When looking for a new smartphone, there are some brands that immediately come to mind due to their prominence. Samsung is undoubtedly one of them. The company has a wide catalog of devices at all price ranges. Plus, the flagship-level software support that all its modern devices receive—even affordable ones—is an added value that many appreciate.
That said, if you’re looking for the best possible smartphone for your budget, things can get difficult. There are so many options that it can be overwhelming to choose. There are also models that are similar to others that, if you’re not tech-savvy, will leave you wondering about the differences between them. Perhaps you’re looking for the device with the best camera in a certain price range, or the one that offers the best performance. You could also be looking for the most balanced option possible, or even the most advanced model in the company’s catalog. If that’s you, here you’ll find a breakdown of the best Samsung smartphones in 2025 for different categories.
Best Samsung Phone
Starting with the best of the best when it comes to traditional—non-foldable—smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is undoubtedly the king of the company’s catalog. Here you’ll find the best camera system, the best display, and, overall, the most advanced technology in any Samsung phone.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra shares some key features with its more affordable siblings. However, this particular variant excels in other ways that crown it as the king. For starters, its design is easily identifiable as an “Ultra” phone. Other devices, including the “vanilla” and “Plus” Galaxy S25 models, have a design language that looks quite similar even to mid-range models. However, the S25 Ultra breaks with this trend, making it easy to identify at a glance as a premium handset. It also looks unique enough to be difficult to mistake for phones from other brands.
In terms of power, the smartphone is well served. You’ll find a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite, the best flagship SoC of its generation. While its battery isn’t as massive as that of recent Chinese flagship devices, the brand’s excellent optimization enables remarkable battery life figures. Camera fans will also find a solid setup led by a 200MP main sensor. Do you like zoom photography? The S25 Ultra also has you covered with a 3x telephoto lens and a 5x periscope. The 50MP ultra-wide sensor also deserves an honorable mention here.
Pros
- Good Cameras
- LOG Video recording for aspiring YouTubers
- Class-leading battery life
- Improved charging
- Useful AI Features
- 7 years of Updates!
Cons
- No Dolby Vision support
- Still expensive
In short, the Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out as absolutely the best “traditional” phone you can find in Samsung’s catalog today. Even compared to the even more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 7, the S25 Ultra maintains the advantage in key areas such as the camera system, battery, and fast charging. So, if you’re looking for absolutely the best the brand has to offer in terms of non-foldable mobile devices, this is your phone.
The handset also offers an outstanding visual experience, reflecting Samsung Display’s extensive expertise in this segment. Plus, this year’s Galaxy S Ultra continues to boast a feature that makes it unique: an incredible anti-reflective coating. This allows you to use it even in direct sunlight without annoying reflections getting in the way. The technology also makes it stand out even more aesthetically. When you put the Galaxy S25 Ultra side by side with any other phone, Samsung’s device will look matte, clean, and pristine compared to its rival. Not even the anti-reflective coating on the new iPhone 17 Pro can match Samsung’s work in this regard.
Of course, how can we forget the S Pen, another hallmark of the “Ultra” Galaxy S models for years? The S25 Ultra continues the “Galaxy Note” heritage with a stylus built directly into the device. If you’re a big note-taker, the accessory is quite useful. The stylus also allows you to take full advantage of features like Circle to Search or select text, making them much more precise than using your finger.
- Display: 6.9″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
- Brightness: 2,600 nits peak
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Armor 2 (front) / Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (rear)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM and Storage: 12GB/16GB RAM ; 256GB/512GB/1TB Storage
- Cameras: 200MP primary camera at f/1.7, 10MP 3x telephoto at f/2.4, 50MP 5x periscope telephoto at f/3.4, 50MP ultrawide at f/1.9 (120-degree FOV)
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
- Colors: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Black, Titanium White Silver, Titanium Gray, Titanium Jade Green, Titanium Jet Black, Titanium Pink Gold
- Android Version: Android 15 (One UI 7), updatable to Android 16 (One UI 8)
- Software Support: 7 years of major Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, Auto-HDR, 8K recording at 30fps, 4K recording at 120fps, HDR10+ recording, 10-bit HDR recording, OIS
- Battery life Score: 22 hours and 3 minutes
- Charging time: 1 hour and 14 seconds
Best Compact Samsung Phone
Pretty much every company has a very powerful compact smartphone in its lineup. Some companies even offer such phones that are not inferior to their larger sibling. That is not the case for Samsung, though, as the Galaxy S25 is inferior to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but still… It’s a very powerful smartphone, and the best compact device the company has to offer. If you’re tired of large phones and want something that is manageable with one hand without a problem, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is definitely worth considering.
