Samsung’s Galaxy lineup in 2025 is a testament to the brand’s relentless drive, offering everything from budget-friendly gems to wallet-busting foldables. Whether you’re after a flagship powerhouse, a compact daily driver, or a bendy marvel, there’s a Galaxy phone for you. Having tested Samsung devices for years, I’ve dug into the current roster—launched as of March 24, 2025—to spotlight the top picks. From the beastly Galaxy S25 Ultra to the wallet-friendly Galaxy A56, here’s your guide to the best Samsung smartphones of 2025, complete with hands-on insights and key details to help you decide.

1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The Flagship King

If you want Samsung’s absolute best, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is it—a 6.9-inch titan packed with cutting-edge tech. Launched in early 2025, it’s a beast that rivals the likes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Xiaomi 15 Pro.

• Design: At 8.2mm thick and nearly 230g, it’s hefty but premium, with a titanium frame and frosted glass back in four colors (Titanium Silver, Blue, White, Black). The IP68 rating keeps it safe from water and dust, while Gorilla Armor 2 shields its display—anti-reflective and tougher than last year’s S24 Ultra.
• Display: The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (Quad HD+, 120Hz) delivers vibrant, pin-sharp visuals. It dims low for night use but lacks PWM dimming upgrades, so flicker-sensitive users should test it first.
• Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (overclocked) and 12GB RAM, it’s a gaming juggernaut—Genshin Impact at 60fps on max settings, no sweat. Antutu scores hover around 2.2 million.
• Camera: A 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide (upgraded), and dual telephotos (10MP 3x, 50MP 5x) shine in daylight, though low-light noise persists. AI tools like Generative Edit and Best Face elevate photo fun. Video hits 8K at 30fps with stellar stabilization.
• Battery: A 5,000mAh cell lasts a day with 6-7 hours of screen time; 45W charging refills it in under an hour.
• Extras: The S Pen (no Bluetooth this year) is perfect for notes, while One UI 7 on Android 15 adds AI smarts like Circle to Search. You get 7 years of updates.

Why Buy? Unmatched power, camera versatility, and S Pen perks.
Price: Starts at ~$1,299 / £1,249.
Best For: Power users, creatives, and big-screen lovers.

2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus: Premium on a (Slight) Budget

The Galaxy S25 Plus trims some Ultra luxuries but keeps the core flagship experience at a lower price point.

• Design: 6.7 inches, slimmer at 7.7mm, with an Armor Aluminum frame. No anti-reflective glass, but it’s still IP68-rated.
• Display: Same Dynamic AMOLED 2X (Quad HD+, 120Hz) as the Ultra—just smaller. Colors pop, though sunlight glare is more noticeable.
• Performance: Identical Snapdragon 8 Elite and 12GB RAM combo—silky smooth for gaming and multitasking.
• Camera: A 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP 3x telephoto setup. Solid but lacks the Ultra’s 5x zoom and 200MP punch. Night shots show noise.
• Battery: 4,900mAh lasts all day; 45W charging matches the Ultra’s pace.
• Extras: No S Pen, but One UI 7 and 7-year updates are intact.

Why Buy? Near-Ultra performance for less cash.
Price: ~$999 / £949.
Best For: Those who want flagship power without the Ultra’s size or cost.

3. Samsung Galaxy S25: Compact Powerhouse

The Galaxy S25 is Samsung’s answer to compact phone fans—a rare 6.2-inch flagship in 2025.

• Design: Lightweight at 168g, IP68-rated, with Armor Aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
• Display: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (Full HD+, 120Hz). Crisp despite the resolution drop; smaller size suits one-handed use.
• Performance: Same Snapdragon 8 Elite, though storage starts at 128GB (no microSD). Still a gaming champ.
• Camera: Matches the S25 Plus—50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x. Reliable but not groundbreaking.
• Battery: 4,000mAh lasts a day; 25W charging is slower than siblings.
• Extras: Full One UI 7 experience, 7-year updates.

