Top 10 Best 5G Phones 2025
Shako Memon
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Finding the best 5G phone is essentially finding the best phone overall. These days, all the best phones have 5G connectivity. That means not just the latest flagships but also budget models.
The best 5G phones also have great cameras, large displays, and huge batteries that offer all-day battery life. Here are the best 5G phones for every budget.
Top 10 Best 5G Phones 2025
1. Google Pixel 9 Pro
Samsung's Galaxy AI features are impressive, but Google is still the best at integrating smart software features into its phones. The new Tensor G4 chipset powering the Pixel 9 Pro brings even more AI features, and top features like Pixel screenshot and call memo are sure to boost your productivity.
The AI capabilities extend to the camera, with the Add Me tool letting you insert yourself into group shots. Test results were mixed, but much of it hinges on the photographer’s ability to place people in the shot. The Reimagine feature works much more smoothly, as it can use AI to enhance specific parts of the photo.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro camera continues to perform well, with Google’s phone consistently producing better photos than the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro in our hands-on testing. That said, the camera didn’t see a significant hardware upgrade from the Pixel 8 series.
Google has made the Pixel 9 Pro even more compact, with a 6.3-inch screen. To get a larger display, you’ll have to pay for the XL version, which costs the same $999 as the larger Pixel 8 Pro.
I wish the Tensor G4 chip was faster, but at least the Pixel 9 Pro lasted a long time on a single charge, thanks to its power management features. It’s been a while since we’ve seen that happen on a Google phone.'
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers amazing 5G performance on the most important bands on all major carriers. Other standout features include the Galaxy AI tools, 5x optical zoom camera, built-in S Pen stylus, great battery life, and best-in-class performance.
If you need a powerful zoom camera or like a stylus for drawing or note-taking, the S24 Ultra is the phone to choose from Samsung’s current lineup. Its excellent 5G performance means you’ll be able to get a signal wherever you travel, and its large screen makes watching movies a breeze.
3. iPhone 15 Pro
The Apple iPhone 15 has a great combination of features that most people will appreciate. It has a sleek design, a brighter display, a faster processor, an improved camera, and solid battery life, all wrapped up in a hardware that’s easy to hold and use.
And the important thing is that Apple didn’t skimp on 5G. It supports 5G, just like the more expensive Pro line, including mmWave support.
Apple announced the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, which go on sale Friday, September 20. The iPhone 15 Pro has been discontinued, but you can still find them at select third-party retailers that are clearing out existing inventory. That means you’ll only get them at a discount.
Apple shines with its new lightweight construction, new shortcut buttons, and the world’s smallest processor in the Pro models. And it does it all while keeping the tried-and-true iPhone aesthetic at its core.
It also further differentiates the Pro and Pro Max models. The 15 Pro also retains the familiar 3x telephoto camera found in its predecessor.
The brains of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the A17 Pro chip, which is powerful enough to handle console-quality video games like Resident Evil Village. If the A17 Pro chip is the brains, iOS 17 is the soul of the 15 Pro and Pro Max.
The new OS includes a host of quality-of-life improvements, including standby mode, check-ins, message stickers, and improved keyboard autocorrect.
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are some of the best phones Apple or any other phone maker has released this year.
4. Google Pixel 8a
Google's A-series Pixel phones have always been known for offering top-notch cameras at a low price point, and the Pixel 8a is no different. But this affordable mid-range phone offers some of the best AI features in a sub-$500 device, matching many of the features you'll find in the Pixel 8.
That's because the Pixel 8a uses the same Tensor G3 chipset to support Circle to Search and do things like swap faces to improve group shots as part of the Best Take tool.
The camera improvements are fairly minimal, but the Pixel 8a is still a good performer when it comes to taking photos, so that's fine. You'll also see better display brightness and a bigger battery life improvement than you'll get with the previous model.
Best of all, Google hasn't raised the price, keeping the Pixel 8a's price at $499 while extending its software and security support to seven years.
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is one of the most capable smartphones on the market, despite its price. Its book-style folding design offers a large 7.8-inch inner screen that lets you multitask by running up to three apps at once.
It also supports the S Pen stylus (not included) and Samsung’s DeX software for desktop-level productivity. Plus, it’s a great 5G smartphone.
The Z Fold 6 is for power users who work hard and need a device that can connect to the world’s fastest networks.
