NEWSLETTER
It is possible that you already have a good idea which smartphone wants to be the next one. But there are more solid options available now than ever, making the decision not as cut and dry as it used to be. While the decision is a bit easier if you know that you want an iPhone, there is even enough variation between those new models that you may have to think about it more than expected. If you are an Android person, you have even more options to choose from, including folding, and more questions to answer before spending money.
In Engadget, we check the phones regularly and have tried dozens over the years. Whether you have had the view in one of our current main selections, one of Samsung's Galaxy S25 phones, a cheap phone or other device, we are here to help you decide which is the best phone to buy this year.
Android or iOS?
When you are looking for the best smartphone, it is clear that each operating system has its pros and cons. Apple's united ecosystem makes it very easy to share data between iPhones, iPads and Macs or phone calls without problems or music from one device to another. At the same time, it is effectively locked, since services such as Apple messages are not available on other platforms.
As for Android, there is a much broader range of telephone numbers of companies such as Google, Samsung, Sony and more. However, Android phones do not enjoy the same software support length and often have lower exchange values. In short, there is no incorrect answer. However, he will want to consider how his phone will fit the rest of his devices. So, unless it is really fed up with an operating system and that you are willing to learn another, it probably does not make much sense to change from an iPhone to an Android phone (or vice versa), especially if everyone else in your home is using the same platform.
Cameras
Since your cell phone often gets double work as your main camera, discovering what kind of photographic tools you want is key. Today, practically all mobile phones can take an excellent image with bright light. But if you want a long optical zoom, you probably have to update to a more expensive device.
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
The average range phones often only have two rear cameras (a primary great angular lens and an ultra -wide secondary camera) can and can already fight in situations of little light. Each telephone manufacturer also has several features that could be better for their style, with Apple offering four different color presets in the last iPhones, while Google Pro Pixel 9 Pro comes with ordered tools such as dedicated long exposure and action modes.
Will MMWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 get?
The good news is that in 2025, most phones have at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E and support for some type of 5G connectivity. However, if you want the fastest possible wireless speeds, it will cost you a little more. For example, in certain networks, MMWAVE 5G offers Gigabit download speeds, less latency and better bandwidth. But MMWAVE 5G also requires more sophisticated (and more expensive) modems, which means that the support often lacks less expensive devices.
On the positive side, MMWAVE 5G is not so widely available as other 5G versions, so depending on where to live and in what network it is, it is possible that it is not being lost much at this time if you buy a phone that does not support. It is a similar situation for Wi-Fi 7, which is available on some high-end phones such as the Galaxy S25, but more difficult to find in cheaper devices. Wi-Fi 7 also requires that you have a compatible router, so unless you know that you need it or have a specific use case in mind, the lack of support for MMWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 should not be a decisive factor When looking for a new phone.
Other features to consider
Because not everyone agrees on what does the best phone, you must think about any other specification that can be very important for you. Mobile players will surely appreciate the 120 Hz update rates you get on phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Alternatively, if the long battery life is important, you probably want to go with a larger iPhone or a Android telephone with a battery that has between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh size. Meanwhile, if you find yourself juggling with many devices, it may be really good to have a phone that admits the reverse wireless load, which in Samsung phones even allows you to recharge the company's galaxy watches.
Other smartphones that we have tried
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Like its predecessor, the Ultra S25 is an incredibly versatile phone. It is one of the few phones that come with an optical pencil and premium features such as a beautiful 6.9 -inch AMOLED screen, titanium frame and a 5X teleobjective camera. It also has excellent performance and a strong battery life. The problem is that, apart from the improved ai, this year's telephone does not offer much more than the previous model (or the previous), and with the prices that start at $ 1,300, we believe that we need to do more to win a top part Pick spot.
OnePlus 12
While OnePlus 12 could not highlight the last pixel, it is worth mentioning because it offers powerful money specifications. It has a quick Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a large and brilliant OLED screen of 6.8 inches and 120Hz and the best battery life we have seen on any phone to date. OnePlus also recovered the support for wireless load for the first time in several generations, along with a good IP65 rating (but not excellent) for dust and water resistance. And despite the fact that its huge camera module looks a bit heartbreaking, their photos are surprisingly clear. But the best thing is that, with an initial price of $ 800, the OnePlus 12 costs $ 200 less than its largest competitors.
Frequent questions
How do I know what smartphone is the best for me?
While choosing the best smartphone can be a challenge, it is mainly reduced to how it plans to use the device. All the best phones available now get the correct basic concepts: you can make calls, send text messages and access the Internet without many problems. If your smartphone is your most used device, you may want to consider paying a device at the upper end of the price spectrum. That will give you a better general performance, higher quality cameras and a phone that will last many years. If you do not use your phone for everything, you may be able to compromise performance and additional advantages and spend less on a phone still with capacity.
How much does a smartphone cost?
Smartphones vary at a price of $ 300 to more than $ 1,500. The best budget phones available now will generally commit to the general performance, design, camera skill and additional characteristics to keep costs low. On the other hand, the most expensive phones will have powerful processors, triple camera matrices and even flip or fold designs. Most people will find a phone that fits their needs in the middle of that wide price range; We have discovered that most of the best smartphones available at this time cost between $ 500 and $ 1,000.
What can you do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are essentially small laptops that allow you to do things like consulting email, navigate on social networks, follow the map instructions, make contactless payments and more. All this is above the basics, how to make phone calls and text messages, which we expect on all modern cell phones. Smartphones have also mainly replaced compact cameras thanks to their high quality built -in shooters, and the fact that most smartphones today are so portable, if not more, such as compact cameras.
How long do smartphones last?
Smartphones can last for years and people are Hold on to your phones More time now than ever. Software updates and battery life are two of the most important factors that can affect the longevity of the phone. Apple promises five years of software updates for its latest iPhones, and Google promises the same for its Pixel phones. Samsung phones will get four years of Android updates from the moment they are launched. As for loading speeds and battery life, your phone can deteriorate over time as you use and recharge your phone regularly.
Recent updates
January 2025: Updated to include details about the latest Galaxy S-Series phones of Samsung.
September 2024: Updated to include the latest iPhone 16 models and a new top selection of medium range iPhone.
September 2024: Updated to include an editor's note about the latest iPhones and mention the fold Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in the section “Best Foldable Telephone for Multitasa”.
This article originally appeared in Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-smartphones-140004900.html?src=rsss