Not everyone wants a large smartphone. In fact, quite a few people don’t. It would be nice if Samsung made the Galaxy S25 Ultra in a smaller package, but that did not happen, unfortuantely. We did get the Galaxy S25, though, which is fueled by the same chip, but it has some drawbacks compared to the ‘Ultra’ model. Still, it’s a very compelling compact offering from the company.
This smartphone features a 6.2-inch display, which is considered to be quite compact in today’s day and age. Combine that with thin, uniform bezels, and you get a phone that is not that big at all. It is less than 147mm tall and 70.5mm wide, while being only 7.2mm thick. It’s also quite light at 162 grams, which is another major plus for some people. Not everyone wants to lug around a brick in their pockets.
This smartphone still packs plenty of power, it is a member of the company’s flagship smartphone lineup after all. It’s fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. On top of that, it utilizes 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage. It supports both wired and wireless charging, while you’ll find a compelling triple camera setup on the back of the device. This phone has basically everything you need in a smartphone, and it won’t make you do too much hand gymnastics when you use it.
Pros
- Improved Battery Life
- Cameras are solid, if not a bit saturated
- Good price, particularly on Galaxy S25
- Similar performance to the Galaxy S25 Ultra
- One of the few sub-$800 phones with a Telephoto lens
Cons
- Few hardware upgrades since Galaxy S22
- No charger in the box, still 25W charging
- Better cameras on other similarly priced phones
The size of the Samsung Galaxy S25 is its main selling point, basically. The Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 Ultra are both great choices, but both of those phones are notably larger. This is a smartphone for someone who wants a compact device. A device that will be easy to use with one hand, and one that they won’t feel in the pocket. That 6.2-inch display is still more than large enough to do anything you want on it, though.
The fact that the Galaxy S25 is plenty powerful is only a bonus, of course. This smartphone is a high-end device at the moment, and even though it’s technically inferior to the Galaxy S25 Ultra in some ways, it still stands side-by-side with that phone. You’re getting a whole package here, no matter what way you spin it.
- Display: 6.2″ LTPO AMOLED 120Hz
- Brightness: 2,600 nits peak
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- RAM and Storage: 12GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB/512GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP primary camera at f/1.8, 12MP ultrawide at f/2.2, 10MP telephoto at f/2.4
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
- Android Version: Android 15 (One UI 7), upgradeable
- Software Support: 7 years of major Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: best Face, auto-HDR, panorama, 8K at 30 FPS, 4K at 60 FPS, gyro-EIS
- Battery life Score: 19 hours and 45 minutes
Best Large Foldable Samsung Phone
Samsung is one of those companies that also offers foldable phones in its catalog. However, the South Korean giant boasts of being a pioneer in the segment. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a product of all the firm’s accumulated experience in foldable technology. This year’s model uses a design language similar to previous generations but stands out completely in terms of thinness. The company has refined this device to the maximum, with an impressive thickness of just 4.2 mm when unfolded. There are also improvements in construction quality to make it the most durable Samsung foldable ever made.
This isn’t just a phone with a bigger screen. Its unique form factor enables exclusive features you won’t find on other devices from the brand. Have you heard of DeX? It’s a Samsung feature that triggers a desktop-like UI with multi-window support to boost productivity. Normally, you’d need to connect the phone to an external display (wired or wireless) to use it. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 lets you take advantage of DeX’s capabilities directly from its unfolded inner screen. It also adds a wireless keyboard and mouse for a workstation you can always carry with you.
