Best Samsung phones 2024: ace Samsung smartphones, rated and ranked

What are the best Samsung phones you can buy in 2024? We're about to tell you

The very best Samsung phones in 2024 come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and at several different price points too. What's more, they're all top-quality handsets: for years now, Samsung has been making many of the best phones around if you're going to go with Android over the iPhone.

What we like about Samsung handsets are that there's something here for everyone. The best Android phone isn't necessarily the most expensive or the most powerful one – everyone has different priorities when it comes to upgrading. If you want to pay even less, check out our Samsung discount codes.  

All that said, Samsung isn't the only company making great phones at the moment. If you're after even more inspiration for your next handset choice, then we'd also recommend checking out some of our other guides as well: our lists of the best small phones and the best gaming phones are solid starting points.

Best Samsung phones 2024: Top 3

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best Samsung phone for most people is the Samsung Galaxy S22, striking the perfect balance between price and performance. You miss out on some of the more premium features in the more expensive S22 and S23 models, but for most people it's a sensible compromise.

Our pick for the best premium Samsung phone goes to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung has thrown everything at this particular handset, including a 200-megapixel camera, and with stylus support it's a worthy successor to the Note series.

If you're after something a little bit different then there's the best foldable Samsung phone, which for us is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. It oozes class and quality, it can hold its own against anything else in terms of power and camera quality... oh and it folds as well.

Samsung Galaxy S23 reviewT3 Award

The best Samsung phone for most people is the Samsung Galaxy S22.

(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The best Samsung phone for most people

Specifications

Weight: 168g
Dimensions: 146 mm x 70.6 mm x 7.6mm
Screen: 6.7 inches, Dynamic AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
CPU: Exynos 2200 / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
Battery: 3,700mAh
Rear camera: 50MP wide + 10 MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera: 10MP

Reasons to buy

+
Stunning Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
+
Loads of new AI-based camera features
+
Powerful hardware

Reasons to avoid

-
Not that different to the S21 (or S23)
-
S22 Plus and S22 Ultra exist

With both style and substance, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is a people-pleaser. Not only does it look fantastic and feel durable but it also packs in powerful hardware and software. Sure, the newer Samsung Galaxy S23 has also been announced, with a new design, but that's pricier and right now we think the S22 is the better bet. 

You can buy an S22 it in one of four colours – Phantom Black, Phantom White, Pink Gold or Green – with all of them looking great. And because the phone is made from Armos Aluminium, it should stay looking great over time. 

The 6.1-inch screen is equally as good-looking and premium – as you'd expect from Samsung’s flagship series – and you’ll be able to use it for everything from gaming to photo editing. Speaking of photography, the camera system should do you well too, there are loads of different features to play around with to make your shots look like they were snapped by a pro. 

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in LavenderT3 Approved badge

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra packs in everything and then some.

(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The best premium Samsung phone

Specifications

Weight: 234g
Dimensions: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm
Screen: 6.8 inches, Dynamic AMOLED, 1440 x 3088 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 8GB / 12GB
Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 200MP wide + 10MP (telephoto) + 10MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera: 12MP wide

Reasons to buy

+
Seriously powerful hardware
+
Versatile camera system
+
S Pen stylus differentiator

Reasons to avoid

-
Very high price
-
Not all will want S Pen stylus

The star of Samsung's show is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. It won’t be for everyone because it’s very expensive, but if you’re willing to splash out then you will not regret it. The S22 Ultra is cheaper, however, so if you want the biggest Samsung phone for less then that's an option instead.

The S23 Ultra features a sophisticated design, and unlike the smaller S series flagships, it comes with the S Pen stylus hidden in the body of the phone – which is endlessly useful for all kinds of tasks. If you’re a smartphone enthusiast, a creative or a professional, this handset is one of the best you can buy in 2024. You can use it for work, play or life admin – and the huge 5,000mAh battery means you won’t need to worry about running out of juice. 

Under the hood, the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is super-powerful and will cope with any task you could throw at it. And as you’d expect, the camera system is stellar with loads of cool features to try out, including a top-end 200-megapixel main shooter to complement the versatile zoom options.

