Many new smartphone models have launched over the past few months. In this in-depth comparison, we walk you through the key technical characteristics to check before you buy. Here are this year’s best mobiles!
Top 8 of the best smartphones (2025):
1. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
2. Pixel 10 Pro
3. iPhone 17 Pro
4. Xiaomi 17 Ultra
5. Honor Magic 8 Pro
6. Oppo Find X9 Pro
7. Nothing Phone (3)
8. Motorola Signature
The 8 best smartphones of 2025
Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone: Samsung’s ultimate flagship
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung’s Rolls-Royce model-the showcase for its know-how. While it’s broadly very close to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Korean brand has still introduced a handful of changes: a faster processor, a refreshed design, titanium removed from the build, and 60 W fast charging. In truth, it’s the day-to-day experience that the phone is aiming to win you over with.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra also brings in Privacy Display. Once enabled, this feature dramatically narrows the viewing angle. Put simply: on the Tube, you’re the only person who can clearly see what’s on screen. It’s genuinely impressive-and, more importantly, actually useful. Even without huge innovation, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains one of the cornerstones of the Android world.
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163,6 x 78,1 x 7,9 mm |
| Weight | 214 g |
| Screen | - 6,9’’ LPTO - 3120 x 1440 pixels - 2 600 nits max - Gorilla Glass Armor 2 |
| Refresh rate | - 1-120 Hz |
| Chip | - Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM / Storage options | - 12/256 GB - 12/512 GB - 12/1 TB |
| System version | - OneUI 8.5 based on Android 16 - 7 years of software updates |
| Main camera sensors | - Main module: 24 mm (f/1,4) OIS, 200 Mp - Ultra-wide (f/1,0), 50 Mp - Periscope telephoto: 3x optical 111mm f/2,8 optical zoom X5, 50 Mp - Telephoto optical zoom X3 10 megapixels |
| Selfie camera | - 26 mm f/2,2, 12 Mp |
| Biometrics | - In-display fingerprint sensor - Face unlock |
| Other sensors | - NFC |
| Port | - USB Type C |
| Battery | - 5000 mAh |
| Charging | - 60W fast charging |
| IP rating | - IP 68 |
| Colours | - Blue, black, white, purple |
Galaxy S26 Ultra 512 GB at the best price
Base price: 1 669 €
- Rakuten: -27% - 1 211 € - View offer
- Amazon: -21% - 1 319 € - View offer
- FNAC: -12% - 1 469 € - View offer
- Darty: -12% - 1 469 € - View offer
- Boulanger: -12% - 1 469 € - View offer
- eBay: -12% - 1 469 € - View offer
- Samsung: -11% - 1 479 € - View offer
- Cdiscount: -6% - 1 571 € - View offer
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Pixel 10 Pro: the Android benchmark
The Pixel 10 Pro is the reference point for the Android ecosystem-the handset that sets the tone for the rest of the market. Size, styling, colours, display and finishing touches all feel properly premium. The 6.3-inch LTPO OLED panel (or 6.8 inches for the XL version) delivers near-unmatched viewing comfort.
Battery life, camera performance, power and responsiveness are all present and correct for a premium phone-especially with the AI integration, which takes up a fair bit of resources but proves genuinely helpful. There are still a couple of weak spots, such as slightly slow charging and performance that isn’t always the strongest, yet in everyday use it’s a real pleasure to live with.
Google Pixel 10 Pro 128 GB at the best price
Base price: 1 099 €
- Amazon: -42% - 640 € - View offer
- Rakuten: -29% - 780 € - View offer
- eBay: -29% - 780 € - View offer
- FNAC: -18% - 899 € - View offer
- Darty: -18% - 899 € - View offer
- Boulanger: -18% - 899 € - View offer
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Google Pixel 10 Pro XL 256 GB at the best price
Base price: 1 299 €
- Rakuten: -33% - 866 € - View offer
- Amazon: -27% - 949 € - View offer
- eBay: -26% - 962 € - View offer
- FNAC: -23% - 999 € - View offer
- Darty: -23% - 999 € - View offer
- Boulanger: -23% - 999 € - View offer
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iPhone 17 Pro: Apple at its best
This year, Apple has shaken things up across the iPhone range. Once again, the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max sit at the top of the line-up. You can see the shift immediately in the design, thanks to the large rear camera island-plus a distinctive orange finish.
