The best smartphones to buy in 2025
Maybe you already have a good idea of which smartphone you want to be your next. But now there are more solid options than ever, which makes the solution not as cut and dried as before. Although the solution is a little easier, if you know you want an iPhone, there are even enough variations between these new models that you may need to think about it longer than you expected. If you are a person with Android, you have even more opportunities to choose – including Foldable – And more questions to answer before spending money.
At Engadget, we regularly review phones and test dozens over the years. Whether you have looked at one of our current best photos, one of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 phones, a cheap phone Or another device, we are here to help you decide which is the best phone to buy this year.
Android or iOS?
When you are looking for the best smartphone, it becomes clear that each axis has its pros and cons. Apple’s ecosystem with dense branches makes it super easy to share data between iPhone, iPad and Macs, or trouble -free handing on phone calls or music from one device to another. At the same time, you are effectively locked as services like Apple Messages are not available on other platforms.
As for Android, there is a much broader spectrum than phones from companies such as Google, Samsung, Sony and others. However, Android phones do not enjoy the same duration of software support and often have lower trade values. In short, there is no wrong answer. However, you will want to think about how your phone will fit into your other devices. So, unless you are really fed from one axis and are ready to learn another, it probably doesn’t make much sense to go from the iPhone to an Android phone (or vice versa) – especially if everyone else in your household is using the same platform.
Cameras
As your mobile phone often pulls out a dual debt as your main camera, find out what kind of photo tools you want is key. Nowadays, virtually every cell phone can take a great photo of bright light. But if you want a long optical increase, you will probably need to upgrade to a more expensive device.
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Mid -range phones They often have only two rear cameras (primary wide angle and a secondary ultra -wide camera) and can sometimes fight in low light situations. Each phone manufacturer also has different features that may be more appropriate for your style, with Apple offering four different preset settings on the most iPhone, while the Pixel 9 Pro comes with clean tools such as specialized long exposure modes and action.
Will you get Mmwave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?
The good news is that in 2025, most phones have at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and support for some type of 5G connectivity. However, if you want the faster wireless speeds as possible, it will cost you a little extra. For example, in certain networks, the MMWave 5G offers up to Gigabit Speeds for download, less latency and a better bandwidth. But the MMWAVE 5G also requires more complex (and more expensive) modems, which means that maintenance for it is often lacking on cheaper devices.
On the bright side, the mmwave 5G is not as widely accessible as the other versions of 5G, so depending on where you live and in which net you are, you may not miss much at the moment if you buy a phone that doesn’t Support. This is a similar situation for Wi-Fi 7, which is available on some high-end phones such as the Galaxy S25, but more difficult to find on cheaper devices. Wi-Fi 7 also requires you to have Compatible routerSo, unless you know that you need or have a specific case of use, the lack of maintenance for MMWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 should not be a deal when you are looking for a new phone.
Other features to consider
Since not everyone agrees what the best phone is doing, you should consider all other specifications that may be extremely important to you. Mobile gamers will almost certainly appreciate the 120Hz refresh prices you get on phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Alternatively, if the long battery life is important, you may want to go with a bigger iPhone or an Android phone with a battery that is between 4000 and 5000 mAh in size. In the meantime, if you find yourself juggling many devices, it may be really nice to have a phone that supports the back wireless charging, which on Samsung’s phones even allows you to recharge the company’s Galaxy Watches.
Other smartphones we’ve tested
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Like his predecessor, S25 Ultra is an incredibly versatile phone. This is one of the few phones that come with stylus and premium features such as a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED display, a titanium frame and a 5X telephoto camera. In addition, it has excellent performance and a strong battery life. The problem is that in addition to improved AI, this year’s phone does not offer so much more than the previous model (or the one before), but with prices starting at $ 1300, we think you need to do more to win the top top choose a place.
OnePlus 12
While OnePlus 12 He was not able to take down the most pixel, it is worth mentioning because it offers powerful characteristics for money. It has a quick Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a large and bright 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED screen and the best battery life we’ve seen on every phone so far. OnePlus has also returned wireless loading support for the first time for several generations, along with a good (but not great) IP65 assessment of dust and water resistance. And although his huge camera module looks a little frivolous, his photos are surprisingly sharp. But the best part is that at a starting price of $ 800 OnePlus $ 12 costs $ 200 less than its biggest competitors.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which smartphone is the best for me?
While choosing the best smartphone can be a challenge, it is most reduced to how you plan to use the device. All the best available phones now handle the basics – you will be able to make calls, text and internet access without much hiccup. If your smartphone is your most used widget, you may want to consider paying a device from the higher end of the price spectrum. This will provide you with better overall performance, higher quality cameras and a phone that will last for many years. If you do not use your phone for everything, you may be able to compromise performance and additional bonuses and spend less on a still-prepared phone.
How much does a smartphone cost?
Smartphones vary from $ 300 to over $ 1500. The best budget phones available now will usually compromise overall performance, design, camera mastery and additional features to reduce costs. On the reverse side, the most expensive phones will have powerful processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or folding design. Most people will find a phone that meets their needs somewhere in the middle of this wide price range – we have found that most of the best smartphones currently available cost between $ 500 and $ 1,000.
What can you do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are essentially small, laptops that allow you to do things like an email check, to look at social media, to follow the directions on the card, to make contactless payments, and more. All this is at the top of the basics such as making phone calls and text messages, which we expect to expect in all modern mobile phones. Smartphones have also replaced mostly compact cameras thanks to their high quality, built-in archers and the fact that most smartphones today are also just as portable, if not more as compact cameras.
How long do smartphones last?
Smartphones can last years and people are Holding your phones Long anymore than ever. Software updates and battery life are two of the largest factors that can affect the longevity of the phone. Apple promises five -year software updates for its youngest iPhone, and Google promises the same for its Pixel phones. Samsung’s phones will receive Android updates worth four years from the moment they start. As for the charge speed and battery life, your phone can get worse over time while using and recharging your phone regularly.
Recent updates
January 2025: Updated to include details of the latest phones of Samsung S-Series.
September 2024: Updated to include iPhone 16 and new iPhone selection models.
September 2024: Updated to turn on the editor’s note for the iPhone and mention the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in the “Most Folding Multisatorship” section.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-smartphones-140004900.html?src=rsss
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