You may have already got a good suggestion of which smartphone you need to be your subsequent one. However there are extra strong choices out there 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. When you’re an Android individual, 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 assessment telephones repeatedly 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, an affordable telephone or one other gadget, we’re right here that will help you determine which is the very best telephone to purchase this 12 months.
Desk of contents
Finest smartphones for 2025
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Learn our full iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Professional Max assessment
Display measurement: 6.3-inch or 6.9-inch | Storage capability: As much as 2TB | SIM help: Twin eSim | Battery Life: As much as 39 hours
If you need the very best, most full iPhone expertise, you need to go along with the iPhone 17 Professional or Professional Max. They’re largely the identical telephone other than slight variations in display screen measurement (6.3 inches vs 6.9 inches) and battery life, and each handsets embrace all the most superior {hardware} and software program options Apple has to supply.
The Professional household could not look as flashy because the iPhone Air, however they’re further sturdy and tremendous glossy, that includes steel unibody designs and a customized thermal administration system inside that allows wonderful efficiency whereas holding warmth at bay. Each smartphones are powered by the A19 Professional chipset and iOS 26, the latter of which you’ll expertise in all of its Liquid Glass and Apple Intelligence glory. Each telephones will even final all day after which some on a single cost, and so they help Qi2 wi-fi charging as much as 25W.
Arguably the most important design change you possibly can see is the vast digital camera plateau on the iPhone 17 Professional sequence’ backs, which features a trio of 48MP lenses. Whereas the leap in picture and video high quality from, say, the iPhone 16 Professional sequence isn’t all that massive, these with an iPhone 14 Professional or earlier will see massive enhancements of their images and videography. Even the selfie digital camera acquired an improve: the Middle Stage digital camera now incorporates a 24MP sensor that merchandise 18MP photographs and may robotically hold you in the course of the body once you’re making FaceTime calls.
With the introduction of the iPhone Air and the continual enhancements Apple has made to its base iPhone 17 lineup, the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max actually really feel like probably the most skilled variations of an iPhone you may get. Some may not want all that energy or the additional perks that include it, nevertheless it’s nonetheless the most suitable choice if you wish to need to have the newest and best in Apple smartphone expertise. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
- Modern and helpful Middle Stage selfie digital camera
- Versatile triple-sensor system for rear cameras
- Aluminum unibody feels sturdy and scratch-resistant
- Improved AI and thermal efficiency
$1,099 at Apple
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Learn our full Google Pixel 10 Professional and 10 Professional XL assessment
Display measurement: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x eSim | Battery Life: 24+ hours
With the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Professional, 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 help 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 definately add in noticeably higher efficiency, greater batteries, brighter shows and correct Qi2 magnetic charging (the primary from a significant Android telephone maker) by way of Pixelsnap and you’ve got really sensible gadgets that makes selecting the rest appear sort of dumb. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
- Longer battery life
- Brighter shows
- 100x Professional Res Zoom provides main magnification
- Pixelsnap charging (aka Qi2 help)
- Magic Cue is tremendous useful (when it really works)
- 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 assessment
Display measurement: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM help: Twin eSim | Battery Life: Greater than 24 hours
Whereas I feel 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 greatest entry-level iPhone up to now. It has an Motion button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter display screen and an A18 chip that allows Apple Intelligence.
My greatest 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. When you’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, you need to take into account whether or not the improved digital camera sensor is value giving up an ultrawide digital camera for. Whether it is, and in case you can dwell with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless gadgets, the iPhone 16e’s digital camera might be satisfying.
There are different elements to think about, like whether or not you repeatedly use MagSafe equipment or wi-fi charging. When 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 fees at a slower velocity than the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 (however there’s no repair for this). — Cherlynn Low, Managing Editor
- Strong efficiency
- Lengthy battery life
- Clear, sturdy design
- Brilliant, vibrant display screen
- 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 assessment
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 out there on its costlier 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 telephone with a strong design, a pleasant display screen, wonderful cameras and robust battery life, the Pixel 9a is de facto exhausting to beat. So whereas it is not tremendous fancy, the telephone has all of its most necessary bases lined (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this telephone looks like an unbelievable deal that punches properly above its worth. — S.R.
