You may 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 recognize you need an iPhone, there’s even sufficient variation between these new fashions that you could have to consider it longer than you anticipated. When you’re an Android particular person, you might have much more choices to select from — together with foldables — and extra inquiries to reply earlier than you spend any cash.
At Engadget, we overview telephones repeatedly 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 will help you resolve which is the perfect telephone to purchase this 12 months.
Android or iOS?
If you’re looking for the perfect smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its execs and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it tremendous straightforward to share knowledge between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off telephone calls or music from one system to a different. On the identical 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. Nonetheless, Android telephones don’t get pleasure from that very same size of software program assist and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. Briefly, there’s no flawed reply. Nonetheless, it would be best to contemplate how your telephone will slot in with the remainder of your units. So until you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen to study one other, it most likely doesn’t make quite a lot of sense to change from an iPhone to an Android telephone (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 photograph instruments you need is vital. These days, virtually each cell phone can take a fantastic image in shiny gentle. However if you’d like an extended optical zoom, you’ll most likely should improve to a costlier system.
Mid-range phones typically solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digital camera) and might typically wrestle in low-light conditions. Every telephone maker additionally has varied options that is perhaps a greater match in your type, 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 not less than Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and assist for some sort of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, if you’d like the quickest wi-fi speeds attainable, it’s going to value you just a little further. For instance, on sure networks, mmWave 5G gives 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 units.
On the brilliant aspect, mmWave 5G isn’t as broadly out there as different variations of 5G, so relying on the place you reside and what community you’re on, you might not be lacking out on a lot proper now when you purchase a telephone that doesn’t assist it. It’s the same scenario for Wi-Fi 7, which is offered on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S25, however tougher to seek out on cheaper units. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so until you recognize you want it or have a selected 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 telephone.
Different options to think about
As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the perfect telephone, you need to take into consideration another specs that is perhaps further vital for you. Cellular players will nearly definitely recognize 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 vital, you’ll most likely wish to go together with a bigger iPhone or an Android telephone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in measurement. In the meantime, if you end up juggling quite a lot of units, it may be very nice to have a telephone that helps reverse wi-fi charging, which on Samsung telephones even allows 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 telephone. It’s one of many few handsets that include an included stylus and premium options like a stunning 6.9-inch AMOLED show, titanium body and a 5x telephoto digital camera. It additionally has glorious efficiency and robust battery life. The problem is that, other than improved AI, this 12 months’s telephone doesn’t supply 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 decide spot.
OnePlus 12
Whereas the OnePlus 12 wasn’t capable of unseat the most recent Pixel, it’s value mentioning as a result of it gives highly effective specs for the cash. It contains a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a giant and shiny 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED display and the perfect battery life we’ve seen on any telephone up to now. OnePlus additionally introduced again assist for wi-fi charging for the primary time in a number of generations, together with a very good (however not nice) IP65 ranking for mud and water resistance. And regardless that its large digital camera module appears a bit ungainly, its images are surprisingly sharp. However the perfect factor is that, with a beginning value of $800, the OnePlus 12 prices $200 lower than its largest opponents.
FAQs
How do I do know which smartphone is the perfect for me?
Whereas selecting the perfect smartphone could be difficult, it largely comes all the way down to how you intend 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 contemplate paying for a tool on the upper finish of the value spectrum. That can get you higher general efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a telephone that may final for a few years. When you don’t use your telephone for all the pieces, you might be able to compromise on efficiency and further perks and spend much less on a still-capable handset.
How a lot is a smartphone?
Smartphones vary in value from $300 to over $1,500. The very best finances telephones out there now will normally compromise on general efficiency, design, digital camera prowess and further options to maintain prices down. On the flip aspect, the costliest telephones could have highly effective processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most individuals will discover a telephone that matches their wants someplace in the midst of that vast value 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 basically small, transportable computer systems that allow you to do issues like verify electronic mail, browse social media, comply with map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on prime of the fundamentals like making telephone calls and texting, which we’ve come to anticipate in all fashionable cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally largely changed compact cameras because of their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones in the present day as simply as transportable, if no more so, as compact cameras.
How lengthy do smartphones final?
Smartphones can final years and persons are holding on to their phones longer now than ever earlier than. Software program updates and battery life are two of the largest components that may have an effect on telephone 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 telephone can deteriorate over time as you employ and recharge your telephone 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 decide.
September 2024: Up to date to incorporate an editor’s word concerning the newest iPhones and to say the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold within the “finest foldable telephone 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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