The best Samsung phone in 2025

Each year, Samsung releases an onslaught of award-winning smartphones that become extremely popular on a global scale. So, if you’re thinking of buying or leasing one of these devices, you’ll have dozens of factors to consider.  

Here, we’ve streamlined your search for the best Samsung phone by comparing our favourite features in the latest and greatest models. 

Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 

Even the base models of Samsung’s line of Galaxy phones tend to be crowd-pleasers each year. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (verified refurbished prices starting from 467 €), however, is the best model of Samsung’s latest and greatest Galaxy smartphones, boasting the best camera of any Galaxy phone on the market and easily rivalling competitors like Apple or Google.   

Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra  

The S23 Ultra does seem to experience fluctuations in battery performance, and its curved screen and hefty weight aren’t entirely ergonomic. Plus, a brand-new S23 Ultra can cost upward of €1,000. Nevertheless, the pros far outweigh the cons, making this model a strong contender for the best Samsung phone currently available.  

Specifications   

• Dimensions: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm   

• CPU: Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy 

• Front camera: 12.0MP Selfie Camera 

• Back camera: 200 MP wide-angle | 12 MP ultrawide | 10 MP telephoto 

• RAM/storage: 256GB | 512GB | 1TB 

• Battery life: 5,000 mAh  

 Pros  

• Best-in-class camera image quality 

• Potent RAM processing power 

• 5G internet connectivity  

 Cons 

• Pricey 

• Inconsistent battery life 

• Bulky build may be unwieldy for some  

Best AI: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 

At its heart, the S25 Ultra is a symphony of specs and software. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip powers through heavy tasks with confidence, while AI boosts—from real-time image edits to smarter battery management—feel less like gimmicks and more like a sixth sense. The titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass lend it a noble bearing, which tips the scales at 218 grams. The stylus is still a faithful companion, gliding onto the scene with Bluetooth smarts that turn scribbles into finished concepts. The battery performance seldom falters under average use.  

Specifications 

• Dimensions: 162.8 × 77.6 × 8.2 mm 

• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform 

• Front camera: 12 MP, f/2.2 Dual Pixel PDAF Selfie Camera 

• Back camera: 200 MP wide-angle | 50 MP ultrawide | 10 MP telephoto (3×) | 50 MP periscope telephoto (5×)
 

• RAM/storage: 12 GB RAM with 256 GB | 512 GB | 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage 

• Battery life: 5,000 mAh with 45 W wired charging (65% in 30 min) and 15 W wireless 

 Pros 

• Feature-packed camera array that captures every nuance from dawn to midnight
 

• AI-driven tools that smooth out workflow and photography easily  

• Titanium-reinforced build that feels indestructible 

Cons 

• Price tags start north of €1,300, enough to make your wallet weep 

• At 218 g, it’s a workout for your palm 

• Intensive AI features can make your battery run out too quickly 

Best budget: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 

When looking for the best midrange Samsung phone on the market, consider this: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (verified refurbished prices starting from €289) is over 3 years old, yet it still gives newer phones a run for their money. In 2021, this device was Samsung’s flagship phone. Thanks to price drops, it’s one of the best smartphones you can buy for a relatively low price.  With a 4,000 milliampere-hour (mAh) battery and a dynamic screen refresh rate that adjusts to on-screen content, the S21 Ultra is a powerhouse machine. Its bulky frame can be off-putting to some, and the iPhone Pro Max 12 just barely edges out its price tag. Regardless, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the best budget Samsung phone per dollar.  

Specifications  

• Dimensions: 75.6 × 165.1 × 8.9 mm 

• Screen size: 6.8 inches 

• CPU: Octa-core 

• Camera: 108.0 MP wide-angle | 12.0 MP ultra-wide | 10.0 MP telephoto 

• RAM/storage: 128GB 

• Battery life: 4,000 mAh 

 Pros 

• Dynamic refresh rate  

• First Galaxy phone to integrate S pen  

• Director’s view drastically improves video-capturing capabilities 

 Cons 

• Bulky and heavy 

• No charger or micro SD card slot 

• Slower and €100 more than the iPhone 12 Pro Max 

Best A series: Samsung Galaxy A54 

Samsung’s S Series phones are undoubtedly impressive, but the A Series also deserves its due. These devices aim to offer a premium user experience for a much lower cost than their S series counterparts. Case in point: the Samsung Galaxy A54 (verified refurbished prices starting from €220).  This compact smartphone has a battery life of 5,000 mAh, rivalling the S23 Ultra. The A54 is also famous for its photo-capturing capabilities, though its chipset and Exynos processor are lacking for a phone with this price tag. The A54 can be an excellent backup phone or the right fit for people who enjoy a more minimalist device.  

