Best phone 2025: the top smartphones to buy right now

Haven’t you heard? Telephones are boring now. And that’s simply wonderful! Most individuals shopping for a brand new cellphone simply need one thing acquainted that works higher than the system they’re changing. If that’s your MO, you then’re certain to search out one thing dependable in my suggestions beneath.

However even for those who’re searching for one thing a little bit extra additional, you’ve obtained some nice choices. They’re going to be fairly iterative in comparison with no matter you’re utilizing now — we’re in additional of a software program period than a {hardware} innovation cycle nowadays — however you could find a pleasant new system. We lastly have a folding cellphone that appears like the correct measurement and form, flip telephones provide much more than simply nostalgia, and you may nonetheless purchase a cellphone with no fewer than 4 cameras on the again. Not dangerous for a boring season of cellphone {hardware}.

Lots of people within the US get their telephones by means of provider offers, and no judgment right here if that’s the route you’re taking — it’s how I purchased mine. Simply ensure you recognize what you’re entering into and what number of years you’ll want to remain on that Tremendous 5G Every little thing Limitless Plus plan to maintain the month-to-month system reimbursements coming.

If you happen to’re seeking to spend rather less and nonetheless get the very best smartphone on a funds, you could find one thing actually good for below $500. For these suggestions, take a look at our information to funds smartphones.

The very best iPhone for most individuals

Display: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh price / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 major with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wi-fi MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP68

From a {hardware} perspective, the iPhone 16 (or the 16 Plus) is a straightforward improve alternative. If you happen to’re switching from an iPhone 13, 12, and even older, these 4 or 5 years of incremental efficiency enhancements add up. However there’s one thing totally new this time round — effectively, two issues: the Motion Button and the Digicam Management button.

The customizable Motion Button, which replaces the mute change on the left fringe of the cellphone, is a hand-me-down from the 15 Professional collection. You’ll be able to set it to open a specific app, activate the flashlight, or nearly anything you may want on the contact of a button. On the opposite facet of the cellphone is the Digicam Management, which you should utilize to launch the digicam app. With the digicam open, it acts as a shutter button with a full press, and a light-weight press brings up different publicity choices you may modify. Even for those who solely ever use it to launch the digicam, it’s fairly helpful, and it frees up the Motion Button.

The iPhone 16 and its bigger 16 Plus sibling use Apple’s A18 chipset, which is in the identical household because the 16 Professional’s processor. That bodes effectively for the telephones staying on the identical software program improve cycle. They each obtained Apple Intelligence within the fall, which included AI-powered writing instruments and notification summaries in its earliest iteration, and finally grew to assist ChatGPT and a brand new Visible Intelligence characteristic. However regardless of the similarities, the common 16 fashions lag behind the Professionals in two essential departments: the display screen and the digicam.

The Professionals include devoted 5x lenses and up to date major cameras that do some higher in low gentle. And also you’ll solely get a ProMotion show on the Professional fashions; the common 16 encompasses a slower 60Hz display screen. Principally each different high-end cellphone in the marketplace provides a 120Hz show, in order that’s a disappointment. If these two drawbacks don’t trouble you — and most of the people most likely gained’t thoughts them — then the iPhone 16 makes for an awesome improve.

The very best Android cellphone for most individuals

Display: 6.3-inch, 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 major with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wi-fi (with Pixel Stand 2) / Climate resistance: IP68

The Android ecosystem has been searching for a cellphone just like the Pixel 9 for some time now. It’s simple and unfussy, takes reliably good images, and comes with the polished {hardware} you’d anticipate from a high-end cellphone. It doesn’t have a devoted telephoto lens, which the equally priced Galaxy S25 does, however the software program is much less quirky than Samsung’s, making for a greater total expertise.

Exterior of zoom capabilities, Google’s Pixel digicam is simply as dependable as ever. The cellphone comes with a Tensor G4 chipset that powers AI options aplenty, each inside and out of doors of the digicam app. Some are promising and a few are worrying, however there’s nothing right here that appears like a real game-changer. Which is ok.

The essential factor is that the Pixel 9 has the correct stuff the place it counts. It’s straightforward to make use of, and a number of the Pixel collection’ persistent issues like poor thermals and buggy software program appear to be below management on this technology. The 9 Professional is a worthwhile improve if you’d like that telephoto lens and a barely nicer display screen, however in any case, the Pixel 9 appears like a top-notch system, in and out.

