If you’re looking for a new smartphone but don’t want an iPhone, Samsung is probably the first company that comes to mind.
Its Galaxy handsets are established as the main alternative to Apple in many key markets, including the UK and US. While there are plenty of great Android smartphones out there, it’s easy to see why you might side with Samsung.
The Korean firm has a proven track record for solid smartphones at almost every price point. Whether you’re looking for a budget, mid-range, flagship or even folding phone, there’s a Samsung device to suit you.
In this article, we’ll help you decide between them. Each of the 10 devices below has been reviewed and ranked, though you might find something towards the bottom which suits you better. And at the bottom of the page, you’ll find general buying advice regarding what to look out for.
Why you should trust us: Smartphones are our bread and butter here at Tech Advisor, and Samsung is one of the companies we’ve covered most often. We’ve reviewed every handset worth shouting about since the original Samsung Galaxy arrived in 2009, and that won’t be changing anytime soon. We perform in-depth, real-world testing on every smartphone that we review, moving our main SIM card to it for at least a week for the most authentic experience possible.
Updated 5 April 2024: We’ve added all three Samsung Galaxy S24 phones – the S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra – plus the more affordable Galaxy A15 5G and A25 5G.
Best Samsung Galaxy phones 2024
1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Best overall
Pros
- Top-tier performance
- Excellent, versatile cameras
- Very good battery life
- Stunning large display
Cons
- Expensive
- Big and bulky
- Charging still only 45W
Price When Reviewed:
1499 Euro
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the most complete smartphone you can buy right now, Samsung or not.
It’s a flagship in pretty much every sense of the word, combining stellar performance with a brilliant display and superb battery life. A total of five cameras (main, ultrawide, 2x telephoto, selfie) are all strong in their own right, but combine to deliver an excellent photography experience.
Throw in genuinely impressive AI features, a useful built-in S Pen stylus and an unrivalled seven years of software updates, and it doesn’t get any better than the S24 Ultra.
Perhaps the only thing that’s not ultra-flagship level is the 45W charging. But if you don’t mind a huge phone with a price tag to match, this is the phone to get.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review
2. Samsung Galaxy S24+ – Best for most people
Pros
- Excellent display
- Top-tier performance
- Incredible battery life
- Impressive software
Cons
- No S Pen
- No expandable storage support
- Expensive
Price When Reviewed:
1099 Euro
When evaluating the S24+, it’s easy to focus on what you’re missing out on compared to the S24 Ultra.
Yes, there’s no secondary telephoto lens, S Pen stylus support, titanium build or 1TB storage option. And while the US still gets the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the Exynos 2400 in the UK is a slight step down.
However, none of those things will be dealbreakers for most people. The cameras are superb, build quality excellent and performance very strong, regardless of where you’re based.
With a gorgeous display, stellar battery life and slick software – including AI features and that seven-year update commitment – most people can save some money and still get this excellent phone.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy S24+ review
3. Samsung Galaxy S24 – Best compact phone
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Very good performance
- Solid cameras
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Limited storage options
- Relatively slow charging
Price When Reviewed:
899 Euro
Big phones appear to be the norm these days, with the 6.7-inch S24+ and 6.8-inch S24+ key examples of this. What if you want something a bit smaller?
Enter the regular S24. Its 6.2-inch display can be considered compact these days, but even at a lower resolution is still looks the part. Whether you get a model powered by the Exynos 2400 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, performance is a key strength.
All three rear cameras and the front-facing selfie lens can more than hold their own, while Samsung’s premium design and build is still in evidence here. The software experience is as good as you’ll get anywhere, with those useful AI features and seven years of updates.
And don’t worry, despite the much smaller battery, you can still expect all-day battery life. Faster charging and more storage options would’ve been nice, but the Galaxy S24 is still a superb choice for most people.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy S24 review
4. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G – Best budget phone
Pros
- Sleek design
- Solid main camera
- Strong battery life
- Smooth premium display
Cons
- Average performance
- Slow charging
Price When Reviewed:
229 Euro
Of course, the budget Galaxy A15 5G isn’t actually the fourth most capable Samsung phone you can buy. But when you consider the superb value for money it offers, the phone deserves this position.
