Samsung Galaxy S25+ Navy 256GB

The S25+ is the smartest buy in Samsung's 2025 lineup. It's a performance beast with a killer screen and all-day battery, leaving the Ultra feeling overpriced and unnecessary.

We expected the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy to be fast, but the real surprise is how it handles heat. We threw everything at it, and it barely broke a sweat. In our database, this thing sits in the 93rd percentile for raw performance, which means it chews through 4K video edits and maxed-out Genshin Impact without stuttering. The 12GB of RAM keeps everything fluid, and the 120Hz display makes the whole experience feel telepathic.

The S25+ sits in a weirdly perfect spot. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL beats it on camera smarts and gets updates faster, but the Samsung's chip smokes it in raw power. The OnePlus 13 charges way faster and feels snappier in day-to-day swipes, but Samsung's software and display tuning are more polished. And against the iPhone 16 Pro Max, it's the classic iOS vs. Android fight, but the S25+ is noticeably lighter and more comfortable to hold for hours. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a more exciting camera system, but its software experience can't touch Samsung's One UI 7.

Pricing is a rollercoaster right now, with vendors listing it anywhere from $540 to $1438. At the low end, it's an absolute steal and one of the best values in a flagship phone. At the high end, you're getting into Ultra territory, which makes no sense. Shop smart, and if you see a refurbished unit in excellent condition from a place like Best Buy, jump on it. That's the sweet spot.

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is the Goldilocks of the 2025 lineup. It snags the gorgeous screen and blistering Snapdragon 8 Elite chip from the Ultra but ditches the sharp corners and the eye-watering price tag. If you want a big, powerful Android phone that feels premium without the spec-sheet baggage of an S Pen you'll never use, this is the one. The AI features are actually useful for once, and the battery life is a genuine standout.

If you're looking for a compact phone, this isn't it. The S25+ is a big slab that scored a miserable 62.5 in our compact ranking. Go get the standard Galaxy S25 or an Asus Zenfone instead. Also, if you're a spec-sheet warrior who needs the fastest charging on the planet, the OnePlus 13 will make this 45W charging feel like a decade ago.

The Galaxy S25+ is the sensible flagship for people who are tired of paying Ultra prices for features they don't need. It nails the fundamentals: screen, speed, battery, and build. The camera system is reliable, if not revolutionary. Unless you're a die-hard shutterbug who needs the absolute best zoom, skip the Ultra and buy this. You'll get 95% of the experience and keep a chunk of cash in your pocket.