The 10 best phones available now, and how to choose the right one

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.

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 isn’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 a case is required for MagSafe-style magnetic charging accessories, the OnePlus 13 will serve you very well.

If photography is your top priority, there’s no better phone than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra right now. When it comes to stills, there’s no handset that does it better.

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 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.

However, it’s also worth considering the regular Xiaomi 15, which is more compact and affordable.

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.

If none of the options above appeal to you, a Pixel 9 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 in 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, even if the 9 Pro XL runs Android 14 out of the box and AI features are hit-and-miss. Google’s commitment to seven years of both OS and security updates is still yet to be beaten on any phone.

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.

If not, consider the Pixel 9 Pro or regular Pixel 9 instead, though there are downgrades to be aware of.

From the 2024 line-up, the iPhone 16 Plus is the sweet spot with 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 big 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, 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.

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 15 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.

When you think of flip phones released in 2024, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 is probably the first one that comes to mind. But while it is worth considering, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (known as the Razr+ (2024) in some markets) is a better choice for most people.

The 4-inch, 165Hz outer screen is the main reason for this. Not only is it significantly larger than rivals, you can run any app you like on it without any complicated workarounds. The 6.9-inch, 165Hz internal display is just as impressive, with a crease that’s barely noticeable.

While not quite as good as the best camera phones, the Razr 50 Ultra’s rear cameras can take great shots in a range of environments. However, Motorola has gone for 2x telephoto rather than ultrawide lens, while the internal selfie camera isn’t very good.

But with slick software (despite some cover screen bugs), solid battery life and decent charging speeds, Motorola is onto a winner. The Z Flip 6 is better in some areas, including long software support, but the Razr is a better all-round pick for most people.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, consider the regular Razr 50 instead. And if a book-style foldable is your preference, go for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

With its size and price, it won’t be the right fit for everyone but Apple throws everything at this beast so it’s the one to get if you want to max out in all areas.

The phone builds on what Apple does best – elegant design, powerful performance, and excellent cameras. And it’s the Max that gets the best of all worlds as long as it’s not too big for you to handle on a daily basis.

While it might look almost identical to its predecessor, those upgrading from an iPhone 14 or earlier will experience a much bigger jump.

Display, photography and performance are the main perks here with a huge and stunning 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, plenty of camera tech including the new Camera Control, A18 Pro chipset and the best battery life on an iPhone.

The main downside right now, and this applied to the whole range, is that Apple Intelligence isn’t available so if this is an important element then wait until the verdict is in on Apple’s AI features.

CMF, Nothing’s sub-brand, has previously focused on wearables and audio products.

But its first attempt at a smartphone is an undoubted success, combining a fun look with solid core features and an impressively low price tag – just £209/$199.

Its design is the clear highlight, with a back panel that can easily be swapped out for a lanyard, kickstand, or card wallet, all of which CMF sells as optional extras. However, even if you don’t care about any of that stuff, the Phone 1 has strong performance and an attractive display, both of which are must-haves on a modern smartphone.

Battery life is decent, while Nothing’s unique take on Android combines a unique look with no bloatware.

The lack of NFC (and so no support for contactless payments) is the biggest potential dealbreaker, while the cameras and water resistance could do with work. Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G or A15 4G are the cheap phones to get if you value long software support, too.

But as a complete package, the CMF Phone 1 is the best all-rounder in the budget smartphone market right now.