The most effective smartphones to purchase in 2025

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

At Engadget, we assessment telephones usually 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 machine, we’re right here that can assist you resolve which is the most effective cellphone to purchase this 12 months.

Desk of contents

Finest smartphones for 2025

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Learn our full Google Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL review

Display dimension: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM assist: 1x eSim | Battery Life: 24+ hours

With the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, Google has as soon as once more refined its smartphone {hardware} whereas pushing its AI-powered software program in new and fantastic methods. Not solely do each gadgets now assist full high-res portrait pictures, its 100x Professional Res Zoom captures long-range pictures in ways in which lenses and megapixels alone merely can’t. Then you definitely add in noticeably higher efficiency, greater batteries, brighter shows and correct Qi2 magnetic charging (the primary from a serious Android cellphone maker) through Pixelsnap and you’ve got actually good gadgets that makes choosing anything appear type of dumb. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter

Execs

• Longer battery life
• Brighter shows
• 100x Professional Res Zoom provides main magnification
• Pixelsnap charging (aka Qi2 assist)
• Magic Cue is tremendous useful (when it really works)

Cons

• No extra wi-fi powersharing
• Processing full-res photographs is a bit gradual
• Pixel 10 line is eSIM solely within the US

$999 at Amazon

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Learn our full iPhone 16e review

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

Whereas I feel that anybody who can afford the value distinction ought to go for the iPhone 17 over the iPhone 16e, I can’t deny that that is Apple’s greatest entry-level iPhone so far. It has an Motion button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter display and an A18 chip that permits Apple Intelligence.

My greatest issues with it are limitations introduced on by its single rear digicam setup — issues like not having the ability to seize ultrawide pictures or Portrait mode not working if there isn’t a face within the scene. Should you’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, you need to take into account whether or not the improved digicam sensor is price giving up an ultrawide digicam for. Whether it is, and when you can dwell with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless gadgets, the iPhone 16e’s digicam will probably be satisfying.

There are different elements to contemplate, like whether or not you usually use MagSafe equipment or wi-fi charging. Should you 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 expenses at a slower velocity than the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 (however there’s no repair for this). — Cherlynn Low, Managing Editor

Execs

• Strong efficiency
• Lengthy battery life
• Clear, sturdy design
• Vivid, vibrant display

Cons

• Just one rear digicam, 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 dimension: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | SIM assist: 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 accessible on its costlier siblings. In reality, it truly has slower charging and it is lacking assist for a few of Google’s homegrown software program just like the Screenshots app. However for everybody who simply needs a easy cellphone with a strong design, a pleasant display, wonderful cameras and powerful battery life, the Pixel 9a is basically exhausting to beat. So whereas it is not tremendous fancy, the cellphone has all of its most vital bases lined (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this cellphone seems like an unimaginable deal that punches nicely above its worth. — S.R.

Execs

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

Cons

• Charging might be sooner
• No Pixel Screenshot app
• Macro Focus mode generally is a bit finicky

$499 at Amazon

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review

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

One of many greatest points with foldable telephones is the added dimension 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 predominant digicam, matching or exceeding what you get from conventional flagship smartphones. The principle downsides are that at $2,000, it is nonetheless removed from reasonably priced and for long-time Samsung followers, the lack of S Pen assist could also be a dealbreaker. However for many who wish to expertise new heights in foldable cellphone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of contemporary gadget design. — S.R.

Execs

• Exquisitely skinny design
• Sleeker hinge
• Massive 200MP predominant digicam
• Bigger shows
• High-tier efficiency

Cons

• Very costly
• No S Pen assist
• Mediocre charging speeds

$1,820 at Amazon

Mat Smith for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review

Display dimension: 6.9-inch (predominant) 4.1-inch (entrance) | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM assist: 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 greater and introduced it nearer to the normal 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 expenses, though it runs slightly 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 major and 12MP ultrawide lens. Sadly there’s nonetheless no devoted telephoto lens, which makes it much less helpful in some capturing conditions. Different areas are lengthy due an improve, too, just like the Flip 7’s sluggish charging speeds. — Mat Smith, UK Bureau Chief

Execs

• Larger entrance display
• Higher battery life
• Slimmer design

Cons

• Cameras are dated
• Entrance display utility continues to be restricted
• Sluggish cost velocity

$1,220 at Amazon

Different smartphones we have examined

iPhone Air

At simply 5.6mm, the iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever made. However it’s a lot greater than that. It’s fantastically crafted and because of a titanium body, Ceramic Protect 2 display and an IP68 ranking for mud and water resistance, it’s surprisingly sturdy too. The Air additionally has a stunning 6.5-inch show with ProMotion assist and an A19 Professional processor, so it delivers almost the identical efficiency as you get from the iPhone 17 Professional line. And regardless of its tremendous skinny chassis not leaving a ton of room for an enormous energy cell, battery life isn’t a problem. Briefly, that is the iPhone design that everybody needs. Nonetheless, with the Air solely having a single rear digicam, the query it’s good to reply is when you’re keen to surrender some additional lenses to get essentially the most exquisitely engineered iPhone and all of its type and sleekness. — S.R.