But Apple hasn’t merely refreshed the shell. You also get a top-tier display and iPhone performance that reaches new heights. As for photography, Apple remains among the standout performers. In short, the 2025 generation is a strong option for fans of Cupertino’s phones-and for anyone considering a switch away from Android.
iPhone 17 Pro at the best price
Base price: 1 329 €
- Amazon: -1% - 1 319 € - View offer
- Cdiscount: -1% - 1 319 € - View offer
- FNAC: 1 329 € - View offer
- Darty: 1 329 € - View offer
- Boulanger: 1 329 € - View offer
- Rueducommerce: 1 329 € - View offer
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iPhone 17 Pro Max at the best price
Base price: 1 479 €
- eBay: -5% - 1 398 € - View offer
- Amazon: -1% - 1 469 € - View offer
- Cdiscount: -1% - 1 469 € - View offer
- FNAC: 1 479 € - View offer
- Darty: 1 479 € - View offer
- Boulanger: 1 479 € - View offer
- Rueducommerce: 1 479 € - View offer
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Xiaomi 17 Ultra: built for photography
If you love taking great photos and you rely on your smartphone to do it, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the one to look at. Developed in partnership with Leica-the German specialist in lenses and cameras-the Xiaomi 17 Ultra positions itself as the new benchmark for smartphone photography.
The Xiaomi 17 features 4 rear sensors fitted with SUMMILUX-type optics: wide-angle, ultra-wide, telephoto and periscope telephoto. These are backed up by software optimisation modes that let you tweak a range of settings, much like shooting modes on a camera, with the option to create your own presets. The only real drawback is battery life, which drains rapidly when you’re firing off lots of photos. Otherwise (screen quality, performance, charging), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is also an excellent premium handset. The design, however, feels a little uninspired. Its smaller sibling, the Xiaomi 17, is also very good.
| Xiaomi 17 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm | 151.1 x 71.8 x 8.1 mm |
| Weight | 219 grammes | 191 grammes |
| Screen | AMOLED LTPO de 6,9 pouces 2608x1200 pixels 3500 nits (pic HDR) |
AMOLED LTPO de 6,3 pouces 2656x1220 pixels 3500 nits (pic HDR) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 16 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB/1 TB | 256/512 GB |
| OS | Android 16/HyperOS 3 | Android 16/HyperOS 3 |
| Camera sensors | + 50-megapixel wide sensor f/1.7 + 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor f/2.2 + 200-megapixel telephoto sensor f/2.2 optical zoom X3.3 up to X4,3 |
+ 50-megapixel wide sensor f/1.7 + 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor f/2.4 + 50-megapixel telephoto sensor f/2.0 optical zoom X2.6 |
| Selfie camera | 50 megapixels | 50 megapixels |
| Biometrics | In-display fingerprint sensor | In-display fingerprint sensor |
| Battery | 6000 mAh, 90 W fast charging | 6330 mAh, 100 W fast charging |
| IP rating | IP 68 | IP68 |
| Colours | Black, white, green | Black, white, pink, green |
Honor Magic 8 Pro: the big surprise
For several years now, Honor has been trying to go toe-to-toe with Samsung and Apple. In 2026, the Chinese brand finally gets close to the very best with the Honor Magic8 Pro. A top-end model with nothing to apologise for, it packs the latest technologies: a powerful processor, a silicon-carbon battery, and an almost flawless screen-there’s a lot to like here.
| Honor Magic8 Pro | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 75 x 8.3 mm |
| Weight | 219 grammes |
| Screens | OLED LTPO 6,71 2808 x 1256 pixel 1-120 Hz 6000 nits (pic HDR) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12/16 GB |
| Storage | 256/512 GB 1 TB |
| OS | Android 16/MagicOS 10 |
| Camera sensors | 50-megapixel wide sensor (f/1.6) 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor (f/2.0) 200-megapixel telephoto sensor (f/2.6) optical zoom X3,7 |
| Selfie camera | 50 megapixels |
| Biometrics | In-display fingerprint sensor, depth sensor |
| Battery | 6270 mAh, 100 W fast charging |
| IP rating | IP 68, 69, 69K |
| Colours | Black, silver, blue |
It’s in photography that Honor makes its biggest statement. The Magic8 Pro is simply one of the best camera phones on the market right now: it shines in every scenario. Our big favourite of 2026.
Honor Magic8 Pro at the best price
Base price: 1 299 €
- eBay: -25% - 971 € - View offer
- Amazon: -24% - 988 € - View offer
- Rakuten: -24% - 990 € - View offer
- Boulanger: -15% - 1 099 € - View offer
- FNAC: 1 299 € - View offer
- Darty: 1 299 € - View offer
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Oppo Find X9 Pro: the best of them all?
