Want a brand new cellphone? You’ve come to the precise place.
With new handsets launching left, proper and centre, it can be troublesome to maintain observe of what’s price shopping for. Your determination is less complicated if you need an iPhone – Apple solely releases a number of handsets every year, that means your choices are comparatively restricted. Your alternative of Samsung Galaxy phones is extra widespread, although it makes issues extra easy if you’re set on Samsung.
However what if you’re contemplating any cellphone, together with all Android phones? Your determination will get much more troublesome, which is the place this information is available in.
We assessment each cellphone that’s price shopping for – that’s over 100 yearly – however solely absolutely the best make the grade right here. If you’re in search of one thing extra reasonably priced, see our best price range phones and best mid-range cellphone guides as an alternative.
We can simply suggest all of the phones under, however every mannequin stands out for particular person causes. Whether or not you’re in search of a cellphone with AI options, nice cameras, good gaming efficiency, excellent battery life, a folding display or just worth for cash, there’s one thing right here that may attraction to you.
Samsung, Google, Apple, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Honor, Motorola and Nothing (through sub-brand CMF) are all represented right here. Nokia, Realme, Asus, Huawei, Honor, Vivo and Sony miss out, however you will discover them in different cellphone shopping for guides. On the backside of this text, you’ll additionally discover detailed shopping for recommendation, serving to you to select the right cellphone on your private wants.
For extra info and recommendation, see our full information to the best cellphone offers, plus devoted round-ups of the best Samsung Galaxy offers and best Google Pixel offers.
Best cellphone 2025
1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely – Best general
Execs
- Prime-tier efficiency
- Spectacular cameras
- Attractive anti-reflective display
- The most superior AI round
- Slick software program expertise
Cons
- Similar to S24 Extremely
- S Pen has no Bluetooth
- Costly
The S25 Extremely appears to be like nearly equivalent to the S24 Extremely, and from a {hardware} perspective, it’s. However this doesn’t cease it from being the best cellphone you can buy proper now, supplied cash is not any object.
There are actually even fewer weaknesses than earlier than, with much more processing energy, small however noticeable digital camera enhancements and a brand new anti-reflective display that places the 6.9-inch, 120Hz OLED panel in a league of its personal. The newly rounded corners make it simpler to carry.
You additionally get the best software program expertise we’ve ever seen on a Samsung cellphone (and possibly an Android cellphone full cease), with an intensive suite of genuinely helpful AI options and class-leading seven-year replace help.
Nevertheless, it’s on no account excellent. It’s a disgrace to see the built-in S Pen downgraded to be with out Bluetooth, whereas such a heavy, cumbersome cellphone received’t be for everybody. It’s additionally nonetheless very costly.
But when you need the best of the best in relation to smartphones proper now, the S25 Extremely is the machine to get.
Learn our full
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely assessment
2. OnePlus 13 – Very good all-rounder
Execs
- Stellar efficiency
- Nice consumer expertise with good AI additions
- Unimaginable battery life
- Tremendous-fast charging
Cons
- Some digital camera niggles
- Magnetic equipment solely work with case
Buy a OnePlus 13 from Fonehouse on Vodafone with 100GB data for £47/month and £29 upfront
The OnePlus 13 takes what made the OnePlus 12 so nice and makes it even higher. That is the best cellphone OnePlus has ever made, and up there with the best round proper now.
What makes it so good? It’s an excellent mixture of top-class {hardware}, slick software program and in depth help, that means the cellphone may very well be your principal cellphone for a few years to come back.
Highlights embrace the stellar Snapdragon 8 Elite efficiency, a beautiful 6.82-inch OLED display and unbelievable battery life with 100W charging help. These elements alone are sufficient to make it price contemplating.
However the OnePlus 13 is equally spectacular on the software program facet, with Oxygen OS one of many best Android skins round and many helpful AI options. 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of safety updates aren’t class-leading, however loads adequate for most individuals.
With all that in thoughts, and a price ticket that considerably undercuts many rivals, why wouldn’t you buy it? Sadly, whereas adequate for most individuals, the cameras are a transparent step down from the best round, which will likely be a dealbreaker for a lot of.
