The Stuff Gadget Awards 2025: our phones of the year

In 2024, artificial intelligence arrived on smartphones. In 2025, it truly came of age. Apple Intelligence finally rolled out across the iPhone 16 line-up (albeit with some teething troubles), Samsung doubled down with Galaxy AI across its S25 series, and Google’s Gemini integration transformed Pixel phones into genuinely helpful digital assistants. The result? AI went from a buzzword into a near-essential feature, providing everything from real-time translation to time-saving photo editing.

Beyond AI, 2025 saw smartphone design move in bold new directions. Apple stunned us all with the iPhone 17 Air, an ultra-slim flagship that challenged Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge in the thinness stakes. Foldables continued their march toward the mainstream, with Honor’s impossibly svelte Magic V5 proving that book-style folders no longer need to feel like an actual 500-page novel in your pocket. Camera tech leapt forward too, particularly in the telephoto department – Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra paired dual zoom lenses with a 1in sensor to incredible effect, while even mid-range models started sporting optical zoom capabilities.

The “premiumisation” trend showed no signs of slowing, with high-end phone prices creeping ever upward, but the mid-range market fought back hard. Google’s Pixel 9a proved you don’t need to spend flagship money for flagship-class cameras, while the Nothing Phone 3a series delivered distinguished design at accessible prices. It was a year that proved there’s never been more choice – or more innovation – across every price point.

Check out all this year’s Stuff Gadget Awards winners

Flagship phone of the year: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

We think the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the best powerhouse phone we’ve seen in 2025, sitting head and shoulders above anything else in Apple’s range. Due to a new aluminium frame opening up brighter colour finishes, it’s been given a design glow-up – quite literally.

Performance sees a major leap, with the all-new ‘vapour chamber’ heatsink successfully keeping the beefy A19 Pro chip cool. This results in higher performance for longer periods during demanding tasks like 4K video capture and gaming, and nicely complements the upgraded graphic capabilities.

The display is exceptionally impressive, capable of reaching 3000 nits for clear visibility in direct sunlight. While the aluminium frame might raise some durability concerns, the screen is protected by Ceramic Shield technology, now offering around triple the scratch-resistance of older models.

Yes, it’s very expensive, but given its upgraded camera and supreme spec sheet, the 17 Pro Max is truly a phone that can do it all.

Highly commended

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

As a year-on-year upgrade, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hardware feels somewhat underwhelming. Not that there aren’t obvious changes, like the flatter titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass, which reduces reflections and triples the scratch-resistance of previous models – it’s just that Samsung has prioritised software and AI improvements over raw spec bumps.

Tightly integrated Galaxy AI features like Now Brief and generative editing ensure the S25 Ultra remains a compelling flagship prospect, even if the modest processor update does little to excite. The cameras are still class-leading too, with the 200MP main sensor performing admirably and a new 50MP ultrawide providing a welcome upgrade, even if the 10MP 3x optical zoom feels dated.

Although battery life is surpassed by cheaper rivals, the more efficient chipset offers a slight increase in longevity and the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains overall a fantastic flagship option, particularly for those upgrading from three- to four-year-old phones.

Google Pixel 10

Proving you don’t need to shell out on a ‘Pro’ model for a true flagship experience, the Pixel 10 delivers top quality at an accessible price.

The design feels seriously premium, with a flat satin-finished frame and a glossy glass back. The 6.3in OLED display is a showstopper, even in bright sunlight, offering 3000-nit peak brightness and a silky smooth 120Hz refresh rate. And the battery is a genuine all-day champion.

The camera system is a giant leap, now rocking a versatile triple-lens setup (Wide, Ultrawide, and 5x Telephoto) alongside class-leading computational photography. Google’s AI magic makes every shot fun.

Powering it all is the new Tensor G5 chip and 12GB of RAM, which keeps everything flying and unlocks super-smart AI features like Magic Cue and deep Gemini integration. This phone successfully combines a premium feel, a knockout screen, a versatile camera and incredible AI intelligence into a desirable, all-day powerhouse.

Also shortlisted

OnePlus 13, Honor Magic 7 Pro, Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Mid-range phone of the year: Google Pixel 9a

The Pixel 9a is the phone that made us question whether we still need flagship devices. At a very modest sub-$500/£500 price point, Google has created something genuinely special – a mid-ranger so full-featured it bests even the Pixel 9 Pro in battery capacity, while delivering nearly everything that makes flagship Pixels so appealing.

The redesign ditches the signature camera bar for a cleaner, sleeker profile. That 6.3in Actua OLED display hits 2700 nits peak brightness, making outdoor viewing effortless, while the 120Hz adaptive refresh keeps everything silky smooth. Camera performance is exceptional: the optically stabilised 48MP main sensor produces sharp, well-balanced shots that hold their own against pricier rivals, while Night Sight works wonders after dark. Macro Focus mode delivers stunning close-ups previously reserved for higher-end phones.

The 5100mAh battery genuinely impressed us, comfortably lasting over 30 hours. Seven years of software updates seal the deal. A flagship phone in all but price.

