EXCELLENT phones list

of a better term, I’m calling this part of the list EXCELLENT to differentiate from the SUPERIOR group and the GREAT phones (midrange processor) group. Phones on this page start from above US$800, slowly dropping in scores, price and the value they bring. The THIRD group phones follow below. Theyalso include some flagship chip phones that offer great value but (typically) a lower price.

Here is the Samsung S24 Ultra’s score string:

13+6+15+12+12+5+5+0+5+5 = 78

This string of 10 numbers separated by plus signs shows the score for each of the 10 categories I use to evaluate a phone. The maximum possible score is 100 points. The bigger number is always better. The first 5 categories carry a maximum of 15 points each. Categories 6 to 10 are “value categories” each adding up to 5 points.

(1) Performance + (2) Battery + (3) Screen + (4) Ingress protection + (5) Main camera + (6) Selfie camera + (7) Video recording + (8) SD memory + (9) Software and (10) Desktop replacement

The score string allows you to quickly compare phones. For example, to compare Battery and the quality of Main camera photos of two phones, you will compare their 2nd and 5th numbers in the score string.

To see how I rate each category, please visit the About page .

Phones also score BADGES to underline important features:
FOLD badge after phone’s name indicates a “fold” type of foldable phone with a hinge running on the long edge of it’s body.
FLIP badge after phone’s name indicates a “flip” type foldable phone – a hinge along the short side of it’s body.
* BEST badge indicates the BEST – better than all others and it is given to the Top scoring phone of the season. It is also assigned to a phone consistently judged as the best in a single category. Only a few phones hold the BEST badge in a single category:
• Battery: OnePlus 12, (Oppo) Realme GT 5 Pro and (Oppo) Realme GT 6 Pro got the BEST Battery badge for their battery endurance combined with the top charging speed (0 to 100% in less than 30 minutes).
• Screen: Samsung S25 Ultra
• Protection: Motorola Thinkphone 25 and Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro for adding Military grade drop and element protection to already maximum water and dust resistance.
• Main camera: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
• Video recording: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
* TOP badge goes to the phone with maximum points in a category (i.e. Battery) or a subcategory (i.e. Battery endurance). In the “TOP Battery endurance” case, it marks a phone with a “more than a full day of battery life” (12 or more points at the 2nd position in the score string)
* TOP PHOTO/VIDEO badge is given to a phone with maximum scores in all three camera categories (the 5th, 6th and 7th number in the score string)
* BEST Midranger badge is given to the best scoring phone with a midrange processor like SD 7 (or lower) series or a Mediatec Dimensity 8xxx series or lower. Midrange phone score string will start with a number 9 or less indicating it’s processor performance
* TOP Midranger badge is given to top scoring midrange phones
★ star is added to the listing that displays expected (but not yet confirmed) test results. I will add and update these phones to give you more options to consider when making your purchasing plans.

* TOP Performance * TOP Battery endurance * TOP Selfie * TOP Software . Badge Guide > …
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test review as the star indicates. There is every reason to expect: a 2-day battery endurance and sub-1hr charging, more than 1300nits of screen brightness, great camera & selfie performance and 4 or more years of OS updates)
The Find X8s and it’s bigger version (a 74.5mm wide) X8s+ are China-only models. Both are flagship grade, sitting just below Find X8 Ultra and Find X8 Pro. They offer small (relatively compact) bodies, stellar processor and battery performance, with some compromises on screen, cameras and the USB port performance.
PROs: great built small body, fast Mediatec 9400+ with UFS4.0 performance, excellent 2-day battery endurance from a large 5700mAh Si/C battery, bright >1300nits AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, great triple 50MP camera (all PDAF, main and tele with OIS), reliable 32MP AF selfie
CONs: no SDmemory, no desktop replacement software, slow USB-C2.0 connection (added Apr 19, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Selfie * TOP Video * TOP Software * TOP Desktop replacement . Badge Guide > …
EDITORIAL: S25 is taking on other flagship phones with excellent (very pocketable) build, great screen, good cameras, excellent selfie and of course: DeX – the best desktop replacement software there is. This year, Samsung is focusing on the software side, adding tons of features meant to set it apart. The battery tests confirmed our expectations: S25 offers no improvement over S24’s mediocre battery life and charging performance. S25 is not bad but what a shame to have to worry about topping up your phone before going out in the evening.
PROs: just 70mm width, SnapDragon 8 Elite, 1400+nits LTPO AMOLED with HDR10+, PDAF 12MP Selfie, leading AI features, 7 years of OS updates and DeX software that can save you so much money
CONs: less-than-a-day battery endurance, no expandable storage (updated Mar 26, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Battery endurance * TOP Software …
EDITORIAL: Great performance (with throttling under pressure) and exceptional battery endurance. Fast charging, excellent screen and very good photos and videos. It is too bad that Xiaomi cuts corners with it’s best compact so the 15 Pro and 15 Ultra can justify their higher prices. There is still no AF on the ultrawide. No AF on the selfie either. No memory expansion, headphone jack or desktop replacement feature but Xiaomi 15 comes with a 90W charger in the box (in many markets).
PROs: SnapDragon 8 Elite processor fast performance, a 5240mAh Silicone Carbon battery with a 2-day endurance, 90W wired (50W wireless) fast charging, a 1500nits bright LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, a capable 50MP OIS PDAF main + 50MP PDAF tele plus a 50MP ultrawide setup, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port with OTG
CONs: ultrawide and selfie cameras with no OIS, PDAF or even AF, lack of expandable storage and lack of desktop replacement software (but video-out is there) (updated Mar 27, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Battery endurance * TOP Selfie * TOP Video recording * TOP Software . Badge Guide > …
EDITORIAL: The most powerful Apple phone until 2025, delivered the best Apple had to offer. It was also the best all around phone on the market in the Fall of 2024, excelling in prosessor power and video recording while bringing top tier battery endurance, photos, selfies and videos. Apple never offered expandable memory, preferring to charge a lot for larger memory capacity and the use of iCloud. It will probably never include a desktop repacement option either. But this phone’s USB C port does provides video-out, waiting for an app that could turn all that processing power into a desktop computer replacement dream… Oh, and Apple’s iPhone lounch is still the best phone industry event, hands down.
SUPERPOWER: the Best Video recording and phone’s amazing integration inside the Apple ecosystem
PROs: being the best iPhone, fast A18 Pro chip performance, >24hr battery endurance, 1800nits very bright LTPO OLED with Dolby Vision, 48MP main + 12MP periscope tele (both with OIS PDAF) + new 48MP PDAF ultrawide, a 12MP OIS and PDAF Selfie, up to 6 years of updates of already very stable and mature iOS
CONs: getting locked into an overpriced ecosystem, lack of innovation in recent years, embarrassing AI effort, >90min sub-40W slow battery charging (15W wireless), lack of expandable storage, no Desktop replacement software (updated Sep 25, 2025)

