Are you looking for a new phone? You’re in the right spot! With so many new phones coming out all the time, it can feel tricky to figure out which one to buy. If you love iPhones, your choice is simpler because Apple only makes a few each year. If you’re a Samsung fan, you’ve got more options, but it’s still pretty straightforward. But what if you’re open to any phone, including all the Android ones? That’s when things get a little harder. Don’t worry—this guide is here to help!

We test tons of smartphones every year—over 100!—and only the very best make it onto this list. If you want something cheaper, check out our guides for the best budget phones or mid-range Smartphones. But if you’re after the top picks, keep reading. These phones are awesome for different reasons. Some have amazing cameras, others are great for gaming, and a few stand out for battery life or cool designs like folding screens. Whether you want a phone with smart AI tricks or just something that’s a good deal, there’s a phone here for you.

This list includes big names like Samsung, Google, Apple, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Honor, Motorola, and Nothing (through its sub-brand CMF). Other brands like Nokia, Realme, Asus, Huawei, Vivo, and Sony didn’t make the cut here, but you can find them in our other phone guides. At the end of this article, we’ll also give you tips on how to pick the perfect phone for you. For extra help, check out our full guide to the best phone deals, plus special round-ups for Samsung Galaxy deals and Google Pixel deals.

Let’s dive into the top 10 Smartphones you can buy right now!

The 10 Best Smartphones

1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – The Best Overall Pick

Why It’s Great:

• Super fast and powerful
• Amazing cameras
• Bright, clear screen that’s easy to see
• Cool AI features that help you out
• Smooth and fun software

What’s Not Perfect:

• Costs a lot of money
• Looks a lot like last year’s model
• The S Pen doesn’t have Bluetooth anymore

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the king of Smartphones right now. It looks almost the same as the S24 Ultra, but don’t let that fool you—it’s packed with upgrades. If you’ve got the cash, this is the phone to get.

The screen is a huge 6.9 inches and super smooth with a 120Hz refresh rate. A new anti-reflective coating makes it easy to see, even in bright sunlight. The phone is also faster than ever, thanks to a powerful chip inside. The cameras got a little better too, taking sharp, colorful pictures. Plus, the corners are now rounded, so it feels nicer in your hand.

Samsung’s software is the best it’s ever been. It’s full of cool AI tricks—like editing photos or helping you write messages—and it’ll get updates for seven years. That’s a long time for a phone to stay fresh!

But it’s not perfect. The S Pen, a little stylus that comes with it, used to have Bluetooth, and now it doesn’t. That’s a bummer if you liked using it for remote controls. The phone is also big and heavy, and it’s pricey. Still, if you want the best, the S25 Ultra is hard to beat.

2. OnePlus 13 – A Fantastic All-Around Choice

Why It’s Great:

• Really fast performance
• Fun software with helpful AI
• Battery lasts a super long time
• Charges up crazy fast

What’s Not Perfect:

• Cameras could be better
• Magnetic accessories need a special case

The OnePlus 13 is the best phone OnePlus has ever made. It takes everything good about the OnePlus 12 and makes it even better. It’s fast, looks great, and won’t let you down.

Inside, it’s got the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which makes games and apps run like a dream. The 6.82-inch OLED screen is bright and beautiful. The battery is a superstar—it lasts all day and then some. When it’s time to charge, 100W fast charging gets it full in no time.

The software, called Oxygen OS, is smooth and easy to use. It’s got AI features that do things like summarize texts or tweak your photos. You’ll get four years of big updates and six years of security fixes, so it’ll stay good for a long while.

The cameras are solid but not the best. They’re fine for most people, but if you love taking pictures, you might notice some flaws. Also, if you want to use magnetic chargers or accessories (like MagSafe), you’ll need a special case. Even so, the OnePlus 13 is a steal for the price—it’s way cheaper than many other top phones.

3. Xiaomi 15 Ultra – The Camera Champion

Why It’s Great:

• Incredible cameras for awesome pictures
• Beautiful screen
• Good battery life and fast charging
• Super speedy

What’s Not Perfect:

• Design isn’t as nice as before
• Software can feel clunky
• AI features aren’t perfect
• Not sold in the US

If you love taking pictures, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is your dream phone. No other phone comes close when it comes to photography.

It’s got four cameras on the back: a 50Mp main lens, a 50Mp ultrawide, a 50Mp 3x zoom, and a huge 200Mp periscope with 4.3x zoom. That last one takes incredible far-away shots. You can even buy a Photography Kit to make it feel like a real camera! The 32Mp front camera is great for selfies too. The only downside? The main lens lost its adjustable aperture, so close-up shots aren’t as flexible.

Beyond cameras, the phone is awesome. It’s fast, has a gorgeous display, and the battery lasts a long time. With 90W charging, it powers up quick. The design is tough but a bit chunky.

The software, HyperOS 2, isn’t the best. It’s not super easy to use, and the AI features—like translating text or editing pics—don’t always work perfectly. It’s also expensive, and if you live in the US, you can’t buy it. But for photo lovers, nothing beats the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.

