Smart Spending

Android vs. iPhone: Finding the Best Budget-Friendly Smartphone

With 2025 well underway, it’s shaping up to be an exciting year for smartphones. If you’re in the market for a new device, you’re in luck—advancements in technology have made today’s smartphones more powerful and feature-packed than ever. Here’s a look at the top smartphones of 2025 so far.

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Google continues its legacy of innovation with the Pixel 9 Pro. It boasts a stunning 6.3-inch Gorilla Glass OLED display with a 495 PPI density and an always-on option. Powered by a 4,700 mAh lithium-ion battery, it delivers over 24 hours of use.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate its 50 MP rear camera and 10.5 MP front-facing shooter, along with Google’s superior video quality. Running on Google’s Gemini AI, the Pixel 9 Pro offers advanced photo editing capabilities, allowing users to merge images, add frames, and remove unwanted elements.

The device comes with storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB and 12GB of RAM for seamless performance. The Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999, but a limited-time discount knocks $200 off the price. It’s available in porcelain, obsidian, hazel, and rose quartz. If you’re on a tighter budget, the standard Pixel 9 is priced at $649 and comes in porcelain, obsidian, peony, and wintergreen.

iPhone 16

Apple maintains its dominance with the iPhone 16 lineup. The base model, starting at $799, features a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED display, Dynamic Island, and USB-C charging. For $100 more, the iPhone 16 Plus offers a larger 6.7-inch screen. Apple has also slimmed down the bezels, much to the delight of its fans.

The Action Button, first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro, enhances user convenience by allowing quick access to essential functions like muting, recording voice memos, and launching the camera. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come in black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.

Apple Intelligence, the company’s latest AI feature, streamlines information retrieval and enhances writing capabilities. The 48 MP wide-angle camera excels in low-light conditions, and the improved Photographic Styles feature lets users fine-tune their images. QuickTake mode makes video recording seamless with a simple press-and-hold function.

Battery life extends up to 18 hours, with 25W MagSafe wireless charging—a two-hour improvement over last year’s model.

OnePlus 13

For Android fans, the OnePlus 13 stands out as one of the best options. Priced at $899, it features a 6.8-inch AMOLED display that remains highly responsive even in wet conditions, thanks to its IP68 and IP69 water-resistance ratings.

Storage options include 256GB and 512GB, ensuring ample space for apps, photos, and videos. The standout feature is its massive 6,000 mAh battery, delivering up to 20 hours of use.

The OnePlus 13 comes in midnight ocean, arctic dawn, and black eclipse. Despite housing four lenses, the camera bump remains surprisingly slim. The 50 MP primary camera offers exceptional clarity, with an advanced zoom function and impressive low-light performance. Additionally, its under-display fingerprint sensor is more responsive than its predecessor’s optical sensor.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

For those seeking a premium Android experience, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a top-tier choice. Starting at $1,300 for the 256GB model, it features a stunning 6.9-inch display and a 5,000 mAh battery. Available in titanium silver-blue, titanium black, titanium gray, and titanium white-silver, Samsung also offers three additional exclusive colors online.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra sports a sleek design with slim bezels, enhancing the visual experience whether browsing photos or streaming videos. Google’s Gemini AI is deeply integrated, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate its 50 MP camera with AI ProVisual Engine technology, offering improved clarity and advanced low-light capabilities. The device supports 5x optical zoom and 10x optical-quality zoom, while its 12 MP front camera delivers high-quality selfies.

iPhone SE 4 (Upcoming)

Although not yet released, the iPhone SE 4 has been the subject of speculation for years. Recent leaks suggest an official announcement is imminent. This budget-friendly model is expected to feature a design similar to the iPhone 14, marking a significant upgrade from its predecessor by eliminating the 4.7-inch screen, Touch ID button, and bulky bezels.

The SE 4 is rumored to include Apple’s A18 chip and Apple Intelligence, though it may retain the notch instead of the Dynamic Island. It’s also expected to have a 48 MP single-lens camera, similar to the 2018 iPhone XR.

While color options remain uncertain, black and white are likely. With an anticipated starting price of $500—$200 less than the iPhone 16—it promises to be a solid choice for budget-conscious Apple users.

Which Smartphone Should You Choose?

With so many excellent options in 2025, choosing the right smartphone depends on your needs and budget. Researching features and testing floor models can help you find the perfect device that balances performance, design, and price.

