The annual PhoneArena Awards sum up the year by highlighting the devices that truly stood out over the past 12 months. In 2025, the market delivered bold innovations, AI experiments, striking form factors, and a few unexpected misfires. After testing hundreds of models, the PhoneArena team selected winners across 11 categories.

Value: Galaxy S25 FE — Best for Price and Performance

The Galaxy S25 FE was named the best option for anyone wanting a well-rounded smartphone without overspending. Against rivals such as the Pixel 9a, known for its excellent camera, or the iPhone 16E, valued for reliability, it won out by offering the strongest overall balance. It features a large display, a near-flagship processor, a rare telephoto camera in this price bracket, a 4,900 mAh battery, and 45 W charging — essentially 90% of the Galaxy S25 Plus for about 60% of the price. The editors recommended choosing the 256 GB version to avoid storage issues.

Surprise: OnePlus 15 — The Unexpected Winner in Battery Life and Gaming

The OnePlus 15 caught the industry off guard by launching before the Galaxy S26 and turning out to be a true two-day flagship, thanks to its 7,300 mAh battery and extremely fast charging. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivered record-setting gaming stability. With a $900 price tag, it undercut many competitors. The team concluded that for buyers prioritizing endurance and gaming, this was the standout choice of the year.

Design: iPhone Air — Aesthetic Excellence

The iPhone Air was described as the purest expression of Apple’s design philosophy: ultra-thin, lightweight, and instantly striking. Its titanium frame and polished edges made it feel premium despite its minimalist appearance. It was not the best-selling model of the year, but it was considered the most memorable in terms of design.

Fine Wine: Pixel 9 Pro — Improving with Age

The Pixel 9 Pro earned the title of the device that “ages like fine wine.” Even after the release of the Pixel 10, it remained relevant thanks to Google’s seven-year update policy. Its triple 50 MP camera system — including an excellent ultrawide and a 5× telephoto — continued to be competitive, and Android updates arrived immediately.

Gaming: RedMagic 11 Pro — A Mobile Gaming Monster

The RedMagic 11 Pro was crowned the gaming king of 2025. Its transparent back showed off a groundbreaking liquid-cooling system with a 24,000-rpm fan, a vapor chamber, and a nanotech pump. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 kept frame rates consistently above 60 FPS, and the 7,500 mAh battery supported long gaming sessions. The model with 24 GB RAM and 1 TB of storage cost less than an iPhone 17 Pro Max. Its camera was simple, but for gaming, it was considered ideal.

Compact: iPhone 17 — A Small Phone Without Compromises

The iPhone 17 was chosen for users tired of oversized devices. Smaller and lighter than the Galaxy S25 but offering better performance and a baseline 256 GB of storage, it stood out. Apple’s ecosystem features — such as AirDrop, iCloud, and Apple Watch integration — added further convenience. Those seeking a compact phone with flagship capabilities were advised to look no further.

Flip: Motorola Razr Ultra — The Best Clamshell Foldable

The Motorola Razr Ultra was named the best flip phone of 2025. Priced at $900 (down from $1,300), it outperformed the Galaxy Flip 7 in speed, charging, and external screen functionality. Its design and build quality were praised as the most cohesive among modern flip phones.

Fold: Galaxy Z Fold 7 — The Best Large Foldable

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 was selected as the foldable of the year. Samsung finally made the device thin, light, and elegant, while also giving it a wide and practical cover display. One UI 8 with DeX support and exclusive features rounded out the experience. For anyone seeking a large foldable without compromises, this was the recommended choice.

Overall: iPhone 17 Pro Max — The Best Smartphone of the Year

In the main showdown between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple’s flagship came out ahead. Editors noted that the new square front camera improved selfies, the 4× zoom was more practical, and real-world battery life was longer. Charging performance was solid, and the ecosystem advantage remained strong. The Galaxy model was described as excellent, but the iPhone won due to its more consistent improvements.

Boring: iPhone 16E — Overpriced and Uninspiring

The iPhone 16E was labeled the year’s most “boring” device. Essentially a revamped iPhone 14 with USB-C and no MagSafe — offered only in black and white — it cost $600 while delivering a dim outdoor display and a single rear camera. It was the cheapest iPhone, but not the best value.

Bust: Apple Intelligence — The Biggest Disappointment

Apple Intelligence was named the flop of the year. The editors concluded that Apple failed to deliver on its 2024 promises: while competitors surged ahead with AI, Apple seemed to pause. Siri remained unchanged, and expectations for 2026 were still uncertain.

In Brief

PhoneArena Awards 2025: Galaxy S25 FE for value, OnePlus 15 as the surprise of the year, iPhone Air for design, Pixel 9 Pro as the long-lasting classic, RedMagic 11 Pro for gaming, iPhone 17 as the compact choice, Razr Ultra as the best flip, Z Fold 7 as the top foldable, iPhone 17 Pro Max as the overall winner, iPhone 16E as the dud, and Apple Intelligence as the main disappointment. A year of innovation in which Apple and Samsung shared the spotlight while Chinese brands competed on price.