These are the best smartphones we've reviewed that you can buy in 2025.
The best phone to buy in Australia
Most years, the best smartphones are just about what you’d expect. Apple, Samsung almost always dominate the conversation.
Big name brands like the above are typically the ones making the big-name smartphones you'll find on a plan with Australia's major telcos and carriers. Huawei was a contender for a while there too, particularly in the smartphone camera space, before having its wings clipped in the West.
As of 2025, only four brands have any meaningful claim to the pricey-end of Australia's smartphone market: Apple, Samsung, Google and OPPO. LG, Sony and HTC no longer sell phones in the region, and while brands like Nokia and Motorola might dabble with more expensive devices from time to time, the bulk of the market share belongs to the "Big Four" listed above.
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best smartphones you can find in Australia these days.
- : Best Apple phone in 2025
- : Best Android phone in 2025
- : Best cheap phone in 2025
- : Best mid-range phone in 2025
- : Best foldable phone in 2025
- : Best mid-range Apple phone in 2025
- : Best Samsung phone in 2025
\\ Why you can trust Reviews.org Australia
At Reviews.org Australia, we take reviewing stuff very seriously. We spend days putting every product through its paces, and we pride ourselves on telling you the whole story, not just breaking down the specs. We'll tell you the good, the bad, the weird, and what parts of it actually matter.
Apple iPhone 16
Best iPhone in 2025
If you had asked us which flagship iPhone to choose back in 2023, it would have been hard not to recommend the superior iPhone 15 Pro. When it comes to the latest lot of Apple-branded handsets, the story isn't as simple.
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are outstanding smartphones, even if there's not much of a difference between them and the previous generation. For that reason, the iPhone 16 will be the more sensible pick for most. It’s not only one of the more reasonably priced flagship handsets on offer, and will go above and beyond the needs of most consumers.
As with the iPhone 16, Apple has elevated the baseline iPhone experience. You’re getting almost just as much iPhone as someone who buys an iPhone 16 Pro. just without a few extra bells and whistles that most casual smartphone users can do without.

The best cheap smartphones in Australia
Looking for a cheap phone? We've ranked the best budget smartphones available in Australia.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Best Android phone in 2025
The Google Pixel used to the be flagship phone with a great camera and even better price. Nine generations later and half of that description still applies. The triple-lens camera setup found on this year's Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL is one of the best blends of photography hardware and software you can find on a smartphone.
The downside? Well, where Google's best used to undercut the cheapest Apple could offer in terms of flagship devices it's now a much closer contest. To Google's credit though, the Pixel 9 Pro includes all the bells, whistles and high-end performance you'd expect given the asking price.
If you're sick of what Samsung has to offer in the premium Android space, Google's greatest and latest is a natural alternative that you'll want to take a closer look at.
Motorola Moto Edge 50 Fusion
Best cheap phone in 2025
While last year's OPPO has held onto our recommendation for the best cheap phone under $600 for a surprisingly long time, Motorola has finally stolen the crown with the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion.
An asking price of $599 here gets you an Android smartphone with a curved AMOLED display, sharp looks, snappy processor and a standout multi-lens rear camera with a 50MP main sensor. Premium perks like wireless charging aren't included, but budget buyers will still find plenty to like about the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion.
Dig a little deeper with more of our phone buying guides.
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- Best phones under $500: All the quality at half the price
- Best phones under $300: Go cheaper again
- Best affordable mobile plans: Find a plan within your budget
Google Pixel 8a
Best mid-range phone in 2025
The original Google Pixel 3a changed the game for budget-friendly smartphone shoppers. While the new Google Pixel 8a isn't quite as revelatory or influential, it's still pound-for-pound one of the best budget phone you'll find for the price.
The Google Pixel 8a sports a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The front of the device is punctuated by a teardrop-shaped 13MP front-facing camera, while the back is armed with a dual-lens camera that combines a 64MP wide angle lens with a 13MP ultrawide one. Powering it all is the same Google Tensor G3 processor found in last year's flagship Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, complemented by 8GB of RAM and 128GB of on-board storage.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
Best foldable Samsung phone
The Samsung Galaxy Z series is where you'll want to look if you’re after a Samsung smartphone with a folding display. There are two main options in the Galaxy Z range: the Z Flip6 and the Z Fold6. The Z Flip folds open vertically and is the cheapest entry point into the Z range while the Z Fold is a high-performance hybrid between a tablet and smartphones.
