Best Smartphones 2025 is not a single winner because nobody shops like a benchmark chart. You shop like : “my battery is trash” or “I need a better camera” or maybe “I refuse to carry a tablet or foldable in my pocket.” This guide is a fast buyer cheat sheet built for saving, comparing and clicking “buy” without regrets.
2025’s market is stacked, which is good news but it also means the “Pro Ultra Max” tax is easier to fall into. A lot of the new AI stuff is cool in demos, but the day to day wins still come from boring fundamentals: consistent cameras, reliable battery life and software support you will not hate in 18 months. If you want deeper mobile coverage later, start at our hub for smartphones and tablets and the running shortlist in Android phones.
To keep the categories honest, we are using MKBHD’s awards format as the “shopping brain” framework. It is basically how Pinterest saves work: pick a priority, pick a phone, move on with your life (and your wallet).
Smartphone Awards 2025!
Watch that video for the category logic, then come back here for the no drama shortlist. If you are torn between “power iPhone” and “thin iPhone,” our breakdown of iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone Air makes the choice less emotional. And if you want context on Apple’s whole design pivot this year, Liquid Glass and iPhone 17 explains what changed and why people noticed.
Best Smartphones 2025 Edition (Save This)
| Priority | Pick | Price band (USD) | 1-line reason |
| Overall | iPhone 17 | $799 | The safe “great at everything” buy without paying Pro tax. |
| Camera | Galaxy S25 Ultra | $1,300 | The zoom-and-flex champ when photos actually matter. |
| Battery | OnePlus 15 | $900 | Built for people who hate charging and mean it. |
| Budget | Pixel 9a | $499 | The rare cheap phone that still feels like a smart buy. |
| Compact | Galaxy S25 | $800 | Pocket-friendly flagship power with fewer ergonomic regrets. |
| Foldable | Galaxy Z Fold7 | $1,999 | The big-screen-in-your-pocket experience, if you will actually use it weekly. |
A few notes so you do not get tricked by a sale banner: these price bands are based on typical US starting prices on the manufacturer store pages for iPhone 17,Pixel 10 (a strong “Android overall” alternative if you prefer Google’s vibe), Pixel 9a,Galaxy S25,Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Fold7. OnePlus 15 pricing is reported around the $899.99 mark with battery life being its headline flex.
If you want a phone that just works, start with the “Overall” row and only move away if you have a specific complaint. If your camera roll is basically your personality, then obviously camera-first. If you live at 12 percent, we have to pick the battery champ and enjoy your new personality trait: calm & if you are buying a foldable, do it for the inner screen, not for the attention.
