The Best Smartphones for 2025

Smartphones aren't exactly thrilling purchases. Most people use these glass rectangles for messaging, YouTube, social media, and photos – essential, but pricey if you want the latest models. We've selected the best smartphones based on value for money.

TL;DR – Best Smartphones:

1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Our top pick. See it at Amazon 2. Google Pixel 9 Pro: Excellent camera phone. See it at Amazon & Best Buy 3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Best iPhone. See it at Best Buy & Apple 4. Google Pixel 8: Best mid-range. See it at Amazon 5. Poco X5 5G: Best budget. See it at Amazon 6. RedMagic 10 Pro: Best gaming phone. See it at Amazon & RedMagic 7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Best foldable. See it at Amazon

Value is subjective. Some prioritize camera quality, others gaming performance, or display quality. We've tested phones across these areas. This list includes top Android and iPhone options, along with older models offering excellent value due to price drops.

Contributions by Jacqueline Thomas, Callum Bains, and Danielle Abraham

1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Best Smartphone

A versatile phone excelling in various tasks. Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, stunning 6.8-inch Super AMOLED display (1-120Hz), and an exceptional camera system (200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP & 50MP telephoto). The titanium frame adds durability but increases weight and size. Includes S Pen stylus support. High price, but excellent value. See our Galaxy S24 Ultra review.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Photos

2. Google Pixel 9 Pro – Best Camera Phone

Elegant design, exceptional cameras (50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto, 42MP selfie), quality display, and long-term software support. Gaming performance lags behind competitors, and base storage could be larger.

Pixel 9 Pro – Main Camera Samples

3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro – Best iPhone

Powerful performance, elegant design, robust camera system, lower starting price than Pro Max, and more compact form factor. Camera settings could use improvement. Shares camera specs with iPhone 16 Pro Max.

4. Google Pixel 8 – Best Mid-Range Smartphone

Solid cameras, smart AI features, bright OLED display, and affordable price. Tensor G3 chip with improved thermals. Seven years of OS and security updates. RAM upgrade is limited to the Pro model.

5. Poco X5 5G – Best Budget Smartphone

Affordable 5G phone with smooth performance and a crisp display. Underwhelming cameras and modest gaming performance.

6. RedMagic 10 Pro – Best Gaming Smartphone

Exceptional performance and sustained speed thanks to active cooling. Stunning display (6.85-inch, 144Hz), large battery (7,050mAh), and gaming enhancements (remappable shoulder buttons, upscaling). Underwhelming cameras and shorter software support.

7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Best Foldable Phone

Stunning displays (7.6-inch main, 6.2-inch cover), powerful processor, and excellent camera. Unfolded aspect ratio can be problematic for some content.

How We Picked the Best Smartphones

We focused on value for money, avoiding unnecessary features unless crucial for specific use cases (e.g., gaming). We also prioritized durability and long-term software support.

Best Smartphones FAQ

• Samsung vs. Apple: Both offer high-quality premium phones. The choice depends on preference for Android or iOS and familiarity with each operating system.

• iPhone vs. Android: Modern iPhones and premium Android phones are very similar. The choice depends on ecosystem preference (Apple vs. Windows) and familiarity.

• Best Value Android: The Google Pixel 8 offers excellent value with potent performance, elegant design, and long-term software support.

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