Samsung is the number one phone brand in the world for good reason. The South Korean tech giant makes not just the most premium slab flagships and cutting-edge foldables, it also manufactures very capable mid-tier and budget handsets. So no matter your budget, Samsung has something for you. If you find the sheer number of options overwhelming, don't worry — we here at XDA have tested every Samsung phone released in recent years, and we're here to help.
Of course, if you're open to using more than just Samsung, we have a guide to the best Android phones, and even the best iPhones too.
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra is the successor to not just last year's excellent Galaxy S21 Ultra, but also the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. And on both fronts, the phone knocks it out of the park. The Galaxy S22 Ultra improves on the already awesome and versatile camera system of the Galaxy S21 Ultra by adding subtle refinements to hardware while giving its computational photography engine a major revamp. The result is a 10x zoom lens that can produce even sharper and better-lit zoom shots than before; a main camera with better dynamic range and low light capabilities; and smoother video stabilization all around. The ultra-wide camera is as useful as ever too.
Then there's the Galaxy S22 Ultra continuing the Note series' legacy by including the S-Pen as part of the phone. Last year's S21 Ultra supported Samsung's stylus too, but it was a separate purchase and the phone had no slot to house the pen. The Galaxy S22 Ultra's S-Pen fits into a slot, just like previous Note devices. But that's not all, Samsung also improved the S-Pen performance, with lower latency to 2.8ms for an even more realistic sketching and jotting experience.
Elsewhere, the Galaxy S22 Ultra runs on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200, and while these chips are no longer the best silicon in Android, they're still capable enough even in late 2022. And while the 5,000 mAh battery size is the same as before, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has better battery life due to the phone's screen being a second-generation LTPO panel, which is smarter at finding the right refresh rate for better power efficiency.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra will also get four guaranteed years of software updates, five years of security patches, and a refined software experience that offers the best of Android 12 plus a bunch of Samsung-specific features like DeX. Other than the fact that this phone doesn't fold, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the pinnacle of Samsung's mobile craftsmanship right now.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the ultimate Samsung phone — combining the best of the S and Note series for a powerful beast of a machine that excels for work and play.
Second Best Phone Overall: Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
If you don't have much use for the S-Pen and would rather save a bit of money, the Galaxy S22 Plus is an excellent alternative option. You're still getting a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED screen, a very good camera system, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, a glass and aluminum construction, and Samsung's polished and versatile software that can arguably do more things than just stock Android. For example, you can open apps in a floating resizable window in OneUI, which you can't do in stock Android. This, plus Samsung DeX, makes the Galaxy S22 Plus a better device for multitasking than, say, a Pixel.
You also get the same software promises made for the Ultra on the Plus (and even the regular), so no compromises are made on that end. The only difference in software is the omission of S Pen features, because this phone doesn't support the stylus.
In fact, many people will probably find the 6.6-inch, 1080 x 2340 flat screen easier to handle than the Galaxy S22 Ultra's 6.8-inch curved screen, especially since this phone has a mid-frame with rounded corners too.
Measuring 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and weighing 195g, the Galaxy S22 isn't exactly a small phone, but it's not too big by 2022 standards either. Most of us at XDA like this size. It helps that Samsung has a good one-hand mode for easier thumb reach.
Yes, you do lose out on the awesome 10x Periscope zoom lens seen in the Ultra, but you still get a capable 3x telephoto zoom lens here that's ideal for portraits. The 50MP main camera is a big improvement from last year's mediocre 12MP shooter in the Galaxy S22 Plus. Samsung uses pixel binning to produce a 12.5MP shot that contains 50 million pixels worth of information. The result is a camera that can snap brightly lit images even at night. The selfie camera is also solid, though Samsung's skin smoothening filter is a bit strong and can't be fully turned off.
You get most of the other bells and whistles that the Galaxy S22 Ultra gets, such as wireless charging, IP68 water resistance, Samsung DeX, and Galaxy S22 series exclusives like Live Sharing with Google Duo. This is every bit a flagship phone, just not the complete do-it-all overkill of its bigger brother. But most people don't really need an overkill flagship, so this becomes an excellent option for those who need a phone that can do all the essential smartphone things at a high level.
