Smartphone Display Domination: The Best Screens of May 2025, According to DxOMark
The pursuit of the perfect smartphone is a complex one, driven by a multitude of factors ranging from processing power and camera capabilities to battery life and overall design aesthetics. However, amidst this intricate web of considerations, one element consistently rises to the forefront for many users: the display. A vibrant, sharp, and smooth display can dramatically enhance the user experience, transforming everything from casual browsing and social media scrolling to immersive gaming and visually engaging content consumption.
As we approach the middle of 2025, the smartphone landscape is brimming with innovation, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of display technology. With so many options available, determining which devices truly deliver the best visual experience can be a daunting task. Fortunately, independent testing organizations like DxOMark offer valuable insights by meticulously evaluating and ranking smartphone displays based on a range of objective metrics.
According to DxOMark’s latest assessment, as of May 2025, the Galaxy S25 Ultra stands head and shoulders above the competition, claiming the top spot as the smartphone with the best display on the market. Unveiled in January of this year, the S25 Ultra has quickly garnered praise for its exceptional visual performance, achieving a remarkable score of 160 points in DxOMark’s rigorous testing protocol. This impressive score reflects the device’s outstanding capabilities across various key areas, including readability in diverse lighting conditions, color accuracy and vibrancy, and the smoothness of motion rendering.
What makes the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display so special? While the specific panel technology and underlying specifications contribute significantly, it’s the combination of these elements, fine-tuned through meticulous engineering and software optimization, that truly sets it apart. The display likely boasts a high resolution, resulting in exceptional sharpness and detail. Furthermore, it probably incorporates advanced technologies such as adaptive refresh rates, which dynamically adjust the display’s refresh rate based on the content being displayed, optimizing both visual fluidity and power efficiency. The S25 Ultra’s color accuracy is likely exceptional, reproducing images and videos with remarkable fidelity, ensuring that content appears as the creators intended. Finally, its peak brightness is likely high, ensuring readability even under direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor usage.
Trailing closely behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the Google Pixel 9 Pro, securing the second position with a commendable score of 158 points. The Pixel 9 Pro, along with its larger sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro XL (which also achieved a score of 158 points, sharing the second-place spot), continues Google’s tradition of delivering exceptional display performance. The Pixel series has consistently impressed with its focus on color accuracy, natural-looking image rendering, and smooth scrolling experiences. Google’s expertise in software optimization undoubtedly plays a significant role in maximizing the potential of its display hardware. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL likely feature vibrant OLED panels with exceptional contrast ratios and wide color gamuts. Their displays probably excel in accurately reproducing skin tones and subtle color gradations, contributing to a more realistic and immersive viewing experience.
Following the leading trio, the Honor Magic 6 Pro occupies the fourth position in DxOMark’s ranking. Honor has been steadily gaining recognition for its advancements in display technology, and the Magic 6 Pro appears to be a testament to its commitment to visual excellence. While specific details about the Magic 6 Pro’s display are less readily available, it’s likely that the device boasts a high refresh rate, contributing to smooth animations and reduced motion blur. Honor may have also incorporated innovative display technologies aimed at reducing eye strain and enhancing viewing comfort, especially during prolonged use.
Rounding out the top six are the Galaxy S25+ and the Galaxy S25, securing the fifth and sixth positions, respectively. These devices, while not quite reaching the pinnacle of display performance achieved by the S25 Ultra, still offer exceptional visual experiences, reflecting Samsung’s continued dominance in the smartphone display arena. The S25+ and S25 likely share many of the same display technologies as the S25 Ultra, albeit with slight variations in size, resolution, or peak brightness. They likely offer a compelling balance of performance, features, and price, making them attractive options for consumers seeking a high-quality display without necessarily opting for the most premium model.
The DxOMark ranking provides a valuable snapshot of the current state of smartphone display technology. It highlights the ongoing innovation in this crucial area and offers consumers a data-driven perspective on which devices deliver the best visual experience. However, it’s important to remember that display preferences are subjective, and individual users may prioritize different aspects of display performance. Some may value color accuracy above all else, while others may prioritize maximum brightness or the smoothness of motion.
Furthermore, factors beyond the display itself can influence the overall viewing experience. The software running on the device, the quality of the content being viewed, and even the user’s individual eyesight can all play a role. Therefore, while DxOMark’s rankings offer valuable guidance, it’s essential to consider your own preferences and needs when choosing a smartphone.
Ultimately, the "best" smartphone display is the one that best suits your individual requirements and viewing habits. Whether you prioritize the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s exceptional all-around performance, the Google Pixel 9 Pro’s natural-looking image rendering, or the Honor Magic 6 Pro’s innovative features, the smartphone market offers a diverse range of options to cater to every visual preference. As display technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more impressive innovations in the years to come, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and further enhancing the smartphone viewing experience. The competition is fierce, and the pursuit of the perfect display continues, promising exciting advancements for consumers in the ever-evolving world of mobile technology.