Highly commended

Poco F7 Ultra

At a low price, this striking yellow handset packs the same Snapdragon 8 Elite processor as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, a phone costing nearly twice as much. That’s the kind of aggressive value proposition that gets the thrifty parts of our brain very excited indeed.

The F7 Ultra’s spec sheet reads like a flagship wishlist: triple 50MP cameras (including a floating telephoto lens that handles both close-up and distance shots), wireless charging and a 6.67in 2K AMOLED display with 3200-nit peak brightness. The 120W HyperCharge gets you fully juiced in just over 30 minutes, and there’s even a dedicated VisionBoost graphics chip for enhanced visuals.

Naturally, there are compromises: the 5300mAh battery is smaller than we’d like, and it lacks flagship-level polish here and there. But considering everything on offer, the F7 Ultra represents exceptional value, and sufficient proof that you don’t need to spend huge sums for blistering performance.

Nubia Z70 Ultra

The Nubia Z70 Ultra serves flagship specs at half the price of rivals, undercutting the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra by hundreds while packing the world’s first 35mm variable aperture smartphone camera – a 50MP main sensor adjusting between f/1.6 and f/4.0. That’s true camera innovation!

It was also the first US handset to feature Snapdragon’s 8 Elite processor, paired with up to 24GB RAM for assured multitasking performance. The expansive 6.78in display runs at up to 144Hz with 2000-nit peak brightness, staving off harsh sunlight with ease, while stereo speakers stay clear even when cranked to high volumes.

The attention-grabbing design may divide opinion – that distinctive camera housing and pale yellow finish won’t suit everyone – but we appreciate its refreshing confidence. Nubia’s Nebula AIOS keeps things refreshingly bloat-free, cleaving close to stock Android. A photographic dynamo that proves cutting-edge specs need not command premium pricing.

Also shortlisted

OnePlus Nord 5, Nothing Phone 3, iPhone 16e

Affordable phone of the year: Nothing Phone 3a

Nothing has absolutely nailed it with the Phone 3a, delivering a budget handset that feels anything but. This is the phone that proves you don’t need to spend flagship money to get a premium experience.

It’s just the complete package. That distinctive semi-transparent design with illuminated glyph LEDs turns heads wherever you go, while the upgraded glass back feels genuinely premium. The 6.67in AMOLED screen is a stunner too, with its 120Hz refresh rate and 3000-nit peak brightness. And then there’s camera performance – the optically stabilised 50MP main shooter and 2x telephoto delivered colourful, contrast-heavy shots that can hold their own against phones costing twice as much.

Nothing OS 3.1 remains one of the slickest takes on Android, free from bloatware and packed with clever widgets. Performance from the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 feels effortlessly smooth, while the 5000mAh battery confidently lasts a full day. Affordable phone-making at its absolute finest.

Highly commended

CMF Phone 2 Pro

Nothing’s budget sub-brand continued to impress with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, proof positive that a budget price point can net you something genuinely special. This successor to last year’s Affordable Phone of the Year winner makes some major improvements while keeping the price astoundingly affordable.

The semi-modular design has been streamlined from the original, with a more refined metal and plastic build. Crucially, Nothing has addressed previous shortcomings, adding NFC for contactless payments and upgrading water resistance to IP54. The 6.77in display with 120Hz refresh rate punches well above its weight, while the camera system – featuring 50MP main, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses – delivers delightfully capable results for the cash.

Performance from the Dimensity 7300 Pro and 8GB RAM is comfortably adequate, Nothing OS 3.2 remains refreshingly bloat-free and the 5000mAh battery easily handles a full day of use. Extraordinary value at this price point.

Poco X7 Pro

We were smitten with the Xiaomi-engineered Poco X7 Pro, which delivers flat-screen flagship styling at a budget-friendly price. The yellow and black vegan leather rear is genuinely distinctive, giving this phone a character that’s missing in many far pricier handsets.

The modern flat design and vibrancy of the 6.67in AMOLED display impressed us in testing, while MediaTek’s new silicon served smooth, stutter-free performance. The optically stabilised 50MP main camera captures decent shots for the price, with well-judged exposure, natural colours in daylight and respectable low-light performance – although the lack of a telephoto means you’re relying on digital zoom beyond the main sensor.

Battery life from the sizeable cell is superb, easily lasting a full day of heavy use. The reassuring heft and flat frame make it comfortable to grip, while the minimal camera protrusion means it slips easily in and out of pockets. A genuine budget benchmark.

Also shortlisted

Honor 400, OnePlus Nord CE 5, Motorola Moto G86

Camera phone of the year: Xiaomi 15 Ultra

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra secures our camera phone award by taking a sheer ‘brute force’ approach to mobile photography. Its masterful combination of heroic hardware with nuanced, characterful processing means we couldn’t realistically pick anything else.

