I already know what the perfect telephone of 2025 needs to be

Over the previous 5 years, it’s been very easy to determine what telephone will likely be remembered because the best Android phone of the yr by each us who work right here at Android Authority and our readers. Our favorites typically appear to teeter between no matter the perfect non-foldable telephones are from Samsung and Google. Generally, 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 not often handle to stay lengthy sufficient in our collective reminiscence to be deemed as “better of” something by the tip of the yr.

Nonetheless, I sincerely hope this adjustments in 2025. I feel the OnePlus 13 is already the perfect telephone of 2025 and can possible proceed to carry that crown all through the remainder of the yr.

Samsung, Apple, and, to a lesser extent, Google have been in an innovation stoop over the previous yr. Samsung and Apple have been mainly re-packaging their main smartphones with a brand new processor and minimal different adjustments. Google at the least up to date the designs of the Pixel 9 series and did a very good job making a number of adjustments to different {hardware} components. However even then, it nonetheless performed issues comparatively protected.

OnePlus, nonetheless, threw out the rule e book this yr. In comparison with the OnePlus 12, the OnePlus 13 sees a number of substantial upgrades. It additionally incorporates new know-how that we haven’t seen in lots of different telephones but, drastically enhancing one of the crucial vital 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 assessments, although, the OnePlus 13 optimized issues so nicely 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 digital camera lenses. The first lens is identical, however the telephoto will get a a lot bigger sensor for higher mild consumption and impressive zoom results in our tests, and the ultrawide will get a brand new sensor with a couple of extra megapixels. Once 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 capable of obtain.

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

Nonetheless, essentially the most notable improve is the battery. As common, OnePlus blows away all different opponents 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 prior to now, although, the telephone has a bigger 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, one thing we haven’t seen in some other telephone within the US earlier than. Silicon-carbon batteries can maintain extra vitality in much less area than typical lithium-ion batteries, which permits the OnePlus 13 to have battery life that’s higher than some other flagship telephone accessible within the US right this moment.

Merely put, taking a look at 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 perfect 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 supply one thing very compelling and would possibly even usurp the OnePlus 13 as the perfect of 2025. Sadly, although, none of these telephones are ever coming to the USA. In some circumstances, they received’t even depart China. That makes them a tricky promote for “better of the yr” standing.

Take the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, for instance (proven above). It has the most effective cameras on any telephone and in addition options the identical silicon-carbon battery know-how because the OnePlus 13. It’s accessible now in Europe and the UK, however it’s going to 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 a whole lot greater than any OnePlus telephone, so it misses out on actually topping the OnePlus 13 in a couple 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, digital camera high quality, and charging speeds. That telephone isn’t even coming to the EU or UK, although, as it is going to 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 will likely 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 accessible all world wide — together with the US — that may go spec-for-spec in opposition to it. That ought to simply give it a leg up over different telephones that may be superior on paper however aren’t accessible on the planet’s third-largest smartphone market.

I do know what you’re considering: 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 principal competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely ($1299.99 at Amazon). Whereas that telephone is undoubtedly nice, I’ve already talked about the way it nonetheless can’t beat the OnePlus 13 in some essential points — specifically battery life, charging speeds, and processing energy. In fact, it’s nonetheless a fan favourite and would possibly win simply because it nearly all the time does, however taken objectively, the OnePlus 13 ($899.99 at OnePlus) does far more for manner much less — $400 much less, to be particular.

What about Pixels? Due to Google’s leaky ship, we already know quite a bit about the Pixel 10 series. We all know the 2 non-foldable Professional telephones received’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 — received’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 nearly actually take the cake there, too.

What about Apple? Though a few of our extra “passionate” readers don’t prefer it, any given yr’s Professional-level iPhone makes it fairly far in our reader’s selection voting rounds (it made it to the Remaining 4 final yr and in 2023). Nonetheless, just like the Pixel 10 collection, rumors recommend the iPhone 17 series received’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 greatest), 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 “greatest telephone of 2025” standing.

Nonetheless, there’s another telephone I’ve my eyes on: the OnePlus 13T. This may be just 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 telephone, as it would find yourself being a compact flagship that will 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 rise up nicely in opposition to the massive boys from Samsung, Google, and Apple? Or are you anticipating any stunning contenders earlier than the tip of yr? Let me know within the feedback, and make sure to vote within the ballot above!