Polished designs, powerful processors, and battery life that will never let you down: the best phones of 2025 so far have a lot going for them. From high-tech foldables and flip devices to AI-powered handsets, our experts have highlighted the standout features of the top phones launched this year.
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Best iPhone: iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max easily takes the crown for the best iPhone of the year. Sophisticated and robust, the durable aluminium unibody design can withstand most bumps and knocks, while the upgraded selfie camera and boosted battery life make this phone a delight to use.
We need to talk about that selfie camera. Apple have introduced a brand-new square sensor with the 17 series that outpaces traditional front cameras with the ability to capture multiple subjects in crisp, clear detail. Apple Intelligence plays a part here, too, automatically detecting every face within the frame and zooming out where needed to fit everyone in. We found it to be a real gamechanger, especially when you’re trying to quickly snap friends or family without spending too long setting up a shot.
All that snapping needs decent storage, and the 17 Pro Max more than delivers. With one of the biggest storage capacities on the market, it can hold up to 2TB of storage – that’s massive. This amount of storage space means you’ll never have to worry about fitting all the photos, videos, apps and more on your device, without needing to fork out for extra cloud storage.
Holding the record for the longest battery life an iPhone has ever had, the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers 37 hours of video playback, in direct competition with Samsung’s S series and Google’s Pixel super-sized batteries. When you do need to power up, you’ll find speedy wired charging capabilities, as well as MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W.
- Release date: September 2025
- Dimensions: 163.4 x 78 x 8.75mm
- Weight: 231g
- Display size and resolution: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display (2868 x 1320)
- OS: iOS 26
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB
- CPU: A19 Pro chip
- Battery: Video playback up to 37 hours
- Rear cameras: 48MP + 48MP + 48MP + 12MP
- Front camera: 18MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Larger vapour chamber system helps dissipate heat more effectively and keep the phone running smoothly
- 18MP Centre Stage front camera makes taking group selfies and video calls a breeze
- Excellent storage capacity, with up to a whopping 2TB of storage on offer
Best Google phone: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Next on the list is the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, Google’s answer to Samsung’s excellent S25 Ultra and Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max. On the surface, the design of Google’s flagship phone hasn’t changed much from the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Look a little closer though, and it’s easy to see that the 6.8-inch Super Actua display and intuitive interface are best in class – not to mention the powerful Tensor G5 chip that barely breaks a sweat even when faced with multiple tasks.
We’ll come back to the incredibly capable AI – but first, the cameras. Both the Pixel 10 Pro and the Pro XL have a triple rear camera system, including a 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide and 48MP 5x telephoto lens. The XL wins in our book, though, thanks to the ease with which that super-sized screen helps line up shots more easily. We loved how speedy test snaps turned out, beautifully rendered in cinematic detail.
Going back to AI then, it plays a key role in the editing suite here with a range of creative tools that help you do everything from tweak the lighting to merging 4 images together. A personal favourite in the iD Mobile team thanks to its name alone, Nano Banana lets your imagination run wild by combining images and prompts to create a whole range of unique shots. It’s not something you’d reach for as a day-to-day user, but if you’re a photographer, videographer or just want to play with the range of tools available, you can easily spend hours experimenting.
That being said, Pixel AI really flexes its muscles with Magic Cue: a brand-new suite of tools that are fully personalised to you. Recommending restaurants when you’re exploring a new city, checking what date you suggested meeting a friend, surfacing a long-forgotten photo you can’t find – Magic Cue presents you with the answer immediately. It’s as intuitive as it is ingenious.
- Release date: August 2025
- Dimensions: 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm
- Weight: 232g
- Display size and resolution: 6.8-inch Super Actua display (1344 x 2992)
- OS: Android 16
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
- CPU: Google Tensor G5
- RAM: 16GB
- Battery: 5,200mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP + 48MP + 48MP
- Front camera: 42MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Pixelsnap wireless charging
- Powerful Pro Res Zoom welcomes in a whole new era of intricately detailed phone photography thanks to the 100x zoom range
- You’ll never get stuck with a dead phone, with up to 100 hours of battery life available with Extreme Battery Saver
Best Samsung phone: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
From the screen and the processor to the cameras, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has continued to impress us since its launch in February 2025. Samsung have created a device that has managed to stand out in the smartphone world: it’s got one of the largest screens seen on a traditional smartphone, and it’s the only high-end phone to feature a stylus. You’ll have plenty to write home about in years to come, too. Launching with Android 15, the S25 Ultra comes with an impressive 7 years of software and security updates, making it a worthy long-term investment.
