Subj : The best phone 2025 [PPC] (1/2) To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Nov 04 2025 12:45:08 The best phone 2025 [PPC] Date: Tue, 04 Nov 2025 12:29:11 +0000 Description: We've reviewed all of the best phones you can buy, from the most powerful camera phones to the latest Google Pixel and Apple iPhone models. Whether you need long battery life, a productive work phone, or a fun gaming machine, we've got the best recommendations for every budget, with new models added all the time. FULL STORY ====================================================================== The best phones of 2025 have been announced - barring any surprises - and we've got all of the top models in hand and in Future Labs being tested and reviewed. Our in-depth reviews of the latest iPhone 17 family - including the iPhone 17 Pro - is now live. We've also gone in-depth with the new Pixel 10 series, including the big and bodacious Pixel 10 Pro XL. Are these the best phones you can buy? We'll know soon. Our in-depth reviews test phones for the real world experience they offer, as well as the lab-tested performance you can rely upon. But we don't add a new phone to the list of the Best Phones you can buy until we've spent even more time to see how it compares to every other phone you can buy. I fully expect this list will be populated with the latest Pixel and iPhone models soon, once our final comparison testing is done. Check back frequently, it's going to be an exciting season for phone fans. We've reviewed over 1,500 phones at TechRadar over the last 20 years, and I've personally been reviewing phones even longer. I've tested every phone on this list to make sure it lives up to its promise and its worth your money. The Best Phones Best iPhone 1. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max The iPhone 16 Pro Max gives you the best of everything Apple offers, and it's everything I want in a smartphone. Sure, the Camera Control was kind of a bust (like Apple Intelligence), but it didn't need a fancy new button to be the most refined, powerful and reliable smartphone you can buy. Read more below Best Android 2. OnePlus 13 The OnePlus 13 simply blew me away with its fast performance, incredible battery, and stellar cameras. It also looks snazzy and feels amazing to use. It's not quite as polished as the big iPhone, but it's much cheaper, and it beats Apple's phone in many ways. Read more below Best iPhone cameras 3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have identical cameras, at last. Both give you 5x optical zoom, Camera Controls, and more fine tuning than ever before on an iPhone. Read more below Best Android cameras 4. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is like having a full camera bag in your pocket. It's not the biggest step up from the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it adds megapixels and improved performance with its Snapdragon 8 Elite inside. This is Samsung best camera phone ever, and one of the best camera phones you can buy overall. Read more below Best Android 5. Google Pixel 9 Pro The Google Pixel 9 Pro was our phone of the year pick for 2024, with a fantastic design and AI features that work so well, they can be scary. It has great cameras and it's more durable than any previous Pixel. Read more below Best Foldable phone 6. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung returns to form, cramming even more power and technology into a device that is somehow thinner than ever before. With its 200MP camera, incredibly thin design, and humongous foldable display, this device is a cutting edge mobile computer, with a price tag to match its exceptional quality. Read more below Best iPhone battery 7. Apple iPhone 16 Plus The iPhone 16 Plus had the longest battery life of almost any iPhone I've tested, both in the real world and in Future Labs. The iPhone 16 Pro Max may last a bit longer, but for hundreds less, the iPhone 16 Plus is the right choice if longevity is your concern. Read more below Best bargain phone 8. Google Pixel 9a The Pixel 9a is the latest bargain phone from Google, and it gets the same processing power and much of the same camera capabilities as the mighty Google Pixel 9 Pro. Sadly, it veered a bit too far from the Pixel look, but it also comes in at a much lower price, making it not only a bargain Pixel, but the best bargain phone I've tested overall. Look for deals on this one, but even at full price it's a great phone to buy. Read more below Best for teens 9. Apple iPhone 15 The Apple iPhone 15 is a fantastic phone all around, with software that is intuitive and fun to use and great cameras. It won't get Apple Intelligence features, and maybe that's for the best when it comes to your teenager's smartphone. Read more below The best phone in 2025 Below, you'll find in-depth details about each of the best phones on our list. I've tested each model extensively, so you can be sure to trust our recommendations. The best iPhone overall Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) 1. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max The best iPhone overall Weight: 227g | Dimensions: 163 x 77.6 x 8.25mm | OS: iOS 18 | Screen size: 6.9-inch | Resolution: 2868 x 1320 pixels | CPU: A18 Pro | Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | Rear cameras: 48MP main (24mm, f/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2), 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom (120mm, f/2.8) | Front camera: 12MP (f/1.9) Camera control gives instant access Powerful Apple A18 Pro chip inside More zoom would be even nicer Apple Intelligence rollout is staggered Buy it if You want the biggest and best : The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the biggest, fastest, longest-lasting iPhone I've ever tested. You want Apple Intelligence ... eventually: Sometime in the next month this phone will get AI features, then more after that, then more... Don't buy it if: You want an affordable big screen: If you want to save hundreds, and have more AI features today, check out the Pixel 9 Pro XL instead. You want a smaller screen, actually: The iPhone 16 Pro has all the same cameras this year, so you aren't missing out by picking the smaller phone. The bottom line The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the ultimate iPhone, with all of Apple's newest features inside, including the cool Camera Control and the superfast Apple A18 Pro chipset. Apple Intelligence is on the way, so this phone might get better over time, but it's a powerful, durable, stylish smartphone, if you can afford Apple's best. Apple's iPhone 15 marks the most significant step up for a base iPhone in several years, earning its place as the best value phone money can buy today. Design: This year's iPhone 16 Pro Max is recognizably an iPhone, of course, but the antenna gap is now a Camera Control that offers many new features. There's also a cool desert titanium, which is probably the best color and not just because it's the one I got. Display: The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the biggest, brightest display ever on an iPhone, and it's a pleasure to use in any lighting conditions, even shooting photos outside under bright sunlight. Camera: This is a big year for Apple cameras thanks to Camera Control, but Apple is also giving the iPhone 16 Pro Max more fine tuned tweaks over the tone and look of your photos, and early reviews say the results are fantastic. The high-speed video recording that enables more fluid slow motion may also be a game-changer for cinematic videos. Performance: I couldn't find any way to slow down the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with its Apple A18 Pro chipset inside. I'll see how it handles Apple Intelligence, but in my tests with everything it can do today, the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivered all of the features with no problems. Battery life: Our Future Labs battery test rank the iPhone 16 Pro Max as the longest lasting iPhone you can buy today. It lasted just a bit longer than the iPhone 16 Plus, but both offer incredible battery life. Value for money: The iPhone 16 Pro Max isn't a cheap phone, but at least Apple didn't raise the price this year, even though this year's Pro Max inarguably offers more hardware and more value than before. Read our full iPhone 16 Pro Max review Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max score card Attributes Notes Rating Value A bigger phone with even more power and intelligence that holds the line on pricing 4 / 5 Design Iconic design with excellent materials and a brand-new hardware feature 5 / 5 Display Larger display but the resolution is unchanged. Still one of the best in the smartphone game 4.5 / 5 Software iOS 18 full of useful updates and a handful of really big changes to digest. Apple Intelligence is an exciting addition that has yet to reach its full potential 4 / 5 Camera Solid sensor updates but a lot ofbig changes on image processing and control. The Camera Control might be a game changer 4.5 / 5 Performance A18 Pro is more power than most need but you will never be disappointed in performance 5 / 5 Battery Excellent battery life and a weclome upgrade on wireless charge speed 4.5 / 5 ^ Back to the top The best Android overall Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) 2. OnePlus 13 The best Android overall Weight: 210g | Dimensions: 162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5mm | OS: Android 15 | Screen size: 6.82-inches | Resolution: 1440 x 3168 pixels | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elitye | Storage: 256GB / 512GB | Rear cameras: 50 MP /1.6 main; 50MP /2.65 3X zoom; 50MP /2.05 ultra-wide | Front camera: 32MP /2.45 Camera control gives instant access Powerful Apple A18 Pro chip inside More zoom would be even nicer Apple Intelligence rollout is staggered Buy it if You want the best battery life : On top of everything else it does well, the OnePlus 13 tops our charts in battery life testing. It lasts for days. You want to switch from iPhone to Android: This is the most polished and fun Android phone, with fewer foibles than most. This is the one for switchers. Don't buy it if: You want this phone for free: You won't get a deal on this phone from your carrier, but OnePlus offers discounts and bonuses. You want the best camera phone: The OnePlus 13 is one of the best camera phones, but the iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra have it beat. The bottom line The OnePlus 13 took every concern I had about OnePlus and