Best phones: Our experts pick the top 10 Android & iPhone models

Buy a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from Fonehouse on Three with 300GB data for £43/month and £19 upfront

The S25 Ultra looks almost identical to the S24 Ultra, and from a hardware perspective, it is. But this doesn’t stop it from being the best phone you can buy right now, provided money is no object.

There are now even fewer weaknesses than before, with even more processing power, small but noticeable camera improvements and a new anti-reflective screen that puts the 6.9-inch, 120Hz OLED panel in a league of its own. The newly rounded corners make it easier to hold.

You also get the best software experience we’ve ever seen on a Samsung phone (and maybe an Android phone full stop), with an extensive suite of genuinely useful AI features and class-leading seven-year update support.

However, it’s by no means perfect. It’s a shame to see the built-in S Pen downgraded to be without Bluetooth, while such a heavy, bulky phone won’t be for everyone. It’s also still very expensive.

But if you want the best of the best when it comes to smartphones right now, the S25 Ultra is the device to get.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

You want to go all-out with top specs and features not found elsewhere, like Samsung’s S Pen stylus.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Further Considerations

It’s expensive and might be overkill for some users. Look elsewhere if you’d prefer a lightweight or compact phone.

Buy a OnePlus 13 from Fonehouse on Vodafone with 50GB data for £46/month and £25 upfront

The OnePlus 13 takes what made the OnePlus 12 so great and makes it even better. This is the best phone OnePlus has ever made, and up there with the finest around right now.

What makes it so good? It’s a brilliant combination of top-class hardware, slick software and extensive support, meaning the phone could be your main phone for many years to come.

Highlights include the stellar Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, a gorgeous 6.82-inch OLED screen and incredible battery life with 100W charging support. Those factors alone are enough to make it worth considering.

But the OnePlus 13 is equally impressive on the software side, with Oxygen OS one of the best Android skins around and lots of useful AI features. Four years of OS updates and six years of security updates aren’t class-leading, but plenty good enough for most people.

With all that in mind, and a price tag that significantly undercuts many rivals, why wouldn’t you buy it? Unfortunately, while good enough for most people, the cameras are a clear step down from the best around, which will be a dealbreaker for many.

If you can look beyond that and the fact that a case is required for MagSafe-style magnetic charging accessories, the OnePlus 13 will serve you very well.

Who should buy the OnePlus 13?

You want a phone that’s excellent in just about every department for under a grand with change to spare.

OnePlus 13: Further Considerations

Look elsewhere for the best cameras if that’s really important to you.

If photography is your top priority, there’s no better phone than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra right now. When it comes to stills, the handset is in a league of its own.

Alongside a trio of 50Mp lenses (main, ultrawide and 3x telephoto), you also now get a 200Mp periscope with 4.3x optical zoom. That enables some of the best zoom shots you’ll find on any phone, though the loss of variable aperture on the main lens makes it slightly less flexible when the subject is closer.

Still, with the optional Photography Kit accessory, it comes closer to replacing a DSLR than any other handset. A very capable 32Mp selfie camera is the icing on the cake.

However, you won’t be taking photos all the time, so it’s good to know that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts top-tier performance, a gorgeous display and strong battery life (plus 90W fast charging), all with a durable yet chunky design.

Its main drawback is on the software side, where Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 skin doesn’t feel particularly intuitive, and AI features aren’t always flawless.

Given the high price tag, there are better options out there if you’re happy with photos that are just ‘very good’. But if you want the absolute best photography experience out there, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the phone for you.

Who should buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?

You want the best camera experience on the market and are prepared to buy the Photography Kit, which is sold separately.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Further Considerations

Look elsewhere for a better software interface and longer support, or to the regular Xiaomi 15 for something more compact and affordable.

Buy an Oppo Find X8 Pro from O2 with 125GB data for £56.81/month and £30 upfront

After Oppo decided not to release its Find X6 and Find X7 series flagships outside China, the Find X8 series marks a triumphant return to Europe.

Both the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro are excellent phones, but the latter has a slight upper hand. It’s powerful, good-looking, offers amazing battery life and has plenty of software perks.

