Samsung best review phone

The best Samsung phones have something for everyone, whether you're looking for a budget model under $500, a powerful flagship or a versatile foldable phone. And we're here to help you pick the best device for you. 

Right now, your best bet is to buy one of Samsung's Galaxy S22 phones — the $1,199 Galaxy S22 Ultra if you can swing that price (or find a good deal), but any S22 model delivers great performance, a bright display and front-line cameras.

But Samsung offers phones at different prices, many of which also rank among the best phones. That's even true if you opt for something from Samsung's midrange Galaxy A series.

Foldables are another big focus, especially since Samsung dominates the market for the best foldable phones. And based on our testing, both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 deliver meaningful improvements. 

Here are the best Samsung phones you can currently buy, with the decision coming down to what kind of phone you're looking for and how much you're willing to pay.

And if you do pick a Samsung up, make sure you check out the first app you should install on your Samsung Galaxy phone and all of the Samsung hidden features that will change the way you use your phone.

What are the best Samsung phones?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the ultimate Samsung flagship, and it's our pick for the best Samsung phone right now. If you don't want to pay more than $1,000 for a phone, the Galaxy S22 Plus gives you a big-screen device that's less expensive than the Ultra, and the Galaxy S22 lets you save even more, with the lowest price among Samsung flagships.

There are cheaper options than the S22. The Galaxy S21 FE gives you a way to enjoy the key features of Samsung's flagship lineup, though it draws its inspiration from last year's S21 lineup. A better choice would be the Galaxy A53, which gives you a capable 5G phone for less than $500.

As for Samsung's foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a great choice with its new multitasking capabilities, better cameras and brighter display. But its $1,799 price is still quite high. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is more affordable at $999 and it delivers a fun compact flip design along with longer battery life than the previous model.

Back to school and the best Samsung phones

The start of school is drawing ever closer. If you're looking to save money on any purchases — including new Samsung phones — be sure to check out the back-to-school sales. You might just find Galaxy phones on sale at Samsung, wireless carriers and other dealers, especially in advance of a rumored Samsung product launch event in August. Be sure to follow our back-to-school guide for all of your shopping needs this season. 

The best Samsung phones you can buy right now

The best Samsung phone you can buy

Specifications

Screen size: 6.8 inches

Android version: 12 with One UI 4.1

Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Cameras: 108MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 2 10MP telephoto (rear); 40MP (front)

RAM/Storage: 8GB, 12GB/128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Reasons to buy

+

Faster S Pen built in

Reasons to avoid

-

Pricey

Looking for the best Samsung phone? Then look no further than the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the crown jewel in Samsung’s new lineup of flagship phones. The S22 Ultra rises to the top of our list by drawing upon an old familiar phone to Samsung fans — the design looks like a Galaxy Note model, right down to the slot for the included S Pen.

This is more than just a rehash of the Galaxy Note, though, as the Galaxy S22 Ultra delivers the brightest display we’ve yet tested, a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, and terrific camera improvements. The larger sensor on the new Ultra’s main camera lets in more light for better low-light photography, and we also appreciate software improvements like the more advanced Portrait mode. Samsung has even begun to roll out updates for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra camera, including a performance upgrade to portrait mode.

We wish battery life was a little better, though we appreciate that Samsung has gone back to 45W charging for this model. All told, this is a fine phone that should appeal to any Samsung fan who wants the best possible handset.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review.

Many of the Galaxy S features for less

Specifications

Screen size: 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED (2340 x 1080)

Android version: 12, OneUI 4.1

CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto; 10MP front

RAM / Storage: 8GB / 128GB, 256GB

Reasons to buy

+

Most affordable Galaxy S22 model

Reasons to avoid

-

Below-average battery life

As good as the Galaxy S22 Ultra is, it also has the second-highest starting price of any new Samsung phone — only the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will cost you more out of the gate. While you certainly get what you pay for with the Ultra, you can get a lot of the same features for hundreds of dollars less with the Galaxy S22.

The Galaxy S22 boasts the same chipset found in more expensive S22 models, and it also has a brighter screen than its predecessor, even if the S22 Ultra and S22 Plus outshine it. Samsung also improved the cameras on the Galaxy S22, which takes excellent low-light photos and compelling portrait shots. Unlike other flagship phones in its price range, the Galaxy S22 even has a dedicated telephoto lens which now supports a 3x optical zoom.

You won’t get the fast wired charging found in other Galaxy S22 models, and the S22’s battery life leaves a little bit to be desired. But at $799, this model delivers the right balance of premium features and value for your money.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S22 review.

