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

Buy a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL from iD Mobile with 100GB data for £40.99/month and £129 upfront, plus free Pixel Buds Pro 2 worth £219

If money is no object, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is the finest smartphone you can buy right now. It combines ultra-premium hardware with the most accomplished software experience you’ll find on any phone, while simultaneously having no significant weaknesses.

Where shall we start? The stylish design and gorgeous 6.8-inch display immediately stand out, while the benefits of excellent durability and IP68 water and dust resistance become more significant over time.

The cameras offer the best point-and-shoot photography experience you’ll find on any phone, with video quality not far behind these days. AI cameras features are hit and miss, with 100x Pro Res Zoom unusable at times, but they can easily be turned off.

Elsewhere, the introduction of built-in Qi2 wireless charging and a new ecosystem of ‘Pixelsnap’ accessories is a big deal for Android. But improved 45W charging and solid battery life mean you shouldn’t need to rely on it too much.

And when it comes to software, the Pixel remains unmatched. Android 16’s new Material 3 Expressive is slick and easy to use, while Google is committing to prompt updates for a full seven years.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL is a big, bulky phone that doesn’t come cheap.

Who should buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL?

You want the absolute best phone you can buy right now, are willing to pay for it and don’t mind using Android.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: Further Considerations

Look elsewhere for faster charging and better battery life. If you’re looking for something smaller, consider the Pixel 10 Pro or regular Pixel 10.

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 a truly excellent smartphone.

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.

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 100GB 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. The Xiaomi 17 series is official in China, but it isn’t likely to be available globally until 2026.

Buy an Oppo Find X8 Pro from O2 with unlimited data for £47.92/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. You may also want to wait for the Find X9 series, which is launching in China on 16 October, ahead of an expected global launch not too long after that.

Buy an iPhone 16 Plus from Mozillion (uses EE network) with 100GB data for £38.58/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 2024 range. However, you might prefer a model from the iPhone 17 series – look out for our full reviews soon.

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. However, with no Plus model in the iPhone 17 series, Apple doesn’t have a successor.

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 a similar amount 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 unlimited data for £41.76/month and £30 upfront

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, and 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.

Buy a Google Pixel 10 from iD Mobile with 100GB data for £29.99/month and £99 upfront

The Pixel 10 might not be the absolute best phone you can buy, but it’s the easiest flagship to recommend.

Why? Well, for its £799/$799 starting price, you won’t find a more well-rounded handset on the market right now. There are some notable compromises compared to more premium phones, including Pixel 10 Pro models, but most people can happily do without these.

The Pixel 10 still excels when it comes to the fundamentals of a great phone, with an attractive design (provided you don’t opt for the Lemongrass version pictured), gorgeous display and solid performance. Meanwhile, the addition of a dedicated telephoto lens makes the cameras much more versatile, despite some downgrades elsewhere.

Google continues to lead the way when it comes to AI on smartphones, while the rest of Android 16 is slick and intuitive. A commitment to seven years of updates is the icing on the cake.

The biggest downside is battery life, which isn’t always the most reliable. But faster wired charging and new Qi2 wireless charging make it easier than ever to top up.

Overall, the Pixel 10 ticks nearly all the boxes at a price that undercuts most other flagships, making it a great option.

Who should buy the Google Pixel 10?

Anyone looking for a compact flagship that prioritises cameras and AI.

Google Pixel 10: Further Considerations

Look elsewhere if you want a bigger screen or top-tier battery life.