Alright, so I’ve spent a good chunk of this year testing out a ton of phones — everything from flagships to budget devices, from foldables to minimalist picks. After months of daily use, comparisons, and performance tests, I’ve narrowed it down to 10 of my absolute favorites for 2025, each chosen for a specific reason.

Forget just the “best overall” award — we’re going deep here: best foldable, best camera, best battery, best mid-range, best value, and more. So, if you’re in the market for a new phone, stick around because I’m about to give you the lowdown on which phones are truly worth your money this year.

Best Foldable Phone 2025: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

The dream of a foldable phone has always been simple — a regular-sized phone that unfolds into a big, beautiful tablet-like screen. For years, the idea was there, but the execution wasn’t quite right. Early foldables were thick, fragile, had weak cameras, and their batteries just couldn’t keep up.

But in 2025, Samsung finally nailed it with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It’s slimmer, lighter, and much more natural to use. The outer display now feels like a regular phone — wide enough to type comfortably — and when you unfold it, the inner display expands into a gorgeous, nearly bezel-free panel.

Performance-wise, the Fold 7 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, handles multitasking effortlessly, and the battery can easily last a full day even with heavy use. The cameras are now on par with Samsung’s S25 Ultra, which is impressive for a foldable.

It’s pricey, sure, but this is the foldable to beat in 2025. Samsung’s build quality and ecosystem integration make it a complete package for productivity lovers and tech enthusiasts.

Best Battery Life: OnePlus 13

If you’re tired of your phone dying before dinner, this one’s for you. The OnePlus 13 is a monster when it comes to endurance. It features a 6,000 mAh battery using new silicon carbide cell technology, which packs more power into a smaller space.

Combine that with the ultra-efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and you’ve got a phone that can easily go two days on a single charge. The display is crisp and bright, the cameras are solid, and you get insanely fast charging — from 0 to 100% in about 45 minutes.

In short, the OnePlus 13 is a battery beast disguised as a sleek flagship. It’s powerful, long-lasting, and surprisingly affordable for what it offers.

Best Phone for Minimalists: iPhone 16e

Sometimes less really is more. The iPhone 16e is Apple’s understated gem for those who just want a phone that works without all the extra clutter. It’s simple, reliable, and refreshingly minimal.

At around $600, it’s not cheap, but it’s one of the few compact phones left that still packs Apple’s A17 Pro chip — meaning top-tier performance without the distractions. It has one camera (so you’re not juggling modes), comes in two clean color options, and uses USB-C for universal charging.

For people who value efficiency, simplicity, and long-term software support, the iPhone 16e is a perfect “set it and forget it” kind of phone. No gimmicks, just function.

Best Mid-Range Phone: Google Pixel 9a

Moving to the mid-range territory — phones under $500 — the Google Pixel 9a dominates. It’s officially priced at $499, but it often goes on sale for less, making it one of the best deals of 2025.

What makes it stand out is Google’s software magic. The Pixel 9a’s camera may not have the fanciest hardware, but Google’s AI processing makes photos look stunning in any lighting. You get a bright 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, strong battery life that lasts more than a day, and the same Tensor G3 chip found in the flagship Pixel 9.

The only compromises? No telephoto lens and slightly thicker bezels. But at this price point, it’s hard to complain. For most people, this is the sweet spot — a great camera, solid performance, and reliable updates at a fraction of flagship cost.

Best Flagship Killer (Under $700): OnePlus 13R

If you want flagship performance without the flagship price, the OnePlus 13R is the definition of a “flagship killer.”

Priced at $599, it comes with last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip — which is still extremely powerful — along with the same 6,000 mAh silicon carbide battery as the regular OnePlus 13. You get a 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED display, high-end design, and cameras that punch above their class.

It’s smooth, fast, and refined. For anyone who wants near-flagship specs but doesn’t want to cross the $1,000 mark, the OnePlus 13R is an unbeatable value.