The handset also boasts a flagship camera system, although it is less capable than the one on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. You’ll find a 200MP main sensor and a 3x telephoto lens, ensuring parity in these areas for both models. However, the ultra-wide camera is 12MP on this model, and the 5x periscope is missing. That said, the Z Fold 7’s form factor allows for high-quality selfies using its main sensor while the secondary display acts as a viewfinder.
There are no compromises on power, sharing key hardware with the S25 Ultra. You’ll find the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, UFS 4.0 storage, and LPDDR5X RAM.
Pros
- Mindblowingly thin and light
- Bigger, Brighter Displays
- Better cameras
- Class-leading performance
Cons
- Another price increase, now $1,999
- Battery capacity and battery life need improvement
- S Pen Support removed
- Insane camera bump
If there’s one thing that makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 stand out, it’s undoubtedly its design. Those 4.2mm thicknesses are impressive both on paper and in practice. It’s incredible how thin this device is when you unfold it. Forget the feeling of touching a chunky block when using the handset folded from its cover display.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 also offers some software features designed to take full advantage of its form factor and boost your productivity. DeX mode on this phone doesn’t require an external monitor to work. Activate it, then add a wireless keyboard and mouse, and you’ll quickly have the smallest laptop you’ve ever carried.
The Z Fold 7’s form factor allows you to use Flex Mode to facilitate photos and videos from different angles, without the need for additional accessories like tripods. All you need to do is adjust the hinge position and determine how you want the handset to be held. Thanks to this, you can also use the powerful rear cameras for your selfies instead of the front camera, among other possibilities.
- Inner Display: 8″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
- Cover Display: 6.5″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
- Brightness: 2,600 nits peak (inner and cover display)
- Protection: UTG (inner display) / Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 (cover display)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM and Storage: 12GB/16GB RAM ; 256GB/512GB/1TB Storage
- Cameras: 200MP primary camera at f/1.7, 10MP 3x telephoto at f/2.4, 12MP ultrawide at f/2.2 (120-degree FOV)
- Battery: 4,400mAh
- Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
- Colors: Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jet Black, Mint
- Android Version: Android 16 (One UI 8)
- Software Support: 7 years of major Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, Auto-HDR, 8K recording at 30fps, 4K recording at 60fps, HDR10+ recording, 10-bit HDR recording, OIS
- Battery life Score: 20 hours and 2 minutes
- Charging time: 1 hour and 16 minutes
Best Small Foldable Samsung Phone
If you’d like a foldable and a powerful one, but you’re not really into book-style foldables, there’s an option in that category too. Samsung has the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to offer, its flip foldable smartphone. This thing folds into a very small form factor when you’re not using it, and you still get the benefit of the second display.
Flip phone foldables have managed to become quite popular, even though the book-style foldables are offering more in the productivity department. Flip phone foldables are ideal for those of you who want a really small gadget with you when you’re not using it. They’re unique in the mobile space, that’s for sure. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the best one Samsung has to offer, and it’s also one of the best in general.
This smartphone, when folded, gives you access to a rather spacious 4.1-inch panel. You can use it to do basically whatever you want, especially when you tweak the settings just right. When you need a bigger display, however, you can easily unfold this thing into a 6.9-inch device. The Samsung Exynos 2500 fuels this phone, a very capable 3nm processor.
To top it all off, this phone is resistant to water and dust, despite the fact it’s a foldable, while it also supports both wired and wireless charging. A rather capable main camera sits on the back of this phone, and it’s flanked by a solid ultrawide shooter. The device also offers really good performance, and some features that are unique to foldable devices. It’s basically a complete package, that’s for sure.
