After extensive testing, we’re ready to name the best smartphones of 2026, and we don’t take these recommendations lightly.
For most of us, our phone is the most important device we own. It’s a lifeline to friends and family, and our primary gateway to the internet. Unless you’re still carrying around a separate camera, your phone is also your means of documenting the world around you. There’s a lot riding on this pocket-sized gadget!
If you’re looking for your next phone, allow us to help. Mashable has been covering smartphones since 2011, and we’ve tested all of this year’s most exciting releases so far, including the latest Apple, Samsung, and Google flagships. Phones have definitely gotten more expensive this year, but we have recommendations for every budget across both iOS and Android operating systems.
Overview
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Best Android phone for most people
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$5.56/month for 36 months with trade-in on select Experience plans
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These are the tech, tools, and products — from laptops to e-readers, from earbuds to robovacs, and more — that Mashable ranks best in class.
Table of Contents
What about the iPhone Duo?
Apple recently announced the iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable phone. It’s not out until Oct. 23, but Mashable’s Stan Schroeder got to spend a little time with it at Apple Park earlier this month. (Read his hands-on first impressions.) Look for preorders starting on Oct. 16.
Check back by the end of the month to see if the foldable iPhone Duo earns a spot in our guide to the top smartphones of the year.
Why are the best phones so expensive right now?
The new Google Pixel 11 Pro has a $100 higher starting price than last year’s Pixel 10 Pro.Credit: René Ramos / Mashable
If you’re in the market for a new phone right now, you should know that it’ll cost you more than usual. The best phones were never cheap, but smartphone prices surged in 2026 amid a global RAM shortage driven by the AI boom (commonly known as “RAMageddon”). New AI data centers are hogging supplies of memory and SSD storage chips, driving up their prices. Consequently, consumer tech devices with memory components are also getting more expensive. RAMageddon price hikes have also taken their toll on laptops and gamingconsoles.
So far, we’ve seen Apple, Google, and Samsung all raise the prices of their new smartphones at launch. Apple also increased the prices of some older iPhones by $100 following its iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and Duo announcements. Meanwhile, as of Oct. 1, Samsung has raised prices on its S26 line by $100 to $200.
With this in mind, it’s especially wise to shop around for deals and carrier promotions before buying your new phone. Trading in an older device is the easiest way to save several hundred dollars on an upgrade. Some carriers will give you a new phone for free (in the form of monthly bill credits) if you also sign up for a new line or certain data plans. For example, the new iPhone 18 Pro is free with eligible trade-ins and plans through AT&T and T-Mobile.
Best iPhone for most people
$0 with trade-in on select Experience plans
T-Mobile
The Good & The Bad
- Great cameras
- Battery life got a boost from the previous generation
- Screen upgraded with 120Hz variable refresh rate
- Speedy performance
- Looks the same as the iPhone 16
- Apple Intelligence still feels half-baked compared to the competition
- Just got a $100 price bump
Who it’s for
The average iOS user:Most people will be perfectly happy with the regular iPhone. Fast, long-lasting, pretty, and equipped with nice cameras, it’s the Goldilocks of Apple handsets — not too basic, but not overkill.
Impatient folks:The Pro-level iPhone just got an upgrade, but the iPhone 18 probably isn’t launching until March 2027. If you can’t wait until then, last year’s iPhone 17 is still a rock-solid buy.
Read Mashable’s full review of the Apple iPhone 17.
Why we picked this
Apple didn’t reinvent the wheel with this one — we might get a more dramatic redesign next year — but the iPhone 17 is an awesome smartphone nonetheless. In fact, “It’s easily the most compelling standard iPhone in years,” per Mashable senior editor Stan Schroeder. As he pointed out in his review, it’s basically an iPhone 17 Pro with no telephoto lens, vapor chamber cooling system, or RAW video support. (That’s the extent of their tangible differences that we noticed in testing, but I’ll add that the regular iPhone also lacks a 1TB storage option.) If you’re not a specialty user in dire need of those features, it just makes sense to go with Apple’s mid-range phone. For a couple of hundred dollars less than a Pro model, you still get a buttery 120Hz display, stellar performance and battery life, and very capable main cameras with the iPhone 17. Its wider range of colors and less bulky, less polarizing design seals the deal.
