright, sharp display • Blistering-fast charging • Approachable price
MSRP: $799.00
The flagship killer returns.
The OnePlus 12 is an important update for the brand that never settles. The phone offers the latest and best technology, including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 50W wireless and 80W wired charging, next-gen Hasselblad cameras, and more.

OnePlus 12 specs:

  • Display: 6.82-inch, QHD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • RAM: 12/16/24GB
  • Storage: 256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 64, 50, and 48MP
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Battery: 5,400mAh
  • Software: Android 14

These are the best smartphone speakers, in our opinion. It’s rare that a phone doesn’t have some kind of loudspeaker, but this is all about those that do it better. We’ll also be keeping an eye on new models that fit the bill, so stay tuned for updates to this list of best phone speakers.

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