Best Phones for Watching Movies, Netflix, and YouTube [2024]

Finding the Best Mobile for Movies

Considering the rise in popularity of streaming services like Netflix, movies are now available in every home. The majority of individuals today prefer to relax at home while viewing their favourite movies. These days, you don’t even need a sizeable speaker system or display.

Your smartphone makes it possible to stream everything directly from the gadget in your hand. Today’s smartphones can typically deliver stunning video and excellent audio so you can watch your favorite movies at home.

Also, given that the majority of smartphones that come equipped with large, vivid screens, this article examines all of the models in the current generation and assessed their specifications as well as the features that make for a pleasurable viewing experience.

Our primary focus was on the screen, the audio, and all the little details that come into play when your stream a video or watch Netflix.

The phones on our list are the best for people who use their phone primarily as a mini-television, even if we are aware that there are better phones overall.

Best Phones for Watching Movies, Netflix, & YouTube

Here are the top options:

1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Overall Best

best phones for watching movies
Source: Amazon

If you are looking for a phone for watching Netflix or watching videos and listening to music then this phone comes with a huge OLED display.

The 7.6-inch 120Hz OLED panel provides you with a complete tablet view, making it the best Samsung phone for watching movies.

It has the processing power necessary to run any movie and provides a stable 120Hz OLED display.

However, the aspect ratio is much squarer than you might anticipate. Therefore, there will be black bars surrounding the film.

Still, it’s excellent for multitasking, and Samsung’s new taskbar allows you to switch between apps without constantly returning to the home screen.

At the same battery size, the Z Fold 4’s predecessor had a slightly shorter endurance of 7 hours when streaming YouTube videos.

Moreover, 8 hours and 15 minutes when browsing while using a fast refresh rate.

Pros

  • Wider front screen
  • Brighter display
  • Upgraded 50MP camera
  • Longer battery life

Cons

  • Still pricey
  • Thick and heavy
  • 4MP Camera
  • Crease still visible

2. iPhone 14 Pro: A High-End Pick

best value phones for streaming movies
Source: Amazon

If you desire iOS over Android and want a genuine flagship phone, you should consider the iPhone 14 Pro, which is now the greatest iPhone available.

The iPhone 14 Pro seems like a genuine improvement above the entry-level iPhone 14 for the first time.

Apple’s well-known tablet may please even the most discerning movie and music enthusiasts thanks to its 6.1 Super Retina XDR display, quick and easy user interface, and excellent overall sound.

Although the Apple A16 Bionic chipset still features a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, its processing and graphics are now much quicker.

On the iPhone 14 Pro, hybrid stereo speakers are included. This indicates that a stereo experience is provided by the earpiece working in conjunction with the bottom speaker.

The music is powerful, full of richness, and deep on the iPhone 14 Pro, which delivers an exceptional balance.

Another significant change is the camera. The camera utilizes a high-megapixel sensor to merge many pixels into one, giving you 12-megapixel photos.

The iPhone, however, easily captures the best video on the test, making it the genuine star when it comes to video.

The performance abilities are noticeably better than those of the Android rivals, and the screen is also the brightest and best we have tested.

Although the charging speeds are slow compared to phones from Oppo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, battery life is still good.

Pros

  • Gorgeous design and excellent build
  • 48-megapixel camera
  • Dynamic Island is a good-notch replacement
  • Always-on display
  • Fantastic speakers

Cons

  • Still just 3x optical zoom
  • Camera enhancements aren’t as huge
  • No USB-C

3. Samsung Galaxy S23: Best Value

Samsung S23
Source: Amazon

One of the best little phones in the world, the Samsung Galaxy S23, has lately gotten better.

It now has a bigger battery and is faster, stronger, and better connected. We anticipate the Galaxy S23 to become a fan favourite in the compact sector because it is still as compact, light, and appealing as ever.

The slim 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with expanded 1080p resolution and dynamic 120Hz refresh rate is still present in the Galaxy S23.

This big and gorgeous display is ideal for someone who is spending a lot of time watching videos and Netflix. The peak brightness of the panel is now 1750 nits, up from 1300 nits on the Galaxy S22.

The 50MP OIS primary camera, the 10MP 3x telephoto, and the 12MP ultrawide camera remain the same in the triple camera setup on the rear.

The selfie camera has been improved; it is now 12MP and supports Super HDR, while focusing and 4K recording are still options.

Two motion smoothness settings are available on the Samsung Galaxy S23: Adaptive (refresh rate) and Standard (refresh rate).

The Adaptive one, which can operate up to 120Hz, shifts between modes automatically, while the Standard one, which can operate up to 60Hz.

Depending on the frame rate, video streaming and playback are also done adaptively.

For instance, 24 fps films are displayed with 24 Hz refresh, and 30 fps videos with 30 Hz.

In addition, we even observed 60 Hz being used on 48 fps and 60 fps videos across various apps.

Moreover, the anticipated refresh rate of 120Hz will be achieved by hurling a 120fps video.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 has two stereo speakers: one is front-facing and is located right above the selfie camera.

Because the front device acts as an earpiece, this arrangement is sometimes referred to as a hybrid one.

The Dolby Atmos boost on the phone can be activated via Settings. Next, you have the option of selecting the Auto, Movie, Music, or Gaming sound modes.