If you can look past that and the truth that a case is required for MagSafe-style magnetic charging equipment, the OnePlus 13 will serve you very effectively.
Learn our full
OnePlus 13 assessment
3. Xiaomi 15 Extremely – Best cameras
Execs
- Unimaginable digital camera efficiency
- Wonderful display
- Strong battery life & quick charging
- Silky efficiency
Cons
- Some design backsteps
- Not the best Android pores and skin
- Combined bag of AI options
- Not out there within the US
If pictures is your prime precedence, there’s no higher cellphone than the Xiaomi 15 Extremely proper now. In terms of stills, the handset is in a league of its personal.
Alongside a trio of 50Mp lenses (principal, ultrawide and 3x telephoto), you additionally now get a 200Mp periscope with 4.3x optical zoom. That allows a number of the best zoom pictures you’ll discover on any cellphone, although the lack of variable aperture on the principle lens makes it barely much less versatile when the topic is nearer.
Nonetheless, with the non-compulsory Images Package accent, it comes nearer to changing a DSLR than another handset. A really succesful 32Mp selfie digital camera is the icing on the cake.
Nevertheless, you received’t be taking photographs on a regular basis, so it’s good to know that the Xiaomi 15 Extremely boasts top-tier efficiency, a beautiful show and powerful battery life (plus 90W quick charging), all with a sturdy but chunky design.
Its principal disadvantage is on the software program facet, the place Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 pores and skin doesn’t really feel significantly intuitive, and AI options aren’t all the time flawless.
Given the excessive price ticket, there are higher choices on the market if you’re proud of photographs which might be simply ‘excellent’. But when you need absolutely the best pictures expertise on the market, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is the cellphone for you.
Nevertheless, it’s additionally price contemplating the common Xiaomi 15, which is extra compact and reasonably priced.
Learn our full
Xiaomi 15 Extremely assessment
4. Oppo Discover X8 Professional – Very good all-rounder
Execs
- Superior digital camera system
- Nice battery life
- Tremendous highly effective
- New digital camera management button
- Helpful AI options
Cons
- Smaller sensors than the Discover X7 Extremely
- No autofocus on the selfie digital camera
- Magnetic charging solely works with case
Buy an Oppo Find X8 Pro from O2 with 25GB data for £55.69/month and £30 upfront
After Oppo determined to not launch its Discover X6 and Discover X7 sequence flagships outdoors China, the Discover X8 sequence marks a triumphant return to Europe.
Each the Discover X8 and Discover X8 Professional are wonderful phones, however the latter has a slight higher hand. It’s highly effective, handsome, affords wonderful battery life and has loads of software program perks.
Nevertheless it’s the cameras that set it other than rivals, and switch an awesome cellphone into an outstanding one. For pure picture high quality, it’s in all probability solely the Xiaomi 14 Extremely that can rival it proper now for UK patrons.
The cellphone isn’t with out its compromises – there are a few small digital camera downgrades in comparison with the Discover X7 Extremely, whereas the software program takes some getting used to – however there’s little doubt that the Discover X8 Professional is up there with the very best phones you can buy proper now.
Learn our full
Oppo Discover X8 Professional assessment
5. Google Pixel 9 Professional XL – An incredible different
Execs
- Spectacular cameras
- Very good show
- A few of the best software program round
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- Costly
- Slightly generic design
- Battery life may very well be even higher
If not one of the choices above attraction to you, a Pixel 9 might be your best wager. And if you need absolutely the best expertise, the newly-branded Pixel 9 Professional XL is the one to go for.
Whereas not fairly the standout cellphone we noticed with the Pixel 8 Professional, the 9 Professional XL nonetheless delivers a compelling expertise in nearly all key areas.
The cameras are the spotlight as soon as once more, providing vibrant, high-contrast photographs whereas sustaining key particulars. That features low-light situations, even when the brightening is on no account true to life. A high quality ultrawide lens and 5x optical zoom from the telephoto make it an impressively versatile digital camera system, whereas selfies from the upgraded entrance lens are wonderful.
