Best Samsung phones in 2025

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Best Samsung phones in 2025
Samsung is a tech behemoth in the industry, and this also includes the smartphone niche. Over the years the company has brought some amazing phones to the market, kept pushing the boundaries of innovation and maintained a healthy competition, driving the whole industry forward.

There's a lot to like about Samsung phones, and some of my all-time favorites were (and still are) made by the Korean giant. Today, Samsung's portfolio is very comprehensive and offers a model for every taste and scenario.

No matter if your priority is battery life, pro-grade photography capabilities, pure performance for the latest gaming titles, or the brightest AMOLED display on the market, Samsung has you covered. Let's not forget the foldable smartphones, a trend Samsung started and evolved to the point of dominating the market (check out our best flip phones article as well).

Last but not least, we now have the thinnest flagship phone on the market in the face of the Galaxy S25 Edge, and the thinnest foldable (jury's still out on this one) in the face of the new Galaxy Z Fold 7!

Let's dive right into my roundup of the best Samsung phones available right now.

Jump to section:


Best Samsung Phone

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

What we like
  • New design, looks sharp, neat, means business
  • Gorilla Armor is still excellent for its anti-reflective properties
  • Performance is great, even if stressing benchmarks can get it to throttle
What we don't like
  • New camera lenses and their "floating" style will gather gunk
  • Same old battery capacity, battery life, charging speeds
  • Speakers got a minor upgrade, but we wanted more

Why I Picked It?


The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the pinnacle of Samsung's smartphone engineering. The phone brings together everything that you would ever need or want in a flagship device. The camera system is impressive, even for a guy like me, who doesn't know much about photography.

Under the hood, you get the latest Qualcomm chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite (slightly overclocked for Galaxy), paired with 12GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB. During my time with the phone, I found it extremely fast and snappy, no lag or stutter whatsoever.

I didn't have any trouble reading the display under direct sunlight and reflections were tamed by the anti-glare coating, which by the way is one of my favorite features of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

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Couple all this with the 5000 mAh battery, offering the best battery life of all Samsung phones to date and you have a clear winner. I was able to consistently get two full days on a single charge, so thumbs up Samsung.

Who's It For?


If you want the absolute best Samsung phone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, without a shadow of a doubt, is your best choice. The only downside is the steep price but if you opt for the S25 Ultra, chances are you won't be upgrading anytime soon, and when the time to do so finally comes, you'll get a nice trade-in deal.


Key Galaxy S25 Ultra specs:
  • Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440 x 3120 pixels, 120Hz
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
  • Cameras: 200MP main + 50MP ultra + 10MP 3X Zoom + 50MP 5X, 12MP front-facing
  • Versions: 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB, 12GB RAM + 1TB storage
  • Battery and Charging: 5000 mAh, 45W wired, 15W wireless
  • Galaxy S25 Ultra full specifications

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

6.9-inch
Quad camera
5000 mAh
12GB
$879 at Amazon

Best Samsung Phone for Most People

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus

What we like
  • Excellent performance
  • Bright and accurate display
  • Decent battery life and fairly fast charging
What we don't like
  • Samsung is playing things too safe with this one
  • Few if any exclusive software features
  • Camera not any better than last year

Why I Picked It?


The Galaxy S25 Plus is a sleeper. This phone will give you most of the punch of the S25 Ultra but at a very good price. For most people, the S25 Plus would be more than enough in all departments.

The phone is a jack of all trades. It has a big, high-resolution screen (one of the brightest in the family), a big battery, fast charging, and the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. The camera system is pretty potent, and you get the seven years of updates as well. 

All this while keeping the price under $1000. The only drawback is the lack of an S Pen, but if you don't care for it, you're all set with the S25 Plus.

Who's It For?


People who want a big-screen Samsung phone but also want to keep things under the $1000 threshold should absolutely consider the S25 Plus. It offers a great package and should be okay for most people.


  • Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED, 1440 x 3120 pixels, 120Hz
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
  • Cameras: 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide, 20MP 3X telephoto, 12MP front-facing
  • Versions: 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB
  • Battery and Charging: 4900 mAh, 45W wired charging, 15W wireless
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus full specifications

Samsung Galaxy S25+

6.7-inch
Triple camera
4900 mAh
12GB
$589 at Amazon
 

Thinnest Samsung Phone

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

What we like
  • Really thin, really lightweight
  • Flagship-grade performance
  • Very good main camera
What we don't like
  • Battery life
  • Pricey
  • No telephoto lens

Why I Picked It?