The very best high-end Android cellphone

Display: 6.9-inch, 1440p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite / Cameras: 200-megapixel major with OIS; 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS; 50-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi, Qi2 prepared / Climate resistance: IP68

Samsung’s “Extremely” S-series cellphone remains to be your greatest guess for a maximalist Android cellphone, even when extremely doesn’t fairly imply what it as soon as did. You continue to get 4 rear cameras — together with a 3x and 5x telephoto — a large display screen, and a built-in S Pen stylus. The battery goes all day, the processor is top-notch, and there are AI options aplenty for those who’re into that kind of factor. There’s simply no different cellphone fairly prefer it.

This 12 months, Samsung eliminated the Bluetooth options from the stylus. That stings a little bit, particularly contemplating that the corporate swapped a 10x zoom for the shorter 5x digicam the 12 months earlier than. It nonetheless quantities to an awesome cellphone, however it’s one of many priciest slab-style telephones you should purchase and Samsung appears to be reducing options with out including again any additional worth. It’s nonetheless “extremely” alright, however it doesn’t really feel fairly as particular because it used to.

The very best cellphone for round $500

Display: 6.1-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Tensor G3 Cameras: 64-megapixel f/1.89 with OIS; 13-megapixel ultrawide; 13-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,492mAh / Charging: 18W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate-resistance score: IP67

It’s onerous to beat the Pixel 8A on sheer ROI. For $500, you get an excellent funds cellphone that comes with seven years of OS and safety updates; most telephones at this worth will solely see a handful of OS upgrades, if that. The 8A additionally comes with a great digicam that covers the fundamentals. It’s not as fancy because the Pixel 9 or 9 Professional, however it gained’t forestall you from capturing that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

The Pixel 8A gives loads of different belongings you wouldn’t essentially anticipate from a $500 cellphone, like wi-fi charging and an IP67 score for resistance towards full water immersion. After all, you may’t have every thing. The 8A’s again panel is matte plastic somewhat than glass, sadly, and its 6.1-inch 1080p display screen isn’t the very best in its class.

There are different telephones out there for below $500 price contemplating, a lot of that are lined in our information to the very best cheap telephones. However for those who’re searching for absolutely the most worth you will get from a $500 cellphone, then look no additional than the 8A.

Display: 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh price / Processor: A18 Professional Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.8 with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W MagSafe wi-fi, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP68

Like all mainline iPhone 16 fashions, the 16 Professional gained the brand new Digicam Management button, however it obtained one other essential replace, too: a 5x telephoto lens. Within the 15 collection, that longer telephoto lens was reserved for the larger Professional Max mannequin. This time round, it’s on the smaller Professional, too, making it an awesome choice for somebody who needs to improve with out upsizing their cellphone.

Just like the Professional Max, the iPhone 16 Professional makes use of an A18 Professional chipset designed to assist Apple Intelligence, which began rolling out within the fall of 2024. The primary replace included issues like notification summaries and the brand new glowing-border Siri UI, which Apple centered its launch occasion on. Subsequent updates introduced ChatGPT integration and Visible Intelligence. However don’t anticipate something radical — a minimum of at first.

Exterior of AI, the 16 Professional is a reasonably iterative replace. The brand new Digicam Management makes it simpler to launch the digicam and get proper to taking images, and it additionally frees up the Motion Button for those who have been utilizing it as a digicam shortcut. The display screen is a little bit larger at 6.3 inches in comparison with 6.1 inches, although the cellphone is principally the identical measurement. You’ll be able to file 4K video at 120fps now. And the brand new Photographic Kinds, which can be found on all iPhone 16 fashions, allow you to take extra management over your images than ever.

There’s nothing right here that somebody with an iPhone 15 Professional ought to improve for, however it’s an all-around strong system that may please Apple devotees, particularly those that want a cellphone that isn’t too massive.

Display: 6.7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED inside display screen; 3.4-inch, 720p, OLED cowl display screen / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 major with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (inside display screen) / Battery: 4,000mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP48

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t probably the most enjoyable flip cellphone you should purchase proper now; that might be the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus. However enjoyable solely goes thus far, and the Z Flip 6 is the extra dependable of the 2. In the case of the system you utilize day in and time out, reliability counts for lots.

Motorola’s tackle the fashionable flip cellphone embraces nostalgia with cute animations and a mode that sends the entire system again to the early 2000s. The Z Flip 6 lacks this type of attraction, however you do get an up to date cowl display screen UI that’s extra customizable than the Z Flip 5’s. The Flip 6 additionally comes with seven years of software program updates, which matches the very best software program insurance policies in the marketplace. The {hardware} will most likely give out lengthy earlier than the software program, truthfully.