Elsewhere, the superb 6.8-inch show is a pleasure to make use of, whereas Google’s Tensor G4 chipset delivers strong efficiency. And the construct high quality is larger than ever, even when the transfer to a extra generic design will disappoint some folks.
Google continues to ace the software program expertise, even when the 9 Professional XL runs Android 14 out of the field and AI options are hit-and-miss. Google’s dedication to seven years of each OS and safety updates is but to be overwhelmed on any cellphone.
Battery life is respectable, reasonably than a key energy, whereas 37W charging feels sluggish. Finally, whether or not you buy the 9 Professional XL is dependent upon whether or not you assume the even larger price ticket is price it.
If not, contemplate the Pixel 9 Professional or common Pixel 9 as an alternative, although there are downgrades to concentrate on.
Learn our full
Google Pixel 9 Professional XL assessment
6. Apple iPhone 16 Plus – Best iPhone
Execs
- Massive Tremendous Retina XDR show
- Clean efficiency
- Wonderful battery life
- Helpful Digicam Management button
Cons
- No 120Hz refresh price
- Incomplete AI at launch
- Begins at 128GB storage
Buy an iPhone 16 Plus from Mozillion with 10GB knowledge for £36.83/month and £0 upfront
From the 2024 line-up, the iPhone 16 Plus is the candy spot with its mixture of measurement, value and options.
Right here, you’re getting a powerful all-rounder that’s nearer to the Professional Max than ordinary, contemplating the Motion Button has now trickled down, and the brand new Digicam Management button isn’t unique to the Professional fashions.
And help for Apple Intelligence is an enormous deal as of late, even when the AI options received’t make an enormous distinction to the best way you use your cellphone but.
The display isn’t as large or spectacular because the Professional Max, and you get an everyday A18 chipset as an alternative of A18 Professional, however these will likely be loads adequate for most individuals. You additionally miss out on a telephoto lens and 1TB storage, however once more, lots of people received’t thoughts these trade-offs for a extra affordable value.
Until you’re in search of a extra compact mannequin, the 16 Plus strikes an excellent steadiness between options and affordability, making it our go-to from Apple’s newest vary. Nevertheless, if you need a extra premium expertise and are keen to pay extra, go for the iPhone 16 Professional Max as an alternative.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 16 Plus assessment
7. Google Pixel 9a – Best mid-range cellphone
Execs
- Enticing show
- Sturdy principal and selfie cameras
- Wonderful software program
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- No telephoto digital camera
- Gradual charging
- Polarising design
Buy a Google Pixel 9a from Fonehouse on Three with 100GB data for £20/month and £0 upfront
The Pixel 9a may not be absolutely the best cellphone you can buy proper now, however it’s the best to suggest. If you’ve obtained round £500/$500 to spend and need a strong all-rounder that may final, that is the cellphone for you.
It’s not just like the Pixel 9a doesn’t have any standout options, both. The 6.3-inch P-OLED show is superb, whereas the principle 48Mp rear digital camera is among the very best – together with on flagships. You can additionally anticipate strong efficiency and powerful battery life from the 5100mAh cell.
Nevertheless it’s software program the place the cellphone actually shines. Android 15 is at its best on the Pixel, whereas even the pared-down AI expertise (in comparison with the flagship Pixel 9 sequence phones) can nonetheless be very helpful. Alongside well timed updates and 7 years of software program help, the Pixel 9a is a mid-range cellphone that’s laborious to beat.
The lack of a telephoto lens and sluggish 23W charging are the large downsides, whereas some folks will likely be disillusioned by the nondescript design, however that doesn’t cease the Pixel 9a from being a superb alternative.
Learn our full
Google Pixel 9a assessment
8. Nothing Telephone (3a) – Best worth cellphone
Execs
- Extremely fashionable design
- Inexpensive value level
- Slick and speedy software program
- Nice battery life
Cons
- Ultrawide digital camera isn’t nice
- No charger within the field
Buy a Nothing Phone (3a) from EE with 25GB data for £37.36/month and £30 upfront
With a beginning value of simply £329/$379, the Nothing Telephone (3a) is among the most reasonably priced mid-range phones on the market. However for most individuals, there’s no have to spend extra.
