Samsung’s lineup of smartphones is bigger and better than ever, with new iterations launching every year. It spans from the budget-friendly Galaxy A Series of smartphones through the iconic Galaxy S family, all the way to the groundbreaking Z lineup of foldable phones.
This year, the tech giant has already added four new phones to its lineup. In February, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra, which offer a fresher design and beefed-up hardware specs when compared to their Galaxy S21 predecessors. In March, Samsung updated its Galaxy A lineup with the Galaxy A53 5G. The newcomer brings improved hardware specs at an even lower price point than its predecessor.
Whether you're looking for the most feature-packed Android smartphone out there, a budget-friendly option just for the basics, or the brand’s latest model to hit the shelves, we're breaking down all you need to know about the best and latest Samsung phones.
Best Samsung Phones
- Best Budget Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- The Best Galaxy for Most Consumers: Samsung Galaxy S22
- Best Midrange Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- A Feature-Packed Galaxy for Less: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Ultimate Big-Screen Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- The Ultimate Folding Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
- The Flipping Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
All top-shelf smartphones from Samsung have a waterproof design, on top of other essential features like fast wired and wireless charging, and onboard stereo speakers. You’ll also get futureproof wireless connectivity features like 5G, Wi-Fi 6/6E, and Bluetooth 5.0 (or higher).
The prices of the smartphones on this list are for unlocked, contract-free devices. You can opt to purchase any phone in small monthly installments, either from Samsung or through the wireless carrier of your choice.
What to Consider
Form Factor
With the latest Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold iterations, Samsung transformed its foldable smartphones from expensive niche offerings to legit mainstream contenders. Therefore, the form factor is now essential to consider before buying a Galaxy phone.
Durability
In addition to being pricier, the foldable Galaxy Z smartphones lack the durability of their mainstream siblings, which have an IP rating for water and dust resistance. For comparison, the latest Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 only have an IPX rating for exposure to water.
Traditional Galaxy phones are also more likely to survive accidental drops with or without a protective case. If you drop your favorite gadget frequently, keep this in mind.
Camera
Even though they're on another level when it comes to multitasking and entertainment capabilities, Samsung's foldable phones don’t have the camera and battery capabilities of the top-shelf Galaxy S handsets. If battery life and camera are important to you, consider a Galaxy with an Ultra moniker.
Memory
The more RAM a Samsung Galaxy phone has, the better it will be at multitasking. If you plan to constantly toggle between many open apps, consider a phone with 8GB or more.
Regarding onboard storage, if you plan to capture a ton of photos and videos with the (always stellar) camera of your Galaxy, consider getting a version with more storage than the entry-level model has. Samsung's phones no longer have memory card slots for easy expansion, so the upgrade will be worth spending another $50 to $100 on.
How We Chose
We've been testing out smartphones for years, including Samsung’s Galaxy lineup. When new products launch, we evaluate their design, hardware, performance, and battery life as compared to older models. We also pay close attention to the overall value they deliver.
This Samsung Galaxy guide contains picks with the most up-to-date specs and features in their price categories — from affordable to high-end — ensuring that your new phone will keep you satisfied for a long time. Here are the best Samsung phones worth buying today.
Note: Before purchasing an unlocked smartphone, check carefully to see if it's fully compatible with your preferred carrier. Samsung's unlocked Galaxy devices are compatible with all major carriers in the United States.
1
Best Budget Galaxy
Galaxy A13 5G
Key Specs
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 700
- Display: 6.5-inch HD+ TFT display with 90 Hz maximum refresh rate
- Camera: 50MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth field sensor, 5MP selfie camera
- Memory: 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage
- Other: 5,000 mAh battery, standard audio jack
The sub-$250 Galaxy A13 5G is the best Samsung phone for thrifty shoppers. It has a cool design, 5G, a smooth display panel, a multi-sensor camera setup, excellent battery life, expandable storage, and a standard audio jack.
Powered by a gigantic 5,000 mAh battery— the same capacity as the Galaxy S22 Ultra — the Galaxy A13 5G can effortlessly deliver a couple of days of use between charges.
It’s important to note that the A13 5G’s TFT panel display is not as sharp and vibrant as the AMOLED ones found in pricier Galaxy phones. The phone also lacks water resistance and stereo speakers.
2
The Best Galaxy for Most Consumers
Galaxy S22
Key Specs
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Display: 6.1-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
- Camera: 50MP main, 10MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide; 10MP selfie camera
- Memory: 8GB of RAM, 128/256GB of storage
- Other: 3,700 mAh battery, IP68 waterproof
The entry-level Samsung Galaxy S22 is the best for most buyers. Available in several colors, it has an elegant design, a powerful chip, a capable camera setup, and a beautiful AMOLED display. The product also has an agreeable price, despite its cutting-edge specs.
