Best Smartphones 2025: Our Expert Picks You’ll Love Using
Looking for a phone that won’t let you down—whether it’s for travel photos, all‑day battery, or buttery‑smooth performance? I test and set up phones for friends, family, and clients every year. Below is the short list I recommend in 2025, with plain‑English reasons to buy, who they’re best for, and one‑tap ways to check price and availability.
Tip for faster decisions: prioritize what you can’t compromise on—camera, battery, or size. You’ll avoid overpaying for features you won’t notice.
Quick Answer: What’s the best smartphone in 2025?
- Best overall flagship: Apple iPhone 16 Pro — elite camera, performance, and long software support.
- Best Android flagship: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — superb display, S Pen, and versatile 200MP camera.
- Best camera phone: Google Pixel 9 Pro — class‑leading computational photography and reliable portraits.
- Best value flagship: OnePlus 12 — fast, smooth, great battery for the price.
- Best midrange: Samsung Galaxy A55 — balanced performance, dependable battery, premium build.
- Best budget 5G: Google Pixel 8a — clean Android, good camera, frequent updates.
- Best foldable (productivity): Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 — big inner screen for work and split‑screen apps.
Note: Prices vary by region and storage. Prioritize total ownership value: trade‑in offers, warranty, and how long updates last.
iPhone 16 Pro — best overall for most people
If you want a phone that’s consistently fast, shoots excellent photos and video, and holds value well, the iPhone 16 Pro is the safe pick in 2025.
- Why it stands out: pro‑grade cameras, fluid performance, strong battery life, top‑tier app ecosystem.
- Who it’s for: creators, travelers, and anyone who keeps a phone 3–5 years.
- Good to know: iOS updates typically outlast most Android rivals, which helps resale value.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — best Android flagship display and stylus
The S24 Ultra’s display quality and S Pen productivity make it a favorite for power users and note‑takers.
- Why it stands out: ultra‑sharp screen, versatile camera (zoom + video), S Pen precision.
- Who it’s for: multitaskers, artists, students, and anyone who values a large, bright display.
- Good to know: excellent battery endurance and strong accessory ecosystem.
Google Pixel 9 Pro — best camera phone for point‑and‑shoot ease
If you want great pictures without fiddling with settings, the Pixel 9 Pro nails skin tones, low light, and portraits.
- Why it stands out: industry‑leading computational photography, clean Android, fast security updates.
- Who it’s for: parents, travelers, social‑first shooters, and casual creators.
- Good to know: Google’s AI features are genuinely helpful for photos and transcription.
OnePlus 12 — best value flagship performance
A fluid Android experience with speedy charging and strong battery life—usually at a lower price than Samsungs and iPhones.
- Why it stands out: smooth performance, bright display, great battery/charge speeds.
- Who it’s for: users who value speed and clean design without paying top‑tier prices.
- Good to know: excellent choice for mobile gamers on a budget.
Samsung Galaxy A55 — best midrange for most buyers
The A55 brings premium build and a reliable battery to a friendly price point.
- Why it stands out: solid main camera, good OLED display, long battery life.
- Who it’s for: students and professionals who want flagship feel without the flagship bill.
- Good to know: pair with a 25W+ USB‑C charger for faster top‑ups.
Google Pixel 8a — best budget 5G with a great camera
It’s hard to beat Pixel image quality at this price, plus you get quick updates and useful AI features.
- Why it stands out: camera quality for the money, clean software, frequent updates.
- Who it’s for: budget‑minded buyers who still care about photos and reliability.
- Good to know: excellent pick for gifting; minimal setup headaches.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 — best foldable for productivity
A tablet‑size inner screen turns commutes into work or reading time, and split‑screen apps are genuinely useful.
- Why it stands out: huge inner display, multitasking, premium build.
- Who it’s for: power users, road warriors, and anyone replacing a small tablet.
- Good to know: try it in‑hand first—foldables feel different in pocket and grip.
How to choose: camera, battery, or size?
- Cameras: If portraits and low‑light matter, start with Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro.
- Battery life: Prioritize Galaxy S24 Ultra or OnePlus 12 for long days and faster charging.
- Compact size: Consider standard iPhone 16 or Pixel 9 if you prefer lighter, easier one‑hand use.
- Longevity: iPhone 16 Pro and Pixels get years of OS/security updates; this saves money long‑term.
If you’re curious how 5G helps with streaming and maps, here’s a quick primer on the tech behind it: 5G overview (Wikipedia).
Pro tips from real‑world use
- Don’t overbuy storage: cloud photos + periodic offloads keep 128–256GB sufficient for most.
- Use a 25–45W USB‑C charger: faster charging safely, without leaving it plugged in overnight.
- Back up automatically: set weekly backups so a lost phone is an inconvenience, not a disaster.
- Case + tempered glass: cheap insurance that pays for itself the first time you drop it.
FAQs: quick answers
- Which phone has the best camera right now?
Pixel 9 Pro for point‑and‑shoot simplicity; iPhone 16 Pro for video and third‑party apps. - How long should a flagship last?
Three to five years with normal care and battery health management. - Is midrange worth it in 2025?
Yes—Galaxy A55 and Pixel 8a deliver excellent value and updates without flagship prices. - Should I wait for the next model?
If a launch is a month away, wait. Otherwise, buy when you need it—trade‑in deals offset small gains.
Related reading
Prefer speakers and smart home gear? Check our latest guide: Best Smart Speakers.
Choosing the right phone is less about specs and more about fit. If you share what you do most—photos, gaming, work, travel—I’m happy to suggest a tighter short list next.
Expert Shopping Guidance
These products have been carefully selected and reviewed by our expert shopping team at Blink AI. Our recommendations are based on extensive research, user reviews, quality assessments, and value for money. We analyze thousands of products to bring you only the best options that meet high standards of quality and customer satisfaction.
Review Team: Led by Happy Sinha, Former Amazon Product Analyst (2014 to Now) with 10+ years of shopping expertise and 50,000+ products personally reviewed.