The top 10 phones our readers bought in 2025 (no. 1 caught us all off guard)

I at all times say that area of interest merchandise have area of interest audiences, and in no way does that indicate that nobody’s shopping for them. The Blackview BV7300 is an ideal instance, as it is a funds Android telephone with a design that might seemingly scare away 95% of customers.

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

Evaluation: I went off-grid with this $200 Android telephone, and the night time imaginative and prescient superpowers got here in clutch

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

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

Evaluation: I changed my Pixel 9 Professional with this midrange Android telephone – and do not remorse it

Impressively, Samsung’s A-series of telephones constantly performs nicely on this aggressive smartphone market. Whereas the A35 5G mannequin was launched final 12 months, it gained vital 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 achievement, as Samsung adopted the same playbook with the A36 5G mannequin, which we now suggest over the A35 5G on account of its extra modernized specs.

Evaluation: This $399 Samsung Galaxy is the mid-range telephone most individuals can purchase

Did you suppose each telephone 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 spite of everything, 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 useful outer show, uniquely textured again cowl, and helpful ultrawide digicam. Benefit from all of the reductions you will get with this system.

Evaluation: Sure, Motorola’s $1,300 Razr Extremely competes with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (and never simply in value)

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

The second Motorola to make this listing is the Moto G Energy, which incorporates 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.

Evaluation: I discovered a $300 Motorola telephone that gives flagship options at a fraction of the value

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

If there’s one ultra-slim telephone that is value celebrating in 2025, it is this one. The parents at RedMagic in some way developed a gaming telephone 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 value can also be fairly aggressive. Simply do not look forward to finding one among these at your native provider retailer anytime quickly.

Evaluation: I changed my Pixel 9 Professional with this $700 Android telephone for weeks – and did not remorse it

It really should not shock anybody that final 12 months’s iPhone 16 Professional was some of the in style 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 consider it. It is the final iPhone to function a singular digicam bump on the rear nook, and Apple seems to be transferring away from titanium and different onerous metals. It is also the final Professional iPhone to return in black.

Additionally: Apple iPhone 17 Professional vs. iPhone 16 Professional: I in contrast each fashions, and there is a massive distinction

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

In the event you’re purchasing for a kid or an older member of the family, or just desire a spare telephone with entry to the identical apps as dearer handsets, take into account this one.

Additionally: This $200 Motorola telephone has no enterprise being this good for the value

That is proper. The most well-liked telephone, 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 manner.

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 a lot 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 ‘function telephones,’ and the numbers do not lie