Samsung promising four years of software updates is another bonus, so you're guaranteed to get up to at least Android 16. Simply put, the Galaxy S22 is an excellent do-it-all flagship.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
Even if it sits a tier below the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Galaxy S22 Plus is still every bit a flagship phone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and a stunning display.
Best Value: Samsung Galaxy S22
If you find the $1,199 Galaxy S22 Ultra or $999 Galaxy S22 Plus too expensive, then you may want to consider the smaller Galaxy S22, which starts at $799. Yes, the Galaxy S22 lacks the world-class zoom camera of the Galaxy S22 Ultra and support for the S-Pen, but if you don't take zoom photography or use a stylus often, then these losses may not matter much. You're still getting an excellent triple camera system consisting of a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto. The main camera has a respectable image sensor size, so photos will turn out bright and vibrant, with strong dynamic range. The ultra-wide camera also has a sweeping 123-degree field-of-view, which is perfect for landscape photography. The 3x telephoto zoom lens is the same lens used in the Galaxy S22 Ultra, so you're getting a focal length that's ideal for portraits. The 10MP selfie camera is a bit lacking for low light selfies, but during the day it will be fine. Samsung's portrait mode is also among one of the best in the business.
Many of us are also fans of the 6.1-inch screen size, because it makes the phone smaller. Measuring 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and weighing 168g, the Galaxy S22 is an easy one-hand phone and won't feel bulky in pockets the way the Galaxy S22 Ultra does.
With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, you're getting tip-top performance even if it's no longer the absolute best chip in the Android space, and despite the S22 packing a smaller 3,700 mAh battery, you still get battery life that should be able to last an entire day thanks to the efficient SoC. Samsung's software is also fast and responsive, with lots of multitasking options such as the ability to run apps in a smaller floating window. Samsung DeX, which outputs a desktop UI to an external monitor, will let you do more work than most other smartphones.
The Galaxy S22 also corrects a lot of what was wrong with last year's Galaxy S21. Last year's device had a plastic back and a weak 12MP main camera, this year's Galaxy S22 uses Gorilla Glass Victus back with a much improved 50MP main camera with a larger image sensor size of 1/1.56-inchOf course, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the more capable phone, but the Galaxy S22 keeps close enough that it doesn't feel like an afterthought. Just like all Samsung flagships, you're guaranteed to get four years of Android updates, so you will get updated to at least Android 16.
Whether you want a smaller or more affordable flagship, the Galaxy S22 seems to check all the important boxes.
Samsung Galaxy S22
If you find that you don't need the S-Pen or a crazy zoom camera, or if you find the S22 Ultra too big, this standard Galaxy S22 is $400 cheaper and much more easier to operate with one hand.
Second Best Value: Galaxy S21 FE
First things first, do not buy this phone at its launch retail price of $699, not when the Galaxy S22 is just $100 more and has a newer chip and much better camera system. We are instead listing the Galaxy S21 FE in this spot because there are likely discounts that further shave another $100 off. Currently, Amazon, which we've listed below, has it available for $599. At this price, then the Galaxy S21 FE is worth considering if you want to save a bit more money. For the launch retail price, we'd recommend looking for offers like an included Galaxy Buds Live that will help sweeten the deal.
With this device, you're getting a Snapdragon 888, which is a 2021 Qualcomm chip but still capable in late 2022; a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz display, and a colorful back design that's grippy and easy to handle. You also get a relatively large battery of 4,500 mAh. While we just said the camera system here isn't as good as the Galaxy S22 series' cameras, it's still plenty capable: a triple-lens system consisting of a 12MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto zoom. The main and ultra-wide cameras will get the job done for most people, as Samsung's computational photography is good enough to overcome the relatively dated hardware. But the 8MP telephoto lens is mediocre by any standard.
The phone's back is also plastic, so it doesn't feel as premium as the Galaxy S22 series, but it may be beneficial to those who drop their phones often, as plastic is more durable than glass. Measuring 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm and tipping the scales at 177g, the Galaxy S21 FE is an easy phone to use one-handed, as it's not too heavy or bulky.