The Galaxy S25 Edge marks a new chapter in smartphone history—the strive to make phones thin again. I remember the trend from years ago with early phones, and now it's coming back. After rumors of the iPhone 17 Air started to surface, Samsung quickly teased its own slim model, and now it's officially here.

The most important characteristic of this phone is its thickness (or should I say thinness). It's just 5.8 mm, and in comparison, the regular Galaxy S25 comes in at 7.2 mm, while the iPhone 16 family is 7.8 mm thick. This might not sound like much, but when I first held the Galaxy S25 Edge in my hand, I felt amazed!

Samsung managed to fit a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor inside, and pair it with a 3,900 mAh, battery. Even though the capacity sounds a bit on the lower side, I was able to get one full day of heavy use easily.

The camera setup is very interesting, with one 200MP main camera taken straight out of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and one ultrawide, with no trace of a telephoto. Another size constraint, I reckon, but crops from the huge 200MP main sensor will do the trick and offer at least 2x optical-like zoom.

The Galaxy S25 Edge starts at $1,100, which might seem steep to some people, especially considering the fact that this phone is more or less a thinner version of the $999 Galaxy S25 Plus with a smaller battery and one less camera on board, but the stunning design and the thin form factor are something no other manufacturer can match at the moment.

Who's It For?


If you like to be at the forefront of innovation, testing the newest designs and trends in the smartphone world, the Galaxy S25 Edge is for you. It offers something no other phone can match at the moment—a super-thin design. If you're prepared to live with the sacrifices that such a design brings, you'll amaze all your friends with the paper-thin S25 Edge.


  • Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440 x 3120 pixels, 120Hz
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
  • Cameras: 200MP main + 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front-facing
  • Versions: 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB
  • Battery and Charging: 3900 mAh, 25W wired charging, 15W wireless
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge full specifications

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

6.7-inch
Dual camera
3900 mAh
12GB
$699 at Amazon

Best Compact Samsung Phone

Samsung Galaxy S25

What we like
  • Most compact Android phone around
  • $800 phone with a telephoto camera
  • Snapdragon chip in all markets
What we don't like
  • Battery life is just okay
  • Lacks fast charging



Why I Picked It?


The Galaxy S25 is the 'vanilla' model from the flagship lineup. It is also the most compact flagship phone you can get in 2025, and that is not a small achievement. While other phones of a similar size weigh north of 190 grams, the Galaxy S25 measures a featherweight 162 grams. It is also quite thin at just 7.2 mm.

I don't hide the fact that I'm a fan of small and compact phones, but in 2025 there are no phones under 6 inches. Nevertheless, with a 6.2-inch display, the Galaxy S25 has a good amount of screen real estate while still maintaining compact dimensions. I found it easy to operate with one hand, and almost no hand gymnastics were needed (my hands are of average size).

Hardware-wise, I quite liked the fact that the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerful 3 nm chipset (no Exynos versions this time around, hooray!), is on board of this small phone. You also have 12GB of RAM, an upgrade over the 8GB RAM of previous models, so this is great for AI.

As for the camera, the Galaxy S25 comes with three cameras, something that's starting to become rare on compact flagships. Having the lightest and most compact phone around, however, means you get a smaller battery than on rivals. The Galaxy S25 has a 4,000 mAh battery size, and I managed to get a good full day of heavy use out of the S25, so you should be fine.

Who's It For?


The Galaxy S25 is one of the best choices if you (just like me) have a sweet spot for compact phones. It's currently the smallest and lightest Android flagship, and a great package for not a lot of money, too.


Read More: Samsung Galaxy S25 Review

Key Samsung Galaxy S25 specs:
  • Screen: 6.2-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz
  • Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB RAM
  • Camera: 50MP main + 12MP ultra + 10MP 3X Zoom, 12MP front-facing
  • Versions: 12GB/128GB, 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB
  • Battery and Charging: 4000 mAh battery, 25W wired, 15W wireless
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 full specifications

Samsung Galaxy S25

6.2-inch
Triple camera
4000 mAh
12GB
$363 at Amazon

Best Foldable Samsung Phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

What we like
  • Ultra-thin and light design
  • Overflowing with useful features
  • Polished software experience
What we don't like
  • Battery life could be even stronger
  • Charging is slower than the competition

Why I Picked It?