Pros
- Two compelling 120Hz displays, for different use cases
- Good performance
- Water and dust resistance
- The main camera offers good performance
- Fast and accurate fingerprint scanner
- One of the best-looking flip phones out there
Cons
- Camera performance as a whole could be better
- Battery life isn’t exactly great
What’s the first thing that goes to mind when you think of the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s positives? Well, in our case, it’s the two displays. This smartphone has very good displays, and that goes for both of them. Even when you’re using that cover display, when the phone is folded, you’re getting a 4.1-inch panel that is larger than most, and it’s also quite compelling in general. It’s vivid and offers good viewing angles, not to mention that it doesn’t lag behind in the refresh rate department either. A 6.7-inch display is there if you need it, though, and it’s good.
The benefit of having a foldable is also that you can use its main cameras as front-facing shooters. If you like to take a lot of selfies, you’ll love this phone. Its main 50-megapixel camera is great for selfies, and that 4.1-inch cover display makes for a great viewfinder. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 can also get very compact when you need it to, and that’s something many of you will appreciate, that’s for sure. This phone has a lot of positives, but these are the ones that came to mind first.
- Display: 6.9” (main) & 4.1” (cover) AMOLED 120Hz
- Brightness: 2,600 nits peak
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (cover display)
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2500
- RAM and Storage: 12GB RAM ; 256GB/512GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP primary camera at f/1.57, 12MP ultrawide at f/2.2
- Battery: 4,300mAh
- Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
- Android Version: Android 16 (One UI 8)
- Software Support: 7 years of major Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: HDR, panorama, 4K at 60 FPS
- Battery life Score: N/A
Best Budget Samsung Phone
If you’re looking for the best budget Samsung smartphone, things might be a bit complicated. That’s because Samsung has some attractive devices whose prices can overlap due to the feature-price ratio. Plus, the definition of “budget” can vary from person to person. That said, as of today, the best budget Samsung smartphone, for us, is the Galaxy A56. It hits that $500 price tag, which is considered budget these days, and it has plenty to offer.
If your budget is $500, and you’re aiming at one of Samsung’s devices, let it be the Galaxy A56. This phone is considered to be a budget phone, and it belongs in the company’s mid-range tier. It may as well be the best purchase in the Galaxy A series when you consider everything. This phone covers all the basics and then some, and it’ll make a great phone for many people, that’s for sure.
The Galaxy A56 has a great 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. That panel offers a fullHD+ resolution, and does get bright enough. Samsung’s very Exynos 1580 chip fuels this phone, which is a 4nm processor. It’s certainly not the latest and greatest the company has to offer, but it’s a solid chip, and does the job. Android 15 comes out of the box here, but you’ll be able to push that to Android 16 the moment fire up the device.
What else is worth noting? Well, the main camera on the device. Granted, the other two cameras are not worth mentioning, but the main camera sure is. It has a solid sensor on the inside, and it can take some nice-looking pictures. Samsung also included a 5,000mAh battery here, and the phone does not support wireless charging, but it does support 45W wired charging. It offers faster charging than one of Samsung’s flagships, actually.
Pros
- Good price point
- Solid display
- Capable main camera
- Battery life is no joke
- Audio output is solid
- Great/long software support
Cons
- Two out of three rear cameras are not that good
- No wireless charging
The one thing that makes this phone special is… balance. Samsung tried to offer all the basics in this phone, while keeping the price tag accessible enough to many people. There’s a reason why Samsung’s Galaxy A series is so popular. Many people also love large displays, and this one actually has a solid one. It may not be as bright as some flagship ones, but it’s still very good, not to mention that it offers a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Galaxy A56 will also get excellent software support from Samsung. The company is promising that 6 major Android OS updates will reach the phone, which essentially means 6 years of proper OS support. A solid main camera is on offer here too, and much more. The Galaxy A56 is a solid smartphone and an easy recommendation, especially if you get a good deal for it.
