Samsung is one of the most recognized names inmodern smartphones, boasting a well-deserved reputation for offering a wide range of excellent phones that cater to different needs and budgets. If you’re in the market for anAndroid phone, you’re likely to find a Samsung model that fits your requirements. While the variety of choices can be a bit overwhelming, the good news is that we have explored the entire lineup and selected the best Samsung smartphones available in 2025.
The SamsungGalaxy S25 Ultrais our top pick for the best overall Samsung phone. On paper, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, but what is surprising is how close the alternatives are. TheGalaxy Z Fold 7andGalaxy S25 Edgefeature the same 200MP primary camera, but usher in a much thinner era for Samsung across various categories.
Of course, there are many other Samsung phones to consider, including the great all-rounder that is theGalaxy S25 Plus, and theGalaxy Z Flip 7, complete with the largest front display on a flip phone. Of course, if you’d rather get an iPhone, there are plenty of those available, too.
The best Samsung phone overall
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Why you should buy this:It’s the pinnacle of Samsung’s smartphone creation.
Who it’s for:Someone who wants the most impressive Samsung smartphone, regardless of cost.
Why we picked theSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra:
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra stands as the pinnacle of Samsung’s smartphone lineup, seamlessly merging cutting-edge technology with a stunning and premium design. One of its standout features is its exceptional camera system, which often includes multiple high-resolution sensors, such as a 200 MP primary sensor, ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, and advanced AI capabilities. These elements work together to deliver incredible photography and videography, allowing users to capture breathtaking images in various lighting conditions, including low light.
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by a top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite for Galaxy with generous RAM options. This powerful combination ensures smooth multitasking and seamless performance for demanding applications, including intense gaming and professional-grade editing.
The device also features a stunning display, a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel with QHD+ resolution, and high refresh rates of up to 120Hz. This results in vibrant colors, deep blacks, and an immersive viewing experience, whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or browsing content.
Additionally, including the S Pen enhances the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s versatility. It allows for precise navigation, note-taking, and creative projects. Its Bluetooth functionality enables users to control their phones remotely, making it a valuable tool for presentations and photography.
Samsung continues prioritizing long-term software support, promising several years of updates and security patches that keep the device running smoothly and securely. Coupled with robust build quality, water and dust resistance, and a premium materials finish, the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers an all-encompassing and top-tier smartphone experience that caters to professionals and technology enthusiasts alike.
The best folding phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Why you should buy this:It’s the peak of folding phone design.
Who it’s for:Someone who wants a tablet that folds into a smartphone, in a body similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Why we picked theSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 7:
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a folding phone lover’s dream. It took Samsung longer than the competition, but it was worth the wait. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures just 4.2mm thick when unfolded, and 8.9mm thick when folded. The latter is just 0.7mm thicker than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and 3.3mm thinner than last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 when folded.
At 215 grams, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is also three grams lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Samsung has managed to achieve the impossible: a folding phone that’s virtually indistinguishable from a regular smartphone, as our testing found. It’s a far cry from the bulky, heavy Galaxy Z Fold 6, and brings Samsung in line with the world’s thinnest folding phones.
The wider, taller form factor also means changes to the display. The front Cover Display measures 6.5 inches, bringing it much closer to the 6.7-inch display on the Galaxy S25 Plus. The main display has also increased in size to 8 inches, while a Titanium plate layer has virtually eliminated the crease along the middle.
Beyond the major design changes, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 also offers the same 200MP primary camera from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is also found in the ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge. It’s paired with a 12MP ultrawide sensor and a 10MP telephoto sensor that offers 3x optical zoom. The under-display camera above the main display has been switched to a 10MP ultrawide camera, while the selfie camera above the cover display is a 10MP wide camera.
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by a top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite for Galaxy with 12GB or 16GB of RAM. This hardware, combined with excellent software optimization, ensures smooth multitasking and seamless performance for demanding applications, including multi-window multitasking on the main display.
The battery is the same 4,400 mAh battery as the previous Fold 6, as is the 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. There’s also no S-Pen support as Samsung has removed the digitizer layer underneath the main display. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 launches running Android 16 and One UI 8 out of the box, and will receive seven years of software and security updates.
the best samsung flip phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Why you should buy this:It has the largest cover display on a flip phone.
Who it’s for:Someone who wants a large-screen, simple flip phone experience.
Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7:
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is Samsung’s answer to the Moto Razr Ultra. While the latter has a host of upgrades designed to tackle key challenges like battery life and performance, the Flip 7 offers a few improvements in a couple of key areas.
Instead of the 3.4-inch folder-style Cover Display, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED cover display with 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, and a peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits. The main display has also increased from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches, while the body is taller, thicker, and lighter than last year.