The Telephone (3a) affords a powerful mixture of premium, distinctive design, speedy efficiency and nice battery life. The show is a slick 120Hz OLED, and Nothing’s tackle Android 15 is a compelling one, particularly with as much as seven years of updates.
The principal compromise is the cameras, however the 50Mp principal, 50Mp telephoto, and 32Mp selfie lenses nonetheless outshine many rivals at this value. The 8Mp ultrawide is the large disappointment, however that received’t be solved by paying extra for the (3a) Professional.
General, the Telephone (3a) is an impressively well-rounded cellphone at a fraction of the worth of flagships. Until you actually care about pictures, AI options or absolutely the best efficiency, the cellphone will serve you effectively.
Learn our full
Nothing Telephone (3a) assessment
9. CMF Telephone 2 Professional – Best price range cellphone
Execs
- Spectacular cameras
- Wonderful show
- Sturdy efficiency
- Wonderful worth for cash
Cons
- Solely IP54 rated
- Longer software program help elsewhere
Nothing sub-brand CMF’s second cellphone may undertake the ‘Professional’ identify, however it’s nonetheless very a lot a price range cellphone. And with a beginning value of simply £219/$279 (extra storage within the US), you received’t discover a higher handset for the cash.
What makes the Telephone 2 Professional so particular? Basically, it takes all the things that made the CMF Telephone 1 so good and makes it considerably higher, in trade for under a small value enhance.
We’re speaking two brand-new digital camera sensors, with the principle lens additionally getting considerably higher. For the worth, you can anticipate a number of the best photographs round.
Add that to a brighter, extra correct show, a pleasant efficiency increase and the all-important NFC that was lacking from the unique (enabling contactless funds), and the Telephone 2 Professional has loads going for it.
The standout, customisable design stays, as does Nothing’s user-friendly tackle Android 15. The three years of OS updates is slightly underwhelming, whereas you don’t get full water or mud resistance, however the CMF Telephone 2 Professional undoubtedly has loads going for it.
Learn our full
CMF Telephone 2 Professional assessment
10. Motorola Razr 50 Extremely/Razr Extremely 2025 – Best foldable cellphone
Execs
- Beautiful, strong design
- Attractive shows
- Prime-tier efficiency
- Wonderful battery life
- Helpful cowl display
Cons
- No telephoto digital camera
- Solely 4 years of updates
- Costly
Buy a Motorola Razr 60 Ultra from iD Mobile with 100GB data for £38.99/month and £9 upfront
The Razr 50 Extremely was already the best folding cellphone of 2024, however the Razr 60 Extremely extends Motorola’s lead over the competitors.
We’re speaking beautiful new design finishes, together with Alcantara and actual wooden, a tricky construct and two wonderful shows. The 4-inch cowl display is impressively versatile, whereas the 7-inch inside show has a barely noticeable crease.
Motorola has additionally geared up the 60 Extremely with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, spectacular battery life from the 4700mAh cell and speedy 68W charging.
The lack of a telephoto digital camera is disappointing at this value level, whereas simply three main OS updates and 4 years of safety patches are effectively behind the seven years of each provided by the Galaxy Z Flip 6. But when you need the best all-around folding cellphone in the marketplace, the Razr 60 Extremely is the machine for you.
If you’re in search of one thing extra reasonably priced, look out for our assessment of the common Razr 50 quickly. If a book-style foldable is your desire, go for the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold.
Your shopping for information for the best phones in 2025
When selecting a cellphone, you ought to contemplate these items: construct high quality and design, show, efficiency, cameras, battery life, software program and worth for cash.
Usually talking, a flagship cellphone in 2025 will begin at round £700/$700 however can price effectively over $1,000/£1,000 in some instances.
On contract, you’re taking a look at between £30 and £50 per 30 days on common within the UK, however you can spend much more if you need an costly cellphone and many cell knowledge. Within the US, you can typically discover excellent contract offers on phones, usually higher than within the UK and Europe.
