One of the best 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 obtainable now than ever earlier than, making the choice not as cut-and-dry because it was once. 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 could have to consider it longer than you anticipated. For those who’re an Android individual, you will have 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 recurrently and have examined dozens through the years. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on considered one of our present prime picks, considered one of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 telephones, a cheap phone or one other gadget, we’re right here that will help you resolve which is the perfect telephone to purchase this yr.

Android or iOS?

If 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 gadget to a different. On the identical time, you’re successfully locked in, as companies like Apple Messages aren’t obtainable 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 get pleasure from 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 take into account how your telephone will slot in with the remainder of your units. So until you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen to study one other, it in all probability doesn’t make quite a lot 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 cellphone usually pulls double responsibility as your main digicam, determining what sort of picture instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take a terrific image in brilliant mild. However if you’d like a protracted optical zoom, you’ll in all probability need to improve to a costlier gadget.

Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Mid-range phones usually solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digicam) and may generally wrestle in low-light conditions. Every telephone maker additionally has numerous options that is perhaps a greater match to your model, with Apple providing 4 completely different colour 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 type of 5G connectivity. Nevertheless, if you’d like the quickest wi-fi speeds attainable, it’s going to value you slightly 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 should you purchase a telephone that doesn’t help it. It’s the same state of affairs for Wi-Fi 7, which is obtainable on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S25, however more durable to seek out on cheaper units. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so until 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 in search of a brand new telephone.

Different options to contemplate

As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the perfect telephone, you must take into consideration another specs that is perhaps further essential for you. Cell players will nearly actually recognize the 120Hz refresh charges you get on telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 16 Professional. Alternatively, if lengthy battery life is essential, you’ll in all probability 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 measurement. In the meantime, if you end up juggling quite a lot of units, 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.

Different smartphones we have examined

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely

Like its predecessor, the S25 Ultra is an extremely versatile telephone. It’s one of many few handsets that include an included stylus and premium options like a beautiful 6.9-inch AMOLED show, titanium body and a 5x telephoto digicam. It additionally has wonderful efficiency and powerful battery life. The difficulty is that, other than improved AI, this yr’s telephone doesn’t provide that rather more than the earlier mannequin (or the one earlier than that), and with costs beginning at $1,300, we really feel it must do extra to earn a prime decide spot.

OnePlus 12

Whereas the OnePlus 12 wasn’t capable of unseat the newest Pixel, it’s price mentioning as a result of it affords highly effective specs for the cash. It contains a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a giant and brilliant 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED display and the perfect battery life we’ve seen on any telephone so far. OnePlus additionally introduced again help for wi-fi charging for the primary time in a number of generations, together with an excellent (however not nice) IP65 ranking for mud and water resistance. And though its enormous digicam module seems to be a bit ungainly, its images are surprisingly sharp. However the perfect factor is that, with a beginning value of $800, the OnePlus 12 prices $200 lower than its greatest rivals.

FAQs

How do I do know which smartphone is the perfect for me?

Whereas selecting the perfect smartphone might be difficult, it largely comes right down to how you intend on utilizing the gadget. 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, it’s possible you’ll need to take into account paying for a tool on the upper finish of the worth spectrum. That can get you higher general efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a telephone that can final for a few years. For those who don’t use your telephone for all the pieces, 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 normally compromise on general efficiency, design, digicam prowess and further options to maintain prices down. On the flip aspect, the costliest 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 huge value vary — we’ve discovered that many of the greatest smartphones obtainable proper now value 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 examine e 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 fashionable cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally largely changed compact cameras due to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones at present 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 elements 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 regularly.

Latest updates

January 2025: Up to date to incorporate particulars about Samsung’s newest Galaxy S-series telephones.

September 2024: Up to date to incorporate the newest iPhone 16 fashions and a brand new midrange iPhone prime decide.

September 2024: Up to date to incorporate an editor’s word in regards to the newest iPhones and to say the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold within the “greatest foldable telephone for multitasking” part.

This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cell/smartphones/best-smartphones-140004900.html?src=rss

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