One of the 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. Whereas the choice is a bit simpler if you need an iPhone, there’s even sufficient variation between these new fashions that you might have to consider it longer than you anticipated. When you’re an Android particular person, you’ve gotten 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 usually and have examined dozens through the years. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on considered one of our present high picks, considered one of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 telephones, a cheap phone or one other machine, we’re right here that will help you determine which is one of the best 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 screen dimension: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 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 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. You then add in noticeably higher efficiency, larger batteries, brighter shows and correct Qi2 magnetic charging (the primary from a significant Android cellphone maker) by way of Pixelsnap and you’ve got actually sensible units that makes selecting anything appear form of dumb. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter

Professionals

• 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)

Cons

• No extra wi-fi powersharing
• Processing full-res photos 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 screen dimension: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM help: Twin eSim | Battery Life: Greater than 24 hours

Whereas I believe 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 to this point. It has an Motion button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter display screen and an A18 chip that allows Apple Intelligence.

My largest 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. When you’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, it’s best to think about whether or not the improved digicam sensor is price giving up an ultrawide digicam for. Whether it is, and in case you can reside with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless objects, the iPhone 16e’s digicam might be satisfying.

There are different components to think about, like whether or not you usually 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 will 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

Professionals

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

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 screen dimension: 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 would 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 onerous to beat. So whereas it isn’t tremendous fancy, the cellphone has all of its most necessary bases lined (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this cellphone appears like an unimaginable deal that punches nicely above its value. — S.R.

Professionals

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

Cons

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

$499 at Amazon

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review

Display screen dimension: 8-inch (most important) 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 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 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 most important 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 help could also be a dealbreaker. However for individuals who wish to expertise new heights in foldable cellphone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of contemporary gadget design. — S.R.

Professionals

• Exquisitely skinny design
• Sleeker hinge
• Large 200MP most important digicam
• Bigger shows
• High-tier efficiency

Cons

• 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 review

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

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

Nevertheless, 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

Professionals

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

Cons

• Cameras are dated
• Entrance display screen utility remains 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. Nevertheless it’s a lot greater than that. It’s fantastically crafted and due to a titanium body, Ceramic Protect 2 display screen and an IP68 score 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 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 a giant energy cell, battery life isn’t a difficulty. In brief, that is the iPhone design that everybody desires. Nevertheless, with the Air solely having a single rear digicam, the query it’s good 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 model 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 era, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn’t that far behind. Certain, it’s larger and bulkier, but it surely nonetheless has one of the best 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 forestall loads of complications in case you frequent the seashore or just about anyplace with little particles that might threaten the insides of your machine. — 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 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 opponents.

OnePlus didn’t skimp on the cellphone’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 cellphone 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?

Once you’re trying to find one of the best smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its execs 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 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. Nevertheless, Android telephones don’t get pleasure from that very same size of software program help and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. In brief, there’s no unsuitable reply. Nevertheless, you’ll want to think about how your cellphone will slot in with the remainder of your units. So except you’re actually fed up with one OS and prepared to be taught one other, it in all probability doesn’t make loads 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 cellular phone usually pulls double responsibility as your major digicam, determining what sort of photograph instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take a fantastic image in vivid gentle. However if you need an extended optical zoom, you’ll in all probability should improve to a dearer machine.

Mid-range phones usually solely have two rear cameras (a major wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digicam) and may generally wrestle in low-light conditions. Every cellphone maker additionally has numerous options that may be a greater match in your model, with Apple providing 4 totally 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 a minimum of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and help for some form of 5G connectivity. Nevertheless, if you need the quickest wi-fi speeds attainable, it’s going to value you a little 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 subtle (and pricier) modems, which implies help 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 is probably not lacking out on a lot proper now in case you purchase a cellphone that doesn’t help it. It’s an analogous state of affairs for Wi-Fi 7, which is on the market on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S25, however more durable to search out on cheaper units. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so except 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 in search of a brand new cellphone.

Different options to think about

As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes one of the best cellphone, it’s best to take into consideration every other specs that may be further necessary for you. Cell players will virtually definitely admire 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 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 loads of units, 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.

Smartphone FAQs

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

Whereas selecting one of the best smartphone will be difficult, it principally comes right down to how you propose on utilizing the machine. The entire greatest telephones obtainable 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, chances are you’ll wish to think about paying for a tool on the upper finish of the value spectrum. That may get you higher general efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a cellphone that may final for a few years. When 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 value from $300 to over $1,500. One of the best funds telephones obtainable now will often compromise on general efficiency, design, digicam prowess and further options to maintain prices down. On the flip aspect, the costliest telephones could 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 large value vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the greatest 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 examine e mail, browse social media, observe 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 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 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 utilize 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.