{"id":1235686,"date":"2025-02-27T17:00:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T22:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1235686"},"modified":"2025-02-27T17:00:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T22:00:36","slug":"the-best-smartphones-to-buy-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1235686","title":{"rendered":"The best smartphones to buy in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>You might already have a good idea of which smartphone you want to be your next one. But there are more solid options available now than ever before, making the decision not as cut-and-dry as it used to be. While the decision is a bit easier if you know you want an iPhone, there&#8217;s even enough variation between those new models that you may have to think about it longer than you anticipated. If you\u2019re an Android person, you have even more options to choose from \u2014 including <a data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/best-foldable-phones-160030013.html\">foldables<\/a> \u2014 and more questions to answer before you spend any money.<\/p>\n<p>At Engadget, we review phones regularly and have tested dozens over the years. Whether you\u2019ve had your eye on one of our current top picks, one of Samsung&#8217;s Galaxy S25 phones, a <a data-i13n=\"cpos:2;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/best-cheap-phones-130017793.html\">cheap phone<\/a> or another device, we\u2019re here to help you decide which is the best phone to buy this year.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"jump-link-android-or-ios\">Android or iOS?<\/h2>\n<p>When you&#8217;re searching for the best smartphone, it becomes clear that each OS has its pros and cons. Apple\u2019s tight-knit ecosystem makes it super easy to share data between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off phone calls or music from one device to another. At the same time, you\u2019re effectively locked in, as services like Apple Messages aren\u2019t available on other platforms.<\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"end-legacy-contents\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>As for Android, there\u2019s a much wider range of handsets from companies like Google, Samsung, Sony and more. However, Android phones don\u2019t enjoy that same length of software support and often have lower trade-in values. In short, there\u2019s no wrong answer. However, you will want to consider how your phone will fit in with the rest of your devices. So unless you\u2019re really fed up with one OS and willing to learn another, it probably doesn\u2019t make a lot of sense to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone (or vice versa) \u2013 especially if everyone else in your household is using the same platform.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"jump-link-cameras\">Cameras<\/h2>\n<p>Since your cell phone often pulls double duty as your primary camera, figuring out what kind of photo tools you want is key. Nowadays, practically every mobile phone can take a great picture in bright light. But if you want a long optical zoom, you\u2019ll probably have to upgrade to a more expensive device.<\/p>\n<figure>\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2021-10\/91a42bf0-305d-11ec-9f9f-636d29742095\" alt=\"Close up of the Pixel 6 Pro's camera bump.\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><div class=\"photo-credit\">\n  Cherlynn Low \/ Engadget\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><a data-i13n=\"cpos:3;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/the-engadget-guide-to-the-best-midrange-smartphones-120050366.html\">Mid-range phones<\/a> often only have two rear cameras (a primary wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide camera) and can sometimes struggle in low-light situations. Each phone maker also has various features that might be a better fit for your style, with Apple offering four different color presets on the latest iPhones, while Google\u2019s Pixel 9 Pro comes with neat tools like dedicated long exposure and Action Pan modes.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"jump-link-will-you-get-mmwave-5g-or-wi-fi-7\">Will you get mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?<\/h2>\n<p>The good news is that in 2025, most phones have at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and support for some kind of 5G connectivity. However, if you want the fastest wireless speeds possible, it\u2019s going to cost you a little extra. For example, on certain networks, mmWave 5G offers up to gigabit download speeds, less latency and better bandwidth. But mmWave 5G also requires more sophisticated (and pricier) modems, which means support for it is often missing on less expensive devices.<\/p>\n<p>On the bright side, mmWave 5G isn\u2019t as widely available as other versions of 5G, so depending on where you live and what network you\u2019re on, you may not be missing out on much right now if you buy a phone that doesn\u2019t support it. It\u2019s a similar situation for Wi-Fi 7, which is available on some high-end handsets like the Galaxy S25, but harder to find on cheaper devices. Wi-Fi 7 also requires you to have a <a data-i13n=\"cpos:4;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/linksys-releases-its-first-ever-wi-fi-7-mesh-router-system-160053926.html\">compatible router<\/a>, so unless you know you need it or have a specific use case in mind, the lack of support for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn\u2019t be a dealbreaker when looking for a new phone.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"jump-link-other-features-to-consider\">Other features to consider<\/h2>\n<p>Because not everyone agrees on what makes the best phone, you should think about any other specs that might be extra important for you. Mobile gamers will almost certainly appreciate the 120Hz refresh rates you get on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Alternatively, if long battery life is important, you\u2019ll probably want to go with a larger iPhone or an Android phone with a battery that\u2019s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in size. Meanwhile, if you find yourself juggling a lot of devices, it can be really nice to have a phone that supports reverse wireless charging, which on Samsung phones even lets you recharge the company\u2019s Galaxy Watches.<\/p>\n<p>\n <core-commerce id=\"1da6e07c962e4140824f8e003c8aec30\" data-type=\"product-list\" data-original-url=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/shop\/buy-iphone\/iphone-16-pro\"><\/core-commerce><\/p>\n<p>\n <core-commerce id=\"7607984f58b64995a0e8ccedb63b0cfa\" data-type=\"product-list\" data-original-url=\"https:\/\/store.google.com\/us\/config\/pixel_9_pro?