A big change is in the processor, as Samsung has switched from Qualcomm to its in-house Exynos 2500 processor. This is paired with 12GB of RAM, and the base storage has increased to 256GB, although the new starting price is the same as the higher-storage 256GB version of the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
The battery has increased to 4,300 mAh, although the Galaxy Z Flip 7 still has the same 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging as most Samsung phones. It runs Android 16 out of the box with One UI 8 on top, and is guaranteed software and security updates for the next seven years, so it has considerably more long-term support than the other best flip phones.
The thinnest samsung phone
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Why you should buy this:It’s the thinnest Samsung ever.
Who it’s for:If a thin-profile and good cameras are the priority, this is worth considering.
Why we picked theSamsung Galaxy S25 Edge:
The best phones can be big and bulky, and there’s a new trend amongst phone makers: building ultra-thin phones that prioritize thickness over raw specifications. Ahead of the iPhone 17 Air later this year, Samsung did just this with its new Galaxy S25 Edge.
Measuring 5.8mm thick, the Galaxy S25 Edge is fairly impressive as it packs a 200MP main camera and a 3,900 mAh battery inside a body that’s 30% thinner than Samsung’s camera powerhouse. The Galaxy S25 Edge weighs just 163 grams, making it the thinnest and lightest flagship Samsung phone ever.
Physics plays a part, so you won’t get a super large battery or triple camera inside a body this thin, but you do get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset paired with 12GB of RAM with either 256GB or 512GB of storage.
The Galaxy S25 Edge combines the best features of the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Galaxy S25 Ultra into one phone, featuring the same 6.7-inch display as the former, complete with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 protection. As far as thin phones go, the Galaxy S25 Edge is one of a kind.
The best runner-up Samsung phone
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
Why you should buy this:It’s the second best 2025 Samsung phone of the year.
Who it’s for:Anyone who wants one of the best Samsung phone around, but for less than the Ultra.
Why we picked theSamsung Galaxy S25 Plus:
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is designed for those seeking a top-tier smartphone experience without the hefty price tag of higher-end models. This mid-range phone balances performance, features, and comfort, making it ideal for tech enthusiasts and everyday users. While it is a more affordable option than the Ultra model, it does not compromise performance; you can expect a high-performing device that competes well with other flagship smartphones.
One of the standout features of the S25 Plus is its display, which utilizes Samsung’s acclaimed AMOLED technology. Whether watching videos, gaming, or browsing photos, you’ll enjoy vibrant colors and deep blacks. The boundaryless design maximizes screen space and enhances the overall realism of the viewing experience, delivering high-definition images and easily readable text.
The Galaxy S25 Plus has a cutting-edge processor and substantial RAM, ensuring excellent performance even with resource-intensive apps and multitasking. This device is engineered to provide a smooth, interruption-free experience for gaming, streaming, or productivity. Its efficient thermal management system also helps keep the phone cool during extended use.
While the S25 Plus’s camera system may not include all the advanced features of the Ultra model, it still delivers impressive photography results. With advanced software and image stabilization, the multi-lens setup captures stunning, high-resolution pictures in low-light conditions. you may expect high-quality photos and videos suitable for both professionals and beginners.
In summary, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is an outstanding smartphone that meets the needs of today’s consumers. It offers high performance, an exquisite display, and solid camera capabilities, all wrapped in an attractive design at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for a device to enhance your media consumption, gaming, or photography experience, the S25 Plus is an excellent choice.
The best small Samsung phone
Samsung Galaxy S25
Why you should buy this:It’s everything amazing about Samsung’s phones, but smaller.
Who it’s for:Someone who wants a more compact smartphone, but doesn’t want to compromise on performance.
Why we picked theSamsung Galaxy S25:
The regular Samsung Galaxy S25 is designed for users who value a compact, pocket-friendly device without compromising essential flagship features. Its smaller size makes it ideal for one-handed use and those who dislike bulky phones. Despite its compact design, the S25 delivers impressive performance. After all, it has the same chipset as the other Galaxy S25 models. In doing so, it offers smooth multitasking and gaming experiences.
Moreover, the smartphone’s high-quality display provides vibrant visuals for an enhanced multimedia experience. While its camera system may not be as advanced as those found in the Plus or Ultra models, it still offers excellent photography capabilities for everyday use.
Additionally, the S25 comes with a more affordable price point than its larger counterparts, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a premium smartphone experience. In summary, the Galaxy S25 represents the perfect power, portability, and value for anyone looking for a compact flagship device.
The best value Samsung phone
Samsung Galaxy A35
Why you should buy this:It costs significantly less than the Galaxy S24 while still delivering a lovely display, decent cameras, and good performance.
Who it’s for:Anybody who wants a dependable smartphone for under $500.
Why we picked theSamsung Galaxy A35:
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series is outstanding, as are its folding phones. But the truth is that a lot of people can’t afford those expensive handsets — and that’s why the Galaxy A35 is so important. You get many of the same features found on Samsung’s more expensive phones at a fraction of the price.
