Reliability is a major consideration for many people buying a smartphone. A study has now identified which brand holds up best over time.
When choosing a smartphone, most shoppers weigh up several factors: performance, design, camera quality… and, crucially, reliability. A handset that fails after only a few months is hardly worth the money. So which manufacturer actually makes the most dependable devices in the long run? A 2025 study published by 60 Million Consumers provides an answer.
How the 2025 study assessed smartphone reliability
The research focuses strictly on reliability. The consumer association surveyed 1267 people to find out whether their device had already suffered a fault or broken down, and which brand it was.
One clear winner emerges - and it is neither Apple nor Samsung. The top spot goes to Xiaomi.
A ranking dominated by Chinese brands
According to the study, Xiaomi is rated as the most reliable brand, with a reliability rate of 94,1%. In practical terms, that means that across all smartphones sold, only 5,9 % experienced a technical problem or failure. It is a strong result for the Chinese manufacturer, underlining its expertise.
In joint second place are Sony and Oppo, both scoring 92,2%, followed by Honor on 91,8%. These brands may be less familiar to the wider public, yet they produce impressive devices. For instance, the Oppo Find X9 Pro is quite simply one of the best smartphones of the year, while the Honor Magic7 Pro stands out for its photography. In other words, they are cutting-edge technically - and reliable too.
Next come OnePlus (91,7%), Samsung (91,5%), Motorola and Huawei (91,4%), and then Apple (91%). Google finishes at the very bottom with 84,3%. That low score for the Mountain View company is not especially surprising, given how often its phones launch with technical issues. In the latest case, the Pixel 10 Pro, many users saw the screen freeze. It was a software problem that has been fixed, but it still looks bad. Battery life that struggles to hold up over time is also a commonly reported weakness.
What to check before buying a smartphone
This study is a useful reminder that reliability can sometimes be found among brands that are less well known to the general public. When buying a smartphone, it is worth paying close attention to this aspect: look at the repairability index, read user feedback about the brand, and check how many Android updates are planned. On that last point, it offers a good indication of a smartphone’s likely lifespan - and some manufacturers now promise support for up to seven years.
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