Introduction As 2025 draws to a close, the dust has finally settled on one of the most exciting years for mobile tech in New Zealand and Australia. This year, we saw the "AI hype" finally turn into useful features, refresh rates on standard iPhones finally catch up to 2020 standards, and battery life take a massive leap forward. Whether you’re looking to grab a deal in the Boxing Day sales or want to start 2026 with the absolute latest hardware, our end-of-year wrap-up covers the definitive winners of 2025.
1. The "Finally Perfect" Upgrade: iPhone 17
Released in September, the iPhone 17 finally bridged the gap between the "Pro" and "regular" models. For the first time, the standard model includes the 120 Hz ProMotion display, making it the default recommendation for 90% of Kiwis and Aussies heading into 2026.
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Key Upgrades: The new A19 chip is an absolute powerhouse, designed to run complex Apple Intelligence tasks on-device rather than in the cloud. The "Air" model also made waves this year for its impossibly thin design, but the standard 17 remains the practical workhorse.
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Pros: The 120 Hz screen is finally standard, USB-C speeds have improved, and the new vertical camera layout supports Spatial Video for Vision Pro users.
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Cons: The price has crept up slightly in the ANZ market due to currency fluctuations.
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Best For: Apple users who held onto their iPhone 13 or 14 waiting for a "real" upgrade. This is it.
2. The Late-Year Surprise: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
While the Galaxy S25 Ultra dominated the early part of 2025, the Galaxy S25 FE (Fan Edition), launched in September, is the smarter buy for 2026. It packs 95% of the flagship experience for nearly half the price of the upcoming Ultra models.
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Key Upgrades: It features the refined Exynos 2400e chip, which runs surprisingly cool, and a slightly larger 6.7-inch display that matches the flagship S25 Plus.
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Pros: 7 years of committed OS updates means this phone will last you until 2032. It also includes the full suite of Galaxy AI features found in the $2,000 models.
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Cons: Charging is still capped at 25W—painfully slow compared to Chinese rivals.
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Best For: Value hunters who want a "New Year, New Phone" feeling without the flagship tax.
3. The Smartest Phone Alive: Google Pixel 10
Google’s October release of the Pixel 10 marked a historic shift. It’s the first phone powered by the fully custom-built Tensor G5 chip (manufactured by TSMC), finally solving the battery and heat issues of previous years.
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Key Upgrades: The Tensor G5 is a game-changer for efficiency. The battery now comfortably lasts a day and a half. The new "Pixie" AI assistant is miles ahead of Siri and Bixby, capable of complex tasks like "Find that receipt from last week and put it in a spreadsheet."
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Pros: Best point-and-shoot camera bar none, incredible voice typing, and a unique visor design that still turns heads.
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Cons: Raw gaming performance still lags behind the iPhone 17’s A19 chip.
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Best For: Parents and pet owners who need the camera to never miss a shot, and anyone tired of buggy software.
4. The Budget Miracle: Google Pixel 9a
Released in mid-2025, the Pixel 9a remains the budget king heading into the new year. It wiped the floor with the competition by bringing flagship AI features to the sub-$800 bracket.
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Key Upgrades: It borrows the main camera sensor from the expensive Pixel 9 Pro, meaning your photos look just as good as those from phones triple the price.
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Pros: Clean software, guaranteed updates, and a camera that cannot be beaten at this price point.
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Cons: The bezels are a bit thick, and it uses the older Tensor G4 chip (which runs a bit warmer than the new G5).
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Best For: Students, kids' first phones, or anyone who refuses to spend over $1k on a rectangle.
Pricing & Retail Availability (End of 2025)
Retailers in NZ and AU are currently running competitive bundles to clear stock before the 2026 releases.
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New Zealand (PB Tech, Noel Leeming, JB Hi-Fi):
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iPhone 17: ~NZ$1,699
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Samsung S25 FE: ~NZ$1,099 (Look for trade-in deals.)
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Pixel 10: ~NZ$1,799
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Pixel 9a: ~NZ$799
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Australia (JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Harvey Norman):
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iPhone 17: ~AU$1,499
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Samsung S25 FE: ~AU$1,099
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Pixel 10: ~AU$1,599
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Pixel 9a: ~AU$749
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Final Recommendation: How to Choose for 2026
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The Safe Bet: iPhone 17. It’s the most complete iPhone in years. If you buy this now, you won't need another phone until 2030.
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The Smart Money: Samsung S25 FE. It launched late in the year, meaning it’s fresh, powerful, and significantly cheaper than the S25 Ultra.
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The Futurist Choice: Pixel 10. If you want to see what AI can actually do for your daily life, the custom Tensor G5 chip makes this the smartest device on the market.
FAQ
Q: Should I buy the Samsung S25 now or wait for the S26? A: The Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch in February 2026. If you want the absolute best camera zoom and speed, wait 2 months. If you want value, buy the S25 FE now while it's on sale.
Q: Did the iPhone 17 finally get better battery life? A: Yes. The combination of the more efficient display (ProMotion) and the A19 chip means the standard iPhone 17 now outlasts the previous iPhone 16 Plus.
Q: Are these phones 5G compatible in rural NZ/AU? A: Yes, all listed devices support the expanded 5G bands used by Telstra, Optus, Spark, and One NZ, including the lower frequency bands for better rural coverage.
Call-to-Action Are you sticking with your current phone for 2026, or is the new Pixel 10 calling your name? Drop a comment below with your pick of the year!
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