The past few years have seen the cell phone market flooded with different smartphone brands — there is no shortage of manufacturers releasing new models every few months.
Samsung, however, has remained consistently relevant, producing some of the best smartphones and securing a cult-like following. Unlike other smartphone manufacturers like Apple, which targets a specific market, Samsung’s Galaxy phones cater to a wide diversity of consumers. This has made Samsung a one-stop shop for most buyers.
To take the work out from you, we’ve compiled a list of the best Galaxy phones available today, so follow along with us!
- Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Runner-Up: Samsung Galaxy S23
- Best Design: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Best Mid-Range: Samsung Galaxy A54
- Best Budget-Friendly: Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
#1 Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Factory unlocked 2023 Android smartphone, U.S. version
- 256GB Storage
- 200MP camera
- Night mode
- Long battery life
- S Pen included
- Phantom Black color
Our selection as the #1 Best Overall Galaxy phone is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra which has one of the best displays you can get in a smartphone today, all without compromising on great specs.
This phone comes with a 6.8-inch Dynamic Amoled 2X display that delivers clear, detailed images. Plus, its adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz ensures that graphics are snappy and smooth.
Gamers will enjoy playing their favorite games on the S23 Ultra. It has a 3088 x 1440p resolution and boasts 1,200 nits of brightness when in HDR. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 octa-core processor, which allows you to switch between apps even when gaming. Storage is also not an issue as the phone comes with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has one front and four rear cameras. The front camera has a 12MP lens and the main rear camera has a 200MP wide-angle lens. Other rear cameras include a 12MP ultra-wide camera and dual 10MP cameras with optical zoom.
The S23 Ultra is also a good smartphone for work or business. Its PC Continuity feature allows you to sync your S23 Ultra with your PC for seamless multitasking. You can also set up Samsung Wallet to store your credit cards and make secure payments. To top it all off, the S23 Ultra is powered by a 5,000mAh that gives you up to 26 hours of playback time.
The only caveat is its large screen, which may turn off buyers who prefer smaller screens.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a large storage of up to 1TB. | The S23 Ultra is quite expensive. |
| Its display resolution and processor support immersive gaming. | Its 6.8-inch screen may put off some buyers. |
| You can sync it with your PC for improved multitasking. |
Check out the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on Amazon.
Runner-Up: Samsung Galaxy S23
- Factory unlocked
- 128GB
- 50MP camera
- Night Mode
- Long battery life
- Adaptive display
- U.S. version
- Phantom Black
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the best alternative for buyers who don’t like the S23 Ultra’s large screen size.
The S23 has a 6.1-inch screen, which has a better form factor than the 6.6-inch on the Galaxy S23+ and the 6.8-inch screen on the S23 Ultra. Most people will likely find the S23 more comfortable to hold and use.
However, do not conflate its smaller screen size with poor display features. The S23 has a 2340 x 1080p resolution and a 48-120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It also has a peak brightness of 1,750 nits so you can watch content even when outdoors or in bright-lit rooms.
The S23 has one front camera and three rear cameras. You can take clear selfies alone or in a group using the 12MP front camera. You can also capture experiences using its 50MP wide-angle camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 10MP telephoto camera.
Like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the S23 has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 octa-core chipset. A 3,900mAh battery powers the processor and offers up to 22 hours of video playback.
Now, let’s talk about durability. The Galaxy S23 has an armor aluminum frame that protects it against mechanical damage during falls. It also has an IP68 rating, meaning it is water- and dust-resistant — it can withstand 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes without damage.
The S23’s main shortcoming is its 25W-rated fast charger — it is not an improvement from the S22, which also uses a 25W adapter.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Its 6.1-inch size makes it comfortable to carry and use. | It uses a 25W adapter, which is disappointing. |
| The fitted Snapdragon chip offers unbeatable processing power. | |
| The Galaxy S23 has an IP68 rating. |
Check out the Samsung Galaxy S23 on Amazon.