\" data-original-url-76079-btn-0=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Google-Pixel-Pro-Unlocked-Smartphone\/dp\/B0DBSLDYGK\/?th=1\"><\/core-commerce><\/p>\n<p>\n <core-commerce id=\"f18b51cf1c8346398ac36a5086299850\" data-type=\"product-list\" data-original-url=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/shop\/buy-iphone\/iphone-16e\"><\/core-commerce><\/p>\n<p>\n <core-commerce id=\"bec6ada14eed461392e111f04a6d987f\" data-type=\"product-list\" data-original-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Google-Pixel-8a-Porcelain-Amazon\/dp\/B0CYQDJS5L\/?th=1\"><\/core-commerce><\/p>\n<p>\n <core-commerce id=\"9566ff7fdad24e48a80240430a8b95ba\" data-type=\"product-list\" data-original-url=\"https:\/\/www.samsung.com\/us\/smartphones\/galaxy-z-fold6\/\"><\/core-commerce><\/p>\n<p>\n <core-commerce id=\"ed1747b6fe454a518d5d55731ee738a6\" data-type=\"product-list\" data-original-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/SAMSUNG-Smartphone-Camcorder-Interpreter-Manufacturer\/dp\/B0D195JKYD\"><\/core-commerce><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"jump-link-other-smartphones-weve-tested\">Other smartphones we&#8217;ve tested<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"jump-link-samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra\">Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra<\/h3>\n<p>Like its predecessor, the <a data-i13n=\"cpos:5;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/mobile\/smartphones\/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-review-too-much-ai-not-enough-ultra-140022798.html\">S25 Ultra<\/a> is an incredibly versatile phone. It\u2019s one of the few handsets that come with an included stylus and premium features like a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED display, titanium frame and a 5x telephoto camera. It also has excellent performance and strong battery life. The issue is that, aside from improved AI, this year\u2019s phone doesn\u2019t offer that much more than the previous model (or the one before that), and with prices starting at $1,300, we feel it needs to do more to earn a top pick spot.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"jump-link-oneplus-13\">OnePlus 13<\/h3>\n<p>While the <a data-i13n=\"cpos:6;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/mobile\/smartphones\/oneplus-13-review-a-focused-flagship-that-ignores-the-ai-hype-140013418.html\">OnePlus 13<\/a> features some basic AI features like Google\u2019s Circle to Search and Gemini assistant, it\u2019s really just an old-fashioned flagship in all the best ways. That\u2019s because instead of focusing on machine learning, OnePlus crammed the phone with tons of top-notch hardware. It sports a 6.8-inch OLED display with an incredible peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. The OP13 also offers excellent performance thanks to Qualcomm\u2019s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, along with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There are also three 50-MP rear cameras including one with a 3x telephoto zoom and a massive 6,000 mAh battery that\u2019s bigger than what you get in practically all of its competitors.<\/p>\n<p>OnePlus didn\u2019t skimp on the phone\u2019s design either, as the OP13 still comes with the company\u2019s signature Alert Slider. Plus, if you opt for the blue or white variants, you\u2019ll get a durable and very touchable vegan leather back that helps the phone stand out among all its glass brick rivals. But the best part is that starting at $900, it costs less than an equivalent Galaxy S25+ too.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"jump-link-faqs\">FAQs<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"jump-link-how-do-i-know-which-smartphone-is-the-best-for-me\">How do I know which smartphone is the best for me?<\/h3>\n<p>While choosing the best smartphone can be challenging, it mostly comes down to how you plan on using the device. All of the best phones available now get the basics right \u2014 you\u2019ll be able to make calls, text and access the internet without many hiccups. If your smartphone is your most used gadget, you may want to consider paying for a device on the higher end of the price spectrum. That will get you better overall performance, higher-quality cameras and a phone that will last for many years. If you don\u2019t use your phone for everything, you may be able to compromise on performance and extra perks and spend less on a still-capable handset.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"jump-link-how-much-is-a-smartphone\">How much is a smartphone?<\/h3>\n<p>Smartphones range in price from $300 to over $1,500. The best budget phones available now will usually compromise on overall performance, design, camera prowess and extra features to keep costs down. On the flip side, the most expensive phones will have powerful processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most people will find a phone that fits their needs somewhere in the middle of that wide price range \u2014 we\u2019ve found that most of the best smartphones available right now cost between $500 and $1,000.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"jump-link-what-can-you-do-on-a-smartphone\">What can you do on a smartphone?<\/h3>\n<p>Smartphones are essentially small, portable computers that let you do things like check email, browse social media, follow map directions, make contactless payments and more. This is all on top of the basics like making phone calls and texting, which we\u2019ve come to expect in all modern cell phones. Smartphones have also mostly replaced compact cameras thanks to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the fact that most smartphones today as just as portable, if not more so, as compact cameras.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"jump-link-how-long-do-smartphones-last\">How long do smartphones last?<\/h3>\n<p>Smartphones can last years and people are <a data-i13n=\"cpos:7;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/252524995\/Smartphone-trade-value-rises-as-average-age-of-devices-breaks-35-year-threshold\">holding on to their phones<\/a> longer now than ever before. Software updates and battery life are two of the biggest factors that can affect phone longevity. Apple promises five years worth of software updates for its latest iPhones, and Google promises the same for its Pixel phones. Samsung phones will get four years worth of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your phone can deteriorate over time as you use and recharge your phone on a regular basis.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"jump-link-recent-updates\">Recent updates<\/h2>\n<p><strong>February 2025:<\/strong> Updated to include the iPhone 16e.<\/p>\n<p><strong>January 2025:<\/strong> Updated to include details about Samsung&#8217;s latest Galaxy S-series phones.<\/p>\n<p><strong>September 2024:<\/strong> Updated to include the latest iPhone 16 models and a new midrange iPhone top pick.<\/p>\n<p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/mobile\/smartphones\/best-smartphones-140004900.html?src=rss<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You might already have a good idea of which smartphone you want to be your next one. But there are more solid options available now than ever before, making the decision not as cut-and-dry as it used to be. While &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1235686\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[99,44,110],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1235686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-engadget","category-technology","category-unfiltered-rss"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1235686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1235686"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1235686\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1235686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1235686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1235686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}