Samsung makes everything from earbuds to laptops, and its latest Galaxy smartphones offer outstanding performance to rival the best from Apple and Google. The best Samsung phones offer new AI-enhanced features unmatched by most rivals, and the brand has stylish and innovative Flip and Fold models in the lineup for adventurous users who aren’t scared to try something different.
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Samsung/Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
1. Best Samsung phone overall
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Samsung/Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy S24+
2. Best well-rounded Samsung phone
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Samsung/Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy S24
3. Best compact Samsung phone
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Samsung/Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
4. Best Samsung flip phone
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Samsung/Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
5. Best Samsung folding phone
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Google Pixel 8: Budget-friendly flagships compared
Android’s latest two AI-stacked flagships are as affordable as they are powerful. Here’s the breakdown.
We’ve reviewed countless tablets, cameras, and smartphones, and our team spent days testing the Samsung phones on our list to see what they offer. The list below includes all our top Samsung models, spanning various price points and designs, so nobody’s left out.
Best Samsung phones: Our favorite handhelds
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
1. Best Samsung phone overall
AI comes to Android
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung’s latest flagship, offering incredible power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU and 12GB of RAM to run the latest AI tools and other apps.
- Latest AI tools
- Tough, glare-free Gorilla Glass Armor
- High-end performance
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 163 × 79 × 8.6mm titanium housing with the nifty S pen, and tough and reflection-free Gorilla Glass Armor to protect the 6.8-inch AMOLED 120Hz touchscreen. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU for Galaxy paired with 12GB of RAM makes it a powerhouse capable of effortlessly running everything from demanding apps to gaming, and multitasking is a breeze.
I spent 2 weeks with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and it’s impressive(ly boring)
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra checks all of the boxes for a modern flagship phone, including Galaxy AI. Here’s our full review of Samsung’s best.
Photos are vivid and detailed with the stellar four-camera system headlined by the 200MP main sensor, and there’s abundant space for storing content with 256GB, 500GB, and 1TB available between the three variants. This year, Samsung took things up a notch with groundbreaking AI tools like Live Translate, Photo Assist, Note Assist, and Circle to Search to improve the experience and make life easier.
The Samsung S24 Ultra tops our list because it has a massive display and excellent performance while still managing to last a couple of days with average use. Its generic looks don’t do it justice compared to its flagship status, especially considering its hefty price tag, but it makes up for it with the handy S pen and new AI tools.
Samsung Galaxy S24+
2. Best well-rounded Samsung phone
All-round ability
The Galaxy S24+ is living up to the “plus” part of its moniker this year with a bump up to QHD+ resolution in the display. Other than that, it’s still the bigger Galaxy S that you’ve come to know and love, but with Galaxy AI features that should make your digital life just a bit easier.
- Includes the latest AI tools
- Great battery life
- Enough performance for most users
- No S pen
- Aluminum construction instead of Titanium
Buyers looking for an excellent balance of price and performance can check out the perfectly sized Galaxy S24+ with similar power to the Ultra (in the US) in a more practical size. It uses the identical Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB of RAM, offering excellent power for most tasks when paired with a slightly smaller 6.7-inch AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
The S24+ has a less bulky 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm aluminum body compared to the Ultra, and its onboard storage is limited to 512GB instead of 1TB. Casual buyers won’t notice the difference in quality from the rear three-camera setup, and the 4900mAh battery offers exceptional runtime for work or play.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ vs iPhone 15 Plus: Which is the best big screen phone?
Can the Samsungs Galaxy S24+’s new software features put it ahead of the Apple iPhone 15 Plus?
Buyers who don’t need professional cameras and the S-pen might be better off getting the S24+ instead of the Ultra because they can save hundreds of dollars and get a capable smartphone in a manageable size. It includes all the latest AI tools from its pricier sibling and matches the IP68 rating for peace of mind about durability.
Samsung Galaxy S24
3. Best compact Samsung phone
Small size, big power
The Galaxy S24 mixes in Galaxy AI features for the first time in the series but still brings excellent performance and great cameras in a relatively compact package for great value.
- Compact size
- Good price
- Decent performance
- Storage limited to 512GB
- Average looks
The Samsung Galaxy S24 features the latest tech in a manageable 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6mm size that should fit most pockets and bags. Its compact 6.2-inch 2340 x 1080 AMOLED display offers 2,600 nits brightest for outdoor use and a fast 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for a smooth user experience.
Under the hood is the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 as the two premium models, but this time, it is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128, 256, or 512GB of storage space, depending on your chosen configuration. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 matches the three-camera setup of the S24+ with a 50MP wide sensor, although its battery is slightly smaller at 4,000mAh.
Dynamite comes in small packages, and the Galaxy S24 offers impressive performance, the latest features, and AI tools in a compact phone that’s perfect for younger buyers or people with smaller hands. It won’t match the storage capacity and sheer performance of the more expensive models, but it’s hard to complain, considering its reasonable price and excellent functionality.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
4. Best Samsung flip phone
Flip out whenever you like
The Z Flip 5 adds a larger outer display, more processing power, and a gapless design to the world’s favorite flip phone.
- Larger outer display
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Attractive and compact design
- Charging could be faster
- No telephoto camera
The latest flip phone from Samsung doesn’t change things too drastically, but that’s not a bad thing. It retains most of the design aspects that we know and love from the Z Flip 4, but it adds a much larger and more useful exterior display.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: A whole new and fabulous experience
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 will grab the attention of everyone. Its big addition is a game changer. Here’s why we loved it.