While the former has as many strengths as it does weaknesses, our take is that it wins over the Z Fold6 because its significantly more affordable. While folding displays still relatively new tech and you should expect to pay a premium for the privilege of using one, there's a big difference between paying a little more than you might for the latest iPhone compared to the sum that the Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold commands.
In his review of the device, Brodie Fogg said that the Galaxy Z Flip6 was a "riot" to use.
If you're buying outright, the RRP for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,799. However, if you'd prefer to buy on a plan, there are plenty of options. Check out the widget below for a snapshot of the cheapest Galaxy Z Flip 6 plans in Australia.
Apple iPhone SE 3 (2022)
Best cheap Apple phone
If you've got your heart set on an iPhone but don't want to spend the $1,200+ price tag that often comes with flagship models, the iPhone SE 3 (2022) is an alternative that's hard to beat.
It comes with a gorgeous 4.7-inch Retina HD full-screen display, a decent 64GB of internal storage, and a speedy processor. The camera offers decent results, even if it struggles with lowlight photography, and there’s baked-in software-support longevity thanks to its beefy innards.
Here's how much the new iPhone SE 3 (2022) will set you back on a plan.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best Samsung phone
The reason you hear about Galaxy S smartphones so often is because it’s Samsung’s flagship range with yearly iterating core entries like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus. This is where you look when you don’t mind starting your budget at around $1,000 and are seeking a speedy phone with a great display and camera versatility. However, if you want to go all the way to the best handset that Samsung will sell you then look no further than this year's Galaxy S24 Ultra.
While it's got the price to match it, the lavish looks and high-end hardware here make it an obvious winner when it comes to performance. In his review of the device, Alex Choros had a few reservations about the device's new AI features and price but still found plenty to like about it.
If you're buying outright, the RRP for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at $2,199. However, if you'd prefer to buy on a plan, there are plenty of options. Check out the widget below for a snapshot of the cheapest Galaxy S24 Ultra plans in Australia.
Best phone buying guide

Like most gadgets, it's rare for any phone to have it all. Thankfully, Australian consumers have a decent amount of choice when it comes to finding a smartphone that has the features and specs that matter to them.
The best place to start when trying to work out which phone to buy is size. Modern smartphone screens range from around 5.9-inches to 6.8-inches in size, and the form-factor involved typically affects other aspects of the product. For example, a larger phone can fit in a larger battery or more camera hardware.
If you care about things like long-battery life or better smartphone photography, then you'll want to start your search towards the big-screen end of the market. If having something a little more pocket-friendly is preferred, then your choices become a little more limited. Still, there are a lot of options out there when it comes to finding your next phone, so deciding on a size is a great way to narrow them down.
The other big question that consumers looking to decide on their next smartphone will want to consider is whether or not they want a device that runs on iOS or Android.
iOS is Apple's mobile operating system and is found in all iPhones. Android is Google's equivalent, and is responsible for powering basically everything else in the market.
While device manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola each offer their own spin on Android, Apple has complete control over the iOS ecosystem. For some users, this can be a blessing while others may chafe against the limitations and additional costs involved with it.
It's usually easiest to stick with whatever operating system you're most familiar with, but those tired of Apple's walled garden approach to mobile computing may benefit from switching to Android. These days, crossing over from one ecosystem to the other isn't nearly as mentally taxing or time consuming. Both Apple and Google have gone out of their way to make it easy as possible, for obvious reasons.
How we review smartphones
Here at Reviews.org, we don’t do long, exhausting technical spec lists and benchmarks. Our rankings are pulled from a five-star rating decided by the writer of each review.
Our editors might share different, unique opinions on the best smartphones available. But we all believe that, for the everyday consumer, the most important factors are value for money and user experience.
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