- Display: 6.7″ Super AMOLED 120Hz
- Brightness: 1,900 nits peak
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 1580
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP primary camera at f/1.8, 12MP ultrawide at f/2.2, 5MP macro at f/2.4
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Charging: 45W wired
- Android Version: Android 15 (One UI 7), upgradeable
- Software Support: 6 years of major Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: Best Face, panorama, 4K at 30 FPS, 10-bit HDR
- Battery life Score: N/A
Best Almost Flagship Samsung Phone
Samsung’s ‘Galaxy S FE’ series is no longer as attractive as it was when it first dropped. Back then, the value was obvious. These days, not so much. It sits in this weird bracket between the Galaxy A series and the Galaxy S series. Even though it’s no longer as attractive as it once was, the Galaxy S FE series is still a solid option. That goes for the Galaxy S25 FE as well, this year’s offering from the company. If you don’t need some bells and whistles that the Galaxy S series offers, and you still want more than the Galaxy A seriers can deliver… this is the phone for you.
The Galaxy S25 FE takes its predecessor’s foundation and implements improvements that refine the “affordable flagship” formula to the maximum within the company’s catalog. Other brands’ affordable flagships tend to focus heavily on performance, compromising other aspects. However, Samsung’s “FE” devices stand out for their balance. They typically offer reliable power, good cameras, a great display, and premium value. Well, that’s exactly what you’ll find here in a $649 package.
The S25 FE improves on its predecessor in key areas. For starters, the battery is not only larger, but it also charges much faster (45W vs. 25W for the S24 FE). As for the display, the quality is similar, but there’s one crucial differentiating factor: LTPO technology. LTPO allows the device to seamlessly change its refresh rate even down to very low levels instead of limiting the screen to “Hz steps.” This results in smoother visual transitions and significant power savings, so another battery bonus here.
The camera system is quite similar—if not identical—to that of the Galaxy S24 FE. However, you can expect quality improvements via software optimization, as Samsung does even on its most expensive phones. Selfie lovers will find an improved 12MP front camera, the same as the other S25 models. The device relies on the Exynos 2400 as its heart, a chip that still offers great performance today.
Pros
- Solid design and build quality
- 7 years of software updates
- Bigger battery in a thinner body
- Greatly improved fast charging compared to its predecessor
- AMOLED display now with LTPO support
- New, improved selfie camera
Cons
- Same rear camera hardware as its predecessor
- Same chipset as its predecessor
The key word for this device is “balance.” Objectively, it’s not the best in any of its categories, but it’s a 7 or 8 in most of them. Are you looking for a nice, smooth AMOLED display? Good battery life with decent fast charging? A reliable chipset that can handle all your daily tasks and relatively demanding gaming? An efficient camera system? Well, it’s all there.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE draws heavily on the foundation of the Galaxy S24 FE and refines the formula to the max, implementing improvements “where it matters.” Key areas, such as the battery and display, received nice upgrades in one way or another. In the case of the display, the implementation of LTPO technology is a huge plus for both fluidity and battery life. And speaking of battery life, the handset now boasts a 4,900mAh cell. However, the biggest improvement related to battery life is its support for fast charging, now supporting 45W, a huge leap from the 25W of its predecessor.
Camera-wise, the sensors are largely the same as those of the S24 FE but powered by Samsung’s latest advancements in computational photography. Selfie lovers will also appreciate the new, upgraded front camera.
- Display: 6.7″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
- Brightness: 1,900 nits peak
- Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB/512GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP primary camera at f/1.8, 8MP 3x telephoto at f/2.4, 12MP ultrawide at f/2.2 (123-degree FOV)
- Battery: 4,900mAh
- Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
- Colors: Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, White
- Android Version: Android 16 (One UI 8)
- Software Support: 7 years of major Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, Auto-HDR, 8K recording at 30fps, 4K recording at 120fps, HDR10 recording, OIS
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: N/A
Best Cheap Samsung Phone
As previously said, the concepts of “affordable” or “cheap” can vary from person to person. A $649 phone like the Galaxy S25 FE might not be truly affordable for you, even if it offers a good price-performance ratio. Perhaps what you’re really looking for is a smartphone that delivers in most areas without exceeding certain price limits (say, around $300). Well, luckily there is an option, and it’s not bad at all: the Samsung Galaxy A26.