The next chapter in Samsung's foldable journey has been written. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is finally here with improvements all around. The phone features a new wider and shorter design, a lighter chassis, a stronger hinge, and, of course, the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, specifically optimized for the Galaxy lineup.

The main display is now much brighter than the panel found on the previous model, and the cover screen has grown in size to the respectable 8 inches. The cover screen is now much more usable thanks to the 21:9 aspect ratio and the 6.5-inch size, but the most important thing lies in the design.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is very thin (currently the thinnest foldable on the market). Samsung has managed to shave off a lot of thickness, and the folded device measures just 8.9 mm. It's always a strange sensation holding such a thin phone (4.2 mm unfolded), but in my hand it felt sturdy and premium.

This folder is one of the top Galaxy phones for a good reason, and it also ranks as one of the best Samsung phones and the best foldable smartphone overall, with the only downside being its price.

Who's It For?


I recommend the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to everyone who's either on the foldable train or looking to hop on. Samsung has been upgrading the lineup steadily, and the latest iteration has accumulated enough of those upgrades to turn into a real winner.


Key Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 specs:
  • Screen: 8-inch, 120Hz, QHD+ flexible OLED screen, 6.5-inch cover screen
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Camera: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP front
  • Versions: 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB, 12GB/1TB
  • Battery and Charging: 4400 mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 full specifications

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

8.0-inch
Triple camera
4400 mAh
12GB
$1780 at Amazon

Best Samsung Flip Phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

What we like
  • Edge-to-edge 4.1" cover screen
  • DeX available on the Flip for the first time
  • Improved battery life
What we don't like
  • Exynos 2500 chip is not flagship-grade
  • Samsung still treats the cover screen as a widget center
  • Just average loudspeakers

Why I Picked It?


The Galaxy Z Flip 7 builds upon the popularity and success of Samsung's previous flip model, the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The new phone adds a long-awaited upgrade to the cover screen, bringing it to a respectable 4.1-inch size and wrapping it around the cameras, Razr-style.

I was a big fan of the Razr Ultra when the first model came out; I thought for the longest time that Samsung was lagging behind with the Z Flip line. Well, no more. Samsung is back in the clamshell business.

The battery has been upgraded with a whopping 300mAh and now we have a pretty hefty 4,300 mAh cell (they are two cells, to be absolutely correct), which is great considering the compact form factor. The hinge of the new Galaxy Z Flip 7 has also been redesigned to be more stable, and as a bonus result, we have a less prominent crease in the screen.

On the hardware front we have more RAM, a healthy 12GB, but the thing I don't find particularly exciting is the Exynos 2500 chip inside. It's not bad but lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Fold lineup.

Who's It For?


All aficionados of clamshell phones should consider the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Now you guys have a really nice (and cheaper as well) alternative to the great Motorola Razr Ultra (2025), with all the Galaxy benefits on board (Galaxy AI, seven years of support).


Key Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 specs:
  • Screen: 6.9-inches, 1080 x 2520 pixels, 120Hz, 4.1-inch cover screen
  • Processor: Exynos 2500 (3nm)
  • Camera: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP front
  • Versions: 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB
  • Battery and Charging: 4300 mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 full specifications

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

6.9-inch
Dual camera
4300 mAh
12GB
$1100 at Amazon

Best Midrange Samsung Phone

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G

What we like
  • Very decent battery life
  • Acceptable performance
  • Very fast 45W charging
What we don't like
  • Camera performance is slightly worse
  • Pretty limited AI capabilities
  • Audio is mediocre

Why I Picked It?


When it comes to midrange phones, Samsung offers a great bang for your buck with its A-series devices. The Galaxy A56 5G is no exception. This phone delivers some flagship-level features and specs at a fraction of the price.

Let's start with the screen. It's a gorgeous 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel, capable of going up to 120Hz, and displaying very accurate colors as well. The brightness is top-notch (we measured over 1,700 nits typical during our display tests), and the resolution is also pretty good resulting in a sharp and clear image.