On the software front, the phone ships with Android 11 out of the box, but you should get the update to Android 12 immediately after setting up the phone. OneUI is fast and efficient, with awesome multitasking capabilities, plus bonuses like Samsung DeX. You are also guaranteed to get four years of software updates, so this phone will get to at least Android 15.
As we said, the Galaxy S21 FE probably isn't worth considering at official retail price, but most places will have this selling at a lower price. If you have decided the $550 to $700 range is what you're willing to pay, we suggest you carefully weigh the pros and cons of the Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S22 and decide which device is the better purchase for you.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
The Galaxy S21 FE is worth a look if you want to further shave some cost off and still get a relatively modern and powerful smartphone.
Best that money can buy: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 4 may not look much different from the Z Fold 3 at first glance, but Samsung has further improved the device by making subtle but crucial changes here and there for the most polished foldable yet. Naysayers will still say it's too expensive, and they're not wrong, but for those who can stomach the price (or take advantage of Samsung's awesome trade-in offers), the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the most prime-time-ready big foldable phone yet.
So, what's new? Samsung has further shaved a bit of weight from last year's Fold 3, so Fold 4 now tips the scale at 254g. While this isn't light per se, it's not unbearably heavy anymore, as this weight is not much more than, say, the Galaxy S22 Ultra with a case.
The Fold 4 also shaved a few millimeters off the hinge area, so it's less bulky when folded, and gave those precious extra space to the screens, so both the inside and outside displays are slightly wider than last year. This improvement is most noticeable when using the Fold 4 in folded form. It's still an elongated candy bar shape, but the screen feels less cramped to type in.
Samsung also gave the Fold 4 major camera upgrades. Last year's Fold 3 used a dated camera system that was about on par with the Galaxy S10's cameras. This year, the Fold 4 upgrades to the same system used in the Galaxy S22, with a 50MP main camera with a large (for a foldable) 1/1.56-inch image sensor, and a 3X telephoto zoom lens that's much better than the mediocre zoom lens in previous Folds.
The Fold 4 also brings back all the great features established in previous Folds, including a sturdy hinge that can stay in place mid-fold (Samsung calls this "Flex Mode"), and IPX8 water resistance plus S-Pen support. While the battery size remains the same at 4,400 mAh, the Fold 4 can last quite a bit longer thanks to the very efficient Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. From our testing so far, the Fold 4 can easily last an entire 12-, 13-hour day of heavy use.
If you've been curious about foldable phones, now may be the time to jump on, because Samsung has refined its large foldable formula to almost perfection — the only thing left is to remove the crease from the display, which is sadly still here (don't worry you only notice it if you look at the screen off-angle).
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is Samsung's latest flagship foldable, packing high-end specs and up to 512GB of internal storage. You can't expand it with a microSD card, though.
Also Great: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
If you find the Galaxy Z Fold 4's price still too high to bear, you could consider getting the Galaxy Z Fold 3. While Samsung no longer sells it officially, you can find it on Amazon and other retailers at a price that's at least 30-40% lower than the Fold 4's price.
The Fold 3 still holds up very well in 2022, because it was that great a 2021 device. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 is still a capable processor, and the camera system, while not as good as the Fold 4's, is still solid. Samsung's computational photography is good enough to overcome the slightly outdated camera hardware. You still get excellent dynamic range in most shots, and night mode will artificially liven up a dark scene. Flex Mode offers up a host of unique ways to shoot and use the camera system too. As for selfies — there are two cameras: a 10MP selfie shooter on the outside screen, and a 4MP under-display selfie camera on the inside screen. While the latter doesn't produce the best camera quality, it does give the large tablet screen a more immersive feeling.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 still offers IPX8 water resistance rating, S-Pen support, and the awesome hinge that can stay in place. These are all features that Samsung pioneered in the foldable space and still matters in 2022.
The display, of course, is great too. Whether it's the 7.6-inch large display or the 6.5-inch outside cover display, color accuracy, maximum brightness, resolution, viewing angles, are all top notch. With the Galaxy Z Fold 3, you're getting a device that can transform from a phone to a mini tablet within a second. At 271g, the Fold 3 is not too heavy, though the thickness is still about twice the size of a typical Android phone.
