The most effective smartphones to purchase in 2025

You may have already got a good suggestion of which smartphone you need to be your subsequent one. However there are extra strong choices obtainable now than ever earlier than, making the choice not as cut-and-dry because it was once. Whereas the choice is a bit simpler if you need an iPhone, there’s even sufficient variation between these new fashions that you’ll have to consider it longer than you anticipated. For those who’re an Android individual, you may have much more choices to select from — together with foldables — and extra inquiries to reply earlier than you spend any cash.

At Engadget, we evaluate telephones often and have examined dozens through the years. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on one in all our present prime picks, one in all Samsung’s Galaxy S25 telephones, a cheap phone or one other gadget, we’re right here that will help you determine which is the very best cellphone to purchase this 12 months.

Android or iOS?

While you’re looking for the very best smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its execs and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it tremendous straightforward to share information between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off cellphone calls or music from one gadget to a different. On the similar time, you’re successfully locked in, as providers like Apple Messages aren’t obtainable on different platforms.

As for Android, there’s a a lot wider vary of handsets from firms like Google, Samsung, Sony and extra. Nonetheless, Android telephones don’t take pleasure in that very same size of software program help and sometimes have decrease trade-in values. Briefly, there’s no unsuitable reply. Nonetheless, it would be best to take into account how your cellphone will slot in with the remainder of your gadgets. So except you’re actually fed up with one OS and prepared to study one other, it in all probability doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to change from an iPhone to an Android cellphone (or vice versa) – particularly if everybody else in your family is utilizing the identical platform.

Cameras

Since your cellular phone typically pulls double responsibility as your main digital camera, determining what sort of picture instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take an amazing image in brilliant mild. However if you need an extended optical zoom, you’ll in all probability should improve to a dearer gadget.

Shut up of the Pixel 6 Professional’s digital camera bump.

Mid-range phones typically solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digital camera) and may generally battle in low-light conditions. Every cellphone maker additionally has numerous options that is perhaps a greater match to your fashion, with Apple providing 4 completely different colour presets on the most recent iPhones, whereas Google’s Pixel 9 Professional comes with neat instruments like devoted lengthy publicity and Motion Pan modes.

Will you get mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?

The excellent news is that in 2025, most telephones have no less than Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and help for some sort of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, if you need the quickest wi-fi speeds attainable, it’s going to value you just a little additional. For instance, on sure networks, mmWave 5G affords as much as gigabit obtain speeds, much less latency and higher bandwidth. However mmWave 5G additionally requires extra subtle (and pricier) modems, which suggests help for it’s typically lacking on inexpensive gadgets.

On the brilliant facet, mmWave 5G isn’t as extensively obtainable as different variations of 5G, so relying on the place you reside and what community you’re on, you will not be lacking out on a lot proper now for those who purchase a cellphone that doesn’t help it. It’s the same scenario for Wi-Fi 7, which is obtainable on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S25, however tougher to seek out on cheaper gadgets. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so except you want it or have a particular use case in thoughts, the dearth of help for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when searching for a brand new cellphone.

Different options to contemplate

As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the very best cellphone, it is best to take into consideration another specs that is perhaps additional essential for you. Cellular players will nearly definitely recognize the 120Hz refresh charges you get on telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 16 Professional. Alternatively, if lengthy battery life is essential, you’ll in all probability need to go along with a bigger iPhone or an Android cellphone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in measurement. In the meantime, if you end up juggling a whole lot of gadgets, it may be very nice to have a cellphone that helps reverse wi-fi charging, which on Samsung telephones even helps you to recharge the corporate’s Galaxy Watches.

Picture by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Learn our full iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max review

Display measurement: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: Twin eSim | Battery Life: About in the future

Similar to final 12 months, if you need the very best iPhone expertise, it is best to get an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Professional Max. Not solely is there not a lot of a leap between the 2 in relation to digital camera array or basic efficiency, however these handsets will get all the advantages of Apple Intelligence — on prime of the useful customizations that comes with iOS 18.

The iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max have barely completely different sizes this time round: 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. Apart from that which means you’ll should shell out cash for a brand new case for those who improve, it received’t make an excessive amount of of a distinction in common use. The largest {hardware} variations that you simply’ll completely discover are the Digital camera Management button and the Fusion Digital camera. The previous is a brand new facet button that has contact and stress sensors, making it simpler to not solely launch the Digital camera app however management issues like publicity once you’re really taking photographs. As we found in our testing for the iPhone 16 Professional evaluate, it’ll take a little bit of getting used to at first. However total, the Digital camera Management button is a web constructive that shutterbugs will recognize.

The brand new Fusion Digital camera sports activities a sooner quad-pixel sensor, amongst different enhancements, and permits for 4K video at 120 fps in Dolby Imaginative and prescient and “zero shutter lag.” The latter means you’ll be capable of really seize the second once you press the button, slightly than the second proper after it. The Fusion Digital camera additionally helps new options like Photographic Types, that are enjoyable enhancements which are much more customizable than common filters.

Elsewhere, the brand new A18 Professional chipset offers glorious efficiency for each the iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, plus help for Apple Intelligence. Whereas in years previous, there would have been a big distinction within the Professional and Professional Max digital camera arrays, this 12 months that hole isn’t as noticeable. The place you will note main positive factors with the Professional Max is battery life — it’ll final two days (like its 15 predecessor), whereas the usual 16 Professional has simply full-day battery life. Solely you possibly can determine if that’s price ponying up the additional $200 for the Max, however regardless, each the Professional and Professional Max handsets supply stellar efficiency, glorious images chops, enhanced customization with iOS 18 and (quickly) the complete host of Apple Intelligence options. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor

Execs

Quick digital camera with top quality video seize
Photographic types are efficient and fairly
Good customizations obtainable all through

Cons

Comparatively quick battery life
Digital camera Management is not good

$999 at Apple

Google

Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review

(Pixel 9 Professional) Display measurement: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: 24+ hours

Lastly, a smaller Pixel Professional. Google’s Pixel sequence has lengthy been among the best Android telephones round, with the Professional mannequin being the superior model. However it was all the time just a little too huge and too cumbersome for these of us who’ve smaller fingers or need our telephones to slot in our pockets. Cue the Pixel 9 Pro, which is the littler model of the Pixel 9 Professional XL. As a substitute of a comparatively giant 6.8-inch display screen like that on its larger sibling, the usual Professional has a 6.3-inch show that’s straightforward to maneuver. No extra worrying about dropping your Pixel Professional simply since you fumbled whereas making an attempt to succeed in the highest of the display screen!

Higher but, with the Pixel 9 Professional, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key characteristic to get to the smaller measurement, which means you will discover the identical digital camera setup and efficiency in each handsets. The one actual variations are the display screen measurement, battery and charging speeds, because the non-XL mannequin recharges at a barely slower charge. However the Pixel 9 Professional can also be a lot longer-lasting than the XL, notching nearly 25 hours on our battery take a look at.

These distinctions apart, the Pixel 9 Professional lineup is our favourite Android cellphone due to its top-notch digital camera efficiency, intriguing AI options and a basic grown-up vibe. Whereas earlier Pixel flagships had a colourful, blocky design that felt recent, this 12 months’s gadgets really feel strong and refined. And, dare we are saying it, nearly like iPhones. With out the digital camera bars, they’d be fairly arduous to inform aside from Apple’s telephones.

Presumably as a result of it is grown up a lot through the years, however the Pixel telephones now value the identical as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional each begin at $999, and although a few of us have come to think about Google’s handsets because the extra competitively priced possibility, this 12 months’s mannequin is perhaps ok to justify a premium worth. For those who nonetheless need one thing from the Pixel 9 household however do not need to pay $1,000, the bottom Pixel 9 remains to be a strong handset for most individuals. However because it stands, the Pixel 9 Professional is the very best Android handset cash can purchase. — Cherlynn Low, Managing Editor

Execs

Nice digital camera options and improved telephoto digital camera
A 12 months of Gemini Superior free of charge
Unimaginable battery life
A gorgeous, brilliant display screen that’s straightforward to make use of outdoor
Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor

Cons

Slower charging speeds than the XL
Not the very best cellphone for gaming

$999 at Google

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Learn our full iPhone 16e review

Display measurement: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM help: Twin eSim | Battery Life: Greater than 24 hours

The iPhone 16e is nearer in specs to the iPhone 16 than the iPhone SE was to the iPhone 13. And that makes selecting which iPhone to purchase tougher than ever. Do you have to save $200 and quit a twin digital camera, Dynamic Island, Digital camera Management and MagSafe? That relies upon largely in your priorities and funds.