We were pleasantly surprised by the design, which is plastic but feels like a more expensive device. The attractive 90Hz display is great for everyday use, while the main rear camera can take some very nice photos in good lighting. Selfies are also solid, even if the supporting lenses disappoint.
With good battery life, polished software and the best update policy you’ll get on any budget phone (four years OS, five years security). Even performance, the main disappointment, doesn’t stop the Galaxy A15 5G from being a very usable phone.
If you need a smartphone but don’t want to pay big money, this is the device for you.
The Galaxy A15 (4G) is even more affordable, but it’s not just 5G support that you miss out on there.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G review
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 – Best foldable phone
Pros
- Elegant folding design
- Water-resistant
- Affordable (for a foldable)
- Outer screen is now much more usable
Cons
- No telephoto camera and no improvements over last gen
- Still needs to be tougher
- Mediocre battery life
Samsung continues on its journey of gradual, generational improvements when it comes to foldables. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the best example of that philosophy.
Some parts of it – such as the outer screen – show a move in a great direction. Other, such as cameras or battery life, were forgotten this year and continue to create one of the most contradictory phones of this generation.
Once again this year you’ll have to live without a telephoto camera – included on all of Samsung’s other flagships – and accept the risk that it may not be as durable as a traditional slab-shaped phone.
Still, the combo of a beautiful, compact design with top-notch specs, water-resistance, and with a bit more battery life thanks to the efficient Snapdragon processor. Even the outer screen is much more usable and a joy to use for a quick glance at your notifications.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review
6. Samsung Galaxy A25 5G – Great affordable option
Pros
- Great 120Hz screen
- Long software support
- Solid battery life
- Decent camera performance
Cons
- Not particularly durable
- Limited storage
- Polarising design
Price When Reviewed:
299 Euro
The Galaxy A25 5G is a close second when it comes to great affordable Samsung phones. It’s a bit more expensive, but still offers a lot for relatively little money.
Compared to the A15 5G, the performance is improved thanks to a more powerful chipset. The display is still 6.5-inches but now 120Hz and the ultrawide camera has been upgraded.
Battery life is still solid, while the design is clearly inspired be Samsung’s flagships, even if it won’t be to everyone’s tastes.
Software remains a key strength – One UI is easy to use and will be supported with four years of OS updates and five years of security updates.
There’s no need for most people to spend more on the A25 5G than the A15 5G, but there are a few reasons you might want to.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G review
7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – Best book-style folding phone
Pros
- Great for multitasking
- All-day battery life
- S Pen support
- There really is nothing else like it in Samsung’s portfolio
Cons
- Under-display camera is bad
- App support is hit-and-miss (but getting better)
- The price is astronomical
Once again, Samsung isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel with the Fold 5. This time, it folds flat thanks to a new hinge, it’s thinner and has a new camera bump, but that’s basically all when it comes to new styling compared to the Fold 4.
An upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 guarantees top performance, and finally does away with a few generations with overheating problems. Unfortunately, the rear cameras are quite underwhelming – especially their colour science. On the brighter side, Samsung continues its dominance in folding phone software, further introducing improvements to the experience.
Not every app supports that form factor well though, so some software is still a little awkward on the big screen. You’ll also have to put up with a rubbish under-display selfie camera on the inside of the phone, too.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 review
8. Samsung Galaxy A54 – Best mid-range phone
Pros
- IP67 rating
- Excellent screen
- Solid battery life
- Long software support
Cons
- Slow charging
- Rivals are cheaper
Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G was its best mid-range option in years at the time of its launch in 2023, and remains an excellent option. There is now a successor in the form of the Galaxy A55, but it’s not coming to the UK.
For an affordable price you get top-notch styling, IP67 protection, one of the best screens on a mid-range phone, and a dependable set of cameras. Furthermore, battery life is solid and Samsung continues to impress with its software upgrade guarantee.
The A54’s strength is that all of that has been bolstered by a powerful Exynos 1380 processor, so performance is smooth and stable – not always the case on cheaper Samsung handsets.