OnePlus 13

Whereas the OnePlus 13 options some fundamental AI options like Google’s Circle to Search and Gemini assistant, it’s actually simply an old school flagship in all the most effective 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 provides wonderful 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 greater 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, when you 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 most effective half is that beginning at $900, it prices lower than an equal Galaxy S25+ too.

What to search for in a smartphone

Android or iOS?

Whenever you’re looking for the most effective smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its professionals and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it tremendous simple to share information between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off cellphone calls or music from one machine to a different. On the identical time, you’re successfully locked in, as companies like Apple Messages aren’t accessible on different platforms.

As for Android, there’s a a lot wider vary of handsets from corporations like Google, Samsung, Sony and extra. Nonetheless, Android telephones don’t get pleasure from that very same size of software program assist and sometimes have decrease trade-in values. Briefly, there’s no improper reply. Nonetheless, it would be best to take into account how your cellphone will slot in with the remainder of your gadgets. So until you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen to be taught one other, it in all probability doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to modify 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 cellphone usually pulls double obligation as your major digicam, determining what sort of picture instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take a terrific image in brilliant gentle. However if you need an extended optical zoom, you’ll in all probability must improve to a costlier machine.

Mid-range phones usually solely have two rear cameras (a major wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digicam) and may typically battle in low-light conditions. Every cellphone maker additionally has varied options that may be a greater match in your type, with Apple providing 4 totally different shade presets on the newest 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 assist for some type of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, if you need the quickest wi-fi speeds doable, it’s going to price you slightly additional. For instance, on sure networks, mmWave 5G provides as much as gigabit obtain speeds, much less latency and higher bandwidth. However mmWave 5G additionally requires extra subtle (and pricier) modems, which implies assist for it’s usually lacking on cheaper gadgets.

On the intense facet, mmWave 5G isn’t as extensively accessible 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 when you purchase a cellphone that doesn’t assist it. It’s an analogous state of affairs for Wi-Fi 7, which is offered on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S25, however tougher to search out on cheaper gadgets. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so until you understand you want it or have a particular use case in thoughts, the shortage of assist for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when on the lookout for a brand new cellphone.

Different options to contemplate

As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the most effective cellphone, you need to take into consideration every other specs that may be additional vital for you. Cell avid gamers will virtually actually respect the 120Hz refresh charges you get on telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 17 Professional. Alternatively, if lengthy battery life is vital, you’ll in all probability wish to go along with a bigger iPhone or an Android cellphone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in dimension. 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 allows you to recharge the corporate’s Galaxy Watches.

Smartphone FAQs

How do I do know which smartphone is the most effective for me?

Whereas selecting the most effective smartphone might be difficult, it largely comes all the way down to how you propose on utilizing the machine. All the greatest telephones accessible 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, you might wish to take into account paying for a tool on the upper finish of the value spectrum. That can get you higher total efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a cellphone that can final for a few years. Should you don’t use your cellphone for every little thing, you could possibly 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 finances telephones accessible now will often compromise on total efficiency, design, digicam 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 huge worth vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the greatest smartphones accessible proper now price between $500 and $1,000.

What are you able to do on a smartphone?

Smartphones are basically small, transportable computer systems that allow you to do issues like examine 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 largely changed compact cameras because of their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones at the moment as simply as transportable, if no more so, as compact cameras.

How lengthy do smartphones final?

Smartphones can final years and individuals are holding on to their phones longer now than ever earlier than. Software program updates and battery life are two of the most important elements 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.

Latest updates

September 2025: Up to date to incorporate the iPhone 17 Professional.

August 2025: Up to date to incorporate the Google Pixel 10 Professional.

July 2025: Up to date to incorporate the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

April 2025: Up to date to incorporate the Google Pixel 9a.

February 2025: Up to date to incorporate the iPhone 16e.

January 2025: Up to date to incorporate particulars about Samsung’s newest Galaxy S-series telephones.