Whereas I feel that anybody who can afford the worth distinction ought to go for the iPhone 16 over the iPhone 16e, I can’t deny that that is Apple’s finest entry-level iPhone up to now. It has an Motion button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter display screen and an A18 chip that permits Apple Intelligence. My largest considerations with it are limitations introduced on by its single rear digital camera setup — issues like not with the ability to seize ultrawide photographs or Portrait mode not working if there isn’t a face within the scene. For those who’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, it is best to take into account whether or not the improved digital camera sensor is price giving up an ultrawide digital camera for. Whether it is, and for those who can stay with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless objects, the iPhone 16e’s digital camera will likely be satisfying.

There are different components to contemplate, like whether or not you often use MagSafe equipment or wi-fi charging. For those who do, then the iPhone 16e will frustrate you because it doesn’t work with the magnetic attachment system (you may get a MagSafe case to treatment this) and fees at a slower pace than the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 (however there’s no repair for this). You possibly can take into account the $699 iPhone 15 for a greater digital camera and wi-fi charging expertise, however you’ll be giving up Apple Intelligence and an Motion button. — C.L.

Execs

Strong efficiency
Lengthy battery life
Clear, sturdy design
Brilliant, vibrant display screen

Cons

Just one rear digital camera, resulting in many limitations
Costly in comparison with earlier iPhone SE
No MagSafe

$599 at Apple

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Learn our full Google Pixel 9a review

Display measurement: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: As much as 28 hours

The Pixel 9a is not particularly flashy and it does not have any particular options that are not already obtainable on its dearer siblings. In actual fact, it really has slower charging and it is lacking help for a few of Google’s homegrown software program just like the Screenshots app. However for everybody who simply desires a easy cellphone with a strong design, a pleasant display screen, glorious cameras and powerful battery life, the Pixel 9a is actually arduous to beat. So whereas it is not tremendous fancy, the cellphone has all of its most essential bases coated (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this cellphone seems like an unimaginable deal that punches effectively above its worth. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter

Execs

Glossy design
Superior battery life
Good show
Nice cameras
IP68 ranking for mud and water resistance

Cons

Charging could possibly be sooner
No Pixel Screenshot app
Macro Focus mode could be a bit finicky

$499 at Amazon

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review

Display measurement: 8-inch (essential) 6.5-inch (folded) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 24 hours

One of many largest points with foldable telephones is the added measurement and weight that always comes with the inclusion of a versatile show. Samsung has made {that a} factor of the previous on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which sports activities bigger screens — each inside and outside — whereas being 26 p.c thinner than earlier than. And as if that wasn’t sufficient, the Z Fold 7 additionally options improved sturdiness, elevated efficiency and a brand new 200MP essential digital camera, matching or exceeding what you get from conventional flagship smartphones. The primary downsides are that at $2,000, it is nonetheless removed from inexpensive and for long-time Samsung followers, the lack of S Pen help could also be a dealbreaker. However for many who need to expertise new heights in foldable cellphone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of recent gadget design. — S.R.

Execs

Exquisitely skinny design
Sleeker hinge
Large 200MP essential digital camera
Bigger shows
High-tier efficiency

Cons

Very costly
No S Pen help
Mediocre charging speeds

$2,120 at Amazon

Mat Smith for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review

Display measurement: 6.9-inch (essential) 4.1-inch (entrance) | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 31 hours

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a slimmer design and considerably improved battery life. With a bigger, brighter entrance show, it’s simpler to make use of and the hinge mechanism has additionally been strengthened for a extra strong really feel.

Regardless of it being the smaller mannequin of Samsung’s foldable household, the corporate made the first show even larger and introduced it nearer to the standard side ratios of most conventional smartphones. It’s one other good enchancment that makes the Flip 7 simpler to make use of than its predecessors.

