Top 10 Android Mobile Phones of 2025. Following the launch of the first flagships of some of the major mobile phone brands, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the OnePlus 13 or the realme GT7 Pro, 2025 points to a year of continuity in practically all phone models to the point that it is very easy to recommend many 2024 phones, which have not become obsolete and which win against the new versions for the simple reason that they are dropping their price between 200 and 600 euros, which now makes them affordable options for a wider audience.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage for 1,049 euros , 500 euros below its starting price and with six years of updates to its operating system ahead, is, in this sense, a better buy than the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in the same configuration for 1,459 euros, no matter how much better mobile the latter is (which it is). The same goes for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus in the same configuration, for example, which you can easily find for 877 euros. The 512GB Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus costs 1,279 euros, or 1,159 euros with a discount.

Across all ranges, not just the high-end, there are better phones in 2025, with more capable processors (not just the Snapdragon 8 Elite) and better battery life (many of the premium models already have 6000 mAh batteries), with more AI capabilities, but with practically the same form factors . Although many models are now thinner, the 2024 and 2025 designs are very similar. We will have to wait until the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026 to see the new Slim models, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim that Samsung showed at its Unpacked in January, but it is more of an experiment with a new product category to try to open the market (as with foldable devices) than a radical change in the main devices on the market in the short and medium term.

What features should a good Android mobile phone have in 2025?

I sincerely believe, after having tested the new 2025 models, that the market has not yet found a generative AI feature that is practical enough to be an element that inclines me to recommend one model over another . I prefer good performance, with more RAM, more storage capacity and a good quality-price ratio than a mobile phone with AI.

There are more and more Android phones that incorporate Artificial Intelligence tools to improve the user experience, but there is no essential functionality in any of the models. Not to mention that the market is moving towards subscription models for the most interesting AI features, which will make it difficult for Generative AI to penetrate. The small print of AI is that you only get 6 free months of the most interesting features.

I am telling you all this because I think it is important when going out into the market to look for a model. After two years of declines, the mobile phone market began to grow again in 2024, motivated by the need of many users (like you) to renew their models.

It’s hard to find any differentiating elements in the mid- and high-end ranges in 2025. All models come with a bright and sharp screen, preferably OLED with a high refresh rate, such as 120 Hz. They also come with a fast and powerful processor, such as the Snapdragon, MediaTek or Google Tensor chips.

These chips allow for smooth and fast performance in everyday tasks, as well as in demanding games. Depending on the phone, it will heat up more or less. We also find RAM that reaches 12GB in the simplest models in the premium range (this to support AI within the devices, from which any other process of the phone benefits on a day-to-day basis). And now you will find few 200 euro phones that do not have at least 8GB of RAM.

The same can be said for cameras. It’s hard to find a phone in 2025 for over €800 that doesn’t have a versatile camera system with multiple lenses for different situations (although I’ll also tell you that the price will depend on the quality of the secondary cameras). Megapixels are important for detail, but image processing software is key to getting good results (that’s where AI really plays a big role in 2025, but it’s not just doing it now, it’s been doing it for a decade). Most high-end models stand out for their photography capabilities with high-resolution sensors and additional AI features.

You can no longer find any high-end mobile phone with a battery that doesn’t last long and allows you to use the phone all day long. Some models offer high-capacity batteries, such as 6000 mAh, which are being used by a few models and will be added in the future.

Finally, any high-end model already offers between four and seven years of updates. If we take into account that the average lifespan of a mobile phone in Spain is 36 months, this is more than enough. The great advantage of these longer update periods is that it allows you to safely bet on cheaper 2024 models.

Which Android mobile phone offers the best value for money in 2025

The Samsung Galaxy S24, Xiaomi Mi 14, and Google Pixel 9 offer the best value for money heading into 2025. These phones combine competitive pricing with high-end features . They range from $700 to $800 depending on configuration, and offer bright OLED displays, fast processors, useful AI features, and the best cameras on an Android smartphone in that price range. Plus, they get security updates through 2030 (the Pixel 9 through fall 2031).