Best Design: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Take notes while on a conference call or watching a video
- Hands-free video chat allows you to multitask
- Open multiple windows when working
- Customize how apps display on your phone
If you want a phone that stands out from other Galaxy models then we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Samsung recently released the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but the Z Fold 4 is certainly nothing to scoff at.
The Z Fold 4 boasts a versatile form factor — you can use it with one hand, both hands, or in Flex mode (on a horizontal surface, folding the phone to angles of 75° to 115°).
Samsung designed the Z Fold 4 with thin bezels and lightweight materials to make it portable. The Z Fold 4 has a 6.2-inch cover screen with a wider aspect ratio than its predecessor, the Z Fold 3 5G. It also has a 7.6-inch main display, making it ideal for watching movies and gaming.
You can split the main display into three multi-active windows. This allows you to open and use a different app on each window. To make this possible, Samsung fitted the Z Fold 4 with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and 12GB RAM.
We must also mention the Z Fold 4’s multi-camera system. You can take endless selfies using its 4MP under-display or 10MP cover cameras. The Z Fold 4 has three rear cameras, including a 12MP ultra-wide lens, 50MP wide-angle lens, and 10MP telephoto lens.
Our main criticism of the Z Fold 4 is its 4,400mAh battery capacity, which is quite low for a premium Galaxy model.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is cheaper than the Z Fold 5, without a huge difference in performance and specs. | The Z Fold 4’s battery capacity is disappointing for such a premium device. |
| The Z Fold 4 is ideal for multitasking. |
Check out the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 on Amazon.
Best Mid-Range: Samsung Galaxy A54
- 50MP rear camera
- 5,000mAh battery
- Exynos 1380 processor
- 6.4” FHD+ AMOLED Infinity-O screen
The Samsung Galaxy A54 is a mid-range smartphone that perfectly balances affordability and performance.
The Galaxy A54 has a premium front and back glass finish, which gives it a sleek look. It also has a 6.4″ FHD+ Infinity-O display that remains bright and visible even when using the phone in bright-lit spaces.
The A54 performs decently compared to other Galaxy phones. It runs on an Exynos octa-core processor, which is powerful enough to handle most mobile apps. However, you may not be impressed by the A54’s performance if you have used any S23 model — the S23 runs on a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
Content creators will enjoy shooting content with the Galaxy A54. You can record UHD 4K videos at 30 FPS thanks to its rear cameras comprising a 50MP, 12MP, and 5MP lens. Selfie lovers will also appreciate the A54’s 32MP front camera that captures vibrant pictures even in poorly-lit surroundings. Storage space should be the least of your concerns when taking pictures or recording videos, thanks to the A54’s 128GB internal memory. It also supports MicroSD cards of up to 1TB should you exhaust the internal storage.
A huge selling point for the A54 is its battery. Samsung packed the A54 with a 5,000mAh battery that supports up to 19 hours on a single charge when connected to Wi-Fi.
The A54’s major shortcoming is its processor, which is less powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 used in the S23 models.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The A54 has 128GB internal storage and supports a MicroSD card of up to 1TB. | The A54’s processor is not as powerful as those used in S23 phones. |
| The A54 offers a more affordable alternative to the S23 models. |
Check out the Samsung Galaxy A54 on Amazon.
Best Budget-Friendly: Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- 64GB of internal memory (up to 1TB more with a microSD card)
- 13MP front camera
- Adaptive 90Hz Infinity-V FHD+ display
- Simple yet classy finish
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the best choice for buyers who want a Galaxy phone but are on a budget.
A new Galaxy A14 5G will cost you less than $200. However, you must compromise on several features in premium Galaxy phones.
Still, Samsung packed the A14 with some decent specs. For example, it has a 6.6-inch Full HD+ display, which allows you to watch HD content and play most smartphone games. You can also play HD videos at up to 1920 x 1080p resolution at 60 FPS.
