The best smartphone gift guide of 2025

You can run from it, you can try to ignore it, but it’s here again: holiday shopping season. Finding the right phone for the right person can feel overwhelming, but that’s why we’re here. We rounded up some of the best smartphones of 2025, broke down what makes each one great and kept the tech lingo to a minimum. So get cozy, think about who’s on your nice list and let’s match them with a phone they’ll actually want to use every day. 

Shopping for the newest phones on the market

Each new season brings better cameras, smarter AI, brighter displays and chips that somehow make everything feel way faster. But the key to picking the right one isn’t in the tech specs, it’s in the person you’re buying for. If they’re always taking photos, watching videos, or burning through battery by noon, use that as your guide. Then check out the standouts below and find the phone that fits them best.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The S25 Ultra brings serious power with help from Galaxy AI. Translate in real time, search with your stylus and edit photos with tools that actually feel like magic. It’s built tough too, with titanium edges and Gorilla Glass Armor 2.

• 6.9 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display
• Titanium frame with Gorilla Glass Armor 2
• Access Samsung Wallet for payments, passes and digital keys
• Samsung’s most powerful processor yet

_{*New customer offer. $450 instant savings requires bundling eligible Samsung Galaxy S25 device w/ separate purchase of any 12-month Mint plan. 12-month plan requires $180 upfront payment (equivalent to $15/mo.), then full-price plan options available at renewal. Taxes & fees extra. See full terms.}

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

The Galaxy A36 5G blends smart design with reliable performance. Its bright, ultra-smooth display, AI-powered photo tools and long-lasting battery make it a great everyday companion that feels easy to use and built to last.

Built-in Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search and smart photo editing tools

• 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate for crisp, fluid visuals
• Powerful Octa-core processor with improved cooling for multitasking and entertainment
• Access Samsung Wallet for payments, passes and digital keys

Apple iPhone 17

This one’s built for speed and everyday performance. The A19 chip keeps things smooth, and the display stays bright even when you’re taking selfies in blinding daylight.

• 6.3 inch all-screen OLED with 120 Hz ProMotion for ultra-smooth scrolling and gameplay
• Super Retina XDR with up to 3,000 nits of brightness
• Built to support Apple Intelligence for smarter writing, photo editing and on-device AI help

Apple iPhone Air

Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet, measuring just 5.6 mm. It’s incredibly lightweight without feeling fragile, and the sleek design makes it look gift-ready even before you wrap it.

• 6.5 inch all-screen OLED display
• 48 MP Fusion Camera captures detailed, balanced shots even in low light

Google Pixel 10

Packed with smarter AI and an upgraded camera system (now including a 5× telephoto lens and enhanced image processing), the Pixel 10 makes everyday tasks easier and your photos look absolutely stellar. You can even edit photos just by telling Gemini what you want. 

• 6.3 inch full-screen display at 1080 x 2424 resolution
• Built with Gemini for AI-powered help with calls, search and editing
• Ask Photos lets you edit images just by typing a prompt

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Foldables are having their moment and the Z Flip 7 is leading the charge. It’s compact, pocket-friendly and smart enough to handle quick tasks without even opening it. The upgraded cover screen and built-in Galaxy AI make it as functional as it is fun.

• 6.9 inch main display (Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 2520 x 1080)
• 4.1 inch cover display (Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 1048 x 948)
• Access Samsung Wallet for payments, passes and digital keys

Shopping for reliable phones on a budget

You don’t have to spend a lot to give a really good phone. These picks have many of the best features from their flagship counterparts but at a lower price. They are perfect for grandparents, kids, as practical upgrades, or for anyone who just wants a phone that performs well.

Google Pixel 9a

The Pixel 9a nails the basics and then some. It takes sharp, vibrant photos, runs on Google’s Tensor chip and comes packed with AI tools that quietly make everything you do a little easier.

• 6.3 inch full-screen display at 1080 × 2424 resolution
• Flagship-level image quality with software inherited from the main Pixel line
• Tensor-powered tools for photography, messaging, and everyday use

iPhone 16e

This is the iPhone to get if you want many of the latest features without needing the absolute newest model. It runs on the modern A18 chip, supports Apple Intelligence and still gives you a bright OLED screen that feels premium from the jump.

• 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED display
• A18 chip for fast, reliable performance
• Built for Apple Intelligence with enhanced Siri and writing tools

Samsung Galaxy A16 5G

Samsung’s A16 5G is a reliable pick with long battery life and a bright, bold display. It looks and feels familiar, making it a solid everyday phone for just about anyone.

• 6.7 inch FHD Plus Super AMOLED Infinity U display
• Access Samsung Wallet for payments, passes, and digital keys
• Long-lasting battery designed for full-day use
  

Gift smarter, not harder

You could spend hours comparing camera specs and chip speeds. Or you could just get the phone that fits the person you’re shopping for. If they take lots of photos, go with a great camera. If they’re always streaming something, go with a big screen. If they’re your dad and still call it “the Google,” maybe just pick something simple.

The “best” smartphone is the one that works for them. Not the one that looks impressive sitting in the box.

_{Originally published November 2022; updated November 2025}