4. Oppo Find X8 Pro – Another Amazing All-Rounder

Why It’s Great:

• Fantastic cameras
• Long battery life
• Really powerful
• New camera button is handy
• Useful AI tools

What’s Not Perfect:

• Cameras aren’t as good as last year’s model
• Selfie camera doesn’t focus automatically
• Magnetic charging needs a case
• Not sold in the US

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is back in Europe after a couple of years away, and it’s awesome. It’s powerful, pretty, and has a battery that keeps going and going.

The cameras are the real star. They take amazing pictures—almost as good as the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. There’s a new button just for the camera, making it super easy to snap a shot. The phone is fast too, and the screen looks great. Plus, it’s got AI features that help with things like writing or fixing photos.

There are a few small downsides. The camera sensors are a bit smaller than the older Find X7 Ultra, and the selfie camera doesn’t have autofocus. Like the OnePlus, magnetic charging only works with a case. And if you’re in the US, you’re out of luck—it’s not sold there. Still, the Find X8 Pro is one of the best smartphones around.

5. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL – A Solid Backup Plan

Why It’s Great:

• Great cameras
• Awesome screen
• Super easy software
• Updates for seven years

What’s Not Perfect:

• Costs a lot
• Design is pretty basic
• Battery life could be longer

If the other phones don’t catch your eye, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a fantastic choice. It’s not as flashy as last year’s Pixel 8 Pro, but it’s still really good.

The cameras are a big win. They take bright, detailed pictures, even at night. There’s an ultrawide lens and a 5x zoom lens, plus a better front camera for selfies. The 6.8-inch screen is smooth and colorful, and the phone feels sturdy.

Google’s software is the best part. It’s simple, fun, and packed with AI—like turning your voice into text or editing pics. You’ll get seven years of updates, which is awesome. The Tensor G4 chip inside is fast enough for most things.

But it’s not perfect. The design is plain, and the battery isn’t amazing—it’s fine, but not great. Charging at 37W feels slow compared to others. And it’s expensive. If the price is too high, check out the smaller Pixel 9 Pro or regular Pixel 9—they’re cheaper but have some trade-offs.

6. Apple iPhone 16 Plus – The Best iPhone for Most People

Why It’s Great:

• Big, bright screen
• Smooth and fast
• Awesome battery life
• Cool camera button

What’s Not Perfect:

• Screen doesn’t scroll as smoothly as some
• AI features aren’t all ready yet
• Starts with just 128GB of storage

The iPhone 16 Plus is the star of Apple’s 2024 lineup. It’s got a nice big screen, costs less than the fanciest models, and still has tons of great features. If you want a solid iPhone that’s not too pricey, this is it.

The screen is a Super Retina XDR display—big and colorful. It’s not as huge as the Pro Max’s, but it’s plenty for watching videos or playing games. The phone runs on the A18 chip, which keeps everything fast and fun. Plus, the battery lasts all day, so you won’t need to charge it constantly.

There’s a new Camera Control button that makes taking pictures easier. You also get the Action Button, which used to be only on Pro models. And soon, Apple Intelligence will add smart tricks like better photo edits or text help—though some of those aren’t ready yet.

What’s missing? The screen stays at 60Hz, so scrolling isn’t as silky as on smartphones with 120Hz. There’s no zoom lens, and storage starts at 128GB, which might fill up fast if you take lots of pics. But for most people, the iPhone 16 Plus is a perfect mix of price and power.

7. Nothing Phone (3a) – The Best Mid-Range

Why It’s Great:

• Cool, unique look
• Super cheap price
• Fast and smooth software
• Great battery life

What’s Not Perfect:

• Ultrawide camera isn’t good
• No charger included

The Nothing Phone (3a) costs just £329 or $379, making it one of the cheapest phones that still feels fancy. You don’t need to spend more to get something great!

It looks amazing with a see-through back and glowing lights. The 120Hz OLED screen is smooth and bright—perfect for games or videos. Inside, it’s fast enough for anything you want to do. And the battery? It keeps going all day without a problem.

The software is Android 15 with Nothing’s special twist. It’s simple, quick, and will get updates for up to seven years. That’s a big win for a phone this cheap!

The cameras are okay but not amazing. The 50Mp main and telephoto lenses take nice shots, and the 32Mp selfie camera is solid. But the 8Mp ultrawide lens is weak—pictures look blurry up close. Also, there’s no charger in the box, so you’ll need to have one already. Still, for the price, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a fantastic pick.

8. Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (Razr+ 2024) – The Best Flip Phone

Why It’s Great:

• Big, useful outside screen
• Better cameras than before
• Fun software tricks
• Good battery life

What’s Not Perfect:

• Not as many updates as rivals
• Gets warm sometimes
• Inside camera isn’t great

Flip phones are cool again, and the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (or Razr+ 2024 in some places) is the best one you can buy. It beats Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 for most people.

The outside screen is 4 inches and super fast at 165Hz. It’s bigger than other flip phones, and you can use any app on it—no tricks needed. Open it up, and the 6.9-inch inside screen is just as smooth. The fold crease is so small you barely notice it.

