I’d recommend the Galaxy S25 Edge over a currently discounted Galaxy S25 Ultra or a cheaper Galaxy S25+ for its captivating design and next-level ergonomics. Despite being a tad smaller than the S25’s unit, the latest iteration’s battery easily got me through a day of use. A telephoto camera is missing in the Edge, but given its unique looks, living with only two rear cameras is an acceptable tradeoff.
For Android and iOS Devices:
- The fastest phone in this price range by a small margin, but the design and specs are getting a bit stale.
- Alongside Apple, Samsung is one of the leading mobile phone makers in both the UK and US, and it’s easy to see why.
- Make sure you don’t pay MSRP for these 2024 phones.
- So if you’re looking for absolutely top-notch photography, this phone isn’t the one for you.
- What you miss out on are a higher resolution display, extra RAM, and more storage options.
Plus, you get future-proof wireless connectivity features, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6/6E/7, and Bluetooth 5.0 (and higher). One of the most important tests we run is the Tom’s Guide battery test. These tests allow us to compare performance across iPhones and Android devices.
There’s the iPhone, and then there are Samsung Galaxy phones—those are the two most popular phone brands in the US. For more information on Samsung phones, as well as tips and tricks, check out how changing these settings on your Samsung phone can improve your experience, and the preinstalled apps you should delete from your Samsung phone immediately. Be sure to check out ZDNET’s comparisons of the best phones and Android phones available. That makes it the perfect alternative to the latest Samsung phones, even if they’re now two years older.
- Our next honorable mention, however, does pack quite a few changes, and it’s arguably Samsung’s best phone… if money is no object to you.
- The Galaxy S25 Edge preceded the iPhone Air, and it one-ups Apple’s thin phone in many ways.
- It also boasts the same AI features found on other premium Samsung devices, with some of those capabilities optimized for the foldable design.
- If so, it’s going to get even better over the next few years as the AI develops, but for now it’s just great for playing games with the settings cranked to maximum.
Why should I buy a Samsung phone?
It also appeals to people looking to get into foldables without splashing the cash needed for a book-style foldable. People who like Samsung’s keyboard will also feel at home since that’s the only option when using the cover display. Most apps run really well on the cover screen, including maps, YouTube, messaging apps, email, and more. You can run most apps on the cover screen, but you have to jump through a few hoops to get there.
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The Galaxy Z Fold7 is Samsung’s most avant-garde and expensive smartphone to date—and worth its hefty price tag. If you need an even alvexo bigger screen, larger battery, and faster charging speeds, consider the $200 pricier Galaxy S25+ instead. The former shares a display panel with the Edge, while the latter has the same high-resolution primary camera. Having such a thin and light build makes the Galaxy S25 Edge surprisingly easy to operate with one hand, especially considering its 6.7-inch display panel.
Alongside Google, Samsung promises the longest software support for its cheap and high-end devices. Motorola also has a cleaner (closer to stock Android) software experience, making it an enticing option for minimalists and users who prefer less bloatware. Even then, for a now depreciated selling price, the Galaxy S23 covers a good 80% of the S25 experience. For what it’s worth, if a manufacturer claims its phone is rated IP68, that means the device can withstand dust ingress and be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at 1 meter. Beyond drop protection, the two accessories will prevent the phone from getting scratches, scuffs, and other blemishes and can greatly reduce the chance of water damage.
The best Samsung phones in 2024
It has exceptional build quality and the largest cover screen at the time of its launch. It really is one of those phones you have to see and hold to truly grasp its extraordinance. I’ve been testing the phone for a little more than a week, and it still blows my mind how this design combination exists in 2025. While the foldable doesn’t match its Ultra sibling spec-for-spec, the Z Fold 7 truly shines and more than makes up for the “inferior” 200MP camera system in long exposure shots and selfies, thanks to its self-standing nature. That makes a notable difference in hand-feel and ergonomics, even though the two phones are only $100 apart.
Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Measuring only 5.8 millimeters in thickness, the latest addition to the Galaxy S25 lineup pushes the boundaries of conventional smartphone design in a truly impressive fashion. Like in the outgoing Z Flip6, the bigger external screen of the sequel makes capturing selfies with the dual camera effortless. Dubbed FlexWindow, the larger 4.1-inch external display on the Z Flip7 makes answering texts easier than the 3.4-inch display on the Z Flip6. All you need to do is insert a memory card with your favorite music and plug in a set of wired headphones or earbuds, no adapter required.
Picking which Samsung phone to buy is primarily driven by budget considerations. Some of the new Galaxy AI features introduced with the Galaxy S25 could find their way to older models, but there’s no official word yet from Samsung. I also found Auto Trim for creating a montage out of video clips to be an impressive addition to a sub-$500 phone. And that’s good news as we were underwhelmed by the top midrange phone previously available to U.S. shoppers, the $399 Galaxy A36. After releasing the A56 in other parts of the world this spring, Samsung has now made the phone available in the U.S.
Galaxy A56 5G
If you want a big phone that makes things easy, look at the iPhone 17 Pro Max instead. Better than the best Qualcomm chip on other Androids, and the performance knocked our socks off. The most expensive foldable out there, but it might also be worth it
But you do have to give up features for the Galaxy S25 Edge to be so thin — notably a dedicated telephoto camera and a bigger battery. A less heralded change sees Samsung swap out the under-display selfie cam on the main screen for a higher resolution camera that uses a more conventional cutout. And Gemini Live support lets you share your screen and cameras with the phone’s smart assistant. It also boasts the same AI features found on other premium Samsung devices, with some of those capabilities optimized for the foldable design.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is a remarkably lightweight phone that successfully slims down the S25 Plus, offering top-notch performance and superior cooling in a very thin package. This thin design makes significant compromises, but if you want a uniquely light phone that’s a pleasure to use, check out the Edge. Solid value considering you get two displays for the price of one, plus all of the technology Samsung packs inside. While it’s powerful enough for daily tasks and finally supports the welcome return of Samsung DeX, it’s a shame the phone runs on a platform that is clearly inferior to other Galaxy phones (and the competition). I wish it charged faster, but it’s quite capable, with great wireless charging features. I wish there was more zoom and more megapixels available, since the Galaxy S hasn’t seen a camera boost in years, but the AI editing helps smooth rough edges.
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We have a bigger screen, thinner and lighter body, and we still have all the things that make an Ultra special, including the titanium, the S-Pen and a big-enough battery. It’s not a cheap phone, but design updates, integrated AI and inclusion of the S Pen make it good value. Without a boost in battery size, that Snapdragon 8 Elite platform appears to consume power more efficiently, leading to notably enhanced battery life. This achievement represents a new milestone for Android phones, which fell behind Apple’s iPhone for years, but not any more. It turned in the quickest performance of any phone evaluated in our benchmarks and real world testing, including gaming and productivity work, even surpassing the iPhone 17 Pro.
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The biggest problem with the Edge is that it has to turn to a smaller battery — smaller than even the power pack inside the standard S25. That said, the 200MP main camera captures some real nice photos, even in low light. The Galaxy S25 Edge is a feast for the eyes, particularly when you stack this 5.8mm-thin phone next to another device and see just how slender it is. How much better Samsung’s new XL foldable is, especially when accounting for pricing, remains to be seen though. And that $1,999 starting price — a $100 hike from last year — will be hard for some people to swallow.
Samsung has the strongest phone lineup of any phone maker, including most of the best Android phones, but that can make it tough to choose the right model. ☑️ 100s of smartphones reviewed☑️ 15 years of product testing☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech He also covers televisions and audio equipment, including headphones, earbuds, wireless speakers, and soundbars. Depending on your needs and budget, you can spec high-end Galaxy phones with up to 1 TB of storage. Most Samsung phones don’t have memory card slots for easy expansion, so spending another $50 to $100 upfront is worth it. Traditional Galaxy phones are also more likely to survive accidental drops with or without a protective case — so if you have a bad habit of frequently dropping your phone, you should keep this in mind.