The perfect smartphones to purchase in 2025

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 recognize you need an iPhone, there’s even sufficient variation between these new fashions that you will have to consider it longer than you anticipated. Should 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 evaluate telephones commonly and have examined dozens over time. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on one among our present prime picks, one among Samsung’s Galaxy S25 telephones, a cheap phone or one other system, we’re right here that can assist you determine which is the perfect telephone 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 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 gadgets now help full high-res portrait photographs, its 100x Professional Res Zoom captures long-range pictures 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 telephone maker) by way of Pixelsnap and you’ve got actually sensible gadgets that makes choosing the rest appear sort 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 pictures 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 dimension: 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 finest entry-level iPhone thus far. It has an Motion button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter display and an A18 chip that permits Apple Intelligence.

My greatest considerations with it are limitations introduced on by its single rear digital camera setup — issues like not with the ability to seize ultrawide photographs 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 need to think about whether or not the improved digital camera sensor is price giving up an ultrawide digital camera for. Whether it is, and for those who can dwell with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless gadgets, the iPhone 16e’s digital camera shall be satisfying.

There are different components 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

Professionals

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

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 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 out there on its dearer siblings. In reality, 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, wonderful cameras and robust battery life, the Pixel 9a is admittedly laborious to beat. So whereas it is not tremendous fancy, the telephone has all of its most essential bases lined (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this telephone seems like an unbelievable deal that punches effectively above its worth. — S.R.

Professionals

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

Cons

• Charging might 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 (principal) 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 dimension and weight that always 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 % 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 principal 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 reasonably priced and for long-time Samsung followers, the lack of S Pen help could also be a dealbreaker. However for individuals who need to expertise new heights in foldable telephone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of contemporary gadget design. — S.R.

Professionals

• Exquisitely skinny design
• Sleeker hinge
• Large 200MP principal digital camera
• Bigger shows
• High-tier efficiency

Cons

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

$1,790 at Amazon

Mat Smith for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review

Display dimension: 6.9-inch (principal) 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 side 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 expenses, though it runs a bit of scorching with heavy apps, duties and video games.

Software program additions embody the Now Bar and Gemini Stay 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 main and 12MP ultrawide lens. Sadly there’s nonetheless no devoted telephoto lens, which makes it much less helpful in some taking pictures 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
• Higher battery life
• Slimmer design

Cons

• Cameras are dated
• Entrance display utility remains 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. Nevertheless it’s a lot greater than that. It’s fantastically crafted and because of a titanium body, Ceramic Defend 2 display 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 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 digital camera, the query you must reply is for those who’re keen to surrender some additional lenses to get essentially the most exquisitely engineered iPhone and all of its type 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, nevertheless it nonetheless has the perfect 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 gained’t discover on any of its rivals. This might save the telephone from an early demise and stop plenty of complications for those who frequent the seashore or just about anyplace with little particles that might threaten the insides of your system. — 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 the perfect methods. That’s as a result of as a substitute 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 affords 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 telephone’s design both, because the OP13 nonetheless comes with the corporate’s signature Alert Slider. Plus, for those who 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 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?

While you’re looking for the perfect 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 telephone calls or music from one system to a different. On the identical 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 corporations like Google, Samsung, Sony and extra. Nevertheless, Android telephones don’t take pleasure in that very same size of software program help and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. In brief, there’s no mistaken reply. Nevertheless, it would be best to think about how your telephone will slot in with the remainder of your gadgets. So until you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen to study one other, it most likely doesn’t make plenty of sense to change 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 main digital camera, 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 in order for you an extended optical zoom, you’ll most likely should improve to a dearer system.

Mid-range phones typically solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digital camera) and might typically wrestle in low-light conditions. Every telephone maker additionally has varied options that could be a greater match to your type, with Apple providing 4 completely different coloration 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 at the least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and help for some sort of 5G connectivity. Nevertheless, in order for you the quickest wi-fi speeds potential, it’s going to price you a bit of additional. 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 suggests help for it’s typically lacking on cheaper gadgets.

On the brilliant facet, 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 might not be lacking out on a lot proper now for those who purchase a telephone that doesn’t help it. It’s the same state of affairs for Wi-Fi 7, which is accessible 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 until you recognize you want it or have a selected use case in thoughts, the shortage of help for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when on the lookout for a brand new telephone.

Different options to contemplate

As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the perfect telephone, you need to take into consideration some other specs that could be additional essential for you. Cell avid gamers will virtually definitely respect 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 essential, you’ll most likely need to go together with a bigger iPhone or an Android telephone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in dimension. In the meantime, if you end up juggling plenty of gadgets, it may be very nice to have a telephone 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 the perfect for me?

Whereas selecting the perfect smartphone could be difficult, it principally comes all the way down to how you intend on utilizing the system. All the finest telephones out there 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, it’s possible you’ll need to think about paying for a tool on the upper finish of the worth spectrum. That may get you higher general efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a telephone that can final for a few years. Should you don’t use your telephone for every little thing, you might be able to compromise on efficiency and further 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 general efficiency, design, digital camera prowess and further options to maintain prices down. On the flip facet, the costliest telephones may 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 finest smartphones out there proper now price between $500 and $1,000.

What are you able to do on a smartphone?

Smartphones are basically small, transportable computer systems that allow you to do issues like verify e-mail, browse social media, comply with 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 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 the moment as simply as transportable, 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 telephone 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 telephone can deteriorate over time as you employ and recharge your telephone 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.