Review of Phones Ranked by Performance Scores in 2025
In the fast-paced world of smartphones, performance scores are your ultimate guide to picking a device that won't leave you hanging during gaming marathons, video edits, or endless multitasking. As we hit October 2025, the latest benchmark rankings from AnTuTu and Geekbench reveal a thrilling race among flagships powered by beasts like the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple's A19 Pro. Whether you're chasing the highest AnTuTu scores or buttery-smooth Geekbench results, this review breaks down the top phones ranked by performance to help you decide.
Gone are the days when raw power was enough—today's leaders balance blistering speed with efficiency, AI smarts, and real-world usability. Drawing from October 2025 data, we'll rank the elite, spotlight what makes them tick, and explain why these scores matter for your daily grind. Ready to find the fastest phone in 2025? Let's dive in.
Why Performance Scores Matter in 2025 Smartphones
Benchmark tests like AnTuTu and Geekbench aren't just nerdy numbers—they're crystal balls for how a phone handles the chaos of modern life. AnTuTu crunches overall prowess (CPU, GPU, memory, and UX) in a single score, often topping 2.9 million for 2025's kings, translating to seamless 4K editing or ray-traced gaming without a stutter. Geekbench zooms in on CPU grunt: single-core for snappy app launches, multi-core for juggling tabs like a pro.
In 2025, with AI features gobbling resources and games pushing GPUs to the limit, high scores mean longevity. A phone scoring 3,000+ in Geekbench single-core? It'll feel fresh for years. But remember, scores are medians from thousands of real-user tests—your mileage varies with cooling, software tweaks, and heat management. Pro tip: Pair these with battery life and thermal tests for the full picture.
Top 10 Phones Ranked by Performance Scores in 2025
Based on aggregated October 2025 data from AnTuTu (v10) and Geekbench 6, here's our ranked list of the best performing smartphones. We prioritized overall AnTuTu for the crown, cross-checked with Geekbench for balance. These are the devices dominating leaderboards, from gaming rigs to everyday powerhouses.
| Rank | Phone Model | Key Chipset | AnTuTu Score | Geekbench (Single/Multi-Core) | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RedMagic 10 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 3,121,390 | 3,200 / 10,050 | Built-in cooling fan for endless gaming sessions |
| 2 | Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 2,950,000 | 3,150 / 9,950 | 185Hz display with shoulder triggers for pro-level play |
| 3 | iQOO 13 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 2,910,000 | 3,100 / 9,800 | Record-breaking AnTuTu debut with aggressive overclocking |
| 4 | OnePlus 13 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 2,850,000 | 2,967 / 9,081 | Blazing speed at a mid-flagship price—best value beast |
| 5 | Oppo Find X8 Pro | Dimensity 9400 | 2,820,000 | 3,220 / 10,223 | MediaTek's GPU champ, edging Snapdragon in ray tracing |
| 6 | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 2,800,000 | 3,000 / 9,500 | Versatile zoom cams paired with desktop-grade multitasking |
| 7 | Xiaomi 15 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 2,780,000 | 3,008 / 9,065 | Camera-tuned performance for creators on the go |
| 8 | Vivo X200 Ultra | Dimensity 9400+ | 2,910,000 (est.) | 2,927 / 9,000 | AI-enhanced editing with sustained high-frame rates |
| 9 | iPhone 17 Pro Max | A19 Pro | N/A (est. equiv. 2,700,000) | 3,500 / 8,500 | iOS optimization turns scores into real-world silkiness |
| 10 | Google Pixel 10 Pro | Tensor G5 | 2,200,000 | 2,800 / 8,000 | AI magic (Gemini) shines in everyday tasks over raw benchmarks |
Note: AnTuTu scores are averages from global tests; iOS equivalents are estimated via cross-benchmark conversions. Data pulled from UL Benchmarks and AnTuTu's October 2025 rankings.
Deep Dive: Standouts from the 2025 Performance Rankings
1. RedMagic 10 Pro: The Unthrottled Gaming Monster
If benchmarks were a battlefield, the RedMagic 10 Pro would be the tank. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite hits an eye-watering 3.1 million on AnTuTu, thanks to an active cooling fan that keeps thermals in check during marathon Genshin Impact runs—up to 35 FPS in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme. Geekbench multi-core at 10,050 means it crushes video exports, but the 6,500mAh battery ensures you won't plug in mid-battle. Drawback? It's a gamer-first design—cameras are solid but not S25-level. Priced around $900, it's the top AnTuTu phone for power users.
4. OnePlus 13: Flagship Fury on a Budget
Don't sleep on the OnePlus 13—its Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers 2.85 million AnTuTu points, outpacing pricier rivals in real-world speed tests like app switching and 8K video. With Geekbench scores rivaling the best, it handles OxygenOS's AI tricks (like instant summaries) without breaking a sweat. The 6,000mAh battery lasts 20+ hours, and at $800, it's a steal for the best Android performance under $1,000.
6. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The All-Rounder King
Samsung's behemoth clocks 2.8 million on AnTuTu, with Geekbench multi-core at 9,500 powering DeX mode like a mini-laptop. It's the fastest in productivity benchmarks, blending S Pen precision with 200MP cams for pro edits. Battery? A full day of 5G streaming. At $1,200, it's premium, but trade-ins make it accessible.
9. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple's Efficiency Edge
Apple skips AnTuTu, but its A19 Pro's Geekbench single-core (3,500) smokes Android for app launches and AR. Estimated equivalent AnTuTu? Around 2.7 million, with iOS 26's optimizations making it feel faster than raw scores suggest. The 48MP triple cams and 40-hour battery seal its status as the best iPhone performance pick.
Android vs. iOS: Which Delivers Better 2025 Performance?
2025's chip wars pit Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite (dominating AnTuTu at 2.8M+) against Apple's A19 Pro (Geekbench royalty) and MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 (GPU dark horse). Android wins raw power for gamers, but iOS edges in efficiency—less heat, longer sustained speeds. If you're cross-platform, the OnePlus 13 bridges the gap best.
How We Ranked These 2025 Phones
Our rankings blend October 2025 medians from AnTuTu (global, non-China data) and Geekbench 6, weighted 60/40 for overall vs. CPU focus. We factored real-user variance (±5%) and excluded outliers like overclocked lab tweaks. For ties, we leaned on 3DMark GPU tests for graphics-heavy users.
Pick Your 2025 Performance Champion
The RedMagic 10 Pro reigns supreme for benchmark junkies, but the OnePlus 13 steals the show for balanced brilliance. In 2025, high performance isn't just about scores—it's about a phone that adapts to you. Craving more? Check trade-in deals or wait for Black Friday drops.
