In the world of consumer electronics, Samsung is arguably the most popular, with its product empire spanning from home appliances to mobile computing to software and services. Even if we tunnel into its smartphone lines, there are almost too many options to count.
Over the past few years, ZDNET’s team of mobile experts has tested. reviewed, and compared the best Samsung Galaxy smartphones, including the value-driven A-series, the flagship S-series, and the shape-shifting foldables that make up the Z-series.
That said, while there’s no shortage of Samsung phones in 2022, only the best and latest ones deserve your attention — and money. See below for our expert picks and the most recommended devices from the Galaxy maker.
pros
- An amazing quad rear camera system
- Gorilla Glass Victus Plus display
- Fully integrated S Pen support
- Reliable 5,000mAh battery
cons
- Some Samsung bloatware apps
- One of the largest phones on the market
- Curved display is not for all
Tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Display: 6.8-inches, 3200×1440 pixels | RAM/Storage: 12GB/(128GB-256GB-512GB-1TB) | Cameras: 10MP with 10x optical, 10MP with 3x optical, 108MP, and 12MP ultra wide. 40MP front-facing camera | Battery: 5,000mAh
Samsung’s first flagship phone of 2022 was the Galaxy S22 Ultra. While the S21 Ultra from 2021 supported the S Pen, there was no way to store, carry, or charge up the stylus. With the launch of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung has fully embraced it as the Note successor by including an S Pen silo, flat and square design elements, and all of the latest and greatest specifications in a smartphone.
The Galaxy S22 phones were the first to launch widely with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor inside. While the same resolution cameras from the S21 Ultra are found in this year’s S22 Ultra, Samsung improved the cameras’ performance in low-light conditions. Samsung’s inclusion of two telephoto cameras also continues to stand out from Apple and Google by providing fantastic zoom capability.
Read the review: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
pros
- An innovative engineering marvel
- Armor Aluminum material for a lighter and sleeker phone
- High IPX8 water resistance
- S Pen support
- Improved software optimized for foldables
cons
- Still expensive, but generous trade-in offers abound
- S Pen purchase and store separately
Tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | Main Display: 7.6-inches, 2176×1812 pixels | Cover Display: 6.2-inches, 904×2316 pixels | RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB internal options | Cameras: 12MP ultra-wide, 50MP wide angle, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP cover screen, 4MP under main display | Battery: 4,400mAh
The 2020 Galaxy Z Fold 2 set the bar for foldable devices that also serve as mini tablets. The Z Fold 3 improved on that phone with S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance, two features requested by Fold users. With the Z Fold 4, Samsung again addressed user requests and improved the rear cameras on the phone. The cameras are not as good as those found on the S22 Ultra, but the hardware is clearly improved over the Z Fold 3.
In addition to the new rear cameras, Samsung updated the under-display camera found on the right side of the Main Display so it is less visible when using the Main Display. This camera is designed primarily for video calling, which is extremely common today for remote work scenarios.
The Z Fold 4 also launches with Android 12L which was designed by Google for large-screen experiences. Google and Microsoft apps, in addition to those from Samsung, are optimized for multitasking and the lovely big Main Display.
Read the review: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4
pros
- High-quality materials, fit, and finish
- IPX8 water resistance
- High refresh rate main display
- Affordable price for a foldable
- Folds into a pocketable form factor
cons
- No telephoto camera
- Battery is reasonably underwhelming compared to larger phones
Tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | Main Display: 6.7-inches, 1080×2640 pixels | Cover Display: 1.9-inches, 260×512 pixels | RAM/Storage: 8GB RAM with 128GB/256GB/512GB internal options | Cameras: Two rear 12MP, 10MP selfie | Battery: 3,700mAh
While the Z Fold 4 remains the best Samsung foldable, it’s the Z Flip 4 that will likely sell the most and appeal to the masses. Not only is the clamshell handset less expensive than the Z Fold, but it’s more compact and portable, and has a more user-friendly learning curve.
Shape-shifting displays aside, the Z Flip 4 is very similar to the standard Samsung Galaxy S-series flagship, with a large 6.7-inch AMOLED panel that’s crisp and bright, up to 512GB of RAM for those high-resolution pictures and videos, and a healthy 3,700mAh cell powering it all.
Folks who thrive in social media and content creation will love the Z Flip 4’s ability to switch between shooting styles like camcorder mode and flex mode. And for more personalization, Samsung offers its Bespoke service so you can customize the color of the back plating, hinge, and edges of the Z Flip.
Read the review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
pros
- Rugged build to withstand the toughest hits
- Stacked with computing power, including 5G support
- Relatively affordable compared to flagships
- Four years of software support
cons
- Bulky and rubberized design won’t appeal to most
- 4,050mAh battery is just okay
Tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G | Display: 6.6-inches, 2408×1080 pixels | RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB | Cameras: 50MP wide and 8MP ultra-wide. 13MP front-facing camera | Battery: 4,050mAh
Samsung released the Galaxy XCover 6 Pro back in September and it remains the best rugged option from the Korean giant. In fact, it’s one of the only rugged smartphones that supports 5G connectivity, making the XCover 6 Pro a top prospect for industrial and enterprise users who work in hazardous environments.
By the numbers, the XCover 6 Pro is MIL-STD-810H compliant, meaning its undergone a series of military-level testing for durability and protection. The device is also rated IP68, allowing it to withstand a complete submersion below one meter for as long as 30 minutes.