At its core is the astonishing 1in Sony LYT-900 lead sensor – the joint largest available in a phone – which captures simply outstanding shots in all situations and delivers a dreamy bokeh blur other flagships can’t match. This is paired with two high-pixel-count zoom lenses, including a massive 200MP periscope telephoto, to give users a near-lossless range of 14mm to 400mm.

Crucially, the partnership with Leica provides best-in-class colour science, offering Authentic and Vibrant profiles to suit your style. Low-light performance is superb, and the video capabilities, featuring 4K/60p Dolby Vision HDR, are top-tier. For serious snappers, the optional Photography kit adds physical controls, making this powerhouse the ultimate choice for anyone demanding total creative control from their smartphone.

Highly commended

Oppo Find X8 Ultra

The Oppo Find X8 Ultra’s unique, feature-rich camera system provides exceptional versatility and a professional-level output. Starting with the superb 1in Sony LYT-900 main sensor for clear low-light capture, this phone is built for top-notch image quality across the board.

The phone’s true mastery lies in its revolutionary Dual Periscope Zoom system. This incorporates dedicated 3x and 6x optical telephoto lenses – both using a Sony IMX890 sensor – to deliver stunningly sharp detail and superior performance across the most useful mid-to-long focal lengths. It’s a level of flexibility that single-zoom rivals simply can’t match.

A key part of the appeal is its consistency brought by the Hasselblad colour science, which provides natural, true-to-life tones that elevate each shot. Furthermore, we were blown away by the X8 Ultra’s ability to shoot high-quality 4K/60p video from all four rear cameras, making it a compelling, all-in-one powerhouse for discerning photographers and filmmakers alike.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max deserves a nod thanks to the major upgrade to its core imaging capabilities. For the first time, it houses three advanced 48MP Fusion sensors for its Wide, Ultrawide and new Telephoto lenses, guaranteeing consistent quality across the entire rear system.

The biggest leap is in its optical reach, thanks to the fancy new Tetraprism Telephoto camera. This finally extends the optical zoom to a genuine 8x (up from 5x), providing sharper long-range shots and genuinely useful reach without any cropping. It also dramatically boosts the digital zoom to 40x.

For serious users, the addition of ProRes RAW and Log 2 support for video will make cinematographers rejoice. Combined with the 18MP Center Stage front camera, designed specifically with content creators in mind, and a new vapour chamber to sustain performance during high-end filming, the iPhone 17 Max Pro is a powerful and reliable pocket shooting machine.

Also shortlisted

Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, Sony Xperia 1 VII, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Foldable phone of the year: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung has finally given foldable fans almost everything they could want. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents a monumental generational upgrade, shedding the bulk that held back previous Folds at the same time as adding the photographic prowess they were crying out for.

At just 8.9mm when closed, this is a genuinely slim device. How slim? Well, it feels like a conventional smartphone in your pocket. Those expansive screens (6.5in outer, 8in inner) feature narrower bezels and more sensible proportions, making the outer display finally comfortable for typing. The crease, meanwhile, has become almost invisible.

The camera upgrade is transformative. By inheriting the S25 Ultra’s 200MP main sensor, Samsung has propelled the Fold 7 to the very summit of the foldable photography leaderboard. Images are packed with detail and vibrant colours. Performance from the Snapdragon 8 Elite is stellar, while seven years of updates ensures longevity.

Highly commended

Honor Magic V5

While it didn’t quite win out over Samsung’s hinged hero, the Magic V5 is a strong runner-up thanks to its stupendously slim 8.8mm profile and stellar stamina. That massive 5810mAh battery easily outlasts rivals, while 66W wired and 50W wireless charging leave Samsung’s juice-up speeds in the dust.

Photography is a genuine highlight: the balanced 50MP triple camera setup delivers crisp, colourful shots across all zoom levels, with the 3x telephoto proving particularly impressive. The wider 6.43in outer screen hits a sweet spot for usability, while the 7.95in inner display dazzles with its vibrant OLED panel.

Performance from the full eight-core Snapdragon 8 Elite is blistering, posting higher benchmark scores than even the Galaxy Z Fold 7. MagicOS 9 brings clever multi-flex split screen modes, though it arrives a generation behind on Android. At less than Samsung’s equivalent storage model, the Magic V5 represents exceptional value for battery life and telephoto photography enthusiasts.

Motorola Razr 60 Ultra

Motorola’s latest folder also comes close to flip phone perfection and we fell in love with it very quickly – not hard considering it’s the best-looking clamshell phone on the market. The outer screen is truly stunning, filling the entire front and making the phone a delight to use while closed – something Samsung still can’t match.

Premium materials elevate the Razr 60 Ultra beyond mere gadgetry and, whether you pick natural wood grain, vegan leather or Alcantara, they all feel special. Underneath, flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon delivers genuine performance muscle, while the expanded 4700mAh battery easily pushes into a second day of use, which is amazing for a flip phone.

The cameras give rivals a run for their money too, with the 50MP duo consistently serving up colourful, detail-rich shots. Both screens hit exceptional brightness levels, making outdoor visibility superb, while the maximum 68W wired charging easily beats the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 25W offering.