5 Best Smartphones in 2025 So far

Everyone knows the most exciting smartphone in the second half of the calendar. Samsung’s folding board, Google’s latest pixels, and of course, if you believe the rumors, the iPhone 17 will all come out after June. That being said, we can still celebrate the phones that have been released in 2025. why not? There is no law.

While this list focuses primarily on non-limiting models, this does not mean they are not worthy of praise. So far 2025 has brought us a lot of fun smartphones for eye-catching prices and some real flagship stores worthy of your attention.

So, this is the best smartphone since the first half of 2025. To be clear, none of this list is ranked in any particular order. These are just five good phones, guys.

Google Pixel 9a

Google’s Pixel A series of budget phones with flagship-like specifications always offer great value. The 2025 variant is no different.

Pixel 9a is very similar to previous A-series pixel phones because it is Very Similar to the base pixel 9, but there are some small tradeoffs here and there to lower the price to a total $499. You’ll get a 6.3-inch Spiffy display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,100mAh battery and Google’s latest Tensor G4 processor for that price. Of course, you lose a little RAM and storage capacity with the Pixel 9a, but in a similar way to the Pixel 9a, these potatoes are small potatoes, but in less money.

Google also launched a new pixel design with 9A that has discarded the horizontal camera sticks that decorate pixel phones over the past few years. Of course, it looks more versatile than before, but it is also flatter than before. Between all of these and traditionally solid cameras, the Pixel 9a is probably the best overall value on this list.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The rounded corners of the S25 Ultra are very good.
Image source: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Full disclosure: Samsung didn’t like Samsung earlier this year for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

However, it has something to do with the phone itself, and it has to do with the increasing AI capabilities of all our devices. As far as hardware is concerned, the S25 Ultra is not different from the S24 Ultra. You get the same display, storage and RAM specifications from the previous model, with the same starting price starting at $1,299. Some of the other AI features of the S25 Ultra were originally the main selling points of the S25 Ultra, which is not that eye-catching to me personally, but YMMV.

However, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processors inside the S25 Ultra is the top-notch thing, giving the phone a great all-round performance. It has a large battery, is slightly larger than the S24 Ultra, and shows a slightly larger display, and the new rounded corners make it feel much better in your hands. While I don’t recommend upgrading to the S25 Ultra if you already have the S24 Ultra, those who have the best choice of Samsung phones should really look into it. This is a nice phone, if not a fascinating one.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Tiny.
Image source: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Another Samsung device on this list is also suitable for a “good and cool, but not mind-provoking” umbrella.

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge has a lot in common with the S25 Ultra. It uses the same processor, its display has the same resolution and refresh rate (although it’s 2/10 inch smaller), and even the RAM is the same. You can access all the same AI features and even use the same 200MP wide lens for photography.

So, why are these two different phones? Simple: The S25 has thinner edges. It’s just 5.8mm thick, which is the thinnest phone Samsung has sold right now and is slimmer than the 8.2mm S25 Ultra. In short, the look and feel of the S25 edge Cool Because of how thin it is. Honestly, there is no bigger selling point than this. There is no other way on this list, it feels futuristic.

OnePlus 13

You may not have heard of it, but it’s good.
Image source: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

The last flagship phone on this list is the OnePlus 13, which comes from a Chinese brand that may not be as well known in the United States as Google, Samsung and Apple. But that doesn’t mean should That way.

The OnePlus 13 follows the tradition of previous OnePlus phones, and it offers flagship specifications and features for less than $1,000. At $899, it’s much cheaper than the S25 Ultra, but the two phones are actually quite comparable. OnePlus’ phones include a similar Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM and a large 6,000mAh battery that can survive for more than 24 hours in normal use. Even our intensive battery tests get 24 hours of screen time in the OnePlus 13. It has enough endurance.

The trio on the back 50MP camera and some essential AI features make the OnePlus 13 very reliable value for those who want a flagship show but don’t burn over $1,000.

iPhone 16e

The latest iPhone looks simple, but there are a lot to do.
Image source: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Speaking of good battery life, let’s talk about the iPhone 16e.

Nominally Apple’s answer to the Pixel 9a (basically the iPhone 16, cutting some corners to get the price down to $599), the iPhone 16E is an upgrade over Apple’s previous iPhone SE budget line. You can get the sleek new A18 Bionic from the iPhone 16, along with 128GB of boot storage and full support for Apple’s smart features. The 6.1-inch OLED display is enough to accommodate its priced phone, although it is limited to 60hz.

But where it really shines is longevity. Our reviewers are able to recharge fully for two days of reliable use, which is incredible for any phone, let alone a budget model. Those looking for meat and protein iPhones that will receive years of software updates should never see them again.

Honorary nomination: Motorola Razr Ultra

The finish of the wood is beautiful.
Credits: Motorola

As one of the only new foldable phones released in 2025, we can’t ignore the Motorola Razr Ultra, especially the version with a smooth wood finish. (Okay, we can, but we chose not to.) The Ultimate version of the Motorola foldable phone series has its fans and critics and lasted only a few months. We are still testing this phone and we are not ready to make a full judgment. However, if you want a foldable, we recommend you wait, as Samsung is expected to launch new Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 phones in the coming weeks.