The Best Smartphones for 2025

Smartphones aren't exactly thrilling purchases. They're mostly glass rectangles for messaging, YouTube, social media, and photos – essential, but expensive. This list highlights the best smartphones based on value for money.

TL;DR – Top Smartphones:

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Our top pick. See it at Amazon

Google Pixel 9 Pro: Excellent camera phone. See it at Amazon See it at Best Buy

Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Top iPhone choice. See it at Best Buy See it at Apple

Google Pixel 8: Best mid-range option. See it at Amazon

Poco X5 5G: Best budget smartphone. See it at Amazon

RedMagic 10 Pro: Best gaming phone. See it at Amazon See it at RedMagic

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Best foldable phone. See it at Amazon

Value is subjective. Some prioritize photography, others gaming or display quality. We've tested phones across the spectrum. This list includes top Android and iPhone options, balancing features and price. We also consider older models offering exceptional value due to price drops.

Contributions by Jacqueline Thomas, Callum Bains, and Danielle Abraham

Detailed Reviews:

1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Best Smartphone

• Highlights: 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, exceptional camera system (200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto, 12MP front), S Pen support.
• Pros: Incredible performance, exceptional camera.
• Cons: Large and heavy due to titanium frame.
• See it at Amazon
• Specifications: Screen size: 6.8 inches; Rear cameras: 4; Front cameras: 1; Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 (third generation); Battery life: 5,000mAh; Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB; Starting price: $1,299.99

(Reviews for other phones would follow a similar structure, including highlights, pros, cons, specifications, and images. Due to length constraints, I will not include the full details for the remaining phones.)

Selection Methodology:

We prioritized phones offering the best value across various budgets, focusing on durable builds and long-term software support. We avoided phones making excessive compromises for low pricing.

FAQ:

• Samsung vs. Apple: Both offer premium phones with excellent features. The choice depends on OS preference (Android vs. iOS) and ecosystem integration.

• iPhone vs. Android: Premium models are very similar. The best choice depends on your existing ecosystem and preferences.

• Best Android Value: The Google Pixel 8 offers excellent performance, design, and long-term software support at a mid-range price.

(Placeholder links are used because actual Amazon and Best Buy links are not provided in the input.)