With 2025 well underway, it’s shaping up to be an exciting year for smartphones. If you’re in the market for a new device, you’re in luck—advancements in technology have made today’s smartphones more powerful and feature-packed than ever. Here’s a look at the top smartphones of 2025 so far.

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Google continues its legacy of innovation with the Pixel 9 Pro. It boasts a stunning 6.3-inch Gorilla Glass OLED display with a 495 PPI density and an always-on option. Powered by a 4,700 mAh lithium-ion battery, it delivers over 24 hours of use.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate its 50 MP rear camera and 10.5 MP front-facing shooter, along with Google’s superior video quality. Running on Google’s Gemini AI, the Pixel 9 Pro offers advanced photo editing capabilities, allowing users to merge images, add frames, and remove unwanted elements.

The device comes with storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB and 12GB of RAM for seamless performance. The Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999, but a limited-time discount knocks $200 off the price. It’s available in porcelain, obsidian, hazel, and rose quartz. If you’re on a tighter budget, the standard Pixel 9 is priced at $649 and comes in porcelain, obsidian, peony, and wintergreen.

iPhone 16

Apple maintains its dominance with the iPhone 16 lineup. The base model, starting at $799, features a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED display, Dynamic Island, and USB-C charging. For $100 more, the iPhone 16 Plus offers a larger 6.7-inch screen. Apple has also slimmed down the bezels, much to the delight of its fans.

The Action Button, first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro, enhances user convenience by allowing quick access to essential functions like muting, recording voice memos, and launching the camera. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come in black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.

Apple Intelligence, the company’s latest AI feature, streamlines information retrieval and enhances writing capabilities. The 48 MP wide-angle camera excels in low-light conditions, and the improved Photographic Styles feature lets users fine-tune their images. QuickTake mode makes video recording seamless with a simple press-and-hold function.

Battery life extends up to 18 hours, with 25W MagSafe wireless charging—a two-hour improvement over last year’s model.

OnePlus 13

For Android fans, the OnePlus 13 stands out as one of the best options. Priced at $899, it features a 6.8-inch AMOLED display that remains highly responsive even in wet conditions, thanks to its IP68 and IP69 water-resistance ratings.

Storage options include 256GB and 512GB, ensuring ample space for apps, photos, and videos. The standout feature is its massive 6,000 mAh battery, delivering up to 20 hours of use.

The OnePlus 13 comes in midnight ocean, arctic dawn, and black eclipse. Despite housing four lenses, the camera bump remains surprisingly slim. The 50 MP primary camera offers exceptional clarity, with an advanced zoom function and impressive low-light performance. Additionally, its under-display fingerprint sensor is more responsive than its predecessor’s optical sensor.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

For those seeking a premium Android experience, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a top-tier choice. Starting at $1,300 for the 256GB model, it features a stunning 6.9-inch display and a 5,000 mAh battery. Available in titanium silver-blue, titanium black, titanium gray, and titanium white-silver, Samsung also offers three additional exclusive colors online.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra sports a sleek design with slim bezels, enhancing the visual experience whether browsing photos or streaming videos. Google’s Gemini AI is deeply integrated, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate its 50 MP camera with AI ProVisual Engine technology, offering improved clarity and advanced low-light capabilities. The device supports 5x optical zoom and 10x optical-quality zoom, while its 12 MP front camera delivers high-quality selfies.

iPhone SE 4 (Upcoming)

Although not yet released, the iPhone SE 4 has been the subject of speculation for years. Recent leaks suggest an official announcement is imminent. This budget-friendly model is expected to feature a design similar to the iPhone 14, marking a significant upgrade from its predecessor by eliminating the 4.7-inch screen, Touch ID button, and bulky bezels.

The SE 4 is rumored to include Apple’s A18 chip and Apple Intelligence, though it may retain the notch instead of the Dynamic Island. It’s also expected to have a 48 MP single-lens camera, similar to the 2018 iPhone XR.

While color options remain uncertain, black and white are likely. With an anticipated starting price of $500—$200 less than the iPhone 16—it promises to be a solid choice for budget-conscious Apple users.

Which Smartphone Should You Choose?

With so many excellent options in 2025, choosing the right smartphone depends on your needs and budget. Researching features and testing floor models can help you find the perfect device that balances performance, design, and price.