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These are the best Samsung phones for every budget and need
From formidable flagships to surprisingly full-featured cheap models, the best Samsung phones cover everything Android has to offer. Samsung has a phone for every budget, whether it’s the low-cost Galaxy A32 5G or the large (and pricey) Galaxy Z Fold 3.
The Galaxy S21 FE has just joined the ranks of Samsung’s top phones, but it won’t be the company’s last this year. The Galaxy S22 is expected to launch next month, offering a new trio of premium phones. Samsung phone aficionados, on the other hand, have plenty of options until those new smartphones arrive.
The best Samsung phones you can buy currently
1.Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The best Samsung phone you can buy now
Pros
- Dynamic 6.8-inch AMOLED display
- Dual telephoto lenses
- S Pen support
Cons
- No charger in box
- Lacks microSD card slot
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.8 inches
Android Version: 11 with One UI 3
Processor: Snapdragon 888 (US)/Exynos 2100 (WW)
Cameras: (Rear): 108MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 2 10MP telephoto, and laser autofocus sensor
(Front) : 40MP
RAM/Storage: 12GB, 16GB/128, 256, 512GB
For a variety of reasons, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is at the top of our list of the greatest Samsung phones. Start with the Snapdragon 888 system-on-chip, which runs the phone in the United States and delivers some of the finest performance we’ve seen from an Android handset. We also like that the S21 Ultra is the first phone outside of Samsung’s Galaxy Note family to enable the S Pen, which will help you be more productive.
However, a few things stick out among those selling aspects. The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a dynamic display with a refresh rate that may range from 10 to 120 times per second, depending on what you’re doing. (Faster refresh rates are used for tasks like scrolling, whereas slower refresh rates are used for more static activities.) The S21 Ultra has two telephoto lenses on the back, one with a 3x zoom and the other with a 10x magnification, solidifying Samsung’s position as the finest phone company when it comes to zoom lenses.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is still a costly phone, but it was released at a lower price than the Galaxy S20 Ultra in 2020. If you don’t want to wait for the Galaxy S22 Ultra, pick up this handset if you want the best features Samsung has to offer.
2.Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung’s lower-priced flagship phone
Pros
- Excellent dynamic 120Hz display
- Powerful performance
- Excellent telephoto lens
Cons
- No charger or microSD card slot
- Plastic back
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.2 inches
Android Version: 11 with One UI 3
Processor: Snapdragon 888 (US)/Exynos 2100 (WW)
Cameras: (Rear): 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto
(Front):10MP
RAM/Storage: 8GB/128, 256GB
The Galaxy S21, the least costly of the Samsung flagships for 2021, is priced appropriately. The Galaxy S21 has a starting price of $200 less than Samsung’s Galaxy S20 from last year. This price is also competitive with Apple’s iPhone 13 model.
The S21’s feature set reflects its lower pricing in certain aspects, such as the plastic shell and the lack of a microSD card. You’ll also have to contend with a 6.2-inch screen that has been reduced in size and resolution. However, that display has a dynamic refresh rate, which adjusts the speed at which the screen refreshes depending on the work at hand. The Galaxy S21 is powered by the same Snapdragon 888 chipset that gives the S21 Ultra the finest performance for an Android Phone.
Add in outstanding cameras that compare favorably to Apple and Google models, and you’ve got a fantastic phone at a less ridiculous price.
3. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Still a great Samsung phone with an S Pen included
Pros
- Dynamic 120Hz display
- Smoother S Pen performance
- Powerful 50x zoom camera
Cons
- Large camera bump on back
- Expensive
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.9 inches
Android Version: 10 with One UI 2.5
Processor: Snapdragon 865 Plus (US)/Exynos 990 (WW)
Cameras:(Rear) 108MP, 12MP, 12MP and laser autofocus sensor
(Front) 10MP
RAM/Storage: 12 GB/128, 512 GB
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s dynamic refresh rate, which adapts according to what you’re doing with the phone, is one of the phone’s most eye-catching features. Other productivity-oriented features include: The S Pen is more responsive than ever, with a 9ms latency, and unlike the S21 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 3, the Note 20 Ultra has a S Pen slot. The phone is also powered by the Snapdragon 865 Plus, which, despite the launch of the Snapdragon 888, is still a great chipset.