* TOP Screen * TOP PHOTO/VIDEO * TOP Software * TOP Desktop replacement
EDITORIAL: This 2024 phone is that good. Samsung fit everything in there, a stylus, 6 cameras (!), the best screen in the industry (at the time) and (almost) 24 hours of battery life. In 2024, this was the best phone ever made by the world’s biggest phone making corporation. It had the most features too, by far. Samsung also included seven years (!) of OS updates as well as amazing desktop replacement (DeX) software. Consider that at 79 mm wide, this is a “two hands and a bag” phone.
PROs: SnapDragon 8 Gen 3 processor fast performance, 1400+nits 500+ppi LTPO AMOLED with HDR10+, 200MP OIS main + 10MP OIS tele + 50MP OIS tele and a 12MP ultrawide (all with PDAF), 12MP PDAF Selfie, top AI features trickling down with software updates, 7 years of OS updates, stylus with Bluetooth and of course: the DeX feature that may save you from buying a new computer
CONs: size, barely a day of battery endurance, slow charging, lack of expandable SDmemory storage (updated Mar 26, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Photos * TOP software …
EDITORIAL: 8 months after X200 Pro Mini here comes another compact Vivo. Along with Oppo and Xiaomi, Vivo is now clearly after Apple’s compact phones profits. This phone looks and feels similar to iPhones falling somewhere in between iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 but delivering clean Android, much better battery life and faster charging.
PROs: very good build, fast Dimensity 9300+ with UFS3.1 performance, 2-day endurance from 6500mAh Si-C battery with sub-1hr 90W wired charging, bright >1700nits HDR10+ LTPO AMOLED screen, IP69 element protection, great photos from the 50MP PDAF main + 50MP OIS PDAF periscope telephoto (but not from the ultrawide) camera, excellent selfies from a 50MP AF unit and 4 years of OS updates
CONs: no AF on the 8MP ultrawide, slow USB-C port with no video out, no expandable storage or desktop replacement feature (updated Jul 13, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Photos * TOP Memory expansion * TOP software
EDITORIAL: Sony seems unsure about the direction of it’s mobile business. This year’s Xperia announcement didn’t introduce Xperia 10 VII – their midrange phone. Xperia 5 V from 2023 was the last compact Sony put out and now they seem to have slimmed their model range from 3 to just 1.
1 VII is still a great phone. The hardware is unique and more functional them any other flagship phone. Great grip and a bright screen, forward facing stereo speakers, hi quality headphone jack, SDmemory… this phone offers so much value. The battery life is still a 2-day affair, cameras are as good as ever (tho selfie lacks AF) and software is simple, elegant and bloatware-free.
PROs: excellent build and grip, relatively narrow (easier to use one hand) body, headphone/microphone jack, tool-less SDmemory slot for quick expansion, dedicated two-step camera button, SnapDragon 8 Elite chip with UFS4.0 performance, 2-day 5000mAh Lithium battery endurance, >1500nits bright LTPO OLED screen, IP68 protection, great photos from the 48MP OIS main + 12MP OIS continuous optical zoom + 48MP ultrawide (all 3 have PDAF) and a tried and true Sony OS with 4 years of OS updates
CONs: expensive, lack of innovation, heavy throttling under load, slow charging 5000mAh Lithium battery, sub400ppi non-HDR10+ screen, no-AF selfie, mediocre videos and lack of desktop replacement functionality that is a logical extension of Sony’s “creator tool” strategy (added May 14, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Photos * TOP software
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test score based on reasonable expectations of battery and camera performance) Arriving 6 months and week later, this is a Vivo X200 upgrade. The body is narrower by 0.5mm, Dimensity 9400 is now 9400+, UFS4.0 is now 4.1, Si/C battery got bigger by 400mAh and gained wireless charging, already bright screen is now (slightly) brighter with ultrasonic (instead of optical) fingerprint sensor. Wish the selfie received AF but that seems reserved for the Ultra edition.
PROs: a flagship on a narrow side, good build, fast Dimensity 9400+ with UFS4.1 performance, 2-day 6200mAh battery with sub-1hr 90W charging, great imaging from the 50MP OIS PDAF main + 50MP OIS PDAF periscope + 50MP AF ultrawide, very clean Android version with 4 years of OS updates
CONs: selfie with no AF, lack of expandable memory or desktop replacement software (added Apr 22, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Photos * TOP Video
EDITORIAL: (the star after phone’s name indicates that we are still waiting for actual tests to be completed. My score string here is based on what we know so far and it is subject to change) Huawei’s 2025 flagship comes with a midrange performance processor and a brand new HarmonyOS based on Android 13 but everything else about this phone is flagship grade. The main camera system however, could be the best in the world – we’re waiting for actual tests to confirm this. Huawei committed early on to including a very good desktop replacement feature with all of their top tier phones. A 100W power adapter is likely to be included as well.
SUPERPOWER: TOP 5 Main camera
PROs: a (likely) 2-day battery endurance 5700mAh Silicone Carbon battery with 100W wired (80W wireless) fast charging, a IP69 water protection, 50MP main + 48MP tele lenses with OIS plus 40MP ultrawide (all with PDAF) and a Desktop replacement software too
CONs: this is a China-only phone, midrange performance of Kirin 9020 chip, a no-AF Selfie, lack of expandable memory and real concerns over the future OS updates (updated Apr 7, 2025)