Head on over to our full Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review to learn everything there is to know about this phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 reviewT3 Award

The best folding Samsung phone? That's the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The best foldable Samsung folding phone

Specifications

Weight: 263g
Dimensions: 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3mm (unfolded) / 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8mm (folded)
Screen: 7.6 inches, Dynamic AMOLED, 1812 x 2176 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256GB / 512GB
Battery: 4,400mAh
Rear camera: 50MP wide + 12MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera: 10MP wide + 4MP

Reasons to buy

+
Tough, waterproof design
+
Fantastic battery life
+
S Pen support

Reasons to avoid

-
Still expensive
-
No power adaptor in the box

If you want the very best in cutting edge smartphone technology, then you want a phone that folds, and that's exactly what you get with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, which is also a member of T3's best foldable phones buying guide. The next Galaxy Unpacked event did reveal its follow-up, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but it's not hugely different.

You get flagship-grade internal hardware here, the camera system holds its own, and the battery life and operating system software are top notch too. Along with that stunning screen though, it is the Fold 4's support for Samsung's S Pen stylus that has got a lot of people very excited about this phone, as it unlocks next-level creative and productivity functionality. Everything from illustrating to note taking and annotating is now possible.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 isn't perfect though. It costs a lot of money, and there's small details like it not coming with a charger in the box, and it still showing a visible crease down the centre of the screen that take some of the gloss off the package. However, if you want a folding phone then the Z Fold 4 is the best on the market.

Read more by checking out our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review, which has our full verdict on the foldable.


Best Samsung phone 2024: Best of the rest

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE reviewT3 Award

The Galaxy S21 FE is a good budget option from Samsung.

(Image credit: Future)
The best mid-range Samsung phone

Specifications

Weight: 177g
Dimensions: 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9mm
Screen: 6.4 inches, Dynamic AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM: 6GB / 8GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
Battery: 4,500mAh
Rear camera: 12MP wide + 8MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera: 32MP wide

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible 6.4-inch 120Hz screen
+
Premium chipset and specs
+
Great camera system

Reasons to avoid

-
Slow charging
-
Still quite expensive 

Not everyone is willing to spend an eye-watering amount of money on their next phone. If that sounds like you, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE could be the best choice. FE stands for Fan Edition – it essentially takes all the best parts of the S21 and packs them into a more affordable device. You won't be missing out on much because there are really only a few areas where they've cut back to keep the cost low.

In the S21 FE you still get a dazzling display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Adding to that, the performance is delivered by a superb CPU and you get strong battery life even if it does take a bit of time to charge. Granted, the rear camera system has been simplified, so you won't get quite the same level of detail as you do from some other phones. But in saying that it still manages to produce impressive point-and-shoot photography, especially when the lighting is good. 

Big into selfies? The selfie snapper has actually been boosted to a whopping 32MP here from the previous FE phone, so you're guaranteed flattering shots of yourself and your friends. It's a decent all-round package that doesn't make too many compromises.

Think this could be the phone for you? Take a peek at our Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review and know for sure.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G review: peach phone on leafy backgroundT3 Approved badge

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G offers excellent value for money.

(Image credit: Future)
The best budget Samsung phone

Specifications

Weight: 189g
Dimensions: 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1mm
Screen Size: 6.5 inches, Super AMOLED (1080 x 2400, 120Hz)
RAM: 4GB / 6GB / 8GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
Battery: 5,500mAh
Rear Cameras: 64MP wide + 12MP ultrawide + 5MP macro + 5MP depth
Front Cameras: 32MP wide

Reasons to buy

+
Comes with 5G connectivity
+
Decent specs for the price
+
Battery life is really good

Reasons to avoid

-
No wireless charging
-
Slower than pricier handsets

Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G and you'll see that it's one of the best Samsung phones around in terms of value for money. It costs much less than the Samsung flagships, and yet it doesn't make too many trade-offs in terms of the specs or the capabilities of the device.

For example, you get really good battery life (up to two days if you're careful), but you miss out on wireless charging – that's a compromise that a lot of people are going to be willing to make if it means they have to spend less to get the device.

The 6.5-inch, 1080 x 2400 pixel Super AMOLED screen is something of a stunner, with a 120Hz refresh rate that ensures everything looks super-smooth while scrolling, whether that's game or social media feeds. We were also impressed with the handset's point-and-shoot photography skills, and there's a quad-lens rear camera on the back.