The Galaxy A14 5G exceeded our expectations regarding camera quality. It has one 13MP front camera and three rear cameras (dual 2MP and a 50MP lens). Whereas the Galaxy A14 cannot record 4K videos, it can record up to a 1920 x 1080p resolution.
We were impressed to learn that the Galaxy A14 5G runs on an octa-core processor. Its processor is less powerful than those used on the Galaxy S Series or even the A54. However, the A14 5G performs decently for a phone worth below $200. The processor is powered by a 5,000mAh battery.
The Galaxy A14 is far from perfect — do not expect it to have any mind-blowing features. However, it is a good buy when not looking to spend more than $200 on a phone.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Galaxy A14 has a Full HD+ display for watching movies and gaming. | The Galaxy A14 5G lacks any advanced smart features. |
| It has a decent camera system for its price range. | You cannot record or watch 4K content on the Galaxy A14 5G. |
| Samsung packed it with a 5,000mAh battery, which should last at least several hours. |
Check out the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G on Amazon.
©Framesira/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best Galaxy Phones: Step by Step
Everybody prioritizes different specs when shopping for a gadget — the same applies to buying Galaxy phones. The most expensive Galaxy model must not necessarily have all your desired specs. For example, none of the Galaxy S models can flip or fold, regardless of their premium status.
So, what should you look for in a Galaxy phone?
- Design
- Camera
- Processing power
- Price
Let’s break each one down below.
Design
Do you want a Galaxy phone with a standard design or one that stands out? Your answer will influence the Galaxy phone you choose. Users who want a stylish phone that stands out will love the Galaxy Z Fold or Flip series.
Display size is another design aspect to keep in mind. Most Galaxy phones have unique screen sizes. For example, each Galaxy S23 model has a different screen size — the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 6.8-inch screen, while the Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch display. Choose a screen size that is comfortable to use.
Camera
Camera quality has become a huge selling point in the age of social media and content creation. Samsung Galaxy phones boast some of the best camera systems you can get in a phone today. However, not all Galaxy phones have premium camera specifications. The S23 models have the best cameras among all Galaxy phones, followed closely by Galaxy Z gadgets. Mid-range Galaxy phones like the A54 also have decent cameras at a more affordable price.
Processing Power
The flagship Samsung Galaxy S series uses Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. On the other hand, some Galaxy A models, like the A54, use the Samsung-produced Exynos processor. Snapdragon octa-core chipsets can handle demanding programs better than Exynos processors. This means you may experience lagging when using heavy applications on a Galaxy phone that runs on an Exynos processor.
Price
Price is the biggest indicator of a phone’s expected performance and features list — this assumption is not always correct. Galaxy phones with advanced performance and premium features often cost above $800. Some, like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, may go above $1,000.
We recommend setting a budget before shopping for a phone so you do not overspend on a phone that has specs you don’t need.
What to Know Before Buying a Galaxy Phone
The tips we covered are the most important, but there are other things to remember when shopping for a Galaxy phone. One aspect buyers overlook is a phone’s form factor — it influences your user experience. The most practical way to know a phone’s form factor is to hold it in your palms. Check online user reviews to gauge a specific phone’s form factor before placing your order.
The latest Samsung models do not come with a wall charger. This may surprise consumers who have yet to buy a Samsung Galaxy phone recently. We recommend buying a Samsung-approved adapter to avoid damaging your phone.
Using a Samsung Galaxy Phone: What It’s Like
Using a Galaxy phone is very similar to navigating other Android smartphones, except for the different user interface. For people who have used Galaxy phones before, your user experience will depend on whether your next phone is an upgrade or a downgrade. Expect better performance if you upgrade from a Galaxy A54 to a S23 Ultra.
People switching to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models will take some time getting used to their new phones. The Z Fold and Flip models have a unique form factor you may not have experienced with other smartphones. This may dampen your user experience for a few days, after which you should feel familiarized with the phone.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Framesira/Shutterstock.com.
