Top 10 smartphones for listening to Christmas songs and carols this year
Not that Mariah Carey has become boring over the years because she’s everywhere all at once, but some phones can make her sound flat asf. And we do not condemn listening to music like you’re alone in public, but we also know not everyone enjoys headphones.
So, our team has put together a list of smartphones that’ll make the cheesiest of festive jingles sound like… music to your ears. (No, I couldn’t come up with anything better.)
A solid starter. Stereo speakers that won’t blow you away, but vocals stay clear and it handles moderate volume without cracking. Bass is weak, so don’t expect chest-thumping beats, but for carols in the kitchen or background music while wrapping presents, it’s fine. Specs-wise, it has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display and 33W fast charging, but here we care about the dual speakers, which punch above its price point.
A step up from the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro. Slightly richer mids and better stereo separation, so instruments feel more distinct. Still no bass monster, but it gives a cleaner sound for your cheesy jingles. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate, but in this context that just makes scrolling through your playlists smoother.
Compact but with a surprisingly good stereo setup. Bass is deeper than the Redmi phones and it can get louder without distortion. Vocals stay clear, making it great for filling a small room. Specs to note: 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, stereo speakers tuned by AKG, 120Hz refresh.
Stereo speakers are balanced and tuned for clarity, with a warm sound profile. Bass is still moderate, but mids and highs are clean, so acoustic and vocal-heavy Christmas songs shine. Specs-wise, 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display, 120Hz, stereo front-facing speakers, and HDR10+ support for watching music videos in style.
6. OnePlus 12
Flagship-level audio. Dual stereo speakers give punchy mids and clear highs, with bass that fills a medium room. Volume is strong without distortion, so your festive playlist doesn’t sound flat. Specs: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support. A proper step up if you like your music loud.
Sony’s doing what it does best. Front-facing stereo speakers are loud, balanced, and give decent bass for a phone. Instruments and vocals are distinct, so even the cheesiest jingles feel full. Specs: 6.5-inch OLED 4K display, stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, great for music videos too.
Stereo speakers tuned by AKG, clear highs, solid mids, and bass that actually has presence. Loud enough for a living room party, and vocals don’t get lost. Specs: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, stereo speakers, 5000mAh battery, so it can keep your playlist going for hours.
Stereo speakers that balance clarity and volume. Vocals are crisp, highs smooth, and it handles festive tracks without distortion. Specs: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, which really makes carols feel alive. Reliable and consistent.
Takes the standard 15 to another level. Stereo separation is better, bass slightly punchier, and spatial audio adds depth, so it feels like you’re in the room with the singers. Specs: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, A17 Pro chip, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. A proper flagship for Christmas vibes.
Top of the pile. Front-facing stereo speakers deliver crisp highs, full mids, and controlled bass. Spatial audio makes tracks immersive and lively, even your overplayed classics feel fresh. Specs: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR, A17 Pro chip, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Dolby Atmos. This is the phone to put on if you want the most detailed, enjoyable Christmas soundtrack experience.
And that’d be it. Some of these phones won’t blow your socks off, some will make you feel like you’ve got a mini-concert in your living room. Either way, they all handle music properly, so you can actually enjoy your festive playlist. Now what’s left is to pick one, hit play and see which tracks make you grin the most.