That’s the opposite facet of the flip cellphone coin: long-term sturdiness is iffy. Positive, the Flip 6 is constructed to resist full water immersion, however it nonetheless doesn’t have any formal mud resistance. For that cause, it isn’t a cellphone I’d suggest to simply anybody.

That mentioned, the Z Flip 6’s outer display screen does come in useful. You are able to do so much with the prebaked widget choices out there to make use of, and for those who’re just a bit adventurous, you may run any app you need on the little display screen. Beginning a Strava exercise or sending a fast textual content is a cinch, which is a giant a part of the enchantment of a flip cellphone. Simply, you recognize, preserve this cellphone away from the seashore.

Display: 8.0-inch, 2076p, 120Hz OLED inside display screen; 6.3-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED cowl display screen / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 major with OIS; 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10.5-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display screen); 10-megapixel inside selfie digicam / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

It’s onerous to convey simply how good the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is to make use of. It’s the primary book-style folding cellphone that totally delivers on the promise of a foldable: it’s a pill if you want it and an everyday cellphone if you don’t.

Samsung’s Z Fold collection feels a little bit too slender and cramped in its closed configuration, and the unique Pixel Fold was too cumbersome and heavy to make use of comfortably. The 9 Professional Fold is lighter, and utilizing its 6.3-inch outer display screen feels principally like utilizing a traditional cellphone, which is a giant win.

That’s actually the theme of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold: it simply feels regular. However there are a few decidedly not-normal issues to contemplate: worth and sturdiness. The 9 Professional Fold prices $1,799 — principally the going price for a book-style foldable however nonetheless some huge cash for a cellphone.

And long-term sturdiness is unclear, particularly on condition that that is solely Google’s second folding cellphone. It’s rated to resist full water immersion, however as with all foldable, mud is a priority, so that you’ll wish to take a little bit additional care with this system. All that mentioned, somebody with the abdomen (and pockets) for the 9 Professional Fold will discover it a really rewarding system.

The very best cellphone for one thing utterly completely different

Display: 6.7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.9 major with OIS; 50-megapixel ultrawide; 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP54

The Nothing Telephone 2 isn’t for everybody, however for the correct of individual, it’s an excellent different to the Galaxies and Pixels of the world. It’s a style-driven system, from the dot-matrix-inspired UI to the flashing gentle strips on the again panel. Will its distinctive {hardware} and software program options show you how to take again your consideration span as Nothing claims? Eh, most likely not. Principally, it’s only a cool-looking gadget and a thoughtfully designed system.

The Telephone 2 is provided with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is a barely older however nonetheless very succesful processor. Its 6.7-inch, 1080p display screen helps a quick 120Hz high refresh price, and its lowest 1Hz refresh price permits it to supply an information-rich always-on show. The digicam system is nice, although not fairly as constant because the Pixel 7’s. There’s wi-fi charging, quick 45W wired charging, and an all-day battery.

That’s the entire excellent news. The dangerous information is that it’s solely rated IP54, that means it’s not totally dustproof, and it’s solely proof against splashes somewhat than full immersion in water. Most different telephones at this worth provide a full IP68 score, and a few cheaper midrange telephones, just like the Pixel 8A, nonetheless embrace IP67 water resistance. The Telephone 2 additionally lacks official assist for Verizon’s community, which guidelines it out for lots of people within the US.

There’s the Glyph Interface, too — these lights on the again of the cellphone. It’s a neat thought with some attention-grabbing purposes for those who make investments a little bit time in tweaking it. You’ll be able to flip it over to silence notifications if you want a while to focus and handpick sure “important” alerts to gentle up the Glyph. Personally, I discover it much less useful than a standard focus mode and even the Telephone 2’s always-on show. However others may discover it helpful, and if nothing else, it appears neat.

The Telephone 2 isn’t the only option for sheer worth — the Pixel 8A is a significantly better deal. It’s not the only option for somebody who simply needs a cellphone to get them by means of their day with minimal problem. But it surely’s undeniably completely different, and for those who’re searching for one thing outdoors of the bizarre with a sure visible enchantment, then it’s a worthy candidate.

Replace, March third: Adjusted pricing/availability and added a point out of a number of new telephones, together with the Google Pixel 9A and Samsung’s Galaxy A36. Brandon Widder additionally contributed to this submit.