Which Samsung Galaxy Phone To Buy ((EXCLUSIVE))
Samsung's still asking for a lot of money for this phone, and has stuck with a curved display, even if the angle's less extreme than previous years. We're also unimpressed by its charging speed, which even at 45W is a bit slow. But if you've got the cash to splash, you won't get a better Galaxy phone right now than this one.
which samsung galaxy phone to buy
Picking which Samsung phone to buy is primarily driven by budget considerations. You're not going to spring for a Galaxy S23 Ultra, for example, if you're not prepared with at least $1,199 even if you opt to spread those payments out over time. But other factors need to be taken into consideration as well.
Like many purchasing decisions, deciding which Samsung phone is right for you comes down to what you want in a phone and how much you're willing to spend. If you want the largest screen available on a standard Samsung phone, enjoy notetaking with a stylus and need a camera with a significantly closer zoom, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the right choice. But you'll also have to be willing to spend more than $1,000 unless you score a trade-in deal.
It's also important to consider whether now is the right time to upgrade. If you have a relatively new phone that's two to three years old and still functions properly, you can probably wait. Samsung has also committed to supporting four generations of Android operating system updates for devices like the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy A53 5G, which improves their longevity.
Finding the best Samsung phone will ultimately come down to preference. Choosing among so many options can get complicated, so here's how to decide which Samsung phone is best for you. Check out our phone buying guide for more tips on how to choose the right device. Not sure whether it's worth upgrading to the Galaxy S23? We have a guide for that too.
The Galaxy S23 is a lot, but in a good way. It's more than most people need in a phone, but that doesn't make it any less impressive. Samsung made improvements to the camera's resolution (200 megapixels compared with 108 megapixels), color tones and dynamic range, while retaining the same edgy design and massive 6.8-inch screen as its predecessor. There's also a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that's been optimized specifically for Samsung's phones, which brings faster performance compared with the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Overall, the Galaxy A53 5G is a suitable choice for those who prioritize having a large screen and long battery life for less than $500. Just keep in mind you might have to deal with some occasional lag, and the camera isn't as advanced as those found on pricier phones. Also bear in mind that Samsung just announced the Galaxy A54, which goes on sale in April. Read our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G review.
Just remember, there are newer versions of this phone, including 2022's Galaxy A13 and the recently launched Galaxy A14, both of which support 5G and offer other improvements. We'll update this story once we've tested these devices. Since the Galaxy A12 is an older device, it's also getting difficult to find. However, you can still find a refurbished version on Amazon or a new model from AT&T.
Consistency aside, there are some benefits to choosing a Samsung phone over devices from other Android phone makers. Samsung usually excels when it comes to display quality and brightness, and it typically offers a lot of choice in terms of size and pricing. Samsung phones usually offer decent battery life -- especially the middle-sized to large phones -- and the cameras are usually among the best, especially on the Galaxy S23 lineup. Samsung also offers four years of Android version updates for most of its new smartphones, which is longer support than even Google provides for its Pixel phones.
Samsung's Galaxy A and S families serve different purposes, so which one is right for you will depend on your needs and budget. The Galaxy A lineup is Samsung's midtier and budget line, and it's the best choice if you're looking for a phone under $500 without a trade-in deal. These phones typically offer core features like a big screen, large battery and multiple cameras at a cheaper price.
Whether you need one of the best camera phones or a handset with superior battery life, the best Galaxy devices have you covered. Topping our list right now is the recently released Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is expensive but has the best camera of any phone on the market.
Display: The S23's 6.1-inch display remains the same as its predecessor's, which is by no means a bad thing. The 120Hz refresh rate and crisp 1080 x 2340 resolution keep things feeling smooth and looking sharp, while the phone is plenty bright enough to maintain good visibility in sunlight.
Cameras: The S23's rear camera array is identical to that of the S22. You'll get a 50MP main lens, 12MP ultrawide lens and 10MP telephoto lens (with 3x optical zoom), which rivals Apple's iPhone 14 phones. It would have been nice to see Samsung give the S23 a 108MP main lens, but the device does get an impressive 12MP selfie camera that trumps its predecessor's equivalent.
Somehow, Samsung has managed to squeeze in a total of five cameras which, again, is rather generous considering how much it costs. It has a massive 48MP camera, which is excellent, as well as a macro, wide-angle and depth-sensing lens. Samsung certainly knows how to make a well-priced smartphone, and the Galaxy A21s, complete with Android 10, a snazzy design and a lovely screen, absolutely smashes our expectations.
The most expensive smartphone you can buy at the moment, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is well worth the cost if you're lucky enough to afford it, especially since it uses the most powerful mobile chipset yet, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 which, in our tests, provided the biggest gen-on-gen gaming performance improvement in a number of years. If you're after a phone that inspires "ooh's" and "aah's" from friends, and you've also got a lot of cash burning a hole in your pocket, then this is the handset to get.
In the grand calculus of the Samsung multiverse, the Galaxy S23 Ultra reigns supreme. It's arguably the most no-frills smartphone that you can buy on the market, let alone from Samsung, which puts it at the top spot on our list.
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 flashiest of smartphone features tend to exist only on flagships, but many will find appeal in Samsung's humble Galaxy A14 5G, which boasts 5G connectivity, a massive 5,000mAh battery, and a budget-friendly $200 price tag. That's a compelling new package at a time when consumers are cutting down on spending.
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.
The newest Samsung phone is the Galaxy S23, which comes in a standard variant (6.2-inch), Plus (6.6-inch), and Ultra (6.8-inch). All three models come with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset and are running One UI 5.0 software over Android 13.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the best camera of any Samsung phone and one of the best overall cameras on the phone market. It features a 200MP main camera along with four accompanying cameras, which allow it to take extremely high-quality shots including close-up images and ones that are ultra-wide. The S23 Ultra can also video record in up to 8K UHD quality at 30fps, making it one of the most capable phone cameras money can buy.
Rounding out the package is Samsung's S Pen, which is included with the Galaxy S23 Ultra to let you jot down quick notes without even turning on the screen, annotate screenshots, or just scribble down shorthand just about anywhere on your phone. It's a great productivity tool, and you'll never have to worry about where to keep it as it tucks away in the bottom of your phone when you're not using it.
The Galaxy S23 has a rather different design from its larger sibling. The 6.1-inch display and slim bezels mean it's a much smaller device, and much more comfortable to hold as a result. The design is different, too, and includes a flat screen and more rounded corners. Aside from that, everything else involving the display is much the same as the more expensive phone, including the incredible Dynamic AMOLED 2X tech with a 120Hz refresh rate. It's the same stunning screen on a smaller frame, which is a big win for those who don't like massive phones.
You can use up to three apps on the unfolded screen and add a fourth app over the top, which can be used as a floating window. Altering the shape and size of each app window is a breeze, and it's really easy to activate multitasking. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 also works with Samsung's DeX mode, turning your smartphone into a desktop computer as well as providing access to Microsoft's Xbox Games Pass. You'll also get 5G connectivity and four Android OS updates, as well as five years of security updates, ensuring this phone will last for years to come.
Finally: cameras. You're getting a 12MP primary lens with optical image stabilization and dual pixel autofocus, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP selfie camera. The main camera's sensor allows for 65% brighter shots, meaning improved performance in low-light conditions. Added features like FlexCam, which lets you partially fold the phone, prop it up, and take photos at different angles, are a nice touch, and you can use this feature in Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook, as well as in the main camera app. There's also Quick Shot mode, which lets you take portrait mode selfies and preview the results in the phone's actual ratio. 041b061a72