The very best 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 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 already know you need an iPhone, there’s even sufficient variation between these new fashions that you’ll have to consider it longer than you anticipated. In the event you’re an Android particular person, you might 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 commonly and have examined dozens over time. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on one among our present prime picks, one among Samsung’s Galaxy S25 telephones, a cheap phone or one other gadget, we’re right here that can assist you resolve which is one of the best telephone 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 measurement: 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 great methods. Not solely do each units now assist full high-res portrait photographs, its 100x Professional Res Zoom captures long-range images in ways in which lenses and megapixels alone merely can’t. You then add in noticeably higher efficiency, greater batteries, brighter shows and correct Qi2 magnetic charging (the primary from a serious Android telephone maker) through Pixelsnap and you’ve got actually good units that makes selecting anything appear form 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 pictures is a bit sluggish
• Pixel 10 line is eSIM solely within the US

$999 at Amazon

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Learn our full iPhone 16e review

Display measurement: 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 finest entry-level iPhone to this point. It has an Motion button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter display and an A18 chip that permits Apple Intelligence.

My largest considerations with it are limitations introduced on by its single rear digicam 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. In the event you’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, it’s best to take into account whether or not the improved digicam sensor is value giving up an ultrawide digicam for. Whether it is, and if you happen to can reside with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless gadgets, the iPhone 16e’s digicam will probably be satisfying.

There are different components to think about, like whether or not you commonly use MagSafe equipment or wi-fi charging. In the event you do, then the iPhone 16e will frustrate you because it doesn’t work with the magnetic attachment system (you will 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

• Stable 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 measurement: 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 obtainable on its dearer siblings. The truth is, it really 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 desires a easy telephone with a strong design, a pleasant display, wonderful cameras and powerful battery life, the Pixel 9a is actually onerous to beat. So whereas it isn’t tremendous fancy, the telephone has all of its most essential bases lined (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this telephone appears like an unimaginable deal that punches nicely above its value. — S.R.

Execs

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

Cons

• Charging could possibly be quicker
• 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 measurement: 8-inch (principal) 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 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 in and out — 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 principal digicam, 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 assist could also be a dealbreaker. However for many who wish to expertise new heights in foldable telephone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of contemporary gadget design. — S.R.

Execs

• Exquisitely skinny design
• Sleeker hinge
• Large 200MP principal digicam
• Bigger shows
• Prime-tier efficiency

Cons

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

$1,790 at Amazon

Mat Smith for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review

Display measurement: 6.9-inch (principal) 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 facet 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 a bit scorching with heavy apps, duties and video games.

Software program additions embody the Now Bar and Gemini Reside 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 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

• Greater entrance display
• Higher battery life
• Slimmer design

Cons

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

$970 at Amazon

Different smartphones we have examined

iPhone Air

At simply 5.6mm, the iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever made. But it surely’s a lot greater than that. It’s fantastically crafted and because of a titanium body, Ceramic Protect 2 display and an IP68 score 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 practically 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 a giant energy cell, battery life isn’t a problem. In brief, that is the iPhone design that everybody desires. Nonetheless, with the Air solely having a single rear digicam, the query it’s good to reply is if you happen to’re keen to surrender some further lenses to get probably the most exquisitely engineered iPhone and all of its fashion and sleekness. — S.R.

Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold

Whereas the design and efficiency of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is so good that we needed to choose it as our favourite foldable of this era, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn’t that far behind. Certain, it’s greater and bulkier, but it surely nonetheless has one of the best cameras on any foldable telephone together with higher software program and a bigger battery. However maybe most significantly, it now has a correct IP68 score for mud and water resistance — one thing you gained’t discover on any of its rivals. This might save the telephone from an early demise and forestall lots of complications if you happen to frequent the seaside or just about anyplace with little particles that would threaten the insides of your gadget. — 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 one of the best methods. That’s as a result of as an alternative of specializing in machine studying, OnePlus crammed the telephone 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 wonderful efficiency due to 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 an enormous 6,000 mAh battery that’s greater than what you get in virtually all of its opponents.

OnePlus didn’t skimp on the telephone’s design both, because the OP13 nonetheless comes with the corporate’s signature Alert Slider. Plus, if you happen to go for the blue or white variants, you’ll get a sturdy and really touchable vegan leather-based again that helps the telephone stand out amongst all its glass brick rivals. However one of the best 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 one of the best smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its professionals and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it tremendous simple to share knowledge between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off telephone calls or music from one gadget to a different. On the identical time, you’re successfully locked in, as companies like Apple Messages aren’t obtainable 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. In brief, there’s no flawed reply. Nonetheless, it would be best to take into account how your telephone will slot in with the remainder of your units. So except you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen to study one other, it most likely doesn’t make lots of sense to change from an iPhone to an Android telephone (or vice versa) – particularly if everybody else in your family is utilizing the identical platform.

Cameras

Since your mobile phone usually pulls double obligation as your main digicam, determining what sort of photograph instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take an excellent image in shiny mild. However in order for you a protracted optical zoom, you’ll most likely need to improve to a dearer gadget.

Mid-range phones usually solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digicam) and might generally wrestle in low-light conditions. Every telephone maker additionally has numerous options that could be a greater match in your fashion, with Apple providing 4 totally different coloration 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 at the very least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and assist for some form of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, in order for you the quickest wi-fi speeds potential, it’s going to value you a bit further. 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 refined (and pricier) modems, which suggests assist for it’s usually lacking on inexpensive units.

On the intense aspect, mmWave 5G isn’t as broadly 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 if you happen to purchase a telephone that doesn’t assist it. It’s an identical state of affairs for Wi-Fi 7, which is out there on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S25, however tougher to search out on cheaper units. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so except you already know 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 searching for a brand new telephone.

Different options to think about

As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes one of the best telephone, it’s best to take into consideration every other specs that could be further essential for you. Cell players will nearly definitely recognize 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 essential, you’ll most likely wish to go along with a bigger iPhone or an Android telephone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in measurement. In the meantime, if you end up juggling lots of units, it may be very nice to have a telephone that helps reverse wi-fi charging, which on Samsung telephones even permits you to recharge the corporate’s Galaxy Watches.

Smartphone FAQs

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

Whereas selecting one of the best smartphone might be difficult, it largely comes all the way 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 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 telephone that can final for a few years. In the event you don’t use your telephone for every thing, you might be able to compromise on efficiency and additional perks and spend much less on a still-capable handset.

How a lot is a smartphone?

Smartphones vary in value from $300 to over $1,500. The very best funds telephones obtainable now will often compromise on total efficiency, design, digicam prowess and additional options to maintain prices down. On the flip aspect, the most costly telephones can have highly effective processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most individuals will discover a telephone that matches their wants someplace in the midst of that broad value vary — we’ve discovered that a lot 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, observe map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on prime of the fundamentals like making telephone calls and texting, which we’ve come to count on in all fashionable cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally largely changed compact cameras due to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones in the present day as simply as moveable, 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 components that may have an effect on telephone longevity. Apple guarantees 5 years value of software program updates for its newest iPhones, and Google guarantees the identical for its Pixel telephones. Samsung telephones will get 4 years value of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your telephone can deteriorate over time as you utilize and recharge your telephone 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.