On 5 December 2025, smartphone fans got something very close to an Oscars night for mobile tech. US-based PhoneArena has published its Phone Awards 2025, naming the best smartphones of the year across multiple categories, while South African tech magazine Gadget.co.za has released “Gadgets of the Year 2025, Part 1: Smartphones,” spotlighting the handsets that defined the year in its markets. [1]
On the same day, Oppo added a fresh twist to the entry-level segment in South Africa with the launch of the Oppo A6x, an ultra‑affordable phone with a huge battery and big screen – perfectly timed for holiday shoppers. [2]
Here’s a detailed look at the big winners, what they tell us about the smartphone landscape in 2025, and which models you should actually consider buying.
PhoneArena Awards 2025: Global Smartphone Champions
PhoneArena’s 2025 awards break the market down into real‑world categories that match how people actually shop: value, design, gaming, foldables, compact phones, and an overall “best phone” crown. [3]
Best Overall Phone of 2025: iPhone 17 Pro Max
PhoneArena names Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max the Best Overall Phone of the Year, edging out Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra in a head‑to‑head flagship showdown. [4]
Why it wins, according to their testing:
- Subtle but practical upgrades, like an improved 4x telephoto zoom and a redesigned front camera that makes switching between portrait and landscape selfies more natural. [5]
- Battery life that outlasts its biggest rival in day‑to‑day use. [6]
- Charging speeds that finally catch up with leading Android flagships. [7]
- The continued pull of Apple’s ecosystem, from Apple Watch and Mac integration to services like iCloud and AirDrop. [8]
If you want the most polished all‑rounder and you’re happy to live in Apple’s world, this is the 2025 flagship to beat.
Best Value Phone: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
In the “Value” category, PhoneArena crowns the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE as the go‑to recommendation when someone wants “almost flagship” performance without the full flagship price. [9]
Key reasons it wins:
- A large, mainstream‑friendly display rather than a cut‑down compact panel.
- A near‑flagship processor and a triple‑camera system including a telephoto lens, something still rare in its price band. [10]
- A sizable ~4,900 mAh battery with 45 W fast charging. [11]
PhoneArena notes that the S25 FE delivers roughly “most” of a Galaxy S25+ experience for a significantly lower price, especially if you choose the 256 GB variant. [12]
Biggest Surprise: OnePlus 15
The OnePlus 15 takes the “Surprise” award by doing what OnePlus used to be famous for: disrupting expectations. [13]
Highlights from PhoneArena’s verdict:
- An enormous 7,300 mAh battery that makes it a genuine two‑day phone under normal use. [14]
- Classic OnePlus ultra‑fast charging that gets that huge battery topped up quickly.
- Surprisingly strong gaming performance with cool thermals and stable benchmark scores. [15]
- A launch price around $900, undercutting big‑name flagships with similar performance. [16]
If you want a powerhouse Android flagship with monster battery life and you don’t mind stepping outside Samsung or Apple, this is the wild card to watch.
Design of the Year: iPhone Air
For Design of the Year, PhoneArena chooses iPhone Air, Apple’s ultra‑thin, ultra‑light iPhone that exists purely to turn heads. [17]
The site praises:
- A shockingly slim and feather‑light chassis that still feels sturdy thanks to a titanium frame.
- Polished sides and refined finishes that make it one of the most striking devices of 2025. [18]
It’s not necessarily the mainstream choice, but if you care most about how a phone looks and feels in the hand, iPhone Air is the design icon of the year.
“Fine Wine” Award: Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro earns the “Fine Wine” award – the older flagship that has aged the best in 2025. [19]
Why it still matters even after the Pixel 10 launch:
- Google’s seven‑year update promise, with fast, day‑one Android releases keeping the phone feeling current. [20]
- A triple 50 MP camera system (main, ultra‑wide, and 5x telephoto) that still competes with the freshest camera phones. [21]
For buyers hunting deals, the message is clear: a discounted Pixel 9 Pro in late 2025 is one of the smartest ways to get a premium camera and long‑term software support.
Best Gaming Phone: RedMagic 11 Pro
In the gaming world, PhoneArena’s Gaming Phone of the Year is the RedMagic 11 Pro, a spec monster built unapologetically for performance. [22]
Standout features from the awards write‑up:
- A transparent back showing an elaborate liquid‑cooling system with a 24,000 rpm fan, huge vapor chamber, and circulating coolant driven by a ceramic micro‑pump. [23]
- A 7,500 mAh battery to power marathon gaming sessions.
- Configurations up to 24 GB RAM and 1 TB storage, yet still cheaper than a base iPhone 17 Pro Max. [24]
If camera quality isn’t your priority and frames‑per‑second is everything, this is the specialist phone to look at.
Best Compact Phone: iPhone 17
PhoneArena’s Compact Phone award goes to the iPhone 17, which offers high‑end performance in a one‑hand‑friendly body. [25]
It beats out contenders like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 and Google’s Pixel 10 by combining:
- Strong performance.