But it’s the cameras that set it apart from rivals, and turn a great phone into a superb one. For pure image quality, it’s probably only the Xiaomi 14 Ultra that can rival it right now for UK buyers.

The phone isn’t without its compromises – there are a couple of small camera downgrades compared to the Find X7 Ultra, while the software takes some getting used to – but there’s no doubt that the Find X8 Pro is up there with the very best phones you can buy right now.

Who should buy the Oppo Find X8 Pro?

You want a great all-rounder with excellent performance, battery life and cameras, plus an alternative design to the likes of Samsung and Google.

Oppo Find X8 Pro: Further Considerations

Look elsewhere for a more friendly Android skin and longer software support.

Buy a Google Pixel 9 Pro XL from iD Mobile with 100GB data for £36.99/month and £99 upfront

If none of the options above appeal to you, a Pixel 9 series phone is probably your best bet. And if you want the absolute best experience, the newly-branded Pixel 9 Pro XL is the one to go for.

While not quite the standout phone we saw with the Pixel 8 Pro, the 9 Pro XL still delivers a compelling experience in almost all key areas.

The cameras are the highlight once again, offering vibrant, high-contrast photos while maintaining key details. That includes low-light conditions, even if the brightening is by no means true to life. A quality ultrawide lens and 5x optical zoom from the telephoto make it an impressively versatile camera system, while selfies from the upgraded front lens are excellent.

Elsewhere, the excellent 6.8-inch display is a joy to use, while Google’s Tensor G4 chipset delivers solid performance. And the build quality is higher than ever, even if the move to a more generic design will disappoint some people.

Google continues to ace the software experience, with Android 16 now available and a comprehensive suite of AI features. The company’s commitment to seven years of both OS and security updates is yet to be beaten on any phone.

However, battery life is decent, rather than a key strength, while 37W charging feels slow. Ultimately, whether you buy the 9 Pro XL depends on whether you think the even higher price tag is worth it.

Who should buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

You want the best model from Google’s latest flagship range, getting you a slick experience, class-leading software support and future updates before other brands.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Further Considerations

Look elsewhere for faster charging and better battery life. If you’re looking for something smaller, consider the Pixel 9 Pro or regular Pixel 9.

Buy an iPhone 16 Plus from Mozillion (uses EE network) with 100GB data for £40/month and £0 upfront

The iPhone 16 Plus is the sweet spot from Apple’s 2024 lineup, thanks to its combination of size, price and features.

Here, you’re getting a strong all-rounder that’s closer to the Pro Max than usual, considering the Action Button has now trickled down, and the new Camera Control button isn’t exclusive to the Pro models.

And support for Apple Intelligence is a big deal these days, even if the AI features won’t make a significant difference to the way you use your phone yet.

The screen isn’t as big or impressive as the Pro Max, and you get a regular A18 chipset instead of A18 Pro, but these will be plenty good enough for most people. You also miss out on a telephoto lens and 1TB storage, but again, a lot of people won’t mind these trade-offs for a more reasonable price.

Unless you’re looking for a more compact model, the 16 Plus strikes a good balance between features and affordability, making it our go-to from Apple’s latest range. However, if you want a more premium experience and are willing to pay more, go for the iPhone 16 Pro Max instead.

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus?

You want a big-screen, long battery life iPhone without breaking the bank.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus: Further Considerations

Look to the 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max or Android rivals for higher refresh rates, better AI and more storage as standard.

Buy a Google Pixel 9a from Fonehouse on Three with 100GB data for £21/month and £0 upfront

The Pixel 9a might not be the absolute best phone you can buy right now, but it is the easiest to recommend. If you’ve got around £500/$500 (or the equivalent via a contract) to spend and want a solid all-rounder that will last, this is the phone for you.

It’s not like the Pixel 9a doesn’t have any standout features, either. The 6.3-inch P-OLED display is excellent, while the main 48Mp rear camera is one of the very best, including on flagships. You can also expect solid performance and strong battery life from the 5100mAh cell.

