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The best upcoming Android phones in 2025

New year, new competition on the horizon!
By

Published onDecember 30, 2024

Android logo on smartphone stock photo (4)
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

As we close the chapter on 2024, we have an exciting full year of flagship Android smartphones to look forward to. MediaTek and Qualcomm’s flagship chips pack massive performance improvements and we can’t wait to see them in devices released through the next year. But there’s more to future flagship phones than just speed — we’re also looking forward to the first mainstream Qi2 Android handset as well as wider adoption of features like satellite connectivity and on-device AI. What else does 2025 have in store for us? Here are all of the phones we know are coming in 2025 and why we’re excited.

The newest Android phones available today

Google Pixel 9 family lined up face down on a table in multiple colors
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

If you don’t plan on waiting, great phones are constantly launching. It’s important to know what’s already out, so here is a short list of the latest devices to hit the market.

  • Google Pixel 9 series ($1099 at Amazon): Google’s latest round of flagship phones now includes three mainline devices in total, from the baseline Pixel 9 to the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. All three include the Tensor G4 SoC, 4GB more RAM than their predecessors to power their AI smarts, and a cleaner aesthetic.
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold ($1799 at Amazon): The fourth device in Google’s new lineup is its second foldable phone. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features some fundamental changes compared to its Pixel Fold predecessor, from completely different dimensions to a more phone-like outer display.
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 ($1899.99 at Samsung): Samsung’s new book foldable remains an expensive piece of kit, but it’s thinner and lighter than its predecessor, includes the beefy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy SoC, and has that great seven-year update promise.
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 ($1099.99 at Samsung): Thanks to its larger cover display, the Z Flip 6 now makes more sense as a compact smartphone. It also includes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset and a leaner body.
  • Motorola Razr and Razr Plus (2024) ($799.99 at Amazon): Giving Samsung’s foldables a run for their money this year, the Razr and Razr Plus offer surprisingly large cover displays, gorgeous fit and finish, and zippy displays. The base Razr model is also incredibly affordable compared to its ilk.
  • Motorola Edge (2024) ($499.99 at Amazon): Motorola’s mid-ranger boasts quick charging credentials, a large OLED display, and great build quality.
  • Sony Xperia 1 VI ($1199 at Amazon): Sony’s best flagship phone in years, the Xperia 1 VI remains pricey but trades its 4K display for a better telephoto camera and improved battery life. Plus, it has that magical microSD card slot and 3.5mm headphone jack combo.
  • Samsung Galaxy S24 series ($1419.99 at Amazon): Samsung starts every year with a blast, and 2024 was no exception. The company released the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. All come with great high-end specs, superb cameras, gorgeous designs, and an overall fantastic experience.
  • ASUS ROG Phone 9 series ($1099 at Amazon): If you want one of the best gaming phones, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro will definitely be one of the best choices. It has the best possible specs, impressive cooling, a gorgeous display, and software gaming optimizations.
  • OnePlus Open ($1699.99 at Amazon): In a world where high-end foldables cost $1800, it’s nice to see OnePlus releasing the Open for $1,700. That’s still pricey, but things are improving, and this phone is fantastic. You get potent specs, an excellent design, high-speed 67W charging, and gorgeous displays.
  • Nothing Phone 2a (£319.99 at Amazon): The Nothing Phone 2a is a budget phone. This is the first time the company ventures into truly budget territory. For $349, it is actually a pretty awesome phone. Its highlights include a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor, 8-12GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging. The design is also gorgeous.
  • Samsung Galaxy A55 ($387 at Amazon): While it’s not coming to the USA, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is a great mid-ranger for those who want a quality handset at a more reasonable price point. Specs include an Exynos 1480, 8-12GB of RAM, a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 5,000mAh battery. It’s a great deal if it’s available where you live.
  • OPPO Find X7 Ultra ($979 at Giztop): The OPPO Find X7 Ultra is among the best phones around, but it doesn’t get much attention because it is only available in China. That said, we were impressed by its performance, design, build quality, and super fast charging. It can charge at 100W wired and 50W wireless.

Upcoming Android phones in early 2025

As you may already know, flagship smartphones from all of the major brands follow a yearly release cadence. This rhythm of launches from previous years means that we have a fairly good idea of which Android phones to expect within the next four to six months.

Samsung Galaxy S25 series

Samsung Galaxy S24 Family 4
Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority

With the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung moved its release window up by a few weeks compared to prior generations. We expect that trend to continue based on credible industry rumors, which would translate to a late January announcement for the Galaxy S25 series. The phones will hit store shelves after a short pre-order window, so you won’t have to wait long from now.

The Galaxy S25 series will almost certainly pack the aforementioned Snapdragon 8 Elite chip to deliver on the obligatory performance uplift we’ve come to expect going from one generation to the next. Unlike the previous generation, rumors indicate that we’ll see the entire S25 family pack Qualcomm’s flagship chip instead of Samsung’s Exynos processor outside North America.

Leaks indicate the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra will feature a refined but familiar design, with the biggest change being that it will mimic the flat sides of many recent flagship phones. Elsewhere, many signs point to improved cameras, OLED displays, and Qi2 wireless charging support (in a limited capacity, at least). The Galaxy AI suite will likely gain a few new tricks as well.