- A base 256 GB storage configuration that improves value versus rivals. [26]
- Deep integration into the Apple ecosystem for users who want smaller hardware without sacrificing premium features. [27]
Best Foldables & Flips: Razr Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 7
Foldables get two categories in the PhoneArena awards: Flip and Fold. [28]
- Flip Phone of the Year: Motorola Razr Ultra
- Now selling around $900, down from a much higher launch price.
- Faster processor and quicker charging than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7.
- A large, edge‑to‑edge cover display that works smoothly without fiddly settings. [29]
- Fold Phone of the Year: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Slimmer, lighter and more stylish than earlier generations.
- A wider cover screen that finally feels like a “normal” phone when closed.
- A polished One UI 8 experience with extras like Samsung DeX for desktop‑style multitasking. [30]
Together with Huawei’s Mate XT (we’ll come to that), these foldables show how quickly flexible displays are maturing.
The “Boring” and “Bust” Awards: iPhone 16E and Apple Intelligence
PhoneArena doesn’t just celebrate winners – it also points out disappointments.
- “Boring” Phone of the Year: iPhone 16E – described as essentially a refreshed iPhone 14 with USB‑C, no MagSafe, only two plain colour options and a single rear camera, all at a $600 price that doesn’t feel genuinely budget. [31]
- “Bust” of the Year: Apple Intelligence – Apple’s promised AI experience is called out for failing to live up to big marketing claims, especially as rivals pushed ahead with more impressive AI features in 2025. [32]
The verdict: Apple still makes some of the best phones of the year, but in AI specifically, it ceded momentum in 2025.
Gadget.co.za’s “Gadgets of the Year 2025, Part 1”: Smartphone Winners
While PhoneArena offers a global perspective, Gadget.co.za brings a mix of global and South African reality to its Gadgets of the Year 2025, Part 1: Smartphones, published on 5 December 2025. [33]
The article emphasises that 2025’s best phones succeeded by focusing on engineering, durability and long‑term value across the high‑end, mid‑range and entry level. [34]
Foldable of the Year: Huawei Mate XT
Gadget names Huawei’s Mate XT its Foldable of the Year, calling it the most significant hardware release of 2025. [35]
What sets it apart:
- A tri‑fold design with two hinges, allowing it to shift between a slim bar‑style phone, a mid‑sized tablet and a wide tablet‑like canvas for heavy multitasking. [36]
- Smooth, controlled hinge motion and an unfolded display that remains flat and uniform. [37]
- Software that reorganises layouts fluidly in each mode, making the device feel like a serious productivity tool, not just a tech demo. [38]
In a year when Samsung is preparing its own tri‑fold (the Galaxy Z TriFold) and competition in multi‑fold devices is heating up, Huawei’s head start with the Mate XT is a big deal. [39]
Runners‑up:
- Honor Magic V5 – praised for being exceptionally slim for a foldable and close in feel to a regular flagship phone when closed. [40]
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – recognised for better materials, hinge feel and thermals compared with earlier generations, plus strong multitasking in Samsung’s ecosystem. [41]
High-End Phone of the Year: Huawei Pura 80 Pro
For classic premium slabs, Gadget selects Huawei Pura 80 Pro as its High‑End Phone of the Year. [42]
The reasoning:
- A 1‑inch main camera sensor delivering rich detail and accurate colour across a range of lighting conditions. [43]
- A bright, clear display tuned for realism rather than oversaturated punch. [44]
- Strong battery life and fast charging that keep up with long, demanding days. [45]
- A software package focused on productive, task‑oriented features rather than gimmicks. [46]
Runners‑up in the high‑end category:
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – highlighted for deep system intelligence and a cohesive workflow spanning communication, scheduling and media. [47]
- Oppo Reno14 5G – recognised for bold, expressive design and a strong camera in a more affordable high‑end package. [48]
- Honor Magic 7 Pro – praised for fast performance, a capable telephoto system and all‑day productivity. [49]
Mid-Range Phone of the Year: Honor X9c
For the crucial mid‑range segment, Gadget names the Honor X9c as Mid‑Range Phone of the Year. [50]
Why it wins:
- A heavily reinforced curved display designed to survive drops and daily abuse, while still looking like a modern premium phone. [51]
- Strong battery life and stable performance that keep up with demanding everyday use. [52]
In effect, Gadget is saying: in 2025, real‑world durability is a key differentiator in the mid‑range.
Mid‑range runners‑up:
- Oppo Reno13 5G – focused on efficiency, great battery life and rapid charging, with availability through most of 2025. [53]
- vivo Y29 – big‑battery workhorse built for users who are glued to their phones all day. [54]
Entry-Level Phone of the Year: vivo V60 Lite 5G
At the budget end, Gadget’s Entry‑Level Phone of the Year is vivo V60 Lite 5G. [55]
Key strengths:
- Long‑lasting battery designed for full days of social, messaging and media.
