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[Giallo Corsa]

What the title says, boys.

My girlfriend's phone is on its last legs (iPhone 11 Pro max), so we decided she's getting the OnePlus 15R when it launches on December 17.
Now, I'm not the type to upgrade my phone every year - I usually hold onto mine for 3-4 years but when I checked out OnePlus' site, the OP15 really caught my attention. That 7300 mAh battery is insane and reviews are pretty positive overall. The only real downside seems to be the camera, which is supposedly a downgrade from the OP12.

Still, with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 16 GB RAM, 165 Hz display, 120W charging, and that monstrous 7300mah battery, it honestly looks like an upgrade over my Galaxy S24 Ultra, thing is, I'm not sure how I feel about paying 1000 Eurodollars for a phone with a potentially mediocre camera.

I looked around at other brands and… it's a complete mess. Prices are inflated as hell - the Oppo X9 Pro costs iPhone money for crying out loud and some devices (looking at you, Pixels) don't exactly scream "flagship performance" (plus the horrible battery life and thermals).

In theory, I could wait for Samsung's S26 Ultra reveal in a few months, but, let's be real: Samsung isn't even trying anymore. It'll be the same thing as always, with a ridiculous price tag slapped on it.
Usage : Lots of YouTube, lots of Whatsapp (work), scrolling on GAF, a couple of mins on Facebook and Instagram.
S24 Ultra lasts me about 6-7 hours (tops) of SOT with said usage.

So, Android people: what would you suggest? What's actually considered the best Android phone of 2025 so far?

 

[T8SC]

I'd say keep the S24 Ultra. It's not worth changing, phones are stagnating & yours is still relatively new & very capable.

 

[Trilobit]

If you really take pictures that require a terrific camera then choose something else. Though it really sounds like you fancy it for the rest.

But considering you already have a stellar phone you should honestly wait until there's something actually interesting in some years. Whatever excitement you think you'll get from a purchase now will last for a day at most.

 

[TheUnicornGuy]

I'm a fan of redmagic phones, not overly expensive but still have really good specs. 12GB is £630, 16GB is £710, and 24GB is £880. All models have a 7500mAh battery.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

If you really take pictures that require a terrific camera then choose something else. Though it really sounds like you fancy it for the rest.

But considering you already have a stellar phone you should honestly wait until there's something actually interesting in some years. Whatever excitement you think you'll get from a purchase now will last for a day at most.

Trilo, you're right as is T8SC , but, the main reason brother is the battery - that 6-7 of SOT that I wrote is the best case scenario but most importantly, for some reason, both battery guru and Accubattery show 88% health in just 1 year's time of use and I don't know how that's even possible, I never let my phone discharge to 0%, I never leave it plugged it overnight, I don't game on it , meanwhile, my 2021 OP Nord which I've abused shows 98% of battery health, again, I don't know how that's even possible but, if that's a Samsung thing I'd rather get rid of it now that I have the chance.

To be honest, I don't (heavily) use the cameras/take many pictures anymore, what I do care mostly is A) having a lag free performance and B) battery life, that's it...

TLDNR: the main reason I'm even thinking it is the much bigger battery life and the fact that the S24U's battery deteriorated very fast, plus, those pointy corners start digging through my palms after extended use

Cheers

 

[Trilobit]

Trilo, you're right as is T8SC , but, the main reason brother is the battery - that 6-7 of SOT that I wrote is the best case scenario but most importantly, for some reason, both battery guru and Accubattery show 88% health in just 1 year's time of use and I don't know how that's even possible, I never let my phone discharge to 0%, I never leave it plugged it overnight, I don't game on it , meanwhile, my 2021 OP Nord which I've abused shows 98% of battery health, again, I don't know how that's even possible but, if that's a Samsung thing I'd rather get rid of it now that I have the chance.

To be honest, I don't (heavily) use the cameras/take many pictures anymore, what I do care mostly is A) having a lag free performance and B) battery life, that's it...

TLDNR: the main reason I'm even thinking it is the much bigger battery life and the fact that the S24U's battery deteriorated very fast, plus, those pointy corners start digging through my palms after extended use

Cheers

Maybe try reinstalling the OS if there's some software side causing issues.

