There's no replacement for watching the big game on the big screen, but sometimes that's just not possible. If you're working, travelling, or just hiding in the toilet, your smartphone will have to do.
Thankfully we've got some stellar options for you, so you won't miss a moment just because you've had enough of your family. Check out the best ways to watch the World Cup when you're away from the TV.
And if you are hiding in the toilet? Don't worry, we won't tell anyone.
Best Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The S26 Ultra might be newer, but the picture improvements over the Award-winning S25 equivalent are minimal. And you can pick up the S25 Ultra at a discount now it has been replaced by a younger model.
Its 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen does a great job. In our review, we praised it as "one of the most impressive smartphone displays we’ve seen in a long while," which may explain why we gave it an Award.
It's fantastic at prioritising the action, with a solid-feeling three dimensional image. "Actors in the foreground of the shot are clearly separated from the background, and the sense of space is truly impressive," we noted. Which means the players will be clearly delineated from the crowd, advertising boards and whatever else is behind them.
The colours are great, too. Just avoid the vivid mode, as while it amps up the brightness, it also deprives the picture of any sense of realism.
Best Apple
Apple iPhone 17
Yes, there are bigger phones than the 6.3-inch iPhone 17. But if it's an all-round movie and sports machine you're looking for, this Award-winner is tough to beat.
The 3000 nits peak brightness will make the action legible even in a daylight (or in a brightly-lit room) and the refresh rate automatically adjusts from 1 to 120Hz as the need requires – not only will this keep up with the fastest-moving football action, it will also save precious battery when rendering slower or static content. So you shouldn't run out of juice just as it goes to penalties.
It helps that it's an all-round excellent phone, too, and you can currently pick it up cheaper than at launch.
Best mid-range
Apple iPhone 16e
If you don't want to miss the action, but at the same time don't want to spend too much, the iPhone 16e is perfect.
The 6.1-inch screen is the smallest featured here, but it still delivers. "Beautifully sharp" was our verdict, able to crisply define characters without sacrificing the lushness of the foliage behind them (imagine that but with footballers and a jeering crowd). The picture is nice and contrasty too, so the dark parts look suitably dark and you'll need sunglasses for the bright parts.
As an added bonus, the 16e is cheaper than the newer 17e, and much cheaper than the full-fat iPhone 17. Win-win.
Best budget
Sony Xperia 10 VI
For the Xperia 10 VI, Sony scrimped on the materials and the camera, but if neither are that important to you, this is a great – and very affordable – way to get a top-notch portable viewing experience.
The picture is striking yet balanced, which isn't an easy tightrope to walk. There's plenty of detail, which when added to the balanced colours make for an appealingly naturalistic image. Which should make those World Cup moments more vivid and lifelike than ever.
MORE:
Check out the best smartphones for music and movies
The headphones World Cup: which audio brands are winning over football's elite?
