Samsung isn’t just releasing smartphones anymore—they’re setting standards. With every new drop, the tech giant seems to reaffirm its grip on the Android market, blending cutting-edge innovation with a sense of everyday practicality. The lineup for 2025 is especially impressive, with models that appeal to both the luxury-seeking power user and the everyday consumer looking for reliability. From sleek, featherweight designs to foldables that double as tablets, Samsung’s latest offerings show that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—just different shades of premium. Below, we break down the five best Samsung phones worth considering this year.
1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Best Overall
If you want Samsung’s best in one phone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is it. This device is unapologetically premium—built to impress, built to last, and packed with features that might take a while to fully explore. The first thing you notice is its sheer size and presence. Its 6.9-inch AMOLED screen is a feast for the eyes, offering anti-reflective protection and vibrant visuals under any lighting condition. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset and a generous 12GB of RAM, it operates with the kind of fluidity and speed that makes multitasking feel effortless.
This year’s S25 Ultra doubles down on AI, and it shows. Features like real-time call translation and voice commands that work across apps aren’t gimmicks—they’re practical, well-integrated tools that enhance the phone’s day-to-day usability. Even photo editing gets a boost with AI-backed enhancements that go beyond simple filters. Under the hood, a 5,000mAh battery keeps the experience going well into the night, supported by improved vapor chamber cooling to prevent heat spikes during intense use. As for durability, the titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass give the device a solid, almost rugged elegance. It resists cracks with more confidence than its predecessors, even if tiny scratches still happen over time.
But perhaps the crown jewel of the S25 Ultra is its camera setup. The new 50MP ultrawide lens performs beautifully, capturing sweeping landscapes and intricate macro shots with clarity and depth. In our comparisons with other flagships, this camera system consistently delivered the most vibrant, detailed results. The only caveat? Its premium status comes with a premium price, starting at N1,875,000, and the removal of some S Pen Bluetooth features may irk long-time stylus fans.
2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus – Best Alternative
Not everyone needs a top-of-the-line device, and that’s where the Galaxy S25 Plus shines. This model strikes a balance between high performance and accessible pricing, making it the go-to for users who want flagship quality without maxing out their budgets. It inherits much of the Ultra’s DNA, starting with the same Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and AI tools. Whether you’re using Samsung’s Generative Edit for photos or digging into productivity tools, the experience remains silky smooth.
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is bright and detailed, and although it lacks the anti-reflective coating of the Ultra, it’s still an excellent screen for content consumption. Its 4,900mAh battery doesn’t leap ahead in capacity from last year’s model, but smarter software integration and the efficiency of the new chip give it longer battery life in real-world use. The body design combines Gorilla Glass with a strong aluminum frame, and IP68 water resistance provides peace of mind for accidental spills or rain.
Camera performance is solid here too, with a 50MP main lens that does a commendable job in most lighting conditions. You won’t get the extreme versatility of the Ultra’s camera system, but for most users, the Plus model’s photography tools will be more than enough. What you do miss, though, is the S Pen support and the 1TB storage option—this phone caps at 512GB. Still, it delivers so much value at a more manageable price, making it arguably the best Samsung phone for most people in 2025.
3. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge – Best Lightweight Phone
For those who crave a large display but want a phone that feels featherlight in the hand, the Galaxy S25 Edge presents an elegant solution. This is Samsung’s boldest aesthetic shift in years. It brings a razor-thin form factor without compromising on display size, offering a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen that remains vibrant and crisp—even in harsh sunlight. It’s the kind of design that draws attention, not because it’s flashy, but because it’s impossibly sleek for what it offers.
Beneath the slim profile lies a familiar powerhouse: the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and a main 200MP camera sensor borrowed from the Ultra. Surprisingly, even without a dedicated telephoto lens, the Edge still delivers sharp zoomed-in shots thanks to strong digital processing. It’s a visual-first phone that doesn’t weigh you down, ideal for those who want luxury in both look and function.
However, the thinness comes at a price—battery life. With a 3,900mAh cell, you’ll likely be reaching for your charger before the day’s end, especially if you’re a heavy user. That’s a trade-off many might accept for the comfort and design, but it does limit its appeal for travelers or people who spend long hours away from a power source. It’s a premium device for a specific audience: those who value lightweight tech that doesn’t feel like tech at all.
4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Best Foldable Samsung
Samsung’s sixth-generation foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, represents the culmination of years of iteration and refinement. It’s no longer just a novelty—it’s a serious productivity tool and a statement piece in one. When folded, the phone feels solid and secure, thanks to a new Dual Rail Hinge system and a redesigned aluminum frame. When opened, it transforms into a spacious tablet-like canvas perfect for multitasking, sketching, or enjoying media.
Durability has seen real improvement this year. The Z Fold 6 is the first in the series to achieve IP48 certification, finally adding dust resistance to its resume. The hinge also feels smoother and more balanced, distributing pressure in a way that reassures you it’ll survive daily use. The interior display is wider and more usable than ever, and while the camera setup hasn’t changed much from the Z Fold 5, image processing is noticeably better—especially in low light.
Running on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and equipped with 12GB of RAM, the Fold 6 handles everything from heavy gaming to AI-driven translation and productivity tasks with ease. It’s a phone designed not just to wow, but to actually work hard. Still, the form factor isn’t for everyone. It’s expensive, and unless you’re fully on board with the foldable lifestyle, the benefits might not outweigh the cost.
5. Samsung Galaxy A36 5G – Best Cheap Samsung Phone
In a sea of flagships, the Galaxy A36 5G proves that Samsung still knows how to build a reliable, budget-friendly smartphone. This is a phone built for the everyday user who wants speed, style, and a dependable camera without emptying their wallet. The A36 5G carries a no-nonsense charm—it’s not flashy, but it’s capable in all the right ways.
Powered by a mid-range chipset optimized for efficiency, the A36 delivers snappy performance for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and messaging. The 5G connectivity ensures you’re future-proofed on the network side, and the battery easily lasts all day on moderate use. Its design is clean and modern, echoing the aesthetic of Samsung’s higher-end models, and its camera setup—while modest—still captures surprisingly sharp images in good lighting.
The A36 isn’t built for power users or mobile gamers. It doesn’t have the processing muscle of the S25 series, nor does it aim to. But for students, casual users, or anyone looking to dip into the Samsung ecosystem without the flagship price tag, it’s a solid entry point. It’s proof that even Samsung’s most affordable phones carry a certain quality that others in the same price range struggle to match.
Conclusion
Whether you’re after raw power, a foldable tablet experience, or a featherlight device that feels futuristic, Samsung’s 2025 lineup offers something for every kind of user. The S25 Ultra remains the gold standard for those who want everything, while the S25 Plus delivers most of the same magic at a more reasonable cost. The Edge makes luxury featherlight, the Fold 6 reimagines what a smartphone can be, and the A36 5G proves that budget doesn’t have to mean basic. In a crowded market, Samsung still manages to stand out—not by reinventing the wheel, but by perfecting it at every turn.