It’s price noting that whereas this listing highlights the best smartphones out there proper now, that doesn’t explicitly imply flagships (although they do characteristic closely right here). There are entries that cross over with our mid-range and price range cellphone round-ups too, however earn their place right here primarily based on the capabilities and high quality on provide for his or her value.
Shopping for a cellphone outright will often give you the best worth, however we respect that funds in the true world don’t all the time accommodate such large one-off purchases. If you can, you’ll clearly want a SIM card and plan, in addition to the cellphone. If you don’t have already got one, take a look at our best SIM-only offers.
Why you ought to belief Tech Advisor
Telephone evaluations and shopping for recommendation have been a staple of Tech Advisor’s protection because the authentic iPhone was launched in 2007 and Android made its first headlines in 2008.
We’ve guided you by means of 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G; we’ve reported on the rise and fall of Home windows Telephone, BlackBerry phones and LG phones.
We’ve seen smartphone makers scramble to supply the largest, brightest, highest-resolution, fastest-refreshing, hardest, versatile, foldable and even three-dimensional shows; we’ve seen an arms race in processors and graphics within the quest for the last word cell efficiency; a long-running sport of what number of cameras – after which what number of megapixels – they can first squeeze on to the handset, and later conceal out of sight; a push for batteries that can go – by no means thoughts all day – however all week; and new applied sciences that allow waterproof and vastly enhance audio.
We’ve held your hand by means of an interesting journey of cell {hardware}, and today, some 18 years later, it’s the software program smarts and as soon as impossible-to-imagine AI capabilities that glue us to this path. We carry out in-depth, real-world testing on each new Android and iPhone mannequin that’s price shopping for (dozens each single yr), adopting it as our main cellphone for probably the most genuine expertise doable and ensuring we’re ready to present you the best doable cellphone shopping for recommendation.
Smartphones shopping for recommendation
Ought to I buy an iPhone or an Android cellphone?
There’s a couple of cell working system, however actually solely two price speaking about: Android and iOS.
The overwhelming majority of phones today run Android, Android 15 being the newest publicly launched model. Apple’s iOS platform, at present on iOS 18, might have a decrease market share, however builders nearly all the time launch their apps on iOS first. On account of this method, it arguably affords a smoother app expertise.
If you have an Android cellphone or iPhone and wish to transfer to a cellphone operating the opposite OS (working system), it’s pretty straightforward to switch your contacts and different choose knowledge from one to the opposite.
What you can’t transfer are paid-for apps and sure app knowledge, so preserve this in thoughts if you’re contemplating a change of platform – and analysis any particular issues you might have in regards to the course of.
Ought to I buy an unlocked cellphone?
An unlocked cellphone is one that’s not tied to any explicit cell community operator. Shopping for ‘unlocked’ often means shopping for the cellphone outright with out a SIM card or contract connected.
The most necessary level is that an unlocked cellphone is sort of all the time a greater deal than shopping for a cellphone on contract, if you can afford it.
The solely actual exception to this is Apple’s iPhones. Due to their conventional reputation, operators typically subsidise the price of shopping for an iPhone with the intention to lock you right into a profitable long-term deal.
Usually talking, if you can afford the upfront price of the handset, you can pay much less over the lifetime of your cellphone by shopping for unlocked.
Extra importantly, you usually are not locked right into a prolonged contract. If you need a new handset at any time, you can buy one with out having to pay your method out of the contract or commit to a different two years.
Simply make sure you make sure the cellphone you’re getting is just not locked to a sure community. All phones offered within the UK since December 2021 have to be unlocked.
Which SIM or cell plan ought to I get?
One different factor to think about is the dimensions and form of the SIM required on your cellphone. Make sure that you get a nano-SIM if a nano-SIM is what your cellphone requires.
For the document, each cellphone on this listing takes a nano-SIM, other than some iPhone fashions within the US, which use eSIM.
However for most individuals, it’s best to stay with a bodily SIM card for now. Most networks ship you a SIM card in three completely different sizes, so you can simply come out the one you want.
If you’re in search of a SIM-free or unlocked cellphone, you in all probability have already got a SIM card you’d like to make use of.
4G connectivity remains to be tremendous for most individuals. But when you need 5G, be sure each the cellphone and the SIM help it.