* TOP Processor * TOP Battery endurance
EDITORIAL: (we’re waiting for battery and camera test results – these scores are estimates) This is a cheaper version of 7 Pro. Same outstanding performance in the processing, battery and screen domain but no periscope tele camera and no desktop replacement feature. Sized as amazing Honor Magic 6 Pro > , this phone is a pleasure to use if your hand is big enough.
PROs: fast SD 8 Elite performance, a 2-day battery with 100W fast charging, >1500nits bright Dolby Vision screen, excellent main camera with the latest AI tricks, 7 years of OS updates
CONs: no AF selfie, inconsistent video recording, no memory expansion or desktop replacement (updated Apr 13, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Battery endurance * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: OnePlus has been doing things right for a long time, always searching for the “flagship killer” title. They got it right this time with a phone that cuts (a few) corners with the camera while besting the competition in performance and battery. The screen is great too, just not as bright as top competition. OnePlus still includes an excellent mute-vibrate-ringer slider but the SD memory and desktop replacement software are missing as always. No AF on Selfie either, only 4 OxygenOS future updates
PROs: top tier performance led by Snapdragon 8 Elite, 2-day battery life of 6000mAh Silicone Carbon battery with 100W wired (50W wireless) fast charging, 1200nits bright, >500ppi LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 water protection, 50MP main + 50MP tele with PDAF and OIS plus a 50MP ultrawide with PDAF, great build and a ring-vibrate-off hardware slider and aggressive pricing
CONs: still big at 76.5mm, no expandable storage or desktop replacement (updated Mar 27, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Battery endurance * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: The best Oppo phone of 2024 is a full feature, mature flagship. Outstanding performance, excellent build with a silent-vibrate-ring slider and a new “control button” to start the camera, zoom and take a quick photo. Feels smaller and easier to hold due to both font and back 4 side micro-curved glass panels. 5 years of very stable OS and a great main camera with 2 zoom lenses but Oppo is saving it’s best for the X8 Ultra, expected in early 2025. Still no AF on Selfie, no memory expansion or desktop replacement software.
SUPERPOWER: Top 5 flagship Main camera
PROs: great performance led by Mediatek Dimensity 9400, 2-day battery life of 5910mAh Silicone Carbon battery with 80W wired (50W wireless) fast charging, >1300nits bright LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 water protection, 50MP main + two 50MP tele lenses with PDAF and OIS plus a 50MP ultrawide with PDAF, great build and a ring-vibrate-off hardware slider
CONs: still big at 76.7mm, a lack of expandable SDmemory storage and no desktop replacement (updated Mar 27, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Battery endurance * TOP Selfie * TOP Video recording * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Like it’s smaller version, iPhone 16 Plus is an excellent alternative to the Pro models – lacking are just the 120Htz refresh rate screen and a telephoto camera. The A18 processor is marginally slower than the A18 Pro chip used in 16 Pro and Pro Max making vanilla iPhones a better choice for more people. Battery charging remains painfully slow as with every iPhone and if coming from Android, iOS usebility and customization options can be downright upsetting. But iPhone users love how well Apple devices play with each other, so there’s that.
PROs: fast A18 chip performance, a 2-day battery endurance, 1800nits very bright LTPO OLED with Dolby Vision, up to 6m of water submersion, good imaging from the 48MP OIS main, 12MP ultrawide plus a 12MP Selfie (all with PDAF) and 6 years of updates of already very mature iOS
CONs: lack of innovation in recent years, disappointing AI effort, slow battery charging, just 60Hz screen refresh rate, lack of expandable storage (that forces you to iCloud), no Desktop replacement software (updated Mar 27, 2025)

* TOP Screen * TOP PHOTO/VIDEO
EDITORIAL: Released in May of 2024 and topped by Vivo X200 Pro phone, Vivo X100 Ultra set a new camera phone standard with it’s 200MP telephoto camera and a top all-around hardware and software imaging setup. This is one of the best 2024 phones for photography. It has an outstanding screen too but Vivo left room to improve by excluding a memory card slot and missing the 4 or more years of OS software updates that Apple, Samsung, Google and others offer.
PROs: very good SD 8 Gen 3 performance, outstanding 1800nits and >500ppi LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 water protection, top imaging from a OIS PDAF 50MP main and 200 tele plus a 50MP ultrawide and a 50MP Selfie (both with AF), light and fast Funtouch OS
CONs: good but less than 24-hour battery endurance, lack of expandable SDmemory storage, only 3 year OS update policy and a lack of desktop replacement software (updated Mar 27, 2025)

