With top-tier cameras, blazing-fast performance and more AI features at your fingertips than ever, the best Android phones allow you to customize your mobile experience. As a consumer tech editor, I’ve spent years attending phone launches and technical product briefings to learn about the latest phones. After rigorously testing more than two dozen Android phones over the last two years, I chose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as the best Android phone overall in 2025. It packs Samsung’s powerful AI engines, called Galaxy, in addition to top-tier cameras that make it stand out from the rest. But there are several additional worthy Android phones to consider, including the more petite Google Pixel 10 Pro and the more affordable OnePlus 13R.

The best Android phones are faster and more powerful in 2025 with plentiful customization options for enthusiasts.

Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers

When testing these phones, I considered and compared each device’s processing power, battery life, cameras, design and more. Here are the best Android phones, based on my firsthand testing.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is not only the best Android phone, it’s also one of the best phones on the market right now—period. Samsung removed the boxy edges in favor of curves, and it now sports a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, up from 6.8 inches thanks a slight decrease in bezels. Underneath the titanium chassis, it gets the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, upgraded over its predecessor’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset; after running multiple benchmarking tests, it blows the competition away. It also packs 12GB RAM, and you can get it in 256GB, 512GB or 1TB options.

Software Comes Packed With Galaxy AI And Gemini

But it’s not these hardware features that make it my top pick: It’s the software. Alongside its January 2025 launch at Samsung Unpacked, Samsung revealed a slew of new Galaxy AI features, including the Now Bar and Now Brief, a lock-screen notification bar and an AI-built single app page that compiles at-a-glance information including the weather and news stories, respectively. Circle to Search also received upgrades, and you can use the device to search music, even if you simply hum the tune, which I found delightful.

In addition, Samsung expanded its partnership with Google. Now you can activate Google Gemini with a long press on the power button. Just be sure to double-check its answers: When I asked what time I should leave San Jose, California to arrive at San Francisco Airport for a 10:45 a.m. flight, it told me to leave a 8:45 a.m., which was wildly off-mark when factoring in traffic. Otherwise, it’s nice to have for dinner suggestions or trip itineraries on the fly.

A New Ultrawide Camera Captures Incredible Images

But for me, the most exciting new feature is the camera set. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra adds a new 50MP ultrawide camera that takes more detailed and more colorful photos than its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Comparatively, the OnePlus 13 phone sports a 50MP ultrawide, and the Google Pixel 10 Pro has a 48MP ultrawide lens.

I pitted the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra against the S25 Ultra in photographing the Painted Ladies in San Francisco, and the S25 Ultra gave me more detail with brighter saturation. The same went for testing against the reds of the Golden Gate Bridge. For more details, read my full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review.

Nine Months Later: Still Going Strong

While I’ve tested many different Android phones over the last year (and the prior years, too), I keep returning to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as my main carry. After relying on it for nine months, I’m still impressed. I’ve left a handful of scratches on the display, but they aren’t noticeable. The battery life is impressive, too. Sometimes, as phones age, the battery life degrades, but after running around New York City all day, I still have plenty of juice left with this phone.

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The recently released Google Pixel 10 Pro is my favorite small Android phone. I love how comfortable it is to hold in my hand, especially when compared to the bulk of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It sports a 6.3-inch Super Actua display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate. And best of all, it now offers Google’s version of Qi2 charging, called Pixelsnap.

Processor Could Be Stronger But Suits Most Needs

The Google Pixel 10 Pro includes 16GB RAM and the Tensor G5 chip is strong enough to handle all of your processing needs—just don’t expect it to compete with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon processor Samsung uses or the Apple Bionic chipsets. After testing the phone for a few weeks, I found that its benchmarking numbers still fall behind the competition. You aren’t likely to notice this during daily use, even when you’re actively trying to run strong applications.

Cameras Add New AI Features

My favorite part about this phone is also the camera. The collective 50MP, 48MP and 42MP lenses capture images beautifully. I’m caught between two worlds here: On the one hand, I prefer the look of the hyper-detailed images the Google Pixel produces, but I also love the vibrant and detailed color that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers. The camera you prefer really comes down to personal preference.

