The technology world has once again been shaken by one of the most anticipated rankings - the annual smartphone awards presented by the guru Marques Brownlee, better known for his YouTube channel MKBHD. With nearly 21 million subscribers, Marques doesn't just make reviews, he dictates trends. His annual video, summarizing the results of dozens of premieres, shed light on the most brilliant (and most unsuccessful) devices for the outgoing year 2025.
This year's selection brought more than one surprise, becoming a real test of the dominance of some of the titans in the industry. Curiously, even Apple's latest iterations - the flagship iPhone 17 Pro - were left without a single individual award in a specific category. However, the Cupertino giant still managed to grab a total of four awards, although one of them was too painful for the company's reputation.
The big trophy, the title of “Smartphone of the Year“, Brownlee awarded to the standard iPhone 17. The technoblogger argued his choice, describing the device as “the most comprehensive and extremely profitable choice“ in the sea of offers. At the other extreme, the iPhone 16e earned the anti-prize “Failure of the Year“, which is a strong slap in the face for Apple and a signal of errors in their product strategy.
Of course, the final tally is not only for Cupertino. The Android camp was worthily represented, demonstrating huge competition – from mobile photography machines to avant-garde folding models. Every niche has its undisputed winner.
Here is the full list of MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2025 winners:
Smartphone of the Year: iPhone 17 – The undisputed hegemon that has achieved a perfect balance.
Best Camera: OPPO Find X9 Pro – A true camera phone that crushes the competition with optical capabilities.
Best Large Smartphone (Phablet): Xiaomi 17 Pro Max – For those who do not compromise on display size and power.
Best Compact Smartphone: Galaxy Z Flip7 – Proof that “small“ does not mean “weak“, combining style and foldable technology.
Best Price/Quality Ratio: CMF Phone 2 Pro – The smartphone that offers maximum for minimal investment.
Best Autonomy (Battery Life): OnePlus 15 – The champion that can withstand even the toughest workday without needing to recharge.
Best Design: iPhone Air – Innovative appearance that sets the industry standard.
Best Foldable Smartphone (Foldable): Galaxy Z Fold7 – The gold standard in the emerging segment of foldable devices.
Smartphone with the greatest improvement over the previous model: iPhone 17 – The model that demonstrates the most serious leap forward in its development.
Failure of the year: iPhone 16e – The device that did not justify either expectations or its price.
The 2025 MKBHD Awards do not just celebrate the best gadgets, but draw the map of technological achievements, showing manufacturers which efforts have been rewarded and which have missed the mark.