* TOP Selfie * TOP Video recording * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Last year’s best iPhone is a fantastic value now that Apple stopped selling it (but will keep supporting for years). This was the best phone in the world a year ago and will remain in the TOP 20 for a long time.
PROs: fast performance, a 2-day battery endurance, 1800nits very bright (460ppi) LTPO OLED with Dolby Vision, up to 6m of water submersion, OIS and PDAF 48MP main and 12MP tele plus a 12MP PDAF ultrawide, 12MP OIS PDAF Selfie and 5 more years of updates of already very mature iOS
CONs: big, 2-hand size, lack of innovation in recent years, disappointing AI effort, slow battery charging, lack of expandable storage (that forces you to iCloud), no Desktop replacement software (updated Mar 27, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Battery endurance * TOP Screen * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: As last year, Vivo’s subbrand IQOO released it’s top phone as soon as the top Snapdragon chip became available. This year there is no Pro model, just one amazing gaming powerhouse with a 6000+mAh Silicon Carbon battery that provides exceptional battery runtime. The screen is also outstanding, performing better than most flagships. If you can live with a good (but not great) cameras and you’re okay with a phone this big – IQOO 13 (and OnePlus 13) should be at the top of your list.
PROs: SD 8 Elite processor and top performance scores, a 6150mAh Silicone Carbon battery with top battery endurance, very fast 120W wired (no wireless) charging, excellent 1800nits (>500ppi) LTPO AMOLED screen with HDR10+, IP69 water protection, three 50MP main and 50MP tele with OIS and PDAF plus 50MP ultrawide with AF, light and fast Funtouch OS
CONs: big size, selfie with no OIS nor AF, lack of expandable SDmemory storage and a lack of desktop replacement software (updated Mar 27, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP PHOTO/VIDEO * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: The small version of iPhone 16 Pro Max is a technological marvel (with a less-than-a-day battery life). It offers outstanding video recoding, top processor, screen and a camera like iPhone 16 Pro Max but trades battery endurance for a one hand size. The new camera control button may be just a gimmick but some of the Apple AI tricks have arrived at the end of October and help make 2024 iPhones that much better.
PROs: smooth A18 Pro chip performance, >1700nits bright (460ppi) LTPO OLED with Dolby Vision, up to 6m of water submersion, the 16 Pro Max matching camera setup: 48MP main and 12MP tele with OIS and PDAF plus a 48MP PDAF ultrawide, a 12MP OIS PDAF Selfie and up to 6 years of updates of already very mature iOS
CONs: lack of innovation in recent years, disappointing AI effort, barely a day of battery endurance, >90min 45W slow battery charging (25W wireless), lack of expandable storage, no Desktop replacement software (updated Mar 27, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Expandable memory …
EDITORIAL: Sony & Samsung make 90% of all phones camera sensors but Sony has struggled to produce a top performing camera phone. Sony phones have always featured exceptional hardware and introduced many new features (like IP68 protection) but software side was always neglected. The company changed it’s direction with Xperia 1 VI by consolidating all photo/video apps into a very good one. Xperia 1 VI has a new form factor that matches it’s flagship competition – gone is the long and narrow design (21:9) and we have a wider phone (harder to use one-hand at 16:9). The screen went from 4K to a 1020p LTPO. But many great things are there: exceptional 2-day battery life, SDmemory slot (up to a 1TB), a headphone/microphone jack, camera button and a Tool-less SIM tray. The screen is the only notch-free one in the flagship phone world! Sony is pitching it’s top phones as “creator tools” so it would give Sony an better market position if their phones could be used as creator’s computer replacement . Maybe down the road?…
PROs: outstanding design with best grip, tons of great hardware features (see above), still fast SD 8 Gen 3 performance, 2-day battery endurance from a 5000mAh Lithium battery (!), excellent photos from the main (OIS 48MP + 12MP tele + 12MP ultrawide all with PDAF) and (12MP no AF) selfie cameras, strong video performance, SDmemory expansion, headphone jack
CONs: lack of long OS update support & desktop replacement feature (updated Apr 16, 2025)

* TOP Screen * TOP Selfie * TOP Software * TOP Desktop replacement …
EDITORIAL: Top of some of the “Best Android Phone” lists, the S24+ is a lovely package that delivers so much flagship here. Samsung’s strategy of saving “the Best” title for their Ultra phone takes some excitement out of the S24+. It’s a shame as this is actually Samsung’s “top phone without a stylus”. Excellent screen, 7 year OS update policy and the full featured Desktop replacement software make the S24+ a much better phone than it appears. It only it’s battery was better…
PROs: great build, still fast SD 8 Gen 3 performance, exceptional >500ppi and >1400nits LTPO AMOLED screen, excellent daylight photos and videos from every lens (50MP main & 10MP tele have OIS PDAF, 12MP selfie with PDAF and a 12MP ultrawide with no OIS nor PDAF) – the low-light photos can sometimes be inconsistent, long OS update promise and DeX too
CONs: Samsung’s lack of innovation and drive – similar design year over year, years of the same IP68, a long tradition of sub 4900mAh batteries with 45W charging, removal of SDmemory option (updated Apr 16, 2025)

* TOP Selfie * TOP Video recording * TOP Software * TOP Desktop replacement …
EDITORIAL: A fantastic value considering that it differs from S24 Ultra by a small, incremental downgrade in processing speed, screen reflection and minor photo deficiencies. And it is smaller (easier to use) than the S24 Ultra. Samsung still promises 4 more years of OS updates making this one of the best options if you don’t want to spend much.
PROs: fast SD 8 Gen 2 with UFS4.0 performance, 500ppi screen, great cameras: 200MP main + 2 x 10MP tele + 12MP ultrawide all with PDAF and a 12MP selfie with PDAF too!, Samsung’s mature and feature rich software and a full-blown best-on-the-market desktop replacement functionality
CONs: big 234gr phone, less than 24-hour battery life, no memory expansion and Samsung’s persistent effort to lock you into their ecosystem (updated Apr 13, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP software …
EDITORIAL: The 15T continues in T series direction of offering Xiaomi’s version of a “flagship killer”. Your compromises would include large size, slow USB-C 2.0 connectivity, no AF ultrawide and the 32MP un-binded selfie with no AF.
PROs: great built, very good Mediatec 8400 Ultra with UFS 4.1 performance, 2-day 5500mAh battery endurance with sub-60min 67W charging, bright >1500nits AMOLED screen with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, IP68 protection. great photos from Laica branded 50MP OIS PDAF main + 50MP PDAF 2x tele and reliable pics from a 12MP ultrawide. 4 years of OS updates
CONs: big and very wide, no wireless charging, no LTPO screen, poor selfie performance and inconsistent video recording, no expandable memory, no desktop replacement or even video out (added Oct 11, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Photos * TOP software …
EDITORIAL: (the star after phone’s name indicates that we are still waiting for actual tests to be completed. My score string here is based on what we know so far but it is subject to change) Following this year’s tend, OnePlus is also releasing a “mini”. Their version could be a real hit with a top processor, Silicone Carbon aided battery and fast charging, a great 6.3″ screen, IP69 protection and a very good camera setup. We will know very soon if this very high score holds.
PROs: compact build with flagship phone quality, fast SD 8 Ellie with UFS4.0 performance, huge 2-day 6260mAh Si/C battery with 80W wired charging, efficient LTPO AMOLED with Dolby Vision screen, IP69 protection, good main camera (50MP OIS + 50MP ultrawide, both with PDAF), 4 years of mature OS
CONs: 16MP selfie with no AF, USB-C2.0, no SDmemory, no desktop replacement functionality (added Apr 20, 2025)