To me, though, the phone’s crown jewel of its new offerings is the 100x Pro Res Zoom, a new AI-based camera software. Take a photo at up to 100X zoom, and the lens reads, registers and upscales the image to a high-quality resolution. It’s pretty revolutionary for capturing images from afar, and while I noticed some warping in a 100x zoom image of a building, it does the job well. Still, expect some limitations. It won’t upscale people or faces, but for buildings, landscapes and more, it’s a standout feature.

There’s also the new Camera Coach. When enabled, Camera Coach provides options to create an Insta-worthy image. Line up your shot and press the button, and it reads and offers options to snap a better image. When you select an image you want to recreate, it then shares step-by-step instructions, so you can snap that exact image. Read my full review of the Google Pixel 10 Pro for additional details.

OnePlus 13 is designed with IP68 and IP69 waterproofing; so during testing for my review of this phone, I actually threw it in the washing machine and dishwasher to confirm how sturdy its claim was. I don’t recommend doing this to any device, but when the OnePlus team told me to toss it in the wash, I took the risk. Sure enough, after a couple turns in each appliance, it still worked just as well as before it went through multiple wash cycles.

Battery Life Lasts The Longest, By Far

While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra sports a 5,000mAh, the OnePlus 13 goes much further with a 6,000mAh battery—the biggest available on the market by far. Even better: It doesn’t affect its weight in my hand. In addition to this massive battery under the hood, the OnePlus 13 supports MagSafe charging with its branded case. It also supports up to 100W charging. (Note that U.S. charging standards allow only up to 80W charging, but still, it’s a fast number—and at its fastest, you can get a full charge in around 45 minutes.) It’s also wireless-charging–compatible and has its own wireless charging station, sold separately.

New Camera Lenses Use A Triprism Lens

The phone’s cameras also showcase how OnePlus is transforming the camera space for the better. It features a Sony-designed 50MP main camera, a 3x 50MP triprism telephoto lens and a 50MP ultrawide lens. Tack on the Hasselblad technology and this is a very, very powerful camera set. I tested it frequently on my cat, a tabby named Toby, and reviewed the blown-up images on my 27-inch monitor. His speckled coat looked gorgeously refined in these images. The zoom consistently outperformed Samsung’s zoom, too, and this is partially because, in a nutshell, OnePlus uses AI software that deep scans the image and upscales them. It’s very impressive. I still preferred Samsung’s post-processing saturation, but OnePlus is the camera to beat, in my opinion.

I appreciated the extra camera features like Clear Burst, which captures action shots gorgeously, and Action Mode, a video feature that smoothes out videos of my cats playing so well that I feel like I’m watching a Sony-produced movie. These two features really make the OnePlus 13 a strong contender for the best Android phone overall.

Unfortunately, some of the UI features annoyed me. Grouping my apps into folders was a major pain point. Its “Shelf” feature under the Global Search bar at the top also left something to be desired; I couldn’t get it to function correctly during testing. And ultimately, that’s why it didn’t get named as the overall best Android phone. But if you’re not using AI or don’t care too much about it, then this is my favorite phone of 2025 so far.

Ten Months Later: A Crack Post-Fall But In Good Shape Overall

The cameras continue to take lovely, detailed images, and the battery life still lasts long into the night and more without needing to be recharged. Unfortunately, I did drop the OnePlus 13 during long-term testing—as I have done accidentally with many, many phones—and the bottom of the display cracked. I wish I had put a protector on it, but it is still fully functional, though I won’t be conducting any other water tests with it.

The best foldable phone on the market is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Previous iterations felt bulky and heavy, but this latest model reduces the weight—and thickness—to less than that of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is an impressive feat. But it comes at a cost: The S Pen, which I used regularly for signing lease agreements, jotting notes and more, has been removed. By removing the S Pen, the phone loses a unique feature that separated it from the competition. The digitizer layer, or the layer that supports physical writing, was removed, too, so using an S Pen on the phone wouldn’t work and could damage the display.

The Processor Is Good Enough For Most Needs

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, and benchmarking lands in between the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. While it’s not the best, these numbers tell me that extra software and display requirements simply require more processing power. I don’t mind this trade-off, ultimately, a smooth experience and all-day battery life are my priorities in a phone.

