Key Takeaways
- Consider smartphones with long battery life, large displays, and durability for rideshare and delivery driving.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max offer top-tier features but at premium prices.
- Affordable options like Samsung Galaxy A54 5G provide value with solid performance and battery life.
- For unique needs, niche phones like Sonim XP10 and Motorola Moto G Power prioritize durability and battery.
Are you looking for a smartphone that can keep up with the constant demands of delivery and rideshare driving?
You’d be surprised by the wide variety of options that are perfect for the job. And no, they’re not all Apple and Samsung!
From flagship powerhouses and affordable workhorses to niche options you may have never heard of before, today’s guide rounds up the best phones for delivery and rideshare drivers.
Get ready to meet your new driving buddy!
| Smartphone | Screen Size | Battery Size | IP Rating | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | 6.8″ | 5,000 mAh | IP68 | 12GB |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | 6.7″ | 4,422 mAh | IP68 | 8GB |
| Google Pixel 8 Pro | 6.7″ | 5,050 mAh | IP68 | 12GB |
| Samsung Galaxy A54 5G | 6.4″ | 5,000 mAh | IP67 | 8GB |
| ASUS ROG Phone 8 | 6.78″ | 5,500 mAh | IP68 | 16GB |
| Sonim XP10 | 5.5″ | 5,000 mAh | IP68/69K | 6GB |
| Motorola Moto G Power | 6.5″ | 5,000 mAh | N/A | 4GB |
While the latest iPhone and Galaxy typically dominate smartphone round-ups (including this one), we found that some non-mainstream options may be better suited for the unique needs of delivery and rideshare drivers.
Don’t get us wrong; the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max pack remarkable power and are perfect for just about any job.
However, their premium price tags and top-of-the-line features may be overkill for the average delivery/rideshare job.
So even though the two flagships sit at the top of our list, we recommend paying close attention to the rest of our picks, as some may blow you away with their long battery life, sturdy construction, and overall bang for the buck.
1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Best Galaxy Overall
The beastly Samsung S24 Ultrabrings bleeding-edge innovation that’ll streamline your delivery/rideshare driving to the max.
Its massive 6.8″ QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display is an absolute stunner with its pin-sharp clarity and 120Hz buttery smoothness.
The new Snapdragon 9 Gen 3 chip under the hood can tear through any app, while the beefy 5,000 mAh battery should be enough to keep the phone up and running for as long as you can drive.
And with an IP68 rating, coupled with Gorilla Armor Glass, you don’t have to worry about water, dust, or screen scratches. The only thing you have to worry about is the eye-watering price tag!
2. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max – Best iPhone Overall
Not into Android phones, but are looking for a phone that’s just as powerful as the S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the answer, combining style and substance with a 6.7″ display, the latest A17 Bionic chip, and a battery that can last 1.5-2 days.
One feature that sets recent iPhone models (14 and later) apart from the competition is Crash Detection.
This is a safety feature that uses advanced sensors — paired with proprietary Apple algorithms — to detect severe car crashes and automatically dial emergency services.
Note: Between the 15 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max, the former has a slightly larger battery, thinner bezels around the display, and a better camera.
If these differences don’t mean that much to you, you may want to cut costs by opting for the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
3. Google Pixel 8 Pro – Best Value
From excellent specs like the Tensor G2 chipset and a 6.7″ QHD+ display with 120Hz responsive to AI-powered assistance, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is one of the most cost-effective smartphones on the market.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s strongest selling point has to be its 5,050 mAh adaptive battery, which can last for over 24 hours with moderate use. And if you turn on Extreme Battery Save mode, the battery can last well up to 72 hours!
Like most modern smartphones, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is IP68-rated for resistance to dust and water. Also, it was on YouTube and it survived, so it’s not a fragile phone by any means.
4. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G – Best for Budget
Priced under $500, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is one of those wallet-friendly workhorses that can do it all.
It features the octa-core Exynos 1380 chipset and up to 8GB memory, meaning it can run all rideshare and delivery mobile apps without a hitch.
There’s a lot to like about this smartphone apart from its performance and price. The 6.4″ FHD+ AMOLED Infinity-O display, in particular, is a complete head-turner, with crisp details and vivid colors.
You’d expect such an affordable smartphone to house a mediocre battery.
Still, the Galaxy A54 5G punches above its price range with a 5,000 mAh battery that can last you an entire shift, and it supports super-fast charging!
5. ASUS ROG Phone 8 – Best Specs
“Isn’t that a computer brand?” It is, but Asus also makes smartphones, with the ROG Phone 8 being one of the brand’s most notable offerings.
This smartphone is so powerful and responsive that it can hold its own against a gaming laptop!
Here’s what you get with this beast of a phone: 16GB RAM, 256GB storage, a 3.3GHz Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 5,500 mAh battery, and a 6.78″ FHD+ display.
Also, this smartphone is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance and houses a gigantic 5,500 mAh battery.