* TOP Processor * TOP Battery endurance ★
EDITORIAL: Vivo’s first try at a 6.3-inch-screen flagship. Add the best performing processor, excellent battery endurance, fast charging speed, bright screen and Vivo’s excellence in camera tech and this may be the phone you were waiting for. Keeping it from a spot in the TOP 10 are it’s selfie (with no AF), video recording, lack of SDmemory slot, only 3 years of OS updates and Vivo’s refusal to offer a desktop replacement feature.
PROs: compact body for current phone size standards, great build, Dimensity 9400 flagship performance, 2-day battery endurance with 90W fast charging, IP69 ingress protection, a 50MP main & 50MP periscope both with PDAF & OIS plus a 50MP AF ultrawide
CONs: lack of software and hardware support – it is released in limited markets, no memory expansion and no desktop replacement feature (updated Apr 13, 2025)

* TOP Processor * TOP Battery endurance
EDITORIAL: Another great effort from Vivo. A downgraded UFS speed, camera and a non-LTPO screen but otherwise very close to Vivo X200 Pro in performance, battery endurance, fast charging and screen departments. Highly recommended it you can get the 512GB version, not available everywhere.
PROs: very fast performance by UFS4.0 and Dimensity 9400, 5800mAh Si/C 2-day battery with (<1hr) 90W charging, bright 460ppi AMOLED screen with HDR10+, PDAF OIS 50MP main and telephoto lenses plus a AF 50MP ultrawide CONs: low number of (years of) OS updates, no expandable memory or desktop replacement feature (updated Apr 14, 2025)

* TOP Photos
EDITORIAL: X Fold 3 Pro is only a 3rd generation Vivo foldable but it outperformed foldable competition with battery and camera and hardware. This immersive phone is a great option if you can get it in your market. It is one of the thinnest, lightest and yet top in battery endurance and water protection among foldable. Excellent build and usability, great performance and 24hr+ battery performance on the outer screen. Very bright screens and a great camera setup takes this 2024 phone to a short list of phones to consider.
PROs: great build, good SD 8 Gen 3 with UFS4.0 performance, 24h+ 5700mAh Si-C battery endurance with (0-100%) sub-40min 100W charging, excellent >2000nits Dolby Vision screens (external has long 21:9 ratio), IPx8 water protection, great photos from Zeiss branded OIS 50MP main + OIS 64MP periscope tele + 50MP ultrawide (all PDAF), fast 3.2 USB-C with OTG
CONs: mediocre selfies (tho on a foldable you should use the main camera for selfies), no SDmemory, only 3 years of OS update support, no desktop replacement or video out support (updated Jun 30, 2025)

* TOP Selfie * TOP Software * TOP Desktop replacement
EDITORIAL: One of the very few small flagships, the S24 ticks many boxes except for battery endurance. The top 2023 processor, fast storage, great screen, the same reliable camera as on S24+, 7 years of OS updates and even a full-on desktop replacement make this small phone a very good value.
PROs: compact body (compared to other modern phones), great build, 1400nits bright LTPO OLED screen, good main (50MP main & 10MP tele b both with OIS AF) camera and a great 12MP PDAF selfie, very long OS update promise and excellent desktop replacement software – DeX
CONs: less than 1-day battery endurance, lack of expendable memory (updated Apr 15, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Main camera * TOP Selfie * TOP Video recording * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: The best 2022 Apple phone still holds it’s ground – it was a great phone to begin with but with Apple’s (very) incremental annual improvements, it’s successors didn’t get that much better. A great option, especially if you’re stuck in Apple ecosystem.
PROs: 2-day battery life, >1500nits bright LTPO screen, submersible in water up to 6m, very reliable 48Mp main + 12MP tele + 12MP ultrawide (all with PDAF) back camera and a great 12MP PDAF OIS selfie, great video recording Apple is known for, Apple’s long OS upgrade support
CONs: big and 240gr heavy, a 150min slow charging, lack of expandable storage, lack of desktop replacement functionality (updated Apr 14, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: This year’s T Pro model is possibly the best “flagship killer” ever made. It is hard to imagine getting more at such a low price.
PROs: excellent Dimensity 9400+ with UFS 4.1 performance, 24+hr endurance from a 5500mAh Lithium battery, 90W sub-40min 0-100% wired charging (50W wireless), flagship grade >1400nits bright 450ppi 144Hz AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP68 protection, great pics from 50MP OIS PDAF main camera (Laica branded) with good performance from a 50MP OIS PDAF periscope telephoto + 12MP ultrawide and up to 5 years of OS updates
CONs: wide and hard to use one-hand, mediocre 32MP un-binded selfie, inconsistent video recording, no expandable memory, no desktop replacement software, slow USB-C 2.0 port with no video-out (added Oct 2, 2025)

* TOP Photography * TOP Selfie
EDITORIAL: Pixel 10 Pro brings a new Tensor chip produced by TSMC’s 3nm manufacturing process. The screen is slightly brighter and battery (still old, Lithium tech) is just 170nAh larger. Android 16 brings in the 1st gen of build-in desktop replacement functionality. All cameras are the same as on 9 Pro but have some new AI tricks and the tele lense can focus closer. Qi2 wireless charging adds a cool touch.
PROs: one-hand flagship grade hardware, 2300nits super-bright 495ppi sharp LTPO OLED screen with HDR10+, IP68 protection, reliable 50MP OIS main + 48MP OIS periscope telephoto + 48MP ultrawide (all PDAF) camera performance along with 42MP PDAF selfie, good but not class-leading video recording, 7 years of OS update promise and a new desktop replacement functionality
CONs: slow UFS 2.2 brings down performance, poor Tensor G5 midrange chip performance, sub12hr endurance with 88min slow 30W wired charging (15W wireless) of old-tech Li 4870mAh battery, sub500Hz PWM dimming rate can cause headaches, same camera hardware as on 9 Pro, no SDmemory expansion (updated Sep 10, 2025)

