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The world of Android smartphones is big, rich in variety, and open to almost any budget out there. From basic, dependable smartphones, to cutting-edge foldable devices of the future, anyone looking for the best Android smartphones is spoiled for choice.
Which is the best Android smartphone available in 2025, though? Is it the obvious choice, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra? Or maybe the new Pixel 9 series devices have something to offer that's not immediately obvious? What about OnePlus and Motorola? There might be a dark horse somewhere on the Android plains, offering an amazing bang for your buck.
I made a comprehensive list to help you find the best Android phone for your specific needs. PhoneArena has a very thorough testing procedure in place, and the phone rating widget takes into account various aspects of the smartphone experience, so rest assured that this list is as objective as it gets.
But fret not, under each entry, I will elaborate on the score and explain why you should consider every model, what its strong and weak sides are, and also throw in some alternatives.
I was tempted to put the Galaxy S25 Ultra here, but given its price tag, it belongs to the Premium Android category. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the other hand, costs $200 less and offers one of the best packages for that kind of money.
Why I Picked It?
The smartphone game these days is played on the software field, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a lot to offer. The camera system includes enhanced computational photography capabilities, leveraging AI to deliver even more stunning photos in various lighting conditions.
There are new AI tricks onboard thanks to Gemini Nano, and Gemini Live, and last but not least, you're getting seven years of software updates. When it comes to software tricks and AI, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is your best bet.
If you like to be on the forefront of AI and don't mind sacrificing some raw power in exchange, this flagship will serve you well for the (seven) years to come. Couple all this with a stylish design and seven years of major OS updates, and you have a real winner.
Who's It For?
People who want a high-end Android phone with a big screen, a long support cycle and lots of AI magic on board, should consider the Pixel 9 Pro XL. If you don't like Samsung's OneUI or the Galaxy S25 Ultra is too expensive for you, the Pixel 9 Pro XL should be the obvious choice.
Nothing took the budget smartphone market with a storm launching the original CMF Phone. Now we have the successor, and it's better than ever. The CMF Phone 2 Pro boasts an impressive specs sheet for its modes sub-$300 price.
Why I Picked It?
There are many reasons why I thing the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the perfect budget phone. From its unmistakable and fresh design, to the great package you're getting for your hard-earned $279.
Let's recap the great specs. The CMF Phone 2 Pro features a 6.8-inch OLED screen that can go up to 120Hz, the Dimensity chipset feels snappy and smooth, and you're getting a triple camera system with a telephoto. I tested the phone and the overall package was punching way above its weight.
Who's It For?
People on a budget should consider the CMF Phone 2 Pro, if the alternatives from Samsung and Motorola don't feel tempting. Nothing's budget child offers more punch for less money, compared to its more popular rivals, and you should absolutely give it a try.
Gorilla Armor is still excellent for its anti-reflective properties
Performance is great, even if stressing benchmarks can get it to throttle
What we don't like
New camera lenses and their "floating" style will gather gunk
Same old battery capacity, battery life, charging speeds
Speakers got a minor upgrade, but we wanted more
The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with a bang. While some might argue it's more of an evolution than a revolution, the refinements Samsung made to its ultra-premium flagship have resulted in a more well-rounded device.
Why I Picked It?
The short answer is the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers the best package in an Android phone. Now for the long one. This year's model adopts the same flat-frame design that the non-Ultra models have been using for the past couple of generations, creating a more uniform lineup. The S Pen is still present, and there are subtle tweaks to the camera housing for a new look.
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra packs Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The ongoing collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm has produced another "for Galaxy" chip. This translates into a slight overclock, delivering a bit more performance—particularly during demanding tasks and in synthetic benchmarks.
Speaking of performance, this year’s Snapdragon is a true powerhouse, giving Apple’s A18 Pro some serious run for its money. The Galaxy S25 Ultra scored an impressive 3,137 points in Geekbench’s single-core test and 9,769 in the multi-core variant of the test, outperforming the A18 Pro.
