January 2025
Smartphones: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of smartphones rankings posted by key online experts, as of January 2025.
Summary
On 6 Jan 2025, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 90 smartphone endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
47 smartphones were endorsed in total, only 23 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 6 Jan 2025, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed smartphone with 8 expert endorsements. 3 experts out of 8 recommended it as the '#1 smartphone' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Apple: 11 smartphones
(#1 is iPhone 16 Pro Max)
-
Samsung: 10 smartphones
(#1 is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra)
-
Google: 8 smartphones
(#1 is Google Pixel 9 Pro)
-
OnePlus: 5 smartphones
(#1 is OnePlus 12R)
-
Motorola: 3 smartphones
(#1 is Motorola Edge 50 Ultra)
Price breakdown
At a glance - January Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Smartphone |
Laptop Mag
|
The Verge
|
TechRadar
|
T3
|
Pocket-lint
|
Tom's Guide
|
IGN
|
Creative Bloq
|
Digital Trends
|
ZD Net
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | $925 |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
|
-
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
- | $900 |
Google Pixel 9 Pro
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
4
|
-
|
3
|
- | Check price |
iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
- | Check price |
iPhone 16
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
5
|
- | Check price |
iPhone 16 Pro
|
-
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
- | $0 |
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max impresses with its camera capabilities, battery life, and USB-C integration, but faces criticism for its high price, slow charging speeds, and some underutilized features like the Action Button.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
- | Check price |
OnePlus 12R
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
4
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
8
|
+1 | $409 |
Google Pixel 7a
The Google Pixel 7a has received positive reviews for its design, camera capabilities, display, performance, battery life, and speakers, making it a suitable choice for users who prioritize these features.
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-1 | $1199 |
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
4
|
10
|
- | $790 |
OnePlus 12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
7
|
11
|
- | $490 |
Google Pixel 8a
|
-
|
4
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
- | $1599 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
+7 | $539 |
Nothing Phone (1)
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
14
|
-1 | Check price |
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a flagship smartphone that offers a unique design, advanced camera capabilities, impressive performance, reliable battery life, and excellent speaker quality, making it a top choice for those seeking a high-performance smartphone.
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
-1 | $660 |
Google Pixel 9
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
16
|
-1 | Check price |
OnePlus 11
The OnePlus 11 receives positive reviews for its sleek design, premium materials, unique camera placement, exceptional performance, solid battery life, and good speaker quality, making it a recommended choice for users who value aesthetics, camera capabilities, smooth performance, and a high-quality display.
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
-1 | $895 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
18
|
-1 | Check price |
Nothing Phone 2
The Nothing Phone (2) is a sleek and powerful device with a great display and battery life, but falls short in low light photography and audio quality.
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
19
|
-1 | Check price |
iPhone 16 Plus
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
20
|
-1 | $449 |
iPhone SE
The iPhone SE (2020) is a compact and well-designed smartphone that offers excellent performance and functionality, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer a smaller device.
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
21
|
- | Check price |
OnePlus Open
The OnePlus Open is a versatile and reliable foldable smartphone with a sleek design, powerful camera system, vibrant display, seamless performance, impressive battery life, and immersive audio quality, making it a great choice for users who prioritize portability, durability, and multimedia capabilities.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
22
|
- | $1086 |
Oppo Find X5 Pro
The Oppo Find X5 Pro is a flagship smartphone praised for its sleek design, impressive camera performance, smooth display, powerful performance, and long-lasting battery life, but its audio quality may not meet the standards of some users.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
23
|
- | Check price |
Pixel 9 Pro Fold
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra #1 in January 2025 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as #1.
TechRadar
The best Android cameras
Incredible performance and features
Better cameras than ever before
|
AI features can be useless at worst
Big, heavy, and more expensive
|
T3
The best flagship Android phone right now
Seriously powerful hardware experience
Versatile camera system, including zoom
S Pen stylus comes in a handy slot
|
S Pen stylus won't be for all
Charging could be faster
|
Pocket-lint
Best premium phone
Innovative AI tools
Fantastic Camera
Excellent build-quality
|
Expensive
Bulky
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone from Samsung
Practical AI features
7 years of software updates
Incredible processing power
|
5x zoom lens isn't as powerful as S23 Ultra's 10x lens
More expensive than before
|
IGN
Best Smartphone
Incredible performance
Exceptional camera system
|
Titanium makes the device big and heavy
|
Creative Bloq
The new gold standard for Android AI camera phones.