If you think this phone could be the one for you, our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G review should include everything else you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review: phone partially folded on outside tableT3 Award

Want a compact folding Samsung phone? Then you want the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

(Image credit: Future)
The best clamshell Samsung phone

Specifications

Weight: 187g
Dimensions: 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm (unfolded)
Screen size: 6.7 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2640 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB \ 256GB
Battery: 3700mAh
Rear camera: 12MP, 12MP
Front camera: 10MP

Reasons to buy

+
Sturdy, strong design
+
1.9inch cover screen with widgets
+
Available in 7 different colours

Reasons to avoid

-
Camera tech is just alright
-
Relatively small battery

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is going to really appeal to some people, and really put other people off – it all depends on what you think of that clamshell fold and form factor. Samsung hasn't skimped too much on specs here either – the Galaxy Z Flip comes with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and also has a few software tricks up its sleeve, with the ability to split the screen in half, top to bottom, if needed.

Where the phone falls short of a flagship, and indeed where it falls short in terms of the money needed to ring it up, is in the camera department. You very much get a mid-tier camera system, which while perfectly good for shooting photos and videos, cannot match up to rival flagship phones.

If that is a trade-off you're willing to take only you can decide. There is of course the coolness factor of having a foldable flip phone on your person to consider, and the high likelihood of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 being launched in the near future – which means this model should get cheaper.

For all the details about this phone, our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review is the place to head to next.

Samsung Galaxy S22 PlusT3 Approved badge

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is undoubtedly one of the best Samsung phones right now.

(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
A Samsung phone not to be ignored

Specifications

Weight: 195g
Dimensions: 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm
Screen: 6.6 inches, Dynamic AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
CPU: Exynos 2200 / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
Battery: 4,500 mAh
Rear camera: 50MP wide + 10MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera: 10MP wide

Reasons to buy

+
Top-level performance
+
Excellent 6.6-inch display
+
Above-average battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
On the expensive side
-
The S22 Ultra beats it

There's an argument to be made that the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is the best of the three S22 handsets, but there's certainly not much in it. We've put the Plus model a little lower in our standings here but it's still a fantastic phone, and absolutely one of the best you can buy from Samsung right now. It's been succeeded by the Galaxy S23 Plus, of course, but that's a whole lot pricier and not dramatically different which is why the S22 holds strong here for the time being.

The Plus model's screen size is right in between the Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but a lot of the other specs are similar to the standard S22 model – except for the battery, which is larger. It's really the S22 Ultra that's a long way ahead of the other two in terms of rear camera spec and RAM and storage options.

If you want something a little bit bigger and longer lasting (in terms of battery life) than the plain S22 then this is worth a look, though obviously you have to pay that little bit extra too. Otherwise it's one and the same as its smaller brother, meaning it will hit the sweet spot for many buyers.

Head over to our full Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus review to see if this could be the best Samsung phone for your needs.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra reviewT3 Awards 2022 Highly Commended logo

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra packs in everything and then some.

(Image credit: Future)
One of the best premium Samsung phones

Specifications

Weight: 228g
Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm
Screen: 6.8 inches, Dynamic AMOLED, 1440 x 3088 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
CPU: Exynos 2100 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM: 12GB / 16GB
Storage: 256GB / 512GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 108MP wide + 10MP (telephoto) + 10MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera: 40MP wide

Reasons to buy

+
Seriously powerful hardware
+
Versatile camera with AI features
+
S Pen comes in a handy slot 

Reasons to avoid

-
Very high price
-
No MicroSD card slot

Before the S23 Ultra arrived, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was the very best Samsung phone you could buy. It's now more affordable, though still stacked with power, and is a good option to go for if that's a balance you like.

The S22 Ultra features a sophisticated design that sets it apart from the other phones in the S22 series, and it brought with it new elegant colourways to match. Unlike earlier S series models, it comes with the S Pen stylus hidden in the body of the phone which is endlessly useful. 

If you're a smartphone enthusiast, a creative or a professional, this handset is still one best you can buy in 2024. You can use it for just about anything you like, while the giant 5,000mAh battery means you won’t need to worry about running out of juice.

Read up on the pros and cons via our full Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review here on T3.

Samsung Galaxy S23 reviewT3 Approved badge

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a solid choice for your next Samsung phone.

