MKBHD 2025 Smartphone Awards Review

Why the smartphone remains the center of digital life

Despite the frantic attempts by the tech industry to push us towards artificial intelligence (AI) wearables, smart glasses, or mixed reality (XR) headsets, 2025 proved an undeniable truth: the smartphone remains a dominant force in our digital lives. In his annual „2025 Smartphone Awards,” Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) analyzes a year defined by the mass adoption of silicon-carbon batteries, the maturity of foldable devices, and unexpected changes in the Apple product line. Below is a detailed overview of the winners, runners-up, and noteworthy nominees in each category.

When size is justified by functionality

Winner: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

In a world where nearly every phone is „large,” Xiaomi has won by proving the meaning of its dimensions. The „17 Pro Max” features a massive 6.9-inch display, but unlike its competitors, it utilizes every millimeter of space. It integrates the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (the most powerful chip of the year) and a triple 50 MP camera system. However, the distinctive feature is the functional rear display, allowing for high-quality selfies with the main cameras and managing notifications without waking the main screen.

Runner-up: Oppo Find X9 Pro

While it did not take the top spot, the Oppo Find X9 Pro is a true beast. It boasts a 6.8-inch display and an incredible 200 MP periscope telephoto lens. MKBHD noted that while the device is excellent, it fell slightly short of the overall package offered by Xiaomi.

The end of traditional small phones and the triumph of Flip models

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

MKBHD officially declared the traditional small „slab” phone dead. Its place has been taken by modern flip phones. The Z Flip 7 wins not because it is small, but because it offers the best of both worlds. When closed, it has a 4.1-inch edge-to-edge display, allowing users to sort notifications and perform essential actions without engaging in „passive browsing.” When opened, it transforms into a standard 6.9-inch flagship.

Honorable Mentions

Brownlee noted that traditional small flagships, such as the Asus Zenfone line or smaller iPhones, have grown into the 6.3-inch territory, making them no longer truly „small” by previous standards.

A victory of versatility and technical stability

Winner: Oppo Find X9 Pro

Oppo earned the crown for consistency and versatility. The phone boasts a four-camera system led by a 50 MP main sensor and an astonishing 200 MP telephoto lens. MKBHD highlighted the Hasselblad color science and a unique accessory that turns the phone into a 10x optical zoom camera. It delivers 50 MP quality in nearly all lighting conditions, avoiding the artificial pixel binning images common among competitors.

Runner-up: iPhone 17 Pro

Apple remains the undisputed „Video King”. The 17 Pro introduced Genlock support—a professional feature for synchronizing cameras in studio environments. While it fell short in photography versatility, it remains the most reliable video camera in your pocket.

Mention: Vivo X300 Pro

Recognized for its massive sensors capturing incredible detail, though it lost points for sometimes artificially looking bokeh effects in portraits.

A budget class that no longer feels cheap

Winner: CMF Phone 2 Pro

At around ~€260 ($279), this product from the Nothing subsidiary became the surprise of the year. MKBHD described it as a phone that feels worth double the price. It features a vibrant 120 Hz display, a 5,000 mAh battery, and a clean, modular design allowing users to customize its appearance. It proves that budget phones no longer have to be subpar.

Honorable Mentions

• Moto G Play: Dominates the budget phone market with a massive battery and headphone jack.
• Pixel 9a: Offers the cleanest software and excellent cameras in a sleek body without protrusions for about €370 ($400).

The breakthrough of silicon-carbon technology

Winner: OnePlus 15

2025 will be remembered as the year when silicon-carbon battery technology became mainstream. The OnePlus 15 packed an astonishing 7,300 mAh battery into a body no thicker than a standard phone. Brownlee reported that the phone lasted three full days of intensive use on a single charge. Coupled with 120 W wired charging, it completely changes the user’s relationship with power outlets.

Mention: Dooji S200 Ultra

A rugged brick phone with an 11,000 mAh battery designed for those who prioritize longevity over ergonomics.

Engineering boldness versus practicality

Winner: iPhone Air

Described as „an amazing piece of jewelry,” the iPhone Air is the most controversial winner. It sacrificed battery life and camera functionality (having only one lens) to achieve an impossibly thin and light form. While MKBHD acknowledged he couldn’t use it as a primary phone due to its compromises, he awarded it for its engineering boldness and the „premium” feel in hand, making other phones feel like bricks.

Runner-up: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

Praised for its massive camera bump looking purposeful, and the rear display being aesthetically integrated.

Hardware maturity and software harmony

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung has finally refined its hardware. The Z Fold 7 is the „sturdiest daily choice” in the foldable phone space. It is thinner than previous generations, making it comfortable to use when closed, yet maintains the top-tier multitasking performance Samsung is known for. It may not be the brightest, but it is the most refined.

Runner-up: Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Google’s foldable phone came in second, offering cleaner software (Pixel UI) and a wider passport-style format that many love, though it lacks the extreme hardware precision of Samsung’s seventh-generation.

From „portable shame” to recommendation

Winner: iPhone 17 (Base Model)

For many years, the base iPhone model was a device MKBHD reluctantly recommended. That changed in 2025. The iPhone 17 finally received a 120 Hz ProMotion display, double the base storage, and inherited the high-quality selfie camera from the Pro line. From a „temporary” product, it became a genuinely excellent phone.

Runner-up: OnePlus 15

Recovering from a missed generation (the 14 model), the 15 offered a massive leap in battery technology and processor capability compared to the OnePlus 13.

Misleading decisions and poor value

Winner: iPhone 16

By making a confusing decision regarding its product line, Apple released the entry-level iPhone 16 alongside the 17 series, which baffled reviewers. It was stripped of essential features—retaining a 60 Hz display, one camera, and no ultra-wideband support—yet the price remained close to the premium range. This resulted in a tragic price-to-quality ratio compared to the CMF Phone 2 Pro or the base iPhone 17.

The phone that defines 2025

Winner: iPhone 17

The MVP award is rarely given for top specifications; it is awarded to the phone that defines the year. The base iPhone 17 wins because it is a „complete package”. By addressing historical shortcomings of non-Pro models (display refresh rate and memory), Apple created a device that scores 8/10 in every category. It is the easiest phone to recommend to the widest audience, making it the undisputed MVP of 2025.

Runner-up: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

If you want a phone that does everything (maximum specifications, maximum battery, maximum displays), this is the one to choose. It is the „maximalist” MVP runner-up, falling behind Apple’s minimalist winner.