Details
The Good & The Bad
- Very good cameras
- Slimmer camera bar than its predecessor; very comfy to hold
- Magic Capture and Rambler AI features are cool and genuinely useful
- Excellent battery life
- Hasn’t gotten a price hike, but…
- Google killed the cheapest 128GB base model
- Basically identical to last year’s model; no camera upgrades
Who it’s for
The average Android user:If you’re happily part of team Android, then Google makes some of the best phones in the mobile market. Google’s latest flagship phone is largely the same device as its Pro-tier models (save for some even better cameras and an underwhelming LED notification system), but it comes in safely under $1,000. Out of all the Android phones we’ve tried, this one strikes the happiest medium between value and features.
Parents:The Pixel 11 has a new Magic Capture camera feature that automatically takes and edits photos when you’re recording video. Instead of trying to capture both at once or wrangle fast-moving kiddos for a picture, you can stay in the moment.
Read Mashable’s full review of the Google Pixel 11.
Why we picked this
The new Google Pixel 11 proves that you can get everything you need in an Android phone for under $1,000.
Google fine-tuned its flagship phone with a thinner design and a newer, faster chipset for 2026. Like Apple’s regular iPhone, it’s still a very slick smartphone even though it’s not an exciting gen-over-gen upgrade. And also like Apple’s regular iPhone, it has a lot in common with its pricier Pro-tier counterpart. Better cameras and a sharper display with an anti-scratch coating are the biggest things you get for splurging. (The two phones have the same processor, form factor, and battery life.)
Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry approved of the Pixel 11’s performance, writing: “Apps load quickly and smoothly, on-device AI processing happens in a fairly snappy fashion, and the phone doesn’t run all that hot, even without a case.” Perry also called out the Pixel 11’s new AI-powered Magic Capture image capture feature and Rambler text-to-speech tool, which wowed him even as a self-proclaimed AI skeptic. Unavailable on older Pixel phones, they alone make a decent case for upgrading to the Pixel 11.
Details
Best affordable iPhone
$0 with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan
T-Mobile
The Good & The Bad
- Has MagSafe charging
- Starts with more storage than the previous generation
- Plenty fast
- Decent battery life
- Display has a choppier 60Hz refresh rate
- Mediocre camera
- Apple Intelligence still feels half-baked compared to the competition
- Just got a $100 price increase
Who it’s for
iOS users on a budget: The iPhone 17e is the cheapest, most accessible, most low-stakes entry point into the world of Apple phones.
People who stash their phones in their pockets:The 6.1-inch iPhone 17e is shorter than the iPhone 17 as well as the ultra-thin, ultralight iPhone Air. It’s not as light as the Air, but it’s damn near close. It’s the most compact traditional (non-flip or foldable) phone on this list.
Why we picked this
This spring, Apple refreshed its budget phone with MagSafe charging, more starting storage, and a more powerful chip (the same one inside the regular iPhone). The resulting iPhone 17e is a more convenient, future-proofed, and faster handset than before. It also takes slightly better photos in low-light settings. While the standard iPhone 17 is a nicer device overall with vastly better cameras and a smoother display, the iPhone 17e is still a good, reliable phone for penny-pinchers who like iOS. It’s a full $200 cheaper than its mid-tier counterpart, which is a significant difference for many shoppers.
Details
Best iPhone for photography
The Good & The Bad
- Fantastic cameras with new variable aperture
- Upgraded thermal system
- New A20 chip is incredibly fast
- Improved Dynamic Island
- Very good battery life
- New burgundy and glacier colors are stunning
- Looks the same as the iPhone 17 Pro
- $100 more expensive than its predecessor
- Apple Intelligence still feels half-baked compared to the competition
Who it’s for
Mobile photographers who prefer iOS:The iPhone 18 Pro takes fantastic photos in almost any environment, and it has much more customizable camera settings than lesser iPhones — including a physical variable aperture. (The iPhone 18 Pro Max has the same shooters, but it’s much less portable.)