But I totally get what you mean. My number one priority with any new phone I get is the battery time. Nothing else comes close to importance for me. I've had phones that've given me anxiety because I didn't know if they'd last to the end of the day. One of my best phones back in the day was a cheap Poco phone with insanely big battery (for its time) and I was in love with it. I've also been very content with my Pixel 6s thanks to good battery time.

So yeah, a better battery is 100% a valid reason to upgrade.

 

[T8SC]

Trilo, you're right as is T8SC , but, the main reason brother is the battery - that 6-7 of SOT that I wrote is the best case scenario but most importantly, for some reason, both battery guru and Accubattery show 88% health in just 1 year's time of use and I don't know how that's even possible, I never let my phone discharge to 0%, I never leave it plugged it overnight, I don't game on it , meanwhile, my 2021 OP Nord which I've abused shows 98% of battery health, again, I don't know how that's even possible but, if that's a Samsung thing I'd rather get rid of it now that I have the chance.

To be honest, I don't (heavily) use the cameras/take many pictures anymore, what I do care mostly is A) having a lag free performance and B) battery life, that's it...

TLDNR: the main reason I'm even thinking it is the much bigger battery life and the fact that the S24U's battery deteriorated very fast, plus, those pointy corners start digging through my palms after extended use

Cheers

Size isn't everything.

Software/OS optimisation is key. Look at tests where they pit phones against each other for endurance, the bigger battery phones don't always win. A lot of the Chinese brands are shit for this kinda thing so they now stick big silicon-carbon batteries in to bring them level.

 

[Blade2.0]

I'd keep the S24 Ultra. I went from a S20FE to the OG pixel Fold in November. I really see zero reason for the new stuff. If you're really worried about battery, just buy a $20 Anker 10,000 MaH battery and take it with you in backpack or whatever you already carry for work. There's zero reason for an upgrade, to me.

 

[kevboard]

there's no reason to look elsewhere imo

Samsung still has by far the best software. their version of Android feels more stable than those of any other manufacturer's.

I currently have a Pixel 10, an old Galaxy Note 10+, a Galaxy A34, and an Oukitel.
and even the Note 10+ still feels almost on par with the Pixel 10, and in many ways superior to the midrange A34.
it's only the 60hz refresh rate that dates it.

basically, Samsung flagships are the way to go on Android.
and honestly, I don't see a reason why you should upgrade from the S24 Ultra... there's barely anything out there that beats it in any meaningful way.

get the newest Samsung or stay with your current one is my advice.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

If you want a flagship performance phone with a great camera but also insane battery life and ridiculously fast charging and never overheats, your dark horse is the OnePlus 13

The OP15 actually has a slightly worse camera so get the 13 which is now cheaper because it's the previous model

Once you've unshackled yourself from Apple and Samsung you'll never want to go back to a world where it takes 90 minutes to charge your phone to 100% and looking at it funny makes it throttle and the phone needs to be charged twice a day if you're a heavy user. North Americans have no idea how shit their phone duopoly is because the vast majority of Chinesium phones just aren't available except OnePlus

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

I've made up my mind.

I'm going for a foldable phone.

I was going to buy the Samsung Z Fold 7, or the Huawei Mate X6... But I saw that the new Huawei Mate XT Ultimate is coming out.

I saw the Samsung Trifold, but I didn't like its foldable design... I'll wait for the Huawei; they're going to present it in Arab countries next week.

 

[Soodanim]

If you want a flagship performance phone with a great camera but also insane battery life and ridiculously fast charging and never overheats, your dark horse is the OnePlus 13

The OP15 actually has a slightly worse camera so get the 13 which is now cheaper because it's the previous model

Once you've unshackled yourself from Apple and Samsung you'll never want to go back to a world where it takes 90 minutes to charge your phone to 100% and looking at it funny makes it throttle and the phone needs to be charged twice a day if you're a heavy user. North Americans have no idea how shit their phone duopoly is because the vast majority of Chinesium phones just aren't available except OnePlus

What's the OS and general software situation like, though? Android variants are known for more than a little bloat. I'd want barebones fresh Android, not some Huawei level phone home bloat.