Even though the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is also an excellent phone, with a sharp 1440p display, a commitment to updates that stretch into 2031, and all-day battery life, it’s priced at €877 (£749) with a discount, putting it in a higher price range than the Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S24, and Xiaomi 14.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — the most powerful Android phone alongside the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, OnePlus 13, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — is priced at an even higher €1,049 (£1,049) with a discount, making the Pixel 9, Xiaomi 14, and Samsung Galaxy S24 more compelling options in terms of value for money unless you’re looking for a bigger screen. There are more options that we like, however, depending on your budget.

SAMSUNG Galaxy S24 Ultra

Pros	Cons
+ Screen + Performance + Very Practical Pen	x Older Design

Size	18.8 x 11.3 x 6.7cm; 590g
Processor Screen	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy 6.8” / 3120×1440 / QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Although the new Galaxy S25 Ultra that Samsung has just launched introduces significant improvements in performance, camera and AI features in the brand’s top of the range, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to be a very powerful and now more affordable option, 500 euros below its starting price and the same distance from the new model.

For me, it is a better option in terms of quality-price insofar as the new model does not really offer that much, it changes its form factor and is more expensive. While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra seeks to be the best in terms of artificial intelligence, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out for equally powerful performance, a screen and photography, but also for its more advanced S Pen (even if you do not use its features), all at a lower price. We are talking about a mobile phone that still has six years of updates ahead of it. And, in addition, at the moment, it is capable of offering the same AI as the S25 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a more rounded design with a titanium frame, being thinner and lighter than its predecessor, albeit with a larger 6.9-inch display. The S24 Ultra has a design with flat, non-rounded edges. The S25 Ultra uses the new Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass. Additionally, the S25 Ultra has a 6.9-inch display, while the S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch display. The S24 Ultra has an AMOLED display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate, 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution (upgradable to 3120 x 1440), and a peak brightness of up to 2600 nits.

While the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution out of the box, you can bump that up to 3120 x 1440. It also offers up to 2,600 nits of maximum brightness. It’s one of the most satisfying experiences I’ve had with a high-end phone, highly resistant to glare in sunlight, although it’s also true that cranking up the brightness to maximum takes a toll on the battery.

The mid-range model in Samsung’s S line, the Galaxy S24+, also has a 6.7-inch display with the same resolution and maximum brightness as the Ultra, but you give up the Pen, which I think makes all the difference. It far exceeds the 1,750 nits of the 2023 S23 Ultra, and while it’s below the 3,000 nits of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, I like the S24 Ultra’s display better. What it does leave behind are the 2,400 nits of the Pixel 8 Pro and the 2,000 nits of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery that charges at up to 45W via cable or 15W wirelessly. Reverse wireless charging is also available at 7.5W. In my tests (at maximum brightness and with HD videos), I got 15 hours in real life. It doesn’t reach the 20 hours of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, or the 18 of the OnePlus 12, which still has the best battery life on an Android, but you’ll get more than a day without charging it.

On the back of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, you’ve got four cameras: a 200MP f/1.7 main camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 12MP f/2.2 wide-angle camera, a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto camera with 3x zoom, and a 50MP f/3.4 telephoto camera with 5x zoom and OIS. The main camera and the 50MP zoom use pixel binning to create detailed 12MP images.

The 2023 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a very similar setup, but it sports a 10MP telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom instead of the 50MP 5x telephoto lens. Our tests for the magazine showed them to be exactly the same.

Google Pixel 9 (12+256GB)

The Google Pixel 9 is a phone that seeks to balance premium features with a competitive price. While it loses some advanced features and the telephoto camera found on the Pro model, the entry-level Pixel 9 offers a good overall experience with AI capabilities and an outstanding main camera. At €749, the 256GB model is recommendable. Above that price, its value is compromised by the existence of cheaper options and the more complete Pro model.

The Pixel 9 shares the same design and size as the Pixel 9 Pro, but it has less RAM (12GB vs 16GB on the Pro), offers a slightly less sharp and bright display, forgoes a telephoto camera, doesn’t include Google’s Gemini Advanced subscription, and skips a few camera features like improved zoom, full-resolution capture, and pro controls.

