My finest cellphone buy of 2025 is not an Android in any case

I’m a staunch believer that the iPhone vs Android debate has gone on far too lengthy. The 2 ecosystems have matured sufficient that the distinction between them isn’t about options anymore, however about persona. Neither is best or worse than the opposite (circumstances apply, relying on who you’re asking). I’m personally at a degree the place I wouldn’t side-eye anybody for selecting one over the opposite for no matter purpose.

The yr 2025 has been unbelievable for the Android world — there have been so many nice telephones launched this yr that you can go over every one among them, drooling. The newly launched OnePlus 15 comes with such an enormous battery (with super-fast charging!) that you can run it for 2 days straight with out topping up within the center. The Pixels double down on their AI sport, and there appears no trying again at this level.

I obtained to play with a bunch of telephones this yr, and I even purchased myself a pair, together with the Pixel 10. Nonetheless, I’ve no reservations in saying that I like the opposite cellphone higher — and it’s obtained a fruit brand on its again.

All via the yr, we’d been listening to concerning the redesigned iPhone 17 Professional with its abnormally massive digicam plateau, together with the super-thin iPhone Air. However there was little chatter concerning the base iPhone 17. For me — and I think for lots of people — it’s by far the most effective iPhone deal, and I’d exit and say with utmost duty that it’s even the most effective iPhone to get this yr.

And folks don’t want me to proclaim that. The demand for the cellphone is so excessive that I needed to get my identify in line, observe up with a number of shops in my metropolis simply to get a unit for myself. That’s once I mentioned I’d decide up no matter coloration was obtainable; it virtually felt prefer it was being smuggled from behind closed storefronts.

I already knew how a lot of an improve it was over the iPhone 16 on paper, nevertheless it’s solely after laying my palms on the cellphone that I realised how good a handset it’s total. I’m solely rising fonder of the iPhone 17 by the day. And the rationale for that isn’t some flashy characteristic that has stored me hooked — it’s the fundamentals that really feel so sorted now that I’m recommending it to folks left, proper, and heart.

Apple hasn’t obtained any showy AI options that make folks’s heads flip — and no, I’m not going to think about Apple Intelligence as one thing corresponding to what Pixels have with Gemini. Not even remotely shut.

However the very first thing that makes the iPhone 17 really feel that significantly better is its excessive refresh fee display screen, particularly should you’re coming from an older iPhone. I do know it’s lengthy overdue, and it might very effectively be expectation anchoring at play, however even accounting for that, the cellphone feels so much smoother should you’re upgrading from an older base iPhone. For me, although, the opposite issues matter a teeny bit extra.

The razor-thin bezels surrounding the show might not draw lots of consideration to themselves, however as soon as you turn to one thing else, it feels such as you’ve severely downgraded. That’s precisely how I really feel with the Pixel 10. It isn’t dangerous by any means, nevertheless it nonetheless has comparatively thicker bezels than its Professional siblings, which makes it really feel like a lesser cellphone, regardless that it isn’t in some ways. Notion makes or breaks the expertise, and Apple completely nailed it on this entrance.

Whereas there are a number of different upgrades, what notably caught my eye is the Middle Stage digicam. That entrance digicam makes it a lot simpler to take panorama photographs with out requiring bizarre hand gymnastics. It’s an absolute game-changer. And whereas taking video calls, the cellphone mechanically reframes me as I transfer round, with out distortion or any noticeable drop in high quality. It’s one characteristic I instantly began on the lookout for on my different telephones and MacBook. I would like it on each single machine I personal.

All these Professional options make the iPhone 17 really feel so Professional that the precise Professional doesn’t really feel Professional sufficient or well worth the Professional tax anymore. That’s my Professional tip as this yr involves an finish.

That’s to not say I’m throwing away my Pixels for good. They’re staying with me — my Androids don’t have to really feel insecure subsequent to the iPhone’s polish; they’ve obtained their very own strengths to flaunt.

Interface-wise as effectively, Google has many extra tips up its sleeve, they usually’re way more sensible. Precise multitasking exists on Android telephones, whereas the iPhone nonetheless doesn’t allow you to open two apps aspect by aspect in 2025 — and certain gained’t for the higher a part of 2026 both. And the way can I neglect notifications? It’s probably the most irritating factor to cope with once I’m on the Apple aspect. It irks me a lot in the course of the first few days that I’ve to actively struggle the urge to leap again to Android mid-testing.

I’m lucky sufficient to expertise the most effective of each side for work and know precisely what works higher the place. I’ve consciously stored myself from indulging in all of the ecosystem benefits (learn: traps) that might convert me for good. And to assist me with that, I can’t thank Google sufficient for making interoperability attainable, particularly with current AirDrop-like parity. If Google and Apple might work out a means to enhance the cross-platform expertise additional, it might let folks select what works finest for them as a substitute of being compelled to stay with a single model.

I do know that’s not an awesome enterprise resolution, however I’m right here to advocate for customers, not manufacturers. I nonetheless have my complaints with the Pixel 10 this yr, and I genuinely discover the iPhone 17 to be probably the most full, well-rounded cellphone for these on the opposite aspect of the fence. That’s the truth we’re now dwelling in proper now. It might change subsequent yr with their respective follow-ups — however my verdict for 2025 is out.