The Best Smartphones for Controlling Your Smart Home

Your smart home is only as good as the device in your hand. Whether you’re adjusting your lighting, checking your security cameras, or setting your motorised blinds before bed, your smartphone is the remote control for everything. So it’s worth choosing well.

Stuff Magazine has just updated their Top Ten smartphone rankings, and it got us thinking. We spend a lot of time on-site helping Cheshire homeowners get the most from their systems. One question that comes up more than you’d expect is: “Does it matter what phone I use?”

Short answer: yes, it does.

Why Your Phone Matters for Smart Home Control

Most smart home apps are available on both iOS and Android. But how well they perform depends on your hardware. A slow phone with a poor screen makes controlling a premium home automation system a frustrating experience. A good phone makes it feel effortless.

Here’s what to look for.

Processing Power

Smart home apps like Control4, Lutron, Loxone, and even the standard manufacturer apps pull a lot of data in real time. Camera feeds, automation schedules, lighting scenes, security alerts. You need a phone that handles all of that without lag.

The OnePlus 15 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max both sit at the top of Stuff’s rankings right now. Both deliver serious processing power with no noticeable slowdown. If you’re running a complex system across multiple zones, that performance matters.

Screen Quality

You’re going to be looking at your smart home app regularly. Maybe a lot. A bright, sharp screen makes a genuine difference, especially when you’re viewing camera feeds or navigating a full home automation dashboard.

The Google Pixel 9 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 are both worth a mention here. The Fold7 in particular has an expansive inner display that gives you a near-tablet experience in your pocket. If you’re managing a large property across multiple systems, that extra screen real estate is genuinely useful.

Battery Life

This one catches people out. If you’re using your phone as a regular control hub throughout the day, battery drain adds up quickly. Stuff flag battery life as a weak point on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, and we’d agree that’s worth factoring in before you commit to a device.

The OnePlus 15 and Pixel 9 both score well for stamina. For homeowners who want their phone to last a full day of smart home use without reaching for a charger, both are strong choices.

iOS or Android?

Honestly, this matters less than it used to. Most major smart home platforms support both. Apple HomeKit works exclusively within the Apple ecosystem, so if that’s your preferred route, stick with iPhone. For everything else, Android gives you more flexibility in how you set things up.

If you’re not sure which direction to go, it’s worth having that conversation before you invest in new hardware. The last thing you want is to buy a phone and then find your smart home system works better on the other platform.

What We Recommend to Our Clients

We don’t sell phones. But we do help our clients get the most from the systems we install. Here’s our honest take:

• iPhone 17 Pro Max is the pick if you’re in the Apple ecosystem or considering HomeKit integration.
• OnePlus 15 offers flagship performance at a more competitive price point. Excellent for Android-based systems.
• Google Pixel 9 is a strong all-rounder with a friendlier price than the Pro models.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 suits clients who want a larger display for dashboard-style control.

Any of these will handle a modern smart home system well. The key is making sure your phone and your smart home platform are a good match from the start.

Thinking About Upgrading Your Smart Home?

If you’re already investing in a new device, it might be the right moment to think about what your home automation setup looks like. A great phone in your hand and a well-designed smart home system behind it is a genuinely good combination.

We work with homeowners across Cheshire to design and install systems that are built around how you actually live. From smart lighting and motorised blinds to full home automation and security, we make sure everything works together properly.

Get in touch with the team at cheshiresmarthomes.com/contact/ and we can talk through what would work best for your home.