Nothing Phone 3

Nothing Phone 2 in gray with glyph lighting enabled
Damien Wilde / Android Authority

If there’s one brand on the list that has broken away from the strict yearly release cadence, it would be Nothing. The company launched the Nothing Phone 2 back in 2023, and we were waiting for a successor in mid-2024, but it never came along. Instead, Nothing chose to take its time in the midst of an AI boom, with CEO Carl Pei emphasizing a commitment to “getting the product right.” That said, the company did debut the mid-range Nothing Phone 2a to widespread praise in 2024.

While Nothing hasn’t confirmed an exact release date for its upcoming flagship phone, early 2025 seems increasingly likely. An event scheduled for February 2025 at Mobile World Congress might offer the first official teaser for the Nothing Phone 3.

Based on past Nothing phones, we know that the company will target an aggressive price point. In light of that, the upcoming flagship may pack last-gen silicon instead of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Still, it will be plenty performant for most use cases and likely undercut the competition by hundreds of dollars. With the long gap between releases, though, we hope to see major improvements in imaging, as the series has historically struggled in that department.

Google Pixel 9a

Pixel 9a wallpaper applied
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

With the Pixel 9 series launching months ahead of Google’s usual October timeline, the Pixel 9a may also follow suit with an earlier release. Reports suggest the Pixel 9a could debut as early as March 2025, arriving a full two months before Google’s traditional May launch window for its A-series lineup.

As for the changes in tow, the Pixel 9a will almost certainly use the company’s latest Tensor G4 chip (albeit a slightly less efficient version). Leaked renders suggest the device may ditch the iconic camera bar in favor of a flush camera island, giving it a more minimalist aesthetic. It may also feature flat sides, continuing the trend we’ve seen across Google’s smartphone portfolio.

The Pixel 9a might ditch the series' iconic camera bar.

The camera system is set to receive an incremental upgrade, with the main sensor shifting to a 48MP lens. The latter might be potentially borrowed from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, although we’ll have to wait for the phone’s official spec sheet to confirm.

Even though the Pixel 9 series saw a price bump across the board, we expect the Pixel 9a to debut at the same $499 price point as its predecessor. This puts it in direct competition against the upcoming iPhone SE (4th generation), which is expected to release sometime in early 2025 as well.

OnePlus 13 series

OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R, OnePlus Buds Pro 3

The OnePlus 13 was one of the first smartphones to feature Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, but it’s only available in China at the moment. That will change within the first week of 2025, though, as OnePlus has confirmed a launch event for January 7.

The OnePlus 13 brings many firsts for the series, from a flat-edge design to a monstrous 6,000mAh battery that the company promises will deliver two days of use. The upcoming Android flagship phone also packs 100W of wired charging and can be topped up wirelessly at 50W. The OnePlus 13 is also one of the first phones to feature an IP69 water resistance rating, although you may want to read more about that particular spec before plunging your phone underwater.

If you miss the old-school sandstone and wooden back finishes of early OnePlus phones, the company has brought them back in the form of official cases. OnePlus has also developed a line of first-party magnetic accessories for the OnePlus 13, including a cooling fan and power bank, but you’ll need a case to use them. However, it remains to be seen if these accessories make their way to global markets.

The OnePlus 13R is also expected to debut alongside the OnePlus 13, and it has the potential to disrupt the mid-range US smartphone market. The company has confirmed that it will retain the huge 6,000mAh battery and pack the latest Gorilla Glass 7i protection. Based on previous releases, the OnePlus 13R will likely pack the last-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, making it a powerhouse and compelling purchase in the $500 price bracket.

Other upcoming Android phones in 2025

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 multitasking 2
Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority

Besides the above, we expect several other Android phones to launch in 2025. Here are some of the highlights to watch out for:

  • Google Pixel 10 series: Only a few months have passed since the Pixel 9 series’ debut, but it’s not too early to start thinking about the upcoming changes. Pixel 10 rumors have already started coming in, after all, pointing to a Tensor G5 chip produced by TSMC instead of Samsung Foundry. This should offer a sizable performance uplift and finally allow Google to catch up with the competition on the efficiency and battery life fronts.
  • Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7: Samsung’s foldable phones have only seen a few major changes in recent generations, and that may not change with the next generation either. That said, we have heard endless rumors about more affordable versions of the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip under Samsung’s Fan Edition (FE) moniker. The company’s mainline foldables tend to debut in August, so we have plenty of time to learn more about these upcoming phones through various leaks.
  • Galaxy A56: The Galaxy A-series has long been a popular choice in the mid-range segment for delivering a healthy balance of features and value. If previous launch trends are anything to go by, we should see the Galaxy A56 launch in March 2025, but release timelines can always change. Besides packing an updated chip, the A56 is rumored to be the first non-flagship Samsung phone with 45W fast charging.
  • ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra: While ASUS isn’t a household name when it comes to flagship Android smartphones, its Zenfone and ROG lines remain influential nonetheless. Last year’s Zenfone 11 Ultra ditched the small form factor while modernizing other key specs. We don’t know when the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra will land, but mid-2025 seems like a safe bet based on previous launches.

We’re almost certain that we’ll see all of the phones listed above, but it is by no means an exhaustive list. There are likely many others in store. If we omitted an Android phone that you’re looking forward to, it’s probably only because we don’t know enough about it yet.


FAQs

Android phones launch very often, so chances are the newest phone has changed by the time you read this. That said, the newest flagship Android phones as of today are the Google Pixel 9 series devices, the ASUS ROG 9 series, and the Galaxy S24 FE. That said, chances are there are some devices from other brands that are newer.

The latest Samsung phone as of today is the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.

Samsung released a wide variety of phones throughout the past year. That said, many of these phones are not that popular or are only available in some markets.

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