You also get a potent camera system, improved performance compared to the old model. Sadly, the microSD card slot from the previous model is gone now, but you can get the A56 with up to 256GB storage.

Finally, the A56 5G comes with the same seven-year software update commitment as the flagship S-series, as well as a basic AI system called Awesome Intelligence, so you get to use your phone for longer. Much longer.

Who's It For?


If you're on a budget but want to get some of the Galaxy S-series sparkle for not a lot of money, the Galaxy A56 5G is a great choice. It comes with a lot of bells and whistles taken straight from the aforementioned S-series but at a fraction of the price.


Key Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Specs:
  • Screen: 6.7-inches, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz
  • Processor: Exynos 1580 (4nm)
  • Camera: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front
  • Versions: 8GB/256, 12GB/256GB
  • Battery and Charging: 5000 mAh, 45W wired, No wireless
  • Samsung Galaxy A56 5G full specifications

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G

6.7-inch
Triple camera
5000 mAh
8GB
$324 at Amazon

Best Affordable Samsung Phone

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

What we like
  • Good battery life
  • Some AI features present
  • Bright display
What we don't like
  • No microSD card slot anymore
  • Mediocre performance
  • Disappointing video quality

Why I Picked It?


Budget phones have come a long way! The Galaxy A36 is an excellent device at a reasonable $400 price. I was genuinely amazed by the specs and the way this phone looked and felt in the hand.

It has a great display with a crisp 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, something even flagship iPhones still lack. The build quality is great, and you also have a decent camera system (even though I'm not a fan of the macro snapper).

The A36 is powered by an Exynos 1380 chipset—a mid-range chip that ensures good performance while doing basic tasks like browsing the web or social media. The chip struggles slightly with heavier games and tends to stutter (I tested it with some demanding games like Apex Legends), but with some lighter games, it performs alright.

And as for the battery, the Galaxy A36 is solid. It comes with a generous 5,000mAh battery capable of lasting up to two days with regular use, and even more if you use your phone less often.

Who's It For?


If value for money is your mantra, the Galaxy A36 5G is your device too. There aren't many phones that can offer you such a comprehensive package at such a low price. You get all the important things—a good main camera, a 120 Hz AMOLED screen, a big battery, and a long software support cycle. What's not to like?


Key Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Specs:
  • Screen: 6.7-inches, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
  • Camera: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 12MP front
  • Versions: 8GB/256, 12GB/256GB
  • Battery and Charging: 5000 mAh, 45W wired, No wireless
  • Samsung Galaxy A36 5G full specifications

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

6.7-inch
Triple camera
5000 mAh
6GB
$240 at Amazon

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Samsung Phone


The key factors to consider when choosing a Samsung phone are the same as with any brand, with some additional considerations. You should start with your priorities. If you snap a lot of photos and videos, then the camera system is one of the most important things.

If you consume a lot of media and like to watch clips or movies on your phone, then a good AMOLED display is paramount. If you don't want to constantly charge your phone, you should pay attention to the battery life. Software support is also very important, but Samsung offers six or seven years of major OS updates on most of its modern phones, so you shouldn't worry too much about this one.

Finally, the price is a very important factor as well. You don't have to spend north of $1000 to get a good Samsung phone, there are many affordable options that'd do the job just fine.

How I picked the phones in this guide?


If this is not your first time here, you probably know that PhoneArena tests thousands of phones, including all the hot ones as they come out. PhoneArena's tests include extensive chip and display measurements, battery tests, and real-time use. The Samsung phones in this guide have all undergone extensive testing and have managed to earn a great score from reviewers.

Finding the best device across a given price category is not an easy task, but thanks to my experience with different phones (not only Samsung phones, but also other Android phones and iPhones), I've managed to establish the main categories that make a great phone great. 

I took into account the display quality, the processor and how it performs (both in real life and in benchmarks), the battery life, the cameras and the camera quality in a variety of scenarios, as well as the features, design, price, and availability of a given device. And of course, all of these aspects of a given phone are compared to its competition to ensure it is the best phone Samsung can offer.

I tested the phone's performance running popular benchmarks. For battery life, I ran extensive tests on the phones here to measure how long they will last given a specific task—either browsing, continuous YouTube playback, or 3D gaming. I also measured the speed at which phones charge, both wired and wirelessly.