* TOP Photos * TOP Selfie * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Honor’s second FLIP phone is a great foldable limited to Chinese market. Excellent chaftmenship, IP59 protection, very bright LTPO screens and a triple set of AF equipped lenses make this one of the best FLIP phones.
PROs: great built, excellent SD 8 Gen 3 UFS 4.0 performance, almost 24hr 5500mAh (Si cathode) battery endurance with fast 80W sub-50min charging (50W wireless), >1700nit bright LTPO AMOLED screens with Dolby Vision, full water immersion IP59 protection, excellent imaging from 200MP OIS PDAF main + 50MP AF ultrawide and a 50MP AF selfie, over 4 years of OS software support
CONs: limited to China, inconsistent video recording quality, no SDmemory slot, no desktop replacement feature and a very slow USB-C 2.0 port (added Oct 5, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Software * TOP Desktop replacement . Badge Guide >
EDITORIAL: Honor skipped the V4 iteration and put out Magic V5 – the thinnest FOLD phone in the world. At 8.8mm thickness, the USB-C port barely fits in and to make future foldables any thinner, the device will need to skip the USB port. Honor also added dust protection, increased water resistance, put in a bigger battery and improved the back cameras.
PROs: 2025 thinnest foldable, 217g light and very strong build, fast SD 8 Elite with UFS4.0 performance, 24hr endurance from 5820mAh Si-C battery with sub-1hr 66W charging (50W wireless), >400ppi LTPO AMOLED screens with Dolby Vision, IP59 dust and water protection, great pics from 50MP OIS PDAF main + 64MP periscope tele + 50MP AF ultrawide, 7 years of OS updates, stable DeX-like desktop replacement feature and a fast USB-C 3.1 with Display Port tech
CONs: only a day of battery life, no AF on either 20MP selfie nor on the periscope tele (!), no SDmemory slot (updated Aug 30, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Screen * TOP Photos * * TOP Selfie * TOP Software * TOP Desktop replacement
EDITORIAL: Samsung and Apple are bringing in thinner phones this year, creating a whole new competition space for all phone makers. The category may have actually been created last November by Huawei Mate X6’s 4.6mm thinness when unfolded. In any case, the S25 Edge titanium frame body is just 5.8mm thick and only 163gr light making it one of the thinnest and lightest flagships you could own. Samsung (and Apple) are still using Lithium Ion batteries – old technology that packs less power and uses more space then the Silicone Carbon batteries now used in all of Chinese designed flagships (Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Honor, Huawei). It is strange that two of the biggest phone makers can not make this switch to a better tech yet.
PROs: uber light build, fast SnapDragon 8 Elite with UFS4.0 performance, excellent >500ppi >1400nits HDR10+ LTPO AMOLED screen, very competent 200MP OIS main + 12MP ultrawide (both with PDAF) camera, 12MP dual pixel PDAF selfie, great OS with advanced AI features and 7 years of updates and even DeX software feature offering desktop replacement functionality
CONs: sub-24hr endurance from a 3900mAh Lithium Ion battery, >60min slow 25W wired (15W wireless) charging, no memory expansion and a premium price (updated May 26, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Photos * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Honor improved it’s midrange offering with a (last year top) flagship chip, a great screen, a 200MP main camera and a 6 year long support for OS updates. Both main and telephoto cameras produce great shots in all conditions. A 2nd (FOV) lense on the front makes up for lack of AF on a 50MP selfie and also delivers iPhone-like face unlock. What a shame that there is no video out from the very slow USB-C port.
PROs: excellent SD 8 Gen 3 performance, (barely) 2-day life from a 5300mAh Si/C battery, sub-40min 100W (50W wireless) charging, excellent pics from a 200MP OIS main + 50MP OIS tele + 12MP ultrawide (all PDAF) back cameras, a 50MP selfie with a FOV second lense and 6 years of OS updates
CONs: price, slow USB-C port, no video out, memory expansion or desktop replacement functionality (updated Jun 17, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Protection * TOP Desktop replacement
EDITORIAL: Motorola keeps producing excellent midrange (processor) phones with lovely colors and build, great in-hand feel and non-slip surfaces, top ingress and military standard drop protection, bright screens with Pantene calibrated colors and smooth but powerful OS with all the AI works and DeX equaling desktop replacement functionality. Motorola phones don’t sell in all markets so consider yourself lucky if you can get one locally.
PROs: good Mediatec 8350 E processor with UFS4.0 performance, a 2-day Si/C 6000mAh long life battery with a sub-1hr 90W wired charging (15W wireless), >1500nits bright P-OLED HDR10+ screen, maximum (IP69 + Military standard) element and drop protection, good imaging (50MP OIS main + 10MP OIS tele + 12MP ultrawide, all PDAF) back camera and excellent and very stable OS package that includes a powerful desktop replacement software
CONs: no AF on selfie, no SDmemory, just 3 years of OS updates (updated May 16, 2025)

* TOP Charging * TOP Screen * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: This Poco scores better than the new Poco X7 Ultra because it trades the top chip for last year’s SD 8 Gen 3 but comes with a much bigger (6000mAh vs 5300 on Ultra) battery. The camera setup is downgraded from the Ultra but still delivers competent main and ultrawide shots and videos. This phone is a pleasure to use too for it’s great IP68 build and smooth OS performance.
PROs: fast SD 8 Gen 3 with UFS4.1 performance, a 2-day 6000mAh battery endurance with a sub-1hr 90W wired charging, excellent >500ppi >1400nits AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, reliable 50MP OIS PDAF main with a 8MP ultrawide, 4 years of OS updates
CONs: selfie with no AF, no SDmemory expansion, no desktop replacement software (added Apr 27, 2025)