Why Buy? Compact size with flagship guts.
Price: ~$799 / £749.
Best For: Small-phone enthusiasts who don’t compromise on power.

4. Samsung Galaxy A56: Mid-Range Mastery

For budget buyers, the Galaxy A56 blends a premium design with solid specs at ~£500.

• Design: Slimmer at 7.4mm, with a metallic frame, Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, and a linear camera layout. IP67-rated.
• Display: 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED (120Hz, 1,200 nits). Vivid and bright, though no LTPO or advanced dimming.
• Performance: Exynos 1580 (4nm) with 8GB RAM. Decent for daily use, but gaming stutters on high settings (e.g., Call of Duty Mobile at 40fps maxed out).
• Camera: 50MP OIS main, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro. Great in daylight; low-light noise is minimal compared to S25 models.
• Battery: 5,000mAh offers 1.5-2 days; 45W charging beats the A55’s pace.
• Extras: One UI 7, 6-year updates, 256GB storage standard, eSIM support.

Why Buy? Premium feel and longevity on a budget.
Price: ~$549 / £499.
Best For: Value seekers wanting durability and updates.

5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Foldable Luxury

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is Samsung’s top foldable—pricey but packed with multitasking magic.

• Design: 240g, slimmer at 5.6mm (unfolded), with flat edges and an Armor Aluminum hinge. IP48-rated for dust and water.
• Display: 6.3-inch cover AMOLED (Full HD+) and 7.6-inch inner AMOLED (120Hz). Bright (upgraded to 2,600 nits), but the crease lingers.
• Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy with 12GB RAM. Handles multitasking and gaming effortlessly.
• Camera: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x. Solid, not S25 Ultra-level. Under-display selfie cam is murky.
• Battery: 4,400mAh struggles with heavy use; 25W charging is slow.
• Extras: One UI 7 AI (e.g., Interpreter tool), 7-year updates.

Why Buy? Ultimate foldable experience.
Price: ~$1,799 / £1,749.
Best For: Multitaskers and tech enthusiasts.

6. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Compact Foldable Charm

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 shrinks the foldable fun into a pocketable package.

• Design: 6.7mm folded, Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back. IP48-rated, matte finish resists smudges.
• Display: 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover (widgets galore) and 6.7-inch inner AMOLED (120Hz). Crisp and bright.
• Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM. Smooth gaming, though the cover screen’s narrow for action titles.
• Camera: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide. Decent, with AI perks like Sketch to Image.
• Battery: 4,000mAh lasts a day max; 25W charging.
• Extras: One UI 7, 7-year updates, flex mode for vlogging.

Why Buy? Stylish, compact foldable.
Price: ~$999 / £949.
Best For: Trendsetters who love portability.

Bonus Picks: Budget & Older Favorites

• Galaxy A36: 6.7-inch AMOLED, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, 5,000mAh. A solid ~$349 option with IP67 and 6-year updates.
• Galaxy A26: Slim 7.8mm design, 50MP camera, Exynos 1380. Launched March 24, 2025, at ~$279 (Rs 22,999 in India).
• Galaxy S24 Series: Still available with trade-in deals—Exynos-powered but slower than the S25’s Snapdragon.

Which Galaxy Phone Should You Buy in 2025?

• Best Overall: Galaxy S25 Ultra—unrivaled power and features.
• Best Value: Galaxy A56—premium vibes under $550.
• Best Compact: Galaxy S25—small but mighty.
• Best Foldable: Galaxy Z Fold 6—multitasking king.

Chris “TechSpurt” Shun
Senior Tech Reviewer & Smartphone Expert
Chris Shun has reviewed gadgets for over 12 years, with a focus on smartphones for outlets like TechRadar and his YouTube channel, TechSpurt (1.25M subscribers). Based in the UK, he’s tested every Galaxy phone since the S10, offering hands-on insights from launches like Samsung Unpacked. When not gaming on flagships or ranting about foldables, Chris enjoys a pint and a rant. Reach him at X or chris@techspurt.com.