The best Samsung phones 2024: top Galaxy handsets ranked

The best Samsung phone can be literally anything, because Samsung offers a more diverse array of smartphone choices than any other phone maker. On our list of the best phones, you'll find two of Samsung's best, including the formidable Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung's premiere flagship phone. It's packed with features and very pricey, but there are Samsung options for every price and every fancy. 

Samsung makes some of the best Android phones, and it also pioneered foldable displays. Whether you want a foldable tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 or a pocket-sized flip foldable like the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung gives you foldable phones with a distinctively Samsung twist. 

What is the Samsung twist? It's OneUI 6.1, Samsung's version of Android that adds tons of features, from professional-strength tools like DeX, which turns your phone into a laptop computer, to simpler helpers like the edge panels you can swipe to see contacts, apps, or even tools like a ruler and compass. 

We have reviewed all of the best Samsung phones you can buy, including the new Galaxy A35, our favorite Samsung budget phone. When you need a tablet to take advantage of your new Galaxy, check out our list of the best Android tablets, which is loaded with great Samsung options. 

The quick list

Here are the top picks for most people, the top for buyers willing to pay a premium, and the best for folks on a budget. You'll also find our favorite for camera image quality and battery life (hint: it's the same phone for both), as well as the best Samsung foldable phones. 

The best Samsung phones in 2023

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Below you'll a complete breakdown of each of the best Samsung phones on our list. We've reviewed each one thoroughly, so you can be sure to trust our recommendations.

The best Samsung phone for most people

The best for most people

Specifications

Release date: January 2024
Weight: 167g
Dimensions: 147 x 70.6 x 7.6mm
OS: Android 14
Screen size: 6.2-inches
Resolution: 2,340 x 1,080
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy / Samsung Exynos 2400 for Galaxy
RAM: 8GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage: 128GB / 256GB (UFS 4.0)
Battery: 4,000mAh
Rear camera: 50MP (wide) + 10MP (telephoto, 3x optical) + 12MP (ultrawide)
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Compact phone with big phone power
+
Seven years of Android OS updates and security software

Reasons to avoid

-
Samsung's menus and software are a mess
-
Not as elegant or simple as the iPhone 15
Buy it if

✅ You're want power on a budget: The Galaxy S24 isn't cheap, but it packs as much power as the S24 Ultra for hundred less.

✅ You want a compact phone: The 6.1-inch Galaxy S24 offers plenty of power for a phone this small, and it's hard to find a smaller phone worth buying today.

✅ You need serious power: Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset is plenty powerful for any task, even running an external display or playing the latest games. 

Don't buy it if:

You want a big screen: A 6.1-inch display used to be huge, but these days it's feeling a bit cramped, especially if you're used to a big phone like a Pro Max or an Ultra.

❌ Your budget can stretch: For a few hundred more you can have a much better camera system, a magical S Pen accessories, and a huge screen with a big battery inside, if you get the Galaxy S24 Ultra instead.

❌ All of your friends use the iPhone: Samsung's software is a big weakness, and it's lagging behind Apple in simplicity and social features that make it fun to connect with other iPhone users. If your crowd is Blue Bubbles only, stick with the iPhone. 

The bottom line

📱 The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a serious pocket powerhouse, with a processor inside that can handle any task you'd imagine for a smartphone, and thanks to Galaxy AI, even some tasks you never thought possible. There are software problems, and of course you can get more if you spend more, but the Galaxy S24 is a great compact phone if you need a strong mobile game for a bit less. ★★★★

What you need to know

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the smallest option in the Galaxy S24 family, but it's easily one of the most powerful Android phones you can buy right now. Plus, it's the only one that fits comfortably in your front jeans pocket.

Design: The Galaxy S24 comes in more colorful options than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it lacks the titanium frame and Gorilla Armor makes this generation so durable. It's still a sturdy little phone, with IP68 water resistance, and a look that calls back to last year's model. 

Display: The Galaxy S24 can reach much brighter levels than before, up to 2,600 nits, and its 6.1-inch display is still plenty sharp, even though it's a lower resolution than the rest of the S24 family. 

Cameras: Samsung hasn't changed the specs on the Galaxy S24 cameras, but it has improved the photos you'll end up taking thanks to better image processing. There's a 50MP main lens, 12MP ultrawide lens, and unlike the iPhone 15, the Galaxy S24 has a 10MP telephoto lens with real 3x optical zoom. 