The Galaxy A26 is one of Samsung’s options for those on a budget. The device aims to offer a solid user experience for those who don’t want to spend too much on a new phone or for those looking for a secondary device.
This handset doesn’t claim to be a powerhouse but rather a comprehensive package that hits all the right notes in the core aspects to leave a positive impression. Here you’ll find an AMOLED display with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate. Its large 5,000mAh battery also promises long hours of use without having to recharge.
Additionally, unlike the more expensive Galaxy A36, the A26 model boasts support for MicroSD cards via its hybrid SIM slot. Last but not least, Samsung promises a whopping six major Android OS updates, putting it on par with (or even above) many flagship phones in terms of software support.
Pros
- Solid build quality with IP67 rating
- 6 years of software updates
- AMOLED display at 120Hz
- Promising battery life
Cons
- 2MP macro camera feels out of place even at this price point
For a US-based person with a budget of around $300, the Samsung Galaxy A26 is definitely among the bests you can find out there. Obviously, you’ll find compromises in certain key areas, while others stand out in order to achieve an overall balanced package that offers a good user experience.
Think of two words if you’re interested in this handset: display and battery. This cheap phone boasts a Samsung-quality AMOLED display. Not only that, but it also supports a 120Hz refresh rate. This ensures that using your favorite apps and services is quite smooth. It also allows you to enjoy multimedia content from your streaming platforms without major compromises in image quality.
Battery-wise, the Galaxy A26 integrates a nice 5,000mAh cell. While this isn’t the biggest one you can find out there in the Android industry, Samsung usually achieves great results thanks to its optimization. According to the company, the A26 can offer a whopping 17 hours of continuous video playback. Being an affordable device with more modest core hardware, its chipset is less power-hungry than the high-end Snapdragon, Exynos, or Dimensity chipsets.
- Display: 6.7″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
- Brightness: 1,900 nits peak
- Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB/512GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP primary camera at f/1.8, 8MP 3x telephoto at f/2.4, 12MP ultrawide at f/2.2 (123-degree FOV)
- Battery: 4,900mAh
- Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
- Colors: Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, White
- Android Version: Android 16 (One UI 8)
- Software Support: 7 years of major Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, Auto-HDR, 4K recording at 60 fps, HDR10+ recording, OIS
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: 50% in around 30 minutes
Best Budget Foldable Samsung Phone
It’s difficult to clearly define a phone priced closer to $1,000 than $600 as a “budget” phone. However, for $899.99, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is a great way to get into the segment. As its name suggests, the Z Flip 7 FE is the affordable version of the Z Flip 7. In fact, the handset inherits many of the key specs from the Galaxy Z Flip 6. This is nice, as you’ll get the same high-quality display experience as a recent flagship device.
Like the Galaxy S24 FE, this foldable phone is powered by the Exynos 2400 chip. You’ll even find the same camera system as the Z Flip 7 with 50MP (main) and 12MP (ultrawide) sensors. There’s also the same 10MP front camera, although the particular form factor of these devices allows you to easily use the main rear lens as a high-quality selfie camera.
There’s also no difference in terms of battery compared to last year’s Z Flip 6. The device packs a 4,000mAh cell with support for 25W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. Overall, the experience will be quite similar to that of a recent flagship phone. Even the cover display uses the classic “folder-like” design instead of the full screen of the new Z Flip 7.
Pros
- Solid design and build quality
- 7 years of software updates
- Extremely pocketable
- Very good performance
- Decent camera especially in Pro Photo mode
- Nice starting price point
Cons
- Charging feels slow (A full hour and a half for 100%)
- Cover display takes a bit of setup to be useful
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE isn’t particularly unique, as it’s actually quite similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 6. However, its strength lies precisely in inheriting most of the key features and specs from last year’s flagship device but adding an additional year of support since it runs the Android 16-based One UI 8 update out of the box. It also launches for $200 less than the Z Flip 6’s launch price.
The device’s strengths are largely those you’re already familiar with from the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Here, you’ll find the clamshell-like form factor with a folder-shaped cover display from which you can use many of your favorite apps without having to unfold it.
