The Best Samsung Galaxy Phones To Buy

Which Samsung Galaxy model should you buy? Here are the best Samsung phones to fit a variety of needs.

The best Samsung phones include quite a variety of devices. But we’ve crowned one of the newer releases as the best you can buy.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung’s ultimate phone. Packing premium features into a handsome design, while still offering the phone for less than an Ultra model before it.

It’s not just the best of the new Galaxy S21 models — it’s one of the best phones, period.

If the Galaxy S21 Ultra is too much for your budget, don’t fret. Samsung has plenty of other options, including new midrange phones like the Galaxy A52 5G.

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That device joins a bunch other Galaxy devices on our list of the best Samsung phones. As Samsung builds out an impressive array of options ranging from flagships to budget buys.

Which are the Best Samsung Phones To Buy?

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung’s ultimate smartphone. The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus are both impressive phones in their own right, with dynamic displays, fast processors and lower price tags compared to last year’s S20 models.

They’re just as deserving a place in the debate over the best Samsung phone.

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The best Samsung phone you can buy:

• Screen Size: 6.8 inches |
• Android Version: 11 with One UI 3 |
• Processor: Snapdragon 888 (US)/Exynos 2100 (WW) |
• Cameras: 108MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 2 10MP telephoto, and laser autofocus sensor (Rear); 40MP (Front) |
• RAM/Storage: 12GB, 16GB/128, 256, 512GB

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The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes its spot at the top of our best Samsung phones list for a number of reasons.

Start with the Snapdragon 888 system-on-chip, which powers the U.S. version of the phone, which gives the best performance results we’ve seen from an Android device.

We also appreciate that the S21 Ultra is the first phone outside of Samsung’s Galaxy Note lineup to support the S Pen, giving your productivity an added boost.

But a couple of features really stand out from those selling points. The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a dynamic display with a refresh rate that can scale between 10Hz and 120Hz. Depending on what you’re doing.

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(Tasks like scrolling get the faster refresh rate, while more static activities get a battery-saving speed.)

You’ll find two telephoto lenses on the back of the S21 Ultra — one with a 3x zoom, the other capable of a 10x zoom — cementing Samsung’s place as the phone maker that handles zooms lenses the best.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra remains a pricey phone, but it’s debuting at $200 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra cost a year ago. If you want the best features Samsung offers, snap up this device right away.

2. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Still a great Samsung phone with an S Pen included

• Screen Size: 6.9 inches |
• Android Version: 10 with One UI 2.5 |
• Processor: Snapdragon 865 Plus (US)/Exynos 990 (WW) |
• Cameras: 108MP, 12MP, 12MP and laser autofocus sensor (Rear); 10MP (Front) |
• RAM/Storage: 12 GB/128, 512 GB

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The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra was once Samsung’s ultimate smartphone and the best Samsung phone you can buy. Even if the Galaxy S21 Ultra has since supplanted it.

While the Galaxy Note 20 commands a high price — at $1,299, it’s $100 more than the S21 Ultra — but its many advances are well worth the premium Samsung charges.

One of the most eye-catching features on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the phone’s dynamic refresh rate that automatically adjusts based on what you’re using the phone for.

There are other productivity-minded features, too: The S Pen is more responsive than ever, with latency reduced to 9ms. Samsung’s DeX feature works wirelessly with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

And the phone is powered by the Snapdragon 865 Plus, which is still an excellent chipset even after the Snapdragon 888’s arrival.

The Note 20 Ultra’s hefty camera bump takes some getting used to, and people who balk at paying four figures for a smartphone will want to look elsewhere.

But the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra delivers one of the most versatile big phone experiences of any Samsung handset.

3. Samsung Galaxy S21

• Screen Size: 6.2 inches |
• Android Version: 11 with One UI 3 |
• Processor: Snapdragon 888 (US)/Exynos 2100 (WW) |
• Cameras: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto (Rear); 10MP (Front) |
• RAM/Storage: 8GB/128, 256GB

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The price is right for the Galaxy S21, the least expensive of the new Samsung flagships. At $799, the Galaxy S21’s starting price is $200 less than what Samsung charged for last year’s Galaxy S20.

In some ways, the feature set reflects that lower price, as Samsung uses plastic for the case on the S21 and leaves out a microSD card.

You’ll also have to deal with a 6.2-inch screen with scaled-back resolution. But that display also has a dynamic refresh rate, altering the speed at which the screen refreshes based on the task on hand.

