Best Phones 2025: Top Picks From Samsung, Xiaomi, Google & More

by Sophie Williams
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Picking the “best” smartphone can be surprisingly complex. While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra often comes to mind as a top contender, and the Google Pixel Pro leads the pack for Google enthusiasts, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra stands out as a photographic powerhouse within Xiaomi’s catalog. Similarly, the OnePlus 15 represents the pinnacle of OnePlus technology, and the iPhone 17 Pro is anticipated to be Apple’s flagship offering in 2025.

<p>It’s easy to recommend these high-end devices – even AI tools like ChatGPT can identify each manufacturer’s flagship model. However, these premium phones typically cost upwards of €1,200, putting them out of reach for many consumers. What are the best options for those with a €400 budget? Or, if specific features like a long-lasting battery or a foldable screen are priorities, where should buyers start? The landscape becomes even more challenging when considering lesser-known brands like Realme and Oppo, or newcomers like CMF Nothing.</p>

<p>Over the past year, our team has rigorously tested numerous mobile devices to answer these very questions. While 2025 has brought a wealth of impressive smartphones, the best value isn’t always found in the most expensive models. Often, mid-range devices offer an excellent price-to-performance ratio, delivering a satisfying experience without breaking the bank. Here’s a look at some of the top contenders.</p>

<h2 class="bodyTitle">Strong Alternatives</h2>

<p>The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is undeniably Samsung’s best phone of the year, boasting a lightweight design, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and an enhanced wide-angle camera. However, its price point isn’t accessible to everyone. For those seeking a Samsung device without the premium cost, the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is a compelling alternative. This phone features a sleek, durable build, a battery life approaching two days, and capable cameras, all for around €479.</p>

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    <p>The Samsung Powerhouse</p>
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    <p>Excellent Value</p>
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<p>Xiaomi has consistently challenged Samsung in both quality and sales. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is their top phone for 2025, but its 200MP telephoto camera and advanced camera system come with a hefty price tag of €1,499. The Xiaomi 15 offers similar performance for roughly half the cost (€699). Finding these Xiaomi models can sometimes be difficult. For practical users seeking a functional and affordable phone, the Xiaomi 15T is a strong recommendation.</p>

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    <p>A Powerful and Balanced Xiaomi</p>
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<p>Google’s Pixel phones have long been favorites among tech reviewers. The Pixel 9A has been a consistently recommended device throughout the year, despite not being Google’s newest offering. Its exceptional battery life, improved display, and AI-powered cameras justify its price. For those willing to invest more, the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are solid choices, offering the best way to experience Google’s Gemini AI model.</p>

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    <p>The Best Affordable Pixel</p>
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    <p>The Best Pixel of the Year</p>
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<p>Honor’s best phone of 2025 is the Honor Magic 7 Pro. This device boasts an OLED display, a 200MP camera, a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and its own AI system. However, it comes with a price tag of €1,299. The Honor Magic V5 is even more expensive, at €1,999. This is because the V5 is a foldable phone with a dual-screen design, measuring just 4.1mm thick when unfolded. It features two AMOLED screens, a Snapdragon Elite processor with 16GB of RAM, a 5,820mAh silicon battery, and a capable camera system. As of this writing, it’s available with a €200 discount. If you want to make a statement, there aren’t many more eye-catching options.</p>

<p>If you’re looking for a more affordable Honor phone with a quality display, the Honor 400 Lite is worth considering. Its AMOLED screen is excellent, and it offers good battery life and AI features for just €299.</p>

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    <p>Power Unleashed</p>
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    <p>A Spectacular Foldable</p>
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    <p>Good Screen at a Good Price</p>
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<p>The OnePlus 15 is OnePlus’s latest offering, recently launched in October, but our recommendation is its predecessor, the OnePlus 13. Introduced in October 2024, it has dominated OnePlus’s catalog for over six months. Its performance is comparable to the OnePlus 15, and it’s now available at a more competitive price. If the OnePlus 13 is still outside your budget, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the best option. The fifth installment in this mid-range series offers a near-premium experience with an excellent display for just €459 – and it’s likely available for even less now.</p>

