What Gen Zs Want in a Phone and Why Millennials Disagree

In 2025, phone shopping is no longer just about “getting the best specs.” It’s a generational Rorschach test. We asked Nigerian Gen Z and Millennial buyers what drives their smartphone choices, and while both swear by big batteries, killer cameras, and plenty of storage, the why behind those choices couldn’t be more different.

For Gen Z, a phone is a content machine; high-res photos, endless video reels, and storage big enough to hoard 10,000+ memories without a second thought. For Millennials, it’s a reliable workhorse, smooth performance, brand familiarity, battery life, and the kind of build quality that lasts years, not just until the next launch event.

Here’s how the two groups stack up, side-by-side, and the phones that dominate their shortlists.

Most Gen Z respondents agreed that their phones must do three things well: take excellent photos and videos, hold a huge amount of content, and last all day on a single charge.

1. Camera Quality

Several Gen Z respondents, including Odun, Mayowa, Salem, and Yewande, placed camera quality at the top of their must-have list.
They take a lot of pictures and videos, so they want clear images, vibrant colours, and good low-light performance.

Recommended phones from their mentions:

• iPhone Pro Max models — Salem specifically prefers these for their superior camera setups.

• Samsung models — Yewande and Odun favour Samsung phones for their strong photography features.

2. Storage Capacity

Odun, Hillary, Salem, and Yewande all mentioned needing large storage space. Hillary even said she has over 10,000 pictures and is eyeing the Google Pixel 9 with 1TB storage to fit her heavy photo collection, astronomy apps, and games.

Recommended phones from their mentions:

• Google Pixel 9 (1TB model) — Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

• Samsung flagship phones — Offer up to 1TB storage options with expandable microSD support on some models, making them a good choice for those who keep years of photos and videos on their devices.

3. Battery Life

Odun, Mayowa, and Yewande all want a phone that lasts through the day without constant recharging. Long battery life is especially important for those who use their phones for both work and entertainment.

Recommended phones from their mentions:

• Google Pixel 9 — Known for efficient battery optimisation and all-day usage, and large storage capacity.

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — Its 5,000mAh battery easily supports heavy use.

4. Smooth Performance & Clean UI

Mayowa values a clean interface and smooth performance over hype. Yewande also pointed out that high RAM prevents lag.

Recommended phones from their mentions:

• Google Pixel series — Minimal bloatware, smooth updates, and high RAM options.

• Samsung flagship models — Well-optimised UI with powerful processors for multitasking.

While Millennials also care about camera quality, they emphasised smooth performance, reliability, and brand familiarity more than Gen Z.

1. Storage Space

Jan needs space for media and downloads because of work in the media space. Afeez also values storage but ties it to RAM capacity to prevent lag.

Recommended phones from their mentions:

• Samsung flagship models — High storage options and strong media handling.

• Xiaomi phones — Affordable large storage variants, ideal for budget-conscious users.

2. Camera Quality

Jan stressed video recording quality for work, while others also see it as important for everyday use.

Recommended phones from their mentions:

• iPhone models — Known for reliable video quality and smooth colour processing.

• Samsung flagship phones — Offer professional-grade video recording with stabilisation features.

3. High RAM

Jan, Isaac, and Afeez all mentioned the importance of RAM for gaming and avoiding lag.

Recommended phones from their mentions:

• Huawei flagship models — Isaac prefers these for smooth performance and user experience. Huawei phones often include high RAM for multitasking.

Huawei’s latest models, such as the Mate 70 and Pura 80 Ultra, offer top-tier camera performance and robust hardware.

• Xiaomi phones — Good balance of RAM capacity and affordability.

4. Brand Loyalty

Isaac chooses Huawei and Samsung because he’s familiar with their UI, graphics, and reliability. Tolu is firmly in the iPhone camp, always going for the latest model for longevity and high resale value.

5. Price Point

Afeez made it clear: performance matters, but so does affordability. He looks for the best phone within his budget without compromising on key features.

Recommended phones from their mentions:

• Xiaomi Redmi— Offers large storage, decent RAM, and good battery life at a lower price point.

• Gen Z respondents prioritise storage, camera quality, and battery life, with a focus on day-to-day personal use and convenience.

• Millennials also value storage and camera quality, but they prioritise brand loyalty, smooth performance (RAM), and long-term use.

• If you’re shopping, choose based on the features you’ll use most, not just the brand name.

The phones mentioned, iPhone Pro Max models, Samsung flagships, Google Pixel, Huawei premium models, and Xiaomi high-RAM options, each meet different needs, so the best choice comes down to which features matter most to you.