The cameras got better this year. The back ones take sharp, bright pictures in all kinds of light. There’s a 2x zoom lens instead of an ultrawide, which is great for close-ups but not wide shots. The inside selfie camera isn’t good, though—stick to the outer one.

The software is fun and fast, though the outside screen has some bugs. The battery lasts all day, and charging is quick. Samsung’s Z Flip 6 gets more updates over time, but the Razr 50 Ultra is more fun to use right now. Want something cheaper? Try the regular Razr 50 instead.

9. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max – The Best Fancy iPhone

Why It’s Great:

• Huge, stunning screen
• Looks and feels premium
• Super fast
• Amazing battery life
• Handy camera button

What’s Not Perfect:

• AI features aren’t all here yet
• Not a lot of RAM (memory)
• Really expensive

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s biggest and best phone. It’s not for everyone—it’s large and expensive—but if you want the top iPhone experience, this is it.

The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR screen is stunning. It’s bright, colorful, and perfect for movies or games. The A18 Pro chip inside makes everything lightning-fast, from apps to editing videos. The battery lasts longer than any iPhone ever, so you can use it all day and night.

The cameras are awesome, with a new Camera Control button to snap pics easily. You get a main lens, ultrawide, and zoom—all top-notch. The design feels fancy and strong, though it’s almost the same as last year’s model. If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 14 or older, you’ll love the difference.

Apple Intelligence isn’t fully here yet, so some smart features are still coming. And 8GB of RAM feels low for such a pricey phone. But if you want the ultimate iPhone, the 16 Pro Max is worth every penny.

10. CMF Phone 1 – The Best Budget Pick

Why It’s Great:

• Fun, swappable design
• Clean, simple software
• Good performance
• Cool accessories

What’s Not Perfect:

• No contactless payments (NFC)
• Not very water-resistant
• Basic cameras

The CMF Phone 1 comes from Nothing’s budget brand, and it’s a hit. At just £209 or $199, it’s cheap but doesn’t feel cheap. It’s the best budget phone around.

The design is the coolest part. You can swap the back for a lanyard, kickstand, or card holder—extras you buy separately. Even without those, it looks great. The screen is bright and clear, and the phone runs fast for everyday stuff like texting or scrolling.

The software is Android with Nothing’s style—no extra junk apps to slow it down. The battery lasts a full day, which is awesome for the price. It’s simple but gets the job done.

There are some downsides. No NFC means you can’t use it for contactless payments like Google Pay. The cameras are basic—fine for quick snaps but not much else. And it’s not great against water or dust. If you want longer updates, try Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G. But for a fun, cheap phone, the CMF Phone 1 is unbeatable.

Smartphones Buying Advice: 5 Key Points to Pick the Perfect Phone

Choosing a new smartphone can feel like a big challenge with so many options out there. Based on the top 10 phones available now—like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, iPhone 16 Plus, and CMF Phone 1—here are five simple and important tips to help you find the right one for you. Let’s make it easy!

Set Your Budget First

Smartphones come in all price ranges, from the super affordable CMF Phone 1 at £209/$199 to the pricey Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max, which can cost over £1,000/$1,000. Decide how much you’re willing to spend before you start looking. If you want a great deal, the Nothing Phone (3a) at £329/$379 gives you tons of features for less. If you’ve got more to spend and want the best, go for a flagship like the S25 Ultra. Knowing your budget narrows down your choices fast.

Pick What Matters Most to You

Every phone shines in different ways. Love taking pictures? The Xiaomi 15 Ultra has the best cameras, with a 200Mp zoom lens that’s amazing for faraway shots. Want a phone for gaming or speed? The OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are super fast. If you like cool designs, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra folds in half, and the CMF Phone 1 lets you swap its back. Think about what you’ll use your phone for most—photos, games, videos, or just texting—and pick one that’s strong in that area.

Check Battery Life and Charging

Nobody wants a phone that dies halfway through the day. The OnePlus 13 and iPhone 16 Pro Max have awesome battery life, so you can use them for hours without worry. Fast charging is a bonus too—OnePlus 13’s 100W charger fills up in no time, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 37W is slower. If you’re always on the go, pick a phone with a big battery and quick charging, like the Oppo Find X8 Pro.

Look at Updates and Software

A phone that gets updates for years stays safe and gets new features. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL and Samsung’s S25 Ultra promise seven years of updates—awesome for long-term use. Apple iPhones, like the 16 Plus, also get updates for a long time. The Nothing Phone (3a) offers seven years too, which is rare for a cheaper phone. Good software, like Oxygen OS on OnePlus or Google’s simple Android, makes your phone fun to use. Avoid ones with clunky software, like Xiaomi’s HyperOS, if you want something easy.

Decide on Size and Style

Phones come in all shapes! The iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro XL have huge 6.9-inch screens—great for videos but harder to hold. The Nothing Phone (3a) is smaller and stylish with its see-through back. Want something different? The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra flips open and has a big outside screen. Try holding a phone in a store to see if it feels right for your hands and pockets.