Do you think phones are boring? Here are 4 reasons why 2025 was a big year for smartphones, and none of them are AI-based
Was 2025 a boring year for smartphones? Thin phones have been a big failure. The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold elicited a collective yawn from my colleagues.
Phones are boring! I hear them say as they stare into Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses or get sucked into Steam Decks. Phones aren’t as new as these gadgets, but that doesn’t make this year boring. It’s been a very exciting year for phones, from an expert’s perspective.
Apple changed the design of the iPhone and each iPhone got better
It was a huge year for Apple, and a rare moment where we got to see Apple experiment. It tested two new phones this year: the iPhone 16e in February and the iPhone Air in September. These aren’t the best iPhone models, but that wasn’t the point. The goal was to try something new: the C1 modem of the iPhone 16e and the thinner, more durable design of the iPhone Air.
Even Apple’s flagship launch, the iPhone 17, was remarkable. The iPhone 17 Pro has received a redesign that seems to me to be the biggest change ever from Apple’s minimalist look. The mix of textures, colors and materials, as well as the lack of symmetry, make this at least the most significant redesign in memory, if not the most controversial.
More importantly, Apple brought its base model iPhone into modern times with a telephoto lens and more powerful hardware all around. The screen can finally refresh at a modern 120Hz, fast enough to keep up with iOS 26.
Android phones beat iPhones in benchmark tests
I’m just going to say it: the Snapdragon 8 Elite is a better chipset than anything Apple uses in your iPhone. It’s not just about the benchmark results, although the fact that Qualcomm finally beats Apple on mobile benchmarks is very important. Of course, this is only in multi-course benchmarks. And most graphics tests. But still…
The real advantage of Snapdragon is its efficiency. Phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite platform have seen significant improvements in battery life, in addition to performance gains. This phone drinks the battery like it’s a sippy cup. We’re seeing phones that can last more than two full days… Android phones, of course. Apple’s phones are lagging behind in performance and now longevity.
A company no one has heard of makes the best phones
It’s geek mythology: There’s a low-key company you probably haven’t heard of that makes the best Android smartphone ever (and I almost tried all of them). He doesn’t advertise much. It does not sell the phone in your carrier’s store. You almost have to be aware to know them. Maybe that’s the problem.
The OnePlus 15 is a perfect Android smartphone. It offers incredible performance and is the most durable phone you would want to buy. Its battery life is literally incredible, but it charges so quickly that you can charge it for days while you shower and get ready to go.
Until it hits Verizon’s shelves next to the Galaxy S25 Plus, the OnePlus 15 will remain the insider’s choice. But trust me, it’s a choice you want to make.
Google stole the iPhone’s most unique feature
Are magnets in smartphones a problem? It depends who you ask. If you ask a long-time iPhone owner who has amassed a collection of MagSafe accessories, then yes, it’s a pretty big deal. Ask anyone else about this feature and they’ll tell you they can take it or leave it. It’s because they don’t know it. Until you opt for magnets, you won’t be able to understand how much easier they make your smartphone’s life.
I use magnets everywhere, and now my Google Pixel 10 Pro fits into that magnetic lifestyle. I have charging stations next to my bed so my phone can act as an alarm clock. I have desktop chargers at home and at work. I have magnetic batteries that allow me to charge my phone on the go wirelessly. But charging is just the beginning.
My wallet is a magnetic flip wallet from UAG that attaches to my iPhone or Pixel (or my other phones when using a magnetic case). It has a built-in stand, which I now appreciate for scrolling through my feeds in a coffee shop. I also use a magnetic tripod for photos and time-lapse videos. I use a magnetic camera mount to shoot video for my work.
I have a lot of magnets and use them daily with my phone. Adding magnets is a big deal, believe me.
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