Even better, the audio quality is superb; the voices sound terrific, plenty of high-frequency presence, and there is bass.

The Galaxy S23 lasted for 10 hours and 27 minutes in our initial battery test even while it isn’t among the top phone battery life of the gadgets we’ve tested.

Pros

  • Sturdy design, IP68.
  • Exemplary OLED screen.
  • Great battery life.
  • Superb stereo speakers.
  • Top-notch performance

Cons

  • No UltraWideBand support.
  • No charger in the box.

4. OnePlus 11: Long-Battery Life Phone for Watching Netflix and Youtube

Oneplus phone for Netflix and YouTube
Source: Amazon

The OnePlus 11 now has a third-generation LTPO OLED display with Dolby Vision support and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Moreover, it raises the resolution to QHD+.

Of course, all of those pixels are being handled by the newest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is combined with up to 16GB of RAM.

Included is the 6.7-inch AMOLED display, which uses adaptive refresh rate technology to let it go as high as 120Hz.

Additional notable features include Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos-optimized speakers, and improved cooling hardware.

This should make it possible to play mobile games and enjoy immersive multimedia on the go.

All of that is fantastic, but the camera selection is what really jumps out.

A powerful piece of equipment, the 50MP main back camera can take clear, vivid pictures both during the day and at night.

Even though it lacks popular features like wireless charging and an official IP certification and costs less than many competitors.

However, it’s not only a fantastic display. It features a 5,000mAh battery that will last the entire day and some extra time.

Pros

  • Great battery life
  • Improved cameras
  • Killer starting price
  • Excellent display
  • Smooth performance all around
  • Ships charger in the box
  • Amazing processor, RAM, and storage
  • Rapid charging

Cons

  • Only splashproof
  • No wireless charging
  • Glossy and slippery

5. Xiaomi 11T Pro: Affordable Pick

Xiaomi phone
Source: Amazon

A mid-range phone with a top-of-the-line chipset is the Xiaomi 11T Pro. It’s a little less expensive option than the Xiaomi Mi 11.

It has a 120W charger, 108-megapixel camera, Snapdragon 888 processor, and 120Hz AMOLED display.

Overall, it attracts customers seeking the greatest mid-range phone with high-end flare.

However, if gaming and video streaming are important to you, it boasts a bigger screen and louder stereo speakers, which are enormous pluses.

There are two storage options for the Xiaomi 11T Pro: 128GB and 256 GB. The 6.67-inch screen on the Xiaomi 11T Pro is one of several inexpensive Xiaomi handsets with excellent panels, but it does have a few perks.

First, as already indicated, it is shielded by Gorilla Glass Victus, as opposed to a lower-grade glass used in less expensive models.

Moreover, this screen is brighter than others. When used in a bright environment, Xiaomi claims that it can function at a functional brightness of 800 nits and a peak brightness of 1000 nits.

As a result of the 120Hz OLED screen, scrolling is much smoother than while in 60Hz mode.

In addition, Xiaomi gives you respectable control over the display’s color calibration, allowing you to select more vibrant or realistic representations.

Corning’s top-tier toughened glass, Gorilla Glass Victus, protects the Xiaomi 11T Pro display. The glass used in the OnePlus 9 Pro is below this.

There are some high-quality speakers included with the Xiaomi 11T Pro.

These speakers are more balanced and louder than others. They work well for watching videos, playing games, or simply listening to podcasts in a noisy setting.

The Xiaomi 11T Pro’s lack of a headphone port is standard for a phone of this calibre, and its IP53 water resistance rating is minimal.

This indicates that although a light drizzle should not be a problem, you should still use caution.

Those who worry about performance but don’t want to spend much money on a high-end processor might consider the Xiaomi 11T Pro.

It has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 CPU, just like some of the most costly smartphones available today.

Three cameras are located on the Xiaomi 11T Pro’s back and one is located on the front.

This is a great example of Xiaomi nailing the mid-price camera strategy, even though its 108-megapixel Samsung HM2 primary sensor is the star.

There are no extra or pointless cameras present. The other two back cameras are an 8-megapixel Sony IMX355 that, although having a low resolution, functions reasonably well, and a 5-megapixel macro.

The Xiaomi 11T Pro can capture videos at 30 frames per second in up to 8K resolution.

The 5000mAh battery of the Xiaomi 11T Pro is the current industry standard for Xiaomi smartphones.

It can easily survive an entire day of use and, in my opinion, outperforms the OnePlus 9.

The charging speed in this case is more interesting than the battery itself.

One of the few smartphones with 120W charging, or what Xiaomi calls HyperCharge, is this one. It is incredible how quickly it can power up the phone.

Pros

  • Incredibly fast to charge
  • Great performance
  • Excellent display
  • Fantastic audio

Cons

  • Overheating issues
  • No wireless charging
  • Lacks IP certification

Conclusion

We live with phones, use them constantly, and thoroughly test every feature and characteristic, from screens to cameras, sound to battery life.

If you spend a lot of time listening to music, watching Netflix or viewing videos, this curated list will help you find the best phone to watch movies on.

You should carefully read this review before making that crucial purchase decision because we place a special emphasis on audio and video performance.