Budget vs. Premium: A Comparison of Best-Selling Smartphones

When it comes to buying a smartphone, people generally fall into two categories. Some prioritize premium features, cutting-edge technology, and top-tier performance, making them willing to invest in high-end flagship smartphones. Others, however, prefer budget-friendly devices that offer essential functionalities at an affordable price.

This article provides an in-depth comparison of best-selling smartphones in both the budget and premium segments. We will analyze the most popular models, explore their strengths and weaknesses, and determine which category delivers the best overall value for consumers.

Premium Smartphones: The Pinnacle of Innovation

Premium smartphones represent the best technology that top brands have to offer. They feature powerful processors, superior cameras, high refresh-rate displays, and premium materials. Let’s take a closer look at the best-selling premium smartphones of the year.

1. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max was the best-selling premium smartphone in Q4 2024, capturing 5.1% of total smartphone sales globally.

Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate).
Processor: A18 Bionic chip, delivering industry-leading speed and AI capabilities.
Memory and Storage: 8GB RAM, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.
Cameras: Triple 48MP camera system, enhanced with LiDAR and Deep Fusion technology.
Battery Life: 4,852mAh, offering up to 28 hours of video playback.

2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Display: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 1440p resolution and LTPO 120Hz refresh rate.
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2500 (depending on region).
Memory and Storage: 12GB or 16GB RAM, with up to 1TB storage.
Cameras: 200MP primary sensor, 10x periscope zoom, and AI-enhanced night photography.
Battery Life: 5,000mAh, supporting 65W fast charging.

3. Google Pixel 9 Pro

The Google Pixel 9 Pro, launched in August 2024, quickly gained popularity among photography enthusiasts. By the end of 2024, it had sold over 8.5 million units, contributing to Google’s highest-ever smartphone sales in Q3.

Display: 6.7-inch LTPO OLED, with QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
Processor: Google Tensor G3, optimized for AI-driven tasks and computational photography.
Memory and Storage: 12GB RAM, with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options.
Cameras: 50MP primary sensor, 48MP periscope telephoto (5x optical zoom), and Ultra HDR technology.
Battery Life: 4,900mAh, with 30W fast charging and reverse wireless charging.

4. Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Display: 6.81-inch AMOLED with 2K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite with 5G connectivity.
Cameras: Quad-camera setup with a 108MP main sensor and periscope zoom (10x optical zoom).
Battery: 5000mAh battery with 120W ultra-fast charging.
Operating System: MIUI 16, based on Android 15, with enhanced UI and AI-driven optimizations.

5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra

Display: 7.8-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X (main) with 120Hz refresh rate, and a 6.3-inch cover screen.
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for superior multitasking and AI performance.
Cameras: Triple-lens system – 200MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto (5x optical zoom).
Battery: 5000mAh with 65W wired fast charging and 45W wireless charging.
Operating System: One UI 6.5, based on Android 15, optimized for foldable screens and S Pen support.

Premium smartphones excel in display technology, processing power, camera performance, and battery optimization. However, they come at a high cost, making them less accessible to budget-conscious consumers.

Budget Smartphones: Affordable and Reliable

While budget smartphones may lack flagship-level performance, they have become increasingly powerful, offering great cameras, solid performance, and long battery life. Let’s explore the best-selling budget smartphones of 2025.

1. Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

As of March 2025, Samsung has set an ambitious goal to surpass 100 million unit sales for its Galaxy A series globally this year.

Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 with 5G connectivity.
Memory & Storage: 6GB / 8GB RAM with 128GB / 256GB storage, expandable via microSD.
Cameras: Triple setup – 50MP (main), 8MP (ultrawide), 2MP (macro).
Battery: 5,000mAh with 45W fast charging.
Additional Features: IP67 water resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus+, and six years of software updates.

2. Google Pixel 8a

The company achieved its highest-ever quarterly smartphone sales in Q3 2024, driven by the launch of the Pixel 9 series and sustained demand for the Pixel 8a. Despite this growth, Google remains outside the top five global smartphone vendors, with brands like Xiaomi and OPPO leading in sales volume, particularly in the budget segment.

Display: 6.1-inch OLED with 90Hz refresh rate and HDR support.
Processor: Google Tensor G3, optimized for AI-powered tasks.
Memory & Storage: 8GB RAM, available in 128GB / 256GB storage variants.
Cameras: 64MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) + 13MP ultrawide.
Battery: 4,500mAh with 18W wired & 7.5W wireless charging.
Additional Features: Stock Android with 7 years of OS updates, Titan M2 security chip, and Magic Eraser for photos.

3. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro

The Redmi Note 13 series has shown strong performance. Within the first hour of its release in September 2023, the series sold approximately 400,000 units in China, and by January 2024, total sales in China exceeded 3.2 million units.

Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support.
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 920 (6nm), ensuring efficient performance.
Memory & Storage: 6GB / 8GB / 12GB RAM with 128GB / 256GB storage.
Cameras: 108MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, and 16MP front camera.
Battery: 5,000mAh with 67W ultra-fast charging.
Additional Features: In-display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, and MIUI 14 based on Android 13.

4. Realme 11x 5G

Display: 6.72-inch IPS LCD with 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution.
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (5G-ready).
Memory & Storage: 4GB / 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, expandable via microSD.
Cameras: 64MP main sensor, 2MP depth sensor, and 8MP front camera.
Battery: 5,000mAh with 33W SuperVOOC fast charging.
Additional Features: Dual stereo speakers, Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14.

5. Oppo A78 5G

Display: 6.5-inch LCD with 90Hz refresh rate and HD+ resolution.
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 810, a power-efficient 5G chipset.
Memory & Storage: 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, expandable via microSD.
Cameras: 50MP main sensor, 2MP macro sensor, and 8MP selfie camera.
Battery: 5,000mAh with 33W SuperVOOC fast charging.
Additional Features: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, ColorOS 13 based on Android 13.

Which Segment Dominates Sales?

Global sales trends show that budget smartphones capture a larger market share in unit sales, while premium smartphones generate higher overall revenue.
Budget smartphones accounted for nearly 60% of total smartphone shipments in 2024, making them the preferred choice for price-conscious consumers.
Premium smartphones, despite lower unit sales, contributed over 70% of total smartphone revenue, proving their profitability for manufacturers.

In the end, this comparison of best-selling smartphones reveals that while budget smartphones dominate in sales volume, premium smartphones lead in revenue generation. The choice between a premium or budget device ultimately comes down to your needs and financial priorities.

If you seek top-tier performance, advanced AI capabilities, and cutting-edge camera technology, a premium smartphone is the best investment.
If affordability, reliable performance, and extended battery life are your main concerns, a budget smartphone offers excellent value.

Ultimately, this comparison of best-selling smartphones proves that both categories cater to different consumer preferences, ensuring that everyone can find a device that suits their lifestyle.