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Buying a phone can be complicated. Whether you want a standard slab-style smartphone, a modern folding phone, or a simple feature phone, there are many small but important factors to consider before you choose. PCMag has been covering cell phones for at least three decades and can help you sort through all the noise. Right now, four phones stand out among our Editors' Choice winners: the Apple iPhone 16 with its great mix of features for the price, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with its artist-friendly S Pen stylus, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 with its expansive inner screen, and the Google Pixel 9a for its superb value. But all the phones here deserve your attention, so be sure to explore our full reviews linked below. Further down, we walk you through everything you need to know to pick the best device.
Our Top Tested Picks
Apple iPhone 16
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Google Pixel 9
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
OnePlus 13
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- Most affordable iPhone 16 model
- High-quality hardware
- Swift performance
- Sharp camera quality
- Good battery life
- Supports Apple Intelligence
- 60Hz display
There isn't too much of a difference this year between the iPhone 16 and the Pro models. The 16 has the same Action Button and Camera Control as the 16 Pro, as well as a generational jump in processor and memory to power Apple Intelligence. Together with good battery life, fast charging, modern radios, and high-quality hardware, it's a near-total package. Sure, some power users might want the video tools on the Pro models, but the iPhone 16 is the better value proposition.
This is by far the best iPhone for most people. It's got almost all of the features of the Pro models for hundreds of dollars less.
- Powerful performance
- Excellent cameras
- Useful Google AI
- Seven-year software support commitment
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- No reverse wireless charging
The Google Pixel 9a is an excellent midrange value for Android fans thanks to its capable pair of cameras, bright screen, smooth performance, and refined design. It also provides a good range of AI-based photo-editing features, more than 13 hours of battery life, and an IP68 rating against dust and water ingress. We especially like that Google promises seven years of software updates, just like for the flagship Pixel 9 lineup.
If you want premium features and performance for a reasonable price, the sub-$500 Pixel 9a is an obvious choice. The variety of color options is also a nice touch for those who want to stand out from the crowd.
- Class-leading performance
- Powerful AI features
- Excellent cameras
- Sharp, anti-reflective screen
- Better ergonomics than previous Ultras
- Long software support window
- Expensive
- Less S Pen functionality than previous generation
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra includes high-end specs like the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, up to 1TB of storage with 12GB of RAM, and the best camera stack you can get on an Android phone in the US. The embedded S Pen stylus is another significant point in its favor, particularly for artists and note-takers who like to sketch or jot on the run. Let's not forget Galaxy AI, which is equal parts useful and fun, and Samsung's powerful productivity software, which lets you multitask on the large screen with ease.
If you want 5x telephoto zoom power, a 200MP main camera, good battery life, top performance, and a stylus, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the phone for you.
- Exceptional hardware
- Excellent displays
- Solid performance
- Powerful software
- Strong radios
- Outlandishly expensive
- Only average battery life
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the best large-screen foldable yet. It's lighter and more compact than the Z Fold 6, for instance, but still provides a larger cover screen and larger internal screen. We also like the IP48 rating against the elements and Samsung's commitment to seven years of software support. It has a stronger hinge, powerful multitasking features, advanced Galaxy AI tools, excellent 5G and Wi-Fi radios, and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, all go a long way to justify its admittedly high price.
If you are looking for an all-in-one solution for mobile productivity and entertainment, the Z Fold 7 is currently your best option. No other phone we've tested is as versatile and powerful.
- Excellent cameras
- Useful and fun AI features
- Good performance
- Competitively priced
- Limited storage
- Doesn't include Gemini Live subscription
The Pixel 9 offers most of the same features as the Pixel 9 Pro for $200 less. It has a top-notch build quality and features incredibly powerful, AI-enhanced image and video editing tools (such as Magic Eraser and Add Me) that take its cameras to the next level. It also stands out for its unique color options and Gemini-powered assistant that can help out with everyday tasks.
If you enjoy mobile photography or want a clean Google software experience, the Pixel 9 is the Android phone to get. People who don't upgrade their phones often should appreciate Google's promised seven years of OS updates.
