What’s the Best Mobile Phone?

Ah, smartphones. The little pocket rectangles we simply can’t live without. Every year, they get shinier, faster, and (somehow) even more expensive. Whether you're after the latest AI wizardry, the best camera (even if 99% of your photos are just of your cat), or just a phone that won’t die before lunch, we’ve got you covered. Here are what we believe are the five best mobile phones in 2025, including which is the best iPhone, which is the best camera phone, followed by how to get the best deals on iPhone and Android mobiles in the UK.

1. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Still the king of the premium phone market, Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max is essentially a mini supercomputer with a camera so good it makes professional photographers nervous.

The new A18 Pro chip delivers blistering speeds, battery life is the best it’s ever been (Apple has made some strides in this area in the last few years after being a bit underwhelming previously), and Apple’s AI-powered features now predict what you want before you even want it. Slightly terrifying, but undeniably useful.

Pros: Ridiculously good camera, powerful chip, seamless iOS experience. The best iPhone with the best camera.

Cons: Costs more than Oasis tickets. Still no plug-head with the charger cable.

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2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

For those who want an Android phone that does everything, the S25 Ultra is the go-to choice. The 200MP camera captures details sharper than perhaps is even necessary, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip ensures a lightning-fast experience.

Plus, the S Pen is still here for those who like to doodle or pretend they’re doing important work.

Pros: Stunning display, top-tier performance, S Pen for creative types. Well-supported for security updates. The best Samsung phone, and the best Android phone camera.

Cons: Feels like carrying a small tablet.

UK Starting Price: £1,249

3. Google Pixel 9 Pro

Google’s Pixel phones have always been about the camera, and the 9 Pro is no exception.

Thanks to AI wizardry, even your worst shots come out looking like they belong in a gallery.

It’s also the best Android phone for software updates, meaning your phone will be more secure for longer than with many other brands. Nice!

The new Tensor G4 chip isn’t quite as fast as Apple’s, but unless you’re editing 8K videos on your phone (and let’s face it, unless you’re Ridley Scott, why would you?), you won’t notice.

Pros: Best AI-powered camera, clean Android experience, years of updates. A bit less expensive than other premium flagships.

Cons: Not as flashy as Samsung or Apple. Battery life is just okay.

UK Starting Price: £999

4. OnePlus 13

Along the same lines as the Pixel 9 Pro, here’s another phone extremely powerful phone that’s a little less wallet-obliterating than premium versions of flagship handsets (although, let’s face it, £899 is still a lot of money).

With a silky smooth 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and some of the fastest charging in the world (seriously, 100% in 25 minutes 🤯), this phone is a genuine contender.

Pros: Superfast charging, high refresh rate display, great performance.

Cons: Camera isn’t quite top-tier. OxygenOS is slowly turning into ColorOS, which some people aren’t happy about.

UK Starting Price: £899

5. Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

The indie darling of the smartphone world, Nothing, is back with its third iteration.

The partially transparent design is still here, now with even fancier LED Glyphs that… erm, well they don’t really do anything, but they do look pretty cool!

But aside from the gimmicks, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a genuinely excellent handset, with a clean software experience, a solid camera, and a surprisingly reasonable mid-range price-tag.

Pros: Unique design, great price, smooth software.

Cons: Camera isn’t as good as the big names. The LEDs are still a bit of a party trick.

UK Starting Price: £449

Final Verdict

If you want the absolute best iPhone (and money is no object), the iPhone 16 Pro Max is your best bet.

For Android lovers who want it all, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the clear winner.

Google’s Pixel 9 Pro is the best choice for camera enthusiasts, while the OnePlus 13 delivers flagship power at a slightly more reasonable price.

And if you want something a bit different, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a breath of fresh air and punches well above its weight for a mid-range phone.

Where to get the best mobile phone deals?

You’ll find some websites like AO, Amazon, Argos and John Lewis offer some of the best deals on iPhones and Android mobiles, however, we do recommend you check out discount and price-comparison sites like hotukdeals and PriceSpy too, as cheap deals on phones will tend to appear on those soon after they become available.***

Also, consider waiting for key times of year like Black Friday and January sales, as that tends to be when the best prices or bundles are available.

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** Trustpilot Score 4.4, 21,930 total reviews as of 25th February 2025.

*** We do not earn any commission from sites or links within this article. Our reviews and advice are based wholly on impartial desk research.