With Black Friday deals already springing up and all of the big-name phone makers rolling out the last of their new models for the year, it's the perfect time to pick up a new phone — whether as a gift for someone else or as a treat for yourself. And if you are planning on a new phone purchase in the coming weeks, I'm going to encourage you to broaden your search beyond the big names out there.
I know it can be appealing to lock up the latest and greatest hardware, and certainly, many of the leading flagship phones to debut in 2025 are well represented in our best phone rankings. But I also know that most of us are keeping a closer eye on our budgets these days, and setting your sights on a midrange phone rather than a pricier flagship can get you more value for your dollar.
