From Apple's iPhone Air and iPhone 17 family to Samsung's Galaxy S25 series and foldable phones like the Motorola Razr Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 7 , the best phones in 2025 have a battery life that lasts a day or more, cameras that take stunning photos and vibrant displays. We test dozens of phones each year, but only consider a few to be truly great. This list has the best phones we think are worth buying. Plus, we recently tested and added Apple's new iPhone 17 line, including the new iPhone 17 , thin iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 Pro .
What is the best phone for most people?
The best phone for most people is the iPhone 17 . It shares many features with Apple's pricier 17 Pro models, but at a lower $829 starting price (or $799 if you activate through a carrier). It supports the newest camera capabilities such as Dual Capture and Center Stage selfies, and has a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate for smoother scrolling and support for its always-on display.
While it's true that the iPhone 17 shares a striking resemblance to last year's iPhone 16, some key updates help it stand out. Apart from the upgraded refresh rate, the iPhone 17 also boasts a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, along with an anti-reflective display that makes it easier to see the screen outdoors. A Ceramic Shield 2 display offers three times better scratch resistance, according to Apple, so if you're susceptible to etching into your screen, it has a little more protection now. The iPhone 17 starts with a higher 256GB storage option, as opposed to the 128GB starting point on the iPhone 16, meaning you get more bang for your buck.
The ultrawide camera goes from 12 megapixels on the iPhone 16 to 48 megapixels on the iPhone 17, and Apple says the iPhone 17 has up to eight hours more of video playback. Indeed, in CNET's three-hour streaming test, the iPhone 17's battery dropped from 100% to 89%, while the iPhone 16 hit 86%.
The iPhone 17 also has all the new iOS 26 capabilities, such as Live Translation, Call Screening and the new Liquid Glass interface. Unlike previous iPhone generations, the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models share almost all the same hardware features, apart from the telephoto lens and bigger battery on the latter. While Apple tends to introduce features like the Dynamic Island and Action button on Pro models first, the two ends of the iPhone spectrum now pack all those same hardware functions.
Best phones of 2025
Apple iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is the recipient of a CNET Editors' Choice award, and you can get one for free when you switch to Verizon, with no trade-in required.
Recent updates
In September 2025, we added the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max to this list. The new Pro phones replace the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.
Factors to consider when buying a new phone
Pick the most important feature:Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices. Phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max or Galaxy S25 Ultra cost well over $1,000, for example, but pack large batteries that will last most people a day and a half to two days on a single charge.
Don't dismiss $500 to $800 phones: You can get a great phone that does almost everything that a more expensive flagship model can do for a fraction of the price. Google's Pixel 10 (which starts at $799) packs a great camera, a bright screen and unique AI features, but the $499 Pixel 9A has most of the same key specs and comes at a lower price.
Shop Cyber Monday:Look for sales and deals close to holidays, especially Amazon's Prime Day and Cyber Monday.
Consider last year's models:When a new phone gets launched, stores and carriers discount their older phones to sell off existing stock.
See the phone in person: It's worth going to a store and trying out a potential phone. You may love or hate the way it looks and feels.
Decide on Android or iPhone:Do you have a lot of iPhone apps and Apple subscriptions? Stick with an iPhone. If you've invested in loads of Android apps, you may want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it's simple enough to switch platforms .
Budget for a case and screen protector: Phones sold today are more durable than phones from even a few years ago, but it still might be a good idea to protect your phone with a case to keep it in tip-top shape.
How we test phones
We test every phone in real-world scenarios, focusing on its features, design, performance, cameras, battery life and overall value. We document our findings in an initial review that is periodically updated when there are new software updates, or to compare it against new phones from competitors such as Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
Emergency SOS debuted on the iPhone 14 series and we got to test the feature out to see how it works.
Photography
Photography is a major focus for most phones these days, so we take pictures and videos of various subjects in a variety of settings and lighting scenarios. We try out any new camera modes, such as Center Stage that debuted with the iPhone 17 series, or the new Camera Coach photo tool that launched with the Google Pixel 10 series.
Battery life
Battery testing is conducted in a variety of ways. We assess how long a phone lasts during a typical day of use and note how it performs during more focused sessions of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We also conduct a video playback test, as a simple, replicable measure of pure battery life, which isn't always included in the initial review but sometimes added later in an update.
We use benchmarking apps to measure each phone's performance, alongside our own anecdotal experiences using the phone for our review. Most noteworthy is how graphics and animations look. Are they smooth? Do they lag or stutter? We also look at how quickly the phone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations, and how fast the camera app opens and is ready to take a photo.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is an absolute unit when it comes to battery life.
We also test every phone we review for the basics like making a phone call.
We perform processor-heavy tasks like editing photos, exporting videos and playing games. We evaluate whether a newer version of a particular phone includes enough features to make it worth upgrading from older models.
Performance measuring
Read more: How We Test Phones
Other phones we tested
While Apple doesn't sell the iPhone 16 Pro , you can still find it at carriers and third-party retailers. The 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch adaptive-refresh rate screen that adjusts between 1-120Hz depending on what's on the screen. It has excellent cameras, a fast processor, an always-on display, supports iOS 26 and safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite. Driving all these upgrades is Apple's A18 Pro chip which in use feels peppy. The iPhone 16 Pro is still an excellent phone in 2025. Check out our iPhone 16 Pro review .
Phone FAQs
What is the best time to buy a phone?
Typically the best time to buy a phone is just after it's been announced. Some companies offer really great deals for pre-orders and bundle the phone with accessories at no extra cost. Phone makers usually offer high trade-in values for the first month on old phones that can bring a new phone's price down by hundreds of dollars--if not cover the cost entirely.
How long should a phone battery last?
Most smartphones -- even those at the top end -- should be able to deliver a full day of mixed use out of a single charge. That means you should have a bit of juice left at the end of your day, but you should expect to give it a full charge when you plug it in next to your bed at night.
How much storage should I get on a phone?
Most phones tend to come with a minimum of 128GB of storage, which is a decent amount for apps, games and locally stored music. But look for phone with at least 256GB. As phones can take higher-resolution photos and videos it's important to think about what your phone's storage might look like in two or three years. It's also important to think about what you'll be doing with your phone: If you want to download and play a lot of games, then consider opting for a higher-capacity version. So if you can afford to get a phone with 256GB of storage, your future self will thank you.
What are the best phone brands currently?
In 2025, some of the best phone makers include Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, and OnePlus.
What to look forward to in 2025
As most of the major phones have been released, we still expect more by the end of the year. OnePlus is rumored to be releasing a phone at the end of 2025, instead of early next year. And rumors point to Samsung releasing its first trifold phone (which actually folds into 3 sections using two hinges). We'll be comparing them to our picks from earlier in the year, and continue to update this list accordingly.
