What's the best smartphone to buy in 2025

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro has reclaimed its place at the top of our rankings, but Samsung and Google, despite introducing ambitious AI features in their flagship Galaxy S25 and Pixel 10 smartphones, lag far behind.

There's also a wide range of folding phones available now, reaching the "highest point" in terms of durability, as well as larger and better-performing external screens. However, these remain expensive.

Below, you'll find our reviews of the best smartphones of 2025, suitable for every budget, along with answers to your frequently asked questions. If you're in a hurry, let's take a look at our current top five smartphones:

Best Smartphone: At a Glance

• Best Buy Smartphone: Apple iPhone 17 Pro

• Best Value Smartphone: Google Pixel 9a

• Best Smartphone for Camera: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

• Best Budget Smartphone: Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro

• Best Folding Smartphone: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Jump to Reviews

How to Find the Best Smartphone Deals

Buying a smartphone is no longer cheap: The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, reviewed below, costs around £1,800. While most smartphones are cheaper (the Pixel 9a from the same company is just £500), they are all a significant investment, so choosing the right model is more important than ever.

The best smartphones of 2025, tried and tested – but are they worth the upgrade?

From the Samsung Galaxy to the Apple iPhone, which of this year's best smartphones should you invest in? Here are our picks:

Some good mobile phone deals let you purchase a phone through a network on a two- or three-year payment plan, but in our opinion, your best option is to buy the phone directly and choose a SIM-only offer. The prices below are based on this. Buying a phone directly gives you more data plan options, and you can switch between providers when they offer them.

________________________________________

We tested all the latest phones for at least a week, and often a month, each time focusing on improvements over the previous generation. The quality of the cameras and the software behind them is always a key factor, followed by battery life, charging time, and processor speed: can it easily handle high-definition video and the latest AI-powered software?

Screen size and resolution are important when evaluating phones as video and gaming platforms, but we also consider how they feel in the hand and how resistant they are to bumps and scratches. We don't typically compare operating systems—all are either Android or Apple iOS, and both are regularly updated—but we do pay attention to how well they work with headphones and other Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices. We also take photos and videos in different day and night conditions, and test every shooting mode.