You would possibly have already got a good suggestion of which smartphone you wish to be your subsequent one. However there are extra strong choices out there now than ever earlier than, making the choice not as cut-and-dry because it was. Whereas the choice is a bit simpler if you need an iPhone, there’s even sufficient variation between these new fashions that you will have to consider it longer than you anticipated. When you’re an Android particular person, you may have much more choices to select from — together with foldables — and extra inquiries to reply earlier than you spend any cash.
At Engadget, we evaluate telephones often and have examined dozens over time. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on one among our present prime picks, one among Samsung’s Galaxy S25 telephones, a cheap phone or one other system, we’re right here that can assist you resolve which is the most effective cellphone to purchase this 12 months.
Android or iOS?
Whenever you’re looking for the most effective smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its professionals and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it tremendous simple to share information between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off cellphone calls or music from one system to a different. On the similar time, you’re successfully locked in, as providers like Apple Messages aren’t out there on different platforms.
As for Android, there’s a a lot wider vary of handsets from firms like Google, Samsung, Sony and extra. Nevertheless, Android telephones don’t get pleasure from that very same size of software program assist and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. In brief, there’s no improper reply. Nevertheless, it would be best to take into account how your cellphone will slot in with the remainder of your gadgets. So until you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen to be taught one other, it most likely doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to modify from an iPhone to an Android cellphone (or vice versa) – particularly if everybody else in your family is utilizing the identical platform.
Cameras
Since your mobile phone typically pulls double responsibility as your main digital camera, determining what sort of picture instruments you need is vital. These days, virtually each cell phone can take a terrific image in vibrant mild. However if you would like a protracted optical zoom, you’ll most likely should improve to a dearer system.
Mid-range phones typically solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digital camera) and may generally wrestle in low-light conditions. Every cellphone maker additionally has numerous options that could be a greater match in your model, with Apple providing 4 totally different colour presets on the most recent iPhones, whereas Google’s Pixel 9 Professional comes with neat instruments like devoted lengthy publicity and Motion Pan modes.
Will you get mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?
The excellent news is that in 2025, most telephones have at the least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and assist for some form of 5G connectivity. Nevertheless, if you would like the quickest wi-fi speeds doable, it’s going to value you slightly further. For instance, on sure networks, mmWave 5G provides as much as gigabit obtain speeds, much less latency and higher bandwidth. However mmWave 5G additionally requires extra refined (and pricier) modems, which implies assist for it’s typically lacking on cheaper gadgets.
On the intense facet, mmWave 5G isn’t as extensively out there as different variations of 5G, so relying on the place you reside and what community you’re on, you is probably not lacking out on a lot proper now in case you purchase a cellphone that doesn’t assist it. It’s an analogous state of affairs for Wi-Fi 7, which is obtainable on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S25, however more durable to seek out on cheaper gadgets. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so until you want it or have a particular use case in thoughts, the dearth of assist for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when in search of a brand new cellphone.
Different options to think about
As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the most effective cellphone, it is best to take into consideration another specs that could be further necessary for you. Cellular avid gamers will virtually definitely admire the 120Hz refresh charges you get on telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 16 Professional. Alternatively, if lengthy battery life is necessary, you’ll most likely wish to go together with a bigger iPhone or an Android cellphone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in measurement. In the meantime, if you end up juggling a whole lot of gadgets, it may be very nice to have a cellphone that helps reverse wi-fi charging, which on Samsung telephones even helps you to recharge the corporate’s Galaxy Watches.
Different smartphones we have examined
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
Like its predecessor, the S25 Ultra is an extremely versatile cellphone. It’s one of many few handsets that include an included stylus and premium options like a beautiful 6.9-inch AMOLED show, titanium body and a 5x telephoto digital camera. It additionally has wonderful efficiency and robust battery life. The problem is that, other than improved AI, this 12 months’s cellphone doesn’t provide that rather more than the earlier mannequin (or the one earlier than that), and with costs beginning at $1,300, we really feel it must do extra to earn a prime choose spot.
OnePlus 12
Whereas the OnePlus 12 wasn’t in a position to unseat the most recent Pixel, it’s value mentioning as a result of it provides highly effective specs for the cash. It encompasses a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, an enormous and vibrant 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED display screen and the most effective battery life we’ve seen on any cellphone to this point. OnePlus additionally introduced again assist for wi-fi charging for the primary time in a number of generations, together with an excellent (however not nice) IP65 ranking for mud and water resistance. And regardless that its enormous digital camera module appears a bit ungainly, its images are surprisingly sharp. However the most effective factor is that, with a beginning worth of $800, the OnePlus 12 prices $200 lower than its largest opponents.
FAQs
How do I do know which smartphone is the most effective for me?
Whereas selecting the most effective smartphone might be difficult, it principally comes all the way down to how you propose on utilizing the system. All the finest telephones out there now get the fundamentals proper — you’ll have the ability to make calls, textual content and entry the web with out many hiccups. In case your smartphone is your most used gadget, it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account paying for a tool on the upper finish of the worth spectrum. That can get you higher total efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a cellphone that can final for a few years. When you don’t use your cellphone for the whole lot, you might be able to compromise on efficiency and additional perks and spend much less on a still-capable handset.
How a lot is a smartphone?
Smartphones vary in worth from $300 to over $1,500. The perfect funds telephones out there now will normally compromise on total efficiency, design, digital camera prowess and additional options to maintain prices down. On the flip facet, the most costly telephones could have highly effective processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most individuals will discover a cellphone that matches their wants someplace in the midst of that huge worth vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the finest smartphones out there proper now value between $500 and $1,000.
What are you able to do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are primarily small, transportable computer systems that allow you to do issues like examine e-mail, browse social media, comply with map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on prime of the fundamentals like making cellphone calls and texting, which we’ve come to anticipate in all fashionable cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally principally changed compact cameras due to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones right this moment as simply as transportable, if no more so, as compact cameras.
How lengthy do smartphones final?
Smartphones can final years and individuals are holding on to their phones longer now than ever earlier than. Software program updates and battery life are two of the most important elements that may have an effect on cellphone longevity. Apple guarantees 5 years value of software program updates for its newest iPhones, and Google guarantees the identical for its Pixel telephones. Samsung telephones will get 4 years value of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your cellphone can deteriorate over time as you utilize and recharge your cellphone regularly.
Latest updates
January 2025: Up to date to incorporate particulars about Samsung’s newest Galaxy S-series telephones.
September 2024: Up to date to incorporate the most recent iPhone 16 fashions and a brand new midrange iPhone prime choose.
September 2024: Up to date to incorporate an editor’s word in regards to the newest iPhones and to say the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold within the “finest foldable cellphone for multitasking” part.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cell/smartphones/best-smartphones-140004900.html?src=rss
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