turned them into strengths, with a phone that is durable, long-lasting, and incredibly attractive. There was nothing I didn't like about this phone, and I'm excited to see how it develops in the years ahead with more advanced AI features. OnePlus used to be a flagship-killer phone maker, but now it just makes flagships like the OnePlus 13, one of the best phones you can buy, even if you haven't heard of it. You won't find them at your mobile phone store, but it's worth seeking them out. Design: This is a classy phone with an amazing vegan microfiber finish that is soft to the touch and more welcoming than hard glass. I highly recommend a OnePlus case, too, since it opens the world of MagSafe accessories. Oh, and did I mention this phone is IP69 water resistant? You can clean it in the dishwasher. Display: One of the best displays ever on a mobile phone, this big screen is great for everything you want to do. It's also incredibly responsive, even if you get it wet. Camera: Amazing cameras excel at action shots by freezing motion to a standstill. The colors and details get a lot of help from AI, and I still prefer the iPhone 16 Pro just a bit, but this is an enjoyable camera that produces fantastic pics you'll love to share. Performance: In lab tests and the real world, the OnePlus 13 was the fastest phone I've ever seen, and it beats even the iPhone 16 Pro in many important processor tests, like multi-core performance. What can you do with all that power? The future will tell. Battery life: This is the battery life winner, lasting nearly 20 hours in our battery rundown test. The big iPhone above died two hours earlier. The OnePlus 13 also charges faster than any other phone on this list. Even wirelessly, it charges faster than an iPhone. Value for money: Don't let the sticker price scare you, OnePlus offers perpetual deals that drop the price on the OnePlus 13, and you'll get a trade-in bonus even if your old phone is broken (or connected to a wire). This is a premium flagship that will cost what you'd pay for the base model. Read our full iPhone 16 Pro Max review OnePlus 13 score card Attributes Notes Rating Value Dont let sticker shock scare you away, OnePlus offers discounts and trade-in bonuses to help. You just cant get one at the Verizon store (try Best Buy). 4 / 5 Design A more professional look and an incredible feel with the new vegan microfiber. Every color is unique and outstanding, but the blue is the one to get, and definitely get a OnePlus case. 5 / 5 Display The best display on any smartphone in terms of color, and it also looks great with the curving edges sloping down to the frame. It could be brighter, but its a winner. 5 / 5 Software The best Android interface software, but I wish there was more to take advantage of all that power. Eventually AI may come along, but for now OnePlus isnt pushing AI tools too hard. This phone is refreshing to use all around. 4 / 5 Camera The best cameras for action photos, even at night, and great pics all around. It does more with 3x zoom than some phones managed with 10x zoom. 4 / 5 Performance You wont find a faster phone, according to our benchmarks. In the real world, it was harder to find the fast lane, but the interface was incredibly snappy and responsive. 5 / 5 Battery The longest battery life, thanks to a larger battery and the efficient Snapdragon processor, though OnePlus has managed to fit more battery inside without making the phone thicker. Oh, and it charges stupidly fast. 5 / 5 ^ Back to the top The best iPhone cameras Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) 3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro The best iPhone cameras Weight: 199g | Dimensions: 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25mm | OS: iOS 18 | Screen size: 6.3-inch | Resolution: 2622 x 1206 pixels | CPU: A18 Pro | Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | Rear cameras: 48MP main (24mm, f/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2), 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom (120mm, f/2.8) | Front camera: 12MP (f/1.9) Camera control gives instant camera access Powerful Apple A18 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence Not the sharpest screen I've seen Should have more storage Buy it if You want Pro performance in a smaller size: Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro doesn't compromise on performance or features vs. Apple's larger iPhone. You want Apple Intelligence ASAP: There are some new features available, but when Apple Intelligence launches with iOS 18.1, the iPhone 16 Pro will be ready. Don't buy it if: You want the biggest and best screen: The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger display that packs more pixels, and other small phones might be more sharp. You want more AI now: If AI is your jam, check out what the Android phone makers are doing, especially Google and Samsung, because they tend to offer more features right away. The bottom line With the latest camera features and the new Camera Control, the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max give you the best iPhone camera experience ever, and it's only going to get more interesting as Apple Intelligence rolls out with new photo features and much more. The iPhone 16 Pro