The affordable big-screen option in the S22 lineup

Specifications

Screen size: 6.6 inches

Android version: 12 with One UI 4.1

Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (rear); 10MP (front)

RAM/Storage: 8GB/128GB, 256GB

Reasons to buy

+

Beautiful and very bright display

Reasons to avoid

-

Most camera improvements still can’t match Google Pixel

It’s tempting to overlook the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus, wedged as it is between the low-cost Galaxy S22 and the feature-packed Galaxy S22 Ultra. But make no mistake — the Galaxy S22 Plus is a stellar Samsung phone in its own right. Owners of last year’s S21 Plus may not notice much of a difference, but if you’ve had the same phone for more than two years, the Galaxy S22 Plus can offer you a premium experience without the Ultra’s stratospheric price tag. 

You get the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that powers the S22 Ultra, and while the latter phone has more sophisticated camera specs, the Galaxy S22 Plus can hold its own, particularly when it comes to low-light photography. You also can enjoy the same bright display and fast 45W charging found in the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but for $200 less.

The Galaxy S22 Plus is the big-screen phone to get if you can’t swing the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It’s proof again that Samsung really know its way around a device with welcoming display.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus review.

Best Samsung phone for less than $500

Specifications

Screen size: 6.5 inches

Android version: 12 with One UI 4.1

Processor: Exynos 1280

Cameras: 64MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth (rear); 32MP (front)

RAM/Storage: 6GB / 128GB

Reasons to buy

+

Good display with 120Hz refresh rate

Reasons to avoid

-

Pointless macro and depth sensors

Samsung continues to show that it’s serious about midrange phones with the Galaxy A53. Opt for this model and you can get a device with a screen that refreshes at 120Hz and delivers reasonable performance for hundreds less than what Samsung charges for one of its flagships.

Yes, the $449 price of the Galaxy A53 means some compromises, such as a less powerful Exynos 1280 chipset instead of the top-of-the-line Snapdragon silicon found in the Galaxy S22 series. We also wish Samsung didn’t include a superfluous macro camera with the A53’s array of lenses.

But that low price — equal to the cost of the Google Pixel 6a — is hard to beat, especially in a phone that comes with a solid design and a generous amount of software updates. If you’re a Samsung fan in search of bargains, the Galaxy A53 is the phone to get.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A53 review.

The best phone with a foldable screen

Specifications

Display: Interior: 7.6 inch OLED (2208 x 1768; 120Hz); Exterior: 6.2 inches (2268 x 832; 120Hz)

CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1

RAM: 12GB

Storage : 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Rear camera: 50MP wide (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 10MP telephoto (f/2.4)

Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2), 4MP under-display (f/1.8)

Weight: 9.28 ounces

Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 9:28 (60Hz); 8:19 (adaptive)

Reasons to buy

+

Better multitasking with task bar

Reasons to avoid

-

Very expensive

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 takes the best foldable phone and makes it better in multiple ways. For one, Samsung and Google made it much easier to multitask by adding a taskbar, and you can now drag and drop content between more apps when you're running them side by side.

We also really like the improved camera system on the Galaxy Z Fold 4, headed up by the same 50MP main sensor as the Galaxy S22 series. In our testing, the Fold 4 held its own against the iPhone 13 Pro Max and beat it in a few shots. 

Other highlights of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 include a slimmer hinge and narrower bezels, as well as a brighter main display. The battery lasted longer, too, in our testing. 

However, $1,799 is still a lot to spend on a phone — even one that doubles as a tablet — and this is still one thick and heavy device. But if you want a foldable phone that can do it all, this is it. 

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review.

The S21's top features at a lower price

Specifications

Screen Size: 6.4 inches

Android Version: 12 with One UI 4

Processor: Snapdragon 888

Cameras: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto (Rear); 32MP (Front)

RAM/Storage: 6GB, 8GB/128GB, 256GB

Reasons to buy

+

Snapdragon 888 processor

Reasons to avoid

-

120Hz refresh rate isn't adaptive

You don't need to pay full price to get the big features in the Galaxy S21 lineup. For $100 less than the standard Galaxy S21, the Galaxy S21 FE lets you enjoy a Snapdragon 888 processor, a fast-refreshing display and cameras that can hold their own against the top camera phones.

There are some trade-offs. Samsung puts less RAM in this device than in its other Galaxy S21 models, and the refresh rate on the 6.4-inch display is not adaptive — you have to manually adjust it. And that can adversely affect battery life.

Still, everything else you'd want in a Samsung phone is here with a larger screen than what you get with the standard S21. With the Galaxy S22 debuting at $799, there's only a $100 difference from the Galaxy S21 FE. That's not a lot to pay for a more updated phone, but if you can't go any higher than $699, at least the Galaxy S21 FE still delivers plenty of features for less than you'd expect to pay.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review.

