I already know what the very best cellphone of 2025 ought to be

Over the previous 5 years, it’s been very easy to determine what cellphone might be remembered because the best Android phone of the 12 months by each us who work right here at Android Authority and our readers. Our favorites typically appear to teeter between no matter the very best non-foldable telephones are from Samsung and Google. Typically, Google wins our hearts (and our inner voting; the Google Pixel 9 Pro was voted best of 2024 by Android Authority), and typically, Samsung snatches everybody away (the Galaxy S24 Ultra was voted best of 2024 by our readers), whereas different telephones hardly ever handle to stay lengthy sufficient in our collective reminiscence to be deemed as “better of” something by the tip of the 12 months.

Nevertheless, I sincerely hope this modifications in 2025. I feel the OnePlus 13 is already the very best cellphone of 2025 and can doubtless proceed to carry that crown all through the remainder of the 12 months.

Samsung, Apple, and, to a lesser extent, Google have been in an innovation droop over the previous 12 months. Samsung and Apple have been principally re-packaging their main smartphones with a brand new processor and minimal different modifications. Google not less than up to date the designs of the Pixel 9 series and did an excellent job making a number of modifications to different {hardware} components. However even then, it nonetheless performed issues comparatively protected.

OnePlus, nonetheless, threw out the rule ebook this 12 months. In comparison with the OnePlus 12, the OnePlus 13 sees a number of substantial upgrades. It additionally incorporates new expertise that we haven’t seen in lots of different telephones but, drastically bettering one of the crucial important ache factors of any smartphone: battery life.

Let’s begin with the {hardware} upgrades. First, and most clearly, the OnePlus 13 comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a beast of a chip. This is identical base chip within the Galaxy S25 Ultra, however Samsung’s model is barely overclocked in an try to enhance efficiency. In our checks, although, the OnePlus 13 optimized issues so properly that it nonetheless beat the Galaxy S25 Extremely by constant margins, even when it did get barely hotter to attain it:

OnePlus additionally bumped up two of its rear digicam lenses. The first lens is identical, however the telephoto will get a a lot bigger sensor for higher gentle consumption and impressive zoom results in our tests, and the ultrawide will get a brand new sensor with a number of extra megapixels. Whenever you mix these upgrades with some new software program tweaks, you get one of many best camera phones in the marketplace — one thing only a few OnePlus telephones have been in a position to obtain.

There are such a lot of different upgrades, together with official IP68 and IP69 rankings, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, a very flat show, and a decrease weight whereas nonetheless retaining the identical primary physique dimensions of the OnePlus 12.

Nevertheless, probably the most notable improve is the battery. As common, OnePlus blows away all different rivals within the US by providing blazing-fast 80W wired charging speeds (with the suitable charger within the field!) alongside 50W wi-fi charging. In contrast to up to now, although, the cellphone has a bigger 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, one thing we haven’t seen in some other cellphone within the US earlier than. Silicon-carbon batteries can maintain extra vitality in much less house than typical lithium-ion batteries, which permits the OnePlus 13 to have battery life that’s higher than some other flagship cellphone obtainable within the US as we speak.

Merely put, it objectively, the OnePlus 13 is a large step up over the OnePlus 12, mops the ground with most different telephones in a spec-for-spec match, and begins at simply $899. How does that not earn it a nod as the very best Android Cellphone of 2025?

You could have seen that, within the earlier part, I stated “within the US” fairly a bit. That’s as a result of loads of Chinese language telephones provide one thing very compelling and would possibly even usurp the OnePlus 13 as the very best of 2025. Sadly, although, none of these telephones are ever coming to the USA. In some circumstances, they gained’t even depart China. That makes them a troublesome promote for “better of the 12 months” standing.

Take the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, for instance (proven above). It has probably the greatest cameras on any cellphone and in addition options the identical silicon-carbon battery expertise because the OnePlus 13. It’s obtainable now in Europe and the UK, however it’ll by no means come to the US in an official capability. It additionally involves the EU/UK with a smaller battery (5,410mAh) and prices lots of greater than any OnePlus cellphone, so it misses out on actually topping the OnePlus 13 in a number of respects.

The OPPO Find X8 Ultra (OPPO and OnePlus are a part of the identical household of firms) additionally tops the OnePlus 13, together with battery capability, digicam high quality, and charging speeds. That cellphone isn’t even coming to the EU or UK, although, as it will likely be trapped as a China unique for the foreseeable future.

The rumored vivo X200 Extremely may also give the OnePlus 13 a run for its cash in a number of methods (vivo can be part of the identical household as OPPO and OnePlus), however that might be one other very restricted launch.

The purpose is that, whereas there are many telephones on the market higher than the OnePlus 13, there’s nothing obtainable all all over the world — together with the US — that may go spec-for-spec towards it. That ought to simply give it a leg up over different telephones that is perhaps superior on paper however aren’t obtainable on this planet’s third-largest smartphone market.

I do know what you’re pondering: It’s solely April, so how can I be so assured that nothing will beat the OnePlus 13 earlier than the tip of 2025? Nicely, we’ve already seen one fundamental competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely ($1299.99 at Amazon). Whereas that cellphone is undoubtedly nice, I’ve already talked about the way it nonetheless can’t beat the OnePlus 13 in some essential facets — particularly battery life, charging speeds, and processing energy. In fact, it’s nonetheless a fan favourite and would possibly win simply because it virtually all the time does, however taken objectively, the OnePlus 13 ($899.99 at OnePlus) does far more for approach much less — $400 much less, to be particular.

What about Pixels? Because of Google’s leaky ship, we already know quite a bit about the Pixel 10 series. We all know the 2 non-foldable Professional telephones gained’t see a redesign or any camera upgrades. We additionally know that Tensor G5 — whereas being a really fascinating processor that we’re excited to see in motion — gained’t have the ability to maintain a candle to the uncooked energy of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. We don’t know for sure but, however we’ve heard nothing to recommend silicon-carbon batteries or quicker charging speeds both, so OnePlus will virtually actually take the cake there, too.

What about Apple? Though a few of our extra “passionate” readers don’t prefer it, any given 12 months’s Professional-level iPhone makes it fairly far in our reader’s alternative voting rounds (it made it to the Last 4 final 12 months and in 2023). Nevertheless, just like the Pixel 10 collection, rumors recommend the iPhone 17 series gained’t see too many loopy upgrades.

Actually, all that’s left are foldables just like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (however early rumors don’t level to an enormous improve, both), the Galaxy S25 Edge (a wildcard, at finest), and the rumored “Air” iPhone (I’m not anticipating an excessive amount of from this one in any respect). There’s nothing else on the horizon that I see even getting near a “finest cellphone of 2025” standing.

Nevertheless, there’s yet another cellphone I’ve my eyes on: the OnePlus 13T. This is perhaps much like a OnePlus 13 however trimmed down internally to suit right into a 6.3-inch physique. Whereas I don’t assume it’ll have a shot at taking the highlight away from its larger brother, I’m personally trying ahead to that cellphone, as it would find yourself being a compact flagship that might doubtlessly tear me away from the Pixel 9 Professional. In fact, time will inform whether or not or not it makes it to the US.

What do you assume? Does the OnePlus 13 arise properly towards the large boys from Samsung, Google, and Apple? Or are you anticipating any shocking contenders earlier than the tip of 12 months? Let me know within the feedback, and you’ll want to vote within the ballot above!