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6. OnePlus 12
OnePlus’ Android phones take a different direction from those from Google, Motorola, and Samsung. The company has a unique design language and genuinely useful software that sets it apart from run-of-the-mill Android. Its latest flagship, the OnePlus 12, has great specs, including a top-notch screen, leading processor, long battery life, and capable camera.
If fast charging, powerful performance, and a large, bright screen are all important to you in your phone, check out the OnePlus 12. OnePlus' new phone can go from empty to full in under 30 minutes, thanks to 80-watt charging in the US.
That could come in handy if you've got a long day ahead of you and you've forgotten your charger. Running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, it feels snappy and fast when playing games or scrolling through the interface.
The OnePlus 12’s 4,500 nit peak brightness makes the screen noticeably brighter than rivals like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, making it ideal for outdoor use.
As for the camera, there’s room for improvement. While the photos taken by the OnePlus 12 are decent, CNET’s Andrew Lanxon found nighttime shots to be too dark, and described the optical zoom as “very hit or miss.” It’s also worth noting that the OnePlus 12 offers four years of software updates.
That would be fine by standards, but Google and Samsung now offer seven years of Android updates, keeping the device fresh and relevant for longer.
If you don’t like phones from Google and Samsung, the OnePlus 12 is a worthy alternative and covers all the 5G bands you need for reliable service.
7.? Apple iPhone 15
The iPhone 16 is out and it's likely to beat the iPhone 15 in the race for the best 5G phone among Apple fans. But since Apple is sticking with its older phones, so are we. The iPhone 15 is a better choice than the iPhone 14.
The iPhone 15 is another previous model that has dropped in price, with a 48MP main camera. The result is a much more flexible camera that can capture more detailed photos than its predecessor. The Dynamic Islands feature has also made its way over to the iPhone 15, eliminating the notch on the phone’s display.
All of these changes, including the switch from Lightning to USB-C connectivity, are now available for $699, $100 less than the new iPhone 16. You’ll miss out on the Apple Intelligence features Apple is adding to its new phones, and the latest model’s A18 chipset should easily beat the iPhone 15 and its A16 Bionic silicon.
8. Samsung Galaxy S24
All the Galaxy AI features included in the Galaxy S24 Ultra are also found in the Galaxy S24, and they're not as good as the more expensive models It's $500 cheaper, which means you get tools like Circle to Search, Chat Assist, and generative photo editing for a fraction of the cost.
In North America in particular, the Galaxy S24 runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-chip, so you’re getting a capable device. (In other parts of the world, the S24 is powered by an Exynos 2400 chipset, which is a step behind the Galaxy S24 benchmarks.)
In addition to better benchmark numbers than the iPhone 15 in some regions, the Galaxy S24 lasts nearly 13.5 hours on a single charge, according to our battery tests.
The S24 retains the compact design of previous budget Samsung flagships, and it’s also one of the rare $799 phones that includes a telephoto lens. It’s a great option if you don’t want to spend a fortune on the best 5G flagship phone.
9. Motorola Moto G 5G (2024)
The best Motorola 5G phone for 2025. You can find more capable phones than the Moto G 5G, but it's impossible to find a better phone for under $200. This also shows how affordable 5G devices have become.
You get a pared-down feature set with the Moto G 5G: just the main camera, a dedicated macro lens, and one of Qualcomm's less powerful chipsets.
Despite those compromises, though, the Moto G 5G takes decent photos for a phone in this price range, and it outlasts more expensive handsets in our battery tests. It also has a sleek design that helps hide its budget origins.
10. Motorola Razr Plus (2024)
Considered a standout on its own, the Motorola Razr Plus is a joy to use. And perhaps more importantly, it’s a joy to use. The 4-inch cover screen makes the Razr feel like two phones in one.
You can use almost any app on the external display, reply to messages, watch videos, make video calls, and even play games—all without opening the Razr Plus.
Add in the long battery life, fast charging, improved cameras, and an IPX8 rating that proves the Razr Plus can survive a brief dip in water, and you realize how much value Motorola has poured into its flagship foldable. At $1,000, it’s pricey, but you’re getting one of the best clamshell-style foldables you can buy.
Conclusion
When looking for a 5G phone, you’ll want to consider which carrier offers the phone. Each carrier has a different approach to the 5G rollout.
Other than which 5G network the phone supports, the criteria for choosing a 5G phone are pretty much the same as for any handset. Consider the processor, screen size, camera, and other features. Battery is especially important.
5G can be quite power-hungry, and you’ll need a phone that can handle the extra demands on its battery.
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