Granted, gig driving doesn’t require such top-of-the-line specs, but you’d be investing in a powerhouse device that you probably won’t need to replace for the next 3-5 years if you take good care of it.
Bonus: This smartphone can easily run the most graphically demanding mobile games out there!
6. Sonim XP10 – Highest Durability
“Built for those who produce, provide, and deliver” is how Sonim describes the XP10.
This niche phone embodies the phrase “built like a tank.” With its nigh-indestructive exterior, it can take a serious punch and survive abuse, no matter the work environment!
Despite its hefty profile, this smartphone is pretty compact, with its 5.5″ screen. It houses a 5,000 mAh battery that provides reliable power for entire work shifts and beyond without needing a second recharging session.
The XP10 comes with Android 12, 6GB of RAM, and a Qualcomm SM4350 Pro chipset, so it should be compatible with virtually all rideshare and delivery apps.
It’s not the most innovative or feature-rich option on the list, but in terms of durability, we give it an A+.
7. Motorola Moto G Power – Best Battery Life
Technically a niche smartphone, the Motorola Moto G Power is optimized for maximum battery life.
Its 5,000 mAh battery can last up to 2 full days on a single charge! You also get a 6.5″ display, octa-core performance, and 4GB RAM.
You’re probably thinking, how does the Moto G Power offer the best battery life if the ROG Phone 8 has a bigger battery?
The answer to that question is that battery life isn’t all about the battery’s capacity; it also has to do with factors like specs and display.
So while the ROG Phone 8 has a larger battery, its high-performance specs and Full HD display will consume a good chunk of its battery.
On the other hand, the Moto G Power’s humble specs help maximize battery life.
Since you’ll be relying on your phone to navigate, communicate with passengers/customers, and manage your driving gig, be sure to consider the following factors when choosing your new phone:
1. Battery Life
Rideshare and delivery driving jobs require having your phone screen on continuously.
They also require running a few apps at the same time, from courier-specific apps to navigation apps like Google Maps. This can quickly drain your phone’s battery life.
To make it through a full shift conveniently, you want to invest in a smartphone that has a large battery (around 4,000-5,000 mAh). It also helps if your phone has fast-charging capabilities and power-saving modes.
2. Display
A phone with a large, high-quality display will make it easier to see important details at a glance without straining your eyes.
Size-wise, choose a phone with a 6-to-7-inch display. If you prefer compact phones, there are options like the Sonim XP10 that are around 5.5 inches.
Size aside, make sure to get a smartphone that offers a high-resolution display that’s bright enough so you can see everything clearly even on sunny days.
It’s also a plus if the phone features adaptive brightness for automatic brightness adjustment.
Note: If you wear gloves while driving, make sure your phone’s touchscreen is responsive so you can easily switch between different apps and accept job requests without having to take your gloves off.
3. Durability
As a rideshare or delivery driver, your phone will get a lot of use. It’ll constantly be exposed to dust and debris, and it’s not unlikely that it’ll get dropped or scratched by accident a few times.
Unfortunately, even the most expensive smartphones on the market leave a lot to be desired when it comes to durability. Apple and Samsung phones aren’t necessarily built to ensure the rigors of gig driving, after all.
Generally, you want to look for a durable and water- and dust-resistant phone. You also want to use a protective case and a screen protector to reduce the wear and tear that comes with everyday use.
If you want to take things a step further, you can get yourself a niche phone built specifically for demanding work environments, like the Sonim XP10 or Motorola Moto G Power.
That way, you can use your niche device for work and leave your main phone in your pocket.
4. Compatibility
If you’re planning on buying an older smartphone — or even a refurbished one— to cut costs, it’s important to make sure that the phone’s specs and OS version are compatible with the delivery or rideshare app you’re going to use.
Note: Most delivery and rideshare apps require iOS 14 or newer for Apple users and Android 7.0 (Nougat) or newer for Android users. To add, they require a minimum of 2GB RAM.
5. Camera Quality
Since you may be required to capture photos of delivered packages as proof of delivery, you want to invest in a phone with a high-quality rear camera that can capture clear photos.
A good camera also helps you record accidents, inappropriate passenger behavior, unsafe conditions, etc. This, in some cases, could protect you from liability and assist with police reports if needed.
In general, more megapixels means better photo quality. It also helps to understand camera specs like pixel size, aperture, etc.
Closing Thoughts
Before we put a period on this post, we feel the need to remind you that the best smartphones for delivery/rideshare drivers aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones.
Many wallet-friendly phones are perfectly suited for gig driving.
Go for the Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max if you’re looking for a phone that’s excellent across the board.
However, if you champion a particular feature or attribute the most, we assure you that one of the other phones on the list will suffice at a fraction of the price of a flagship Samsung or Apple.
Also Read: The Best Phones for Uber Drivers in 2024 (Nokia phones and LG phones covered)