Compare Specs for the best Samsung phones in 2025


You'll find comparison tables below.

Geekbench 6
Single
Higher is better
Geekbench 6
Multi
Higher is better
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra3137
9769
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge2823
9060
Samsung Galaxy S253031
9626
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 72948
9365
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 72177
7419
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G1361
3894
Samsung Galaxy S25+3132
9935
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G1019
2915


Battery Life
Charging
Phone Battery Life
estimate
Browsing Video Gaming
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
5000 mAh
8h 0min 20h 49min 8h 54min 14h 21min
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
3900 mAh
6h 22min 16h 40min 7h 44min 9h 38min
Samsung Galaxy S25
4000 mAh
7h 6min 18h 29min 8h 1min 12h 20min
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
4400 mAh
5h 31min 14h 18min 6h 38min 8h 43min
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
4300 mAh
7h 3min 18h 58min 9h 32min 7h 31min
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
5000 mAh
7h 3min 17h 46min 9h 9min 10h 11min
Samsung Galaxy S25+
4900 mAh
7h 36min 19h 4min 8h 56min 13h 31min
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
5000 mAh
6h 26min 16h 53min 8h 0min 9h 8min
Phone Full Charging 30 min Charge
Wired Wireless Wired Wireless
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
5000 mAh
1h 9min 1h 58min 68% 33%
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
3900 mAh
1h 6min Untested 59% Untested
Samsung Galaxy S25
4000 mAh
1h 22min 1h 37min 54% 32%
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
4400 mAh
1h 23min 2h 18min 46% 26%
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
4300 mAh
1h 35min Untested 43% Untested
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
5000 mAh
1h 15min N/A 55% N/A
Samsung Galaxy S25+
4900 mAh
1h 11min Untested 58% Untested
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
5000 mAh
1h 15min N/A 55% N/A
Find out more details about battery and charging for all phones we have tested on our PhoneArena Battery Score page


Photo
Video
Phone Camera
Score
Photo
Score
Main
(wide)
Ultra
Wide
Selfie Zoom
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 158 165 87 23 27 28
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 140 146 79 21 23 22
Samsung Galaxy S25 147 151 80 21 27 23
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 142 149 80 22 24 23
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 139 146 79 19 27 23
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G 122 131 67 20 25 18
Samsung Galaxy S25+ 147 151 80 21 27 23
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G 120 126 68 17 23 18
Phone Camera
Score
Video
Score
Main
(wide)
Ultra
Wide
Selfie Zoom
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 158 150 75 21 28 26
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 140 134 72 20 24 17
Samsung Galaxy S25 147 142 74 21 26 21
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 142 134 72 20 24 19
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 139 133 73 19 24 18
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G 122 113 62 16 22 13
Samsung Galaxy S25+ 147 142 74 21 26 21
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G 120 114 62 16 22 13
Find out more details about photo and video scores for all phones we have tested on our PhoneArena Camera Score page


For more information visit our dedicated benchmark page.

What Size Android Phone Is Right for You?


If you're wondering what size Samsung phone is best for you, the answer is—it depends. If you like compact phones, we now consider 6.1-6.3-inch display sizes as "compact."

Right in the middle, between 6.3 and 6.5 inches, you can find phones comfortable for most people. Then there are the 6.5-6.9-inch large-screen phones. The Galaxy S25 Ultra fits within this group.

Finally, if you want the largest screen possible on a Samsung phone, you're in luck; the Korean company is leading the foldable phone race. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 features a massive 8-inch primary screen, which borders a tablet device.

What is the difference between Galaxy A, S or Z?


The letter designations in Samsung's smartphone portfolio mean different things. The S-series is reserved for high-tier, flagship phones, such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy A-series, on the other hand, is populated by midrange phones that offer a great bang for your buck, the Galaxy A56 5G being one prime example.

Finally, the Galaxy Z series houses under its letter the two foldable Samsung models. The Galaxy Z Fold lineup and the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip models.

Which Is the Best One UI Version?


If you're familiar with Samsung's ecosystem and software, you know that Samsung phones use Android with a custom user interface on top, called One UI. When it comes to software, the best version is most of the time the latest one.

In this case, the latest and best One UI distribution is One UI 8, which debuted with the new foldable Samsung phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

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