These are the best Samsung phones in 2024 (original) (raw)

Best Samsung phone for most people

Samsung Galaxy S24

Best Samsung phone for most people

Samsung Galaxy S24

Credit: Simon Cocks

Pros

Top camera performance
All-day battery
7 years of software updates

Cons

Not that different to the S23
One UI 6 has a few quirks

Combining great specs, a reasonable price and a pocket-friendly size, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is the best Samsung phone for most people right now.

Small but mighty, the S24 is a speedy bit of kit thanks to its top-of-the-range processor. It'll handle pretty much any task you can throw at it, looking stylish and sleek while doing so. The flat sides give it a good grip and the IP68 water resistance rating protects it against the elements.

Our favourite thing about the S24 is its camera system. Unlike other small smartphones, this one packs a dedicated 3x zoom lens alongside its very capable wide and ultrawide lenses. You can snap rich, vibrant and detailed shots with the S24.

Best Samsung phone overall

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Samsung phone overall

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Credit: Samsung

Pros

Best camera and display
Comes with an S-Pen
Best for performance

Cons

It's very big
Expensive

One step up from the S24 is the S24 Ultra. It features a larger and higher resolution display, improved camera, larger battery, and added S-Pen capability.

If you need the ultimate performance, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the smartphone for you. Of course, it is also more expensive, so if you don't need the most powerful specs then this is likely overkill.

All of the S24 series smartphones come with longer software support than previous generations and you'll now get 7 years of updates. A longer-lasting handset makes the price feel a little less shocking.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best budget Samsung phone

Samsung Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

Best budget Samsung phone

Samsung Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

Credit: Digital Spy/Yasmine Crossland

Pros

Premium design and build
Big, bright display
All-day battery life

Cons

Slow performance
Hit-and-miss camera system

Screen: 6.6" FHD+ | Processor: Exynos 1480 | Camera: 50MP/12MP/5MP | Battery: 5000 mAh

If you're on a budget but still want a good-looking smartphone with a big screen, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is our top pick. Despite being a cheap handset, it looks anything but. The premium design could pass as being from the S series thanks to its straight edges, sturdy glass back and individual lenses.

Given its price, you will have to accept that this isn't as fast as Samsung's flagship phones, and if you intend to snap anything more than simple point-and-shoot photography, you'll struggle. But in saying that, the A55 produces lovely photos in the right conditions, plus it has a fantastic screen and all-day battery life.

Best foldable Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

Best foldable Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

Now 26% Off

Credit: Digital Spy/Yasmine Crossland

Pros

Lots of clever AI-powered features
Impressive performance
Plenty of colours to choose from

Cons

Charges quite slowly
Camera is better but still not top-tier

Folding phones are cool – that's a fact. If you're an early adopter and want to jump aboard the folding phone hype train, the Z Flip6 is the best folding phone you can buy. This modern take on the flip phone is super compact and will fit in the palm of your hand. A good-sized cover screen takes up the outside, with a folding smartphone display on the inside.

It's not just a fashion statement, the Flip6 also has decent specs and a tried and tested folding mechanism (which is now in its sixth generation), as well as loads of clever AI features like Browsing Assist to summarise web pages and Interpreter Mode to help you have conversations in another language.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Samsung phone for productivity

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Best Samsung phone for productivity

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Credit: Digital Spy/Yasmine Crossland

Pros

Large Screen for multitasking
S-Pen compatibility
Powerful performance

Cons

Large and heavy
Expensive

Sometimes a smartphone screen just isn't big enough to get work done, but it's not plausible to carry around a tablet or laptop all the time. That's where the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 comes in. A smartphone that folds out into a miniature tablet, this is Samsung's best phone for productivity. We'd even go as far as to say this is the best-ever folding smartphone with a big screen.

You can use the cover screen like a normal phone and the internal display can be split into multiple apps and windows. It's powerful, comes with the S Pen and is the most durable and lightest generation of Samsung's foldable devices.

Best value Samsung flagship phone

Samsung Galaxy S23

Best value Samsung flagship phone

Samsung Galaxy S23

Credit: Jason Murdock

Pros

Great screen
Outstanding camera
Stylish design

Cons

Not as powerful as Ultra
Still quite expensive

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is Samsung's previous generation flagship phone. As the name suggested, it arrived in 2023 so is now a year out of date, but that means you can find some great deals.

It's not quite as powerful as the S23 Ultra and the camera isn't as good, but for what most people need, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is all the phone you need. The Galaxy S23 also features 'Nightography' which is powered by Enhanced AI to capture the finest details in low light conditions.

If the standard S23 is too small for you, opt for the S23+ instead. This comes with a 6.6" display, a larger battery (4700mAh) and more storage.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

line break

‎

How Digital Spy tests Samsung phones

Digital Spy tests smartphones by using them over an extended period. We use the phone to fire off messages, scroll social media, play mobile games, snap photos and stream TV shows.

We then assess smartphones based on the display, cameras, performance, build quality, battery life and software.

Why you should buy a Samsung Galaxy phone

Samsung is the second biggest phone manufacturer in the world, sitting only behind Apple, which means its smartphones are among the most popular you can buy.

There's good reason for that – Samsung devices are top performers with modern designs, impressive displays, detailed camera capabilities and the latest, speediest processors under the hood.

We've tested lots of Samsung phones and we're rarely disappointed. Samsung is on the ball with up-to-date features and technology, like its recent introduction of AI features and its top-of-the-class folding screens.

What is the best Samsung phone?

The best Samsung phone for most people is the Samsung Galaxy S24 because it has flagship hardware at a reasonable price.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has an incredible camera system if you're after the best money can buy. Or, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 uses the latest folding screen tech to transform itself into a mini tablet when you need more screen space.