It was the yr of telephones with superb AI, and proper off the bat, we have now to congratulate OnePlus 15 for being topped the Greatest Android cellphone of the previous yr.
I bear in mind after I had the primary OnePlus, and it was a novel expertise, however the best way the corporate has developed through the years reveals how a lot effort the corporate has put into making a cohesive model.
Greatest Android cellphone: OnePlus 15
OnePlus began as an Android fanatic model, and whereas it had a number of tough years, it has correctly redefined what “By no means Settle” means with the OnePlus 15 expertise. It is bought the quickest processor, 3-day battery life, ultrafast charging, the very best construct high quality, wonderful cameras, tons of nice options, a 165Hz show that does not skimp on high quality or eye care options, haptics you may like to really feel every single day, and 6 years of updates to come back. Oh, and a value you are going to actually respect.
Some Android Central employees argue that the OnePlus 13’s design makes it a nicer cellphone to make use of over the squarer OnePlus 15, however contemplating all the opposite upgrades, it is practically unattainable to not suggest it.
Runner-up: Google Pixel 10 Professional
Android Central employees loves Google’s imaginative and prescient of Android, so it is smart that the Pixel 10 Professional would make runner-up this yr. Whether or not you select the pocket-friendly Pixel 10 Professional or the gargantuan Pixel 10 Professional XL, you are getting a top-notch digicam system with the very best of Gemini onboard. Google very particularly targeted on the “everyman” angle for the cellphone this yr, and that comes by within the advertising and marketing and the person expertise.
It is a dead-simple expertise that is uber-friendly for ex-iPhone customers to regulate to, and it comes with loads of pleasant hints and tutorials that assist you study what a superior cellular OS ought to really feel like.
Greatest worth cellphone: CMF Cellphone 2 Professional
In a sea of middling funds telephones, Nothing’s CMF Cellphone 2 Professional shines like a brilliant mild. There isn’t something pretty much as good should you simply want a dependable cellphone that prices round $250, and the software program is, with out a shadow of a doubt, the very best you’ll see on this class. Nothing basically distilled the very best components of its high-end choices into the CMF Cellphone 2 Professional, and the result’s a funds cellphone you’ll really need to use.
No, it is a funds cellphone that’s really enjoyable. The software program clearly performs an enormous half on this; Nothing OS is uniquely totally different from each different Android interface, and the daring design and clear UI pair rather well with the {hardware}.
Runner-up: Moto G Stylus 2025
The Moto G Stylus 2025 is an effective different that brings a rugged design to this class. It isn’t as quick or doesn’t have cameras pretty much as good because the CMF Cellphone 2 Professional, but it surely lasts simply as lengthy, and the MIL-STD-810H score means it could take a beating. It even will get a 3.5mm jack, and whilst you don’t get greater than two software program updates, Motorola is doing a greater job with its UI normally, so there are not any issues as such on this space.
Greatest digicam cellphone: Google Pixel 10 Professional
Google’s Pixel telephones are virtually a shoo-in for “greatest digicam” in any given yr. The Pixel line began with the objective of being the very best, easiest-to-use digicam, and Google builds on that custom annually.
This yr, Google launched intelligent new methods to get everybody taking higher photos. From a Gemini-powered assistant that teaches you the principles of images in actual time throughout any state of affairs, to a regionally processed AI-enhanced zoom, the Pixel 10 Professional is a robust software in anybody’s pocket. Plus, the consistency of the Pixel digicam expertise means you recognize what to anticipate each time, even when the topic simply will not maintain nonetheless.
Runner-up: Oppo Discover X9 Professional
The one cause the Oppo Discover X9 Professional did not win the very best digicam award is its restricted availability. However, should you dwell in one of many international locations the place it is offered, there’s merely no higher smartphone digicam on earth. Oppo leverages its partnership with Hasselblad brilliantly on this cellphone, leading to the very best selfies, portrait pictures, and even zoomed-in pictures from its telephoto digicam. Energy customers also can snap up an exterior telephoto lens that delivers DSLR-level zoom, finishing the image of it as the final word smartphone digicam expertise.
Greatest foldable cellphone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Is that this actually a shock? Samsung lastly launched a foldable cellphone that appears prefer it belongs in 2025, and never 2022. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest foldable available on the market, powered by the very best that Qualcomm needed to supply (on the time). To not point out that Samsung nonetheless offers arguably the very best software program expertise on foldable telephones, making this one a no brainer. However I am nonetheless retaining my fingers crossed that we’ll finally see the return of S Pen assist sooner or later.
Runner-up: Honor Magic V5
Greatest flip cellphone: Motorola Razr Extremely 2025
Motorola has been stepping it up in recent times with the Razr sequence, and it’s all culminated in among the finest flip telephones we’ve ever seen this yr: the Razr Extremely 2025. Not solely does the cellphone proceed to sport a big cowl display for simple app use, but it surely additionally comes with some critically spectacular specs. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB of RAM, as much as 1TB of storage, a big battery with quick 68W charging, and extra, it nearly makes its closest competitor, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, seem like a midrange cellphone, whereas additionally rivaling the premium Galaxy S25 Extremely.
Motorola has additionally totally moved on from glass again panels, letting you select from a collection of beautiful different supplies like vegan leather-based, wooden, and Alcantara. So not solely do you get a robust flip cellphone, however a handsome one, too!
Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Most improved Android model: Samsung
Samsung confirmed that it could innovate when it must. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has an all-new design that’s considerably sleeker and lighter than its predecessors, leading to a foldable that feels a lot better to make use of. Samsung made significant adjustments to the cameras as effectively, and it isn’t simply with the foldables both: the Galaxy S25 Extremely additionally bought higher tuning this yr, and the mid-range Galaxy A gadgets bought a much-needed increase on this space.
Samsung actually showcased its innovation with the Galaxy Z TriFold; the tri-fold is legitimately fascinating, and Samsung proved that it has the know-how to convey the gadget to international markets.
