In 2025, smartphones have become more than just communication devices—they’re our go-to hubs for music, movies, gaming, and more. For audio enthusiasts, sound quality is a critical factor when choosing a new phone. Whether you’re streaming high-resolution music, watching movies on the go, or gaming with immersive soundscapes, the latest mobile phones offer impressive audio performance. In this SEO-friendly blog post, we review and rank the top smartphones of 2025 for sound quality, focusing on speaker performance, headphone output, and overall audio experience, based on expert reviews and testing.
Why Sound Quality Matters in Smartphones
High-quality audio enhances every aspect of your smartphone experience. From crisp vocals to deep bass, the best phones for sound deliver a rich, immersive experience. Over 80% of smartphone users stream music or watch videos daily, making clear, loud, and balanced audio a must-have feature. Key factors to consider include:
- Speaker Quality: Loudness, clarity, and stereo separation.
- Headphone Support: Presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack or high-quality DAC for wired audio.
- Software Enhancements: Support for Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, or custom audio tuning.
- Recording Capabilities: Microphone quality for video or voice recordings.
With these in mind, let’s dive into our ranking of the best smartphones for sound quality in 2025, based on recent reviews and expert testing.
Top 5 Mobile Phones for Sound Quality in 2025
1. Sony Xperia 1 VII – Best for Audiophiles
The Sony Xperia 1 VII takes the crown as the best smartphone for audio enthusiasts in 2025. Sony’s expertise in audio technology shines through with its high-resolution audio support and exceptional speaker performance.
Key Audio Features:
- Dynamic Vibration System for immersive sound.
- 3.5mm headphone jack with a high-quality DAC for superior wired audio.
- Full-stage stereo speakers tuned with Sony’s Walkman technology.
- Support for 360 Reality Audio and LDAC for wireless Hi-Res Audio.
Why It Stands Out: The Xperia 1 VII delivers crystal-clear highs, deep bass, and a wide soundstage, making it ideal for music lovers and movie buffs. Its collaboration with Sony’s Bravia and Walkman divisions ensures top-tier audio playback.
Best For: Audiophiles who prioritize wired headphone support and lossless audio streaming.
2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Best Stereo Speakers
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra continues to impress with its AKG-tuned stereo speakers, offering a loud and full soundstage that excels for media consumption.
Key Audio Features:
- Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
- Strong bass response and balanced mids and highs.
- Excellent spatial audio for gaming and movies.
- No headphone jack, but high-quality Bluetooth audio with aptX HD.
Why It Stands Out: The S25 Ultra achieves an impressive 85dB in loudness tests, making it one of the loudest smartphones available. Its tuned speakers provide a rich, immersive experience for videos and games.
Best For: Users seeking powerful, distortion-free speakers for multimedia.
3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max – Best for Spatial Audio
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max is a top contender for audio performance, thanks to its dual stereo speakers and seamless integration with spatial audio technologies.
Key Audio Features:
- Front-facing and bottom-firing stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
- Exceptional clarity for vocals and highs, with deep lows.
- Spatial audio support for an immersive movie-watching experience.
- High-quality microphones for video recording.
Why It Stands Out: Scoring 85dB in loudness tests, the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers clear and balanced audio, especially for movies and games. Its spatial audio capabilities make it a favorite for Apple Music and Netflix users.
Best For: Apple ecosystem users who love spatial audio and video streaming.
4. Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro – Loudest Smartphone
For gamers and audio enthusiasts, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the loudest smartphone in 2025, hitting an impressive 89dB with its front-facing stereo speakers.
Key Audio Features:
- Dual front-facing stereo speakers with Dirac tuning.
- Excellent bass and clarity, even at high volumes.
- 3.5mm headphone jack for high-fidelity wired audio.
- Customizable audio profiles for gaming and music.
Why It Stands Out: The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s speakers are unmatched in loudness and clarity, making it perfect for gaming and music without headphones. Its headphone jack is a bonus for wired audio fans.
Best For: Gamers and users who prioritize loud, clear audio without distortion.
5. Xiaomi 14 Pro – Best for Audio Playback
The Xiaomi 14 Pro tops the DXOMARK Audio ranking with an overall score of 76, excelling in playback performance for music and movies.
Key Audio Features:
- Class-leading playback timbre with accurate bass reproduction.
- Dual speakers with excellent spatial rendering.
- Support for Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos.
- High-quality microphones for clear audio recording.
Why It Stands Out: The Xiaomi 14 Pro offers a balanced and immersive audio experience, with a playback score of 77 in DXOMARK tests. Its tonal accuracy makes it ideal for music lovers.
Best For: Users seeking a balanced audio experience for music and video playback.
Honorable Mentions
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Among foldables, it offers the best sound with deep, warm tones and prominent bass, though it’s not as loud as traditional flagships.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro: Known for its clean audio output and solid stereo speakers, it’s a great all-rounder for casual listeners.
- OnePlus 13: Offers strong audio performance with Dolby Atmos support, though it lacks a headphone jack.
How We Ranked These Phones
Our rankings are based on expert reviews from trusted sources like GSMArena, DXOMARK, and What Hi-Fi?, combined with user feedback and technical specifications. We evaluated:
- Speaker Loudness and Clarity: Measured in decibels (dB) and assessed for distortion-free sound.
- Audio Features: Support for Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, and headphone jacks.
- User Experience: Real-world performance for music, movies, and gaming.
- Recording Quality: Microphone performance for calls and video.
Tips for Choosing the Best Audio Smartphone
- Prioritize Your Needs: If you use headphones, look for phones with a 3.5mm jack (like Sony Xperia or Asus ROG) or high-quality Bluetooth codecs.
- Consider Speaker Placement: Front-facing speakers (Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro) often deliver better sound than bottom-firing ones.
- Check Software Support: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio enhance the listening experience.
- Test Before Buying: If possible, listen to the phone’s speakers or test with your favorite headphones.
- Budget Matters: High-end flagships like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra offer premium audio, but mid-range options like the Google Pixel 9a provide great value.
The latest mobile phones of 2025 offer incredible sound quality, catering to audiophiles, gamers, and casual listeners alike. The Sony Xperia 1 VII leads for its Hi-Res Audio and headphone jack, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max excel in speaker performance and spatial audio. For gamers, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is unbeatable in loudness, and the Xiaomi 14 Pro offers a balanced experience for music and movies.
Investing in a phone with top-tier audio can transform your entertainment experience. Whether you prioritize loud speakers, wired audio, or immersive spatial sound, there’s a smartphone for you. Check out our top picks and elevate your audio game in 2025!