Folks who really like Apple’s new burgundy color:The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are both available in the “dangerously chic” new hue, as Mashable’s Shannon Connellan put it. This model will appeal to more people because it’s slightly cheaper and more pocket-friendly.
Read Mashable’s full review of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
Why we picked this
Apple’s latest Pro-tier handset has upgraded cameras with a new variable aperture on its main lens and new creator-friendly Pro controls. There are new Photographic Styles, new Cinematic video effects, and a new Focus Tracking tool, to name a few. All of these upgrades make the iPhone 18 Pro best-suited for serious shutterbugs who really like to fine-tune their camera settings, said Schroeder. “That doesn’t mean the regular user won’t benefit,” he wrote, “but I do bet that the majority of people will try out the manual aperture setting once and then leave it on auto.”
Plus, the iPhone 18 Pro is configurable with up to 2TB of storage — it has plenty of room for all of your shots. Apple rounded out its spec sheet with a long battery life and a turbocharged A20 chip that gives it ample processing power for Siri AI.
Early reviewers have reported some color fading on the back of the burgundy and black iPhone 18 Pro, similar to the scratching problem on last year’s cosmic orange iPhone 17 Pro.
Details
Best Android splurge
$5.56/month for 36 months with trade-in on select Experience plans
T-Mobile
The Good & The Bad
- Beautiful 120Hz AMOLED display
- Very fast performance
- All-day battery life
- Privacy Display feature is rad
- Stellar cameras
- Comes with a built-in stylus for note-taking
- Pricey
- Very large; not easy to hold in one hand
- Thick camera bump means it doesn’t lay flat on its back
Who it’s for
“If there’s ever been a phone to make you ditch Apple, this is it,” said Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth. So, who should buy this pricey Android phone?
Advanced users: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a premium device with a zippy custom processor, a large, high-end display with stylus support, and elite cameras. It’s “too much phone” for the average person, to quote our review; only professional creatives and developers will be able to use it to its full potential.
AI enthusiasts: This handheld comes crammed with powerful AI tools, including pre-loaded Gemini, Perplexity, and Bixby AI assistants.
Privacy sticklers:The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a unique built-in Privacy Display that blacks out your screen to those around you. It’s not perfect, but it’s still pretty sick — and you can’t get it on any other phone, Android or otherwise.
Read Mashable’s full review of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Why we picked this
As of Oct. 1, Samsung has raised prices on the Galaxy S26 phones released back in March — and the phones were already more expensive than the S25 generation. That means a new S26 Ultra will cost you $1,399, while the 1TB version is a whopping $1,999. But, if you want the best possible Android phone, this is it.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the finest, most future-proofed Android smartphone you can buy right now. It’s faster than some mid-range laptops we’ve tried, so it can run just about any app, mobile game, or fancy AI feature you need it to. Plus, its upgraded vapor chamber makes sure it never breaks a sweat. Its display would be elite even if its cutting-edge privacy screen feature weren’t a thing — it’s so crisp and bright. Its battery lasts all day, and its cameras are almost unrivaled: Photos taken on the Galaxy S26 are vibrant and detailed, even at night or zoomed in quite a bit.
When it came to picking the best smartphone camera, we had a tough time choosing between it and the Google Pixel 11 Pro, but ultimately, the innovative privacy display gives it the edge.
Details
Best phone for battery life
$2.78/month for 36 months with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan
T-Mobile
The Good & The Bad
- Industry-leading battery life
- Fantastic cameras with new variable aperture
- Upgraded thermal system
- New A20 chip is incredibly fast
- Improved Dynamic Island
- New burgundy and glacier colors are stunning
- Very large and heavy
- Looks the same as the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- $100 more expensive than its predecessor
- Apple Intelligence still feels half-baked compared to the competition
Who it’s for
The most advanced iPhone ever built is here, and it doesn’t disappoint. So, who should buy the iPhone 18 Pro Max instead of the smaller iPhone 18 Pro?