Performance: The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor that powers the Galaxy S24 family looks like a real winner. It's incredibly powerful, strong enough to take on even the fastest Apple iPhone 15 Pro, and it doesn't waste a lot of power. It also works great for playing the latest games. 

Battery life: The Galaxy S24 gets only a slightly bigger battery than the S23, with Samsung jumping from 3,900mAh to 4,000mAh. We still got better battery life from this year's model, and most folks will have no trouble lasting through a full day of normal use with the Galaxy S24.  

Value for money: The Galaxy S24 is an affordable way to take advantage of everything Samsung's Galaxy S has to offer. Of course, you don't get everything the S24 Ultra can give you, but the Galaxy S24 is hundreds cheaper.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S24

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Samsung Galaxy S24 scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
PriceSame as last year, but more battery, better performance, and seven years of Android. , ★★★★☆
DesignIt looks a lot like an iPhone, but it's small, light, and thin enough for a front pocket. ★★★★☆
DisplaySharp and bright display, no complaints here. It isn't the absolute best, but the size is worth the trade. ★★★★☆
SoftwareTerrible software, Samsung really needs to fix its menu and interface design. The Galaxy is lagging far behind Apple's iOS. ★★☆☆☆
CameraVersatile cameras, especially for the price. You won't find real zoom on the iPhone 15. ★★★★☆
PerformanceExcellent performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, held back only by laggy Galaxy AI and Google AI features. ★★★★☆
Battery lifeBattery life improved over last year by a few hours, even though the battery isn't much bigger. Great power management. ★★★★★

The best premium Samsung phone

2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

The best premium Samsung phone

Specifications

Release date: January 2024
Weight: 196g
Dimensions: 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1
Screen size: 6.7-inches
Resolution: 1440 x 3120 pixels
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB
Battery: 4,900 mAh
Rear camera: 50MP (wide) + 12MP (ultra-wide) + 10MP (telephoto 3x)
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Display is bright enough for sunlight
+
Best battery life in its class

Reasons to avoid

-
Better cameras would have been nice
-
Maybe a little titanium next time?
Buy it if

You want top notch performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus has all the power of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with the same Galaxy AI features, for less money.

You want a bigger, sharper screen: The Galaxy S24 Plus gives you more than a bigger screen, it also packs more pixels for a higher resolution than the Galaxy S24.

You want more battery life: We got great battery life from the Galaxy S24 Plus, and the only way to get better on a Samsung is to get an even bigger phone like the Ultra.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want the long zoom cameras: The 5X zoom camera is the best advantage that the Galaxy S24 Ultra has over the Galaxy S24 Plus.

You need easy software: Samsung's OneUI interface is a  mess, and it's more difficult than iPhone's iOS by far. Even Google's Pixel is better. 

The bottom line

📱 The Galaxy S24 Plus is blazing fast with great battery life and a big, sharp display. It gives you everything you need and nothing you don't. ★★★★½

The Galaxy S24 Plus is just too good. You wouldn't expect Samsung's middle child to be our top pick, but it offers the same performance, the same sharp and bright display experience, and the same great battery life as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It doesn't make sense to pay so much more for features even premium users don't need. 

Design: You don't get the titanium frame of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus comes in some great color options, and it still has a premium and modern feel.  

Display: The Galaxy S24 Plus has a display that isn't just bigger than the Galaxy S24, it also has more pixels, so it has a higher resolution than the basic S24, and it's even a little more sharp than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.  

Camera: You could pay a lot more and get 5X zoom on the Ultra, but the Galaxy S24 Plus has a 3X optical zoom camera, plus a great main camera and an ultra wide lens. Samsung's shooting modes and AI photography expertise are what makes the cameras great, not the spec sheet.  

Performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus delivers class-leading performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. In our benchmark tests, the Snapdragon occasionally beat the Apple A16 Pro chipset in the iPhone 15 Pro. The Galaxy S24 Plus will make short work of your gaming and productivity needs with no trouble. 

Battery life: The Galaxy S24 Plus lasted longer than almost any other smartphone we've tested, almost as long as the larger Galaxy S24 Ultra. It also charges fast and offers charging to other devices, if you need to juice up your earbuds on the run.  

Value for money: The Galaxy S24 Plus launched at close to the same price as the iPhone 15 Pro, but Samsung phones are always available for a discount, whether you're looking at Amazon, your favorite mobile carrier, or Samsung's own storefront. We've already great deals of up to 20% off in the US, and we expect more discounts soon as the 2024 Galaxy Z edition of Unpacked approaches. 

