Samsung Galaxy S25

The standard Galaxy S25 proves that a flagship does not have to be huge. Its 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel runs at 120Hz with up to 2,600 nits of brightness, and at just 162 grams it is one of the most comfortable phones to hold and pocket.

The 2340 by 1080 resolution is lower than the Ultra but still crisp at this size, and the compact 7.2mm-thick body makes it a genuine one-handed device in a market full of oversized phones.

Crucially, the S25 uses the very same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra, paired here with 12GB of RAM. That means an AnTuTu score around 2.9 million and flagship-grade speed in a far cheaper phone.

Everything from gaming to photo editing runs quickly, and the only performance caveat is that the smaller body has less room to dissipate heat during marathon sessions. For most people it feels every bit as fast as the Ultra.

The S25 carries a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide and a 3x optical telephoto, a capable set that handles everyday photography well. The 12MP front camera is solid for selfies and calls.

It cannot match the Ultra's 200MP sensor or longer zoom, but for social sharing and general use the results are clean and consistent, and video reaches up to 8K30.

A 4,000mAh battery is modest by flagship standards but the efficient chip and smaller, lower-resolution screen help it last a full day for typical users. Charging is 25W wired and 15W wireless.

Heavy users may reach for a charger by evening, so if all-day endurance under load is your priority, one of the larger phones here will serve you better.

Like the Ultra, the S25 gets seven years of OS updates, which is remarkable for a phone at this price and a big reason its value score is high. One UI brings the same polished software experience.

Buy it if you want genuine flagship performance in a small, light and more affordable body. Step up to the Ultra only if you need the bigger screen, the better cameras, the S Pen or the larger battery. It is also one of the easiest flagships to recommend to anyone who simply wants a fast, compact phone that will stay current for many years without any fuss or unnecessary complexity.