Product test
CMF Phone 2 Pro test: now with NFC and three cameras
by Jan Johannsen
The editorial team’s favourite smartphones – July 2025 edition
22.7.2025
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Co-author: Michelle Brändle
We’ve tested and reviewed plenty of smartphones in recent months. Here are our favourites.
Since our editors’ last favourite smartphone rundown, we’ve published 21 new reviews. But only a few have become so dear to us that we’d recommend them. For example, the only iPhone we tested during this period, the 16e, didn’t make the list.
Value for money favourite: CMF Phone 2 Pro
For a long time, I had the Nothing Phone (3a) in top spot for this category, but then the manufacturer gave itself strong competition with the CMF Phone 2 Pro. It’s even cheaper, and you only sacrifice a little computing power. A difference that’s hardly noticeable in everyday life, the CMF still has enough juice. The presence of an NFC chip eliminates the biggest shortcoming of its predecessor. In addition, the Phone 2 Pro also has two extra cameras, making it pretty much the cheapest way to get a telephoto camera.
Hopefully Nothing will improve the colour reproduction of the main camera. Otherwise, my only big criticism is with the operating system updates – they’re only guaranteed for three years. But at least security gaps will still be closed for six years .
All-rounder favourite: Google Pixel 9a
Just want a good phone that doesn’t excel anywhere, but still ticks all the boxes? Then there’s no way around the Google Pixel 9a. The device responds quickly, has useful AI features, and the battery keeps kicking on days without any problems. I also really like the photos.
There’s no optical zoom, but the digital one still does a good job. Otherwise, the Pixel 9a is a durable and comparatively affordable smartphone. Google will even provide it with updates (software and system) for seven years.
Sustainability favourite: Fairphone 6
With the Fairphone 6, the sustainable smartphone has radically changed its appearance, but still remains true to its ideals. Visually, it’s more stylish and doesn’t look super eco. There are also accessories that can be screwed onto the back. The smartphone is still easy to repair thanks to the screws, and the manufacturer intends to keep spare parts available for at least seven years.
During production for the Fairphone 6, the company continued to pay attention to the use of recycled and fairly sourced materials. Overall, the Fairphone 6 is a very usable mid-range smartphone that costs a little more than comparably equipped devices, but is designed for a much longer period of use. This puts the price into perspective. Its biggest drawback? Fairphone takes a comparatively long time to deliver software updates.
Tiny favourite: Samsung Galaxy S25
Now, you might be thinking, «Hey, 6.2 inches isn’t small at all». Correct. Nevertheless, the Galaxy S25 is one of the smallest smartphones available today. With the exception of unusual models, only older Android devices such as the Galaxy S23 or Pixel 8a have slightly smaller displays. Still, these small dimensions don’t prevent Samsung from equipping the S25 with the best hardware currently available. Among other things, you can expect a telephoto camera, a powerful chipset and a very long battery life.
The biggest drawback of the Galaxy S25 is that there are only a few noticeable improvements compared to its predecessor. Although the Galaxy S24 will receive updates for one year less and has fewer AI tools, it’s also cheaper.
Folding favourite: Motorola Razr 60 Ultra
Motorola’s Razr 60 Ultra is the clear winner for this form factor. The fully usable external display measures four inches and covers the entire surface. If I still need a little more screen, I simply unfold it. In terms of hardware, Motorola uses the latest high-end components, such as the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip from Qualcomm, good cameras – which can also be used for selfies – and a long-lasting battery.
Despite minor drawbacks such as the omission of optical zoom and the average update policy, Motorola delivers a mature foldable smartphone. Only the price is a bit painful.
Camera favourite: Xiaomi 15 Ultra
If you want several good cameras, then the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is currently your best choice. In addition to the main camera, the ultra-wide-angle lens and the two telephoto cameras also impress with their outstanding image quality. The rest of the features are also befitting of a top smartphone.
However, it’s also noticeable that improvements to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra are rather small compared to its predecessor. The ultra-wide-angle camera could also be even better in night mode, and the battery didn’t perform convincingly in our review.
And now you: what’s your current favourite smartphone? Let us know in the comments.
Header image: Jan Johannsen
Jan Johannsen
Senior Editor
Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.deAs a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
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