The Pixel 9 is, however, equipped with Google’s Tensor G4 chip, the same one found in the Pixel 9 Pro. While it has less RAM (12GB), performance in daily use is comparable to the Pro model, and doesn’t seem to limit performance in apps or AI features, in my opinion. Battery life is very good, lasting around two days between charges. It fully charges in just over 80 minutes with a 27W or higher USB-C charger (not included).

The Pixel 9 runs Google’s latest Gemini Nano AI models. It comes with apps like Screenshots (which makes screenshots searchable) and Pixel Studio (for generating images from text). It also has access to Google Photos’ advanced AI editing features, like auto-reframing and “reimagining” photos using text prompts. Unlike the Pixel 9 Pro, though, it doesn’t include a one-year subscription to Gemini Advanced, which is required to access the Gemini Live conversational AI experience. You do still get free access to the standard version of Gemini, though.

Pros	Cons	Size	Processor	Screen
Performance	You give up the Pro’s telephoto	15.28 x 7.2 x 0.85 cm; 190g.	Google Tensor G4 Chip.	6.3″ Actua Screen
Updates until 2031
Camera

Xiaomi 14 5G (12+512GB)

Now that you can find a Xiaomi 14 with 512GB of internal storage for 300 euros below its starting price, I am inclined to recommend it over the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Beyond the price drop, the Xiaomi 14 has a more compact and lighter design. Its dimensions are 152.8mm x 71.5mm x 8.2mm and it weighs 193 grams, compared to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s dimensions of 161.4mm x 75.3mm x 9.2mm and a weight of 219.8 grams. This difference in size and weight makes the Xiaomi 14 more comfortable to carry in your pocket and to use with one hand.

The design of the Xiaomi 14 includes a slightly curved back that makes it easier to grip for long periods. This ergonomic design contributes to a more comfortable and less tiring user experience.

The Xiaomi 14’s fast charging performance is better. Although both models share the 90W fast charging capability, the Xiaomi 14 can reach a full charge in just 31 minutes using the boost mode. This slightly faster charging time can be an advantage for users who need to recharge their device quickly.

While the Xiaomi 14’s camera system isn’t as advanced as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s, it offers great photo quality with the 23mm main lens, a 75mm telephoto lens, and the 14mm ultra-wide-angle lens. For those who don’t need all the extra capabilities of the Ultra’s system, the Xiaomi 14’s simpler system is more than sufficient and easy to use.

Pros	Cons	Size	Processor	Screen
Screen quality		15.28 x 7.2 x 0.85 cm; 190g	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	AMOLED 6.36 2670 x 1200 pixels
Performance
Design

Xiaomi 14T Pro (12+512GB)

In my opinion, the 14T Pro stands out for its camera system, especially its 50MP main camera with a 1-inch sensor and a professional Leica optical lens. This sensor is the same as the one on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which I think gives it an advantage in image quality and low-light performance compared to many competing phones. It also has a 50MP telephoto camera with up to 5x optical zoom, allowing for greater clarity at higher zoom levels.

The zoom is fine, but it didn’t give me the experience of Samsung or the last two generations of Pixel Pro.

The 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 2712 x 1220 resolution has a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4000 nits, offering an excellent experience when you’re editing photos. This display is competitive with those on other high-end phones.

The MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor is a discrete chip, to the extent that it can have a performance similar to the MediaTek Dimensity 833 Ultra of the Xiaomi 14T, but it keeps the temperature under control with intensive use. It also helps in battery consumption (this mobile has a 5000 mAh battery). The proposal of this mobile is rounded off with fast charging: 120W with cable and 50W wireless.

Is it worth spending 120 euros more on the Xiaomi 14T Pro (220 euros for the 1TB storage model)? Given that both models will have updates until 2030, both are a good investment. What you have to see is what you are willing to pay for.

The only model of the 14T on offer is the 512GB one for 549 euros, the usual price of the 256GB model. At that price it is 129 euros for the 14T Pro with the same ROM and 220 euros for the 14T Pro with 1TB of storage. The main differences between the Xiaomi 14T and the 14T Pro are divided between the processor, the camera, wireless charging and some design aspects. I will not go back to the chip because I have already told you.

