Best Samsung Galaxy cellphones
Samsung has a phone for just about every budget. Whether you’re looking to spend upward of $1,000 or closer to $500, there’s an option for everyone. Expensive phones like the $1,200 Galaxy S22 Ultra typically have more advanced cameras, the newest processor and a larger screen. But even Samsung’s midrange and budget phones feature nearly borderless screens, long battery life and multiple cameras. However, camera quality will vary and these phones typically run on weaker processors.
Samsung has already launched several phones this year, so there are plenty of new options to choose from. The Galaxy S21 FE debuted in January, followed by the Galaxy S22 lineup in February and the recently announced Galaxy A53 5G, which debuted April 1. All these phones have a long life cycle ahead of them since they’re still new. That means it’s an ideal time to consider buying if you’re in the market for a new device.
Finding the best Samsung phone will ultimately come down to preference. Choosing between so many options can get complicated, but these three phones represent different segments of their line and all have awesome features to recommend them.
JUST THE RIGHT SIZE Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
The Galaxy S22 Plus is the middle child of the Galaxy S22 lineup, but don’t overlook it. Its 6.6-inch screen size is just right for most people, it has a sharp new glassand-metal design and the camera has gotten a major upgrade compared with the S21 generation. Although it’s a bit pricey at $1,000, it feels like the right option for those who want a screen that’s big but not gigantic paired with one of the best cameras around.
Many of the updates Samsung made across the Galaxy S22 lineup are iterative, like the phones’ new processors and refreshed designs. But the jump from the Galaxy S21’s 12-megapixel camera to the S22’s 50-megapixel camera is perhaps the most noticeable improvement. Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and regular Galaxy S22 have this new camera system, along with other internal camera enhancements, which results in better low-light performance, color and detail. The Galaxy S22 Plus also lasted the longest in CNET’s battery test of Samsung’s Galaxy S22 phones, although battery life still felt average rather than impressive.
Overall, the Galaxy S22 Plus is the best choice for those who want a premium phone with a top-notch camera and a large, bright screen.
FLAGSHIP TECH AT A MORE APPROACHABLE PRICE Galaxy S21 FE
The first S20 FE seriously impressed us with its balance of performance and price, and the new Galaxy S21 FE takes that further with a solid triple camera, a vibrant display and the same powerful processor found in the flagship S21. It has a 6.5-inch screen, making it an ideal choice for those who want a phone that’s larger than the regular Galaxy S22 without the Galaxy
S22 Plus’ high price. Although it’s missing some of the Galaxy S22’s bells and whistles — like improved night photography and a newer processor — this phone has a sharper front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.
The Galaxy S21 FE faces some tough competition from Google’s Pixel 6, but if you’re after a great overall Samsung phone and don’t want to pay top dollar for the flagships, then the S21 FE is well worth considering.
THE BEST FOLDING PHONE Galaxy Z Fold 3
Samsung’s original folding phone was a novel idea but the latest generation — the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 — refines it further. It’s still essentially a tablet that
folds in half to become a phone, but this smartphone has an improved hinge, better specs all round, 5G connectivity and a bigger display on the outside that actually makes it usable as a phone. Folding phones may not be to everyone’s taste and they certainly come at a premium, but if you’re after a futuristic foldable, the Z Fold 3 is the best one to buy.