The best stylus phones of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Why we like it:The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is one of the best Android phones you can buy, and it’s the best in several different categories. It has a large, beautiful screen, a large battery, the best processor, and it’s the most popular version of Android around. Samsung has a great ecosystem of supporting devices as well, including watches, earbuds, laptops, tablets and more.

Adding to that the stylus gives you that extra amount of control you’ll be looking for when navigating your phone or playing games. The stylus is passive, which breaks the tradition of years past. In the past, a lot of functionality was packed into the stylus, like a remote camera shutter, which is no longer there. But it still works for jotting down quick notes even when the screen is off.

Who it’s for:The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the best, and it’s for people who need to have the best. This is not a budget-friendly phone, to be sure, but its price tag comes with everything you expect it should have. It’s the best of everything, with very little compromise. Mostly this phone is going to be for power users who want to edit and export video on their phone (the stylus is great for that) and those who want to be future proof for as long as possible before it’s time to upgrade.

This phone is also one of the best cameras you can buy on a phone. We recently pitted it against the OnePlus 15, which is another top contender in the camera space. The variety of lenses and zooms you can play with is pretty great — ultrawide, wide, 2x, 3x, 5x, and 10x. Even going up to 30x zoom is very respectable, though things fall apart quickly after that.

Who should look elsewhere:Of course, the opposite is true as well. This phone is the best, so if you don’t need the best, look elsewhere. The premium price tag on this phone is simply too high for it to be for anyone except those who need (or want) the pinnacle of smartphone technology. If all you want is a phone to jot down some notes and surf websites, the S25 Ultra is overkill.

If you’re on a budget, and/or you’re not worried about future proofing, the S24 or S23 Ultra on the second-hand market might be a good place to go. You’ll still get the integrated stylus, but at a substantial discount.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra tech specs:Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Display size: 6.9 inches | RAM/Storage: 12GB or 16GB with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB | Battery: 5,000 mAh | Camera: 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 5x telephoto, 10 MP 3x telephoto, and 12MP front | Price: Starting at $1099.99