Android Police best of 2025 awards

Every year, the writers at Android Police test and review hundreds of phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and other cool tech gadgets.

These devices have traveled internationally, done burpees, been dragged to conferences, endured hours of tossing and turning at night, and gone on runs. That’s because those are the ways you’ll use your tech in your daily life.

Some of the tech we reviewed was a big hit, and others didn’t perform as we had hoped.

So, to help you fill out your wishlist or choose tech gifts for your friends and family, our editors came up with this list of the very best of what they’ve tested over this past year.

We collected their reflections here and added helpful links to their full, well-researched, thoughtful reviews. There’s a little something here for everyone on your list!

Best Android Flagship Phone – Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL’s combination of a big 6.8-inch screen, a big 5,200mAh battery, and an impressive triple camera is exactly right, and every time our editor returned to it since reviewing it, they’ve enjoyed every moment.

Android 16 is effortless. It’s so easy and fast to get things done that you can turn to it instead of a tablet, laptop, or other phone.

No other 2025 flagship smartphone has created such a lasting impression, been so reliable, or managed to come with so few compromises.

It’s not just a fantastic all-rounder. It’s all the phone you’ll need for years to come, due to the excellent software support from Google.

The full $1,199 price makes the smaller Pixel 10 Pro very tempting, but if you want the very best, then the Pixel 10 Pro XL is it.

We have seen a few deals since the phone’s release, though, at which time it’s impossible to ignore.

Best Android Value Phone — Google Pixel 9a

“Value” can be a tough area to succeed in, but Google has continually smashed it out of the park with its A-series of Pixel phones.

If you’re looking for a smartphone that offers sublime value for money (and who isn’t?), the Google Pixel 9a should be at the top of your list to check out.

While there are cheaper smartphones and phones with much more powerful specifications, when it comes to a blend between strong hardware and a solid price, there aren’t many smartphones that can truly rival the Pixel 9a.

The processor and camera punch significantly higher than its price suggests, and the battery life is solid enough to last over a day on a single charge.

Sure, a few of Google’s latest AI features are missing, but there’s more than enough here that you rarely feel like you’re missing out.

It’s easy to look at the Pixel 9a’s $500 price and assume it’s not a phone worthy of batting with the big boys.

And to some extent, that’s true — but when you look at processing power, camera performance, and battery life, the Pixel 9a will surprise you with just how good it is.

And that’s why it’s the best value phone for 2025.

Best Book-Style Foldable — Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

There has been no shortage of challengers to the throne this year, but make no mistake, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the best book-fold foldable smartphone for 2025.

This is the most expensive phone in Samsung’s roster (until the Galaxy Z TriFold comes out), and it shows in the spec sheet.

It’s an incredibly powerful smartphone, and when you unfold the 8-inch inner display, it’s an incredibly powerful tablet.

But we’ve been saying similar things about the Z Fold since it debuted; what’s new this year? A lot.

Samsung has made significant changes to the Z Fold’s dimensions, making the Z Fold 7 thinner, wider, and lighter.

These seem like relatively small changes, but they add up to a much better-proportioned device and a far better experience as a result.

At $2,000, this isn’t a device you’ll find in any bargain bin.

Still, if you want to experience the best book-style folding phone, or can find a great pre-owned deal, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is absolutely worth the money you’ll spend.

Best Clamshell Foldable — Motorola Razr Ultra

The Motorola Razr Ultra earns our pick for the top clamshell foldable thanks to its sleek design and snappy performance.

It still offers the best cover screen experience on a folding phone, letting users add apps easily and access more functionality without opening the device.

It was Motorola’s answer to critics who wanted a complete flagship spec list in the company’s top folding phone.

Under the hood, Motorola didn’t disappoint.

The Razr Ultra sports a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAM, a combination that provides excellent performance.

Its 4,700mAh battery gives you a full day of use on a single charge, and the phone’s 68W wired charging speeds beat most other US flagships.

Software support still lags behind what you’d expect for an expensive phone, but Hello UI runs smoothly and has all the Moto Gestures you know and love.

Its dual 50MP cameras get the job done, and the phone will be a conversation starter anywhere you take it.

Its initial $1,300 price tag was a bit steep, but frequent sales bring it down to around $900, making it the ideal choice for those looking for something different.

Best Android Tablet — OnePlus Pad Lite

The OnePlus Pad Lite isn’t the most technologically exciting tablet of the year, but like all great tablets, it has excellent multimedia performance at a price that won’t make you think twice.

Android tablets, which are supposed to replace your laptop, are more common than great value propositions these days, which makes the OnePlus Pad Lite (and its almost identical sibling, the Oppo Pad SE) our recommendation for the year.

