So, this is going to be a weirdly inspired list, but hear me out. Looking for 5 phones for In fact Like a year later – in 2025 and in our line of work – no mean feat. Take Ro, for example – he only managed to reach 4, as did Sagar, and Ivan has 3 different ones, but, let’s face it, those are exactly the same foldables in his ‘Top 5’ list. So, in a way, I’ve assembled a ‘Top 5’ that isn’t entirely mine – one is a genuine personal choice, some are crowdsourced, and two more are here because of… tradition.
Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold
The foldable has no use for me. I’ve tried living with a clamshell and I’ve veered into phone-turned-tablet territory and it doesn’t make any sense in my world. My phone is mostly used for doomscrolling and instant messaging, and I want some state-of-the-art cameras for myself (not for actual photography, but for the confidence of having them). maybe i need them) – no bendy form factor is optimal for that combination.
But, that’s just because I’m an old soul who does online shopping or other Important Things like planning trips on a PC and watching movies on an actual TV (as rare as that may be), don’t mean everyone is like me. The Galaxy Z Trifold is a phone when needed, and a tablet – larger and more sensitively proportioned than the rest of the Folds – when the extra screen area is needed. It’s also much better at protecting its flexible display when not in use than another tri-fold, the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate.
Yes, the Z Trifold is extremely expensive and its cameras would be considered a bit high compared to a midrange conventional phone, let alone a camera that goes for, what is it, €3,000? But it’s about priorities. Although the Z Trifold addresses may be completely foreign to me, I can still appreciate taking the foldable form factor even further.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Google Pixel 10 Pro
These two will get lumped together because in my mind they are the same thing, just on different sides of the OS divide. Every year I want at least one of them, often both, but eventually common sense prevails and I look elsewhere.
There’s a certain undeniable feeling of exclusivity when using hardware and software from Apple or Google and that’s as true on the latest generation of smartphones as it’s ever been. Glass feels different, displays shine brighter, animations are a little smoother, haptics are more refined – things like that.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro • Google Pixel 10 Pro
Plus, it seems like only these two manufacturers want to make handsets with built-in Qi2 magnetic attachment capability, which is something I’m pursuing despite the mounting evidence against the practicality of the whole concept — at least in my typical use cases so far.
The thing is though, neither model has cameras that are remotely exciting and exciting cameras are a must. Magnetism and esoteric notions of greatness can only take you so far.
Vivo X300
A certain wife of mine had been looking for a replacement for her Pixel 7 Pro for some time, with her own specific wants and needs. To her credit, she was patient enough to wait for the right package and made a few offers that only met certain requirements.
Vivo X300 arrived. It’s small – the pixel was nothing, and it had to be replaced. It has great rear cameras – unlike modern cameras, the Pixel. It has a capable selfie camera – better than the Pixel. It has a bigger battery (it depends, but got lucky with the non-EU unit) – the Pixel was tied to the wall. So it was four out of four. She loves it, and if that’s not enough of a phone to make it into my top 5, nothing is.
oppo find x9 pro
And we finally reach one of my true favorite phones of the year, the Oppo Find X9 Pro. You’ve probably figured out by now what my type is, and the Find What more can I ask for?
Well, I know – ultra-level cameraphones take camera systems up another step. However, so far these have only been released in China or at least that’s the case with Vivo and Oppo – when I hold one in my hands I’ll bet there’s a global Find X9 Ultra or Vivo X300 Ultra. Admittedly, the Xiaomis have been more reliably international, but in-office logistics have kept me from getting the 15 Ultra after a year or two with the previous model and I’m happy to play with the Vivo and Oppo options.
The tri-phone camera comparison that we worked on a while ago helped answer some…personal questions, and in what I have rationalized as my preferences, Oppo wins over the Vivo X300 Pro. It is much better equipped in terms of battery than the Vivo For a while we were going to be a Vivo-only family, but at least for me, it is better than the X300 Pro in its own terms.
You’ll probably notice that my list isn’t full of excitement, but rather based on practicality. It’s just that the amount of upgrades has slowed down a bit, or if we’re having major developments in one area, they come with concessions in other aspects and I can’t get excited about a phone wholeheartedly, at least not that easily. Let’s hope that changes with the upcoming batch of Ultras.
