Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra which has a lot of AI features, the best of which are interesting and the worst of which unreliable. Luckily, Samsung gets a lot of other things right on the S25 Ultra, which has a new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, high-resolution ultrawide camera, and some sweet pro video tools that rival the iPhone 16 Pro. Samsung wisely kept all the best parts of last year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra (basically the entire phone including that antireflective display) but some of its worst parts, too, like the$ 1, 300 pricetag.
Purchase the S25 Ultra if you want the best screen you can find on any phone. If you want the most versatile phone cameras, get the S25 Ultra. Purchase the S25 Ultra if you want a stylus. But if your needs scale back on any of those fronts, the more affordable S25 options, or even last year’s S24 Ultra, may be worth considering. Read our full Ultra Samsung Galaxy review.

Why do we like it?

The reason to get the Ultra over its S25 siblings is its screen, which is truly the best I’ve seen on any phone, and the cameras, which are a step above what the S25 and S25 Plus have. The Ultra is as close as it’s ever been to the iPhone in terms of professional video capture thanks to added video features like the ability to record in Log format.

Who it’s best for

If you have a Galaxy S22 Ultra or older, the S25 Ultra will seem like a significant upgrade. S23 Ultra owners, who are more likely to ignore their phone’s battery if they can get a great deal on it or to get a fantastic discount, are harder to make that case. And for you S24 Ultra owners, you don’t need this phone. Save money by ordering a nice steak dinner and movie for yourself.

Who shouldn’t get it

The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s appeal is muddied by its$ 1, 300 price. The Galaxy S25 is the same functionality, power, and longevity, and it costs less$ 500. Want a bigger screen? Take a look at the Galaxy S25 Plus. For the majority of people, the regular Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus will be a better fit.

For better or worse, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 foldable is packed with AI. It can take a rough sketch and turn it into artwork or help me have a conversation in French or Korean despite me only knowing a few words of either language. The Z Flip 6 will automatically zoom in or out ( switching between the main and ultrawide cameras ) to get the photo that best suits the moment because of the new autofocus/auto zoom feature, which allows you to prop the phone in a half-open position. But the AI features are the least impressive aspects of the the Z Flip 6.

The latest clamshell-style foldable from Samsung features a new 50-megapixel main camera, a smaller hinge and crease, a bigger battery, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 / 3. But all this comes at a higher starting price:$ 1, 099 which makes it hard to appreciate the Galaxy Z Flip 6 for the absolute great phone that it is. Read our full review for the Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Why do we like it?

Samsung’s most recent foldable in the clamshell style has a new 50-megapixel main camera, finally placing it on par with non-folding flagship phone cameras. The hinge is smaller and helps reduce the size of the crease on the internal screen. For flagship performance, it has a new chip, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 / 3, and 12GB of RAM. There’s even a larger battery. For all intents and purposes, the new Z Flip 6 is a Galaxy S24 that can fold in half – which is fantastic.

Who it’s best for

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has the features and software you’ve been looking for in a sleek design that is both retro and obscenely futuristic.

Who shouldn’t get it

If you spend a ton of time around dirt or sand, this phone isn’t for you.

The Galaxy S25 has the most impressive features, which I noticed during testing, including that it shares many of the same characteristics with its more expensive sibling, the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra, but for several hundred dollars less. You’ll find features like the AI Select tool, Audio Eraser and deeper Gemini integration across all of Samsung’s S25 devices, as well as a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB RAM– making the smaller phone of the bunch still seem pretty mighty. &nbsp,

Consistentness is not so bad when it comes to consistency when there is consistently good camera and excellent battery life, even though the Galaxy S25 may look incredibly similar to the S24 and have many of the same specs. Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 review.

Why do we like it?

In my opinion, having a base phone that offers many of the same benefits as more expensive models is a major plus. And given the remarkable processing power, standout camera and seamless AI integration in the Galaxy S25 lineup, it’s great that I can get all those premium features for$ 800.

Who it’s best for

If you’re someone who insists on buying a flagship device, the Galaxy S25 won’t let you down. However, you might be drawn to the most recent Galaxy AI and integrated Gemini features if your device is two years or more old. Now,$ 800 isn’t pocket change, and there are definitely other options for those who want to be more budget conscious, but if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the baseline S25 can be a great all-around choice.