An older 5G phone from the bargain bin

Specifications

Screen size: 6.5 inches

Android version: 11 with One UI 3.1

Processor: Dimensity 720

Cameras: 48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 2MP depth (Rear); 13MP (Front)

RAM/Storage: 4GB/64GB

Reasons to buy

+

Very low price

Reasons to avoid

-

Subpar HD+ display

The Galaxy A53 isn't Samsung's cheapest 5G phone. That would be last year's Galaxy A32 5G, a sub-$300 option that sports many things people love about Galaxy phones, but with some corners cut to keep the price down. The biggest downside is the underwhelming display. The size combined with the low resolution doesn't look great in person.

However, if you're strapped for cash and want a phone with decent cameras, the Galaxy A32 5G is one you should consider. With its big 6.5-inch screen, the A32 is not a small phone. But it packs a 5,000 mAh battery that lasts a really long time — almost 12 hours in our testing with its adaptive refresh rate enabled. You can also expect the Galaxy A32 to go for longer than many other budget options, with Samsung promising three years of Android updates and four years of security patches.

The newer Galaxy A33 is limited to Europe. So the Galaxy A32 might be your only choice if the A53 is still too rich for your blood.

Read our full Galaxy A32 5G review.

Huge improvements over last year

Specifications

Display: 6.7-inch FHD AMOLED (2640 x 1080) inner, 1.9-inch AMOLED (260 x 512) cover

CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1

RAM: 8GB

Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB / No

Rear cameras: 12MP (f/1.8) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide

Front camera: 10MP (f/2.4)

Weight: 6.5 ounces

Battery life: 8:33 (Adaptive), 8:57 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+

Much better battery life

Reasons to avoid

-

Minimal camera upgrades

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is an impressive foldable phone for someone who wants a big screen in a compact design. Not only is the design ever so slightly sleeker, the battery life has vastly improved over the Galaxy Z Flip 3 last year. In our custom battery life test, the Flip 4 went for considerably longer than its predecessor.

The folding 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display is beautiful, even though the display crease remains very noticeable. The Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 certainly makes this foldable a little powerhouse, turning in excellent scores in our benchmarks.

While the cameras saw minimal upgrades this year, the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s night mode is something to behold. It gives Apple and Google a run for their money, but daytime photos could be better. 

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review.

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 S22 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, the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 3 are appealing, despite their high price tags, because they both support the S Pen. (The S22 Ultra now comes with an S Pen, in fact.) If you turn to your phone for photography, the Galaxy S series is usually first in line for Samsung's camera innovations, and all three S22 models offer impressive camera features.

Budget-minded shoppers will want to look at the Galaxy S21 FE, which costs $100 less than its fellow Samsung flagships. For a lower cost and a step down on some more features, there's the Galaxy A lineup. You can also find discounts on Samsung phones by buying directly from the phone maker and trading in your current device. Check out the best Samsung phone deals for the latest savings.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 will be Samsung's next major phones to ship, likely as soon as this month. With the Galaxy S22 FE likely cancelled, that leaves Samsung's Galaxy S23 as the next major release on the distant horizon of early 2023.

How we test the best Samsung phones

In order for a smartphone to make our best phone list, it needs to excel on several tests that we run on every handset. We perform some of these tests in our labs and some in the real world.

When it comes to performance, we rely on such synthetic benchmarks as Geekbench 5 and 3DMark to measure graphics performance. These tests allow us to compare performance across iPhones and Android devices. We also run a real-world video transcoding test on each phone using the Adobe Premiere Rush app and time the result. (We unfortunately have to skip this test on some phones due to app compatibility issues, but we attempt this benchmark with each device we get in to review.)

Performance benchmarks

To measure the quality of a phone's display, we perform lab tests to determine the brightness of the panel (in nits), as well as how colorful each screen is (DCI-P3 color gamut). In 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.

Display benchmarks

One of the most important tests we run is the Tom's Guide battery test. We run a web surfing test over 5G (or 4G if the phone doesn't have 5G support) at 150 nits of screen brightness until the battery gives out. In general, a phone that lasts 10 hours or more is good, and anything above 11 hours makes our list of the best phone battery life.

Battery life benchmark

Last but not least, we take the best phones out in the field to take photos outdoors, indoors and at night in low light to see how they perform versus their closest competitors. 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. 

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He's written about phones for over five years and plans to continue for a long while to come. He loves nothing more than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Outside of work, you can find him poring over open-source software and his studies.