2025 Phone Guide

Phones

Opinionated picks for smartphones. iPhone vs Android is preference, but within each ecosystem there are clear winners.

iPhone

iPhone 16 Pro

~$1,000

Best overall iPhone. Camera control button, A18 Pro, great cameras. 6.3" is the new sweet spot.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

~$1,200

For battery and screen size. Same internals as Pro, just bigger.

iPhone 16

~$800

Best value iPhone. Gets the action button, camera control, A18 chip.

iPhone 15

~$700

Last year's model, still excellent. USB-C, Dynamic Island. Best deal.

Android - Flagship

Pixel 9 Pro

~$1,000

Best Android camera. 7 years of updates. Clean software, AI features.

Samsung S24 Ultra

~$1,300

Kitchen sink flagship. S Pen, 200MP camera, best display. For power users.

OnePlus 12

~$800

Flagship killer. Great display, fast charging, clean OxygenOS.

Pixel 9

~$800

Best value Android flagship. Same great camera, smaller size.

Budget & Mid-Range

Pixel 8a

~$500

Best budget phone. Flagship camera, 7 years updates, clean Android.

iPhone SE

~$430

Cheapest way into iOS. Old design but A15 chip, still fast.

Samsung A54

~$400

Good mid-range Samsung. AMOLED, decent cameras, 4 years updates.

Nothing Phone 2

~$600

Unique design with Glyph lights. Clean software, good value.

Foldables

Samsung Z Fold 6

~$1,900

Best productivity phone. Tablet when open, phone when closed. For multitaskers.

Samsung Z Flip 6

~$1,100

Compact foldable. Fits in small pockets, better cover screen than before.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold

~$1,800

Google's take on foldables. Better software than Samsung, larger outer screen.

OnePlus Open

~$1,700

Most usable outer screen. Great multitasking, smooth software.

Accessories

MagSafe Wallet

~$60

Minimal carry. ID, 2-3 cards, sticks to phone. Find My support.

Anker MagGo Power Bank

~$30

MagSafe battery pack that actually works. 5000mAh, compact.

Peak Design Mobile

~$40+

Best phone mounting system. Cases, mounts, wallets all interchangeable.

Moment Lenses

~$100+

Actual glass lenses for phone photography. Wide, anamorphic, macro.

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