PREMIUM PHONES
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Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated
1
Apple iPhone 16
from £799
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go.stuff.tv/iPhone16
This year’s iPhone Pro lineup is a mighty fine selection to choose from (see the 16 Pro at No6 on this list), but it’s the standard model that does more to impress. The camera control button and the 2x telephoto zoom are great to have in particular, while the battery life is excellent. The 6.1in screen’s refresh rate is fixed at 60Hz, which is a bit disappointing, but Apple clearly believes most people don’t care about that.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A pleasing update that’s much more appealing than spending more to go Pro
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NOW ADD THISApple MagSafe ChargerThe latest version of Apple’s wireless charger lets you fuel up your iPhone at up to 25W.from £39/apple.com TIPS & TRICKS
• Flick upwards in Control Centre to see the new layout; tap-hold and you can tweak controls.
• Lightly press the camera control button twice to change settings for the current mode.
• Tap-hold any icon then select ‘Require Face ID’ so you can stop open access to particular apps.
2 OnePlus 13
from £899 /go.stuff.tv/OnePlus13
This is a very natural step on from 2024’s top Android flagships. Is it significantly better than last year’s OnePlus 12? Well, no. The camera array has had some nice upgrades and the 6.82in screen is the best there is. But this is not a revelation, just more of the brilliant same.
Stuff says ★★★★★
OnePlus adds decent updates to what was already a great flagship
3 Samsung Galaxy S25
from £799 /go.stuff.tv/S25
It’s not a major upgrade on last year’s effort, and battery life is only average, but the Galaxy S25 still stands alone. This hero handset takes a fine photo, packs all Samsung’s new AI-enhanced apps and is available for sensible money. It’s a better bet all round than the Ultra model.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Samsung’s sub-flagship is still leading the way for small Androids
4 Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
★★★★★
from £1099
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go.stuff.tv/9ProXL
The best big-screen Pixel yet… but don’t overlook the non-XL version, which is very nearly as good.
UPDATE
5 Xiaomi 14 Ultra
★★★★★
£999
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go.stuff.tv/14Ultra
Should this photography specialist be your next phone? Maybe… but the 15 Ultra is tested on p36.
6 Apple iPhone 16 Pro
★★★★★
from £999
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go.stuff.tv/iPhone16Pro
Bigger and better than before, this is a smarter buy than the giant 16 Pro Max.
7 Honor Magic7 Pro
★★★★★
£1100
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go.stuff.tv/Magic7Pro
Combining the bizarre with the brilliant, the Magic7 Pro is a wonderfully capable camera phone.
8 Nothing Phone 2
★★★★★
from £579
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go.stuff.tv/Nothing2
Rivals edge it out in some areas, but they can’t match this phone’s pocket presence.
9 Sony Xperia 1 VI
★★★★★
from £1299
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go.stuff.tv/XperiaOneSix
More mainstream than Sony’s previous efforts, this is a fantastic flagship that majors on battery life.
10 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
★★★★✩
from £1249
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go.stuff.tv/S25Ultra
An underwhelming year-on-year upgrade that stays compelling by making software the star.
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