For starters, the Galaxy A35 still looks like its pricier Galaxy counterparts, even though its frame is made from plastic instead of aluminum. It only weighs 209g and measures 8.2mm thick, so it’s light and comfortable to hold and thin enough to slip into the average pocket. The IP67 rating also safeguards it from dust and water, though you shouldn’t take it for a dip at the pool anytime soon. It still features Gorilla Glass Victus over the front, but it has regular glass on the rear. I wouldn’t drop the phone on purpose to test the difference, but at least one side still benefits from the higher-quality material.
The Galaxy A35 sports a slightly larger screen than its predecessor, the Galaxy A34. The 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display delivers crisp text and strong, vibrant colors and reaches up to 1,000 nits of brightness with 2340×1080 resolution. Even more impressive is the 120Hz refresh rate that enables everything to feel fast and smooth. It’s mostly thanks to the Exynos 1380 processor and 8GB of RAM. The Galaxy A35 isn’t the fastest phone you’ll ever use, but it’s more than capable for anything you’d want to throw at it.
Despite the price, the Galaxy A35 also features a respectable 5,000mAh battery. One 30-minute YouTube video eats about 6% of battery life. Based on that, the battery can last over eight hours with just everyday use. It supports the USB Power Delivery 3.0 standard of 25W wired charging, which can take it from “flat to full” in 1 hour and 25 minutes or up to 50% in 40 minutes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support wireless charging or fast charging.
What about the cameras? Well, the 50MP main camera isn’t the best we’ve ever seen, but for quick and casual photography, it gets the job done. It also tends to produce very bright and overly saturated photos, more so than its S24 cousins. It also has an 8MP wide-angle camera and fixed focus 5MP macro camera on the back, and a 13MP selfie camera is on the front. These cameras don’t take nearly as detailed photos as the main one, but they still take respectable photos when used with their strengths in mind. As a plus, the editing suite in the Gallery app is easy to use.
Does that mean pictures look lifelike and 1:1 accurate to the real world? Not exactly. But if you prefer your photos to have a real punch to them, the Galaxy A35 certainly delivers.
If you have more money to burn, a phone like the Galaxy S24 or Galaxy S24 Plus is going to deliver a better experience in every department. However, if $400 is the most you can spend, you’ll find very little to be disappointed about with the Galaxy A35.
The best cheap Samsung phone
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Why you should buy this:It has no business being this good when it costs just $200.
Who it’s for:Anyone looking for a Samsung phone that doesn’t break the bank but still performs very well.
Why we picked theSamsung Galaxy A14 5G:
The $200 phone market is usually where you’ll find phones full of compromises. A low price often means harsh cost-cutting, and as a result, you’re unlikely to find something that can be described as “good”. That’s not the case with the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, which is a true diamond in the rough.
You’ll struggle to define the A14 as a stunner, but it’s not a bad-looking smartphone. The body is made from plastic, but it has a unique texture that feels good and adds grip, something glass-bodied phones can struggle with. The display is worth pausing over, though. It’s a 6.6-inch LCD with a 1080p resolution, which isn’t bad by itself — but the inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate definitely pushes this phone into a higher grade. There isn’t any water resistance, but hey, you can’t have everything, especially at this price.
It’s modestly powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, the same chip from the A13. We found it stuttered a little during use, which reduced the smoothness of the 120Hz refresh rate, and it was sometimes sluggish to open apps, so make sure to clear out those running apps once in a while to keep it speedy. Storage starts from 64GB, which is relatively low these days, but there’s the option to use a microSD card to expand that by 1TB. It comes with Android 13, and Samsung has committed to two major Android updates and four years of security updates — a strong promise for a budget smartphone.
The main camera is impressive for a $200 smartphone. The main lens has a 50MP sensor, and it consistently took good, crisp images that are more than good enough for social media. Surprisingly for a cheap phone, it even takes clear night mode shots too. The second lens, a 2MP depth sensor, is there to assist the main camera in portrait shots, so it’s really technically a dual-lens system. Unfortunately, the third lens, a 2MP macro lens, continues the strong tradition of macro lenses being a bit rubbish, and it’s not one to rely on at all. Stick with the 50MP main lens instead, you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised by how good your shots are for a $200 smartphone.
The A14 has a 5,000mAh battery, and it’s capable of going for two days on a single charge. That’s helpful, as the charging rate is limited to 15W, so you’ll be wanting to leave it for a little while when charging. There’s no wireless charging, which makes sense on a phone this cheap.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is available now, with prices starting from $200. As always, keep an eye on the sales, and you could snag this excellent phone for even cheaper. It’s available on all major U.S. carriers, though the U.S. only gets the rather boring plain black color.
