The BEST Smartphones of 2025!

A contender for most improved phone thanks to being much slimmer and lighter than the Fold 6.

Winner of the glow-up award, with a much better screen and doubled storage for the same price.

An impressive feat of engineering, but he thinks the thin form factor is a trap that leaves users worse off long term.

Impressive engineering, but a shiny trap whose thinness costs battery and camera quality.

Best one-handed compact phone with a rear second screen and extraordinary battery life, though the screen brings few big features.

The e-ink display saves power and eye strain, but slow refresh makes apps painful and modern batteries reduce the benefit.

Won the outside-the-box award; the huge 10-inch inner display made him want to switch from his iPhone despite the bulk.

Spectacular battery life and the best gaming phone for most people, though iOS and Siri feel behind.

Best camera phone of the year, which he preferred over a real camera on holiday, but its battery is held back in Europe.

Huge dual-cell battery with 100W charging, but he would not sacrifice camera quality for the rear screen.

The most stacked Realme ever, with dual-cell 7,000 mAh battery and swappable camera module, at around $750.

Fastest chip, huge battery and very comfortable in hand, but camera sensors have been downgraded.

His overall smartphone of the year, with a huge battery and a big camera upgrade, though it may be hard to buy in some regions.

Good battery focus and improved signal, but not the camera or overall winner because iOS feels like it is lagging.

Well rounded and good at everything, but its chip and battery are now outclassed.

Many smart camera features and a cracking compact phone with great battery, but a weaker Tensor chip and less capable camera hardware.

Best gaming phone thanks to active liquid cooling and a reasonable price, though the cameras are cut back.

Great interface and customer service for older users, but basic hardware for nearly $400.

A safe pick for less techy users with readable screens, big batteries, durability and Easy Mode.

Winner of the grandma's choice award for simple software, helpful tutorials, no bloatware and a forgiving camera.

Safe and fine, but worse in every way than the S25 Ultra.

Not the best big phone in his view.

Great flip phone with a bigger battery and slightly better camera specs, but ranked just behind Samsung's.

Rated slightly above Motorola's Razr for being thinner, lighter and taking better photos.

Runner-up for the why-does-this-exist award: not bad but a disappointing spec bump with a less cool dotty screen at $800.

The spec-maxing choice under $300, with a good main camera, bright screen and 6,000 mAh battery.

Winner of the budget category and the best value option, with Nothing polish, minimal bloatware and a modular design.

Very well rounded, but the competition was too strong for it to win.

Very well rounded, but the competition was too strong for it to win.

Overachiever award winner that blew past his expectations with flagship-level specs, Bose speakers and a grippy denim finish for $679.