The top 10 phones readers bought in 2025 (no. 1 surprised all of us)

I at all times say that area of interest merchandise have area of interest audiences, and certainly not does that indicate that nobody's shopping for them. The Blackview BV7300 is an ideal instance, as it is a finances Android cellphone with a design that may doubtless scare away 95% of customers.

However the cellphone's cumbersome exterior, paired with a 15,000mAh battery (roughly 3 times most Android telephones), makes it a helpful choice for energy customers and out of doors vacationers. It even has a built-in tenting mild!

Assessment: I went off-grid with this $200 Android phone, and the night vision superpowers came in clutch

Nothing actually struck a chord with its midrange telephones this 12 months, and the Cellphone 3a could also be one of the best of the bunch. It sits comfortably at a $380 worth level, however its characteristic set would make anybody marvel why it does not price extra.

That listing features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED show with 3,000nits of brightness, a triple digital camera system, Nothing's ever-polarizing design, and software program that is filled with character and customizability.

Assessment: I replaced my Pixel 9 Pro with this midrange Android phone – and don't regret it

Impressively, Samsung's A-series of telephones persistently performs properly on this aggressive smartphone market. Whereas the A35 5G mannequin was launched final 12 months, it gained important traction within the lead-up to the introduction of its successor later in 2025.

The draw? An enormous display screen and battery that make all of its different caveats simpler to shoulder. That is clearly a recipe for fulfillment, as Samsung adopted the same playbook with the A36 5G mannequin, which we now advocate over the A35 5G resulting from its extra modernized specs.

Assessment: This $399 Samsung Galaxy is the mid-range phone most people should buy

Did you suppose each cellphone on this listing could be low cost and value-driven? It is about to get attention-grabbing. The Motorola Razr Extremely was launched this spring, and it was met with appreciable fanfare. In any case, Motorola basically took the flip-phone type issue and stuffed it with one of the best options and specs one can discover.

A lot in order that after reviewing its competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, I returned to the Moto for its helpful outer show, uniquely textured again cowl, and helpful ultrawide digital camera. Make the most of all of the reductions you will get with this machine.

Assessment: Yes, Motorola's $1,300 Razr Ultra competes with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (and not just in price)

Deal: The Motorola Razr Extremely is at the moment 23% off at Amazon.

The second Motorola to make this listing is the Moto G Energy, which includes a new textured again cowl this 12 months for enhanced grip. It is also longer-lasting than ever, that includes a 5,000mAh battery paired with a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, which we discovered to run pretty effectively.

Assessment: I found a $300 Motorola phone that offers flagship features at a fraction of the price

Deal: The Moto G Energy is at the moment 17% off at Amazon.

If there's one ultra-slim cellphone that is value celebrating in 2025, it is this one. The parents at RedMagic one way or the other developed a gaming cellphone with a close to bezel-less show, a 5,860mAh battery that places Samsung and Apple to disgrace, and 512GB of inside storage.

The $699 worth can also be fairly aggressive. Simply do not anticipate finding considered one of these at your native service retailer anytime quickly.

Assessment: I replaced my Pixel 9 Pro with this $700 Android phone for weeks – and didn't regret it

It really should not shock anybody that final 12 months's iPhone 16 Professional was probably the most widespread merchandise on ZDNET in 2025, identical to the way it should not shock anybody when the iPhone 17 Professional makes it into subsequent 12 months's listing.

This one's somewhat bittersweet, if you concentrate on it. It is the final iPhone to characteristic a singular digital camera bump on the rear nook, and Apple seems to be shifting away from titanium and different laborious metals. It is also the final Professional iPhone to return in black.

Additionally: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: I compared both models, and there's a big difference

What bought greater than iPhones? The Moto G 2025. It isn't flashy; the cameras will not even beat the most cost effective iPhone that Apple sells, and you may't really matter on Motorola to supply one of the best software program assist. Nevertheless, of all of the sub-$200 telephones in the marketplace, this one reigns supreme.

In case you're procuring for a kid or an older member of the family, or just desire a spare cellphone with entry to the identical apps as dearer handsets, contemplate this one.

Additionally: This $200 Motorola phone has no business being this good for the price

That is proper. The preferred cellphone, as decided by the thousands and thousands of ZDNET readers who work together with our critiques, shopping for guides, and different tales, is a $90 Nokia that is simply as scary because the Blackview BV7300 however within the reverse method.

It is all about minimalism, residing life distraction-free, and appreciating the finer issues with the Nokia 2780 Flip, and that is a message that has clearly resonated with lots of you. Dumb telephones are carving out a path in our ever-noisy digital world, and this Nokia is on the entrance of the pack.

Additionally: Gen Z is ditching iPhones for $100 ‘feature phones,' and the numbers don't lie