As with the Z Fold 7, you can easily use the Flip 7 FE’s rear cameras for high-quality selfies, while the cover display acts as a viewfinder. FlexCam mode also lets you take advantage of the device’s form factor by turning it into a “handycam” with automatic features like subject tracking, zoom adjustment, and more.
- Inner Display: 6.7″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
- Cover Display: 3.4″ AMOLED, 60Hz
- Brightness: 2,600 nits peak (inner and cover display)
- Protection: UTG (inner display) / Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (cover display)
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM ; 128GB/256GB Storage
- Cameras: 50MP primary camera at f/1.8, 12MP ultrawide at f/2.2 (123-degree FOV)
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
- Colors: Black, White
- Android Version: Android 16 (One UI 8)
- Software Support: 7 years of major Android updates
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: LED flash, Auto-HDR, 4K recording at 60 fps, HDR10+ recording, OIS
- Battery life Score: N/A
- Charging time: 50% in around 30 minutes
Best Rugged Samsung Phone
If you really want a rugged smartphone from Samsung, that’s also doable, as the company did make some. The thing is, they’re not as easy to get, at least not directly from the company. You’ll need a business account to get it. You’ll may have more luck via retailers, though. Speaking of which, the Galaxy XCover7 Pro is the phone in question, that’s the latest and the best rugged device the company released.
Samsung is also making rugged smartphones, even though the company isn’t exactly well-known for them. Many of you have probably heard of the company’s XCover series. Well, the Galaxy XCover7 Pro is the latest and greatest phone that the company has to offer, though it’s not readily available as the company’s other phones.
If you head over to the company’s official website in the US, you’ll realize that a business account is needed to get the phone. You may have more luck with some retailers, though. In any case, this phone is IP68 certified, while it’s also MIL-STD-810H certified. It’s a tough cookie, that’s for sure. It’s now overly powerful in terms of specs, but it should work perfectly fine. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip fuels it, while it includes 6GB of RAM. That’s quite modest by today’s standards, actually.
The device has a 50-megapixel main camera, which is not all that impressive, and a rather forgettable 8-megapixel ultrawide unit. There is a side-facing fingerprint scanner included here, which works really well, and a 4,350mAh battery is on the inside. That battery is supposed to keep the lights on despite a 6.6-inch fullHD+ 120Hz display. It’s not exactly a big battery, but there you have it. There is a reason this phone is aimed at specific types of customers. It’s not a powerhouse by any means, but it’s rugged.
This is a rugged smartphone, and that’s its main selling point, by far. Samsung has better phones to offer at this price, that’s for sure. None of them have the ruggedness this phone has, however. It’s aimed at a specific type of buyer. It is not only IP68 certified, which many phones are these days, but it also comes with the MIL-STD-810H rating. So, it’s not only water and dust resistant, but it’s resistant to drops up to 1.5m as well. You can be notably clumsier with this phone than you’d be with other offerings from the company.
The specifications this handset offers are definitely not special. Again, Samsung does have phones with better specs at this price range. The design of the phone is kind of interesting, though, it’s different than other devices from the company. It has a small display notch, which is kind of obsolete at this point in time, but it does fit with this industrial design rather well. Samsung combines black color with red accents and it works well for the Galaxy XCover7 Pro. The phone is also offering expandable storage, which is a rarity these days.
- Display: 6.6″ IPS LCD 120Hz
- Brightness: N/A
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
- RAM and Storage: 6GB RAM ; 128GB Storage (expandable)
- Cameras: 50MP primary camera at f/1.8, 8MP ultrawide at f/2.2
- Battery: 4,350mAh
- Charging: 15W wired
- Colors: Black
- Android Version: Android 15 (One UI 7), upgradeable
- Software Support: N/A
- AI Software: Gemini, Bixby, Circle to Search, Galaxy AI
- Camera Score: N/A
- Camera features: HDR, panorama, 4K at 30 FPS
- Battery life Score: N/A
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