Best Google Pixel Phone to Buy in 2025

With the $499 Pixel 9A , Google cemented its Pixel 9 series. The affordable phone joins the Pixel 9 , Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL . Pixel phones have outstanding cameras, run on Android 15 and have Google's Gemini AI assistant built right in. At $1,799 the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the most expensive Pixel that Google sells -- but it does unfold out to a large 8-inch screen -- perfect for watching The Last of Us and playing games. We've tested and reviewed every Pixel phone Google sells; here's our list of the best Pixel phones for 2025, which includes who we think each phone is best for and who'll get the most out of each one.

What is the best Google Pixel phone right now?

The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL sit at the top of Google's phone lineup, with their Tensor G4 processor, fantastic cameras and a host of AI skills. Gemini Advanced is truly amazing, but in our testing, there were some hiccups. One thing to look out for is price. The Pixel 9 Pro is a new, smaller version with a 6.3-inch screen and a $999 price tag. The 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL may have a new name, but for all intents and purposes, it's the successor to last year's Pixel 8 Pro. The 9 Pro XL actually costs $100 more than the 8 Pro did when it was released. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL also have satellite SOS for emergencies and come with seven years of major Android OS updates, security patches and Pixel feature drops.

Recent updates

In May 2025, we added the Google Pixel 9A to our list. The Pixel 9A replaces last year's Google Pixel 8A and come with a new processor, new design, updated screen and cameras -- all for the same $499 price.

Factors to consider when buying a Pixel phone

Deciding which Pixel phone is best for you will likely come down to how much you're willing to spend. As with anything, the more cash you splash, the better features you'll get. The Pixel 9 Pro is the most expensive of the main range (excluding the Fold) and as a result, it comes with the best camera system. 

If photography isn't important to you, you can save yourself some money and look instead toward the base Pixel 9 or the more affordable Pixel 8A. The Pixel 8A has the same processor as the 2023 Pixel 8 Pro, so you can expect good overall performance, but its dual rear camera is better suited for casual shots of your kid at the beach than for chasing Instagram stardom.

If you want the most cutting-edge piece of tech in your pocket, the Pixel Fold's foldable display certainly makes it stand out. You'll pay a hefty price for this brand-new technology, meaning it's not a phone for everyone.

How we test phones

Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET's expert reviews team. We use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. If we find something we don't like, be it battery life or build quality, we tell you all about it. 

We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:

• Display

• Design and feel

• Processor performance

• Battery life

• Camera quality

• Features

We test all of a phone's cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real-world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use.

Plus, we take into account additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays and other useful extras. We weigh all of our experiences and testing against the price, so you know whether a phone represents good value.

Read more: How We Test Phones

Other Pixel phones we tested

The Pixel 8A is still an outstanding phone. In fact it earned a CNET Editors Choice Award because of the number of features it has for its $499 price. Since the Pixel 9A is out, it makes sense to get it over the 8A for $499. But if you can snag the Pixel 8A on discount, you'll get a solid phone with good cameras, a clean design and a solid screen.

Pixel phone FAQs

What about the Pixel 7?

We loved the Pixel 7 when it first launched, thanks to its solid all-round performance and lower price. But with the arrival of the cheaper Pixel 7A, we no longer recommend buying the Pixel 7. The 7A shares many of the Pixel 7's features, including the processor and excellent dual camera setup. In 2024, we'd recommend looking at the Pixel 8A, or if you can afford it, the Pixel 9.

Are Pixel phones good?

We've consistently given Google's Pixel phones high scores in our reviews for their decent all-round performance and typically good camera quality. They don't have the most high-performance processors around, but they offer enough power for almost any need, while the pure Android software makes them smooth and easy to use.

What to look forward to in 2025

Google will be releasing Android 16 in June. And we expect to see the Pixel 10 series later this year. It'll be curious to see if Google drops the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold all at the same time, like the company did for the Pixel 9 series.