Battery life maximizers: The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated for up to 45 hours of video playback. It’s the longest-lasting phone we’ve ever tested.
Mobile gamers:This handset features a blazing-fast processor and a huge vapor chamber thermal system, plus a smooth, crisp, and massive display.
People with big hands:At 8.78 ounces, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the heaviest phone on this list. It’s the same size as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, but weighs 16 percent more.
Why we picked this
Apple reorganized the components inside the iPhone 18 Pro Max to squeeze in a giant new battery that can run for nearly two days between charges. It’s so big that the company had to add a special setting that keeps it within shipping limits on battery sizes. It lasts up to nine hours longer than the smaller iPhone 18 Pro, no “Max.”
The iPhone 18 Pro Max’s A20 Pro chip ran laps around the competition in our benchmarking, and the new thermal management system that fills its chassis keeps it cool while you’re running demanding apps. Schroeder “tested this out by playing a few games of PUBG: Battlegrounds on the highest settings for a full hour,” and “The phone barely got warm,” he wrote. (Its battery life only fell by nine percent during that stress test, FWIW.)
The regular iPhone 18 Pro has the same hardware, but mobile gamers will appreciate the bigger screen on the “Max” version — it’s more immersive. The two phones are basically identical otherwise, including their shooter setup. Opt for this model if you want the best iPhone for battery life and cameras.
Details
Best Android phone for photography
The Good & The Bad
- Fabulous cameras with great zoom
- Magic Capture camera feature rocks
- Slightly brighter display than before
- Great everyday performance
- Great battery life
- Larger size available (Google Pixel 11 Pro XL)
- HiLight feature is a dud
- Bulky camera bar
- $100 more expensive than the previous generation (and starts with less RAM)
Who it’s for
Mobile photographers who prefer Android:The Pixel 11 Pro takes the best photos of any Android phone we’ve tested. Not only are its cameras spectacular, but it also supports some great software features that make sure its pictures turn out great every time — Magic Capture, for one. (The standard Pixel 11 also has these features, though its cameras aren’t quite as nice.)
Android users who want a high-end flagship with magnetic charging:Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, including the S26 Ultra, the Pixel 11 has built-in magnets. In other words, it supports magnetic charging by default. You don’t need to buy a separate case to make sure it’s securely attached to wireless chargers or accessories. (The regular Pixel 11 also has magnets, FWIW.)
Why we picked this
Admittedly, this category was a tight race between the Pixel 11 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. So, why did we pick the former? Take it from Mashable’s Perry: “Photography is fun on the Pixel 11 Pro, which is not something I feel about many handsets these days,” he wrote. “A combination of hardware and software makes your images consistently look nice, even in challenging lighting conditions.” Daytime shots, nighttime snaps, macro images, landscapes — in our experience, they all turn out great on the Pixel 11 Pro. Also worth noting: Google upgraded its digital zoom to a whopping 120x. (The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s digital zoom maxes out at 100x.)
Cameras aside, we also gave high marks to this phone for its capable everyday performance, multi-day battery life, brighter display, and attractive color options. Its HiLight feature is kind of a flop, but the rest of it makes up for that.
Details
Best affordable Android phone
The Good & The Bad
- Unique retro design
- Gorgeous and bright AMOLED display with premium 144Hz refresh rate
- Good performance for a budget phone
- Great battery life
- No price hikes so far
- Cameras’ picture quality heavily depends on good lighting
- Software features are hit or miss
Who it’s for
People who want to venture beyond Apple, Samsung, and Google: Nothing is a British tech company that also makes stylish and affordable headphones and smartwatches. This affordable handset proves that the best smartphones don’t have to cost you $1,000 and up.