The Note 20 Ultra’s large camera hump takes some getting used to, and those who can’t afford a smartphone for four figures should search elsewhere. (Unless Samsung decides to use a retractable lens.) The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, on the other hand, offers one of the most adaptable large-screen phone experiences of any Samsung device.
Fans of the Galaxy Note who are disappointed by the lack of a new model in 2021 can take solace from Samsung’s vow to bring back many popular Note features in its next flagship — a statement that many interpret to suggest that the Galaxy S22 Ultra will have a Note-like appearance.
4. Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
Another big screen option from Samsung
Pros
- Gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display
- Crazy zoom feature
- Excellent performance
Cons
- No microSD slot or included charger
- Bulky and unwieldy
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.7 inches
Android Version: 11 with One UI 3
Processor: Snapdragon 888 (US)/Exynos 2100 (WW)
Cameras: (Rear): 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto
(Front): 10MP
RAM/Storage: 8 GB/128, 512 GB
The Galaxy S21 Plus and the Galaxy S21 are nearly identical, except the former has a larger screen, a larger battery, and a more polished look than the cheaper S21. The S21 Plus lasted about as long as the S21 on our battery test, even with the larger power pack, so whether it’s worth the extra money depends on how you feel about having more screen space.
If you go with the Galaxy S21 Plus, you’ll receive a great phablet, especially with the 6.7-inch OLED display. The Plus’ screen, like the rest of the S21 family, features a dynamic refresh rate that adjusts depending on what you’re doing with the phone. (It corresponds to the S21’s 48-120 Hz frequency range.) The cameras are also superb, particularly the telephoto lens on the Galaxy S21 Plus, which has a 3x optical zoom and a 30x digital zoom.
Fans of large phones may appreciate the Galaxy S21 Plus’s size. They’ll be content with a well-designed phone that provides them with the screen real estate they require.
Read our Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus review here
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Samsung’s best foldable phone
Pros
- Dual 120Hz displays
- More apps supported for multitasking
- Durable design with water resistance rating
Cons
- S Pen isn't included
- Still expensive
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 7.6 inches (inner), 6.2 inches (outer)
Android version: 11 with One UI 3.1
Processor: Snapdragon 888
Cameras: (rear)12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto
(front): 10MP
(under-display): 4MP
RAM/Storage: 12GB/256GB, 512GB
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 remains Samsung’s premium folding phone, especially now that the updated version includes 120Hz displays on both the inside and outside. Furthermore, thanks to an IPX8 water resistance designation, the new Galaxy Z Fold 3 is more durable than before. The Armor Aluminum shell is tougher than before, and the phone’s use of a Gorilla Glass Victus display should limit the possibility of scratches and other damage.
One of the most impressive things Samsung accomplished was persuading more app developers to optimize their software for the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s folding display. Popular apps like Spotify and TikTok are now utilizing the Z Fold 3’s unusual form factor. Samsung has included S Pen functionality, and while the primary display provides plenty of room for sketching and taking notes, it’s a shame the pen is an optional item (requiring you to buy extra for both a S Pen and a case to store the stylus).
6.Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
Best Value 5G from Samsung
Pros
- 120Hz display
- Versatile main camera
Cons
- Display scratches easily
- Inconsistent performance from other cameras
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.5 inches
Android Version: 11 with One UI 3
Processor: Snapdragon 750G
Cameras: (Rear): 64MP, 12MP, 5MP and 5MP
(Front): 32MP
RAM/Storage: 6 GB/128 GB
The Galaxy A52 5G now leads Samsung’s mid range phone lineup. (At least in the United States, where the Galaxy A72 5G won’t be available.) Despite having a lower price tag than the Galaxy S series, you’ll discover many of the same critical features. The Galaxy A52 5G has a 6.5-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, however there is no dynamic adjustment for the screen.
Even though the secondary cameras on the phone (a 12MP lens plus dedicated macro and depth sensors) can’t keep up with the photographs generated by top camera phones in this price range, the main 64MP lens takes some really interesting shots. The Snapdragon 750G chipset, the A52 5G’s long battery life, and the fact that the phone comes with a phone charger will all appeal to you.