And the Galaxy S21 has the same Snapdragon 888 chipset that powers the S21 Ultra to the best performance for an Android phone.

Throw in excellent cameras that fare well against comparable models from Apple and Google, and you’ve got a great phone for a less astronomical price.

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 20

A great flagship phone for less than $1,000

• Screen Size: 6.7 inches |
• Android Version: 10 with One UI 2.5 |
• Processor: Snapdragon 865 Plus (US)/Exynos 990 (WW) |
• Cameras: 12MP, 12MP and 64MP (Rear); 10MP (Front) |
• RAM/Storage: 8 GB/128 GB

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As good as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy S21 Ultra are, both phones cost well over $1,000.

The Galaxy Note 20 comes in at $999, and you don’t have too make too many compromises to save hundreds of dollars for a still powerful phablet.

The Galaxy Note 20’s 6.7-inch display skips the faster refresh rates found on those more expensive phones and instead of a glass back, you get a plastic one.

Neither sacrifice is too great, though, especially when it means getting a phone with cameras that perform as well as the Note 20’s triple lenses do.

You also get the S Pen — the secret weapon of the Galaxy Note lineup — and all of the note-taking improvements that have come with the Note 20 Ultra.

Throw in excellent performance from a Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset. The same one in the more expensive Note 20 Ultra.

And you’ll be impressed by all the value Samsung has packed into the $999 Galaxy Note 20. However, it barely beats out the Galaxy S21 Plus for a place on this list solely because of the S Pen.

If you want a $999 phone that has the latest specs and a glass back, then be sure to check out the S21 Plus.

5. Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

Another big screen option from Samsung

• Screen Size: 6.7 inches |
• Android Version: 11 with One UI 3 |
• Processor: Snapdragon 888 (US)/Exynos 2100 (WW) |
• Cameras: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto (Rear); 10MP (Front) |
• RAM/Storage: 8 GB/128, 512

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There’s not much separating the Galaxy S21 Plus from the Galaxy S21. Though the former phone offers a larger screen, bigger battery and a more polished design than the less expensive S21.

Whether that’s worth the extra $200 depends on how you feel about extra screen space. As the S21 Plus lasted about as long as the S21 on our battery test even with the larger power pack.

You will get an excellent phablet if you opt for the Galaxy S21 Plus. Particularly when it comes to the 6.7-inch OLED panel.

That’s because like other members of the S21 family. The Plus’ screen has a dynamic refresh rate that adjusts based on what you’re using the phone to do.

(It matches the S21’s 48-120 Hz range.) Cameras are also excellent, particularly the Galaxy S21 Plus’ telephoto lens. Which features a 3x optical zoom and a 30x zoom digital zoom.

Fans of big phones won’t mind how bulky the Galaxy S21 Plus can be. They’ll just be happy to have a solidly designed phone that gives them the display real estate they demand.

6. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

Best value for a Samsung phone

• Screen Size: 6.5 inches |
• Android Version: 10 with One UI 2.5 |
• Processor: Snapdragon 865 |
• Cameras: 12MP, 12MP and 8MP (Rear); 32MP (Front) |
• RAM/Storage: 6 GB/128 GB

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Maybe you were impressed by the different Galaxy S20 models that debuted in 2020, but you were put off by the fact that they cost $999 or more.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is here to alleviate that sticker shock by packing in many of the best features in the S20 but for $300 less.

This $699 phone runs on a powerful Snapdragon 865 system-on-chip with 5G connectivity. Its 6.5-inch OLED display features the super-fast 120Hz refresh rate that makes for smoother scrolling.

And while its 8MP telephoto lens isn’t as sharp as the 64MP lens on the S20, we’re still impressed by the Space Zoom feature.

You’ll make some tradeoffs with the Galaxy S20 FE. The phone features a plastic case and its included charger isn’t as fast.

But this is a great phone for people who want premium features at a reasonable price. At $100 less than the Galaxy S21, it’s still a good value unless you have to have the Snapdragon 888.

