You may already have a good idea about what you want to be your next smartphone. But there are more solid options available now until never before, this decision is not much cut-and-dried. If you know the iPhone, the decision is a little easier, and there is enough variation between the new models you need to think about it for longer than you have than. If you are an Android person, you have more options to choose from Foldables – And more questions to answer before you spend any money.
At the Engadget, we regularly review the phones and tested dozens over the years. Do you have your attention in our current top picks, one of Samsung’s Galaxy S22 phones, a Cheap phone Or another device, we are here to help you decide what is the best phone to buy this year.
Android or iOS?
When you are searching for the best smartphone, it is clear that each OS has its gains and losses. Apple’s Tight-Hailed ecosystem makes it easy to share data between iPhones, iPads and mocks, or hand-off phone calls or music from one device to another. At the same time, you are effectively locked up because services such as Apple messages are not available on other platforms.
When it comes to Android, there are very wide handsets from Google, Samsung, Sony and more companies. However, Android phones do not enjoy the same length of software support and often have low trade-in values. In short, there is no wrong answer. However, you want to look at how your phone matches with the rest of your equipment. So if you are really bored with an OS, if you don’t want to learn another, it is not very important to switch from the iPhone to the Android phone (or on the contrary) – especially if everyone in your home is using the same platform.
Cameras
Since your cell phone often pulls double duty as your primary camera, it is to find that the photo tools you want are crucial. Nowadays, every mobile phone can take a great picture in bright light. If you want a long optical zoom, you should probably upgrade to an expensive device.
Cherlin Low / Engadjet
Mid-range phones Often there are only two rear cameras (primary wide-angle lens and secondary ultra-wide camera) and sometimes struggles in low-light conditions. Each phone manufacturer has a variety of features that suit your style, Apple offers four different color presets on the latest iPhones, but Google’s Pixel 9 Pro is dedicated to the tools like Long Exposure and Action Pan Mode.
Will you get MMWAVE 5G or Wi-Fi 7?
The good news is that in 2025, most phones are supported by at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E and 5G connectivity. However, if you want fast wireless speed, it will cost you a little more. For example, in some networks, the MMWAVE 5G Gigabit download speed, low delays and improved bandwidth. But MMWAVE 5G also requires more sophisticated (and pricier) modems, which means that it is often not supported in less expensive devices.
On the bright side, MMWAVE is not widely available as other versions of 5G 5G, so you may not lose much if you buy a phone that you do not support where you live and what network you are on the network. This is a similar situation for Wi-Fi 7, which is available in some high-end handsets such as the Galaxy S25, but it is difficult to find in cheap devices. Wi-Fi 7 should also have you Positive routerSo if you don’t know you need it or do not have a specific utility case in mind, the lack of support for MMWAVE 5G or Wi-Fi 7 is not a dealbraker when looking for a new phone.
Other features to be considered
Since everyone does not agree on what makes the best phone, you need to think about the extra significant other specs. Mobile gamers almost appreciate the 120 HZ refresh rates you get on phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Alternatively, if long battery life is important, you will probably want to go with a large iPhone or Android phone, which is 4,000 and 5,000 mAh with a battery. Meanwhile, if you feel like you are juggling a lot of devices, it is great to have a phone that supports reverse wireless charging, which allows you to recharge the company’s galaxy watches on Samsung phones.
Other smartphones we tested
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Like its ancestor, the S25 Ultra A very versatile phone. This is one of the handsets that come with stylus and premium features such as beautiful 6.9-inch amoled display, titanium frame and 5X telephoto camera. It also has excellent performance and strong battery life. The problem is that if the better AI aside, this year the phone does not give more than the previous model (or the previous one), and prices start from 3 1,300, we think that the top pic spot needs to be done.
OnePlus 13
However OnePlus 13 Symptoms of some basic AI characteristics such as Google Circle to Search and Gemini Assistant, which is really an old-time flagship in all the best ways. This is because instead of focusing on machine practice, the OnePlus phone crams the phone with tons of top hardware. It has a 6.8-inch OLED appearance with an incredible maximum illumination of up to 4,500 nits. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip of the OP13 Qualcomm provides excellent performance, which is 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. There are also three 50-mp rear cameras, including 3x telephoto zoom and heavy 6,000 mAh battery, bigger than all of its competitors.
The OP13 still comes with the company’s signature warning slider and the OnePlus phone has not reduced the design. In addition, if you choose blue or white variants, you will get back to durable and very touched vegetarian leather, which will help the phone stand in all its glass brick opponents. But the good part begins from $ 900, which is equal to the Galaxy S25+.
Often the questions that are asked
How do I know what smartphone is the best for me?
Although selecting the best smartphone is challenging, it comes with how you plan to use the device. Now get all the best phones available now – you can access calls, text and internet without too much hiccups. If your smartphone is the most used gadget, you can consider paying for the device at the high end of the price spectrum. It gets you overall performance, high-quality cameras and the phone that lasts for many years. If you do not use your phone for everything, you can compromise on performance and additional incentives and still spend less on a capable handset.
How much is a smartphone?
Smartphones range from $ 300 to 500 1,500. The best budget phones that are now available are usually compromised on overall performance, design, camera prowess and additional features to reduce costs. On the flip side, the most expensive phones include powerful processors, triple-camera ranges and also flip or fold designs. Many people find the phone that suits their needs somewhere in that wide price – we have found that the most best smartphones currently available are between $ 500 and $ 1,000.
What can you do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are essentially small, portable computers, which allow you to do things like check email, social media, follow map directions, contactless payments and more. All of these are above the basic topics, such as phone calls and texting we expect on all modern cell phones. Smartphones are mostly compact cameras thanks to their high-quality and built-in shooters, and today most smartphones are like portable, not compact cameras.
How long will smartphones stay?
Smartphones are years and people Holding their phones More than ever before. Software updates and battery life are two biggest factors that affect phone longevity. Apple promises five years of software updates for its latest iPhones and Google guarantees the same for its pixel phones. Samsung phones get four years worth of Android updates since they started. To charge speed and battery life, your phone will decline over time when you are using your phone on a regular basis and recharging.
Recent updates
April 2025: Updated to add Google Pixel 9A.
February 2025: Updated to include iPhone 16E.
January 2025: Updated to include details about Samsung’s latest Galaxy S-Series phones.
September 2024: The latest iPhone has updated 16 models and the new Midrange iPhone to include the top pick.
This article first appeared at Engadget https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-Smartphones-140004900.html?src=RSS
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