* BEST Protection * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Motorola has preserved the spirit of innovation and creativity despite transfers to Google (in 2012) and Lenovo (in 2014). Their phones feature solid build with unusual and fun colors, good ingress protection and solid camera tech. The software is a very clean version of Android with useful but minimal additions such as “karate chop” move to turn on the main camera. This phone features a very interesting aramid fibre back, plastic frame, full IP68 water resistance with military grade drop protection, up to 5 years of OS updates and desktop replacement software bundled inside fast and feature rich OS.
PROs: compact and light 171gr build with fibre back panel, industry best ingress and drop protection, good (50MP main 10MP tele booth with OIS OIS and 13MP ultrawide – all three with PDAF) camera setup, long update support of a great OS with excellent desktop replacement functionality
CONs: could be hard to find, Motorola’s software updates can come with a delay (updated Apr 15, 2025)

* TOP Photos * TOP video recording * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Xiaomi’s best 2024 phone was one of world’s top camera phones of 2024. Missing are selfie camera auto-focus, the memory expansion slot and any attempt at the desktop replacement feature tho “video out” is supported. Xiaomi did a fantastic job with the main camera that features 4 50MP sensors, all with PDAF functionality and with a Photography Kit accessory available as an extra purchase – this really is a camera-phone.
PROs: more compact then direct (camera centric) competitors, good SD 8 Gen 3 performance, high res (520ppi) LTPO OLED with Dolby Vision, top camera chops (quad 50MP sensor setup with a periscope tele and OIS on all but ultrawide – all lenses have PDAF!), excellent video recording and long OS update support
CONs: a powerful processor with high-res 68B color support screen take a great toll on battery – barely a 1-day performance (updated Apr 16, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance
EDITORIAL: Last year’s Vivo flagship is so good, it just left the Top 30. It features last year’s top Mediatec processor and a slightly bigger battery than Vivo’s top phone, X100 Ultra. The camera here is marginally weaker but amazing battery life, fast charging, excellent performance and the wonderful build that Vivo is known for, make this phone stand out. If only Vivo offered memory expansion, desktop repacement or a longer software update policy…
PROs: good Dimensity 9300 performance, a 2-day excellent 5400mAh (Lithium) battery endurance with very fast (0-100% in 35min) charging, top main and tele (both 50MP OIS PDAF) lenses with a respectable pics from 50MP AF ultrawide
CONs: slippery build, 225gr heavy body, mediocre selfie and lack of SDmemory, desktop replacement or looking OS update support (updated Apr 16, 2025)

* TOP Selfie * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: A bigger version of Pixel 10 Pro comes with more screen and battery but same processor, IP protection, front and back cameras and software. Disappointing hardware performance and lack of hardware innovation are somewhat offset by strong AI features, desktop replacement software and Qi2 wireless charging. Pricing is uncompetitive.
PROs: good built, >2200nits bright >480ppi great LTPO OLED screen with HDR10+, IP68, great images from 50MP OIS main + 48MP OIS periscope tele + 48MP ultrawide (all with PDAF) back cameras, excellent imaging from 42MP PDAF selfie, great video recording (but not quite iPhone level). up to 7 years of OS updates, loaded with latest AI and the new desktop replacement feature baked into Android 16
CONs: large and hard to use one hand, disappointing Tensor G5 performance with throttling, barely 12hr 5200mAh Li battery endurance. >60min 45W wired (25W wireless) charging, camera tech from 2024 (except closer focusing tele), no expandable memory slot, the most expensive midrange phone (updated Sep 17, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Protection * TOP Memory expansion
EDITORIAL: Not to be confused with the China-only Realme GT7, this Oppo features good performance from Mediatec new 4nm 9400e chip, incredible battery endurance, great Dolby Vision screen and a solid 4 year-long OS update promise.
PROs: Dimensity 9400e UFS4.0 performance on par with “SD 8 Elite for Galaxy” chip, insanely long almost 3-day Si/I 7000mAh battery endurance with a host of battery health preserving features and sub-60min wired charging (no wireless), excellent >1400nits bright LTPO AMOLED with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision magic and high frequency PWM dimming, IP69 element protection, reliable-if-not-flagship-grade 50MP OIS main + 50MP tele (both with PDAF) + 8MP ultrawide cameras and 4 years of OS updates
CONs: plastic frame and back, processor throttling (only under heavy load), ultrawide and selfie cameras with no AF, lack of memory expansion or desktop replacement functionality (added May 29, 2025)

* TOP Battery endurance * TOP Protection * TOP Memory expansion
EDITORIAL: The first Edge phone of 2025 brings tons of value in exchange for limited longevity and a reliable (but not exceptional) camera setup. Great battery, very good (1220 x 2712 Pixel) screen, top (IP69 with MIL-STD-810H) protection against the elements, SDmemory expansion, desktop replacement feature are all there along with reliable main cam and very good video recording. Like last Fusion, this could be your one hand phone with a narrow body, curved screen, thin plastic frame and just 8mm in thickness.
PROs: 2-day battery life with 45min (0 to 100) fast changing, >1300nit bright HDR10+ screen, industry best ingress and drop protection, good main (50MP PDAF OIS) camera and a decent (13MP AF) ultrawide, SDmemory slot, desktop replacement software included in Motorola’s clean and feature rich Hello UI OS
CONs: Dimensity 7300 chip with UFS2.2 memory and just 3 years of OS updates (added Apr 14, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Battery endurance
EDITORIAL: Vivo focuses on a “battery-screen-cameras” for it’s success, (Oppo) Realme is going for the “processor-battery-screen” approach. I expected the top performance here but didn’t see how amazing phone’s battery could be. Not only does it last longer than competition, GT 7 Pro also charges 50% in just 12 minutes! It’s 120W charging is also smarter this year with various options for preserving battery health. And the charger comes in the box to shows us what’s possible on the battery front. The triple lens main camera produces good photos.
SUPERPOWER: outstanding battery performance
PROs: SD 8 Elite with UFS4.0 performance, outstanding 6500mAh Silicone battery life with sub-1hr 120W charging, a super bright >2000nits 1264p screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, ultrasonic biometrics
CONs: average camera performance, no SDmemory, only 3 years of OS updates, no desktop replacement software (updated Apr 18, 2025)