The camera system has also seen some upgrades. There's a new ultrawide sensor, complemented by updated post-processing algorithms powered by AI and the ProVision Engine. The phone doesn't oversharpen as much, and colors are more natural. The S25 Ultra hence occupies the top spot in PhoneArena's camera benchmark rankings, producing stunning photos across the board.
The 6.9-inch display remains as great as ever, protected by second-generation Gorilla Armor 2 glass with the cool anti-glare coating we know and love from the S24 Ultra. While battery capacity and charging speeds remain unchanged, AI optimizations allow the Galaxy S25 Ultra to outperform its predecessor by approximately 40 minutes in each one of our battery tests.
Who's It For?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is for people who want the absolute best in the Android world, and they're prepared to pay a little extra. It’s clear that Samsung already had a winning formula for its Galaxy Ultra series. With the past few iterations being already great, it’s no surprise that the Galaxy S25 Ultra slots in the top spot of our list.
Samsung has finally caught up with the competition when it comes to foldable phones. Which is kind of ironic, given the fact that Samsung was the first company to launch a mainstream foldable (if we don't count the Royole FlexPai peculiarity).
Why I Picked It?
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the perfect foldable. It's also one of the thinnest on the market (if not THE thinnest, the jury's still out on this one), and when we talk about foldables, the thickness matters.
The Z Fold 7 is not only ultra-thin and light, stylish and modern, but also very powerful, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite and the "for Galaxy" treatment. The phone improves on some key fronts compared to its predecessor.
The main camera is now the same 200MP as the one on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the cover screen now features a much more usable 21:9 aspect ratio and both screens are super-bright. There are a lot of useful AI and software features on board, and you get the same seven years of support as with other Samsung flagships.
The only disadvantage of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in my opinion is its price. Seven generations into the foldable game and still this model costs $2000. But if you're ready to swallow that particular pill, it's the best foldable available on the market.
Who's It For?
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the perfect foldable and if you're already inside Samsung's ecosystem, you'll feel at home. But even if you rock another brand, or an iPhone even, but want to get a foldable, and the best one at that, no matter the price, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is your best bet.
Motorola tried bringing back the iconic Razr brand in 2019, but it had a rough start. Things started improving in 2022 when the company made some design changes, and now, the latest Razr phones are offering a functional, usable cover screen, a compact form factor, and great pricing. And here is the latest iteration of the Razr.
Why I Picked It?
The Razr Ultra (2025) comes with some nice upgrades: a sleeker design, faster charging, a capable camera system, better sound system, and the best Qualcomm chip available. This time around the price reflect all the positive changes and it's well above $1000 ($1,299 to be precise), but it's more than worth it.
The battery life is also pretty good for a flip phone, and the real competition here comes from the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It's down to personal preference in the end, but Motorola has finally made a really competitive flagship flip phone. I really enjoyed using it and it felt like the perfect flip phone.
Who's It For?
Fans of the flip form factor will find the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) absolutely great. From the super-useful cover screen, to the powerful chipset, this is the best flip phone on the market. If you're willing to pay a little extra, the Razr Ultra will bring you a lot of joy.
Doesn't have the full AI model (uses Gemini Nano XXS)
Plastic back gets smudgy, feels warm
Big, big bezel
Google struck a chord with the Pixel A-series, which has been very successful over the years. The idea of a budget phone with Google bells and whistles on board seems to be resonating with people. The Pixel 9a is the latest iteration of this idea, and it's just great.
Why I Picked It?
Simply put, the Pixel 9a offers the best bang for your buck on the Android scene. For just $499 you're getting the latest Android version with seven years of support, Google's current top silicon - the Tensor G4, one of the brightest screens in the industry, and two decent cameras backed by Google's algorithm magic.
There's just two minor disadvantages. First, the bezel around the screen is pretty substantial, so If you're sensitive to such things, I don't recommend the Pixel 9a. Second, there's plastic in the build materials list, so once again, if you prefer glass, look elsewhere.
Who's It For?
The Pixel 9a is ideal for people who want to try Google's smartphone lineup but don't want to pay north of $1000. It's also ideal as a backup phone, a work phone or just a second Android device if you're in the iPhone camp but want to dip your toes in the Android ecosystem.
