Best new Samsung Phones 2015

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6

If you're a Samsung fan but would rather stick to a phone than a phablet then the S6 is just what you're looking for. With Samsung finally answering build-quality criticisms, it follows in the trend of the Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Note 4 with a metal and glass body. There's also a quad-HD screen, plus plenty of other radical new features, including a super-fast Samsung Exynos processor (paired with 3GB of RAM), and a redesigned fingerprint scanner that works a lot more like Apple's Touch ID and, you know, actually works. The Samsung Galaxy S6 was unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event on 1 March 2015, and went on sale on 10 April 2015. Prices start at £559 SIM-free. Read our Samsung Galaxy S6 review and learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S6 here.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

A second version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 launched alongside the standard S6 at MWC. It follows the trend set by the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge, but with two curved screen edges rather than one and a marginally higher-capacity battery than is found in the S6. In other respects the specs are in line with the standard S6, but expect to pay a premium for that fancy screen. Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge here, which went on sale in the UK on 10 April 2015. Prices start at £749 SIM-free for the 64GB version.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 mini

A Samsung Galaxy flagship launch is traditionally followed by several variants, most importantly a compact version, but we've also seen variants that offer, for example, improved cameras or more ruggedised designs. The Samsung Galaxy S6 mini is likely to arrive a few months after the standard Samsung Galaxy S6, perhaps in late July/early August, and will be a more compact version of its bigger brother with a slightly slimmed down spec. We expect to see a 4.7in full-HD screen, a slower-clocked Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, perhaps 2GB of RAM and 16- and 5Mp cameras. You can read our Samsung Galaxy S6 mini

predictions here.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 Active

Yet another rumoured Samsung  Galaxy S6 variant, the Active should be a rugged version of the Samsung Galaxy S6. It's a credible theory, given that the Samsung Galaxy S6 no longer features waterproofing. Plus, with an S4 Active and S5 Active before it, we could well see an S6 Active, but probably not until the summer. We've rounded up all the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active rumours here.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy A7

Samsung has confirmed its Galaxy A7, a gorgeous phablet with a 6.3mm unibody metal chassis, a 5.5in Super AMOLED screen and a 64-bit octa-core processor. The Samsung Galaxy A7 is not yet on sale on the UK, but will come in both single- and dual-SIM variants. Read all about the Samsung Galaxy A7 here.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Everyone always bangs on about Samsung's Galaxy S line-up, but it's the Note series that really impresses. The Note 4 was unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event prior to September's IFA tradeshow (3 September 2014), and right now sits at the top of our fastest smartphone and best phablet charts. Traditionally Samsung's Note launches are held at IFA in September, but rumours suggest we might see the Note 5 as early as July to give it a headstart on the new iPhones. Check out all the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 rumours here.

BEST NEW HTC PHONES 2015

Best new phones 2015: HTC One M9

We are massive fans of the HTC One M8, and the HTC One M9 is even better. Although HTC has kept the full-HD screen rather than the quad-HD screens seen in the new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, the HTC One M9 is a very attractive phone with some impressive performance. You can check out our HTC One M9 review here, and learn more about the HTC One M9 release date, price and specs here. The phone went on sale in the UK on 31 March from £579 SIM-free, making it £30 cheaper than its rival the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Best new phones 2015: HTC One M9+

A 5.5in-screen phablet version of the HTC One M9 is the One M9+ - and this is the one we were waiting for, with a Quad-HD screen and a fingerprint scanner. It's been announced only in China at 4,299 Yuan (£522), with UK availability and pricing not yet confirmed - that's if it ever officially comes to the UK. Read more about the HTC One M9+ here.

BEST NEW SONY PHONES 2015

Best new phones 2015: Sony Xperia Z3+ (UK Sony Xperia Z4)

After all the rumours that the Sony Xperia Z4 would be delayed until September, the Z4 was recently unveiled in Japan. The Z4 won't come to the UK, but in late May Sony announced its Xperia Z3+ over here. The UK version of the Z4, the Z3+ is almost identical - read our Z3 vs Z3+ comparison to see exactly how it differs to both Z3 and Z4. In essence, the Sony Xperia Z3+ is a slightly slimmed down and much faster version of the Z3, with performance we expect to fall in line with the HTC One M9. The Z3+ will go on sale in the UK in June, with final pricing TBC. Read more about the Sony Xperia Z3+ here and check out our hands-on Sony Xperia Z3+ review.