It was the year of phones with amazing AI, and right off the bat, we have to congratulate OnePlus 15 for being crowned the Best Android phone of the past year.
I remember when I had the first OnePlus, and it was a unique experience, but the way the company has evolved over the years shows how much effort the company has put into creating a cohesive brand.
Best Android phone: OnePlus 15
OnePlus started as an Android enthusiast brand, and while it had a few rough years, it has properly redefined what “Never Settle” means with the OnePlus 15 experience. It’s got the fastest processor, 3-day battery life, ultrafast charging, the best build quality, excellent cameras, tons of great features, a 165Hz display that doesn’t skimp on quality or eye care features, haptics you’ll love to feel every day, and six years of updates to come. Oh, and a price you’re going to really appreciate.
Some Android Central staff argue that the OnePlus 13’s design makes it a nicer phone to use over the squarer OnePlus 15, but considering all the other upgrades, it’s nearly impossible not to recommend it.
Runner-up: Google Pixel 10 Pro
Android Central staff loves Google’s vision of Android, so it makes sense that the Pixel 10 Pro would make runner-up this year. Whether you choose the pocket-friendly Pixel 10 Pro or the gargantuan Pixel 10 Pro XL, you’re getting a top-notch camera system with the best of Gemini onboard. Google very specifically focused on the “everyman” angle for the phone this year, and that comes through in the marketing and the user experience.
This is a dead-simple experience that’s uber-friendly for ex-iPhone users to adjust to, and it comes with plenty of friendly hints and tutorials that help you learn what a superior mobile OS should feel like.
Best value phone: CMF Phone 2 Pro
In a sea of middling budget phones, Nothing’s CMF Phone 2 Pro shines like a bright light. There isn’t anything as good if you just need a reliable phone that costs around $250, and the software is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best you’ll see in this category. Nothing essentially distilled the best parts of its high-end offerings into the CMF Phone 2 Pro, and the result is a budget phone you’ll actually want to use.
No, this is a budget phone that’s actually fun. The software obviously plays a big part in this; Nothing OS is uniquely different from every other Android interface, and the bold design and clean UI pair really well with the hardware.
Runner-up: Moto G Stylus 2025
The Moto G Stylus 2025 is a good alternative that brings a rugged design to this category. It isn’t as fast or doesn’t have cameras as good as the CMF Phone 2 Pro, but it lasts just as long, and the MIL-STD-810H rating means it can take a beating. It even gets a 3.5mm jack, and while you don’t get more than two software updates, Motorola is doing a better job with its UI in general, so there are no problems as such in this area.
Best camera phone: Google Pixel 10 Pro
Google’s Pixel phones are practically a shoo-in for “best camera” in any given year. The Pixel line started with the goal of being the best, easiest-to-use camera, and Google builds on that tradition each year.
This year, Google introduced clever new ways to get everyone taking better pictures. From a Gemini-powered assistant that teaches you the rules of photography in real time across any scenario, to a locally processed AI-enhanced zoom, the Pixel 10 Pro is a powerful tool in anyone’s pocket. Plus, the consistency of the Pixel camera experience means you know what to expect every time, even if the subject just won’t hold still.
Runner-up: Oppo Find X9 Pro
The only reason the Oppo Find X9 Pro didn’t win the best camera award is its limited availability. But, if you live in one of the countries where it’s sold, there’s simply no better smartphone camera on earth. Oppo leverages its partnership with Hasselblad brilliantly on this phone, resulting in the best selfies, portrait shots, and even zoomed-in shots from its telephoto camera. Power users can also snap up an external telephoto lens that delivers DSLR-level zoom, completing the picture of it as the ultimate smartphone camera experience.
Best foldable phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Is this really a surprise? Samsung finally released a foldable phone that looks like it belongs in 2025, and not 2022. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest foldable on the market, powered by the best that Qualcomm had to offer (at the time). Not to mention that Samsung still provides arguably the best software experience on foldable phones, making this one a no-brainer. But I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll eventually see the return of S Pen support in the future.
Runner-up: Honor Magic V5
Best flip phone: Motorola Razr Ultra 2025
Motorola has been stepping it up in recent years with the Razr series, and it’s all culminated in one of the best flip phones we’ve ever seen this year: the Razr Ultra 2025. Not only does the phone continue to sport a large cover screen for easy app use, but it also comes with some seriously impressive specs. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, a large battery with fast 68W charging, and more, it almost makes its closest competitor, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, look like a midrange phone, while also rivaling the premium Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Motorola has also fully moved on from glass back panels, letting you choose from a selection of lovely alternative materials like vegan leather, wood, and Alcantara. So not only do you get a powerful flip phone, but a good-looking one, too!
Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Most improved Android brand: Samsung
Samsung showed that it can innovate when it needs to. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has an all-new design that’s significantly sleeker and lighter than its predecessors, resulting in a foldable that feels much better to use. Samsung made meaningful changes to the cameras as well, and it isn’t just with the foldables either: the Galaxy S25 Ultra also got better tuning this year, and the mid-range Galaxy A devices got a much-needed boost in this area.
Samsung truly showcased its innovation with the Galaxy Z TriFold; the tri-fold is legitimately interesting, and Samsung proved that it has the know-how to bring the device to global markets.
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