Specifications  

• Screen size: 6.4-inches 

• CPU: Octa-core 

• Camera: 50 MP wide-angle | 32 MP ultra-wide | 12 MP telephoto 

• RAM/storage: 128GB 

• Battery life: 5,000mAh 

 Pros  

• Boasts impressive battery life  

• Vision booster, which shifts tone mapping based on ambient light 

• Great daylight photos 

 Cons 

• Potential performance issues 

• Slow charging  

• Underwhelming chipset  

Best battery life: Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

The best Samsung phone isn’t always the priciest model or the device with the fanciest features. Functionality goes a very long way — you may become fond of a phone that simply feels good to use even without so many flourishes. That’s often the case with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (verified refurbished prices starting from €361). 

The S23 Plus and the S23 Ultra share many of the same great features — both have Snapdragon 8 processors, 25+ hours of video playback time, and durable Armor Aluminium frames — perfect for any power users out there. And if that wasn’t enough, the S23 Plus has a smooth build with a completely flat screen that more easily fits in your palm or your pocket. 

Specifications  

• Screen size: 6.6 

• CPU: Octa-core 

• Camera: 50 MP wide-angle | 12 MP ultra-wide | 10 MP telephoto 

• RAM/storage: 256GB | 512GB 

• Battery life: 4,700 mAh 

Pros  

• Great rear cameras  

• Captures great video 

• Strong battery life  

• More manageable than the Ultra 

Cons 

• Same display as the S23 

• Comparatively expensive next to other options 

• The base S23 has better value  

Best gaming: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G 

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold phones aim to combine new innovations with old-school 00s aesthetics. This novel idea seemed risky early on, but the Fold line has earned its keep as a worthwhile investment for luxury phone enthusiasts.   Much emphasis should be placed on that “luxury” part, as these phones are quite pricey, and their features can overwhelm certain users. The Galaxy Z Fold4 (verified refurbished prices starting from €537) might be the best Samsung device for anyone looking for a phone that can also double as a tablet otherwise known as a “phablet”).  

Specifications  

• Screen size: Main screen (7.6 inches), cover screen (6.2 inches) 

• CPU: Octa-core 

• Camera: 50 MP wide-angle | 12 MP ultra-wide | 10 MP telephoto 

• RAM/storage: 256 GB | 512 GB | 1 TB 

• Battery life: 4,400 mAh 

 Pros  

• Reverse wireless charging (it can charge other devices) 

• Two apps can be used at the same time  

• S-pen compatible  

 Cons 

• The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is still similar to Fold4 

• Luxury price tag  

• No S-pen for front display  

• Not the best camera for photos 

Best smaller phone: Samsung Galaxy S23 

It’s no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy S23 (verified refurbished prices starting from 307 €) earns this spot on our list. Even though it’s the base model of the S23 line, it still possesses many of the same features that make its older siblings great. The S23 wins out on its size and price tag relative to the other S23 models. 

Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 

When stacked against similar phones from competitors, the S23 may not tickle everyone’s fancy. It also has a curved screen that can hinder this device’s comfort for certain people.   

Specifications  

• Screen size: 6.1 inches 

• CPU: Octa-core 

• Camera: 50 MP wide-angle | 12 MP ultra-wide | 10 MP telephoto 

• RAM/storage: 128GB | 256GB 

• Battery life: 3,900 

Pros  

• 7-hour screen on time 

• Triple-back cameras beat out most competitors  

• 6.1 display = compact  

Cons 

• Features aren’t too different from previous models  

• Pricey relative to build and features  

• Curved screen that may hamper ergonomics 

Learn more about our Samsung guides from our blog, and shop around for used and refurbished Samsung phones in our online store. 

Methodology 

We analysed the specifications that Samsung outlined in their press releases and consulted multiple customer reviews during our research. We specifically looked for recurring praise or criticism concerning each phone’s features to finalise our rankings. 

*Please note: The prices of Verified Refurbished phones reflect the lowest price of that device on the Back Market website at the time of publication in June 2025. All other above prices reflect the price listed on the linked website at the same time of publication.