The camera setup of the Galaxy S22 packs more megapixels than its predecessor. Its larger primary sensor can capture even better low-light images.
If you need a bigger screen and larger battery with faster wired charging speeds, consider the pricier Galaxy S22+ instead. The rest of its hardware specs are identical.
More: Our Review of the Samsung Galaxy S22+
3
Best Midrange Galaxy
Galaxy A53 5G
Key Specs
- Chipset: Exynos 1280
- Display: 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
- Camera: 64MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth field sensor, 32MP selfie camera
- Memory: 6/8GB of RAM, 128/256GB of expandable storage
- Other: 5,000 mAh battery, IP67 waterproof
The A53 5G is the midrange Samsung phone to get, and one of the best phones $500 can buy. It offers a large and vibrant display, a versatile camera setup, and long battery life. I also tip my hat to Samsung for launching the product with a $450 sticker that’s $50 lower than the Galaxy A52 5G it replaces.
Like its predecessor, the Galaxy A53 5G has a fully waterproof build and stereo speakers. However, in the new iteration, Samsung has left out an audio jack and bundled charger.
The phone’s quadruple camera is one of the best in its price range. So is its selfie camera with a high-resolution sensor.
4
A Feature-Packed Galaxy for Less
Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Key Specs
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Display: 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
- Camera: Triple camera with 12MP main, 8MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide; 32MP selfie camera
- Memory: 6/8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage
- Other: 4,500 mAh battery, IP 68 waterproof
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) is packed with top-tier specs at an incredibly agreeable sub-$700 price point. Its colorful polycarbonate housing rocks a stellar triple camera and smooth Super AMOLED display.
Compared to the pricier Galaxy S21, the FE has a bigger screen and battery, but a more understated design. It has less RAM in its entry-level guise and no 8K video recording. The rest of the device’s specs are similar, making it one of the best in its price range.
You can order the S21 FE in several colors: graphite, white, lavender, and olive.
More: Our Review of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
5
The Ultimate Big-Screen Galaxy
Galaxy S22 Ultra
Key Specs
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Display: 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
- Camera: 108MP main, dual 10MP telephoto with 3- and 10-times magnification optical zoom, 12MP ultra-wide; 40MP selfie camera
- Memory: 8/12GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage
- Other: 5,000 mAh, IP68 waterproof
Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra has a bigger and sharper screen, a more distinctive design, a larger battery, and a superior camera setup than other Galaxy S22 iterations. It's available in black, white, silver, or burgundy.
Although it's been a Galaxy Note calling card for the past decade, the integrated S-Pen sets the Ultra apart from the rest of the Galaxy S22 family. The big phone is a lot more productive.
The camera hardware includes a high-resolution 108MP sensor and dual telephoto snapper with incredible capabilities. Its selfie camera can capture sharper photos than any other Galaxy, too.
More: Our Review of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
6
The Ultimate Folding Galaxy
Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Key Specs
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Display: 7.6-inch folding QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
- Camera: 12MP main, 12MP telephoto, 12MP wide-angle; 10MP selfie camera, 4MP under-display camera
- Memory: 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB storage
- Other: 4,400 mAh battery, IPX8 water-resistant
The Galaxy Z Fold3 is, like its predecessors, Samsung’s most futuristic and expensive smartphone. It can transform from a phone to a tablet, so it's as attention-commanding as a Galaxy can be. Plus, it's Samsung’s only foldable phone to support the S-Pen stylus.
Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Z Fold3 with a powerful chipset, plenty of memory, and an excellent triple camera. Its selfie camera setup includes one snapper hidden underneath the foldable display.
You can order the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 in phantom black, green, or silver, with up to 512GB of onboard storage.
More: Our Review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
7
The Flipping Galaxy
Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
Key Specs
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Display: 6.7-inch folding Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED2X with 120 Hz refresh rate, 1.9-inch external Super AMOLED
- Camera: 12MP main, 12MP wide-angle; 10MP selfie camera
- Memory: 8GB of RAM, 256GB storage
- Other: 3,300 mAh battery, IPX8 water-resistant
The Galaxy Z Flip3 is a watershed moment for the entire product category. This Samsung phone is finally a cooler alternative to today's best smartphones by combining a foldable design, a durable build, and top-shelf hardware specs, all at a sub-$1,000 starting price tag.
Because of its unique form factor, the Galaxy Z Flip3 delivers an equally memorable user experience. For example, when open, it can split the app’s interface and place its controls onto the bottom half of the display.
Samsung offers the Galaxy Z Flip3 in several colors. A bespoke edition with customizable colors is also available.
More: Our Review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
Stefan Vazharov
Senior Technology Editor
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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