A bigger battery has considerably prolonged how lengthy Samsung’s newest Flip can run for between fees, though it runs just a little sizzling with heavy apps, duties and video games.

Software program additions embody the Now Bar and Gemini Stay integration for the entrance show, however utilizing most different apps nonetheless requires a widget launcher workaround.

Nonetheless, the cameras stay largely unchanged from the earlier mannequin, with a 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide lens. Sadly there’s nonetheless no devoted telephoto lens, which makes it much less helpful in some taking pictures conditions. Different areas are lengthy due an improve, too, just like the Flip 7’s sluggish charging speeds. — Mat Smith, UK Bureau Chief

Execs

Greater entrance display screen
Higher battery life
Slimmer design

Cons

Cameras are dated
Entrance display screen utility remains to be restricted
Sluggish cost pace

$1,190 at Amazon

Different smartphones we have examined

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely

Like its predecessor, the S25 Ultra is an extremely versatile cellphone. It’s one of many few handsets that include an included stylus and premium options like a beautiful 6.9-inch AMOLED show, titanium body and a 5x telephoto digital camera. It additionally has glorious efficiency and powerful battery life. The problem is that, except for improved AI, this 12 months’s cellphone doesn’t supply that rather more than the earlier mannequin (or the one earlier than that), and with costs beginning at $1,300, we really feel it must do extra to earn a prime decide spot.

OnePlus 13

Whereas the OnePlus 13 options some primary AI options like Google’s Circle to Search and Gemini assistant, it’s actually simply an old school flagship in all the very best methods. That’s as a result of as a substitute of specializing in machine studying, OnePlus crammed the cellphone with tons of top-notch {hardware}. It sports activities a 6.8-inch OLED show with an unimaginable peak brightness of as much as 4,500 nits. The OP13 additionally affords glorious efficiency because of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, together with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There are additionally three 50-MP rear cameras together with one with a 3x telephoto zoom and a large 6,000 mAh battery that’s larger than what you get in virtually all of its rivals.

OnePlus didn’t skimp on the cellphone’s design both, because the OP13 nonetheless comes with the corporate’s signature Alert Slider. Plus, for those who go for the blue or white variants, you’ll get a sturdy and really touchable vegan leather-based again that helps the cellphone stand out amongst all its glass brick rivals. However the very best half is that beginning at $900, it prices lower than an equal Galaxy S25+ too.

FAQs

How do I do know which smartphone is the very best for me?

Whereas selecting the very best smartphone could be difficult, it principally comes right down to how you intend on utilizing the gadget. All the finest telephones obtainable now get the fundamentals proper — you’ll be capable of make calls, textual content and entry the web with out many hiccups. In case your smartphone is your most used gadget, chances are you’ll need to take into account paying for a tool on the upper finish of the worth spectrum. That may get you higher total efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a cellphone that can final for a few years. For those who don’t use your cellphone for all the pieces, you might be able to compromise on efficiency and further perks and spend much less on a still-capable handset.

How a lot is a smartphone?

Smartphones vary in worth from $300 to over $1,500. The most effective funds telephones obtainable now will normally compromise on total efficiency, design, digital camera prowess and further options to maintain prices down. On the flip facet, the costliest telephones may have highly effective processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most individuals will discover a cellphone that matches their wants someplace in the midst of that extensive worth vary — we’ve discovered that many of the finest smartphones obtainable proper now value between $500 and $1,000.

What are you able to do on a smartphone?

Smartphones are primarily small, moveable computer systems that allow you to do issues like test e mail, browse social media, comply with map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on prime of the fundamentals like making cellphone calls and texting, which we’ve come to count on in all fashionable cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally principally changed compact cameras because of their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones at present as simply as moveable, if no more so, as compact cameras.

How lengthy do smartphones final?

Smartphones can final years and persons are holding on to their phones longer now than ever earlier than. Software program updates and battery life are two of the largest components that may have an effect on cellphone longevity. Apple guarantees 5 years price of software program updates for its newest iPhones, and Google guarantees the identical for its Pixel telephones. Samsung telephones will get 4 years price of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your cellphone can deteriorate over time as you employ and recharge your cellphone regularly.