2025 has been one other big 12 months for smartphones.
Synthetic intelligence has continued to dominate the dialog, with nearly each cellphone producer launching new AI options. In the meantime, the ultra-thin cellphone motion has gathered tempo with the introduction of the iPhone Air, and we’ve seen real leaps in digital camera efficiency and battery know-how.
However a really nice cellphone can’t cease there. To be topped the very best, it additionally has to excel within the design, show, efficiency, battery life and software program departments.
It’s time for us to crown Tech Advisor’s finest cellphone of 2025, together with two distinguished runners-up.
Greatest New Cellphone of the Yr – Winner: Google Pixel 10 Professional XL
Foundry
Google has completed it. After nearly a decade of Pixel telephones, the corporate has lastly risen to the highest of the category. The Pixel 10 Professional XL is perhaps Google’s most costly non-folding cellphone ever, however it’s additionally undoubtedly its finest.
What makes it so good? The place can we begin! Gone are the times while you needed to compromise on {hardware} by going for a Pixel – the ten Professional XL presents terrific construct high quality, surprisingly good sturdiness and a cultured design. The 6.8-inch OLED display screen is perhaps even higher, delivering an excellent viewing expertise, no matter the place you’re.
And Google has put that pill-shaped digital camera module to excellent use, providing a really glorious digital camera expertise. The {hardware} isn’t the very best you’ll discover on any cellphone, however it makes taking nice images extremely straightforward, which is arguably much more essential. There are even some helpful AI options to make taking and enhancing images a lot simpler.
Smartphones don’t get any higher than the Pixel 10 Professional XL proper now
Not the entire AI pictures options are a success, however a number of provide compelling methods to fine-tune the top end result.
Battery life is robust, charging is strong, and the brand new built-in Qi2 opens up the Pixel 10 Professional XL to a world of magnetic equipment – together with many designed for Apple’s MagSafe.
The ten Professional XL additionally presents a top-tier software program expertise, with slick Android 16 software program out of the field and a full seven years of updates.
It’s an costly cellphone, however one of many few flagships that absolutely justifies its price ticket. Smartphones don’t get any higher than the Pixel 10 Professional XL proper now.
Learn our full Google Pixel 10 Professional XL assessment.
$1149.99
$1,157
Greatest New Cellphone of the Yr – First Runner-Up: Oppo Discover X9 Professional
Luke Baker
The Discover X9 Professional is the very best cellphone Oppo has ever made, and it units a brand new normal for digital camera telephones and battery life.
Images from all 4 lenses (50Mp principal, 50Mp ultrawide, 200Mp telephoto, 50Mp selfie) are merely excellent, and you’ll enhance the telephoto lens dramatically by attaching the non-obligatory teleconverter equipment, which supplies you an unheard-of 9.8x optical zoom. In the meantime, the large 7500mAh battery utilises silicon-carbon tech to ship unimaginable battery life with out the majority.
With top-tier efficiency, intuitive software program, a stunning 6.78-inch OLED display screen and a premium but sturdy design, the Discover X9 Professional is a wonderful smartphone and a really shut second to the Pixel 10 Professional XL.
Learn our full Oppo Discover X9 Professional assessment.
Greatest New Cellphone of the Yr – Second Runner-Up: Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
Luke Baker
The Galaxy S25 Extremely presents minimal upgrades in comparison with the S24 Extremely, which gained this award final 12 months. Nevertheless it stays a wonderful all-rounder that’s up there with 2025’s best.
Highlights embody excellent efficiency, a surprising 6.9-inch show and glorious, versatile cameras, all inside a gorgeous but sturdy design. It has a key benefit in comparison with the opposite telephones on this article: the built-in S Pen stylus. For digital artwork and handwritten notes, it’s unmatched.
The S25 Extremely doesn’t get every little thing proper, and prices greater than the Pixel 10 Professional XL and Discover X9 Professional, however it stays a productiveness powerhouse that’s undoubtedly price contemplating.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely assessment.
$949.99
$1051
For extra nice choices, see our full information to the very best telephones you should purchase. We’ll be saying extra 2025 winners for telephones, tablets, wearables and extra over the approaching days.