It’s that time of year again for a definitive list of the year’s top smartphones. While many “Best Of” lists only focus on the latest iPhones and Galaxy models, I’ve personally tested over five dozen new smartphones in 2025 to give you a more complete picture. From budget marvels to flagship powerhouses, here are my top picks for the best phones of the year.
The Best Budget Phone: CMF Phone 1
Most budget phones feel like a compromise, but the CMF Phone 1, from Nothing’s new sub-brand, is a refreshing exception. Priced well under £200, this phone offers a fantastic experience for its low cost.
- Why it stands out: The CMF Phone 1 boasts a unique, eye-catching design with a removable back and fun accessories. It delivers a crisp AMOLED screen, strong battery life, and enough power to handle mobile gaming.
- Key compromises: To hit this price point, it lacks some premium features. You won’t find optical image stabilization (OIS) on the camera, there’s no stereo speaker, and, most importantly, no NFC for contactless payments.
- Who it’s for: This is a perfect phone for anyone on a tight budget who wants a stylish, functional device and doesn’t rely on mobile payments.
Samsung Galaxy A55
Samsung’s Galaxy A55 boasts solid hardware, although the OneUI experience is a bit clunky, while Xiaomi offers the Redmi Note 13 series to suit all budgets. Then there are some brilliant mid-rangers from the likes of Nothing, Poco, and Motorola.
Seriously, I’ve spent many sleepless nights deliberating the winner for this category. In the end, I basically flipped a coin a few times, and the winner turned out to be the OnePlus Nord 4.
For one, it’s made of metal, which gives me squidgy nostalgic joy, while the OxygenOS software is as slick as ever, complete with a proper gaming mode and plenty of other useful extras. That massive 6.74-inch AMOLED screen is a beaut, and your prods will register even when the phone is proper moist ideal for living in damp fests like the UK. It’s honestly more responsive than most flagship smartphones I’ve tested in 2024, so kudos to OnePlus for helping this trusty blower work even in craptastic weather.
The Best Mid-Range Phone: OnePlus Nord 4
The mid-range market is crowded with great options, but the OnePlus Nord 4 truly stands out. It combines premium design with excellent performance, all without the flagship price tag.
- Why it stands out: The Nord 4 has a durable metal build and runs on the famously smooth OxygenOS, which includes a great gaming mode. Its large 6.74-inch AMOLED screen is not only beautiful but also incredibly responsive, even in damp conditions. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor handles demanding tasks and games with ease, while the battery life and fast charging are top-notch.
- Key compromise: The camera isn’t as consistently good as what you’ll find on a Google Pixel, but it still produces attractive photos in most conditions.
- Who it’s for: This is the ideal choice for someone who wants a high-quality, reliable phone with a great user experience and powerful performance for both daily use and gaming.
Best Camera Phone
The best camera phone is another tough one because it’s been another great year for smartphone cameras. We’ve had some proper good ones.
The Best Camera Phone: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
While the Pixel 9 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra are incredible camera phones, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra takes the crown for its unique and powerful camera system.
- Why it stands out: The Pura 70 Ultra’s camera is a game-changer, especially for capturing fast-moving subjects like kids or pets. Its insanely fast shutter speeds and excellent image processing make for stunning action shots. It also excels in low-light photography and video, with natural-looking results.
- Key compromise: The biggest drawback for many users is the lack of Google services, which means no access to the Google Play Store, Gmail, or Google Maps.
- Who it’s for: This phone is for serious photographers and videographers who prioritize top-tier camera performance above all else and are willing to work around the lack of Google support.
The Best Gaming Phone: RedMagic 10 Pro
For gamers who demand the best performance, the RedMagic 10 Pro is an absolute beast. It’s built from the ground up to handle the most graphically intensive mobile games.
- Why it stands out: This phone pushes the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset to its limits with dedicated cooling technology, including a built-in fan. This means you can game for hours without the phone getting hot or slowing down. It also features a beautiful, uninterrupted full-view display and comes at a surprisingly affordable price for its performance.
- Key compromises: While a fantastic gaming device, it lacks features like wireless charging and may have a more “gamer-centric” aesthetic that not everyone will appreciate.
- Who it’s for: Hardcore mobile gamers who want the best possible performance and cooling for long gaming sessions.
The Best Foldable Phone: Vivo X Fold 3 Pro
2025 was a great year for foldables, and while many competitors fell short, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro truly impressed. It’s a slim, light, and powerful device that redefines what a foldable can be.
- Why it stands out: The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro is surprisingly thin and light for a book-style foldable. It packs a massive battery that charges faster than its rivals and has a fantastic camera system tuned by Zeiss. The large internal screen and functional cover screen make it a joy for both multitasking and everyday use.
- Key compromises: As with most Chinese foldables, it can be a bit more difficult to acquire in Western markets. The software experience, while good, may not be as polished as a Samsung or Google foldable.
- Who it’s for: Multitaskers and tech enthusiasts who want a large-screen foldable with great battery life and a premium feel.
The Best Flip Phone: Motorola Razr 50 Ultra
For a more compact foldable experience, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is the top pick. It’s a stylish and practical device that’s a perfect mix of nostalgia and modern tech.
- Why it stands out: The Razr 50 Ultra’s huge cover screen is its best feature, allowing you to run any app you want without unfolding the phone. When opened, its 6.9-inch display is bright and vibrant, backed by stereo speakers. It’s also surprisingly powerful for its compact size, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
- Key compromise: While a fantastic device, it might not offer the same battery longevity as a traditional slab phone and its camera system isn’t as versatile as some others on this list.
- Who it’s for: Those who love the compact, convenient form factor of a flip phone and want a large, functional cover display.
The Best Compact Phone: Google Pixel 9
If you prefer a phone you can easily use with one hand, the Google Pixel 9 is an excellent choice. It packs all the power of Google’s flagship line into a smaller, more pocket-friendly design.
Who it’s for: Users who want a powerful flagship experience and a top-tier camera in a more manageable size.
Why it stands out: The Pixel 9 crams the best of the larger Pro model into a compact body. It’s a fantastic all-rounder with one of the best point-and-shoot cameras on the market, backed by Google’s powerful AI features and long-term software support.
Key compromises: At 6.3 inches, it’s still larger than older “mini” phones, and while it’s a great compact option, it may still feel too large for true one-handed use for some.
My Personal Pick for 2024: Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Choosing just one phone is tough, but the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the one that truly stood out this year. While not for everyone, it’s a brilliant device that excels in nearly every area.
- Why I loved it: The Xiaomi 14 Ultra delivers hard. Its camera system, co-engineered with Leica, is incredibly capable for both amateurs and pros. The gaming performance is slick, the battery life is dependable, and the overall design feels premium. It’s an ambitious phone that brings a pro-level camera experience to a mobile device.
- Key compromises: It’s an expensive phone and the massive camera bump is hard to ignore. The HyperOS software may not be to everyone’s taste either.
- Who it’s for: The tech enthusiast who wants an incredible all-around smartphone and is passionate about photography, willing to pay a premium for a top-tier experience.
Final Thoughts
From the affordable CMF Phone 1 to the powerhouse Xiaomi 14 Ultra, 2025 has offered an incredible variety of smartphones. The best phone for you depends on your priorities, whether that’s gaming performance, camera quality, or a slim, foldable design. What’s your pick for the best smartphone of 2025?
