As 2025 comes to an end, the annual ranking of the year’s most searched and discussed smartphones has revealed a clear winner — the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The flagship device secured the top spot with a significant lead, marking one of Samsung’s strongest Ultra-series performances in recent years.
This Top 20 list includes phones launched as early as November 2024 to ensure fair representation and performance trends across the full year. While many expected favorites made the list, several surprising entries and market trends emerged, particularly around 4G devices and foldable phones.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ranked No. 1, driven by its premium camera system, powerful hardware, and strong global demand. Close behind, the Galaxy A56 claimed second place, reflecting the continued dominance of Samsung’s A-series in the mid-range market. The Poco X7 Pro secured third position, praised widely for its value-for-money proposition and consistent below-MSRP pricing.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 ranked fourth, standing out as the only compact flagship on the list — a notable achievement in a segment where smaller phones are becoming increasingly rare. Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max landed in fifth place, boosted by its redesigned build and improved camera hardware, despite mixed reactions to its aluminum frame.
Surprisingly, three 4G smartphones also made the Top 20 — the Redmi Note 14 4G, Infinix Hot 50 Pro+ 4G, and Samsung Galaxy A16. Each offers OLED displays, IP54 protection, expandable storage, and competitive chipsets, proving that 4G devices still maintain strong appeal in cost-conscious regions.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and Apple iPhone 17 Air ranked lower than expected, reflecting weaker consumer reception. Another unexpected entrant was the iPhone 16e, which replaced the standard iPhone lineup in popularity despite offering fewer premium features.
Premium camera-centric phones such as the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Redmi Note 14 Pro series, and Redmi Turbo 4 Pro also gained traction among photography enthusiasts.
One major absence, however, stood out — no foldable phones appeared in the Top 20, despite increased sales and promotional efforts across the industry. The results suggest that while foldables continue to grow, they still remain a niche segment compared to mainstream flagship and mid-range smartphones.