is the pint-sized powerhouse in Apple's latest iPhone lineup. It features all the same camera capabilities as its Pro Max sibling, but at a smaller size and weight. I wish it had more than 128GB to start, because those cameras produce great images you'll want to keep shooting. Otherwise, there are no big complaints about this year's iPhone. Design: The iPhone 16 Pro looks exactly like last year's iPhone. It's a bit heavier, but you won't notice unless you put the two on a scale. The iPhone looks sleek in the new desert titanium color, and make sure to get a case that works with the Camera Control button on the side. Display: The iPhone 16 Pro features a 6.1-inch OLED display that can remain always-on and can refresh up to 120Hz. For folks complaining about the refresh rate on the iPhone, just go Pro, it's where the best displays can be found. Camera: The iPhone 16 Pro has the same 5X zoom lens as the Pro Max iPhone, but its really the improved quality thanks to the A18 chip that will have folks talking. I especially like the slow motion video that looks extra smooth thanks to higher recording speeds. Performance: The A18 Pro chipset is the most powerful mobile platform I've tested, and there was nothing I could throw at this iPhone to slow it down. Battery life: Battery life was very good on the iPhone 16 Pro, it always lasted a day of use. The Pro Max lasts much longer, thanks to its bigger battery inside, but the iPhone 16 Pro won't let you down early. Still, buy the faster charger just in case. Value for money: The iPhone 16 Pro is a good value for a powerhouse phone in a compact package. Apple hasn't raised the price this year, though I wish it came with more than 128GB storage standard, so upgrade if you can. Read our full iPhone 16 Pro review Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max score card Attributes Notes Rating Value The price holds on this lovely and slightly larger phone but the value would be better with more storage 4 / 5 Design Iconic design with excellent materials and a brand-new hardware feature 4.5 / 5 Display Slightly larger display but the resolution is unchanged. Still excellent 4.5 / 5 Software iOS 18 full of useful updates and a handful of really big changes to digest. Apple Intelligence is an exciting addition that has yet to reach its full potential 4 / 5 Camera Solid sensor updates, 5x zoom is so welcome, and the Camera Control is an exciting addition 4.5 / 5 Performance A18 Pro is more power than most need but you will never be disappointed in performance 4.5 / 5 Battery Excellent battery life and a weclome upgrade on wireless charge speed 4.5 / 5 ^ Back to the top The best Android cameras Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer) 4. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra The best Android cameras Release date: January 2025 | Weight: 218g | Dimensions: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm | OS; Expected Upgrades: Android 15 / One UI 7; 7 years of upgrades | Screen size: 6.9-inch | Resolution: QHD+ | CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | Battery: 5,000mAh | Rear camera: 200MP (wide) + 12MP (ultra-wide) + 10MP (telephoto with 3x optical zoom) + 50MP (telephoto with 5x optical zoom) | Front camera: 12MP Incredible performance and features Better cameras than ever before AI features can be useless at worst Big, heavy, and more expensive Buy it if You want more than just a smartphone : The Galaxy S25 Ultra can do more than any other smartphone. It can be a laptop replacement, a note pad and pen, and an entire camera bag. You want to feel the future: The Galaxy AI features keep improving, especially in the camera and Gallery app. There are definitely more AI features to come, so this phone could get better with time. Don't buy it if: You don't need all of that phone: If you don't need everything and more, you can spend less on the Galaxy S25 Plus. It just won't have the amazing cameras you get with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. You prefer elegance and simplicity: Samsung software isn't getting better, though it is getting prettier. It's still complicated, with many duplicate apps and bloatware you don't want. The bottom line The Galaxy S25 Ultra takes smartphone cameras to the extreme. You won't find a more versatile, refined, and clever device, but that power and performance comes at a high price tag. If you don't need all the Ultra features (still with the S Pen?), get the Galaxy S25 Plus instead, but if you want the best cameras, and the best Galaxy overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the phone to beat. Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra redefines smartphone performance. It stands out as arguably the best overall phone available. It surpasses the iPhone in battery life and performance, features more versatile cameras than any other Android device, and includes unique features rarely seen on modern smartphones, such as the Samsung DeX desktop experience. Design : The Galaxy S25 Ultra's design refinements, though subtle, are noteworthy. This substantial phone now features a more rounded profile, which makes it a bit more appealing, though it now looks just like the cheaper Galaxy S25. The screen has gotten just a tad bigger since last year's model, though the phone is lighter overall. Display : The Galaxy S25 Ultra's bright OLED screen offers an unparalleled smartphone display experience. While slightly brighter or faster alternatives may exist, its anti-glare coating significantly improves outdoor visibility. Samsung's display delivers vibrant colors and exceptional sharpness for any task. Camera : The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers the most versatile camera system on any smartphone, with its 3X and 5X zoom lenses, as well as normal wide and ultra-wide offerings. The zoom cameras use much smaller sensors, so the images are only good for sharing, not prints, but the results are still the most impressive of any phone you'll try. Performance : For users demanding top-tier speed, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the clear choice. In both benchmark tests and real-world scenarios involving gaming and productivity tasks, it demonstrated the fastest performance of any phone tested, even outperforming the iPhone 16 Pro. This marks a first for Android phones against Apple's custom-designed chipsets. Battery : The Galaxy S25 Ultra easily provides two days of typical use, and it readily handles a full day of heavy use. Without an increase in battery capacity, that Snapdragon seems to sip power more slowly, resulting in significantly improved battery performance. Value : The Galaxy S25 Ultra's price is high, and the improvements may not seem like a dramatic leap. However, Samsung's commitment to seven years of software updates, including major Android OS updates, significantly enhances the phone's long-term value, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor should be able to handle whatever the future throws its way. Read our full Galaxy S25 Ultra review Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra score card Value Samsung held fast on the Galaxy S25 Ultra price. it's not a cheap phone, but design updates, integrated AI and inclusion of the S Pen make it good value. 4.5/5 Design The Galaxy S25 Ultra is now fully part of the Galaxy S-series design family and that generally improves it. We have a bigger screen, thinner and lighter body, and we still have all the things that make an Ultra special, including the titanium, the S-Pen and a big-enough battery. 4/5 Display The biggest Ultra screen ever. It doesn't break any new ground on technology, but is still an excellent screen for all kinds of content and uses. 5/5 Cameras There are a lot of lenses here and they're backed by high-pixel counts that will result in extremely detailed photos. Samsung only updated one lens since the last Ultra, but choosing the ultra-wide was the right move, as it improves both ultra-wide and macro images. 4.5 Software and AI Samsung's and its partners' commitment to deep AI integration is laudable, and it makes for the most frictionless AI experience I've found on any smartphone. It's also backed by a solid and even more useful One UI update. And the AI experience will likely get richer over time 4.5/5 Performance The S25 Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite for Galaxy is one impressive chip. It's a near-perfect mix of performance and efficiency. 5/5 Battery Best battery life I've seen on a smartphone. Days of use is within reach. 5/5 ^ Back to the top The best Android for AI Image 1 of 9 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 2 of 9 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 3 of 9 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 4 of 9 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 5 of 9 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 6 of 9 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 7 of 9 (Image credit: Peter Hoffmann) Image 8 of 9 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 9 of 9 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) 5. Google Pixel 9 Pro The best Android for AI Weight: 199g | Dimensions: 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm | OS: Android 14 | Screen size: 6.3-inch | Resolution: 1280 x 2856 | CPU: Google Tensor G4 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | Battery: 4,700mAh | Rear camera: 50MP (main); 48MP (5x telephoto); 48MP (ultrawide) | Front camera: 42MP Fantastic improved Pixel design and durability Great camera and photo editing features Performance lags the competition Some AI features may be questionable without guardrails Buy it if You want to create a lot of stuff using AI: The Google Pixel 9 Pro has tons of AI features to be creative. You can make your own images, tweak photos, write stories and messages, and plenty more. You want an assistant to take notes for you: Google AI can listen to your calls and take notes later, so you don't have to grab a pen when the doctor or the dog-sitter starts giving you detailed instructions. Don't buy it if: You're worried about AI: The Google Pixel can listen to your calls and make deep fake images that will fool most people. If you're worried about AI, this phone won't help. You want the absolute best cameras: While the Pixel 9 Pro is impressive, nothing beats the Galaxy S24 Ultra for camera capabilities and quality, not even with Video Boost. You want a bigger Pixel 9 Pro: If you want this same exact phone, I mean exactly the same cameras and everything, only bigger ... get the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The bottom line The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a huge departure from the past few years of Pixel design, and I love the changes. It looks sleek and modern, and it features more AI tools than you could imagine. Google's AI can have a conversation, fix your photos, or fake an insurance scam. Maybe don't do that last thing. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a whole new look for the Pixel family, but it keeps the recent Pixel heritage of new AI features, outstanding cameras, and the brightest and most colorful displays you'll find on any smartphone. It's not just a whole new look for Pixel, there's a lot going on that you need to check out, even if you just want to be wary of what's coming. Design : The Pixel 9 Pro gets rid of the old camera bar for a newer, raised camera pill that is sleek, rounded, and very modern. The Pixel is more durable this year, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back for the best scratch and crack protection. The Pro and the Pro XL are identical, except for the bigger size, so pick your phone according to your comfort. Display : Google continues to quietly dominate smartphone displays with the Super Actua screen on the Pixel 9 Pro. It's the brightest screen you'll find, and it looks fantastic. It also uses LTPO technology to refresh between 1-120Hz, so it works as an Always-On display without draining too much power. You won't find much better, especially if you need to take photos in bright sunlight. The Pixel 9 Pro display can handle it. Camera : Photos looked fantastic from the Pixel 9 Pro, and video looked even better after it got an AI upgrade using Video Boost. There are still better camera phones for image quality and features, but the Pixel 9 Pro gives you a perfect starting point, and then you can jump into Google Photos for exclusive AI editing tools you'll only find on the Pixel phone. Performance: The Pixel 9 pro lags behind all of the competition in terms of raw performance, and unfortunately that lag rears its head in the real world. I saw slowdowns and stuttering when I tried to do everything at once, even though my Galaxy S24 Ultra can handle everything and more. I hope this phone really lasts sevent years of Android updates, but the future is unclear. Battery life : Battery life on the Pixel 9 Pro was solid, but it isn't the best around. I had no trouble getting a full day of use from my phone, but I wish it had faster charging in case I needed to top up. The Pixel 9 Pro XL charges faster than other Pixels, if you want that benefit, but otherwise I have no battery complaints, only wishes for next year. Value for money : The Pixel 9 Pro seems a bit expensive, especially considering performance can lag behind the competition. Still, with a free year of Google One AI Premium, which includes 2TB of cloud storage, the deal looks a bit sweeter. Keep an eye out later in the year for price drops, there are usually discounts on Google phones near the holiday season. Read our full Google Pixel 9 Pro review Google Pixel 9 Pro score card Attributes Notes Rating Value Its a great phone all around, but performance lags significantly versus other phones in this price range, so maybe wait for a discount or a bundle deal. 4 / 5 Design Excellent new design; the biggest change to Pixel phones in four years. Fantastic materials and a more modern look. 5 / 5 Display Google offers the best smartphone screens around on the Pixel 9 Pro, and its surprising the company doesnt crow louder. Super-bright be careful to not overheat. 5 / 5 Software With a grain of salt and a sense of humor, the AI stuff is A-Okay. Google avoids bad AI stereotypes, and gives us a nice glimpse of the future for mobile AI. 4 / 5 Camera Fantastic cameras rival the best camera phones you can buy. Great new features, including Add Me for AI group photos. Camera settings are too difficult to manage. 5 / 5 Performance Performance lags significantly, both in benchmark testing and the real world. This phone lags if you push too hard, and Google wants you to push too hard. Seven years ahead? Well see. 3 / 5 Battery Solid battery life beats the iPhone, and the phone has no trouble lasting all day. Youll want to use the cameras, so pack an extra charger, but if youre careful this phone lasts no problem. I wish the charging was as fast as Google makes it seem. 4 / 5 ^ Back to the top The best foldable phone Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) 6. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 The best foldable phone Release date: July 2025 | Weight: 215g | Dimensions (closed): 72.8 x 158.4 x 8.9mm | Dimensions (open): 143.2 x 158.4 x 4.2mm | OS: Android 16 / One UI 8 | Outer screen: 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED | Resolution: 2520 x 1080 pixels | Inner screen: 8-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED | Resolution: 2184 x 1968 | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | RAM: 12GB / 16GB (1TB only) | Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | Battery: 4,400mAh | Rear cameras: 200MP f1.7; 12MP f2.2; 3x 10MP f2.4 | Front camera: 10MP f2.2 Big main screen and wider cover screen Best foldable from Samsung yet Not dust resistant Only a minor camera upgrade Very expensive Buy it if You want the fastest foldable: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite platform, which is the fastest and most efficient chipset we've tested. You want a foldable with real cameras: The Z Fold 7 packs the same 200MP sensor as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, one of our favorite camera phones. This is the best camera on any foldable phone, by far. Don't buy it if: You have to pay rent this month: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the most expensive phone you can buy in most markets, and it costs more than a laptop... or a month's rent. You love to draw and doodle: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 sadly loses its S Pen capabilities, making the Ultra the only phone for folks who love to draw and sign documents on the go. The bottom line If you can swing the high price tag, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is more than just the best superphone you can buy, it truly is like carrying two devices hidden in one compact package. With the improved camera sensor and the new lighter, thinner design, Samsung has toppled most barriers to buying a big foldable, except for the cost. Samsung slims down the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to nearly impossible thinness, making it one of the thinnest phones we've ever seen. It's still a remarkable powerhouse, with an even better camera than before, but it costs more than ever as well. Design : The Galaxy Z Fold 7 finally gets the design right, with a cover display that looks and feels like any other flagship smartphone, not the narrow look of Fold's past. It's so incredibly thin and lightweight that it feels like a normal phone when it's closed - you almost forget it opens to an 8-inch tablet with as much room as an iPad mini. Display : The displays on the Z Fold 7 are both top-notch. They are bright and colorful, and perfectly sharp for any task. If you're worried about the crease on the inner display, don't be. It's unnoticeable when you are using the huge screen for browsing, games, or just as a viewfinder for the amazing new cameras. Camera : Just like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Z Fold 7 has the Samsung ISOCELL HP2 200MP camera sensor inside, and it takes the best photos of any foldable phone we've seen. That big display is also great for Samsung's advanced AI photo editing tools. Performance: The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor isn't just the fastest chipset you'll find in any smartphone today, it's also incredibly efficient, and the Z Fold 7 has better battery life than you'd expect, along with top notch performance for the most advanced games and multitasking. Battery life : The Z Fold 7 has a smaller battery than most phone's this size, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor helps it sip juice slowly, and it had no trouble lasting a full day in our hands-on review time. Too bad it can't charge faster. Value for money : To justify the incredibly high price, Samung needed to create a phone like no other, with capabilities that no other foldable or flagship smartphone can match. It has mostly succeeded, but the price is still a big, tough pill to swallow. Read our full Galaxy Z Fold 7 review Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 score card Attributes Notes Rating Value The most expensive foldable out there, but it might also be worth it 4 / 5 Design Excellent, slim and light design that still feels elegant and solid. 5 / 5 Display Two fantastic and now larger screens. The crease is almost gone, but so is support for an S Pen. 4.5 / 5 Performance Better than the best Qualcomm chip on other Androids, and the performance knocked our socks off. 5 / 5 Software Android 16! One UI 8! So much AI. It may sound like a lot, but it's a winning combination. 4.5 / 5 Cameras The 200MP sensor is a major upgrade, and overall photography is excellent. We would have liked a 5x optical zoom. 4.5 / 5 Battery Really good battery life 4.5 / 5 ^ Back to the top The best iPhone for battery life Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Future) 7. Apple iPhone 16 Plus The best iPhone battery Weight: 199g | Dimensions: 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25mm | OS: iOS 18 | Screen size: 6.3-inch | Resolution: 2622 x 1206 pixels | CPU: A18 Pro | Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | Rear cameras: 48MP main (24mm, f/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2), 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom (120mm, f/2.8) | Front camera: 12MP (f/1.9) Camera control gives instant camera access Powerful Apple A18 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence Not the sharpest screen I've seen Should have more storage Buy it if You want an a bigger affordable iPhone : The iPhone 16 Plus gives you just enough more to make it worth the extra cost. You want the best battery (almost): The iPhone 16 Plus has the second best battery life, coming behind the iPhone 16 Pro Max by mere minutes in our tests. Don't buy it if: You don't want Apple Intelligence: If you don't want the latest Apple AI stuff coming soon, you'll need an iPhone 15 . You want