Every year at MobileSyrup, I usually go through the best phones of the year, taking a look at all of the flagships and explaining why each of these phones is good in its own way. However, this year we’re trying something new. Instead of just listing off the best phones at each of the manufacturers, we’re doing the MobileSyrup Smartphone Awards, awarding winners for best battery, photography, gaming experiences, as well as most innovative, best foldable, best value and outright best phone of the year. We’re also recognizing the most-used phone in Toronto and Canada as a whole.
Testing was performed by MobileSyrup’s Dean Daley and former creative director, Brad Bennett, and in order to find out Toronto’s and Canada’s most-used phones, we used surveys with the help of our ZDN sister sites, blogTO and Daily Hive. This is your last chance to vote for the phones you’re using in our Toronto and Canada surveys.
To qualify for one of the Awards (aside from Toronto and Canada’s pick), the device has to be readily available in Canada, such as buying it from a carrier or Best Buy, and it has to have launched in Canada in 2025, which means the Galaxy TriFold, is not included in this list as of right now it’s not coming to Canada.
Best Battery
Smartphone batteries are essential. People don’t want their phones to die on them in the middle of the day, and with the technology we have in the world, devices should easily survive up to two days. Luckily, even in Canada’s limited smartphone market, we have some good options.
Here are the nominees:
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- OnePlus 13
- OnePlus 15
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Red Magic 11 Pro
Best Camera
If you’re a big fan of social media or if it’s part of your job, you’ll need a good camera. However, smartphone cameras provide varying experiences, and even if your phone offers 200 megapixels, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will take the best shots. Additionally, whether a picture looks good or not depends on the individual. Some folks love over-saturated shots, while others prefer under-saturated. Beauty is the eye of the beholder, but we’ll still pick a winner based on the best point-and-shoot experience.
Here are the nominees:
- iPhone 17 Pro / iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Pixel 10 Pro / Pixel 10 Pro XL
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Best Gaming Experience
While some folks believe that mobile gaming isn’t worth it, others have gotten really into it. Plus, if you have a good gaming experience, it likely means your device offers a good screen and fast speeds. And if a handset can handle something like Death Stranding 2 or Genshin Impact at high settings, it’s likely your phone can handle any other tasks you give it.
Here are the nominees:
- iPhone 17 Pro / iPhone 17 Pro Max
- OnePlus 15
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Red Magic 11 Pro
Best Foldable
In Canada, we’re being introduced to a number of foldables. Rumour has it that Apple will be bringing a foldable to the market in 2026, and I wouldn’t be surprised if TCL or OnePlus throw one our way. Foldables are definitely not for everyone, as I’ve seen quite a few people break their devices recently, but if you’re someone like me who can keep their handset safe from cracks and enjoy the convenience of a tablet that folds in your pocket, or miss that flip phone experience, look no further than our nominees:
Here are the nominees:
- Motorola Razr Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
- Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Most Innovative
This category could be confusing for some, but we’re taking a look at some of the best-designed futuristic phones. Handsets that make people do a double-take when they walk by. Devices that are practically futuristic, and will likely show what the future holds in the phone market.
Here are the nominees:
- iPhone Air
- Nothing Phone 3
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Best Value Over and under $1,000
Phones are hella expensive nowadays, especially if you’re taking a look at devices like the iPhone 17 Pro or the S25 Ultra, phones that can cost easily more than $2,000 in Canada, depending on your storage. So here are some devices you might want to consider buying for the most bang for your buck.
Here are the nominees:
- OnePlus 15
- Pixel 10
- Motorola Razr
We’re separately picking a winner for best value under $1,000
- iPhone 16e
- Pixel 9a
- Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
- Moto Edge
- Nothing Phone 3a Pro
MobileSyrup’s Phone of the Year
And of course, we want to note our top smartphone picks of the year, based on the handsets we vibed with, ones we keep going back to after our reviews are over.
Here are the nominees:
- iPhone Air
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
- Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Nothing Phone 3
- OnePlus 15
- iPhone 17 Pro /Pro Max
- Pixel 10 Pro / Pixel 10 Pro XL