The 11-inch screen has a 90Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek G110 processor, 6GB of RAM, and a solidly built metal chassis.

You’ll love how the software ensures the battery lasts longer in standby mode and OxygenOS 15’s multitasking modes.

In a sea of expensive tablets, the low-cost OnePlus Pad Lite will probably suit most people’s tablet needs and is unlikely to cause buyer’s remorse when all you end up doing is watching YouTube on it.

Best Wear OS Smartwatch — Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that’s a real winner, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 will completely win you over.

The new cushion shape gives it a wonderful 70s vibe, and the thin 8.6mm case makes it supremely comfortable to wear 24 hours a day.

The case comes in 40mm or 44mm sizes, a choice of colors, and with various strap designs.

The software is packed with health and fitness features. Samsung’s Health app is filled with data, and crucially, there’s no subscription needed to see it all.

It’s durable with a sapphire crystal over the 1.3-inch or 1.5-inch screens, plus an IP68 dust and water-resistance rating, and MIL-STD-810H certification.

All this adds up to it being the ideal everyday smartwatch, setting it apart from the ordinary Google Pixel Watch 4 and ungainly Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

Best Chromebook — Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

Acer’s latest Chromebook Plus Spin 514 costs a significant amount of money, but it delivers the premium Chromebook experience you’d expect.

It earns our top pick thanks to its versatility, solid build quality, and excellent performance.

The Spin 514 isn’t the best in tablet mode, but tent mode (folding the hinge beyond 180 degrees) opens up possibilities for presentation in the office and classroom.

The Spin 514’s MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chipset and 16GB provide outstanding performance, even for more intensive tasks.

It features a durable build and looks sharp in its single colorway, Platinum Silver.

Its 14-inch IPS panel is ideal for watching movies and TV shows. The battery life is also excellent, lasting an entire day of watching football with room to spare.

As you’d expect, the Spin 514 will receive 10 years of Chrome OS updates, adding to its value.

The Spin 514 carries a premium price tag of $800, but if you know how to use it, the value is there.

Best Smart Ring — Oura Ring 4 Ceramic

The Oura Ring 4 Ceramic strikes the perfect balance between health-tracking depth and everyday comfort.

This year’s ceramic finish finally gives the ring the durability and premium feel its sensor package deserves. Its sibling, the Oura Ring 4, offers the same sensor suite.

However, the Ceramic version wears better every day, encouraging consistent use. The Oura Ring 4 Ceramic also packs serious specs.

Made with a high-performance zirconia ceramic exterior and a titanium inner shell, the ring is water-resistant up to 100 meters and designed to withstand daily wear.

Its sensor array includes red and infrared LEDs for blood-oxygen sensing, a digital temperature sensor, and a 24/7 accelerometer for activity tracking.

It also has green and infrared LEDs for continuous heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiration tracking.

At a retail price of $499, the Ceramic model sits at the premium end of the smart-ring segment.

But the extra cost doesn’t feel arbitrary. You’re paying for materials and build quality that look timeless, and for health tracking that’s seamless and unobtrusive.

Best E Ink Tablet — Boox Note Air4 C

A color E Ink display is a difficult thing to get right.

On top of the existing limitations of black-and-white E Ink displays, colors can appear washed out and dim.

Nevertheless, Onyx managed to compromise effectively with the Note Air4 C, which offers the best Android E Ink display on the market right now.

The Note Air4 C isn’t cheap, but it’s brilliant at what it does.

The biggest downside is performance, as it struggles to match the speed of even budget Android tablets.

That means you can install any Android app, but it doesn’t mean you should. Apps and games that require fast refresh rates (such as YouTube) are not suitable for this device.

However, its outstanding battery life means that it’ll outlast any Android tablet. For reading, note-taking, art, and light web browsing, the Note Air4 C excels.

Onyx has also refined the software, so you not only have access to Onyx’s fantastic suite of apps, but there is a wealth of customization options to help optimize third-party apps for an E Ink display.

Yes, there are cheaper E Ink tablets, but for sheer versatility and practical design, the Boox Note Air4 C is the best E Ink tablet on the market.

Best Earbuds — Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)

Are you incredibly picky when it comes to earbuds? Most people want earbuds with the best fit, sound, and something that can at least drown out the noise of busy life.

If you rarely find a pair that can keep up with everything you ask for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) will check all the boxes.

With amazing sound, a secure fit, and excellent noise, they may become your go-to pair for just about everything.

While these buds are a bit on the pricey side, you definitely pay for what you get.

Calls come in clearly, and the customizable, immersive sound enhances the experience. Plus, they will definitely withstand the burpee test without budging.

Though they could use longer battery life, the newest model supports wireless charging. Of all the earbuds we’ve reviewed this year, these come out on top.