Everybody is aware of probably the most thrilling smartphones launch within the again half of the calendar. Samsung’s foldables, Google’s newest Pixels, and naturally the iPhone 17 are all tipped to come back out after June, if rumors are to be believed. Having stated that, we will nonetheless rejoice the telephones which have already come out in 2025. Why not? There are not any legal guidelines towards it.
Whereas it is true that this listing will focus totally on non-flagship fashions, that does not imply they don’t seem to be worthy of reward. Thus far, 2025 has introduced us loads of fascinating smartphones at compelling costs, in addition to a few bona fide flagships which can be value your consideration.
So, listed here are one of the best smartphones from the primary half of 2025. To be clear, this listing isn’t ranked in any explicit order. These are simply 5 good telephones, people.
Google Pixel 9a
The Pixel 9a is a superb worth.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado/Mashable
Google’s Pixel A-series of price range telephones with flagship-like specs has all the time supplied nice worth. The 2025 variant is not any completely different.
The Pixel 9a is loads like earlier A-series Pixel telephones in that it is very much like the bottom Pixel 9, however with a number of little compromises right here and there to get the value all the way down to a downright agreeable $499. You get a spiffy 6.3-inch show with a 120Hz refresh charge, a big 5,100mAh battery, and Google’s newest Tensor G4 processor for that worth. Positive, you lose a little bit of RAM and storage capability by going with Pixel 9a, however these are small potatoes in comparison with the methods through which Pixel 9a is much like Pixel 9, however for much less cash.
Google additionally unveiled a brand new Pixel design with the 9a, which dropped the horizontal digital camera bar that had adorned Pixel telephones for the previous a number of years. Positive, it appears to be like a bit extra generic than earlier than, however it additionally lies flatter on a desk than earlier than, too. Between all of that and historically stable cameras courtesy of Google, the Pixel 9a may be one of the best general worth on this listing.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
The S25 Extremely’s rounded corners are very good.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado/Mashable
Full disclosure: I did not love the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely once I reviewed it earlier this yr.
That has much less to do with the telephone itself and extra to do with the rising creep of AI options into all of our gadgets, although. The S25 Extremely isn’t very completely different from the S24 Extremely when it comes to {hardware}; you get the identical show, storage, and RAM specs from the earlier mannequin, for a similar beginning worth of $1,299. Some further AI options had been meant to be the principle promoting level for S25 Extremely, which simply is not that compelling to me, personally, however YMMV.
Mashable Mild Velocity
Nevertheless, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor contained in the S25 Extremely is top-of-the-line stuff, offering the telephone with wonderful all-around efficiency. It is received an enormous, sturdy battery, a barely greater show than the S24 Extremely, and new rounded corners that make it really feel a lot better within the hand. Whereas I would not suggest upgrading to an S25 Extremely if you have already got an S24 Extremely, these with older Samsung handsets who’re in search of one of the best of one of the best ought to actually look into it. It is a good telephone, if not a mindblowing one.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Tiny.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado/Mashable
The opposite Samsung machine on this listing additionally matches below the “good and funky, however not mindblowing” umbrella.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge has loads in widespread with the S25 Extremely. It makes use of the identical processor, its show has the identical decision and refresh charge (though it is 2/10 of an inch smaller), and even the RAM is similar. You get entry to all the similar AI options and even the identical 200MP huge lens on the rear for images.
So, why are these two completely different telephones? Easy: The S25 Edge is means thinner. Coming in at simply 5.8mm of thickness, it is the thinnest telephone Samsung sells proper now, and is considerably extra svelte than the 8.2mm S25 Extremely. Put merely, the S25 Edge appears to be like and feels cool within the palms due to how skinny it’s. There is not a much bigger promoting level than that, actually. It feels futuristic in a means nothing else on this listing does.
OnePlus 13
You might not have heard of it, however it’s good.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado/Mashable
The final flagship telephone on this listing is the OnePlus 13, which comes from a Chinese language model that might not be as well-known within the U.S. as Google, Samsung, and Apple. However that does not imply it ought to be that means.
OnePlus 13 carries on the custom of earlier OnePlus telephones in that it affords flagship specs and options for lower than $1,000. At $899, it is a whole lot cheaper than an S25 Extremely, however the two telephones are literally fairly comparable. OnePlus’s handset features a related Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and a large 6,000mAh battery that retains it alive for longer than 24 hours of regular use. Even our intensive battery testing received a clear 24 hours of display screen outing of the OnePlus 13. It has loads of endurance.
A trio of 50MP cameras on the again and a few requisite AI options make the OnePlus 13 a really stable worth for individuals who need flagship efficiency, however haven’t got greater than $1,000 to burn on a telephone.
iPhone 16e
The latest iPhone appears to be like easy, however has loads going for it.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
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Talking of nice battery life, let’s speak in regards to the iPhone 16e.
Nominally Apple’s reply to the Pixel 9a (in that it is principally an iPhone 16 with some corners reduce to carry the value all the way down to $599), the iPhone 16e is an improve over Apple’s earlier iPhone SE price range line. You get the swanky new A18 Bionic from the iPhone 16, in addition to 128GB of beginning storage and full assist for Apple Intelligence options. The 6.1-inch OLED show is greater than adequate for a telephone of its worth, although it’s restricted to 60Hz.
The place it actually shines, although, is in longevity. Our reviewer was capable of get two days of stable use out of a full cost, which is unimaginable for any telephone, a lot much less a price range mannequin. These in search of a meat-and-potatoes iPhone that can get years of software program updates ought to look no additional.
Honorable Point out: Motorola Razr Extremely
That wooden end is a magnificence.
Credit score: Motorola
As one of many solely new foldable telephones launched in 2025, we will not ignore the Motorola Razr Extremely, particularly the model with a slick wooden end. (Nicely, we may, however we selected to not.) The flagship model of Motorola’s foldable telephone collection has its followers and critics, and it is solely been out for a pair months. We’re nonetheless within the technique of testing this telephone, and we’re not able to render a full verdict fairly but. Although, in order for you a foldable, we suggest ready, as Samsung is anticipated to launch its new Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 telephones within the coming weeks.