It’s also an exceptional phone for productivity, and helps it nab a top spot. Open the main display and it turns into a miniature tablet. Split the screen in two to multitask across different apps, which I found useful when reviewing incoming emails and composing new ones in Outlook, as an example.

New Hardware Upgrades Come To The Camera

Its cameras also received an upgrade with this new model: The wide lens increases from a 50MP to a 200MP lens while retaining the 2x optical quality zoom. It took Samsung a few years to finally implement this new lens, but it’s a smart upgrade. Low-light shots turned out beautifully, with impressive details and warm colors without feeling oversaturated. There’s also a new 100-degree field of view in the selfie cam to capture more people in a photograph. Still, I recommend turning the phone around and using the cover display as your selfie camera. The photographs will be crisper.

One more thing to note about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: It’s quite expensive. If you want a foldable phone at a lower price, I recommend looking at the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, but it’s a clamshell-style foldable phone, and not a booklet-style one. Read my full review on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 for more details.

The OnePlus 13R is my pick for a mid-priced Android phone. It rounds out a series of solid mobile devices the company has launched in recent months. Like the OnePlus 13, the 13R offers a ton of AI and hardware features. Even more enticing: It doesn’t require you to drop over a thousand dollars. For most people, 256B of storage is more than enough, and the same goes for the 12GB RAM. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may be a 2024 chipset, but it’s powerful enough to be used in a slew of 2024’s flagship devices. When I’ve tested it during gaming, I haven’t seen any real differences, and it’s still very speedy when I’m surfing the internet or multitasking.

Powerful Battery, Decent Cameras

It also packs that massive 6,000mAh battery life, so you can expect your device to last all day and a good chunk into the night if you’re a power-hungry user. It was one of the major perks during my testing of the device, but it wasn’t the only one.

I tested the 50MP cameras as well and was pleasantly surprised by just how good they were. OnePlus photography doesn’t do well in darker lighting, and that verdict holds up here, so that’s something to consider. Otherwise, it’s a great set, and it should more than suffice for most of your needs for posting photos on social media or taking family vacation shots.

Offers Google Gemini But Lacks MagSafe

Long-press the right button to activate Google Gemini for all of your on-the-fly questions. I found the AI integration to be a wonderful addition and impressive considering most devices that offer this feature cost at least $200 more at the time of publication. And of course, MagSafe compatibility is locked to the OnePlus 13. If you’re not worried about that, it still offers fast (wired, not wireless) charging if you need a quick boost.

Most phones of this scale can cost you $1,000 and over. The OnePlus 13R takes all of these top-of-the-line features and keeps it at $600, which feels like a feat. You can’t customize its internal RAM or storage, and you can only expect four years of software and six years of security updates, but that’s a small sacrifice for such a grand device.

Motorola’s Moto G Power is my budget pick for an Android phone. It has a pretty comfortable grip, with a snazzy, water-resistant vegan leather covering on the back. The leaf green color I received is a simply lovely hue; I wish more companies would lean into these gorgeous jewel tones. At 193 grams, it’s lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and it comes with IP68/IP69 waterproofing, which is a first for this price point and puts it in line with the OnePlus 13.

Basic Camera Set Gets The Job Done

While the design looks sleek and adds some big perks, the $300 price means you’re going to have to sacrifice some features. The result of that balance? The camera set is pretty no-frills. It does the job well enough with a 16MP front lens and a 50MP main. Tack on a 2MP macro lens and casual phone users are likely pleased with the results. After being spoiled by Samsung, Google and OnePlus, I can spot minor issues like a blurry spot on my cat’s coat, but if you’re looking to call, text, check the web and snap casual images, you’ll be happy with this phone.

Moto Actions—unique gestures on Motorola phones—are fun and intuitive. Make a chopping motion twice and your flashlight turns on or off; gently press three fingers on the display to capture a screenshot. I loved Swipe to Split, which does exactly as it sounds: It splits the display for multitasking.

