Samsung Galaxy SM-S938UZSAXAA Titanium Whitesilver 256GB

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's best phone yet, with a camera that's basically best-in-class and battery life that goes and goes. It's big, pricey, and skips the charger, but the display, S Pen, and raw speed make it the Android flagship to beat. If you can afford it, you won't be disappointed.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is an absolute monster. Apps open instantly, 8K video renders without breaking a sweat, and gaming at max settings feels like the phone is barely trying. Our database puts this chip in the top tier of performance right now, and it shows. The 120Hz display keeps everything buttery smooth, and the 12GB of RAM means you can hop between a dozen apps without a single reload. The only real nitpick is that 45W charging is fine but not class-leading when some competitors are pushing past 65W.

Against the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the S25 Ultra pulls ahead on zoom versatility and that S Pen, though Apple still wins on video consistency and ecosystem lock-in. The OnePlus 15 gives you faster charging for less money but can't match Samsung's camera processing or software update promise. The Pixel 10a is a fantastic value pick with cleaner software, but it's in a completely different league for raw power and build quality. The Xiaomi 15T Pro is a spec monster on paper, but Samsung's polish and carrier availability in the US make the Ultra the safer bet for most people.

Look, this phone is expensive. There's no getting around it. But you're getting the most complete Android package on the market. The camera alone is worth the price of admission for photography nerds, and the combination of that display, the S Pen, and the sheer processing power means you won't feel the itch to upgrade for years. If you can stomach the upfront cost, the long-term value is actually solid because this thing is built to last.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung doing what it does best: throwing every possible feature at a phone and somehow making it all work. You get a massive 6.9-inch AMOLED screen that hits 2600 nits, a 200MP camera that's basically cheating, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip that laughs at anything you throw at it. It's big, it's expensive, and it's unapologetically premium.

But here's the thing: it actually earns that price tag. The battery comfortably lasts a full day even with heavy use, the S Pen is still a genuinely useful tool for notes and quick edits, and the AI features, while sometimes gimmicky, have some real practical tricks like summarizing calls and translating conversations on the fly. It's not a compact phone by any stretch, but if you want the biggest and best slab Samsung makes, this is it.

If you want a phone that's easy to use with one hand, look elsewhere. The S25 Ultra is a two-handed device, period. Also, if you're not going to use the S Pen or the 10x zoom camera, you can save a chunk of cash with the regular S25 or even a Pixel 10a and not miss much.

If you want the absolute best Android phone money can buy and don't mind the size, buy the S25 Ultra. It's that simple. The camera is incredible, the battery refuses to die, and the performance is future-proof. Just know that you're paying a premium for the S Pen and that titanium frame, and you'll need to budget for a charger if you don't already have one.