1. Google Pixel 6a
Nearly £200 cheaper than the almost identical Pixel 6, the 6a has an adaptive battery that can last more than 24 hours. The front and rear cameras are top notch, there’s 128GB of storage, and the phone is water- and dust-proof.
2. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
If you’re on a budget, but you want an Apple, this is the best bet. The SE’s tiny battery lasts longer than you’d expect – around a day with moderate usage. It’s powerful and has a decent camera.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
3. Nothing Phone (1)
The first smartphone from the London start-up Nothing is unlike any other on the market: it’s transparent, and its LEDs light up in unique patterns to show who’s calling.
From £399 for 128GB; nothing.tech
4. Realme 8 5G
An affordable 5G phone, this is great for children or students. The LCD screen isn’t as good for gaming as an advanced LED screen, but this smartphone has a decent display, a passable camera and 5G – all for less than £200.
5. Oppo A54 5G
It may not look flashy, but this has a spacious 6.5in LCD screen and the powerful battery lasts longer than most (40 hours on standby). Processing is a bit slow and the quad-lens camera is only OK.
-
A running list of the US government figures Donald Trump has pardonedin depth Clearing the slate for his favorite elected officials
-
Ski town strikers fight rising cost of livingThe Explainer Telluride is the latest ski resort experiencing an instructor strike
-
‘Space is one of the few areas of bipartisan agreement in Washington’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
The ultimate films of 2025 by genreThe Week Recommends From comedies to thrillers, documentaries to animations, 2025 featured some unforgettable film moments
-
Into the Woods: a ‘hypnotic’ productionThe Week Recommends Jordan Fein’s revival of the much-loved Stephen Sondheim musical is ‘sharp, propulsive and often very funny’
-
The best food books of 2025The Week Recommends From mouthwatering recipes to insightful essays, these colourful books will both inspire and entertain
-
Art that made the news in 2025The Explainer From a short-lived Banksy mural to an Egyptian statue dating back three millennia
-
Nine best TV shows of the yearThe Week Recommends From Adolescence to Amandaland
-
Winter holidays in the snow and sunThe Week Recommends Escape the dark, cold days with the perfect getaway
-
The best homes of the yearFeature Featuring a former helicopter engine repair workshop in Washington, D.C. and high-rise living in San Francisco
-
Critics’ choice: The year’s top 10 moviesFeature ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘It Was Just an Accident’ stand out