Also Includes A Dedicated Gaming Mode

The Moto G’s gaming modes, called Gametime, were pretty nifty, too. I tested it on Stardew Valley and found the controls pretty responsive, and a pop-up window helps see your hardware running in real time. Viewing the CPU and RAM and the power used was useful, too, as I could adjust my gaming power for my gaming needs via three modes: Turbo, Balanced and Battery Saving.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention one more design feature: the built-in microSD card slot. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve seen a phone with expandable storage, and I’m all here for it. At 128GB, it probably won’t be enough if you’re a frequent photographer or videographer, and you should plan to tack on a microSD card.

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Other Android Phones I Tested

I’ve tested about 27 Android phones since 2023, comparing features, interfaces, benchmarking speeds and more. When a brand releases an updated or new model, I carefully review the new phone and consider how it stacks up against other smartphones on the market. Although the models below didn’t make my final list for 2025, they still offer features that may make them a good choice for you.

• OnePlus Open review(4/5 stars): My former top pick for the best foldable Android phone may be a first-gen model, but it’s one that’s well worth the investment. I personally loved testing it for reading and casual internet browsing, and I felt it showcased beautifully as a productivity device. You can split the screen to multitask; as an example, within LinkedIn you can scroll through your feed on one half and pull up a post on the other. Also, while its cameras are powerful, they could be stronger after two years on the market. As of now, you cannot find it available in the U.S.
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review(4/5 stars): I really liked the thinness of this phone, but I’m still not sure who this device works best for. The cameras are good, and the processor is certainly speedy. Its thinness keeps it lightweight, but that also comes at the cost of the battery life.
• Google Pixel 9 Pro review(4/5 stars): My former top pick for the best small Android phone features a powerful camera set and a bright 6.3-inch display—and it happens to come in a lovely shade of pink. While it’s still a great phone, the Google Pixel 10 Pro offers a stronger processor and longer battery life.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review(4/5 stars): Released in 2024, this clamshell-style foldable phone is a solid option for individuals who enjoy taking tons of pictures and videos, and people who want to take advantage of AI creativity features. However, the OnePlus Open is a better choice if you prefer a larger screen and multitasking features.
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review(4.5/5 stars): As the predecessor to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, this Samsung phone offers a similar experience as our top choice. That said, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a slightly larger display, an upgraded chip and a more detailed camera. Samsung also no longer sells the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but pre-owned options are available.
• Google Pixel 8 review(4/5 stars): This Android phone is the 2023 version of Google’s flagship mobile device. As the older sibling to the Google Pixel 9, it has a solid camera and a sophisticated, yet lightweight design. However, the newer Pixel 9 has improved specs, making it a better overall choice for most people.
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus (4.3/5 stars): The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is a great phone if you’re seeking a balance of price and performance. It’s not quite as large as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and its cameras produce detailed images. But while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 50MP ultrawide camera lens, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus only offers a 12MP ultrawide lens. It still takes good pictures, but if you want the absolute best camera set, opt for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Review (4.5/5 stars): If you want a compact device but don’t want to spend $2,000 on a phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a great option. The new Flex Window, or cover display, stretches across the entire top panel so you can enjoy a larger display for sending text messages, the weather and other notifications without opening the device. For the first time ever, DeX software, which essentially turns your phone into a mini PC, comes to the Flip series to help you be more productive on the go.
• Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold(Rating TBD): The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold just launched at the Made By Google 2025 event. While it has the potential to unseat the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 as the best foldable Android phone, further testing is needed to determine my full verdict. As soon as I’ve finished testing the device, I’ll share my findings here, so stay tuned.

How I Tested The Best Android Phones

I put each Android device on this list through its paces. I used each device for at least one week—and often, more than several weeks or for months in the case of the winners—taking calls, snapping photos and more. I also keep tabs on the latest developments in the industry by regularly attending Android press events.

In January 2025, I was on the ground in San Jose, California at the 2025 Samsung Unpacked event and at the brand’s July event in Brooklyn. In California, I attended multiple forums to learn more about the new Galaxy AI features available in the top pick, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. I have also been an attendee at numerous Google briefings and events like its recent Made By Google event to learn more about its Android devices, including the Google Pixel 10 Pro. Additionally, I went to a slew of OnePlus briefings, both virtually and in person, to understand more about the hardware and software packed into each device.