Excellent cameras
Seven years of updates
S Pen is a great addition
|
The price
The AI
The software
|
ZD Net
Best phone overall
Best display available in any smartphone
Reliable quad-camera setup
Battery life remains among best in class
AI features deliver new value
|
Costs more than some premium laptops
No Qi2 magnetic charging
Can be unwieldy for some, especially with a case
|
We ranked Google Pixel 9 Pro #2 in January 2025 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Google Pixel 9 Pro as #1.
TechRadar
The best Android overall
Fantastic improved Pixel design and durability
Great camera and photo editing features
|
Performance lags the competition
Some AI features may be questionable without guardrails
|
Tom's Guide
Best AI features on a phone
Super bright display
Vastly improved battery life
Excellent camera performance
|
Tensor G4 chip lags other top Android chipset in performance
As pricey as larger Pixel 8 Pro
|
IGN
Best Camera Phone
Elegant and compact design
Excellent camera system
Long-term software support
|
Gaming performance lags behind
Base storage could be bigger
|
Creative Bloq
Completely stuffed with AI features, the Pixel 9 Pro is ambitiously futuristic
Superb, high-quality camera setup
Next-level AI features
Premium build and handling
|
Performance lags
Susceptible to overheating
|
Digital Trends
The best Android phone runner-up
Beautiful hardware and display
Compact size without compromises
It's pink!
Long battery life
Great cameras
Mostly good AI tools
Seven years of updates
|
Slow charging speeds
128GB base storage
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend smartphones.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of smartphones, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for January 2025 ranking
We ranked iPhone 16 Pro Max #3 in January 2025 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked iPhone 16 Pro Max as #1.
TechRadar
The best iPhone overall
Camera control gives instant access
Powerful Apple A18 Pro chip inside
|
More zoom would be even nicer
Apple Intelligence rollout is staggered
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone overall
Long lasting battery life
Useful Camera Control button
4K 120 fps video capture
Larger screen
|
Slow charging speeds
Apple Intelligence features aren't too innovative
|
Digital Trends
The best iPhone runner-up
Beautiful display
Powerful performance
Camera Control is a nice addition
Great battery life
Improved ultrawide camera
|
It's too darn big
Boring colors
Apple Intelligence not available yet
|
ZD Net
Best iPhone overall
Camera Control brings new utility
Best battery life of an iPhone to date
A18 Pro chip to power Apple Intelligence features
Useful video features like 4K120fps recording and Audio Mix
|
Still expensive at $1,199
Most Apple Intelligence features remain in beta or have yet to be released
|
We ranked iPhone 16 #4 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked iPhone 16 as #1.
Tom's Guide
The best bang/buck ratio in Apple phones
Vibrant color choices
Strong A18 performance
Refreshed ultrawide camera
|
Still stuck with 60Hz display
Apple Intelligence features are nothing too groundbreaking
|
Digital Trends
The best iPhone
Fun, refreshing new design
Stunning colors this year
Camera Control is so, so good
The Action button rules
Excellent camera system
Reliable battery life
|
60Hz display, no always-on display
Slow charging speeds
Apple Intelligence not yet available
|
We ranked iPhone 16 Pro #5 in January 2025 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best iPhone cameras
Camera control gives instant camera access
Powerful Apple A18 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence
|
Not the sharpest screen I've seen
Should have more storage
|
IGN
Best iPhone
Powerful performance
Elegant design
Robust camera system
|
Camera settings could use some tweaks
|
Creative Bloq
New A18 Pro chip is powerful
Improved camera
Native creative apps still best on the market
|
Charging still slow
Smaller model's screen feels too small
That's a lot of money for more storage, Apple
|
We ranked iPhone 15 Pro Max #6 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked iPhone 15 Pro Max as #1.