- Modern design
- Superior battery life
- Good show
- Nice cameras
- IP68 ranking for mud and water resistance
- 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 assessment
Display measurement: 8-inch (primary) 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 greatest points with foldable telephones is the added measurement 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 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 primary 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 telephone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of recent gadget design. — S.R.
- Exquisitely skinny design
- Sleeker hinge
- Huge 200MP primary digital camera
- Bigger shows
- Prime-tier efficiency
- Very costly
- No S Pen help
- Mediocre charging speeds
$1,850 at Amazon
Mat Smith for Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 assessment
Display measurement: 6.9-inch (primary) 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 greater and introduced it nearer to the normal facet ratios of most conventional smartphones. It’s one other sensible 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 a bit sizzling with heavy apps, duties and video games.
Software program additions embrace the Now Bar and Gemini Dwell 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
- Greater entrance display screen
- Higher battery life
- Slimmer design
- Cameras are dated
- Entrance display screen 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. However it’s a lot greater than that. It’s fantastically crafted and because of a titanium body, Ceramic Protect 2 display screen and an IP68 ranking for mud and water resistance, it’s surprisingly sturdy too. The Air additionally has a beautiful 6.5-inch show with ProMotion help 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 difficulty. Briefly, that is the iPhone design that everybody desires. Nonetheless, with the Air solely having a single rear digital camera, the query you’ll want to reply is in case you’re prepared 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 decide it as our favourite foldable of this technology, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold isn’t that far behind. Certain, it’s greater and bulkier, nevertheless it nonetheless has the very 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 ranking for mud and water resistance — one thing you received’t discover on any of its rivals. This might save the telephone from an early demise and forestall quite a lot of complications in case you 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 style flagship in all the very 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 unbelievable peak brightness of as much as 4,500 nits. The OP13 additionally gives 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 an enormous 6,000 mAh battery that’s greater than what you get in virtually all of its rivals.
OnePlus didn’t skimp on the telephone’s design both, because the OP13 nonetheless comes with the corporate’s signature Alert Slider. Plus, in case you 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 the very 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?
Once you’re trying to find 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 knowledge between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off telephone 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 out there 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 get pleasure from that very same size of software program help and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. Briefly, there’s no unsuitable reply. Nonetheless, you’ll want to take into account how your telephone 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 quite a lot of sense to modify 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 typically pulls double obligation as your major digital camera, determining what sort of picture instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take an excellent image in brilliant gentle. However if you would like a protracted optical zoom, you’ll in all probability should improve to a costlier gadget.
Mid-range telephones typically solely have two rear cameras (a major wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digital camera) and may generally battle in low-light conditions. Every telephone maker additionally has numerous options that is likely to be a greater match in your fashion, with Apple providing 4 totally different coloration 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 at the very least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and help for some sort of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, if you would like the quickest wi-fi speeds potential, it’s going to price you a bit further. For instance, on sure networks, mmWave 5G gives 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 intense aspect, mmWave 5G isn’t as extensively out there 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 in case you purchase a telephone that doesn’t help it. It’s the same state of affairs 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 appropriate router, so except you understand you want it or have a selected 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 telephone.
Different options to think about
As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the very best telephone, you need to take into consideration some other specs that is likely to be further necessary for you. Cellular avid gamers will virtually 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 necessary, you’ll in all probability need 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 quite a lot of gadgets, it may be very nice to have a telephone 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 very best for me?
Whereas selecting the very best smartphone could be difficult, it largely comes all the way down to how you intend on utilizing the gadget. All the greatest telephones out there now get the fundamentals proper — you’ll have the ability to make calls, textual content and entry the web with out many hiccups. In case your smartphone is your most used gadget, you might 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 telephone that can final for a few years. When you don’t use your telephone for all the things, you could possibly 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 perfect funds telephones out there now will normally compromise on total efficiency, design, digital camera 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 course of that vast worth vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the greatest smartphones out there 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 verify electronic 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 trendy cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally largely changed compact cameras because of 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 persons are holding on to their telephones 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 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 employ 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.