Bright and color-accurate display that's a joy to use
Excellent performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite
Good battery life thanks to a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery
What we don't like
Camera isn't better than last year's OnePlus 12
Battery life feels like it should and could be better
AI features are cloud-based
The OnePlus 13 is the latest and hottest flagship from OnePlus, a smartphone brand that disrupted the industry more than a decade ago with its first affordable flagship-killer phone. Over the years, the company has experienced highs and lows, undergoing various transformations. Today, the OnePlus 13 stands tall, ready to compete with the big players in the industry.
Why I Picked It?
In typical OnePlus flagship fashion, the OnePlus 13 is packed with features. It boasts the latest Qualcomm processor, delivering impressive raw power that challenges even iPhones (and outperforms them in some benchmarks). The Hasselblad-branded camera system makes a bold statement on the back, featuring three versatile and capable lenses.
For the first time in a long while, the front display is flat, offering impressive brightness levels confirmed in our tests. Beneath the surface lies a massive 6,000 mAh battery, utilizing the latest silicon-carbon technology, where silicon crystals are infused into the graphene of the battery to enhance capacity.
Pair this enormous battery with fast charging (a charger is included in the retail box), capable of fully charging the phone in about 40 minutes, and you have a true quality-of-life improvement. Additionally, OnePlus has integrated trendy AI features into its latest flagship. OnePlus AI offers tools like AI Notes, AI photo editing, Circle Search, and more.
Who's It For?
What’s most impressive about this flagship, however, is its price. The base model starts at $899, which is significantly more affordable compared to other top-tier flagships like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. If you want a flagship-killer at a killer price as well, the OnePlus 13 is a great choice.
Key OnePlus 13 specs:
Screen: 6.82-inch AMOLED, 1440 x 3168 pixels, 1-120Hz refresh rate
The Galaxy S25 is the most compact Android phone you can get in 2025. It's a great spiritual successor to the Asus Zenfone 10 (which is no longer available), and people who like small phones will feel at home with the S25, which is almost the same size.
Why I Picked It?
The S25 feels very lightweight and compact in the hand, it's just 162 grams. Despite its small footprint, the S25 features the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a super-bright screen, and AI integrated deep into the system.
When it comes to cameras, the S25 again offers more than all of its compact competitors. Most small phones feature two cameras on their backs—a wide and ultrawide—but the Galaxy S25 comes with one additional telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.
The only downside is the battery life as you can't beat physics - the small size requires a rather small battery, but it will last you one full day no problems. Don't forget that all Samsung flagships come with seven years of software support, so that sweet AI nectar will keep flowing for the years to come.
Who's It For?
If you want the smallest Android flagship that's also featherweight, the Galaxy S25 is the right choice for you. There really aren't any smaller modern alternatives, especially if you want a flagship device.
Smartphone photography is blooming and there are many phones to choose from if you don't want to carry your regular camera around. My personal favorite is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, a camera phone that not only offers a big 1-inch sensor, but with the optional Camera Kit you can turn it into a point-and-shoot camera!
Why I Picked It?
Simply put - because of the camera performance. The 50MP camera with a massive 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor is just great, and there's also a 200MP periscope zoom camera on board. This isn't just empty specs, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra scored 158 in PhoneArena's camera benchmark, currently the best result.
Even for me - a layman when it comes to photography - the Xiaomi 15 Ultra was able to deliver some stunning frames. It's not just a camera phone, though. There's a phone attached to the camera, as my colleague writes in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra review. And it's a capable phone at that.
Who's It For?
Photography enthusiasts will love the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Granted, it's not cheap, but it's still cheaper than a separate camera + a smartphone. The only issue is you have to put in some effort to get one, but it's more than worth it.
Fantastic battery endurance and good charging speed
Design mixes fun with classy
What we don't like
A bit heavy
Camera is OK, but not on par with $1k competitors
Speakers still a downgrade from ROG 7, not as good as iPhone 16 Pro Max
Gaming phones are a special Android niche, and Asus has a significant chunk of that market with its Republic of Gamers brand. The ROG phones are highly regarded as the best gaming phones on the market and the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the latest and greatest among them all.