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
ValueThe Galaxy S24 Plus is significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it's still a mightily expensive phone.4 / 5
DesignThe phone's slim bezels and flatter sides look great, but the lack of Gorilla Armor glass is dissapointing.3 / 5
DisplayThe Galaxy S24 Plus' display is big, bright, outdoor-friendly and as good as the Galaxy S24 Ultra's.5 / 5
SoftwareSamsung's Galaxy AI features are welcome addition, but they don't do enough to mitigate OneUI's dizzying complexity.3 / 5
CamerasThe Galaxy S24 Plus' camera array is objectively solid, but some hardware upgrades are long overdue.3 / 5
PerformanceDespite the region-based chipset discrepancy, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a phenomenally powerful phone.5 / 5
BatteryThe phone's class-leading battery life and speedy charging make it a battery champion.5 / 5

The best Samsung camera and battery life

3. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The best camera and battery life

Specifications

Release date: January 2024
Weight: 232g
Dimensions: 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm
OS; Expected Upgrades: Android 14 / One UI 6; 7 years of upgrades
Screen size: 6.8-inch
Resolution: QHD+
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 200MP (wide) + 12MP (ultra-wide) + 10MP (telephoto with 3x optical zoom) + 50MP (telephoto with 5x optical zoom)
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible performance and features
+
Better cameras than ever before

Reasons to avoid

-
More than even premium buyers need
-
Big, heavy, and more expensive
Buy it if

You want more than any other smartphone: There is no other phone that matches everything the Galaxy S24 Ultra can do, not even close.

You want a phone that is future proof: The Galaxy AI features are just warming up, and with seven years of major Android OS updates, and plenty of new AI features to come, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will be the first phone to take that step into the next generation. 

Don't buy it if:

You don't need everything this phone can do: There are plenty of Samsung phones that do almost as much as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but won't cost nearly as much if you don't need the S Pen.

You prefer something easier to use: Samsung keeps adding features, and the software and menus get harder to use every time. If you want a phone that makes things easy, check out an iPhone instead. 

The bottom line

📱 The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra pushes the bounds of smartphone technology, offering top-of-the-line features and capabilities. It excels in versatility and intelligent functionality, although it comes at a premium price. if you want the absolute best in performance, camera quality, and power, the Galaxy S24 Ultra stands as the undisputed leader. ★★★★½

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra takes smartphone features further than any other phone. It's a top-performer, and in so many ways you won't find better. It has longer battery life and faster performance than the iPhone, more camera options than any other Android, and features we don't often see, like the S Pen stylus. 

Design: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a big, heavy phone, even with the new titanium frame. Samsung still manages to pack so much inside, and the design improvements are welcome. The display is easier to read this year, and the titanium finish and colors are very nice, though it's too bad the phone couldn't shave some weight. 

Display: The bright, OLED display on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the best you'll find, especially with the new coating that reduces glare and makes it easier to read in bright light. Samsung's display is colorful, sharp, and bright enough for every task.

Camera: There have been plenty of changes to Samsung's cameras, even if the spec sheet looks the same as last year. The Galaxy S24 Ultra produced better images in every setting. Portrait and landscape photos look a lot better, and even zoom photos have more color and better lighting, though we do miss the 10X zoom from the last generation.

Performance: This is the fastest phone you can buy right now. In our tests playing games and editing photos, the Galaxy S24 Ultra was the fastest we've used, beating even Apple's iPhone 15 Pro,. That's a first for Samsung phones ever since Apple starting designing its own chipsets. 

Battery life: I had no trouble using the Galaxy S24 Ultra for two days when I used it normally, and it lasted through a full day of camera usage and gaming with no trouble. The battery hasn't gotten bigger, Samsung manages power on this phone better than ever before.  

Value for money: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is expensive, even more than last year, but the upgrades are a big deal. Samsung now offers seven years of software updates, including Android updates, and that makes the Galaxy S24 Ultra a better value than any Galaxy Ultra to come before. 