The dual cameras at the rear — a 50MP wide and 8MP ultra-wide — are passable but you’re mainly paying for the ruggedness of the phone and nothing more. Fortunately, Samsung does bundle it with a Snapdragon 778G processor and a dependable 6.6-inch display that’s covered in a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Victus Plus.
Read more: Samsung’s Galaxy XCover 6 Pro and Tab Active 4 Pro are built to last
pros
- Price is more than reasonable
- A ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ smartphone
- Reliable 5,000mAh battery
- Up to five years of software and security updates
cons
- Low-band 5G support
- Plasticky build quality
- Cameras are clearly mid-range
Tech specs: Processor: Samsung Exynos 1280 | Display: 6.5-inches, 2400×1080 pixels | RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB | Cameras: 64MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth sensor. 5MP macro, and 32MP front-facing camera | Battery: 5,000mAh
While the flagship Galaxy S and Z fold series provide compelling options, they are flagship phones priced in the $900 and higher range. In order to offer customers another alternative, Samsung created the Galaxy A series, led by none other than the A53 5G.
Here’s the breakdown: For $449, you get a 6.5-inch AMOLED display that ramps up to 120Hz refresh rate, 6GB of RAM, a quad-camera setup that includes a 64MP main sensor, and a beefy 5,000mAh battery. Oh, and the A-series of smartphones fall under Samsung’s five-year commitment to software and security updates, which is rare for devices in this price range.
The Galaxy A53 5G only looks better when stacked next to competing mid-range handsets, like Apple’s iPhone SE (2022) and Google’s Pixel 6a. Not only does Samsung’s bright and colorful display make for a convincing package for entertainment lovers, but its larger battery should last you much longer than the industry’s best.
Read the review: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
While the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra sits at the top of this year’s ranking list, here’s a wider scope of ZDNET’s best picks and their respective feature sets.
|
Samsung phone |
Price |
Display |
Cameras |
Battery |
|
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G |
$1119 |
6.8 inches |
10MP with 10x optical, 10MP with 3x optical, 108MP, and 12MP ultrawide. 40MP front-facing camera |
5,000mAh |
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 |
$1799 |
7.6 inches and 6.2 inches |
10MP with 3x optical, 50MP wide, and 12MP ultrawide, 10MP cover screen, 4MP under main display |
4,400mAh |
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 |
$999 |
6.7 inches, and 1.9 inches |
Two rear 12MP, 10MP selfie |
3,700mAh |
|
Samsung Galaxy XCover 6 Pro |
$599 |
6.6 inches |
50MP wide and 8MP ultrawide. 13MP front-facing camera |
4,050mAh |
|
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G |
$449 |
6.5 inches |
64MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP depth sensor. 5MP macro, and 32MP front-facing camera |
5,000mAh |
It was much easier to choose a Samsung phone option in the past when just the S and Note series were available, along with some low-range, basic phones. Samsung has significantly expanded its offerings with the A Series, Fold, and Flip options. So, the first thing you should now consider is your desired form factor.
First, decide if you want a standard “glass rectangle” smartphone or if you want a folding device. For maximum screen real estate, get a Z Fold 4. Or, for taking up the minimum space in your pocket and providing that extra bit of style, get a Z Flip 4 or Galaxy S22.
With Samsung’s current lineup, you have phones priced from under $200 to over $1,200. Your budget should quickly help you figure out which price point is right for you. From there, begin comparing individual features, like stylus support, or which device has the best camera array.
|
Choose this Samsung phone… |
If you want… |
|
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra |
The top-of-the-line flagship Samsung phone with all the bells and whistles in a traditional form factor. |
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 |
A tablet/smartphone hybrid foldable and one of the best Samsung devices available. |
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 |
A stylish and pocket-friendly smartphone that doesn’t compromise performance. |
|
Samsung Galaxy XCover 6 Pro |
The standard suite of smartphone features, packaged in a rugged shell that can take a hit or two. |
|
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G |
The best Samsung phone for your buck. |
We try to spend time with every phone in our best list and, if we don’t get that opportunity, then we look to trusted reviewers in the mobile space. We only include phones that are still readily available since Samsung tends to clear the queue when new models are launched.
While we personally spend most of our time with higher-end models that help us get our work done most efficiently, there are mid-range phones worth consideration so we include them as well.
The newest Samsung phones are the Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4, both sporting the newest Qualcomm processor and version of Android for foldables.
Bixby was first introduced in the Galaxy S8 phones and, according to Samsung, is an “intelligence assistant” that can be activated by voice, taps, or text. Bixby is essentially Samsung’s version of Siri and can perform the typical smart assistant functions like telling you the weather, translating text, and even controlling smart home appliances.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has the best camera of any Samsung phone and one of the best overall cameras on the phone market. It features a 108MP main camera along with four accompanying cameras, which allow it to take extremely high-quality shots including telephoto and ultra-wide. The S22 Ultra can also video record in up to 8K UHD quality making it one of the most capable phone cameras money can buy.
There’s beating around the Galaxy A53 5G and its wealth of flagship-killing features and specs. As flagship smartphones continue to creep up in price — no thanks to inflation — a $449 that does everyday tasks well is both a surprise and a blessing. As mentioned earlier, the value package of the A53 5G only looks better when you compare it to other smartphones in its price range.
Be sure to check out ZDNET’s comparisons of the best phones and Android phones available. We’ve also listed the top (non-Samsung) picks from both those guides below for your convenience.
…. to be continued
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