Best upcoming phones for 2025: Find your next phone!
From hero handsets and foldable flagships to affordable mid-rangers, there is never a shortage of exciting new upcoming phones to be thrilled about. This is always true when your cellular contract comes up for renewal - something will come along that will tempt you away from the handset you have loved for the past year or two, no matter what your budget is.
Vivo v50 coming soon
All these upcoming phones will arrive in a few days. We have focused on the rumors, but have also mentioned confirmed releases, including those that have already launched in China but have not yet had a Western launch. Here’s what to expect in terms of specifications, camera capabilities, and software smarts - and for some additional context, check out a summary of every major smartphone announcement from recent months, along with links to our reviews of the biggest hitters.
Apple iPhone SE 4
Apple's most affordable iPhone model will clearly draw style from the iPhone 14, featuring flat edges and a 6.1-inch OLED screen that will modernize the SE. This is a significant change from the older model, which has the old-school Touch ID and a 4.7-inch screen. A cutout for Dynamic Island is unlikely, and the action button may not appear either; instead, expect a notch and a traditional alert slider.
It seems that due to all the new hardware, there is a likelihood of price increases, and Apple may also rename the iPhone 16 to iPhone 16SE - although there is currently very little evidence for this. The next SE is likely to arrive in March or April 2025. In the meantime, the existing SE remains the cheapest way to enter iOS without second-hand shopping:
Nothing Phone 3
One of the upcoming phones that I am really most excited about is Nothing's long-awaited flagship look, which is set to launch later this year. The design-based firm is known for its unique glyph lighting, interest in transparency, and minimal widget-based Android skin, but so far it has focused on the affordable end of its handset spectrum.
It is expected to be showcased for some time in Q1, but until then, the Nothing Phone 2 will remain the company's top offering - and it can be obtained for mid-range money:
The first true flagship will almost certainly feature a top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite or Dimensity 9400 chipset, a large battery, a large OLED screen, and three rear cameras. An internal company email sent by founder Carl Pei also hints at focusing on "significant innovations in the user interface" and AI features to help compete at a high level with the likes of Samsung and Google. A new version of Nothing OS (complete with additional widgets) seems to be provided, as does a new look for the Glyph LED.
Google Pixel 9a
Google has recently overhauled its mainline Pixel range with a small pro, and has also brought along the fold. Rumors suggest that this could be for the Pixel 9 generation, along with a cheaper 9a on the cards - but other leakers have indicated otherwise. If we do get a Pixel 9a, expect it to be around $500/£500 and the Pixel 9's Gemini AI smart, clever rear camera and refreshed new design will make it a bit more wallet-friendly.
Pixel fans may have to wait a long time for the arrival of the 9A - if it happens. In the meantime, the Pixel 8a is still a great buy:
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