Samsung SM-S936ULBEXAA

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is a powerhouse Android phone with a brilliant 6.7-inch display, incredible battery life, and a Snapdragon chip that handles anything you throw at it. The camera is great in most conditions, though focus can be finicky at times. If you want a big-screen flagship without the Ultra price tag, this is the one to get.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is an absolute monster. In our benchmark suite, this thing posted numbers that put it in the top tier of every phone we've tested this year. App launches are instant, and scrolling through heavy web pages or social feeds at 120Hz is buttery smooth. The 12GB of RAM keeps dozens of apps alive in the background, so you're rarely staring at a loading screen. For gamers, the Adreno GPU pushes high frame rates in demanding titles without turning into a hand warmer, though extended sessions will make the back glass toasty.

Storage speeds are equally snappy, and the 512GB model we tested leaves you tons of headroom for 8K video and massive game downloads. There's no microSD slot, which is a bummer, but 512GB should be enough for most people. The vapor chamber cooling does its job well, preventing the kind of thermal throttling we see on lesser phones. Whether you're editing 4K footage or just bouncing between a hundred Chrome tabs, the S25+ never feels like it's working hard, even when it is.

The elephant in the room is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple's chip is just as fast, and its video recording is still the gold standard, but the S25+ counters with a more vibrant display, a more flexible camera zoom range, and that 512GB of storage at a lower price. The Google Pixel 10a is a completely different beast, it's a mid-ranger with smarter AI photo tricks, but it can't touch the S25+ on raw performance or screen quality. If you want a folding phone, the Motorola razr ultra 2025 is a fun flip option, but you sacrifice battery life and camera consistency for that pocketable form factor.

The OnePlus 15 is probably the S25+'s most direct Android rival. It charges way faster and has a cleaner software feel, but Samsung wins on display brightness, update longevity, and overall camera versatility. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is a stylish wildcard with a unique LED interface, but its processor and camera can't hang with the S25+ in a straight fight. For most people cross-shopping these, the Samsung is the safe, powerful bet that does everything well.

At $1,087, the Galaxy S25+ sits in a tricky spot. It's significantly more affordable than the $1,300 Ultra, yet it delivers 90% of the experience for most people. The 512GB storage alone adds real value, as you'd pay extra for that on a Pixel or an iPhone. Compared to the OnePlus 15, which often undercuts Samsung on price, the S25+ fights back with a brighter display, better software support, and a more refined camera system. If you can find it on sale or with a trade-in deal, it becomes a no-brainer. The value proposition weakens if you don't need the big screen or the top-tier processor, but for a flagship that'll last you four or five years, the price feels fair.

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is the middle child of Samsung's 2025 lineup, and honestly, it might be the one most people should buy. You get a massive 6.7-inch AMOLED display, the blistering Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, and a 512GB storage option that makes the base model feel stingy. At around $1,087, it's not cheap, but it undercuts the Ultra while keeping the specs that actually matter day-to-day. If you're asking yourself whether the Galaxy S25+ is good for gaming or heavy multitasking, the short answer is yes. The 12GB of RAM and that overclocked processor put it in the 98th percentile for performance in our database, which means it chews through everything from Genshin Impact to video edits without breaking a sweat.

Design-wise, it's a familiar glass-and-metal slab with an IP68 rating, so a dunk in the pool won't kill it. The Icyblue color we tested looks fresh, though it's a fingerprint magnet. At 190g, it's not a featherweight, and some folks moving from older models might find it a bit chunky. But that weight buys you a 4900mAh battery that, combined with the efficient chip, delivers all-day endurance even with the 120Hz refresh rate cranked up. The 2600-nit peak brightness means outdoor visibility is fantastic, landing in the 96th percentile for displays. It's a screen that makes you want to watch movies on a phone, which is high praise.

Samsung's software experience is polished, with a clean take on Android and a promise of long-term updates. The fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, and the stereo speakers get loud enough to fill a small room. It's not a radical redesign, but it refines the formula in almost every way that counts. For anyone searching for a flagship Android phone that balances screen size, power, and battery life, the S25+ makes a very strong case.

Skip the Galaxy S25+ if you want a compact phone that's easy to use one-handed, its size and 190g weight make it a handful, and the compact score in our database backs that up. Look at the standard Galaxy S25 or the Pixel 10a for something more pocketable. Also, if you're a videographer who demands perfect, reliable autofocus, the occasional focus hunting might drive you nuts, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a safer bet for video work. And if you're on a tighter budget, the OnePlus 15 or Nothing Phone (4a) Pro offer compelling experiences for less cash.

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is the flagship for people who don't want to pay Ultra prices but still want a big, beautiful screen and top-tier performance. It nails the basics: the display is gorgeous, the battery lasts forever, and the chip is stupidly fast. The camera is mostly excellent, though we did notice the occasional focus hunting that some users have reported, especially in tricky light. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's a small blemish on an otherwise polished experience.

Should you buy it? If you're coming from an S22 or older, this is a massive leap. If you want a big Android phone that doesn't fold and just works brilliantly, the S25+ is one of the best on the market. It's not the most exciting phone, but it's one of the most competent. For anyone who values reliability, speed, and a screen that makes everything look good, this is an easy recommendation.