The Best Premium Smartphones Of 2025: From Apple To Samsung, A Look Back At the Top Devices

With 2025 coming to a close, the smartphone world is still churning out amazing pieces of hardware that are continuing to push the boundaries of technology and design. This year, with no particularly groundbreaking innovations, a number of premium smartphones stood out because of their blend of superb performance, high-class hardware, and thoughtful upgrades. Whether you're a photography enthusiast, a productivity powerhouse, or someone who just wants the best in mobile technology, there's a device out there for you. Here's a look back at the best smartphones of 2025 that wowed us in all the right ways.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: The Future of Foldables

Samsung continues to reign over the foldable category, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a perfect example of why. This year's model received a complete redesign that made it slimmer and more refined than its predecessors. After years of being the bulky foldable option, Samsung finally managed to strike a balance between form and function. The Z Fold 7 is surprisingly light for its size, with a sleek, ultra-thin exterior that doesn't compromise durability, earning an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance—a first for a Galaxy Z Fold device.

But then comes the magic when unfolding it: the Z Fold 7 has arguably one of the best displays out there, which is paired with solid multitasking features, while the new 200MP primary camera really elevates the camera experience with crisp and colourful photos in any light. Battery life is not exactly groundbreaking, but performance, software support, and the light feel all make this phone a good device for fold enthusiasts – yes, even at the hefty price.

Motorola Razr 60 Ultra: The Best Clamshell Foldable

While Samsung may hold court over the big foldable space, Motorola has no doubt etched its name as the king in the clamshell space. The Razr 60 Ultra continues with Motorola's pledge for a more intuitive foldable experience, not least with its huge 3.5-inch cover display. That big screen means users can easily interact with notifications, apps, and even snap quick selfies – all without needing to open the phone. This ingenious use of the cover display makes the phone more usable while saving battery life.

The Razr 60 Ultra houses a remarkable dual-camera setup, complete with a high-quality telephoto lens and sharp 2x lossless zoom, meaning one will never miss the mark when taking pictures. The design is compact and premium and feels comfortable in the hand; the general software experience is smooth and responsive. In fact, it's hard to beat how seamless Motorola has made the experience of navigating a foldable device. It's simply the best option for anyone who loves small yet powerful smartphones.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: A Bold New Era for Apple

Apple fans were looking forward to a redesign in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and well, their wish was granted. For though it still keeps much of that familiar look, there are several notable upgrades with the Pro Max, starting with a larger camera bump that houses the first high-resolution periscopic telephoto lens ever from Apple. This technological breakthrough opens up capabilities for much better zooming, rivalling some of the best dedicated cameras in the smartphone world.

Performance has also been ramped up, thanks to the new A19 Pro chip and an improved cooling system, ensuring the phone performs exceptionally well under heavy use, even when recording 4K video. The design, which is now made from aluminium rather than titanium or steel, has a fresh and premium feel, and the front camera has "horizontal selfies", too – a bit of a gimmick, but quite fun. Still, the Pro Max is far from cheap, and that scratch-prone aluminium body may count against it for some users.

Apple iPhone 17: The Affordable Premium Option

If it's an iPhone you're after but don't want to have to pay top dollar, then the iPhone 17 is a great alternative. Without the fancy design refreshes of its Pro siblings, it still manages to bring in worthy changes in hardware, easily making this a very viable contender in the premium segment. For one, the new 120 Hz LTPO OLED display makes for smoother visuals compared to its predecessors, while the bigger battery ensures an even longer-lasting experience.

But more excitingly, it's also equipped with a high-resolution ultrawide camera and a new 18-megapixel selfie camera. Ultimately, this is an outstanding way for mobile photography fans to take their pictures. It's a bit disappointing that the iPhone 17 only contains 8GB of RAM compared to 12GB in its Pro siblings, but given the price, it's still one of the finest options.

Oppo Find X9 Pro: A Rebirth for Oppo's Flagship Lineup

At the end of a few quiet years in the Indian market, Oppo finally made a comeback with the Find X9 Pro, taking everything that was great about its predecessor and turning it up to eleven. The phone sports a new, fresher design language with a slim and sleek body and sharp edges that give it an elevated premium feel. For this device, Oppo partnered with Hasselblad once again and, for the first time, added a teleconverter lens for zooming capabilities that are simply out of this world.

Not just a photography phone, the Find X9 Pro has got an amazing display, smooth performance, and top-notch battery life, making it an all-around powerhouse. While the teleconverter lens is a nice touch, it does block access to some other cameras, which could be a dealbreaker for some. Nevertheless, it's a solid choice for anyone looking for a feature-packed device with strong photography chops.

Vivo X300 Pro: A Photographer's Dream

The Vivo X300 Pro is a mobile phone that pushes the boundaries of photography. Ideally, it would be for those who use their mobile phone as a backup camera. With a teleconverter kit and flagship-grade setup for cameras, the photography experience it provides will be unmatched by several cameras. The new OriginOS 6 brings in an intuitive interface with AI-driven features that help one click breathtaking shots with ease in different scenarios.

Outside of the camera, the X300 Pro is a great performer, with slick software, a premium build, and fantastic battery life. The phone does tend to heat up during gaming sessions, though, and the lack of any storage expansion might turn some users off. For those in it for the photography experience, however, the Vivo X300 Pro is almost impossible to top.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: A Beast for Photography Enthusiasts

Undeniably, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a go-to device for those who consider photography as the main priority. With a 200MP telephoto lens and a secondary telephoto camera that smoothes out the zoom transitions, the S23 Ultra was built to capture detailed images regardless of the conditions. The design of the phone is quite unique, with a nearly pro camera attached to the backside of the device, and the vegan leather finish only reinforces its premium nature.

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Although the 15 Ultra is fully packed with performance, including a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it is somewhat bulky owing to its camera arrangement. It also features a dedicated photography kit for enthusiasts who would want to take mobile photography a notch higher, which is again sold separately. This is the device for you if you get really serious about clicking perfect snaps.

Final Thoughts

2025 has been more about refinement rather than revolution in the world of smartphones. Yes, the very best from Samsung, Apple, Motorola, and Oppo did not offer anything radically new to strike the right chord, but their judicious combination of design, performance, and camera capabilities made them stand out. From foldable screens and camera powerhouses to an all-rounder, 2025's launches catered to the needs of every premium user. As we step into 2026, one thing is crystal clear: the smartphone market is as cutthroat as ever.