(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
One of the newest Samsung phones

Specifications

Weight: 1698g
Dimensions: 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6mm
Screen: 6.1 inches, Dynamic AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Battery: 3,900mAh
Rear camera: 50MP wide + 10MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera: 12MP wide

Reasons to buy

+
Great small-scale Android option
+
More battery capacity than the S22
+
Improved design language

Reasons to avoid

-
Ultra model has better cameras
-
The S22 might offer better value

Now that we're in 2024, we have the Samsung Galaxy S23 to consider as the best Samsung phone of the bunch – and while it's not a huge upgrade over it's predecessor, it's certainly a super-speedy, fine-looking handset that is likely to appeal to a broad range of people.

We don't think anyone is going to fault it on power and performance, and Samsung's take on Android continues to improve over the years. Okay, the cameras aren't as powerful as they are on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but you're still going to be able to get super snaps (and super videos) with this phone in your hand.

What's more, while a 6.1-inch screen isn't exactly tiny, this is one of the more compact handsets on the market at the moment. If you need something that you won't have to keep jamming into a pocket or a bag, then perhaps the Samsung Galaxy S23 is the upgrade you're looking for.

We've written up a full Samsung Galaxy S23 review on T3 to help you decide if this is a device you want to invest in.

Samsung Galaxy A90 reviewT3 Award

The Galaxy A90 5G is down at the budget end of the Samsung phone selection.

(Image credit: Future)
5G from Samsung without the price hike

Specifications

Weight: 206 g
Dimensions: 164.8 mm x 76.4 mm x 8.4mm
Screen: 6.7 inches, Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
CPU: Snapdragon 855
RAM: 6GB / 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,500mAh
Rear camera: 48MP wide + 8MP ultrawide + 5MP depth
Front camera: 32MP wide

Reasons to buy

+
Comes with 5G
+
Smart, powerful phone
+
Good camera performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most powerful
-
Getting a bit dated

The Samsung A90 5G is the cheapest way to get 5G connectivity on a Samsung phone, and one of the cheapest ways to get 5G connectivity full stop... sure, it makes some compromises to get to a lower price point (no waterproofing, no wireless charging), but you might well consider the compromises to be acceptable.

It's not exactly a budget phone either, but you do get that 5G and a top-of-the-range Snapdragon 855 processor here for your money. The 6.7-inch screen looks the part too, and the triple-lens camera on the back is not to be sneezed at either. This is clearly one of the best mid-range Samsung phones.

Mid-rangers can do everything that flagships do – they just do them a bit more slowly, and they may need upgrading earlier. It's all about what you want to prioritise and how much you want to spend, and from any angle you look at it, the Galaxy A90 5G is very appealing for the price.

If we've almost got you convinced, head over to our Samsung Galaxy A90 5G review to read more about this handset.


How to choose the best Samsung phone for you

best samsung phones galaxy S21 ultra

There's plenty to consider when selecting the best Samsung phone for you.

(Image credit: Samsung)

When it comes to smartphones, everyone's needs are different of course – some people want the best Samsung phone camera (something Samsung excels at, by the way) whereas some people want the best Samsung phone on a budget, and so on. We've tried to cater for all those different needs in our guide.

Samsung's One UI layer that it puts on top of Android continues to go from strength to strength as well. The bloat has been trimmed down, the interface is now much more intuitive, and it even has a few features that Google would do well to copy for its own Pixel phones.

Almost 1 in 5 phones sold worldwide is a Samsung one – that's almost as good as Apple's figures and way ahead of anyone else in the market besides the big two. And considering Samsung's phones are well built, powerful and stylish, it's no surprise either.

Decide what's most important to you ahead of time, whether it's the screen, the performance, the quality of the photos you can get with the camera, or the overall price you're going to be paying. You can then make a more informed decision when it comes to picking the best Samsung phone for you.

Mike Lowe
Tech Editor

Mike is the Tech Editor and AV Editor at T3.com. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 and, as a phones expert, has seen hundreds of handsets over the years – swathes of Android devices, a smattering of iPhones, and a batch of Windows Phone products (remember those?). But that's not all, as a tech aficionado his beat for T3 also covers tablets, laptops, gaming, home cinema, TVs, speakers and more – there's barely a stone unturned that he's not had a hand on. Previously the Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for a 10 years, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more. In addition to his tech knowledge, Mike is also a flights and travel expert, having travelled the globe extensively. You'll likely find him setting up a new mobile phone, critiquing the next MacBook, all while planning his next getaway... or cycling somewhere.

With contributions from