However, it’s worth noting that the newer Galaxy A55 5G is now official.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G review
9. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G – Solid affordable option
Pros
- Excellent 120Hz screen
- Good cameras
- IP67 water resistance
Cons
- Fingerprint reader not the best
- Slow charging
The Galaxy A34 is a great mid-range phone, especially if you specifically want a Samsung at a more affordable price than an S-series model.
You get a 120Hz AMOLED display, reliable water-proofing, and solid performance from the MediaTek Dimensity 1080. Even the cameras impress for the price, especially the 48Mp main shooter.
Ultimately, the Galaxy A34 is good value and ticks the right boxes for most people. If you want slightly better cameras and performance, there’s always the Galaxy A54.
However, it’s worth noting that the newer Galaxy A35 is now official.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G review
10. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – Still a great choice
Pros
- Great performance
- Very good rear cameras
- Excellent battery life
- S Pen stylus support
Cons
- Poor selfie camera
- Fewer updates than S24 phones
- Large size
The S23 Ultra has now been succeeded by the S24 Ultra, but if you can find a discounted model, it’s definitely worth buying.
You still get most of what makes the S24 Ultra so good, including superb performance, excellent rear cameras, great battery life and that built-in S Pen stylus. The display here is flat rather than curved, but the quality of the screen is just as high.
The selfie camera is probably the main downgrade, while software support is reduced at four years of OS and five years of security updates. But you’ll probably be upgrading your phone before 2028 anyway.
Assuming that’s the case, the S23 Ultra should now get you that ultra-flagship phone experience at a more affordable price than at launch.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review
Samsung Galaxy phone buying advice
Is every Samsung phone a ‘Galaxy’ phone?
Yes. The ‘Galaxy’ brand is now found across every single Samsung smartphone, so don’t worry too much about it. The company also uses the brand for its headphones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops – pretty much all of its tech outside of its appliances and TVs.
What do the S, Z, A, and M letters mean?
Samsung uses letters to distinguish its various product lines.
‘S’ is used to mark its flagship phones – the S24 line is the latest, having launched in January 2024. These are among Samsung’s most expensive and powerful smartphones, marked by powerful specs and capable cameras.
The ‘Z’ branding is reserved for the company’s foldables, which are further split into the ‘Fold’ (larger book-style foldables) and Flip (smaller ‘clamshell’ foldables).
Then the ‘A’ and ‘M’ lines are Samsung’s cheaper phones. The A-series sprawls from mid-range phones right down to budget handsets that cost as little as $100/£100, while the M-series overlaps with the lower end of the A-range and goes even cheaper – though Galaxy M phones often don’t launch in the US and Europe.
Why should I buy a Samsung phone?
There are a few reasons to opt for Samsung over other Android brands. The main one right now is the company’s commitment to software support – you’ll get four years of OS updates and five years of security updates with most, while the flagship Galaxy S24 series offers a class-leading seven of both. Only Google, the makers of Android, can match that.
Beyond that, Samsung phones are known for slick designs and impressive cameras. They also all run One UI, the company’s customised Android skin, which is among our favourites – making Samsung phones easier to use than a lot of Android alternatives.
What are the best Samsung phone alternatives?
Obviously Samsung’s biggest rival worldwide is Apple, but you probably already know if you want an iPhone or not.
Within the Android space, the other options depend on where you live. If you’re in the US or Canada then the main alternatives are Google Pixel, OnePlus and Motorola. Google and OnePlus offer strong competition at the flagship end, but Motorola has a range of handsets to match Samsung’s at every price point.
Outside of the US you may have more options. Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo are just a few of the Chinese phone companies that ship handsets across Europe and Asia, though not in the US.
Why aren’t there more cheap Samsung phones in this list?
While Samsung’s phone range covers every price, from the cheapest phones to premium folding flagships, our ranking is dominated by more expensive options.
There are two reasons for this. One is that we can only review the phones we have to test, and it’s typically more difficult to get our hands on those cheaper models.
Also, Samsung’s cheaper phones can be a bit hit-and-miss. Galaxy A handsets are often worth buying, but Galaxy M devices tend to be underpowered and not worth recommending for most people.
Like all cheap smartphones, budget Samsung offerings come with significant compromises. We always explain clearly what these are in our full reviews, so you can decide if they’re worth putting up with in exchange for a significant saving compared to flagships.
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