You may already have a good idea of which smartphone you want to be your next. But there are now more solid options than ever, so the decision is not as cut as before. The decision is a little easier if you know that you want an iPhone, but there are even enough variations between the new models that you may have to think about longer than you expected. If you are an Android person, you have even more options to choose from – including Folding blocks – and to answer further questions before spending money.
At Engadget, we regularly check telephones and have tested dozens over the years. Regardless of whether you have one of our current top picks in mind, one of the Galaxy S25 telephones from Samsung, A Cheap phone Or another device, we will help you decide which one is the best phone to buy this year.
Android or iOS?
If you are looking for the best smartphone, it becomes clear that every operating system contains its advantages and disadvantages. Apple’s close-meshed ecosystem makes it very easy to share data between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand off telephone calls or music from one device to another. At the same time, they are effectively locked up because services such as Apple messages are not available on other platforms.
As for Android, there is a much larger selection of cell phones from companies such as Google, Samsung, Sony and more. However, Android telephones do not enjoy the same length of software support and often have lower trading values. In short, there is no wrong answer. However, you would like to consider how your phone fits the rest of your devices. So if you are not really full and are ready to learn another, it is probably not much sense to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone (or vice versa) – especially if everyone else is using the same platform .
Cameras
Since your cell phone often makes double mandatory as a primary camera, it is important to find out which type of photo tools you want. Nowadays, practically every mobile phone can take a great picture in light light. However, if you want a long optical zoom, you will probably have to upgrade to a more expensive device.
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Middle class telephones Often only two rear cameras (a primary wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide camera) have and can sometimes fight in situations with poor lighting conditions. Each telephone manufacturer also has different functions that may be better suited for your style. Apple offers four different color presets for the latest iPhones, while Google’s Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with nice tools such as dedicated long -term and action -PAN modes.
Are you becoming MMWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?
The good news is that most phones in 2025 have at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and support for a kind of 5G connectivity. However, if you want the fastest possible wireless speeds, it costs them a little more. In certain networks, MMWAVE 5G offers, for example, up to gigabit download, less latency and a better bandwidth. MMWAVE 5G also requires more demanding (and more expensive) modems, which means that it often lacks cheaper devices.
On the bright side, MMWAVE 5G is not as widespread as other versions of 5G. Depending on where you live and in which network you are, you may not miss much if you buy a phone, which does not support it. It is a similar situation for Wi-Fi 7 that is available on some high-end mobile parts such as the Galaxy S25, but is more difficult to find on cheaper devices. Wi-Fi 7 also demands that you have one Compatible routerSo if you do not know that you need it or have a certain application in mind, the lack of support for MMWAVE 5G or Wi-Fi 7 should not be a dealbreaker when looking for a new phone.
To consider other characteristics
Since not everyone agrees what makes the best phone, you should think about other specifications that may be particularly important to you. Mobile players will almost certainly appreciate the 120 -Hz update rates that you get on phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. If a long battery life is important, you probably want to meet a larger iPhone or an Android phone with a battery with a size of 4,000 and 5,000 mAh. If you juggle many devices, it can be really nice to have a phone that supports the wireless reverse charge with which you can even recharge the Galaxy watches of the company on Samsung phones.
We tested other smartphones
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Like his predecessor that S25 Ultra Is an incredibly versatile phone. It is one of the few components that are equipped with an contained pen and premium functions, such as a beautiful 6.9-inch amoled display, titanium frame and a 5-time telecamera. It also has an excellent performance and a strong battery life. The problem is that apart from an improved AI does not offer this year’s telephone so much more than the previous model (or before), and with the prices at 1,300 US dollars, it has to do more to deserve a top spot.
OnePlus 12
While the OnePlus 12 I was unable to discontinue the latest pixel, it is worth mentioning because it offers powerful specifications for the money. It has a fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Chip, a large and bright 6.8-inch OLED screen of 6.8 inches and the best battery life that we have seen on every phone so far. For the first time in several generations, OnePlus brought support for wireless charging processes as well as a good (but not great) IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. And although his huge camera module looks a bit awkward, his photos are surprisingly spicy. The best thing is that the OnePlus 12 costs less than the largest competitors with a starting price of 800 US dollars less.
Faqs
How do I know which smartphone is the best for me?
When choosing the best smartphone, it can be a challenge, it mainly depends on how you want to use the device. All best available phones do the basics correct – you can make calls, text and access to the Internet without many hiccups. If your smartphone is the most used device, you should consider paying for a device at the top of the price range. This gives you a better overall performance, high -quality cameras and a telephone that will take many years. If you do not use your phone for everything, you may be able to compromise the performance and additional advantages and spend less for an still capable handset.
How much does a smartphone cost?
The price of smartphones is between 300 and over 1,500 US dollars. The best budget phones that are now available usually compromise the overall performance, the design, the camera skills and the additional functions to keep the costs low. On the other hand, the most expensive telephones have powerful processors, three-camera arrays and even flip or folding designs. Most people will find a telephone that corresponds to their needs somewhere in the middle of this wide price range – we have found that most of the best smartphones currently cost between 500 and $ 1,000 dollars.
What can you do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are essentially small, portable computers with which you can search things like checks -e emails, search on social media, follow the map instructions, make contactless payments and much more. All of this is at the top of the basics such as telephone calls and SMS, which we expect in all modern cell phones. Thanks to their high -quality, built -in shooters and the fact that most smartphones today have just as portable, if not more compact cameras, have mainly replaced compact cameras.
How long lasts smartphones?
Smartphones can take years and people are hold onto your phone Longer than ever. Software updates and battery life are two of the largest factors that can affect the longevity of the phones. Apple promises software updates for the latest iPhones worth five years, and Google promises the same for its pixel phones. Samsung telephones will be received from Android updates worth four from the time of their start. With regard to the loading speeds and the battery life, your phone can deterior, worsen and charge over time when you use your phone regularly.
Newer updates
January 2025: Updated to accept details of the latest Galaxy S-series telephones from Samsung.
September 2024: Updated to include the latest iPhone 16 models and a new top selection.
September 2024: Updated to record the note of an editor to the latest iPhone and to mention the “Best Foldable Phone for Multitasking” section.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-smartphones-140004900.html?src=rss
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