Design enthusiasts:The Phone (4a) Pro sports the funky, retro-inspired look that Nothing has come to be known for.
People with the strictest budgets:Starting at $499 with 128GB of storage, this is the least expensive phone we recommend — now even more so after the iPhone 17e’s recent price bump.
Read Mashable’s full review of the Nothing (4a) Pro.
Why we picked this
“If you want an under-$500 phone with flair,” said Mashable contributor Adam Doud, “it doesn’t get more flair-ish than” the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro. It has a striking retro-industrial look with a cool Glyph Matrix display on the back, which shows you the time, battery life, and other status indicators and notifications when it’s face down. (Google just copied this feature, kind of.)
On the front, you’ll find a surprisingly sharp AMOLED display with a top-tier 144Hz refresh rate. Its mid-range processor isn’t fast enough to handle games, but it’s apt for everyday usage scenarios and easy on its battery: “I regularly got just under two days of light-medium use on a single charge.” Doud said. Google’s identically priced Pixel 10a takes better pictures, but we think this is the better, snazzier budget Android phone overall.
Details
Best foldable phone
The Good & The Bad
- Beautiful, bright inner display that opens wide passport-style
- Slim and super compact when folded
- More durable than last year’s model
- Fast performance
- $100 cheaper than its predecessor, but…
- Still so expensive
- Can run a little hot
- Cameras are fine but not amazing
Who it’s for
Commuters and frequent travelers: Samsung’s flagship foldable has a slim silhouette and a wide, gorgeous inner display that makes it great for on-the-go multitasking and entertainment (think reading, watching movies, or playing light games). It can replace an e-reader or tablet in a pinch.
Early adopters:Foldable phones aren’t in their infancy anymore, but they’re still pretty niche devices. If you’re a tech enthusiasts who wants to check out the latest and greatest in smartphone design, this is the gold standard for now.
People with cash to burn:The Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at an eye-watering $1,899.99, making it the most expensive phone on this list. (Samsung makes an even pricier foldable called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, but we like this model more.)
Read Mashable’s full review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Why we picked this
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold puts up a good fight, but Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the foldable to beat so far in 2026. (The iPhone Duo had better bring its A-game.) Its spacious inner AMOLED screen, which opens wide passport-style, is “far and away” its biggest asset, said Mashable’s Timothy Beck Werth. “The larger size results in a much more comfortable feel in your hand, and the keyboard is designed for you to use both thumbs, making typing faster, more accurate, and easier.”
The display has a glare-free finish that makes it easy to view in direct sunlight, as well as Samsung’s new “Flex Titanium” tech that keeps its crease subtle and hinge strong. Like the screen on the front of the device, it’s bright and smooth at 120Hz. Other highlights of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 include peppy multitasking performance and all-day battery life. While its cameras aren’t spectacular — most foldables’ shooters aren’t — they’re sufficient for most non-pro users.
Details
Best flip phone for most people
The Good & The Bad
- Thin, lightweight design; easy to hold in one hand
- Very cute pink color option
- Outer display works better than before
- Fast performance
- More durable than its predecessor
- Pricey; $100 more expensive than last year’s model
- Meh cameras for the money (though AI editing tools work well)
- Hard to unfold one-handed
Who it’s for
Teens with deep-pocketed parents:The trendy little Galaxy Z Flip 8 makes a great starter phone for a younger person (though it doesn’t have a “starter” price). It’s cute, durable, and easy to hold in one hand.
People who don’t obsess over photo quality:The Galaxy Z Flip 8’s cameras underwhelm compared to those on other non-flip phones that cost the same or slightly less.
Nostalgic Millennials:If you haven’t used a flip phone since the early 2000s, this is a great entry point into the modern market.