Read our full Galaxy S24 Ultra review

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
PriceEven more than before, but you get the best when you pay for it.★★★☆☆
DesignIt looks very familiar, but the screen is less reflective, and also sharper. It's still as heavy, even with titanium. ★★★★☆
DisplayThere isn't a better display, and the new anti-glare finish really helps outdoors. ★★★★★
CameraThe cameras are better all around, even if the spec sheet looks a bit suspicious. Still the best, most versatile camera system. ★★★★★
PerformancePerformance that beats an iPhone 15 Pro, for the first time we can remember, putting Android ahead of Apple. ★★★★★
Battery lifeBetter battery life this year means the Galaxy S24 Ultra can last a very long time. ★★★★★

The best tablet foldable Samsung phone

The best tablet foldable

Specifications

Release date: August 2023
Weight: 252.3g
Dimensions: 154.9 x 67 x 13.5mm / 154.9 x 129.7 x 6.1mm
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 6.2-inch / 7.6-inch
Resolution: 904 x 2316 / 1812 x 2176
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Battery: 4,400mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + 12MP + 10MP
Front camera: 10MP / 4MP

Reasons to buy

+
It folds flat
+
Lighter and thinner

Reasons to avoid

-
Seemingly unchanged cameras between generations
-
It's expensive and should include the S Pen
Buy it if

✅ You want two devices in one: There's a decent, if narrow smartphone on the outside and a lovely mini tablet within. It's a flexible and versatile Android 13 device.

You're ready to try a foldable phone: Even though the Google Pixel Fold has a better cover display, Samsung's Z Fold 5 is the more refined foldable experience, especially when you unfold it and look at the main screen, which cuts down the bezel and gives you a more expansive display.

You want quality photography: Samsung didn't change the cameras on the Z Fold 5, but they're still a formidable collection of lenses and are now backed by the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, for better image processing.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a budget: At $1,799, this is one of the most expensive Android phones on the market. At the very least, look for deals before you buy.

You want faster-charging: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 can fast charge at an okay speed, through wired or wireless powering, but most top-end and even mid-range phones power up more quickly.

You demand the best in camera optics: For the best in Samsung photography, you'll have to look elsewhere, like at the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which has higher megapixels and 10x optical zoom.

The bottom line

📱The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a do-everything device that presents few compromises. It's good for photography, multi-tasking and watching Netflix, and it finally folds flat. However the high price might put off some buyers. ★★★★½

What you need to know 

With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung hasn’t tried to reinvent the genre or radically alter the foldable’s display or design, save for the ability to finally fold flat. Instead, it brings a number of small-but-welcome enhancements over the Z Fold 4, plus a new processor but leaves further room for improvement. 

Design: While the Z Fold 5 isn’t radically different from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, its flat-folding form design finally addresses the series' biggest design faux pas. Excellent build quality and IP-certified water resistance make it a trend-setter.

Display: The main screen is a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 2176 x 1812 resolution and which supports an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120Hz. The low end of the range is useful for saving battery life by not refreshing the screen when it’s not needed, while the high end means smoother gameplay and video action. The cover screen, meanwhile, is a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel with a 2316 x 904 resolution. It also has an adaptive refresh rate, but the narrow aspect ratio isn't the best.

Camera: The Z Fold 5 has similar sensors underneath (though they’re backed by a more powerful chipset here) to the previous two generations of Fold, and the same. There’s also a selfie camera on the cover screen, and a low-grade selfie cam under the main screen.

Performance: We’re happy that the Z Fold 5 has Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, as it needs all the power it can get for the multi-tasking gymnastics it's capable of.

Battery life: The battery lasted approximately 15 hours, which is pretty good, though we would've liked more. Still, getting that far is a testament to the chipset's power-management capabilities.

Value for money: It's one of the most expensive phones – especially if you go for more than the base 256GB of storage. But if you want the best foldable on the planet, that's the current price you'll have to pay.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 score card
AttributesNotesRating
PriceExpensive, but it's a 2-in-1 device. Price should include S Pen★★★★
DesignSamsung made it thinner, lighter, and flatter but might want to rethink the cover screen width★★★★
DisplayCover display is pretty but now fees cramped. Even with crease, Main display is excellent★★★★
CameraThese are good cameras but no movement on optics and sensors since Z Fold 4★★★★
PerformanceQualcomm's custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Samsung is a winner★★★★½
Battery lifeImproved battery life over the Fold 4 but could be better★★★★½

The best flip foldable Samsung phone

The best flip foldable

Specifications

Release date: August 2023
Weight: 187g
Dimensions: 85.1 x 71.9 x 15.1mm / 85.1 x 165.1 x 6.9mm
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 3.4-inch / 6.7-inch
Resolution: 720 x 748 / 1080 x 2640
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB / 512GB
Battery: 3,700mAh
Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP
Front camera: 10MP

Reasons to buy

+
Most powerful clamshell foldable on the market
+
Versatile cover display

Reasons to avoid

-
Design is playing catch-up to rivals
-
Even better battery life would be great
Buy it if

✅ You want the most powerful clamshell foldable on the market: The Z Flip 5 offers flagship performance against folding foes that just don't quite pack as much of a punch.

