If you’re looking for the best Samsung phone in 2025 that matches your list of important questions—balancing performance, price, battery life, camera, 5G, software longevity, storage (including expandability), Android version, UI, and display quality—here’s a targeted overview based on the latest expert reviews and feature breakdowns:

1. Best Overall Samsung Phone: Galaxy S25 Ultra

• Performance & Specs: Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 12GB RAM, starting at 256GB storage. No microSD slot for storage expansion.

• Battery Life: 5,000mAh battery, lasts about 8 hours in independent battery tests—excellent for a flagship.

• Camera: 200MP quad-camera system delivers leading results, even in low light.

• 5G & Network: Full support for 5G and latest connectivity standards.

• Software Updates: Receives up to 7 years of Android version and security updates—industry-leading support.

• Display: Huge, bright 6.9-inch AMOLED screen with anti-reflective coating; among the best and most color-accurate on the market.

• Android/UI: Ships with Android 16 and One UI 8.0, with One UI 8.5/9.0 future-ready.

• Expandable Storage: No—recent S series flagships have dropped the microSD slot.

2. Best for Most Users / More Affordable: Galaxy S25 Plus

• Performance & Specs: Very close to the Ultra. Same chipset and core specs, minus S Pen and 200MP camera; costs at least $300 less.

• Battery Life: Outlasts even the Ultra in tests, reaching up to 17-18 hours on a single charge (adaptive refresh on/off).

• Camera: Slightly less powerful than the Ultra but still strong for most users.

• Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, same high quality as the Ultra.

• Software: Same seven-year software support.

• Expandable Storage: No.

3. Best with Expandable Storage (Mid-Range/Budget): Galaxy A35 5G or A25 5G

If microSD support is essential, Samsung’s budget and mid-range phones are your answer:

• Performance & Specs: Solid chipsets (Exynos), up to 8GB RAM. The A35 is surprisingly fast for its price.

• Battery Life: The A35 scored the highest of any budget phone, with truly all-day battery life.

• Camera: Good for the price; won’t match S25 series but satisfactory for most needs.

• 5G: Yes, both A35 5G and A25 5G support 5G.

• Software Updates: A35 comes with a 4-year Android + 5-year security update promise; A25 has slightly less.

• Display: A35 has a 6.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED; A25 has a 6.5-inch 120Hz screen.

• Android & UI: Latest One UI based on Android 15 or 16.

• Expandable Storage: Yes—microSD support up to 1TB.

Choosing the Right Samsung in 2025: Quick Guide

Recommendations:

• Want the best of everything and top update support? Go for the S25 Ultra or S25 Plus.

• Need a phone with a great battery, screen, and expandable storage under $400? The Galaxy A35 5G is your best bet.

• On a strict budget under $300 but still want expandable storage and 5G? Check the Galaxy A25 5G.

Each of these phones is tailored to one or more of your core priorities. The S series is best if you want long-term performance and camera prowess, while the A series is ideal for value and storage flexibility.