<p>The soul behind OnePlus, Carl Pei, now leads Nothing, a company poised to make waves in the mobile market. Their best phone currently is the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. This phone boasts a unique aesthetic with a transparent back and integrated lights, an improved camera system, and a dedicated AI note-taking feature activated by a physical button. Despite its quality, Nothing phones remain relatively affordable, with the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro currently priced at €457.</p>

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    <p>The Best of OnePlus</p>
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        <p>19% OFF</p>
        <p>LOWEST PRICE</p>
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    <p>From a More Affordable Family</p>
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    <p>High-End at a Mid-Range Price</p>
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<p>Finally, the iPhone 16e deserves mention. As a spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, it’s a risky bet. It’s not particularly cheap compared to older iPhone models (€709), but it will be the only mid-range Apple phone compatible with the Apple Intelligence platform. While that may not matter now, it could be significant in a year if you choose an older iPhone and miss out on Apple’s AI features.</p>

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    <p>The Future with Apple Intelligence</p>
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<h2 class="bodyTitle">Fabulous Underdogs</h2>

<p>As we began this article, the phones that receive the most attention aren’t always the best. There’s a whole universe of phones that don’t immediately come to mind but are well worth considering. The Oppo Find X8 Pro is a prime example. Oppo’s flagship doesn’t just match the features of top Samsung and Xiaomi phones; it also offers unique advantages, such as an excellent telephoto camera co-engineered by Hasselblad, and AI-powered photo enhancement capabilities reminiscent of *Blade Runner*.</p>

<p>While not as extravagant as its flagship counterpart, the Oppo Reno 14 is a balanced phone with a capable camera and excellent battery life for under €500. Its predecessor, the Oppo Reno 13 FS, offers even better value for money.</p>

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    <p>Oppo’s Heavyweight</p>
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    <p>Perfect Balance</p>
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<p>Realme isn’t immediately associated with high-end phones, but its 2025 releases rival some of the year’s most powerful devices. The Realme GT 7 Pro stands out, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a large 6,500mAh battery offering almost two days of use. If battery life is a top priority, the Realme GT 7 is a serious contender with a 7,000mAh battery.</p>

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    <p>A Less Known High-End Phone</p>
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<p>Our list of the best phones of 2025 wouldn’t be complete without truly affordable devices that deliver everything you need, with good design. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G compensates for its lengthy name with a price tag under €479, a solid build, and a camera system that challenges much more expensive phones. This Redmi even includes Gemini AI.</p>

<p>Alongside the Redmi Note, the Motorola Edge Fusion 60 is a compelling option. Its RAM Boost system reaches 24GB of combined memory. Its extreme slimness (7.95mm) and elegant design, combined with a good display, make it a standout for around €260.</p>

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    <p>A Bestselling Soul</p>
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    <p>Thin and with Good Memory</p>
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    <p>The Affordable Range of Nothing</p>
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<p>The final phone on this list is the CMF Phone (2) Pro. Its name isn’t the only thing reminiscent of Nothing. This is, in fact, the brand created by Carl Pei for affordable devices. What’s interesting about this phone is its modular design, allowing you to swap half of the back cover for different colored pieces and even a wallet module. Its performance is based on a Mediatek 7300 Pro processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. CMF phones include Gemini and up to three years of updates, so there’s little to worry about. The CMF Phone (2) Pro costs just €253. We can ask for little more from 2025. Let’s hope 2026 brings even more and better phones at good prices.</p>

<p>___________________</p>

<p><em>This review, comparison, and guide were prepared by [Outlet Name] following a strictly editorial criteria. The team behind [Section Name] considers trends, industry news, audience interest, as well as quality and price criteria when selecting the products and services analyzed. Samples have been provided by the companies temporarily, without any consideration, publication commitment, or benefit of any kind. The text includes a selection of buttons/links to purchase the product at the lowest possible price. [Outlet Name] may generate revenue from sales of these products, but the inclusion of these links serves merely as a service to the reader within journalistic content. The affiliate system and programmatic advertising are the only ways to monetize the [Section Name] section, in addition to subscriptions to the newspaper that generate these contents. Sponsored content or analysis is never published.</em></p>

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