Mobile Phone Reviews UK

Your expert guide to the latest 2025 smartphones.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in the new Cosmic Orange color

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Review

The New Battery Life King

Our Verdict

Apple has redefined 'all-day battery' with the 17 Pro Max. While the new aluminum unibody design adds a bit of weight, the trade-off for its monstrous stamina and the deeply impressive 48MP 'Fusion' camera system is one we'd take every time. It's the new productivity powerhouse, and the one to beat for 2025.

Pros

  • Category-leading battery life
  • 'Fusion' camera is a huge leap
  • A19 Pro chip is incredibly fast
  • Center Stage selfie camera

Cons

  • Noticeably heavier than last year
  • Highest price tag on the market

Full Review

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a statement piece. The first thing you'll notice is the new aluminum unibody design. It feels incredibly solid and premium, though it is heavier than the outgoing titanium model. The 6.9-inch ProMotion display is brighter and even more fluid, making iOS 26 a joy to navigate.

But the real story is twofold. First, the battery. We're talking two full days of heavy use. It's simply in a league of its own. Second, the new 48MP 'Fusion' camera system. The new 8x optical zoom is crystal clear, and the 'Center Stage' front camera finally makes group selfies look good without awkward arm-stretching. For creators, this is the new default.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with its S Pen

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review

The AI-Powered Display Champion

Our Verdict

Samsung continues its 'more is more' reign with the S25 Ultra, and the result is spectacular. The 6.9-inch display is, without question, the best screen on any device. But the real story is the new on-board AI, which finally feels useful, acting as an agent across apps. It's the new benchmark for Android productivity.

Pros

  • Best display on any smartphone
  • Genuinely useful AI features
  • Incredibly versatile camera system
  • S Pen adds precision

Cons

  • S Pen has lost Bluetooth features
  • Large and unwieldy for some

Full Review

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a refined powerhouse. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip delivers, but the true star is the 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display. It's brighter, sharper, and more responsive than ever, making it a dream for media consumption. The AI integration is the biggest software leap, with a new assistant that can perform multi-step actions across different apps.

The camera system is all about versatility. With a 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 50MP 5x telephoto, you are equipped for literally any shot. While the S Pen remains a key differentiator, note-takers should know the Bluetooth-powered 'Air Actions' have been removed this year. It's a small loss for most, but a blow for a few. Overall, this is the peak 'do-it-all' Android phone.

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Google Pixel 10 Pro XL showing its camera bar

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Review

The AI Camera Genius

Our Verdict

If your phone is primarily a camera, your choice is simple: buy the Pixel 10 Pro XL. The hardware (50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto) is top-tier, but as always, Google's computational photography and new Tensor G5 chip are the secret sauce. Features like Video Boost and on-device AI make every shot look professional.

Pros

  • Best-in-class camera software
  • Clean, intelligent Android 16
  • Tensor G5 AI is fast and local
  • Very bright 6.8-inch display

Cons

  • Battery life trails iPhone 17
  • Raw performance lags rivals

Full Review

Google's Pixel line has always been about smarts over specs, and the 10 Pro XL is the pinnacle of that philosophy. The new Tensor G5 chip focuses on on-device AI, making Google Assistant faster and more conversational than ever. The 6.8-inch display is bright and beautiful, and the clean Android 16 experience is a breath of fresh air.

But you buy a Pixel for the camera. The triple-lens setup is outstanding, but the magic is in the processing. The 'Video Boost' feature, which uses cloud processing to enhance videos, is transformative. Photos are classic Pixel: sharp, true-to-life, and perfect every time. While its raw gaming performance isn't as high as the S25 Ultra, for day-to-day use and photography, it's a genius in your pocket.

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OnePlus 15 in red, highlighting its fast-charging port

OnePlus 15 Review

The Power User's Contender

Our Verdict

The OnePlus 15 is a beast of contradictions. It packs a colossal 7,300mAh battery, ludicrous 120W charging, and the most powerful Snapdragon chip on paper. While it can stutter under extreme synthetic stress, its real-world performance, amazing battery life, and tough IP69K build make it the undeniable value champion for power users.

Pros

  • Absolutely massive 7,300mAh battery
  • Insanely fast 120W charging
  • Excellent value for the price
  • Super-bright 165Hz display

Cons

  • Inconsistent performance under stress
  • Camera system can't match rivals

Full Review

OnePlus has skipped a number and gone all-in on battery. The 7,300mAh cell in the OnePlus 15 is a game-changer, easily lasting two to three days. And when it finally dies, the 120W wired charging gets you from 0-100% in under 25 minutes. It's truly a new standard for 'fast'. The 165Hz screen is gorgeous and a delight for gaming.

Powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, benchmarks are sky-high. However, we did notice some thermal throttling and stutters during prolonged, intense gaming. In regular day-to-day use, it's flawless. The camera is good, but it's not in the same league as the iPhone or Pixel. But for this price, you're getting a performance and battery-life monster that punches well above its weight.

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