Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Prospective buyers in the market for a new smartphone in 2025 will find themselves in a position of considerable choice, and should leverage this to be discerning. The versatility of these handheld mobile devices caters to a wide array of needs, from demanding users who are constantly connected to creative individuals utilizing their phones for artistic expression and generating viral content.
Conversely, the displays of LED and OLED screens can cause discomfort for some individuals, even with brief usage. Others grapple with excessive consumption, finding it challenging to curtail endless scrolling.
With new touchscreen gadgets being released almost annually, potential purchasers have the opportunity to exercise greater selectivity. They can now choose a smartphone that ideally aligns with their specific lifestyle.
To identify optimal smartphones for diverse user profiles, AI search tools ChatGPT and Claude were employed to analyze specifications and use cases. It’s important to note that the free versions used might have influenced the recommendations toward slightly older models. Updated versions for both Apple and Samsung are currently available, namely the iPhone 16 and Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Below are AI-driven recommendations for selecting the best smartphone tailored to individual needs.
For comparison, a smartphone buying guide compiled by FASTNET experts is also available for review.
Smartphones Designed for Users with Visual Impairments
The new Light Phone 3
High-definition screens are not universally enjoyable; for some, they can be genuinely problematic. A segment of smartphone users experience significant eye strain, leading them to seek alternatives to LED and OLED displays altogether. For these users, ChatGPT and Claude suggested E-ink smartphones.
For those wishing to completely avoid color screens, the Light Phone 3, recently launched on Thursday, is available for order and pre-order in two iterations: the Light Phone II priced at $299, and the Light Phone III at $599.
The New York-based developers of the Light Phone designed this E Ink device with a focus on core functionalities like calls, texts, and GPS. It targets users who prioritize these features without desiring glossy, full-color LED/OLED screens.
According to the Light Phone creators, their aim is to offer a more gentle and mindful user experience through their minimalist E Ink smartphone. AI tools specifically recommended the Light Phone for users seeking essential mobile phone capabilities, such as cameras and media storage for music and podcasts, while mitigating the risk of eye strain.
Smartphones Supporting Mental Wellbeing
The Google Pixel 9A
For individuals looking to curb excessive screen time and constant engagement with social media, smartphones featuring mental wellness tools and streamlined user interfaces are recommended. The purpose is to provide devices that can aid in protecting mental peace amidst the intensity of the digital world.
While iPhones provide features designed to bolster mental and physical health through metrics tracking like sleep schedules and screen time limits, ChatGPT and Claude recommended the Google Pixel, known for its Digital Wellbeing features. These features offer a suite of options created to safeguard mental wellness from the challenges of the modern digital age.
The Android operating system enables the creation of multiple profiles – for instance, one for professional and another for personal use. This facilitates easily concealing work-related applications during off-hours. Scheduling work profiles to automatically activate and deactivate at specific times further streamlines disconnection from job demands. It is worth noting that iPhone/iOS provides a similar function called Focus modes.
Smartphones for Power Users
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers a larger display for enhanced multitasking. AI search tools recommended an earlier iteration.
For users intending to conduct the majority of their professional or academic tasks on their smartphones, AI tools suggested several prominent models, encompassing the latest iPhones and Samsung devices. Recommendations also extended to those who regularly utilize Microsoft products, such as Teams.
These phones boast sophisticated hardware and software integrations designed to simplify work on documents, presentations, and collaborative projects from any location. This caters to users seeking the flexibility to work remotely, whether poolside or at a local park.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro / iPhone 15 Pro Max: AI tools favored Apple’s iPhones for users seeking to maximize mobile device utilization, citing extensive features and a continuously expanding App Store as significant advantages for both work and leisure activities.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: This foldable touchscreen smartphone received strong recommendations from AI search tools due to its expansive screen and user-friendliness with productivity and professional applications.
An additional benefit of Samsung’s operating system is its capacity to run multiple applications simultaneously on the unfolded screen, including support for floating windows. The Fold also supports Samsung’s S Pen, facilitating note-taking or sketching directly on the device.
Smartphones for Filmmakers and Content Creators
The OnePlus 13
Large screens and generously sized imaging chips are key criteria in AI recommendations for smartphones suited for content creators and filmmakers. While iPhones are mentioned above, AI tools also proposed several less mainstream options from manufacturers like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Sony.
Xiaomi 13 Pro: Highlighted for its advanced camera lens and a larger-than-average imaging chip, this model was consistently recommended by AI search tools to creative professionals aiming to produce cinema-quality content on the go. While AI tools initially suggested an older iteration, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is now available.
OnePlus 12: Characterized by thinner and lighter touchscreens, these smartphones were praised by AI search tools for their rapid operating system, Dolby-enhanced visuals and audio, high-caliber zoom capabilities, and premium-grade lens from Hasselblad. These features are considered highly suitable for realizing ambitious content creation endeavors. Although AI tools recommended a prior model, the updated OnePlus 13 has been released.
Sony Xperia 1 VI (unavailable in the US): Key advantages identified by AI search tools for this device include a creator mode display offering professional-level video controls, and a camera purported to capture exceptionally clear images and footage of both close-up and distant subjects.
Evaluating AI’s Role in Smartphone Selection
It is important to exercise caution and verify any smartphone recommendations generated by AI. AI systems may occasionally produce inaccuracies or draw upon questionable online sources. During research for this article, ChatGPT incorrectly assumed that certain E Ink reading tablets possessed native smartphone functionalities such as calling, texting, and social media application compatibility.
Furthermore, AI training data might be outdated, as evidenced by both tools recommending older phone models instead of the newest versions.
Therefore, it is advisable to conduct independent research on any suggestions from AI tools and cross-reference them with reputable resources such as FASTNET’s lists of top-rated phones.