Best Google Pixel Phone to Buy in 2025

Yahoo

12-02-2025

Google expanded its smartphone lineup for the better with the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. These Pixel phones still have great cameras and run on Android 15 but are largely a platform for Google's Gemini AI assistant. Google also has the affordable Pixel 8A, which is just $449 and earned a CNET Editor's Choice Award. And then there's the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which at $1,799 is the most expensive Pixel Google sells -- but it does unfold into a large 8-inch screen, which is great for watching YouTube videos and playing games. It can be tough to know which Google phone will work best for your specific needs. That's why we've pulled together the top Pixels currently on sale to help.
Read more: Best Phone to Buy in 2025
The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL sit at the top of Google's phone lineup, with its Tensor G4 processor, fantastic cameras and a host of AI skills. Gemini Advanced is truly amazing, but in our testing, there were some hiccups. One thing to look out for is price. The Pixel 9 Pro is a new, smaller version with a 6.3-inch screen and a $999 price tag. The 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL, while it has a new name, is for all intents and purposes the successor to last year's Pixel 8 Pro. The 9 Pro XL actually costs $100 more than the 8 Pro did when it was released. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL also have Satellite SOS for emergencies and come with seven years of major Android OS updates, security patches and Pixel feature drops.
Editor's note: Google released the Pixel 8A, also $500. You can read our Pixel 8A review here. If you're buying a Pixel 7A make sure it's on sale.
Google's budget phone leaped forward with the Pixel 7A, which offers many of the same benefits as the Pixel 7 but at a cheaper price. Like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A runs on Google's Tensor G2 processor, meaning it has many of the same photo editing and language translation features as its pricier sibling. The Pixel 7A's 64-megapixel camera also takes excellent photos that rival the Pixel 7's in quality.
We still like the Pixel 7, but the Pixel 7A's lower price makes it a better deal for most people. Opt for the Pixel 7 only if you want a slightly larger screen and are willing to pay the extra $100 for it. Otherwise, the main differences between the Pixel 7 and 7A come down to the former's more durable build, slightly faster charging and its ability to wirelessly charge compatible accessories. The Pixel 7 also has a larger camera sensor that's more sensitive to light, according to Google, but CNET's Lisa Eadicicco didn't notice much of a difference. Read our Pixel 7A review.
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Deciding which Pixel phone is best for you will likely come down to how much you're willing to spend. As with anything, the more cash you splash, the better features you'll get. The Pixel 9 Pro is the most expensive of the main range (excluding the Fold) and as a result, it comes with the best camera system.
If photography isn't important to you, you can save yourself some money and look instead toward the base Pixel 9 or the more affordable Pixel 8A. The Pixel 8A has the same processor as the 2023 Pixel 8 Pro, so you can expect good overall performance, but its dual rear camera is aimed more toward those of you simply wanting to take the odd snap of your kid on the beach, rather than those looking for Instagram stardom.
If you want the most cutting-edge piece of tech in your pocket, the Pixel Fold's foldable display certainly makes it stand out in the range. You'll pay a hefty price for this brand-new technology, meaning it's not a phone for everyone to consider.
Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET's expert reviews team. We use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. If we find something we don't like, be it battery life or build quality, we tell you all about it.
We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:
Display
Design and feel
Processor performance
Battery life
Camera quality
Features
We test all of a phone's cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real-world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use.
We take into account additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays, and other useful extras. We weigh all of our experiences and testing against the price, so you know whether a phone represents good value.
Read more: How We Test Phones
We loved the Pixel 7 when it first launched, thanks to its solid all-round performance and lower price, the arrival of the cheaper Pixel 7A means we no longer recommend buying the Pixel 7. The 7A shares many of the Pixel 7's features, including the processor and excellent dual camera setup. In 2024, we'd recommend looking at the Pixel 8A, or if you can afford it, the Pixel 9.
We've consistently given Google's Pixel phones high scores in our reviews, due to their decent all-round performance and typically good camera quality. They don't have the most high-performance processors around, but they offer enough power for almost any need, while the pure Android software makes them smooth and easy to use.