7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

The best Samsung phone that folds

• Screen Size: 7.6 inches (main), 6.2 inches (cover) |
• Android Version: 10 with One UI 2.5 |
• Processor: Snapdragon 865 Plus |
• Cameras: 12MP, 12MP and 12MP (Rear); 10MP/10MP (Front) |
• RAM/Storage: 8 GB/256 GB

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Samsung clearly learned from the missteps with the original Galaxy Fold, building a much more thoughtfully designed foldable with the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

And while we appreciate the larger displays — both the cover screen and the interior panel are larger than before — as well as the reinforced hinge, what really makes the new Fold standout is its role as a productivity booster.

The reinforced hinge brings the same Flex Mode that Samsung introduced with the Galaxy Z Flip to the Fold lineup, allowing you to split your screen into different functions.

Multitasking with three apps returns, and you can now pair apps together to launch at the same time.

Other apps have been redesigned to take advantage of the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s full screen, essentially turning your phone into a tablet.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is much better buy now that Samsung has permanently cut the price by $200 to $1,799.

Still, that’s a lot to pay for a smartphone, even one that offers three rear cameras and a Snapdragon 865 Plus processor.

Samsung is reportedly working on a successor, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 that could arrive this July according to some rumors. Until that phone arrives, though, the Fold 2 is the best foldable device in Samsung’s lineup.

8. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

Low-cost 5G from Samsung

• Screen Size: 6.5 inches |
• Android Version: 11 with One UI 3 |
• Processor: Snapdragon 750G |
• Cameras: 64MP, 12MP, 5MP and 5MP (Rear); 32MP (Front) |
• RAM/Storage: 6 GB/128 GB

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Samsung’s midrange phone lineup is currently led by the Galaxy A52 5G. (At least in the U.S., where the Galaxy A72 5G won’t be shipping.)

Despite a lower price tag than the Galaxy S series, you’ll find a lot of the key features that highlight those phones.

Samsung includes a 6.5-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, though there’s no dynamic adjustment for the Galaxy A52 5G’s screen.

The main 64MP lens takes some pretty compelling shots, even if the other cameras on the phone (a 12MP lens plus dedicated macro and depth sensors) can’t keep pace with the photos produced by top camera phones in this price range.

You will appreciate the A52 5G’s Snapdragon 750G chipset, its hearty battery life and the fact that a phone charger ships with the phone.

If you’re looking for a Samsung phone for less than $500, the Galaxy A52 5G is a pretty solid choice, though the Galaxy A42 and A32 go even lower on price.

How to choose the Best Samsung Phones

Picking which Samsung phone to buy is primarily driven by budget considerations.

You’re not going to spring for a Galaxy S21 Ultra, for example. If you’re not prepared with at least $1,199 even if you opt to spread those payments out over time.

But other factors need to be taken into consideration as well. Start with how you use your smartphone.

If it’s primarily a productivity device, you’d want to focus on the Galaxy Note lineup, specifically because of the powerful S Pen that comes with Samsung’s large-screen phone.

If you turn to your phone for photography, the Galaxy S series is usually first in line for Samsung’s camera innovations. Budget-minded shoppers will want to consider the $499 Galaxy A52 5G now that it’s available.

Samsung has even cheaper 5G models, including the Galaxy S32 5G. Which T-Mobile is offering for free to anyone who trades in a phone.

Be aware that there are always new Samsung phones lurking around the corner. We’re expecting a successor to the Galaxy Z Flip at some point this year.

As for Samsung’s other foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is also rumored to be in the works. Potentially replacing the Galaxy Note lineup later this year. The status of the Galaxy Note 21 remains up in the air.

How we test Samsung phones

To find the best Samsung phones, we test the company’s handsets the same way we test every smartphone we review.

We run benchmarks on each phone, including synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 5 and 3DMark to measure graphics performance.

That allows us to compare Samsung device to other phones, including Apple’s iPhone. We use real-world testing that includes a video transcoding test using Adobe Premiere Rush.

In our lab, we measure the brightness of the phone’s display (in nits), as well as how colorful each screen is (DCI-P3 color gamut).

These cases, higher numbers are better. We also measure color accuracy of each panel with a Delta-E rating, where lower numbers are better and score of 0 is perfect.

To determine how long a Samsung phone’s battery lasts, we have the phones continuously surf the web over LTE with their screens set to 150 nits of brightness.

The average smartphone lasts for 10 hours, with the best phone battery life reaching 11 hours or more in our testing.

Our camera testing involves taking photos with each Samsung phone we review and comparing them to similar shots from comparable models.

We take shots of landscapes, food, portraits and more, and also allow you to be the judge with side-by-side comparisons in our reviews.

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