Have we mentioned the camera system? There’s a seriously impressive 200MP main camera to play with, a hugely improved 50MP ultra-wide lens, and two telephoto cameras to boot. Samsung’s AI-powered ProVisual Engine lets those cameras shine by improving image quality in real time, as well as enhancing even the darkest and dullest tones when combined with the excellent Night Mode. We enjoyed the new and improved Generative Edit feature, too, effortlessly removing unwanted people and objects from the background of your photos at the touch of a button.
With its outstanding camera prowess and powerful performance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is going to be a hard contender to beat. We’re excited to see what Samsung have up their sleeves for their next launch – in the meantime, our S25 Ultra review has much more information on what makes this phone special.
- Release date: February 2025
- Dimensions: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm
- Weight: 218g
- Display size and resolution: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (3120 x 1440)
- OS: Android 15
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 12GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear cameras: 200MP + 50MP + 50MP + 10MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Super-tough Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass keeps your display free from scratches and scrapes
- Faster processing than ever before with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
- Built-in S Pen stylus lets you edit, scroll and browse even more easily
This is a real heavyweight champion of the phone world, with a super-sized screen and frame. If you’re moving from a smaller phone, you might find the screen hard to master, but it’s worth the payoff. We found that any qualms about the size of this handset disappear quickly, especially when that big, beautiful screen is being used for streaming or gaming.
Best foldable phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7
If your first phone was an old-school fold phone, you’ll find a lot to love with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7. It takes the classic fold phone design, but packs a punch with endless AI tools and personalisation options, as well as a tough-as-nails frame and display.
When closed, the Z Fold7 operates like a traditional smartphone with a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen. Despite the unique form factor, it’s not too heavy; this phone is lighter than both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 10 XL, so it doesn’t feel like a chore to pick up and check quickly during the day. We found the cover screen responsive, bright and fast, and it’s so thin that you’d be forgiven for forgetting there’s an 8-inch full screen waiting to be used, too.
The magic really happens when you open up the main screen. Multitasking as a tablet, it’s effortlessly easy to carry out big-screen tasks that would usually be designated to a laptop. Writing emails, catching up on TV shows, gaming in HD – tasks are made simple and games more enjoyable. It feels like you’re getting 2 phones for the price of 1.
The Z Fold7’s cameras shine on the main screen, too. Leading the charge with an excellent 200MP main camera, the triple-array setup makes it simple to capture rich, realistic tones and colours, whether you’re snapping autumn leaves or a group of friends. Samsung’s excellent ProVisual Engine, faster shutter speeds and improved low-light recording work together to deliver beautifully defined images, especially when you use Flex Mode to take selfies without even touching your screen. We’ve covered cameras and more in our Z Fold7 review.
- Release date: July 2025
- Dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2 (unfolded), 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 (folded)
- Weight: 215g
- Display size and resolution: 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main screen (1968 x 2184) 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen (2520 x 1080)
- OS: Android 16
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 12GB
- Battery: 4,400mAh
- Rear cameras: 200MP + 12MP + 10MP
- Front camera: 10MP
- IP rating: IP48
- The thinnest, lightest Samsung Fold yet, complete with a super-slim camera bar
- Take crystal-clear photos with the excellent 200MP wide camera
- Improved, hardly noticeable crease with a titanium frame for extra durability
Best flip phone: Motorola Razr 60 Ultra
Super sleek design? Tick. Titanium-enforced hinge? Tick. Iconic style with maximum novelty factor? Also tick. The Motorola Razr 60 Ultra is the perfect pocket-sized gadget – and with an array of colourways including the classic hot-pink Pantone Cabaret, this phone scored some serious nostalgia points in our households, too. The latest iteration of Motorola’s flip phone has rounded corners and a nice grippy frame that make opening and closing the handset quick and satisfying, without the worry of damaging your phone.
