With so much personal information stored on our smartphones, choosing a device that offers a range of security measures to keep your data protected is paramount. Whether you need a robust encryption system or you’re trying to be a little more security conscious, there’s a wide range of smartphones on the market with top-notch security features to try. Read on for expert advice from iD Mobile. brought to you by Currys on the most secure phones of 2026 or browse pay monthly phones.
Most secure Android phone: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Whilst the extra slim design of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the leading USP for this handset, its impressive security features stand out in the quality smartphone world. If you’re looking for a high-level security Android that’s packed with powerful protection from the inside out, this is the one for you.
The S25 Edge arrives fully equipped with Samsung Knox Vault, Samsung’s Personal Data Engine. First introduced in 2023, the defence-grade Knox Vault has gone from strength to strength. It automatically encrypts your personal data to ensure that it’s accessible to you and only you and is enabled as soon as you switch your phone on. Meanwhile, the Knox Matrix Trust Chain means you can quickly connect to your other devices, and monitor their security directly through your smartphone.
Running on One UI 7, extensive privacy controls allow for greater protection over your device and personal information. One feature that’s caught our eye in particular is the improved anti-theft detection measures in place. Remote Lock lets you wipe your device remotely if it’s been stolen, while enhanced user control over app permissions makes sure you can select which areas of your phone you want to protect. You can find out more about this handset in our S25 Edge review.
- Release date: May 2025
- Dimensions: 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8mm
- Weight: 163g
- Display size and resolution: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (3120 x 1440)
- OS: Android
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 12GB
- Battery: 3,900 mAh
- Rear cameras: 200MP + 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Samsung Knox Vault ensures secure hardware isolation
- Anti-theft detection locks the phone when sensing snatch movements
- One UI 7 privacy controls allow greater protection of your data
Best for protection against hacking: Google Pixel 10 Pro
If you’re concerned about hacking, the Google Pixel 10 Pro’s excellent security measures are sure to give you some peace of mind. Launching with Android 16, Google Pixel 10 Pro users are supported with up to 7 years of security updates, that keep your phone in line with the latest security and shielding measures.
Switch the 6.3-inch Super Actua display on, and you’ll be greeted with a Class 3 biometric face and fingerprint lock, which uses machine learning to stop unauthorised users from accessing your phone. Dig further, and you’ll find a specific set of memory attack protections in place, all supported by the powerful Google Tensor G5 chip.
The Pixel series stand out thanks to Google’s built-in VPN, and the 10 Pro is no different. VPN by Google lets you access public Wi-Fi spots – like browsing with free Wi-Fi when you’re waiting for a flight – without the worry of anyone listening in to your Internet searches. As an extra mark of reassurance, Google have committed to never using their in-built VPN to serve you personalised ads, or track, collect and sell your online activity.
There’s also precautions in place in other areas of the handset. Much-lauded AI features like Live Translate, Spam Detection and Smart Reply are all covered by layers of hardware security, which means you can use the excellent range of AI tools on offer with the Pixel 10 Pro, without compromising your safety or revealing any personal information to hackers.
- Release date: August 2025
- Dimensions: 152.8 x 72 x 8.6 mm
- Weight: 207g
- Display size and resolution: 6.3-inch Super Actua Display (1280 x 2856)
- OS: Android 16
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
- CPU: Google Tensor G5
- RAM: 16GB
- Battery: 4,870mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP + 48MP + 48MP
- Front camera: 42MP
- IP rating: IP68
- A Class 3 biometric unlock system keeps your handset secure
- Titan M2 chip gives you gold-standard security
- Built-in VPN and anti-phishing tools protect you and your data
Most secure iPhone: iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple have a spectacular line-up of handsets that offer security protections, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max should be considered as one of the best. Before you’re even able to access the device, you’ll have to get past Apple’s Advanced Face ID system, with Secure Enclave there to further protect your biometric information.
Arriving out-of-the-box with iOS 18, you can instantly expect an array of features such as app locking, tracking alerts, and permission controls to help secure your personal data. The user-friendly interface on the iPhone 16 Pro Max makes it quick and easy to choose the security measure you want to implement, with a degree of personalisation that feels reassuring and easy to understand.
You’ll get additional peace of mind through a mic and camera activity indicator. This turns on a green or orange light when the camera or microphone are being used through an app, meaning you’ll instantly be able to tell when sound or video is being picked up when you’re not intending it to be. For enhanced malware defence, the Secure Boot and Lockdown Mode features are optional security tools that you can turn on to protect yourself from targeted cyber-attacks.
There’s measures in place to keep you safe as well as your data, too. Satellite SOS and Crash Detection can be activated on the iPhone 16 Pro Max to alert emergency services and your emergency contacts if you’ve been in an accident.