The Galaxy A52 5G is a good option if you’re searching for a Samsung phone for around $500, however the Galaxy A42 and A32 are even cheaper. (Check out our Galaxy A52 5G vs. Galaxy A42 5G vs. Galaxy A32 5G comparison to see how these phones compare.) The Samsung Galaxy A53, the A52’s successor, could be released in the coming months.
7.Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
The S21’s top features at a low price
Pros
- Snapdragon 888 processor
- Improved Night Mode
- Ships with Android 12
Cons
- 120Hz refresh rate isn't adaptive
- Hard to recommend with Galaxy S22 launch looming
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.4 inches
Android Version: 12 with One UI 4
Processor: Snapdragon 888
Cameras: (Rear): 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto
(Front): 32MP
RAM/Storage: 6GB, 8GB/128GB, 256GB
You don’t have to pay full price to get the Galaxy S21’s major features. The Galaxy S21 FE offers a Snapdragon 888 processor, a fast-refreshing display, and cameras that can compete with the best camera phones for a lower price than the standard Galaxy S21.
There are some compromises to be made. This device has less RAM than the other Galaxy S21 versions, and the 6.4-inch display’s refresh rate is not adaptive; you must manually set it. And this can have a negative impact on battery life.
Everything else you’d want in a Samsung phone is still available, but with a larger screen than the basic S21. This could be an even better deal depending on how much the Galaxy S22 costs, but even so, the Galaxy S21 FE offers plenty of features for less than you’d expect to pay.
8. Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
A low cost 5G option from Samsung
Pros
- Very low price
- Four years of security patches
- 90Hz refresh rate
- Great battery life
Cons
- Subpar HD+ display
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 6.5 inches
Android version: 11 with One UI 3.1
Processor: Dimensity 720
Cameras:(Rear): 48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 2MP depth
(Front) 13MP
RAM/Storage: 4GB/64GB
With the affordable 5G smartphone market, Samsung isn’t resting on its laurels. The Galaxy A32 5G is a 5G-capable smartphone that costs less than $300. Many of the features that customers love about Galaxy phones are present, but some corners have been cut to keep the price low. The most significant disadvantage is the lackluster display. In person, the large size paired with the low quality does not seem fantastic.
The Galaxy A32 5G, on the other hand, is a good option if you’re on a budget and want a phone with decent cameras. The A32 is not a small phone, with its 6.5-inch screen. It does, however, include a 5,000 mAh battery that lasts a long time – about 12 hours in our testing with the variable refresh rate activated. With Samsung pledging three years of Android upgrades and four years of security patches, the Galaxy A32 should last longer than many other inexpensive alternatives.
9.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
A good foldable phone from Samsung
Pros
- Enhanced durability
- Bigger cover display
- More affordable
Cons
- Short battery life
- No telephoto lens
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 6.7 inches (inner), 1.9 inches (outer)Android version: 11 with One UI 3.1
Processor: Snapdragon 888
Cameras: (rear) 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide
(front): 10MP
RAM/Storage: 8GB/128GB, 256GB
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the first foldable phone that is “cheap.” It starts at $999 and comes with top-of-the-line features as well as the ability to fold in half horizontally. This results in a device that is both small and powerful.
However, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has a number of drawbacks, including a limited battery life. When the display was locked at 60Hz, it only lasted 6 hours in our tests. In addition, unlike other phones in this price range, the Flip 3 lacks a telephoto lens. However, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a unique device.
If you choose the Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition, the phone will become even more unique. This version allows you to customise the frame, as well as the front and rear panels, with a total of 49 colour options. This option is described by Samsung as a way to personalise an already unique-looking device.
How we test Samsung phones
To find the top Samsung phones, we put them through the same rigorous testing that we put through every smartphone we review. We run graphics performance benchmarks on each phone, including synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 5 and 3DMark. This allows us to compare the Samsung device to other phones, such as the iPhone from Apple. In addition, we conduct real-world testing, which includes an Adobe Premiere Rush video transcoding test.
