Non-Pro smartphones are currently offering excellent value and features.
Forget the FOMO and enjoy the JOMO, as 2025 fully belongs to the base phones.
The standard Pixel 10 and base iPhone 17 are two phones that highlight this trend, and for the first time in a long time, I don't feel the need for the premium flagship models.
For the base iPhone 17, the addition of a ProMotion display is a game-changer. In my review, I mentioned that this change "finally addresses one of Apple's most obvious shortcomings," which remains true. A screen with up to a 120 Hz refresh rate was the only feature preventing me from using the base iPhone, forcing me to opt for the more expensive Pro versions, even without needing their other "pro" features.
Having a 120Hz screen in 2025 is not a luxury; it is now the standard on most phones.
The Pixel 10 is ironically the last to feature a 60 Hz screen. I was surprised when I first saw the preliminary specifications Google provided before the announcement.
However, the Pixel 10 has a feature that compensates for its lack of a high refresh rate display: its camera. Unlike the iPhone, which only has a dual camera, the base Pixel includes a 5X telephoto lens, which is longer than the one on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
While you cannot zoom to 100X like on premium Pixels, it's not necessary. Unlike brands such as Oppo and Vivo, Google's 100X zoom isn't great, so it doesn't have much real-world value, at least on Pixels.
In conclusion, Google and Apple are making their base models viable alternatives to the pro models, and for the first time in years, I don't feel compelled to choose an iPhone Pro Max or a Pixel Pro XL.
But there should be a compact flagship phone that combines a telephoto camera with a high-refresh screen.
The base Galaxy phone has offered a high-refresh screen and telephoto camera for years.
Living in the shadow of the Galaxy S Ultra, it doesn't receive much attention after its initial launch buzz in February.
It excels in many areas, featuring a great AMOLED display, smooth performance (unlike the Pixel), and a more versatile camera than the iPhone, though it may not be as good in certain scenarios like video. It is also relatively compact, which is rare these days.
However, the greatest strength of the Galaxy S26, for me, is One UI. It's a common joke that Samsung's software is among the most complete and customizable, but it's true. It's superior to the near-stock Android on the Pixel 10 and the underdeveloped Liquid Glass interface of the iPhone 17.
With the extensive customization options offered by Samsung's Good Lock modules, Samsung's phones provide a unique combination of top features and customization, unmatched by any other Android manufacturer.
So, save money and avoid straining your pinky finger with those large and heavy phones: the compact flagship is making a comeback, and the Galaxy S25 probably offers the best value.
At the same time, the Pro models are in a slump in 2025.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a slightly different design but the same old 5,000 mAh battery.
The Pixel 10 Pro XL is essentially a slightly improved Pixel 9 Pro XL and still lags significantly in performance.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max didn't introduce any significant new features; a slightly higher-resolution telephoto lens is nice, but not a major upgrade.
In 2025, base flagship phones have narrowed the gap with their more premium counterparts, and while more expensive phones still offer a bit more, you aren't "losing" as much by using a regular flagship these days.
It's the more financially responsible choice in late 2025.
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