- Excellent value
- Good performance
- Above-average cameras
- Splashproof
- Six-year support window
- Large
- Plastic build
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is an excellent value for under $200. Highlights include a large 90Hz screen, a good camera system, a new IP54 rating against dust and water, and a guarantee of six years' worth of security updates. It's not as tough as pricier phones, nor is it as fast, but given the low price, you can't ask for more.
If your budget is limited, the Galaxy A16 5G is an excellent choice thanks to its good everyday usability, above-average cameras, and long battery life. Midrange models outgun it, but it's easily the best Android phone under $200.
- Leading video features
- Outstanding battery life
- Large, bright screen
- Strong connectivity
- Exceedingly large
- Pricey
The iPhone 16 Max is packed with everything Apple has to offer. It has a bigger screen, its battery lasts significantly longer, a Camera Control button provides more creative flexibility and upgraded radios mean faster wireless performance. It also has advanced video capture tools that are some of the best available on any phone. When Apple Intelligence arrives later this year, it will be the most powerful phone running it.
Simply put, this is the best iPhone for anyone who wants all the latest features and the best video camera you can get.
- Bright displays
- Category-leading battery life
- Powerful performance
- Fun folding form factor
- Middling cameras
- Mediocre AI
The Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) embraces its dual-screen design in a way many alternatives don't; you can run virtually any app you want on either the vivid 4.0-inch outer display or the expansive 7.0-inch inner panel. We also like its IP48 waterproof rating, stylish design, competitive performance, and fast 68W wired charging.
If you want a small folding phone that encourages you to unlock it less often, the Razr Ultra is a top pick. Fashion-conscious buyers are sure to appreciate its unique color options, too.
- Class-leading battery life
- Bright, crisp screen
- Impressive performance
- Fast wired and wireless charging
- Solid build quality
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- Shorter software support window than competing phones
OnePlus phones aren't as common as those from Google and Samsung, but they are often worth considering. The company's latest flagship goes spec-for-spec with today's leading phones in terms of its display, battery life, performance, and camera. It even sees OnePlus dipping its toe into AI and supports wired charging speeds of up to 80W via OnePlus' proprietary power block.
The OnePlus 13 is for those who want something a little off the beaten path. OnePlus makes consistently good phones with genuinely useful software that will receive four years of OS upgrades. For the budget-conscious, the OnePlus 13 also undercuts comparable options from Google and Samsung in price.
- Affordable
- Clear earpiece and speakerphone
- Wi-Fi
- Email access
- FM radio
- Mediocre battery life
- Limited third-party apps
- Poor cameras
The TCL Flip 3 is a great voice phone with a removable battery, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C charging port. It also features a 2MP camera, which is useful in a pinch. Finally, Wi-Fi connectivity and email access can help keep you in the communications loop.
If you aren't interested in owning a smartphone, the affordable TCL Flip 3 performs basic phone functions confidently. The speakerphone and earpiece sound quite clear, too.
A Smart, Bold Take on the Wireless World
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The Best Phones for 2025 Compare Specs
Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16
Which Cell Phone Carrier Has the Best Coverage?
Despite all the recent hardware and mobile software innovations, choosing a wireless service provider remains the most important decision. No matter what device you buy, it's a paperweight unless you have reliable wireless coverage. You should choose a carrier that offers fair prices and provides the best coverage in your area.
If you're interested in performance and you live in a metro area, pay the most attention to where the major carriers have "mid-band" 5G (also called C-band) and use phones that support that technology.
UScellular is currently available throughout the US, though much of its coverage is provided via partner networks. Meanwhile, Boost Mobile covers the majority of the country with its 5G-first service.
There are also plenty of virtual operators that use the big three networks for service but offer lower monthly rates, cheaper international calls, or other benefits. They're typically better for less intensive users, and some don't even have family plans.
Mint Mobile (on T-Mobile), Consumer Cellular (on AT&T), and Spectrum Mobile (on Verizon) all got higher ratings in our Readers’ Choice survey than the companies that host their services.