Because there are countless Android phones on the market, our team makes sure to evaluate each contender by a specific set of criteria. Below is a breakdown of the categories our team tests when determining the best Android phones of 2025.

Performance

I carefully reviewed each Android phone’s specs, taking into account processors, RAM and overall build quality. From there, I narrowed down my choices, considering various needs, from a casual user to a dedicated mobile gamer who requires a powerful vapor chamber and processor for the best gaming experience. I also considered those who may want to jump into the foldable lineup, too.

Because most phones have become speedy and responsive, I also benchmark or compare their speed them using Geekbench 6. Essentially, this software stress tests the processors to see how they quickly and efficiently they handle intensive applications. It’s very similar to how you may multitask when using your phone. At the end of the stress test, the processors receive two numbers, one for single-core testing, and one for testing multiple cores; and the higher the number, the more easily the processor can address and handle heavy applications.

AI Integration

In addition to the hardware, I placed a heavy focus on each Android device’s AI integrations, using each device’s latest features, from the new Now Brief on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to Google Gemini on the OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R and more to see how each mobile device performed under various tests.

Camera Quality

I put the cameras through their paces, cross-testing each lens against one another under a variety of circumstances. While many of these cameras made their way around the world for testing, including Mexico, France and more, I mainly tested the cameras around New York City. I also used my three cats and husband as models for testing portrait shots on each device.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team has published hundreds of tech and electronics guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research.

• Author Rebecca Isaacs has been involved in tech journalism for more than six years and is the Forbes Vetted consumer tech and electronics editor. She has done deep dives into the Apple ecosystem with the iPhone 16 Pro and has tested most Android phones on the market. Most recently, she tested and reviewed the best Samsung phones. She regularly attends tech events, including CES.
• Isaacs has been testing phones for several years. For this story, she started testing Android phones in July 2023 and rigorously tests each new model, often for months, as they roll out.
• As she tests phones, Isaacs focuses on aspects of interest to everyone, from folks who prefer a simple call-and-text device to heavy mobile gamers who want a powerful and seamless experience. As a result, her testing is relevant to how general users, gamers and content creators may interact with these phones.
• To gain further insights to Android phones, Isaacs also tapped unbiased experts to learn more about these devices. In particular, she spoke with Jeremy Rambarran, professor at Touro University Graduate School of Technology.

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Android Phone

Let’s be honest—we all spend more time on our phone than we’d like to admit. Whether your screen time consists of taking calls, scrolling socials or snapping pics, it’s important that your Android phone aligns with your specific needs. To help find the right Android phone for you, we outlined the top factors to consider, below:

Build Quality

If you’re accident-prone or simply want an extra-sturdy phone, opt for a waterproof option like the OnePlus 13, which holds the highest levels of waterproofing a phone can have (IP68 and IP69). As a whole, most Android phones are made with high-quality materials such as titanium, aluminum and Gorilla glass.

Performance And Software

Although all phones from Google, Samsung and OnePlus run Android OS, the individual user interfaces and hardware create a unique experience for each device. The interface on Google phones is more streamlined and minimalistic than that of Samsung phones, which prioritize rich features and customizations. Each brand also receives software updates and security support at different rates. “Google phones get the fastest updates, while Samsung offers longer-term support,” says Rambarran.

Display

There are three key components to consider when looking at an Android’s display: screen size, resolution and refresh rate. As the name suggests, screen size refers to the dimensions of the display. The best Android phones range from 6.3- to 7.8-inches, with the large models being a top choice for people who frequently game or watch movies on their phone. To take full advantage of the screen’s size, it also needs to be crisp and easy to read without lagging—this is where resolution and refresh rate come into play. In general, a resolution of at least 1,440p and a refresh rate of 120Hz is a safe bet for a sharp display that won’t jerk or shutter as you scroll.

Photography

While any phone can take an average-looking selfie, the best Android phones are fitted with advanced photography features that can adjust for different lighting and contrast levels, so you can take vivid pictures in nearly any scenario. Some Android phones also come with image stabilization features that help minimize the effects of shaky hands. If you’re seeking a top-notch camera, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Google Pixel 10 Pro are solid contenders for your next device, as they have best-in-class camera systems that capture images beautifully.