Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee (better known as MKBHD) has handed out his annual Smartphone Awards, picking his favourite phones of the year across a bunch of categories, from cameras and battery life to design and value, for 2025.
Brownlee says big phones are basically standard now, but for people who want the biggest and most feature-packed device, his Best Big Phone is the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (original name). It has a 6.9-inch screen, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 7,500 mAh silicon-carbon battery, triple 50 MP cameras and a usable rear display. The Oppo Find X9 Pro gets a mention for its own huge screen, cameras and 7,500 mAh battery.
For Best Small Phone, he argues that true small flagships are basically gone, so he rewards a foldable that actually feels compact in a pocket. The win goes to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, which folds down but opens into a 6.9-inch phone and has a 4.1-inch outer screen that is usable for messages and notifications without getting sucked into full phone use.
The Best Camera award goes to the Oppo Find X9 Pro. It packs a 50 MP main, 50 MP ultrawide, 200 MP telephoto and a separate colour sensor, with fast focusing, strong dynamic range and good colours. It shoots high-end video too, including 4K 120 fps and Dolby Vision, and supports a Hasselblad add-on lens for extra zoom. The iPhone 17 Pro is his runner-up for still being the “king of video,” and the Vivo X300 Pro gets a shout-out for its huge sensors.
For the Value Award, he picks the CMF Phone 2 Pro at 279 dollars. It has a 6.8-inch 120 Hz display, 5,000 mAh battery, three cameras and surprisingly smooth software plus modular accessories, and he says it feels like a phone twice the price. The Moto G Play, Pixel 9a and base iPhone 17 all get mentions as strong budget or mid-range choices.
Battery tech is where he sees a real leap this year. Best Battery goes to the OnePlus 15, which has a 7,300 mAh silicon-carbon battery that he says can last three full days of heavy use, plus 120 W wired and 50 W wireless charging. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is highlighted again for its 7,500 mAh pack and very fast reverse wireless charging, while the rugged Doogee S200 Ultra wins “largest battery” at 11,000 mAh (that’s bigger than an iPad Pro).
For the Design Award, the winner is the iPhone Air. He calls it one of the most beautiful and controversial phones of the year. It is extremely thin and light, with internal components moved toward the top, but it sacrifices battery life and drops to a single camera. He thinks it looks and feels amazing even if it is compromised. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Edge and Fairphone 6 are runners-up for their rear display, brutalist thin design and modular, repairable build.
The Best Foldable award goes to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. It is not the spec leader, but he thinks it is the most reliable all-round foldable, with solid software, good battery life and a much nicer outer display that makes it feel like a normal phone when closed. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Flip 7 get honourable mentions.
For Most Improved, he chooses the iPhone 17. Compared with the iPhone 16, it finally gets a 120 Hz display, double the base storage and a big selfie camera upgrade, while keeping the price, turning the base model into the one he says most people should buy. The OnePlus 15 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 are noted as also taking big steps forward.
The Bust of the Year is the budget iPhone 16e. Apple stripped out too many features in an attempt to make a cheaper entry model: it has a weaker chip, 60 Hz notched display, only one rear camera, fewer radios and only one colour, yet it still starts at $899 CAD. He says it is the worst value in the lineup. The Nothing Phone 3 is a runner-up disappointment for changing the design in ways that fans did not really want.
Finally, his overall MVP/Phone of the Year is again the iPhone 17. He thinks it scores around 8 out of 10 in every area, with good battery, cameras, software, long support and now a proper high refresh display and more storage, all at a better price than many rivals. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is his runner-up, praised for copying and then one-upping Apple’s high-end model with a rear display, bigger battery and more power at a lower price.
Apple managed to take home both Bust of the Year and Phone of the Year, which honestly feels on brand for the company right now.
MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2025 – All the winners below…
What are your best smartphone picks of 2025?
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Base iPhone 17 as budget phone?
That’s all I need to know to invalidate the whole thing, that’s delusional. It’s no where near budget pricing.
Article never said iPhone 17 is the best budget phone.
Value Award (budget): CMF Phone 2 Pro
iPhone 17: most improved
“The Moto G Play, Pixel 9a and base iPhone 17 all get mentions as strong budget or mid-range choices.”
“…OR mid-range choices.”
699$ isn’t what a mid range phone should cost either. My god, no wonder you kids can’t afford anything, you keep defending the cost of things!
I’ll put aside somewhat pointless debate over how to interpret the article but maybe you should check your preconceived notions about my age. I am probably older than you are. BTW, in no way I am claiming that any iPhone is affordable or any phone at $700 for that matter. And affordable phones are not for kids only. They work as well for adults. Not sure why kids came into the discussion.
@mcfilmmakers, man you’ve got problems… Are you seriously going back for days looking for all my comments to downvote them?
What you're referring to as the iPhone 16 "bust of the year" is the 16e, not the 16. Big difference.