- Release date: September 2024
- Dimensions: 163 x 77.6 x 8.25mm
- Weight: 227g
- Display size and resolution: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display (2868x1320)
- OS: iOS 18
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
- CPU: A18 Pro chip
- RAM: 8GB
- Battery: Up to 33 hours of video playback
- Rear cameras: 48MP + 48MP + 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Advanced Face ID protects your handset from unauthorised access
- Camera lights will indicate that the mic or camera are actively being used
- Secure Boot and Lockdown Mode provide extra malware defence
- IP68 rating protects your phone’s physical security
Best for secure browsing: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7
Another top-of-the-range Samsung smartphone is the Galaxy Z Fold7, promising seven years of security updates from launch in July 2025.
The Z Fold7 uses quantum-resistant Secure Wi-Fi, which can disguise your IP address, and encrypt data through a VPN-style model for guaranteed confidentiality. You can browse with the confidence that your data is safe from unwanted eyes, whether you’re connecting to public or private Wi-Fi. If you’re a regular coffee-shop-remote-worker or frequent flier, there’s also the option to upgrade for greater protection – a nice touch considering the Z Fold7’s huge screen is ideal for working on the go.
As well as the Samsung Knox Vault and Matrix we’ve noted previously, the Galaxy Z Fold7 also has a range of personalised security levels. Choose whether to implement permissions for accessing the camera, microphone, and your locations – you can also choose which apps can access your sensitive data. You can find out more about this fantastic foldable in our Z Fold7 review.
- Release date: July 2025
- Dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm
- Weight: 215g
- Display size and resolution: Unfolded display: 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2184 x 1968), Folded display: 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x (2520 x 1080)
- OS: Android
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 12GB
- Battery: 4,400mAh
- Rear cameras: 200MP + 12MP + 10MP
- Front camera: 10MP
- IP rating: IP48
- Quantum-resistant Secure Wi-Fi encrypts online data to keep your personal details confidential
- The excellent Samsung Knox Vault effectively secures your personal information
- You’ll receive seven years of advanced security updates
Best mid-range secure phone: iPhone 16e
Making sure secure, protected smartphones are available to everyone, the iPhone 16e takes Apple's most powerful security features and packages them into an exceptional mid-range handset. Even the first entry point to your phone, Face ID, is protected by Secure Enclave. This key manager is isolated from your phone’s main processor to give your data an extra layer of security – which means biometric data like Face ID is encrypted and kept safe from prying eyes.
Apple haven’t held back in terms of packing the 16e full of updated security features, all of which stand up against other handsets in the 16 series. Notable mentions include Secure Boot to prevent the installation of malware, and Activation Lock allows you to lock and wipe your device remotely. The Mail Privacy Protection feature also hides your IP address to stop showing senders when you open emails.
The new-and-improved personalisation features that arrived with iOS 18 play a part in the 16e’s security, too. Choose which apps are visible on your home screen – and those which you want a little more privacy behind, you can securely hide in a locked folder. Once they’re in the hidden folder, your apps won’t appear in notifications or your search bar, and can only be accessed via your phone password or Face ID.
- Release date: February 2025
- Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm
- Weight: 167g
- Display size and resolution: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display (2532x1170)
- OS: iOS 18
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB
- CPU: A18
- Battery: Up to 26 hours of video playback
- Rear cameras: 2-in-1 48MP fusion camera
- Front camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Mid-range price point makes the 16e a fantastic secure phone on a tighter budget
- End-to-end encryption keeps your personal data secure
- iOS 18 gives you access to Apple’s full range of excellent security features
If you rely on AirTags alongside your iPhone to keep an eye on your other devices, you might find that the 16e’s capabilities for tracking aren’t quite as sophisticated as the flagship handsets in the iPhone 16 range, thanks to the omission of the Ultra Wideband chip. However, you’ll still be able to access the address of your AirTag, which, in our eyes, is a great option to consider.
Summary
While security might not be the most eye-catching of features when you’re on the hunt for a new phone, it’s a crucial consideration for your next handset. Whether you're looking for flagship protection or budget-friendly peace of mind, the phones we've covered prove that security doesn't have to be a compromise. If you're exploring more secure and cost-effective options, check out our expert guide to buying a refurbished phone for more choices.
FAQs
Samsung and Apple offer a range of impressive and robust security features to protect your device, with both brands regularly making strides to further protect your data. Apple have a reputation for excellent phone security, while Samsung’s Knox Vault isolates and stores sensitive data for an extra layer of protection.
Samsung implement a range of active precautions and safety measures to prevent hacking, but no device is ever absolutely safe. It’s always important to do your research and stay vigilant to potential threats and malware attempts.
Both Google and Samsung phones now offer seven years of security updates for their more recent handset launches, while Apple offers a minimum of five years.
Our refurbished phones are all professionally tested, checked and refreshed to make sure each one is functional and secure. Make sure you buy a refurbished phone through a trusted channel to avoid any potential security threats.