bigger zoom: The ultrawide doesn't compare to 5x optical zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro, but the cameras are still great. The bottom line The iPhone 16 Plus is only a bit more expensive than the iPhone 16, but you get a much bigger screen and a bigger battery inside. That extra battery makes this the affordable battery life champ among iPhones, so if you need the most possible battery life from your Apple device, the iPhone 16 Plus is the best choice. Apple's iPhone 16 Plus is only slightly more expensive than the iPhone 16, but you get a much larger display and the bigger battery that extra size allows. This makes the iPhone 16 Plus not only a great bargain option versus the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but also the best choice for battery life if you need your iPhone to last the longest. Design: The iPhone 16 Plus looks like the iPhone 16 and not the Pro models, so you won't get the titanium frame, but you do have better color options with brighter hues. The USB-C port is also there, as well as the Dynamic Island camera, which used to be for Pro iPhone users only. Display: The iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7-inch display, and that 0.6-inch difference versus the iPhone 16 is actually pretty big. Apple didn't just blow up the same resolution, either, you get more pixels to keep the same sharpness as the smaller iPhone. Camera: There are only two cameras on the iPhone 16 Plus, a 48MP main camera and a 12MP ultra wide. You might wish for a zoom lens, but these cameras still take stellar pics. It's an iPhone, after all. Performance: The iPhone 16 Plus has a brand new Apple A18 chipset inside, which means it's ready for Apple Intelligence AI features that will be invading more powerful iPhone and iPad models in the next month or so. Even before the AI gets here, this phone is a powerful device that could easily handle anything I threw at it. Battery life: In our battery tests in Future Labs, the iPhone 16 Plus was the second best iPhone I ever tested in terms of battery life, only minutes behind the much more expensive iPhone 16 Pro Max. It lasted well over 16 hours of runtime, versus a scant 12 hours of battery life on the smaller iPhone 16. Value for money: If you were already considering the iPhone 16, you should probably just spend a little more and have more battery life and a much bigger display. The next upgrade, to the Pro-level chips, is the one that hurts the wallet more. Read our full iPhone 16 Plus review Attributes Notes Rating Design The iPhone 16 Plus offers a 6.7-inch screen in a lightweight design that comes in fun colors. 4.5 / 5 Display While it's not 120Hz, the 6.7-inch is expansive, rich with details, and gets quite bright. 4 / 5 Performance The A18 makes the iPhone 16 Plus fly and provides ample headroom for years of use. 4.5 / 5 Camera Camera Control steals the show, but both the main and ultra wide benefit from improved low-light performance. 4.5 / 5 Software iOS 18 runs really well here and provides a lot of functional enhancements. 4 / 5 Battery While it's no longer the best battery life of any iPhone, the 16 Plus still easily lasts all day long. 4 / 5 Value At $899, you're getting plenty of performance in a polished build that should last for years... and get software updates. 4 / 5 ^ Back to the top The best bargain phone Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) 8. Google Pixel 9a The best bargain phone Weight: 185.9g | Dimensions: 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm | OS: Android 15 | Screen size: 6.3-inches | Resolution: 1080 x 2424 | CPU: Google Tensor G4 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 5,100 mAh | Rear camera: 48MP + 13MP | Front camera: 13MP Buy it if You want a great camera for macro photos While there's no zoom, Googles Pixel 9a surprisingly shoots some of the best close-up photos Ive seen on any smartphone, let alone a bargain. You want a durable phone that will last a while The Pixel 9a is built tougher than previous Pixel A-series, and it will get seven years of major Android OS and security updates. You want a great AI phone Theres plenty of AI on this phone, and the best features can screen calls and record conversations, helping you keep your hands free and your mind on task. Don't buy it if: You want a nice looking phone Ugh, there's just no style to this phone. You can hardly tell it comes from the same lineage as the Pixel 9. You dont want a bigoted AI tool on your phone Google's Pixel Studio produces stereotypes that reinforce bigotry. I hope Google removes the ability to draw people. The bottom line The Google Pixel 9a is the latest A-series phone from Google, and that means it gives you the same performance as the Pixel 9 with the great cameras and dazzling display you expect from Google. Sadly, the series takes an ugly turn, literally, and the Pixel 9a isn't very handsome, SEEN-BY: 1/100 3/100 102 103 104 105 106 108 113 115 119 123 127 129 130 132 SEEN-BY: 3/135 137 138 140 142 145 146 147 150 151 152 156 157 159 160 163 164 SEEN-BY: 3/165 170 172 174 175 176 177 178 180 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 SEEN-BY: 3/190 191 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 209 SEEN-BY: 3/210 211 212 213 214 215 216 .