Top Phones for Entertainment in 2025: Outstanding Devices for Music and Cinema Enjoyment
Smartphones serve as more than just communication devices for many users. They've become primary resources for on-the-go entertainment, such as music streaming and video watching, especially during long journeys. As evidence of the industry's acknowledgment of the audio-visual potential in smartphones, most modern models come with high-end displays and audio capabilities.
Samsung and Sony have led the charge in this regard, with their TV divisions collaborating to optimize the display functionality of their smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra utilizes ProScaler technology connected to its 8K TVs, while the Sony Xperia 1 VII incorporates elements from its Bravia TV and Walkman audio lineages.
If you're prioritizing a premium portable AV experience when choosing a smartphone, several models stand out. Here's a list of recommended devices designed for exceptional movie and music enjoyment, followed by an explanation of our testing process and a brief overview of each model.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Our top pick, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro, delivers excellent attention-to-detail in all areas, making it an ideal device for watching movies and enjoying music. Its sleek design combines glass and titanium construction, while the A18 Pro processor and 8GB of RAM offer powerful performance for running console-quality games.
The camera arrangement produces crisp, detailed images with rich colors, and the varying lenses provide versatility. The device's picture quality is similarly impressive, delivering a rich, punchy display that expertly balances subtlety and vividness. Its audio performance is also noteworthy, delivering clear, energetic sound, whether through the built-in stereo loudspeaker system or headphones.
While the iPhone 16 Pro comes with a higher price tag, its excellent all-around performance justifies the cost, making it a standout choice for a portable movie and music device.
Sony Xperia 1 VI
The Xperia 1 VI represents Sony's attempt at a more user-friendly device while retaining its AV pedigree. This model has done away with the 21:9 aspect ratio, resulting in improved day-to-day operation. The display's crispness, vibrancy, and detail remain unchanged.
In addition, the Xperia 1 VI boasts top-notch audio performance, with engaging and dynamic audio through headphones, especially wired ones. The new Snapdragon processor and 120Hz display ensure rapid response and performance, while the camera array and intuitive camera app cater to budding photographers.
Sony Xperia 10 VI
The Sony Xperia 10 VI proves that you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a high-quality mobile AV experience. This model delivers crisp, detailed images, and its color balance and tonal range are commendable. While its camera may not be the best, it gets the job done for occasional snapshots.
The Xperia 10 VI's audio performance is equally impressive, offering spacious, energetic audio through headphones, making it an appealing budget option for those prioritizing movie and music playback.
iPhone 16
Apple's iPhone 16 offers a solid balance of picture quality, sound, and performance, all while carrying a lower price tag compared to other iPhone models. The device's A18 processor, 8GB of RAM, and emphasis on AI features add power and functionality without breaking the bank.
The iPhone 16's picture quality produces colorful, dimensional visuals, while its audio performance offers clear, engaging sound through both headphones and the built-in stereo sound system.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra offers excellent AV features, with its solid, three-dimensional image quality enhanced by the handset's new picture-enhancing and ProScaler features. This results in a screen that delivers sharp details when viewing videos.
Although the Galaxy S25 Ultra's sound quality doesn't quite match its picture quality, it still offers a solid effort overall. The device comes with the latest AI features, such as Galaxy AI system improvements, Live Translation tools, and Chat Assist.
Awards and Updates
We have updated our also-consider section to include the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and upcoming Apple iPhone 17 series. The iPhone 17 series is set to be released in September 2023 and has already sparked leaks and rumors about its features.
How we test smartphones
While smartphones are not our primary focus at [our website], we recognize the importance of these devices as the primary means of entertainment for many users. To determine the best phones for watching movies and listening to music, we put each device through a rigorous testing process.
Experts at [our website] have a combined experience using various smartphones, ranging from budget models to premium options, and testing the latest flagships and affordable handsets. In addition to traditional benchmarks, our reviewers emphasize the devices' picture quality, audio performance, and overall usability in everyday situations.
We regularly update our reviews to ensure our recommendations are up-to-date, so be sure to check back for our latest insights on the best smartphones for movie and music enthusiasts.
Sources: 1. yourwebsite.com (various articles)
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro stands out for its exceptional attention-to-detail in all areas, making it ideal for watching movies and enjoying music. Sony, on the other hand, has shown its AV pedigree with three offerings. The Sony Xperia 1 VI improves on its predecessor's 21:9 aspect ratio for better everyday use. The Sony Xperia 10 VI provides a high-quality mobile AV experience without breaking the bank.
For those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with good audio and visual capabilities, the Sony Xperia 10 VI is a compelling choice. The Apple iPhone 16, a more affordable iPhone model, also offers solid picture quality, sound, and performance.
Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra presents impressive AV features, boasting a sharp display and solid sound quality. If you're looking forward to the future, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the upcoming Apple iPhone 17 series are worth considering, with the latter expected to release in September 2023.
Smartphones have become primary resources for on-the-go entertainment, and the industry has responded by incorporating high-end displays and audio capabilities into modern models. Brands like Samsung and Sony have taken this a step further, optimizing the display functionality of their smartphones with their TV divisions and showcasing their AV expertise.
Our review process is rigorous, focusing on picture quality, audio performance, and everyday usability across a range of budgets and premium options. We regularly update our reviews to ensure our recommendations remain relevant to movie and music enthusiasts. The latest insights on the best smartphones for AV enjoyment can be found at [our website].
Sources:1. yourwebsite.com (various articles)