- 📸 Excellent Camera Quality
- 🔋 Impressive Battery Life
- 🔌 USB-C Port
- 🌟 Design and Build Quality
- 🚀 Performance
- 💸 High Price
- ⚡ Slow Charging Speeds
- 🔄 Action Button Underutilized
T3
The best Apple phone you can buy
Titanium enclosure makes it lighter
Most capable cameras
|
New action button not essential
Battery demands
|
Pocket-lint
Best overall phone / Editor's Choice
Beautiful, premium build
Performance is really smooth and fast
Excellent camera system with excellent 5x zoom
Action Button is very useful
|
Pricey
Camera can be a little overcomplicated
|
We ranked OnePlus 12R #7 in January 2025 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best Android for battery life
Excellent battery life
Display is outstanding
Plenty of features
|
No seven-year update promise
Not many MP on those cameras
Can't charge wirelessly
|
Pocket-lint
Best mid-range phone
Excellent performance for the price
Long battery life
Includes a fast-charger
|
No SD Slot
No wireless charging
|
Tom's Guide
Best value for an Android phone
Epic battery life
Compelling budget price in the U.S.
Strong Snapdragon performance
|
No wireless charging
Software support could be longer
|
Digital Trends
The best phone value
Sleek, polished design
Top-notch display
Fast performance; runs cool
Excellent battery life
80W charging!
Unbeatable price
|
Poor ultrawide and macro cameras
No wireless charging
|
We ranked Google Pixel 7a #8 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Google Pixel 7a as #1.
Laptop Mag
Best phone smartphone for most people
$499 price point
Bright, vivid 90Hz display
Excellent photos
Exclusive Pixel features
Solid support
|
Mediocre speakers
Performance can’t match flagships
|
Pocket-lint
Best budget phone
Amazing price
Capable performance
Clutter-free user experience
|
Not the brightest
Lacks adaptive refresh rate
|
We ranked Google Pixel 9 Pro XL #9 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
T3
The best phone for most people
Display arguably best Android has to offer right now
A great camera experience
Brilliant battery life
|
Still not very fast-charging
Samsung offers more raw power for gaming
The display's corners curve steeply
|
Digital Trends
The best big Android phone
Google's best Pixel hardware yet
Excellent display
16GB of RAM!
Really fantastic cameras
Helpful AI tools
Much better battery life
Seven years of updates
|
Pixel Studio is a mess
Slow charging speeds
128GB of base storage
|
ZD Net
Best camera phone
Quality cameras all across the board
Plenty of useful AI features
Up to 5,060mAh battery with LTPO display
Arguably the best front-facing camera on any phone
|
Stock Android can feel too minimal
Capped at 45W fast charging
Costs $100 more than last year's model
|
We ranked OnePlus 12 #10 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
A great flagship value
Sharper 3x periscope camera
Responsive performance
Wireless charging returns
|
Few AI features compared to Galaxy S24
Low-light photos disappoint
|
Digital Trends
The best Android phone
Beautiful curved display
Flowy Emerald is a truly unique color
Powerful performance
Hasselblad camera system delivers great results
Two-day battery
Very fast wired and wireless charging
|
Back glass is slippery
Curved screen has some annoyances
Large size can be unwieldy
|
ZD Net
Best fast-charging phone
Snappy and smooth performance
80W in the US with charger in the box
Premium build quality for the price
Competitive main camera for photos
|
IP65 rating is not as water resistant as flagship phones
Curved glass/frame design can be slippery for some
Video recording is not the best
|
We ranked Google Pixel 8a #11 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best bargain phone
An affordable way get Google's AI magic
Cheap but still gets seven years of Android OS updates
|
Battery life could be better
Not the best performance, but AI-capable
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone value
Brighter screen than before
Much improved battery life over recent Pixels
7 years of software and security updates
|
Few camera changes from Pixel 7a
Slow charging
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 #12 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best Samsung phone
Big main screen and wider cover screen
Best foldable from Samsung yet
|
Not dust resistant
Only a minor camera upgrade
Very expensive
|
IGN
Best Foldable Phone
Stunning displays, inside and out
Extremely powerful
|
Aspect ratios can be weird
|
Creative Bloq
A camera phone and a tablet in one? Count us in!