And with Samsung guaranteeing at least four years of Android updates, you can buy a year-old Fold 3 and know it'll still be supported for at least another three years. Samsung's OneUI for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is also excellent at multitasking, including the ability to run two apps in split-screen view, or open apps in smaller, resizable, floating windows. There's just so much the Galaxy Z Fold 3 can do that other phones cannot.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 may be a year old, but it's still very capable, and right now on Amazon, it can be had for below $1,000, making it quite a good deal.
Best Compact and Style: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 was one of the most stylish-looking smartphones to come out in recent years, and the Flip 4 wisely brings back the exact same look — but with more color customization options. We adore the two-tone finish and the petite size when folded up. But don't mistake small size for lack of power — this thing is, along with the Fold 4, the most durable foldable phone ever, with IPX8 water resistance and "Armor Aluminum" build material.
The Flip 4 is an awesome device for those who find modern Android phones too large and hard to pocket. Unfolded, the 6.7-inch, 1080 x 2640 display looks and behaves like any other top Samsung screen, with vibrant colors, top-notch sharpness, and a fast refresh rate up to 120Hz for buttery smooth animations.
New to the Flip 4 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, which has a stronger GPU and superior battery efficiency. The latter is important, as battery life has always been a slight weakness in previous Flips. While the Flip 4 isn't going to win any battery endurance awards, it is now possible to get all-day use provided you're not pushing it too heavily.
Samsung also improved the software for the outer "Cover Display," allowing users to open any app on the smaller 1.9-inch display. Sure, some apps will look silly in the cramped space, but other apps will benefit from it. You can, for example, scroll through your Spotify playlist directly from the outside screen. Overall, the Flip 4 is an iterative refinement to already an excellent small foldable.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the ideal phone for those who want something more pocketable — and more stylish.
Best Samsung for those who want 5G on a budget: Samsung Galaxy A53
The Galaxy A53 5G is a solid mid-ranger from Samsung that cuts the right corners to reach its lower price. There's a plastic build instead of glass, and you don't get much of a zoom camera, but these are features people on a budget would gladly sacrifice to save several hundred dollars. Instead, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G still offers a near bezel-less 120Hz AMOLED display, the capable Exynos 1280, and a good camera system (for its price range) headlined by a 64MP shooter and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The main camera, in particular, has proven capable in all lighting conditions. Samsung's computational photography is strong enough to boost the limited hardware, using pixel binning to produce more lights and dynamic range in photos. The ultra-wide angle camera can be a bit soft on details but nonetheless is a useful tool for capturing sweeping landscape photos. The A53 can record video up to 4K/30, but stabilization takes a hit here. Instead, shoot at 1080p to get smooth and stable footage.
There's also a huge 5,000 mAh battery that ensures the phone can last all day. And as if the name didn't already give it away — the phone supports 5G connectivity too.
And unlike many mid-rangers, the Galaxy A53 5G is also water-resistant, as it's rated IP67, meaning it can survive being dunked in water for minutes at a time. This brings more peace of mind for situations when you need to use the phone in the rain, or if you are using the phone by a swimming pool.
Measuring 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm and weighing 168g, the Galaxy A53 can be considered a small-ish phone in 2022. That, paired with the grippy back and Samsung's excellent one-hand mode, makes it very easy to use even as you're running around town with the phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
Factor in the intuitive Samsung software that offers easy multitasking and superior connectivity with Samsung's ecosystem of devices, the Galaxy A53 5G is a mid-range phone that hits the three pillars of what most people need in a phone — a great screen, a solid camera that just works, and enough processing power.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
The Galaxy A53 5G is Samsung's answer to the iPhone SE, meaning it is a mid-range phone that offers just enough power and performance to make for a great everyday phone, even if it doesn't pack all the bells and whistles of a flagship.
It's difficult for us to give a blanket recommendation on which Samsung phones to get. Obviously, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the best overall phone right now, and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the most versatile. But if you want to save some money, the standard Galaxy S22 is still very good. Of course, Samsung's budget offerings punch above their price range too.
What's your favorite Samsung Galaxy phone from this list, and are there any others you think we should add? Let us know in the comments below.