Who shouldn’t get it

If you’re using the S24 from last year, you’re probably not going to need to upgrade.

Editor’s Note: Samsung has also released the Galaxy A16.

For someone looking to purchase a phone that will last a lifetime, Samsung’s$ 200 Galaxy A15 5G is a simple choice. Samsung provides it with four years of software updates and five years of security support, which in this price range is unparalleled. Additionally, the phone supports 25W wired charging, which allowed me to charge the phone’s large 5, 000-mAh battery from empty in 30 minutes during my testing. I also like the eye-catching light blue option.

A$ 200 phone has to have some compromises. When compared to competing phones like Motorola’s$ 200 Moto G 5G, the Galaxy A15 5G feels sluggish, and its one audio speaker, which is accidentally blocked by holding the phone sideways for games and video, falls short as an entertainment device. Photography, which is typically a weak point on phones in this price range, is similarly mixed with decent photography in outdoor environments while struggling to photograph lowlight spaces. The Galaxy A15 5G is a good choice when all you need is a phone that can handle the basics, but if you’re looking for the best pocket YouTube player in this price range, you might want to look into other options.

The S25 Plus may be the phone for you if the Galaxy S25 is appealing to you but you prefer a bigger screen and more battery life than to upgrade to an Ultra. The entire S25 lineup shares many features, from AI capabilities to processing power to memory, so the Plus may be a viable choice if you’re looking for something right in the middle.

However, the Plus’s minor improvements over the S25 base may not account for the$ 200 price difference. But if a bigger phone just feels better to hold and you’d rather have a 4, 900 mAh battery ( over the S25’s 4, 000mAh one ), then that$ 1, 000 starting price might ultimately be worth every penny. Read CNET’s full Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus review.

Why do we like it?

The S25 Plus may seem like a more comfortable device to use, especially if you’re a member of the larger hands club, even though the baseline S25 checks all the boxes. In addition to sharing many of the same features as the pricier S25 Ultra, the S25 Plus has a higher battery capacity than the baseline model– though in CNET’s tests, there weren’t any major discrepancies in how the two batteries actually performed. This phone might be the ideal choice for you when you just want to live a little bit bigger.

Who it’s best for

If you like having a larger screen to watch movies or play games on, the S25 Plus can be a great choice. While the S25 Ultra might be a top pick for someone who wants both a bigger phone and the most premium features, the S25 Plus can be that goldilocks device that meets you right in the middle– without you having to spend$ 1, 300 on the Ultra.

Who shouldn’t get it

Don’t purchase the S25 Plus if you want the best camera possible. For$ 1, 000 phones like the Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro have better cameras. Or check out the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which has a fantastic set of lenses, if you can afford to purchase a$ 1,300 phone.

With the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung is getting closer to its goal of making a device that doubles as a phone and a tablet without compromising too much in either direction. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a better design, a more ergonomically pleasing design, a smaller crease, a new processor, and an upgraded ultrawide camera.

But it’s really the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s big, bright and crisp internal screen that makes it the best choice for those who want a foldable phone for entertainment. However, be prepared to spend a pretty penny: The Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts at an eye-watering$ 1, 900, making it$ 100 more expensive than last year’s Z Fold 5 was at launch. Read in-depth about the Sasmung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Why do we like it?

With the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung finally achieved its goal of making a foldable that can truly replicate the experience of a traditional phone while doubling as a sleek tablet. Samsung’s book-shaped device has become lighter, slimmer, more durable, and more natural to use as a phone, a seemingly unimportant but necessary improvement, about five years after the original Galaxy Fold’s launch.

Who it’s best for

If you can get past the sticker shock, there’s a lot to love about the Galaxy Z Fold 6. I just don’t know how many people are willing to fork over$ 1, 900 to experience it. Carriers and retailers can still offer discounts that lower that high price, but those discounts typically come with terms like allowing the trade of a device or launching a new line of service.

Who shouldn’t get it

Samsung also hasn’t provided the two biggest things I’m looking for in tablet-style foldable phones: more affordable prices and innovative software that makes better use of their dual screens.