The Best New Cell Phones (2025) to Buy Now

best new cell phones 2025

Is your current phone battery dying by noon, or are you just tired of staring at that cracked screen? I feel you—it’s definitely time for an upgrade. But with so many new releases dropping left and right, trying to pick a winner can feel totally overwhelming. Don’t worry, though, because I’ve done the heavy lifting for you. In this guide, we’re going to cut through the hype and look at the best new cell phones (2025) has to offer, so you can find the perfect match for your life (and your budget).

Quick Summary

7 Best New Cell Phones of 2025

1. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max definitely stands out as one of the top phones of 2025, especially if you’re looking for a beast of a device. It’s packed with a stunning, massive 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display that gets incredibly bright—perfect for using outside—and the new A19 Pro chip is an absolute powerhouse, making everything from daily scrolling to intense gaming feel super fluid, thanks in part to the vapor chamber cooling that keeps things running smoothly. Plus, the camera system is impressive, featuring a triple 48MP setup that captures fantastic detail, and the improved 8x optical zoom is a game-changer for getting those distant shots.

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; the Pro Max is pretty expensive, and it’s also a thicker and heavier phone than its predecessor, so it might feel a bit chunky in your pocket. The switch from titanium to an aluminum frame has also been a little controversial for some people who preferred the more premium feel and scratch resistance of the older material, and some users feel that the promised Apple Intelligence features still aren’t quite as revolutionary as competitors’ AI. 

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2. Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro

If you’re a serious mobile gamer, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is absolutely a top-tier choice for 2025. This phone is a complete performance monster, rocking the super-fast Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and up to a ridiculous 24GB of RAM, making sure every game runs buttery smooth, especially on its lightning-fast 185Hz AMOLED display. Plus, it comes with dedicated gaming features like the customizable AirTriggers (which feel like console buttons!), a huge 5,800mAh battery that can handle marathon sessions, and dual USB-C ports, so you can charge easily even while gaming.

However, this powerhouse has a couple of drawbacks: its advanced camera system, while good, generally can’t quite keep up with mainstream flagships in terms of overall image quality, and Asus only promises a somewhat limited software support window (typically two major Android updates), which is a bit of a bummer for such an expensive phone. It’s also a big, heavy phone, and its gaming aesthetic might be too intense for some people’s everyday style.

3. Google Pixel 10 Pro

If you’re looking for the smartest phone of 2025, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is definitely up there, mainly because of how Google weaves its AI, powered by the new Tensor G5 chip and Gemini, into practically everything you do. You get an unparalleled, clean Android experience right out of the box, fantastic, reliable photos thanks to those top-tier 50MP cameras and legendary processing, and you can’t beat Google’s commitment to the future with a whopping seven years of OS and security updates! Plus, the addition of Qi2 magnetic charging is super convenient for accessories.

However, it’s not perfect: the raw performance of the Tensor G5 still lags behind the latest Snapdragon and Apple chips, especially for intense gaming, and the battery life is noticeably shorter than its main competitors. Charging is also not as fast as other high-end Android phones, and some users in the US might be annoyed that the phone is eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray).

4. Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) aka Razr 60 Ultra

The Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) truly stands out in 2025, especially if you’re into foldable phones that combine style with substance. This phone is all about that amazing external 4-inch OLED display that lets you do so much without even flipping it open—it’s super functional! When it’s open, you get a gorgeous, creaseless 6.9-inch foldable OLED screen that’s a joy to use, and Motorola has really nailed the design with the slimmest profile yet for a foldable. Plus, the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy chip inside gives it snappy performance for daily tasks and even decent gaming, and the improved 50MP main camera now takes truly competitive photos.

However, it’s not without its quirks: the battery life, while better, still isn’t fantastic compared to slab phones, and the Razr Ultra (2025) is still pretty pricey. While the main camera is great, the ultrawide and telephoto lenses are still a bit weak, and Motorola’s software update policy isn’t as long as some competitors, typically offering only 3 years of OS updates.

Click here to see our review!

5. OnePlus 13

The OnePlus 13 is undeniably one of the best Android phones of 2025 because it completely crushes the “fundamentals” while offering a compelling price tag. You get insane, all-day-and-then-some battery life from the huge 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery paired with blazing-fast 100W wired and 50W wireless charging—say goodbye to battery anxiety. It’s a powerhouse, thanks to the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which makes gaming feel effortless on the gorgeous QHD+ 120Hz display. Plus, the camera system is incredibly solid, featuring three great 50MP lenses that deliver consistent, high-quality Hasselblad-tuned photos.

However, it’s not without compromises: while the camera is good, its telephoto lens lacks the macro (close-focus) capability of some rivals, and the software update promise, while better than before at 4 years of OS updates, still falls short of Google and Samsung’s seven-year commitment. Also, some regional models are missing the charger in the box, which is annoying for a premium phone.

6. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is easily one of the best all-around flagships of 2025 because it just does everything at an elite level. It’s got a gorgeous, massive 6.9-inch QHD+ display with the new Gorilla Armor 2 that virtually eliminates reflections outdoors, making it the best screen you can buy. Performance is rock-solid and future-proofed with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, and Samsung matches Google’s long-term commitment with an amazing seven years of OS and security updates! The camera system is phenomenal, featuring a new 50MP ultrawide and the signature 10x/5x zoom combo for unmatched versatility, plus you still get the built-in S Pen for productivity.

However, this powerhouse comes with a few trade-offs: the 45W charging speed feels slow compared to competitors like OnePlus, and for such a pricey phone, Samsung still doesn’t include the charger in the box. Plus, despite having a slightly larger vapor chamber, some users still report that the phone can run noticeably warm during intense gaming or charging sessions.

Click here to see our review!

7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is definitely one of 2025’s most innovative phones, especially if you’re looking for the ultimate device for productivity and media consumption. It brings a stunning, truly crease-less 7.8-inch main display that’s perfect for multitasking with the improved S Pen experience, and the outer display is now wider and feels much more like a regular smartphone. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, it handles anything you throw at it, and the under-display camera on the main screen is finally good enough for video calls. Plus, Samsung matches Google with a fantastic seven years of software support.

However, all that innovation comes at a cost: it’s still super expensive, and while the camera system is good, it can’t quite match the dedicated zoom capabilities of the S25 Ultra. It’s also still a bulky and heavy device when folded, and the battery life, though improved, can still be a bit tight for heavy users, especially given its advanced charging capabilities are still limited to 45W.

Click here to see our review!

Final Recommendations and In Closing

It’s not easier to recommend a smartphone especially from this list of the best top-rated smartphones of 2025. One thing I can say is this: they are all similar in fast performance, great-looking design and have gorgeous screens. Yet if I can be honest with you, I recommend the Galaxy S25 Ultra as the all-round best smartphone for Android users. They rest are all superb smartphones but excel because of their unique quality features.       

Choosing a new phone is a big commitment, right? It’s something you carry around every single day, so you want to get it right. Hopefully, this breakdown helped clear up the confusion and pointed you toward a winner. Honestly, whether you go for the camera beast or the battery champion, you really can’t go wrong with any of these top picks.

So let’s hear from you. Which cell phone feature matters most to you this year? Is it the zoom feature or that all-day battery life? Drop us a comment below and let’s chat about it! And if you’ve made up your mind, go ahead and click the buttons above to find out more or to grab your new smartphone and start enjoying that upgrade today. Take care now. Until next time 🙂