- A clean interface that’s approachable for first‑time smartphone users.
- 5G support at a low price, which makes it especially appealing for students and families. [56]
Runner‑up:
- Spectra J1 Pro, a locally focused model with responsive performance and a simple, attractive design that exceeds typical expectations for its price band. [57]
Today’s Big Budget Story: Oppo A6x Hits South Africa at R1,999
Tying in neatly with Gadget’s emphasis on value and accessibility, Oppo has launched the A6x in South Africa today, described as its most affordable smartphone in the market. [58]
Headline specs from the announcement:
- Price: R1,999, positioned as an affordable option for students, families and first‑time smartphone buyers. [59]
- Battery: massive 6,100 mAh cell for multi‑day use. [60]
- Display: 6.75‑inch panel with up to 90 Hz refresh rate. [61]
- Durability: IP54 dust and water resistance plus a drop‑resistant design. [62]
- Internals: Snapdragon 685, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, Android 15 and 15 W USB‑C charging, with charger and cover in the box. [63]
Together with phones like the vivo V60 Lite 5G and Spectra J1 Pro, the A6x shows that in 2025, “entry‑level” doesn’t mean sacrificing battery life, screen size or 4G/5G connectivity.
Foldables in 2025: From Niche Toys to Serious Tools
Looking at both PhoneArena and Gadget.co.za, one trend is undeniable: foldables are no longer experimental side‑projects.
- Huawei Mate XT is pushing boundaries with a tri‑fold design that behaves like three devices in one. [64]
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 now appears both in Gadget’s runners‑up list and as PhoneArena’s Fold Phone of the Year, signalling that Samsung’s refinements to design, weight and software are paying off. [65]
At the same time, rumours and reports show that competition is escalating fast:
- Samsung is preparing its own tri‑fold device – often referred to as the Galaxy Z TriFold – aiming at a December 2025 release and a limited run for early adopters. [66]
- A new report from Malaysia suggests Xiaomi is working on a tri‑fold phone, likely called the Mix Trifold, with a layout inspired by Huawei’s Mate XT. [67]
In short: 2025 is the year foldables stopped being weird and started to look like the future of productivity and media consumption – even if prices still keep them out of the mainstream for now.
What These 2025 Awards Tell Us About the Smartphone Market
Put all of these announcements and awards together, and a few clear themes emerge:
- Refinement beats gimmicks
- Winners like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Huawei Pura 80 Pro win not because they reinvent the wheel, but because they polish fundamentals: battery life, camera quality, display tuning and seamless software. [68]
- Durability and longevity are key selling points
- AI is important, but expectations are high
- While many 2025 phones lean into AI features, PhoneArena’s decision to call Apple Intelligence a bust is a reminder that users care about useful AI, not just branding. [71]
- The value segment is more interesting than ever
- Devices like Galaxy S25 FE, Honor X9c, vivo V60 Lite 5G and Oppo A6x show how fiercely competitive mid‑range and entry‑level phones have become in 2025, especially in markets like South Africa and India. [72]
- Foldables are racing toward a tri-fold era
- Huawei’s Mate XT has effectively kicked off the tri‑fold category in earnest, and rivals like Samsung and Xiaomi are clearly preparing their answer. [73]
How to Pick Your 2025 Smartphone from the Winners
A quick guide based on today’s awards and announcements:
- Best all‑round flagship (iOS): iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Best Android all‑rounder on a budget: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
- Best surprise flagship with huge battery: OnePlus 15
- Best camera‑driven flagship: Huawei Pura 80 Pro
- Best gaming phone: RedMagic 11 Pro
- Best compact premium phone: iPhone 17
- Best foldable for productivity: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Huawei Mate XT (if available in your region)
- Best mid‑range durability pick: Honor X9c
- Best budget options (depending on market): vivo V60 Lite 5G, Spectra J1 Pro, Oppo A6x
Of course, availability, pricing and Google services support will differ depending on where you live, so it’s worth checking local bands, carrier support and ongoing deals.
The Bottom Line
December 5, 2025 doesn’t just bring another wave of smartphone headlines; it effectively wraps up the 2025 smartphone season. PhoneArena’s awards and Gadget.co.za’s Gadgets of the Year list – plus launches like Oppo’s A6x – tell a consistent story:
- The most exciting phones of 2025 aren’t necessarily the weirdest ones; they’re the devices that quietly refine the basics and last longer.
- Foldables are moving from curiosity to credible daily drivers.
- Value phones have levelled up to the point that many people genuinely don’t need a $1,000 flagship anymore.
If you’re planning an upgrade before the end of the year, these award lists offer an excellent short‑list. The real question now is how 2026 can possibly top it.
References
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