But it’s software where the phone really shines. Android is at its best on the Pixel, while even the pared-down AI experience (compared to the flagship Pixel 9 series phones) can still be very useful. Alongside timely updates and seven years of software support, the Pixel 9a is a mid-range phone that’s hard to beat.

The lack of a telephoto lens and slow 23W charging are the big downsides, while some people will be disappointed by the nondescript design, but that doesn’t stop the Pixel 9a from being an excellent choice.

Who should buy the Google Pixel 9a? 

You want a latest-generation Pixel phone but at a mid-range price, and don’t want to sacrifice a great main rear camera.

Google Pixel 9a: Further Considerations 

Look elsewhere for a more interesting design, fast charging or high-quality zoom photography. The OnePlus Nord 5 is a great alternative.

Buy a Nothing Phone (3a) from EE with 25GB data for £37.36/month and £30 upfront, plus free Nothing Ear (a) earbuds worth £99

With a starting price of just £329/$379, the Nothing Phone (3a) is one of the most affordable mid-range phones out there. But for most people, there’s no need to spend more.

The Phone (3a) offers an impressive combination of premium, unique design, rapid performance and great battery life. The display is a slick 120Hz OLED, and Nothing’s take on Android is a compelling one, especially with up to seven years of updates.

The main compromise is the cameras, but the 50Mp main, 50Mp telephoto, and 32Mp selfie lenses still outshine many rivals at this price. The 8Mp ultrawide is the big disappointment, but that won’t be solved by paying more for the (3a) Pro.

Overall, the Phone (3a) is an impressively well-rounded phone at a fraction of the price of flagships. Unless you really care about photography, AI features or the absolute best performance, the phone will serve you well.

Who should buy the Nothing Phone (3a)?

You want a well-specced phone at a very affordable price with a standout design.

Nothing Phone (3a): Further Considerations

Look elsewhere for better cameras and a more subtle style.

Nothing sub-brand CMF’s second phone might adopt the ‘Pro’ name, but it’s still very much a budget phone. And with a starting price of just £219/$279 (you get more storage in the US), you won’t find a better handset for the money.

What makes the Phone 2 Pro so special? Essentially, it takes most of what made the CMF Phone 1 so good and makes it significantly better, in exchange for only a small price increase.

We’re talking two brand-new camera sensors, with the main lens also getting significantly better. For the price, you can expect some of the best photos around.

Add that to a brighter, more accurate display, a nice performance boost and the all-important NFC that was missing from the original (enabling contactless payments), and the Phone 2 Pro has a lot going for it.

The standout, customisable design remains, as does Nothing’s user-friendly take on Android. The three years of OS updates are a little underwhelming, while you don’t get full water or dust resistance, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro undoubtedly has a lot going for it.

Who should buy the CMF Phone 2 Pro? 

You want an amazing phone for around four times cheaper than many flagships. 

CMF Phone 2 Pro: Further Considerations 

Look elsewhere for a more traditional and more durable design, or longer software support.

In recent years, the Galaxy Z Flip has fallen behind the Motorola Razr line in the flip phone pecking order, but the Z Flip 7 is a rousing return to form.

Significant upgrades include the long-awaited arrival of a full-screen cover display, which excels in pretty much every scenario (once you’ve enabled third-party apps, that is). The internal screen is just as good, while a premium design and strong cameras complete the suite of strong hardware.

There are two main reasons to buy the Z Flip 7 over the Razr 60 Ultra. The class-leading seven years of software updates, and starting price that’s now lower than Motorola, albeit still expensive.

However, there are reasons to hesitate before buying one, with the combination of mediocre battery life and slow charging the big ones. The lack of telephoto camera is also frustrating, though it’s not unique to the Z Flip 7.

Ultimately, it’s the first Galaxy Z Flip in a while that I can recommend, but only if you’re content with its compromises.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7?

Anyone looking for the best flip phone currently available on the market.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Further Considerations

If you’re looking for something more affordable, look out for our reviews of the Z Flip 7 FE and Razr 60 soon. If a book-style foldable is your preference, go for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.