The 14T Pro has the capacity for 50W wireless charging, while the 14T does not offer this function. Additionally, the 14T Pro has a fast charging capacity of up to 120W, while the 14T reaches up to 67W.

Design-wise, the 14T Pro has a subtly curved back, while the 14T is flat at the back. The 14T Pro feels heavier, but it feels more premium built to me. I don’t think this will make a difference.

The differences are significant in photography. The 14T Pro has a 50MP main camera with a 1-inch image sensor, similar to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and an f/1.6 aperture.

The 14T has a Sony IMX906 sensor with a slightly smaller f/1.7 aperture. The 14T Pro also has a 50MP telephoto camera that offers up to 5x optical zoom, while the 14T’s goes up to 4x optical zoom, and has a smaller aperture.

The 14T Pro, in particular, has better low-light performance, while the 14T can suffer from blur and grain in these conditions. The 14T Pro also offers more clarity at zoom levels beyond 4x.

The 14T Pro can record 8K video, while the 14T is limited to 4K.

In both cases, both devices come with a considerable amount of bloatware (unwanted pre-installed apps) that need to be uninstalled. And both come with HyperOS and can already be upgraded to HyperOS 2 (with Android 15).

Pros	Cons	Size	Processor	Screen
Night photography for this price	Normal speakers	20.2 x 9.6 x 7.4 cm; 209 g	MediaTek Dimensity 9300+	6.67 inches with ultra-narrow bezel design and 1.5K resolution
Performance
Design

ONEPLUS 13 5G (16+512GB)

On the OnePlus 13 5G, you’ll find a 6.82-inch ProXDR LTPO 4.1 display with a resolution of 3,168 by 1,440 pixels and a density of 510 ppi. Its maximum brightness reaches 4,500 nits, surpassing its competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (2,600 nits) and the Pixel 9 Pro XL (3,000 nits). It has a 6,000 mAh battery that offers brutal duration, surpassing most of the Android phones I’ve tested.

During the three weeks that I’ve had it in my hands, it has had a consistent autonomy, reaching two days with basic use. Pressing it, I have reached 24 hours and 30 minutes playing a video on a loop, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Pixel 9 Pro XL offered me 15 hours and 12 hours, respectively. It has 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, both wired and wireless, although if you are interested, you have to buy the charger separately.

Wired charging takes the phone from 0% to 100% in 40 minutes.

Inside the mobile you have the star processor of 2025, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, which offers better performance than the Samsung Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (Tensor G4), which are, in terms of price, its most direct competitors (also the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, 500 euros above, and the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, 500 and 600 euros above).

In tests in Geekbench 6, for example, the OnePlus 13 scores more than 2,900 points in a single core and exceeds 9,100 in multi-core, while the Samsung mobile falls below 2,300 and 7,200 and the Google one does not reach 1,700 and 4,500, respectively.

OnePlus’ flagship phone features a camera system co-developed with Hasselblad, with three 50MP sensors on the back, including a main sensor, a telephoto sensor, and an ultra-wide-angle sensor. The front camera is 32MP.

I’ve liked it in my time with it, but I haven’t found it to be much different than other flagships from other brands, such as Samsung (I’ve only tested the S24 Ultra, so I can’t speak to the S25 Ultra yet), Google (I’ve tested the Pixel 9 Pro), Realme (I’ve played around with the Realme G7 Pro at the same time as the OnePlus 13), Apple (I’ve tested it against the iPhone 16 Pro), and Xiaomi (I personally like the results of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which came out in May 2024, better).

It comes with the OxygenOS 15 operating system based on Android 15. However, the software support is shorter than that of Google and Samsung, but similar to other brands, as it offers four years of OS updates and six years of security updates, while the competition offers seven years.

Pros	Cons	Size	Processor	Screen
Photograph	Zoom doesn’t excite us	16.29 x 7.65 x 0.85 cm; 210 g	Snapdragon 8 Elite	6.82″ QHD ProXDR 2K at 120Hz, 510 PPI
Very good calibration of the panels
Smaller camera module than the OnePlus 12