What if this year you gave Oppo a go? The Chinese manufacturer has gone big-very big. It has delivered one of the year’s standout products, plain and simple: a thoroughly impressive success.
The design? Wild. The performance? Ridiculous. The battery life? Off the charts. Oppo gets almost everything right with the Find X9 Pro. If we wanted to nit-pick, we could point to its interface, which can be a little uneven at times, or a price that sits on the high side. Still, if you want something a bit different without compromising on quality, the Find X9 Pro is a perfect candidate.
Oppo Find X9 Pro at the best price
Base price: 1 299 €
- Amazon: -8% - 1 199 € - View offer
- FNAC: 1 299 € - View offer
- Rueducommerce: 1 299 € - View offer
Nothing Phone (3): the most original
The formula that earns the Nothing Phone (3) a place in our selection of the best smartphones of 2025 is simple: a distinctive design, an intuitive and “fun” interface, and a price that’s a little more approachable than premium rivals. Nothing phones stand out thanks to their bold look, at a time when many competitors offer near-identical, smooth designs.
And the Nothing Phone 3 isn’t just about looks. It runs a Snapdragon 8S Gen4 chip that delivers solid performance. Battery endurance is excellent thanks to a 5150 mAh cell paired with 65 W fast charging. Camera results are good too thanks to the presets, with a special mention for daytime shots and portraits. The software experience also leans into originality via the Nothing Phone 3.5 overlay, which won’t be to everyone’s taste. But if you enjoy breaking the mould, the Nothing Phone 3 should win you over.
Nothing Phone (3) 12+256 GB at the best price
Base price: 849 €
- Amazon: -22% - 659 € - View offer
- Boulanger: -18% - 699 € - View offer
- FNAC: -17% - 702 € - View offer
- Darty: -17% - 702 € - View offer
- Rueducommerce: 849 € - View offer
- Rakuten: 852 € - View offer
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Nothing Phone (3) 16+512 GB at the best price
Base price: 949 €
- Amazon: -20% - 759 € - View offer
- Boulanger: -16% - 799 € - View offer
- eBay: -16% - 799 € - View offer
- FNAC: -15% - 802 € - View offer
- Darty: -15% - 802 € - View offer
- Rueducommerce: 949 € - View offer
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Motorola Signature: the classiest choice
A phone isn’t only a spec sheet-it’s also a statement piece you pull out dozens (or even a hundred) times a day. For anyone who wants a beautiful handset, Motorola has you covered. This is a premium device with serious power, but also a genuinely stylish back panel. We love the design, the slim profile and the smart, upmarket feel. It may not be the very best for photos or battery life, but it’s certainly the one with the most presence.
| Motorola Signature | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 76.4 x 7 mm |
| Weight | 186 grammes |
| Screen | AMOLED de 6,8 pouces 1264 x 2780 pixels LTPO 120 Hz 6200 nits (pic HDR) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| OS | Android 16 |
| Camera sensors | 50-megapixel wide sensor (f/1.6) 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor (f/2.0) 50-megapixel telephoto sensor optical zoom X3 |
| Selfie camera | 50 megapixels |
| Biometrics | In-display fingerprint sensor |
| Battery | 5200 mAh, 90 W fast charging |
| IP rating | IP 68, IP69 |
| Colours | Black, olive |
Motorola Signature 512 at the best price
Base price: 1 299 €
- eBay: -40% - 778 € - View offer
- Rakuten: -32% - 881 € - View offer
- Amazon: -25% - 972 € - View offer
- Boulanger: -23% - 999 € - View offer
- FNAC: -23% - 1 002 € - View offer
- Darty: -23% - 1 002 € - View offer
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Going further: key comparison criteria to know
When you’re choosing your smartphone from the best models we’ve covered, make sure you check the following points.
- Size: some people prefer compact phones, others like phablets-or even folding mobiles
- Price: depending on the brand, pricing for the best mobiles can vary massively
- Storage capacity: this also pushes the price up, and cloud storage can be a cheaper alternative
- Compatibility: be cautious with Android phones if you use a Mac or an iPad
- RAM: the more you have, the better your mobile will handle lots of apps at once
- Security: fingerprint sensors, passcodes, face recognition-there are plenty of options
- Reverse charging: not all mobiles support it
- Battery capacity: aim for a mobile above 4 000 mAh to last a full day
- Wireless networks: for work, look for Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, which are very capable
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