Why I Picked It?
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is here, and it’s ready to dominate the gaming scene. While its design is quite similar to last year’s model and the camera system hasn’t seen major upgrades, those aren’t the features you buy a gaming phone for.
The best feature for sure is its impressive bright AMOLED display that cranks up to 185Hz, along with a big battery with fast charging (and yes, the charger is included). Couple this with loads of RAM, and a slick LED dot design on the back that screams "gaming."
The beating heart of the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, making it a performance beast. In fact, it obliterated pretty much every other phone in the Geekbench 6 multi-core test, held its ground against the A18 Pro in single-core, and swept the floor with the competition in the 3DMark stress test without breaking a sweat. I tested the phone gaming for hours and it never throttled, delivering peak smartphone performance.
Who's It For?
For serious gamers, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is a must. Features like ultrasonic shoulder triggers are the cherry on top, letting you minimize screen touches and maximize your in-game precision.
All this power and innovation doesn’t come cheap, though—the ROG Phone 9 Pro carries a hefty price tag. Still, if you want the best gaming phone available today, this is it. Check out our full Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro Review for a deep dive.
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro key specs:
Screen: 6.78-inch, 185Hz, QHD+ OLED screen
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
Camera: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP 5x telephoto, 32MP front
Versions: 16/512GB or 24/1TB.
Battery and Charging: 5800 mAh, 65W wired, 15W wireless
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Android Phone
Among the usual factors such as the processor inside, the screen size and brightness, and the battery capacity, when choosing an Android phone it's very important to get the longest support available.
Unlike iPhones, Android phones offer different UI and user experience depending on the brand, and also different support cycles. Google and Samsung offer the longest support - seven years for their flagship phones, and six years in the case of the Galaxy A series.
How PhoneArena Rates Android phones
The most important metric here is the phone rating. This composite score takes into account 12 different aspects of the smartphone experience, such as Battery Life, Photo Quality, Design, Performance, etc. The ratings are on a scale from 0 to 10, and the weight of each category in the final score is different, for example, battery life is more important than design, and so on.
There's also a metric called "Price Class Average" which takes into account the price of devices with similar specs, positioned in the same market space. This gives you a quick comparison of how a specific model compares to the average in its class, and gives more context to the score. Bear in mind that you won't find a lot of 9s and 10s on this list. We completely overhauled our rating system to be future proof and also be able to detect subtle differences and segregate phone models better.
Currently, the best Android smartphones hover around the 7.5 mark, which gives enough space for future models to evolve and get better. If you want to delve deeper into the ratings, there are sub-categories such as our Battery Score, and our Camera Score both of which go into more detail and break the score into even finer segments.
Find out more details about photo and video scores for all phones we have tested on our PhoneArena Camera Score page
For more information visit our dedicated benchmark page.
What Size Android Phone Is Right for You?
If you wonder what size Android phone is the right one for you, there's no clear answer to this question. Phones have grown in size in the past couple of years, and now we consider 6.1-6.3-inch phones "compact." Check out my Best Small Phones pick if you like small phones.
The middle ground lies somewhere between 6.3 and 6.5 inches. There are some options there; Xperia phones still use 6.5-inch screens, for example, which is right in the middle. Then there are the 6.5-6.9-inch big-screen phones. The Galaxy S25 Ultra falls into this category.
Finally, if you want the biggest screen available on an Android phone, your best bet is a foldable. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 comes with a huge 8-inch main screen, which borders a tablet device.
Which Is the Best Android Version?
The best Android version is usually the latest available. In this case it's Android 16. Google started rolling out Android 16 first to Pixel phones on June 11. Now the operating system is available on most Android flagships.
What about the Chinese Android smartphones?
Smartphones from the Far East usually bring a lot of innovation to the table. That's because Chinese brands have aggressive strategies for taking that sweet market share, and these strategies involve risk.
There are some downsides to the idea of getting a Chinese phone. Well, for once, the "getting part" can be tricky, as most of these brands aren't available in the US. If you still want to give it a try, be sure to check out the Best Chinese Android phones article.
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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