The most effective smartphones to purchase in 2025

You may have already got a good suggestion of which smartphone you wish to be your subsequent one. However there are extra stable choices accessible 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 realize you need an iPhone, there’s even sufficient variation between these new fashions that you might have to consider it longer than you anticipated. Should you’re an Android particular person, you could have much more choices to select from — together with foldables — and extra inquiries to reply earlier than you spend any cash.

At Engadget, we overview telephones commonly and have examined dozens through the years. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on one in all our present high picks, one in all Samsung’s Galaxy S25 telephones, a cheap phone or one other system, we’re right here that will help you resolve which is the perfect cellphone to purchase this 12 months.

Desk of contents

Greatest 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 images 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) by way of Pixelsnap and you’ve got really good gadgets that makes selecting anything appear sort 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 sluggish
• 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 believe that anybody who can afford the worth 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 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 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 must think about whether or not the improved digital camera sensor is value giving up an ultrawide digital camera for. Whether it is, and if you happen to can reside with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless gadgets, the iPhone 16e’s digital camera will likely be satisfying.

There are different elements to contemplate, like whether or not you commonly 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 will get a MagSafe case to treatment this) and expenses at a slower pace 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 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 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 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 cellphone with a stable design, a pleasant display screen, wonderful cameras and powerful battery life, the Pixel 9a is de facto arduous to beat. So whereas it isn’t tremendous fancy, the cellphone has all of its most vital bases lined (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this cellphone looks like an unbelievable deal that punches nicely above its worth. — 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 could be a bit finicky

$499 at Amazon

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review

Display dimension: 8-inch (most important) 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 dimension and weight that usually 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 % 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 most important digital camera, matching or exceeding what you get from conventional flagship smartphones. The principle 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 cellphone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of contemporary gadget design. — S.R.

Execs

• Exquisitely skinny design
• Sleeker hinge
• Massive 200MP most important digital camera
• Bigger shows
• High-tier efficiency

Cons

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

$1,850 at Amazon

Mat Smith for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review

Display dimension: 6.9-inch (most important) 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 stable 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 a little bit sizzling with heavy apps, duties and video games.

Software program additions embrace 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

• Greater entrance display screen
• Higher battery life
• Slimmer design

Cons

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

$970 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 Defend 2 display screen 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 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 desires. Nonetheless, with the Air solely having a single rear digital camera, the query you have to reply is if you happen to’re keen to surrender some further lenses to get essentially 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 technology, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn’t that far behind. Certain, it’s greater and bulkier, however it nonetheless has the perfect cameras on any foldable cellphone 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 cellphone from an early demise and stop a whole lot of complications if you happen to frequent the seashore or just about wherever with little particles that would threaten the insides of your system. — S.R.

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 perfect methods. That’s as a result of as an alternative 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 unbelievable 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, 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 cellphone stand out amongst all its glass brick rivals. However the perfect 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?

If you’re trying to find the perfect 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 cellphone calls or music from one system to a different. On the similar 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 take pleasure in that very same size of software program assist and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. Briefly, there’s no improper reply. Nonetheless, it would be best to think about how your cellphone will slot in with the remainder of your gadgets. So except you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen 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 mobile phone typically pulls double responsibility as your major digital camera, determining what sort of photograph instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take an incredible image in shiny mild. However in order for you an extended optical zoom, you’ll in all probability need to improve to a costlier system.

Mid-range phones typically solely have two rear cameras (a major wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digital camera) and may typically battle in low-light conditions. Every cellphone maker additionally has varied options that could be a greater match on 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 assist for some sort of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, in order for you the quickest wi-fi speeds attainable, it’s going to price you a little bit further. 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 refined (and pricier) modems, which implies assist for it’s typically lacking on cheaper gadgets.

On the brilliant facet, mmWave 5G isn’t as broadly accessible as different variations of 5G, so relying on the place you reside and what community you’re on, you is probably not lacking out on a lot proper now if you happen to purchase a cellphone that doesn’t assist it. It’s an analogous scenario for Wi-Fi 7, which is offered 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 realize you want it or have a particular use case in thoughts, the dearth 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 perfect cellphone, you must take into consideration another specs that could be further vital for you. Cellular players will nearly actually 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 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 enables you to recharge the corporate’s Galaxy Watches.

Smartphone FAQs

How do I do know which smartphone is the perfect for me?

Whereas selecting the perfect smartphone could be difficult, it principally comes right down to how you intend on utilizing the system. The entire finest telephones accessible now get the fundamentals proper — you’ll be capable to make calls, textual content and entry the web with out many hiccups. In case your smartphone is your most used gadget, you could wish to think about 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. Should you don’t use your cellphone for all the things, 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 worth from $300 to over $1,500. The most effective finances telephones accessible now will normally compromise on total efficiency, design, digital camera prowess and additional options to maintain prices down. On the flip facet, the most costly 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 course of that vast worth vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the finest smartphones accessible proper now price between $500 and $1,000.

What are you able to do on a smartphone?

Smartphones are basically small, moveable computer systems that allow you to do issues like examine electronic mail, browse social media, comply with map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on high of the fundamentals like making cellphone calls and texting, which we’ve come to anticipate in all trendy cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally principally changed compact cameras because of their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones at this time 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 largest elements that may have an effect on cellphone 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 cellphone can deteriorate over time as you utilize and recharge your cellphone frequently.

Current 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.