You want a durable foldable: Sure that Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back picks up cosmetic scratches more readily than we'd like, but that doesn't stop this from being one of the hardiest clamshells out there right now.

You love creating content: The Flip 5's form factor, paired with the expanded cover display mean you can setup to capture photos and videos basically anywhere; not to mention there's plenty of space and power to store media and edit on the go.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget: To be the best, you can't skimp on parts, engineering, software support or anything really, and that means this clamshell champ comes at a premium, especially if you're buying in markets other than the US.

You want the best-looking clamshell foldable: While the engineering that's gone into improving the Flip 5's design is undeniable, it just doesn't look as good as Motorola's latest Razr Plus / Razr 40 Ultra; not least because the colorways this year feel a little insipid, especially when sat next to the Razr's eye-watering Viva Magenta signature hue.

You hate One UI: While Samsung's One UI is a powerful and highly customizable take on Android, it looks pretty different to more-stock takes on Android from the likes of Google, Sony or Motorola, so comes with an additional learning curve.

The bottom line

📱 The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 addresses some of the Flip 4's biggest pain points; mainly by way of more usable battery life and a design that truly folds flat, plus that larger cover display expands on its functionality. Price versus performance remains unmatched, not least because this is still one of the only water-resistant foldables out there. ★★★★½

What you need to know

Samsung didn't reinvent its clamshell-style foldable, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 does all that it needs to do for the company to hold onto its foldable crown.

Design: A more prominent improvement compared to the move from the Z Flip 3 to the Flip 4. The black 'visor' has been replaced by a more expansive external cover display and it now officially folds flat. It's also the hardiest clamshell foldable out there, thanks in part to IP-certified water resistance.

Display: You get a 6.7-inch Full HD+ (2640 x 1080) 'Dynamic AMOLED 2X' panel with a pleasantly smooth 120Hz refresh rate that can scale down to 1Hz to extend battery life. The external cover display, which now covers the top half of the phone's exterior expands functionality massively.

Camera: You'll find three cameras on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, which at first blush look very familiar to those on the Z Flip 4's. Aside from a new lens coating to reduce lens flare, the main upgrades come in the form of image processing improvements and new FlexCam features.

Performance: Although the Flip 5 focuses on compact portability over the Fold 5's productivity, it doesn't skimp on performance, with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 silicon running the show.

Battery life: After disappointing longevity from previous entries in the Flip series, the power efficiency of the chip, paired with a 3,700mAh battery, mean all-day battery life is now possible. Wireless charging in a clamshell is also a welcome novelty.

Value for money: There's a lot more competition in the flagship foldable space in the time of the Z Flip 5, but the design, hardware and software blend means that even at this phone's high price, it's still one of the smartest buys in its category.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
PricePricey but still the best value clamshell foldable★★★½
DesignThe best-designed clamshell and the only one with water resistance★★★★★
DisplayA great viewing experiences and a greatly improved cover screen★★★★½
CameraLacks optical zoom but great for selfies★★★★
PerformanceMore grunt than you might expect★★★★½
Battery lifeThe Flip 5 can finally last all day★★★★

The best Samsung budget phone

The best budget pick

Specifications

Release date: March 2024
Weight: 209g
Dimensions: 161.7 x 78 x 8.2mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1
Screen size: 6.6-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels
CPU: Samsung Exynos 1380
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB + microSD up to 1TB
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + 8MP + 5MP
Front camera: 13MP

Reasons to buy

+
Solid performance and build quality for a bargain price
+
IP67 water resistant against submersion

Reasons to avoid

-
Cameras aren't as good as pricier phones
-
Fingerprint scanner was unreliable
Buy it if

✅ You want a good, cheap video player: With a standout display, the Galaxy A35 is perfect for streaming shows or passing to the backseat to stay quiet.

You're a budget-conscious gamer: With a big display and surprisingly adept performance, the Galaxy A35 makes a nice gaming pick for Android gamers who want to save money.

You want more and more features: Think cheap phones can't do much? OneUI on the Galaxy A35 means its packed with useful features, whether you're customizing your phone or being productive. 

Don't buy it if:

You're a photography buff: The cameras on the Galaxy A35 are better than average, but they won't impress folks who have one of the more expensive phones on this list.

You need to charge in a hurry: The Galaxy A35 only charges up to 25W, which is slow when you consider other budget phones can charge at twice that rate or even much faster.

