Guide
The editorial team’s favourite smartphones – July 2025 edition
by Jan Johannsen
The Editorial Team’s top smartphone picks – July 2024 edition
30.6.2024
Translation: Elicia Payne
Co-author: Lorenz Keller, Michelle Brändle
We’ve tested and reviewed numerous smartphones in recent months. Here are our personal favourites.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra: the camera grip is the icing on the cake
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is very well equipped. It has a huge image sensor for a smartphone, which doesn’t go unnoticed. The picture quality is outstanding.
The Photography Kit makes photography even more fun. Yes, it’s an extra purchase in addition to the expensive device. But it provides better grip and there’s a nice release button and a zoom rocker on top.
Nothing Phone (2a): eye-catching design, good hardware and attractive price
The Nothing Phone (2a) is one of our favourites because of its eye-catching design, including a glowing LED on the back and good features. All this is available at an attractive price too. For a mid-range phone, its impressive.
The Phone (2a) has a long battery life and takes stunning pictures with the main and ultra-wide-angle camera. It performs well enough for everyday use and the user interface offers unusual customisation options. Definitely not a boring off-the-shelf smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: everything Samsung has to offer
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best thing Samsung currently has to offer in a smartphone. The improvements that have been made are small, but make a big difference. And the price reflects it.
Sony Xperia 1 VI: the best of everything
With the Sony Xperia 1 VI, you don’t have to make any compromises. The device is easy to grip, handy and light. Sony has installed the latest high-end chip from Qualcomm, a top triple camera and even a jack plug.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI excels in daylight photography. The images are in a natural colour and not over sharpened. In Pro mode, I can get even more out of it and find myself playing around with ISO and exposure time.
It’s not just taking photos on the Xperia 1 VI that’s fun, but gaming and listening to music too. On top of that, the smartphone is efficient and has a long-lasting battery. I only have to whip out the charger after 18 hours. What more could you want?
If you want to be set for the next four years, don’t want to be without anything and money is no object, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is your guy.
Samsung Galaxy A15: more for your money
Overall, the A15 is a good deal if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a smartphone for everyday use.
Google Pixel 8a: safe and reliable
The Pixel 8a is what I would call a «no brainer». An all-round solid package in a pleasant size with a good camera, long battery life and a seven-year update guarantee. This is a smartphone you almost can’t go wrong with.
But you should it give it good consideration when buying it, because the normal Pixel 8 offers noticeably better quality in terms of display and camera and isn’t even that much more expensive. It very much depends on how prices develop.
Now it’s over to you: what’s your current favourite smartphone? Let me 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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