If there’s one ongoing discussion in the tech world that always grabs attention, it’s the Android vs iPhone debate. Many individuals have strong opinions on which is the ‘best’, but the reality is that the answer varies for each person. If you already own Apple products, then an iPhone is undoubtedly the best choice.
However, as seen in our comprehensive roundup of the best phones overall, most of them run on Android. This is logical because while Apple is the sole company that produces devices running on iOS, there are numerous Android phone manufacturers, each offering a variety of models.
Nevertheless, this abundance of choices can make the decision-making process more challenging. In this article, we aim to simplify the process of selecting the right phone for you. We have evaluated and ranked the top 10 Android phones currently available, along with detailed buying advice at the end of the page.
While there are some more affordable options listed here, if you have a specific budget in mind, you can refer to our separate guides on the best budget phones and best mid-range phones.
Best Android phones 2025
1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Best overall
Pros
- Top-tier performance
- Impressive cameras
- Gorgeous anti-reflective screen
- The most advanced AI around
- Slick software experience
Cons
- Charging still only 45W
- S Pen has no Bluetooth
- Expensive
Price When Reviewed:
From $1,299.99
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a slightly improved version of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which we named the best Android phone of 2024. Therefore, despite the lack of upgrades, it’s only fitting that the S25 Ultra retains its position at the top.
In essence, the improvements come down to Qualcomm’s latest top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, an enhanced 50Mp ultrawide camera, and an anti-reflective coating on the 6.9-inch, 120Hz OLED display. Performance, cameras, and display were already key strengths of the previous phone, but these minor upgrades mean Samsung is still leading the way in terms of premium hardware.
However, the S25 Ultra is arguably even more impressive when it comes to software. Samsung’s One UI 7 skin over Android 15 is as smooth as it gets, adding some genuinely useful AI features not found on Pixel phones. You also get a leading commitment to seven years of OS and security updates.
Battery life is decent, but maximum charging speeds of 45W will disappoint many people. Samsung has also downgraded its S Pen stylus by removing Bluetooth support, yet the high price tag remains unchanged.
If you can afford it, this is the best Android phone out there. However, cheaper alternatives, including the Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25, might better suit you.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review
2. OnePlus 13 – Best design
Pros
- Stellar performance
- Great user experience with nice AI additions
- Incredible battery life
- Super-fast charging
Cons
- Some camera niggles