You have more to spend: If you can afford the Galaxy A55 (sorry, US fans) or the Galaxy S23 FE, you'll find more power and features, and even better camera quality. 

The bottom line

📱 For a bargain phone at $399.99 / £339.99 / AU$549.99, the Galaxy A35 gives you plenty of Samsung's best features without paying Samsung's highest prices. It has a premium look and feel and advanced software, making it the best Samsung budget phone you can buy for the price.  ★★★½

The Samsung Galaxy A35 is Samsung's latest bargain phone, and it follows Samsung's lineage of affordable phones with big, bright displays that look a little bit like their much more expensive cousins, the Galaxy S24 family in this case. 

Design: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is a colorful phone with a glass front and back, available in a range of unqiue colors depending on where you buy it. It's a little thick, but we don't mind since it has an IP67 rating, meaning it can take a total dunk in the sink without dying.

Display: The Samsung Galaxy A35 uses a big, 6.6-inch OLED screen with a respectable 120Hz refresh rate. You get a bright, smooth, and vibrant viewing experience that beats our expectations for a budget phone. This is what makes a Samsung budget phone better than the other brands. 

Camera: The Samsung Galaxy A35's three cameras, including a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra wide, and a 5MP 'macro,' performs adequately for a bargain phone, but more expensive Samsung phones are worth the extra just for better camera quality.  Thankfully, the 13MP selfie camera produces excellent portraits with background blurring.

Performance: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is powered by Samsung's Exynos 1380, a decent chip that can handle everyday tasks and mobile games. Whether navigating the menus or dominating noobs in Call of Duty, we had no trouble with Galaxy A35 performance. 

Battery life: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, a cell as big as what you'll find inside the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and it comfortably lasts a full day of use. Its 25W wired charging is slower than some competitors, especially OnePlus phones, taking over two hours to fully charge. There is also no wireless charging.

Value for money: The Samsung Galaxy A35 delivers great value, with it's top-notch display, feature-packed software, and adequate performance. It doesn't quite feel as premium as Samsung's other best phones, but it won't disappoint buyers on a budget. 

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy A35

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Samsung Galaxy A35 score card
AttributesNotesRating
ValueA few areas exceed expectations, while most others match it.4 / 5
DesignA generic Android phone in a few colors.3.5 / 5
DisplayA great-looking display for the price.4 / 5
SoftwareOne UI looks good with useful features; bloatware loses points.3.5 / 5
CameraA dab AI hand doesn't save some ungainly pictures.3 / 5
PerformanceMiddling processing scores don't do justice to this phone's power.3.5 / 5
BatteryA standard battery for a phone like this, with slow charging.3.5 / 5

How to choose the best Samsung Galaxy phone

If you've decided to buy a Samsung phone, the next consideration is how much you want to spend. The best Samsung phones cost more than the Apple iPhone, making them the most expensive smartphones you can buy. Make sure you aren't paying more for features you don't need. 

Do you need a pen? The S Pen is more than a stylus, it's also a Bluetooth remote control, but is it worth paying more? Do you need a foldable display? You can replace your tablet with a tablet foldable, but it will cost more than an average phone and tablet together. 

Decide how much you want to spend, then go for it. Samsung makes the most advanced, cutting edge, futuristic devices around. If you pay more, you get a lot more than you'll find on any other smartphone. 

How we test

How we test the best Samsung Galaxy phones

We only include phones that we've fully reviewed in this guide, so every entry has been extensively tested. As such, we can be confident of how each model compares to other Samsung phones, and to the wider smartphone landscape.

As well as the review score, we consider the specs of a phone, how well it all comes together in practice, how much it costs, how good value it is, and how it compares to the competition.

To come to these conclusions we'll make use of every key feature of a phone, see how it performs under different circumstances, and see how the battery holds up under different use cases. We'll also run benchmarks.

With all that information combined, we're then able to see exactly how each Samsung phone stacks up.

Philip Berne
US Mobiles Editor

Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, having reviewed his first device (the Sony D-EJ01 Discman) more than 20 years ago for eTown.com. He has been writing about phones and mobile technology, since before the iPhone, for a variety of sites including PCMag, infoSync, PhoneScoop, and Slashgear. He holds an M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. 

Phil was the internal reviewer for Samsung Mobile, writing opinions and review predictions about top secret new devices months before launch. He left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. He has been a High School English teacher at Title I schools, and is a certified Lifeguard. His passion is smartphones and wearables, and he is sure that the next big thing will be phones we wear on our faces.