Whether you’re looking buy an affordable phone or you want a one that folds in half, here are our recommendations for the best Samsung Galaxy smartphones of 2024. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 bring a number of welcomed upgrades like a better main camera on the Flip and some unwanted ones like a higher starting price. The new foldable phones follow on the heels of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, which arrived earlier this year. The Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra got new AI features in addition to the regular slew of performance, camera and battery upgrades. With so many different phone models at a variety of prices, you might have a difficult time making a decision on which phone to buy. But don’t worry, we’ve tested and reviewed every phone on this list and are here to help you find the best Samsung phone. >>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Best premium Android phone Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra With a sharper 5x optical zoom, a faster new processor and that familiar giant display and 100x digital zoom, the Samsung’s “Ultra” phone remains a top choice for mobile photographers that want plenty of screen space. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is also one of the first phones with Samsung’s new Galaxy AI features, which include tools for translating text messages and phone calls instantly and Circle to Search, a new gesture that lets you launch a Google search for almost anything simply by drawing a circle around it. Like the previous two generations, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with an embedded S Pen for those who like jotting down notes or doodling. But perhaps best of all, Samsung has committed to updating these devices with new versions of Android for seven years, meaning it shouldn’t feel out of date anytime soon. Still, there are still some important downsides to consider. This phone is expensive, so be sure to look for trade-in discounts if you plan to upgrade. And for that high price, I had hoped Samsung would’ve added extra Galaxy AI features that are specific to the Ultra — perhaps some that take advantage of the S Pen. But Galaxy AI is the same on all Galaxy S24 devices, and it’ll be coming to the Galaxy S23 lineup soon too, so you don’t have to splurge on Samsung’s top-of-the-line phone if you just care about those features.  >>>>EB-BF742ABE Battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Best flip phone Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 For better or worse, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 foldable is packed with AI. It can take a rough sketch and turn it into artwork or help me have a conversation in French or Korean despite my only knowing a few words of either language. The new autofocus/auto zoom feature lets you prop the phone in a half-open position, the Z Flip 6 will automatically zoom in or out (switching between the main and ultrawide cameras) to get a photo that best suits the moment. Samsung’s latest clamshell style foldable has a new 50-megapixel main camera, a smaller hinge and crease, a larger battery and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.  The best ultra-cheap phone for long term use Samsung Galaxy A15 5G For those looking to buy a phone that will last for years, Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G is an easy choice. Samsung gave it four years of software updates and five years of security support, which is unmatched in this price range. In addition, the phone supports 25W wired charging, and in my tests, it was able to half charge its large 5,000mah battery in 30 minutes. I also like bold light blue. The Galaxy A15 5G feels sluggish compared to competing phones such as Motorola’s Moto G 5G, and as an entertainment device, the Galaxy A15’s single-audio speaker falls short of accidentally jamming when you hold the phone sideways to play games and watch videos. Photography is a typical shortcoming of a phone in this price range, which can take good pictures in outdoor environments, but it is difficult to take pictures in low-light Spaces. This makes the Galaxy A15 5G an easy choice when you just need a phone that can handle the basics, but if you’re looking for the best pocket YouTube player in this price range, you may want to consider other options.  Perfect for Samsung fans Samsung Galaxy S23 FE This year, Samsung reinvigorated its FE lineup with the launch of the Galaxy S23 FE. The new phone largely takes the best of Samsung’s Galaxy S22, including a fast (albeit two-year-old) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8gen 1 processor and a 50-megapixel main camera, and puts it inside a colorful aluminum body that highlights a 6.4-inch 1080p display. The phone is priced at the entry-level but boasts Samsung’s high-end features, including desktop-optimized DeX mode and reverse wireless charging. In researching my review of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, I found it to be a big improvement over Samsung’s A-Series phones in terms of features and photography. Like the Galaxy S22, though, I did find that the battery life of the Galaxy S23 FE was shorter than I’d hoped during testing, but its 25W wired charge can help you charge quickly in the middle of the day if needed.  Best S24 Ultra alternative Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus After testing the 6.7-inch Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus by playing games, texting and calling in multiple languages, taking photos, recording videos and trying out all that Galaxy AI has to offer, I’m happy to say it’s outstanding. Samsung didn’t reinvent the phone, but it did take a great phone and make it better. The challenge for the S24 Plus is that Google’s Pixel 8 Pro has the same price and slightly better cameras. I do think the S24 Plus is an overall better phone in nearly every other respect, even software, which has been rock solid in my testing.  Best for productivity and entertainment Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 With the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung is getting closer to its goal of making a device that doubles as a phone and a tablet without compromising too much in either direction. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has an improved design with a sleeker look that’s easier to grip, a less noticeable crease, a new processor and an upgraded ultrawide camera. But it’s really the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s big, bright and crisp internal screen that makes it the best choice for those who want a foldable phone for entertainment.  Samsung phone FAQs Why buy a Samsung phone instead of other Android phones? The right phone for you depends on a variety of factors, such as your budget, your current phone and whether you own other mobile accessories from the same company, such as earbuds or smartwatches. Many people prefer to stick with phones from the same company because the experience is more consistent and there’s less of a learning curve when switching to a new device. The same holds true for Samsung; the company’s One UI software (its customized version of Android) can be found across its phone lineup. Samsung’s One UI 6 introduced a more customizable lock screen and the ability to answer a phone call through a text message instead of speaking. Consistency aside, there are some benefits to choosing a Samsung phone over devices from other Android phone makers. Samsung usually excels when it comes to display quality and brightness, and it typically offers a lot of choices in terms of size and pricing. Samsung phones usually offer decent battery life — especially midsize and large phones — and the cameras are usually among the best, especially on the Galaxy S24 lineup. Samsung also offers seven years of Android version updates for most of its new smartphones, which is longer support than even Google provides for its Pixel phones. Google’s Pixel devices also have stellar cameras along with specific software features you can’t get elsewhere. The OnePlus 12 is also cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra at regular prices without a trade-in and offers faster charging speeds. It could be a better choice for those who want to pay a little less but still want a giant 6.82-inch screen and triple rear camera. Which Samsung phone series is best, Galaxy A or Galaxy S? Samsung’s Galaxy A and S series have different uses, so which one is right for you depends on your needs and budget. The Galaxy A series is Samsung’s mid-range and budget phone, which is the best option if you’re looking for a cheap phone and don’t need to trade it in. These phones often offer core features such as large screens, large batteries and multiple cameras at a cheaper price. You get what you pay for; Compared to expensive models, Samsung’s cheapest phones have very limited storage, poor cameras and sometimes struggle to multitask. More expensive phones like the Galaxy A35 5G offer almost all the features that most people want from a basic phone, although you still have to make some compromises on camera quality and overall performance. The Galaxy S series, on the other hand, is Samsung’s flagship smartphone series. Galaxy S phones typically include the best technology Samsung has to offer, along with features you’d expect from any high-end phone, such as high-end design, 5G support, a high refresh rate screen, and multiple high-end cameras. For example, the biggest updates introduced in the Galaxy S24 series include an increase in the Ultra’s main camera to 200 megapixels and a larger battery for the smaller models. |