* TOP Photos * TOP Selfie
EDITORIAL: Oppo’s top phone of 2024 is s still a great package with amazing photography chops and a top build.
PROs: if you can still find it (no pun intended): still fast SD 8 Gen 3 performance with UFS4.0, sub-30min (0-100%) fast charging, a >510 ppi with Dolby Vision screen, 1″ main sensor, excellent photos from the back quad 50MP PDAF setup with OIS on all except ultrawide and front a great selfie (32MP PDAF)
CONs: 221gr heavy, only 1-day battery endurance, inconsistent video quality across lenses (the main lens videos are outstanding) (updated Apr 23, 2025)

* TOP Selfie * TOP Video * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Like Samsung, Apple has introduced a slim phone this year. And just like Samsung’s, Apple’s new entry replaces the bigger non-Pro model that wasn’t selling too well. 17 Air is the only iPhone this year to keep the Titanium build and the only one to come with just 2 lenses: one on the front and just one in the back. Other then being 5.6mm thin, 17 Air offers the same screen with anti-reflection coating and the same new “Center Stage” selfie camera as this year’s Pro’s. It’s A19 Pro chip has 1 core less and a noticably slower performance when compared to 17 Pro Max. Night mode photos are painfully slow to take. The still and video imaging is very good but remember: you won’t have access to any meaningful zooming or ultrawide action. At least, Air’s battery life is better then Samsung Edge’s. We wish it more luck then iPhone Plus had.
PROs: strong titanium uni-body, good A19 Pro performance, up to 1TB of storage, sharp 460ppi LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED with Dolby Vision screen, great imaging from a single 48MP OIS PDAF main, excellent new Center Stage 18MP selfie with OIS PDAF, stable iOS with up to 6 years of updates
CONs: short sub-24hr endurance from an old-tech lithium 3150mAh battery, slow >90min 25W wired (20W wireless) charging, screen with just 1000nits brightness, only 1 camera on the back, no SDmemory slot nor desktop replacement feature, slow USB-C 2.0 without Video-Out support, expensive (updated Sep 26, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Software * TOP Desktop replacement
EDITORIAL: Samsung is bringing it’s top 200MP main camera from S25 Ultra to their best foldable. It also added AF to the ultrawide but unfortunately kept the telephoto at just 10MP. The phone is now significantly thinner compared to Z Fold 6 (from 5.6mm to 4.2mm when unfolded) but noticably wider compared to past models (72.8mm vs 68.1mm on Z Fold 6 and 67.1mm on Z Fold 5). Battery tech, endurance and charging remain the same, a disappointing performance from the world’s biggest phone maker.
PROs: excellent build, nice new colors, fast SD 8 Elite with UFS4.0 performance, >1400nits bright 422ppi (368ppi inner) HDR10+ LTPO AMOLED screens, IP48 protection, good photos from 200MP OIS main + 12MP ultrawide cameras (both with PDAF), 7 years of OS updates and DeX – Samsung’s excellent desktop replacement software
CONs: not as one-hand-friendly as it used to be, embarrassing lack of battery tech and performance improvement, 90min 25W slow charging, disappointing telephoto camera performance, no AF on either selfie, no SDmemory slot and Samsung’s persistent effort to lock it’s customers into the phone+wearable echo-system (updated Jul 19, 2025)

* TOP Photos * TOP Selfie * TOP Desktop replacement
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectations of chip performance, battery endurance, charging speed and photo & video performance) Huawei seems to be back with another world’s best camera-phone. The company has adopted a full self-reliance approach in both hardware (Kirin chip, protective glass, camera design) and software (moving it’s OS away from Google dependence) and seems to be back to excellence. With Pura 80 Ultra, Huawei brings a first in the smartphone photography: two different periscope telephoto lenses that share one sensor. We’re waiting for the test results but knowing Huawei’s innovation record, this should be the BEST Photography phone in the World.
PROs: more competitive pricing then Pura 70 Ultra, great build quality, solid (upper-midrange) Kirin 9020 performance, fast 100W charging of the 5700mAh Li battery (80W wireless charging), IP69 element protection, outstanding 50MP 1″ sensor main camera with f/1.6_4.0 OIS PDAF + 83mm and 212mm two lens PDAF OIS 50MP periscope telephoto + 40MP AF ultrawide back camera, 13MP AF ultrawide and stable DeX-like desktop replacement functionality
CONs: lack of Google apps out of the box, future-software-update concerns, wider and heavier (76.1mm, 233gr) body, non-Si 5700mAh 1-day battery and a lack of expandable memory storage (added Jun 4, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Screen * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: This year for the first time, Poco is making a flagship phone. It is a rare and generous upgrade from previous Poco phones, hense the Ultra moniker. To get down to it’s price point, some compromises had to be made.
PROs: relatively narrow well build body with IP69 protection, top SnapDragon 8 Elite with UFS 4.1 performance, super-fast (0 to 100%) 30 min charging, flagship >500ppi >1500nits Dolby Vision display, 4 years of OS updates
CONs: decent but not-so-Ultra grade cameras, lack of expandable storage and computer replacement feature (updated Apr 21, 2025)

* TOP Performance * TOP Software
EDITORIAL: The non-Pro Oppo Find X8 version is a little gem – it includes everything the Pro has except the 2nd periscope tele camera. Because of the screen tech and battery size difference, it scores better in performance and marginally worse in battery life (which will still easily give you a full day). In a paradox, the white version’s back panel feels like plastic – great feel and solid surface that is very satisfying to touch – may be the best color option of the series!
PROs: great build and in-hand feel despite it’s considerable width, excellent Dimensity 9400 with UFS4.0 performance, bright >1300nits 460ppi AMOLED with Dolby Vision, very good triple PDAF 50MP camera setup (with OIS for main and tele), up to 5 years of OS updates
CONs: just short of a 2-day endurance from a 5600mAh Si/C battery, no AF on an “okay” selfie, no SDmemory, no desktop replacement feature (updated Apr 21, 2025)