Beautiful large display
Great camera
S Pen included
|
Very expensive
Crease still visible
|
We ranked Nothing Phone (1) #13 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
The most fun affordable phone
Gorgeous display
Decent cameras
Value for money from £399
Unique aesthetic…
|
…but Glyph lights can be a gimmick at times
Problems for people with epilepsy
Below average battery life
Nothing OS is a bit basic right now
|
ZD Net
Best budget phone
Very affordable, starting at $239
Bright and large AMOLED display
Customizable backplate design
Long-lasting battery with efficient processor
|
Lack of Verizon bands makes it unusable for some
No NFC means no tap-to-pay function
Middling camera system
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra #14 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
The best Android flagship phone
Qualcomm's 8 Gen 2 chip is a game-changer
Excellent battery life
Impressive 200MP camera
Bright, vivid display
Seamless ecosystem between smartphone and Samsung PC
|
Minimal design changes
Starts at $1,199
|
T3
The best last-gen flagship Android
Seriously powerful hardware experience
Versatile camera system, including zoom
S Pen stylus comes in a handy slot
|
S Pen stylus won't be for all
The newer S24 Ultra is even better!
|
We ranked Google Pixel 9 #15 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best small Android phone
Excellent design and build quality
Super camera
Tactile haptics
Fast and reliable security
Improved efficiency and battery life
Long software update commitment
|
Screen isn't always bright enough
Slow charging
More expensive than last year
|
We ranked OnePlus 11 #16 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best affordable flagship phone
Improved camera performance
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
Vibrant 120Hz adaptive display
Class-leading battery life and fast charging
|
Lacks water resistance
Cameras still don't match top flagships
No wireless charging
|
T3
A great Android phone without a massive price
6.7-inch QHD+, 120Hz display
Powerful efficient performance
Seriously fast charging
|
Other phones have a better battery life
Weak zoom on the camera
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 #17 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
ZD Net
Best flip-style foldable phone
High-quality materials, fit, and finish
AI-powered Auto Zoom feature for photos
IP48 water resistance
Larger external display is game-changing
The most pocketable Galaxy phone yet
|
No telephoto camera
Expensive, but generous trade-in offers abound
|
We ranked Nothing Phone 2 #18 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
T3
The best affordable yet powerful Android phone
Refined & lightweight design with unique aesthetic
Strong performance & battery life
Glyph lights are fun
|
Glyph lights won't be for everyone
Cameras won't outsmart Google Pixel
|
We ranked iPhone 16 Plus #19 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best iPhone battery
Camera control gives instant camera access
Powerful Apple A18 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence
|
Not the sharpest screen I've seen
Should have more storage
|
Digital Trends
The best big iPhone
Fantastic hardware and colors
Big, bright screen
Fast, reliable, and feature-packed software
Fun camera and Camera Control
Long battery life
|
Only a 60Hz refresh rate
No always-on screen
|
We ranked iPhone SE #20 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best budget iOS smartphone
Performance beast
Portable, compact form factor
Satisfying Touch ID
Decent price
|
Obsolete design
No Night mode
Middling battery life
|
Digital Trends
The best small iPhone
Compact and light
Very powerful
Touch ID works really well
Wireless charging
IP67 water resistance
|
Poor battery life
60Hz screen
64GB won't be enough
|
We ranked OnePlus Open #21 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best foldable phone overall
Outstanding thin and light design
Dynamic Open Canvas multitasking
Long battery life paired with fast charging
Generous 512GB storage
|
Weak low light camera performance
No wireless charging
|
ZD Net
Best tablet-style foldable phone
Lightest and thinnest foldable design
Intuitive multitasking and productivity features
65W fast charging will spoil you
16GB RAM and 512GB of storage is the base level
|
$1,699 is still pricey, even if it undercuts the competition
No IP68 rating and wireless charging support
|
We ranked Oppo Find X5 Pro #22 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
T3
The best Android phone design
Stunning QHD+ screen with 120Hz refresh
Long-lasting battery and fast-charging
Impressive camera system
|
No MicroSD card slot or headphone jack
Expensive
|
Creative Bloq
A sleek camera phone with Hasselblad filters
Incredible camera
Powerful battery
Great performance
|
Zoom lacks reach
Some features are buggy
|
We ranked Pixel 9 Pro Fold #23 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best foldable phone
Brilliant screen for games and video
Versatile and fun camera
Long software update commitment
Superb build and design
Thin and well-balanced
Free year of Gemini Advanced
|
Slow charging
Heavy
Expensive
|