Updated for the AI age, we loved the range of Gemini-backed features that work seamlessly across both screens. Moto AI finds all the details you need with a single voice command, whether you need help with a recipe substitution or a reminder of a friend’s birthday. We found the ‘Update Me’ feature particularly useful, rounding up notifications without having to scroll through endless chat and app messages. All that AI goodness is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, making quick work of any tasks you want completing.
When you do flip it open, the screen is sharp and vibrant, with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The Razr 60 Ultra scores plenty of points in the battery department as well; in classic Motorola fashion, there’s a huge 4,700mAh battery powering this handset.
- Release date: April 2025
- Dimensions: 171.48 x 73.99 x 7.19mm (open), 88.12 x 73.99 x 15.69 (closed)
- Weight: 199g
- Display size and resolution: 7-inch AMOLED internal display (2992 x 1224), 4-inch AMOLED external display (1272 x 1080)
- OS: Android 15
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Storage: 512GB
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 16GB
- Battery: 4,700mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP + 50MP
- Front camera: 50MP
- IP rating: IP48
- Pantone-inspired rich colourways with tactile finishes make an impression
- Industry-leading 165Hz refresh rate ensures that stuttering, pixelated gaming a thing of the past
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor lets the excellent AI features on offer shine across every screen
Motorola are lagging behind the industry standard level of software support, offering 3 years of OS updates in comparison to Samsung and Google’s 7 years. You’ll receive automatic software updates until 2028, but if you’re planning to keep your phone for longer than 3 years, another brand might be a better option for you.
Best thin phone: iPhone Air
After competing for best battery life, biggest screen and longest software updates, Apple have crossed a new frontier: they’ve built the thinnest smartphone yet. Much more than just a gimmick, the iPhone Air convinced even the most sceptical of the iD Mobile team as soon as we picked it up. This really is a phone that needs to be held to be believed – at just 165g, it’s a real feat to pack it with this much tech. There’s up to 1TB of storage on offer if you need it, as well as a 48MP Fusion Main camera, and the 18MP Centre Stage front camera that really impressed us on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Running with iOS 26, the iPhone Air’s interface is beautifully designed. Complemented by that super-thin, super-elegant frame and thin bezels, Liquid Glass lets your choice of background shine, while photos on your Lock Screen appear in 3D. If you’ve got a Macbook or iPad, you’ll find this thoughtfully-crafted look across all your devices, which is an extra-nice cohesive touch. Paired with the endlessly helpful Apple Intelligence, we loved how personal iOS 26 makes this handset feel. It’s light, airy and a genuinely new take in the smartphone world.
- Release date: September 2025
- Dimensions: 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.64mm
- Weight: 165g
- Display size and resolution: 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display (2736 x 1260)
- OS: iOS 26
- Refresh rate: 1-120Hz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
- CPU: A19 Pro chip
- Battery: Video playback up to 27 hours
- Rear cameras: 48MP Fusion Main camera
- Front camera: 18MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Apple’s thinnest phone yet, this is a showstopper that’s sure to turn heads
- Apple Intelligence delivers a personalised, helpful experience whether you’re browsing, snapping or emailing
- ProMotion technology helps stretch out your battery life with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz
While there’s an impressive 27 hours of video playback on offer (with up to 40 hours available if you choose an accompanying MagSafe charger), models like the iPhone Pro Max offer a significantly bigger battery life than the iPhone Air. You’ll still easily get a full day’s charge before you have to power up – considering the weight and size of this phone, we think that’s pretty good going.
Summary
Whether you prefer your handset to be folded or unfolded, iPhone or Android, want cutting-edge AI features or classic simplicity, the latest round of smartphones really have something for everyone. If you’re looking for a slightly cheaper phone that still stacks up performance-wise, have a read of our roundup of the best mid-range phones of 2025.
FAQs
Some of the most sought-after features include AI enhancements, high refresh rates, super-fast charging, the latest processors, plus a battery life of around 4,500mAh or higher. Ultimately though, it’s up to you what kind of phone you go for, depending on your budget and preferences.
While there’s specific gaming phones on the market, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max are among the top-tier smartphones for gaming. Browse our roundup of the top phones for gaming for more inspiration.