Top Phone Brands to Consider for Superior Performance and Style

In the ever-evolving world of technology, choosing the right phone can be a daunting task, with numerous brands vying for attention. Each boasts next-level features, sleek designs, and powerful capabilities, tailoring their devices to diverse needs and preferences. The landscape is dominated by some familiar names, each leading the way with cutting-edge innovation and reliable performance. To discover which brands have made the list for the best phones available today, read on below.

Illustration of phone

Best brands of phone in 2025

Apple

Apple stands as one of the leading smartphone producers, with a significant market share in the US, reaching 61.3% in 2024, a three percentage point increase from 2023. This dominance is attributed to high customer satisfaction and loyalty, with 92% of iPhone owners expressing satisfaction and 48% unlikely to switch brands. Apple's Net Promoter Score (NPS) is notably high at 72, reflecting its commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation. The company's focus on delivering exceptional products and experiences has contributed to its growth, with over 135 million iPhone users in the US. Apple's global smartphone market share also stands at 17% as of Q3 2024. For more insights, visit iPhone market share statistics.

Samsung

Samsung is one of the leading producers of smartphones, consistently holding a significant share of the global market. As of the third quarter of 2024, Samsung held a global smartphone market share of 18.3 percent, and in 2023, the company shipped around 226.6 million smartphones, accounting for 19.4 percent of all smartphone shipments worldwide. Samsung's market dominance is evident from its rise from a 3 percent market share in 2009 to a peak of 32.2 percent in 2012. The company has maintained its position among the top smartphone vendors, competing closely with Apple, Xiaomi, and other major players. In 2023, Samsung's global smartphone market share was as high as 27.01% in the first quarter. For more details on their global market share progression, visit Samsung's smartphone market statistics.

Google

Google's Pixel series has been gaining significant traction in the smartphone market, with the brand experiencing a notable increase in market share, particularly in North America. According to recent data, Google's market share surged to around 12% in late 2024, driven by the success of the Pixel 9 series, which has been hailed as one of the best phones of the year. Despite some fluctuations, Google's market share has shown a steady rise, with the third quarter of 2024 being the company's best quarter in terms of sales. Google Pixel phones have also been popular globally, with shipments of over 38 million units from 2016 to 2023 and a market share of around 2.40% in the US as of the first quarter of 2024. This growth indicates that Google is becoming a formidable competitor to Apple and Samsung. For more insights into Google's surging Pixel sales, check out this detailed analysis.

Huawei

Huawei is a leading global smartphone manufacturer, renowned for its innovative technology and significant market presence. As of 2023, Huawei holds a 4% global smartphone market share and an impressive 17% market share in China, reclaiming the top position in the Chinese market after 13 quarters with the successful launch of its Mate and nova series. Notably, the company has made substantial advancements in 5G technology, securing a 24.8% share of 5G subscribers by RAN vendor, while its HiSilicon subsidiary has innovatively designed advanced 7 nm chips for its smartphones. This marks a strategic return to the 5G smartphone business despite previous U.S. export controls. In 2022, Huawei reported revenue of $92,379 million, with an operating profit margin of 6.6%. The company is also committed to research and development, holding over 120,000 active patents. Huawei's Harmony OS has achieved significant adoption, boasting 320 million active installations as of 2022. For more detailed insights, visit the Huawei statistics page.

OnePlus

OnePlus has emerged as a significant player in the global smartphone market, particularly in the premium segment, by offering flagship-grade specs at affordable price points. In Q2, OnePlus was the third best-selling premium smartphone in Sweden, fourth in the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, and fifth in Italy, highlighting its growing popularity in Western European markets. This success is attributed to its ability to provide high-value devices at prices around $500-$600. OnePlus's expansion in Western Europe and APAC, excluding China, has been noteworthy, making it a contender among top brands like Apple and Samsung. Its market strategy has effectively tapped into the demand for 'affordable flagship' grade smartphones.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi has solidified its position as one of the leading smartphone manufacturers globally, capturing an 11.9% market share as of January 2024 and becoming the third-largest smartphone brand worldwide. In 2023, Xiaomi shipped 145.6 million smartphones globally, with a significant presence in Asia where it accounted for 14% of the market share in Q1 2024. The company's revenue from smartphones reached $21.73 billion in 2023, with a gross margin of 14.6%. Xiaomi's MIUI user base has also grown, reaching around 606 million monthly active users globally as of June 2023. Additionally, Xiaomi's smart device ecosystem includes over 654.5 million connected devices excluding smartphones, tablets, and laptops. For more detailed insights and statistics, visit Xiaomi Statistics.

Oppo

Oppo has established itself as a leading smartphone manufacturer, capturing a 10% share of the global smartphone market in the first half of 2023 with 51.9 million shipments. In China, Oppo dominated with an 18% market share, making it the top-selling brand in the country for that period. As of 2023, Oppo held the fourth spot in the worldwide mobile market, shipping almost 103.1 million units and capturing 8.8% of the industry's share. The company's success is also driven by its innovative products, such as the Find X6 and Find N3 series, and its strong presence in the foldable smartphone market. Oppo's global user base has expanded to over 600 million users across more than 60 markets. For more detailed insights, visit their official website.

Vivo

Vivo has maintained its leadership in the Mainland China smartphone market, capturing a 19% market share in Q3 2024, driven by successful mid-range product launches that boosted both offline sales and online presence. The brand saw a significant 25% year-on-year increase in shipments, reaching 13.0 million units in Q3 2024. Vivo's strategy has been effective in expanding its consumer base, particularly during the summer and back-to-school shopping seasons. This growth is part of a broader trend where China's smartphone market has seen a 4% year-on-year increase in shipments, totaling 69.1 million units in Q3 2024. Vivo's performance underscores its strong market position and innovative product offerings. For more detailed insights, you can visit China's smartphone market report.

Sony

Sony, despite facing challenges in the smartphone market, remains a notable player with a 3.5% global market share in the first half of 2024, selling approximately 6 million smartphones worldwide. The company's Xperia series, particularly the Xperia 1 V, has garnered attention for its high-end features such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a 48MP quad-camera system. However, Sony's mobile sales have dropped significantly, with a 40% decline in 2023 and an expected similar decline in 2024. Despite this, Sony continues to innovate and adapt its strategy to remain competitive. The company's focus on cutting-edge technology and photography prowess has maintained a loyal customer base.

Lenovo

Lenovo, though more renowned for its dominance in the PC market with a 23.4% global market share as of the second quarter of 2024, also makes a significant impact in the smartphone sector. With a 2.5% global smartphone market share, Lenovo leverages its strong brand presence and strategic acquisitions, such as Motorola, to offer reliable and affordable smartphones, particularly appealing to budget-conscious consumers. In the US smartphone market, Lenovo's share has seen fluctuations, reaching 12% in Q2 2024. Despite its relatively small market share, Lenovo's focus on emerging markets and its "protect and attack" strategy have helped it gain traction. The company's intelligent transformation strategy, launched in 2021, aims to drive its growth beyond traditional devices. For further details, explore Lenovo's smartphone offerings.