Why we picked this
In addition to your usual next-gen upgrades — a faster processor, a slightly thinner, lighter design — the Galaxy Z Flip 8 also features improved durability compared to last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 7. Like the Galaxy Z Fold 8, above, its new Flex Titanium display tech equates to a stronger hinge and a more subtle crease on its inner screen. Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth was particularly enamored by its small size and “charming good looks,” calling it “a smartphone with good vibes.”
Its color options are few but cute; the pink one won over our newsroom full of Apple users. While its cameras aren’t much to write home about as a whole, it takes great selfies (as long as you don’t use the selfie camera, ironically), and its AI image editing tools work really well. Regarding battery life, you should get over a day of use out of the Z Flip 8 before needing to charge it.
Details
Best flip phone splurge
The Good & The Bad
- Beautiful, brighter AMOLED displays with premium 165Hz refresh rates
- Easy to hold in one hand and stash in your pocket
- Fast performance
- Awesome battery life
- Very good cameras for a flip phone
- Pricey; $200 more expensive than its predecessor
- Only one storage option
Who it’s for
People who want a flip phone with great cameras: Flip phones aren’t known for taking amazing pictures — Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8, above, is pretty representative of the market — but this model is an exception.
Folks who want a long-lasting flip phone: The latest Razr Ultra can last up to a day and a half away from an outlet, depending on your usage.
Fashionistas: This flip phone comes in two chic, Pantone-approved colorways featuring unique back covers.
Read Mashable’s full review of the Motorola Razr Ultra.
Why we picked this
If you can spend a little more on your flip phone, we really like the 2026 Motorola Razr Ultra, which Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth deemed “a conversation-starting beauty.” Both of its pretty AMOLED displays (inner and outer) are bigger, smoother, and brighter than the ones on last year’s model.
Its external design is equally eye-catching: The Pantone Orient Blue model’s cover is finished in Alcantara, a suede-like microfiber, while the Pantone Cocoa one has a wood veneer on the back. It takes “surprisingly good photos for a foldable,” Beck Werth said — better than the Galaxy Z Flip 8 for sure — capturing natural-looking colors and handling bright scenes well. Its 36-hour battery life is also an improvement over its Samsung counterpart, which taps out at 31 hours (same with the mid-tier Razr+, which also underwhelmed in the photography department).
Details
TopicsAndroidAppleGoogleiOSiPhoneSamsung
What’s new
In early October 2026, I added two new picks to this guide after our latest round of testing:
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The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is now our favorite iPhone for photography.
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The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is our new battery life pick. It’s rated for up to 45 hours of video playback per charge, which makes it the longest-lasting phone we’ve ever tried.
What about the iPhone Air?
Released in fall 2025, the iPhone Air is Apple’s thinnest phone ever. Its ultra-sleek design is appealing, but it has worse battery life and inferior cameras compared to the standard iPhone 17 (which runs on the same processor… and costs $200 less). We think it’s a very pretty and well-made phone, but not one of the best overall. For more info, check out our iPhone Air review and our dedicated guide to the best iPhones.
MORE:
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How we tested
Mashable has been covering phones for over a decade and a half, since the launch of the iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy S II, and Motorola Droid Razr in 2011. As of 2026, our team uses the following metrics to test and evaluate the best smartphones:
We spend several days to weeks with every phone we review. We stress test them by playing games on them, opening multiple apps at once, and trying any unique software features they support. We quantify their performance using Primate Labs’ Geekbench CPU benchmark.
Throughout our testing periods, we measure how much a phone’s battery drains with heavy usage. We also see how fast it charges. In more recent phone reviews, we’ve started conducted an additional video rundown test using “Tears of Steel,” an open-
We assess the overall design, construction, and ergonomics of each phone as we use it. Is it comfortable to hold? Can it fit in a pocket? How sharp is its display? Is it waterproof? What colors does it come in?
We test each of the phone’s cameras in a variety of lighting conditions and settings. We take photos indoors and outdoors, in low and bright light; we get macro, zoom, and night shots, and we snap a bunch of selfies. We include the photos in our reviews for reference.
Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth and tech reporter Alex Perry also contributed to this guide.
Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons.
