The year is already fifty percent done. Over these six months, Gizmochina Review have released hundreds of videos and articles, many of which featured impressive smartphones and tablets. I often see YouTube comments asking which phone is my favorite. Well, this article will answer those questions, while also summarizing the standout devices of the past half-year. I have to say, the list is still subjective with the team’s preference — these are the phones highly matching the reviewers’ preference and expectation. If you disagree, feel free to share your own opinions in the comments.
Camera Master
Over the past few months, every major brand has released their “Ultra” flagship models, each boasting incredible camera capabilities—any one of them could rightfully be called a “Camera Master.” But if I had to pick just one, I’d still give the Master title to the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra.
That said, the vivo X200 Ultra is a strong contender, especially since last year’s “Best Camera Phone” was the vivo X100 Ultra. My choice ultimately comes down to the Pura 80 Ultra’s periscope zoom system. We have to admit that the innovative dual-focal-length telephoto setup stunned everyone—sharing a single sensor between two lenses was a stroke of genius. And in real-world use, both lenses deliver performance worthy of the “Camera Master” title. And the vivo X200 Ultra’s AI enhancement sometimes messes up my photos, so yes, the Pura 80 Ultra takes the crown as my current favorite camera phone.
Gaming Beast
For gaming phones in the first half of 2025, I’d recommend two. The first is undoubtedly the RedMagic 10S Pro.
While we haven’t made a dedicated review video for it, we’ve tested its sibling, the 10 Pro. Given the RedMagic 10 Pro’s outstanding gaming performance, there’s every reason to believe the 10S Pro is also one of the best gaming phones out there.
For those on a tighter budget, I’d also recommend the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro.
As one of the cheapest phones with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, its gaming performance is surprisingly good, complete with features gamers love, like frame interpolation and bypass charging. While it may not excel in other areas, this segment is purely about raw performance, and the Ace 5 Pro absolutely delivers.
In short, choose between these two based on your budget; both deserve the “Gaming Beast” title.
Smartphone Supreme
If I had to pick just one phone from our reviews to use long-term, I’d probably go with the OPPO Find X8 Ultra as my daily driver.
It offers camera capabilities on par with other Ultra models, but without their bulkiness. I also prefer flat screens, and Samsung’s One UI on the Galaxy S25 Ultra just doesn’t click with me. Plus, the Find X8 Ultra has no glaring weaknesses and is reasonably priced. So yeah, my reasons for loving this phone are pretty straightforward.
Flagship Killer
The “Ultra” model in REDMI’s K series has always been the flagship killer of its year, and the REDMI K80 Ultra lives up to that legacy.
Since early 2025, I haven’t found any phone that fits the “Flagship Killer” label better. Premium build quality? Check. Flagship-tier display and processor? Check. It even has symmetrical stereo speakers, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, and a massive battery—all for half the price of a typical flagship. If you can live with its mediocre camera system, this phone is a no-brainer.
Mini Tablet King
This year’s compact tablet competition has been fierce. Alongside the returning Lenovo LEGION Y700 (Gen 4), both RedMagic and REDMI have entered the small-tablet arena. We’ve tested all three—check out our earlier reviews if you’re curious. My pick, I think still the Lenovo LEGION Y700 (Gen 4).
The RedMagic Astra’s OLED screen is tempting, but it’s way too expensive, and its built-in fan doesn’t even help much with thermals. The REDMI K Pad and Y700 each have their strengths: the K Pad’s HyperOS offers a smoother daily experience, but its gaming performance falls short of the Y700’s. Since I do play mobile games on my tablet, I’ll stick with the LEGION Y700.
“Most Impressive”
If you asked me which phone impressed me the most in the first half of 2025, I wouldn’t hesitate: the Xiaomi 15S Pro.
Why? Simply because it’s powered by the XRING O1, Xiaomi’s most powerful custom SoC. This isn’t Xiaomi’s first time making their own chip, but it’s the first time come shockingly close to Qualcomm’s flagship silicon in performance. This means that, barring U.S. interference, Xiaomi could soon replicate the success Huawei once achieved with its Kirin chips, paving the way for more affordable flagship and mid-range phones. I still remember the excitement when I tested this chip and found it neck-and-neck with the Snapdragon 8 Elite. That’s why the 15S Pro earns my “Most Impressive” title.
Final Thoughts
Okay, those are my picks for the first half of 2025. They might not be the “best” in an objective sense, but they’re the ones I love. I’ve told you what I pick—now it’s your turn. Drop your favorites in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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