It also bumps the processor up to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is not only one of the most powerful chips on the market but also much more efficient, which should allow the 3700 mAh battery to last a bit longer.
As with previous generations, the idea is that you have a traditionally sized smartphone when the device is unfolded and a dinky little square-shaped device when it’s not in use. It’s super convenient, plus you can hang up a call by snapping the phone shut for a bit of 90s nostalgia.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
5. Best Samsung folding phone
Double your productivity
$1500 $1800 Save $300
The Z Fold 5 has a new hinge design, which means it finally folds fully flat. It also packs a powerful new processor, which makes it Samsung’s most appealing foldable yet.
- Massive folding display
- No hinge gap
- S Pen support
- It’s expensive
- Not massively different to the Z Fold 4
Continuing the theme set out by the Z Flip 5, Samsung’s flagship foldable for 2023, the Z Fold 5 sticks with a similar design to its predecessor and similar cameras, too. The biggest change is that it now folds fully flat, which makes it feel much slimmer in the pocket, as well as reducing the amount of dust and debris that can find its way to the interior display.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Still the top choice of foldable phone
Samsung’s latest Fold might look iterative, but there are some important changes in the 2023 flagship.
The hinge gap was our biggest gripe with previous generations of Z Fold, so we’re extremely pleased with this change. If that’s not enough, though, it also benefits from a move to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy — the same souped-up chip featured in the mega-powerful Galaxy S23 series.
We think it’s one of the most refined foldable phone experiences on the market today and is worth its heavy price tag because you can double your productivity with the extra space on offer.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
6. Best budget Samsung phone
Great design at a bargain price
$325 $450 Save $125
Big on features, low on price. The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a fantastic choice that doesn’t break the bank.
- 120Hz display
- IP67 and MicroSD card slot
- Great battery life
- Not the smoothest performance
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G has a revamped design that aligns more with the S23-series phones and looks lovely. It’s available in a wide range of colors, too, so it’s easy to find one that fits your personal style.
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Samsung Galaxy A54 5G: Flagship looks, mid-range price
The Samsung Galaxy A54 packs a new design, and bright, large display. Is this the mid-range smartphone to buy?
The 120Hz display is vibrant and smooth, while IP67 waterproofing gives great peace of mind. With excellent battery life plus very decent camera performance in our testing, the value here is without question.
At its price point, however, it is important to note the competition. There are great options from Redmi and OnePlus that achieve much of the same as the A54 for a lower asking price.
That said, this is the top choice for those who want a modern Samsung experience without the flagship price. And Samsung’s approach to software updates is admirable, meaning this should remain a good pick for many years to come.
The bottom line: What’s the best Samsung phone?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra tops our last not only due to its recent release, but the updated features are impossible to ignore when putting them head to head with other models. If it’s within your budget, you get all the bells and whistles. With the S line-up, you can potentially grab a model with trade-in pricing if you shop around carriers. While we recommend the less specced S models as well if you want to cut costs down a bit, the A54 5G is our pick for those with a limited budget.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Editor’s Choice
Samsung Galaxy lineup: Quick summary
Samsung’s phones are split into three distinct categories. Here’s a quick breakdown:
The Samsung Galaxy S range is the company’s main flagship smartphone range. Its models have a premium waterproof design, high performance, and the best cameras. The latest S24 range adds new AI features like Circle to Search and Live Translate, elevating the user experience.
The Samsung Galaxy Z series represents the company’s folding smartphones, sitting at the top of the portfolio in terms of price and featuring its latest design innovations. Currently, this consists of the Z Flip and Z Fold models, which offer innovative designs as an alternative to candy bar phones.
The Samsung Galaxy A is the sub-flagship range, sitting below the S range in terms of price but borrowing several of its design features, including full displays and under-screen fingerprint sensors.
How to choose a Samsung phone
You’ve taken the first step and decided that Samsung is the right brand for you, which is great as it has already narrowed down your options. But Samsung has many devices in its lineup, so you’ll still need to think about a few things to find the right model for your needs.
What can you afford to spend?
While we’d all like to have the fanciest phone available, sometimes that’s not realistic, and choosing a phone that fits your budget is crucial. Samsung has a wide range of phones covering all budgets for just a few hundred dollars, up to north of $2000.
Thankfully, Samsung’s less expensive options are still excellent smartphones, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on too much. Plus, it’s always worth considering last year’s flagship smartphones, as the prices drop substantially when they’re no longer the latest and greatest options.
How important is size?
Size and weight are also well worth considering. It’s no good having a top-tier smartphone if it feels like a chore to carry around. Some people will happily forego the latest features to have something slim and light in their pocket. Others will happily carry a larger and heavier device if it means having an excellent and spacious screen. Think about which describes you best, and it may help you narrow down your options.
Do you take lots of pictures?
The biggest difference between high-end phones is often the camera tech, which means it’s only worth splashing out on the top model if you’re a keen mobile photographer.
We love taking photos and videos with our phones, so we get jazzed up about the latest smartphone camera tech, but if you’re only taking casual snaps occasionally, you can save a hefty chunk of change by going for a mid-range option.
Other products we considered
When trying to decide what we believe are the best Samsung phones currently available, we spent hours testing and researching. We consider several factors when it comes to recommending smartphones, including display clarity, camera quality, battery life, and gaming performance, applying the same basic tests when a new device is being considered for inclusion. It’s not all judged on our testing, either, as we also try to factor in consumer reviews, brand quality, and value.
In all of our roundups, there are also many products we test that don’t make the final cut. Since they may be the right fit for some people, however, we’ve listed them below.
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