You may already have a good idea as to whether you want to be your next smartphone. However, with more solid options available than ever, the decision is not as cut and dry as before. If you know you want an iPhone, the decision is a bit simpler, but there are plenty of variations between the new models that you may need to think about longer than you would expect. If you’re an Android person, there are many more options, including folding, and there are questions to answer before spending money.
At Engadget, we regularly review phones and have tested dozens of people over the years. Whether you’re looking at one of the top picks in the current world, one of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 phones, a cheap phone or another device, you’ll find the best phone to buy this year. It will help.
Android or iOS?
When you’re looking for the best smartphone, it becomes clear that each OS has its advantages and disadvantages. Apple’s tight knit ecosystem allows you to easily share data between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, or seamlessly distribute phones and music from one device to another. At the same time, services like Apple Messages are not available on other platforms and are effectively locked.
When it comes to Android, there is a much wider range of phones from companies like Google, Samsung, Sony. However, Android phones do not enjoy software support of the same length and often have lower Trade-In values. In short, there is no wrong answer. However, you need to consider how your phone fits with other devices. So unless you’re really tired of one OS and are willing to learn another, it probably won’t make much sense to switch from iPhone to Android phone (or vice versa). Use the same platform.
camera
Mobile phones often bring double obligations as primary cameras, so it’s important to know what kind of photography tools you need. These days, in reality, all phones can take great photos in bright light. However, if you want a longer optical zoom, you probably need to upgrade to a more expensive device.
Cherlynn low / engadget
Midrange phones often have only two rear cameras (a primary wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-width camera), which can be a pain in low light situations. Each phone maker also has a variety of features that suit your style, and Apple offers four different color presets on the latest iPhone, while Google’s Pixel 9 Pro also has dedicated long exposure and action pan modes. Comes with neat tools.
Do you want to get mmwave 5g or wi-fi 7?
Fortunately, in 2025, most phones have at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, supporting some kind of 5G connection. However, if you want the fastest wireless speed possible, it will cost a little extra. For example, on certain networks, MMWave 5G offers Gigabit download speeds, reduced latency and better bandwidth. However, MMWave 5G also needs a more refined (and more expensive) modem.
On the bright side, MMWave 5G is not as widely available as other versions of 5G, so depending on where you live and which network you use, if you buy a phone you don’t, you’ll be able to get it right now You may not have missed it, but we will support it. This is similar to the Wi-Fi 7, which is available on high-end handsets such as the Galaxy S25, but is difficult to find on cheap devices. Wi-Fi 7 requires you to use a compatible router, so unless you don’t know what you need or have specific use cases in mind, you can use MMWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 support. The lack should not be a DealBreaker when looking for it. New phone.
Other features to consider
Not everyone agrees with what makes the best phone, so you should think about other specs that are particularly important to you. Mobile gamers almost certainly appreciate the 120Hz refresh rate you get on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Alternatively, if longer battery life is important, it is probably best to use a larger iPhone or Android smartphone with a battery of 4,000-5,000 mAh size. On the other hand, if you notice that you are juggling many devices, having a phone that supports reverse wireless charging will allow you to charge your company’s Galaxy Watch with your Samsung phone.
Other smartphones tested
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Like its predecessor, the S25 Ultra is a very versatile mobile phone. This is one of the few phones that include a luxurious 6.9-inch AMOLED display, titanium frame, and a 5X telephoto camera, and a stylus and premium features. It also has excellent performance and a strong battery life. The problem is, with the exception of improved AI, this year’s phones aren’t offered much more than their previous models (or previous models), and when prices start at $1,300, they’ll be more to get the top I feel there’s a need to do it. Select a spot.
OnePlus 13
OnePlus 13 has basic AI features like Google’s Circle To Search and Gemini Assistant, but in reality it’s an old-fashioned flagship in all the best ways. This is because, instead of focusing on machine learning, OnePlus packed the phone with a ton of top-notch hardware. It features a 6.8-inch OLED display with incredible peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. The OP13 offers excellent performance thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 elite chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There are also three rear cameras, including three 50mp rear cameras with a 3x telephoto zoom, and three rear cameras, including a massive 6,000 mAh battery, which is actually bigger than what falls in all of its competitors.
OP13 still comes with a company signature alert slider, so OnePlus didn’t skip the phone design either. Plus, choosing the blue or white variation gives you a durable, extremely touchable vegan leather bag that will help your phone stand out among its glass brick rivals. But the best part is that it’s lower than the Galaxy S25+, which is comparable to starting at $900.
FAQ
How can I know which smartphone is best for me?
Choosing the best smartphone can be difficult, but most of the time it comes down to how you use your device. All the best mobile phones available get the basics right. You can make phone calls, access and access the internet without many hiccups. If your smartphone is the most used gadget, we recommend considering paying for devices at the upper limit of the price spectrum. This will improve your overall performance, high quality cameras and long-lasting mobile phones. Without a mobile phone for everything, you may find yourself compromising on performance and extra perks and spending less on handsets that are still available.
How much is a smartphone?
Smartphone prices range from $300 to over $1,500. The best budget phones available today usually compromise on overall performance, design, camera skills and additional features to keep costs down. Conversely, the most expensive phones have powerful processors, triple camera arrays, and even flip or fold designs. Most people will find a mobile phone that suits their needs somewhere in the middle of that wide price range. We’ve found that most of the best smartphones available now cost between $500 and $1,000.
What can you do with your smartphone?
Smartphones are essentially small portable computers that can check email, browse social media, follow map instructions, and make contactless payments. All of this is added to basics such as making calls and texting. This is what you’re expecting on all modern mobile phones. Also, smartphones are primarily replacing compact cameras thanks to the high quality, built-in shooter games and the fact that most smartphones today are portable, if not as portable as compact cameras. Masu.
How long does a smartphone last?
Smartphones have been like this last year Hold their mobile phone It’s longer than ever. Software updates and battery life are two of the biggest factors that can affect phone life. Apple has promised five years of software updates for the latest iPhone, and Google has promised the same with pixel phones. Samsung phones will earn four years’ worth of Android updates from release. Regarding charging speed and battery life, your phone can get worse over time when you use your phone to charge regularly.
Recent Updates
January 2025: Updated to include details on Samsung’s latest Galaxy S-series phones.
September 2024: Updated and includes the latest iPhone 16 models and the new mid-range iPhone top picks.
September 2024: Updated to mention Google Pixel 9 Pro folding in the “Furniture Phones Best for Multitasking” section, including editor’s notes on the latest iPhone.
This article was originally published at Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-smartphones-140004900.html?src=rss