AT&T owns Cricket, Dish owns Boost Mobile, T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile, Verizon owns Visible, and Google owns Google Fi (which also runs on T-Mobile). Verizon also owns Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Total Wireless, and Tracfone. We spotlight some of our favorite virtual operators in our roundup of the best cheap phone plans. We also have a story on the best cheap phones.
Do You Need a 5G Phone?
5G arrived in 2019, and most new smartphones now support some form of it. Though 5G has yet to change everything, it's still well on its way.
If you're on T-Mobile, you should use a mid-band 5G-compatible phone. That's an easy choice—all T-Mobile 5G phones are mid-band-compatible now.
To access AT&T's C-band network, any modern Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel will do.
If you're in one of Verizon's C-band areas, upgrading to a C-band-compatible 5G phone is a good move. The carrier's Ultra Wideband network also offers super-fast mmWave 5G in select locations. If you are in one of those areas and want to take advantage, make sure your phone has that support.
You can find more 5G recommendations on our list of the best 5G phones.
Should You Get an Unlocked Phone?
Carriers sometimes have confusing service and pricing plans, so unlocked phones are as relevant and invaluable as ever.
Unlocked phones are those you buy from a third-party store or directly from the manufacturer; they aren't tied to a specific carrier. Usually, you can use them with AT&T or T-Mobile. But some popular unlocked phones work on Verizon as well. For the most flexibility, look for a recent Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S or Z flagship, or high-end Motorola Edge phone. If you use a low-cost MVNO service, make sure your unlocked phone is actually compatible; some MVNOs don't support phones that should work on their networks.
In the past, unlocked 4G phones typically worked on all the major carriers, but 5G phones are different. Apple, Google, and Samsung's 5G phones usually work on every major US carrier, but many other brands either have limited band support or are only certified for specific carriers.
What Is the Best Smartphone?
There's actually less diversity in smartphone platforms and designs than ever. Android and iOS are the two remaining major smartphone platforms, both in US sales and in the availability of third-party apps. The iPhone has a well-developed App Store and some of the best media features. But Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem can feel stifling to some, though iOS is more customizable than ever. There's more variety among Android handsets, and Android's open-source nature makes it a tweaker's dream. But it can also mean carrier bloatware you can't remove, and less consistent OS updates.
Strictly interested in Android? Head over to our roundup of the best Android phones. Baffled by the variety of iPhones? Here's how to decide which iPhone to buy. And if you want to document the world around you with your phone, we've rounded up the best camera phones, too.
What Is the Best Feature Phone?
Some people still use simpler phones, even though the number of choices is limited. The top reasons to consider these models are their lower prices, ease of use, and often cheaper associated service plans (because mobile data often isn't a factor). There are some great deals for voice-only plans on virtual carriers such as TracFone and Consumer Cellular.
Unlike smartphones, feature phones are a matter of "what you see is what you get." They don't receive software upgrades or run thousands of apps. Wireless network coverage is always the biggest factor, but individual phones can vary in reception, earpiece quality, transmission quality through the microphone, and sidetone (the echo of your voice that helps prevent you from yelling at the other person on the line). A phone with middling to poor reception quality can be almost impossible to use in a marginal coverage area. In contrast, one with excellent reception can make the best of the little signal that's available.
For more, see our picks for the best phones for seniors and our roundup of the best phones for kids.
What's the Best Time to Buy a New Phone?
The best time to buy a new phone is when you need one. If your phone dies on the pavement, get whatever is available that best meets your needs. But if you're watching your budget or riding the cutting edge, a little knowledge and planning can save you from buying a phone that's about to be discounted or replaced with something newer and cooler.
For instance, Google's flagship Pixels came out in August 2024. Apple released the iPhone 16 models in September 2024. Samsung introduced its new Galaxy S series in January and Galaxy Z folding phones in July. Motorola has been sticking to an early May cadence for its folding phones, while OnePlus announced its latest flagship in January.
Note that we update this story every time we review a new phone worth a spot on the list, so it changes often. Be sure to check back soon for our latest recommendations.
Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.