Best Budget Phone: Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro

Now let’s talk true budget. For under $300, the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out as one of the most stylish and unique cheap phones on the market.

It’s not just about performance — it’s about fun. The phone comes with swappable back accessories, a bright display, and the signature clean Nothing OS interface that’s fast and minimal.

If you prefer something more traditional, the Samsung Galaxy A16 is another excellent pick. It looks and feels like a flagship but costs a fraction of the price. The A16 gives you Samsung’s One UI experience, decent performance, and dependable cameras — perfect for casual users.

Best Camera Phone: Vivo X200 Ultra

The title of best camera phone in 2025 goes to Vivo’s X200 Ultra. Vivo has gone all-in on photography, giving this phone a custom lens system developed with Zeiss. It offers phenomenal zoom, low-light capability, and detail preservation that can even rival professional cameras.

But if you’re more into video, the iPhone 17 Pro (and its Pro Max variant) still reign supreme. Apple continues to lead in video stabilization, color accuracy, and cinematic effects. Whether you’re shooting travel vlogs, TikToks, or short films, the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera system delivers every time.

In short: Vivo wins for photography; Apple wins for video. Either way, both are top-tier imaging powerhouses.

Best Big Phone: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

For those who love massive displays, productivity tools, and top-of-the-line performance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the ultimate big-screen beast.

With a huge QHD+ AMOLED panel, 120Hz refresh rate, and slim bezels, it’s perfect for gaming, streaming, and multitasking. Samsung also refined the edges to be more squared off, which makes it great for watching full-screen videos.

Add in the S Pen, improved cameras, and powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and you’ve got a phone that does it all. It’s large, yes — but it’s also one of the most capable phones money can buy.

Best Small Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

The small phone category might be shrinking, but Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 keeps it alive — literally. It folds into a compact square that easily fits in your pocket or purse, but opens into a beautiful 6.9-inch screen.

The cover display is also much more useful now, letting you reply to messages, check notifications, or even use full apps without opening the phone. For people who want a compact design without sacrificing screen size, the Flip 7 is the perfect balance of portability and performance.

Alternatively, the iPhone Air offers a lightweight and slim option, though its display is larger. It’s ideal for people who want a light phone that still feels premium.

My Personal Everyday Phones

After testing so many devices, people always ask: “So what do you actually use every day?”

Personally, I’m all about the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It’s my daily driver for personal use. I love the large screen for multitasking, watching videos, and even editing photos on the go. The foldable design still feels futuristic every time I use it.

For business and content work, I keep an iPhone 16 Pro — mainly because iOS integrates smoothly with Apple’s ecosystem for productivity, airdrop, and social content posting. I might upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro soon, though I’m still not thrilled about Apple’s switch from titanium to aluminum. We’ll see how it holds up.

Honorable Mention: Nothing Phone 3

And finally, for the “Most Unique Phone” of 2025, my shoutout goes to the Nothing Phone 3.

Nothing continues to shake things up with its minimal, transparent design and playful Glyph Interface — LED lights that double as notifications, progress bars, or even mini status indicators. The Phone 3 adds a tiny pixel display corner, showing icons for calls, messages, and music without unlocking your screen.

It’s not the most powerful phone out there, but it’s by far the most different. In a sea of glass slabs, Nothing’s creativity is refreshing.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a new phone in 2025 isn’t as simple as it used to be. There’s no single “best” device for everyone — it depends on what you value most.

• If you want innovation and multitasking, go for the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

• For power and longevity, the OnePlus 13 is unbeatable.

• If you’re on a budget, the Pixel 9a or Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro will surprise you.

• And for the ultimate camera, the Vivo X200 Ultra remains the one to beat.

At the end of the day, your best phone is the one that fits your lifestyle — whether that means having the latest foldable tech or a simple, durable phone that just gets the job done.

So, those are my top 10 picks for 2025.
Now it’s your turn — what’s your favorite phone this year, and which one would you choose as your daily driver? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!