Which Samsung phone is the best?

Before purchasing a gadget, you may ask yourself, "Which Samsung phone is the best?" Indeed, the South Korean manufacturer has a diverse portfolio with many best-in-class models. They vary in specifications and cost, allowing each individual to choose precisely what suits their needs.

Comparison Criteria

We compared the technical specifications of gadgets, including their design, displays, performance, photographic capabilities, and user experience to present you with the best models in various categories. And to answer the question: "Which Samsung mobile is best?"

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — the most advanced model

As expected, the newcomer features everything top-notch and impressive: a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a peak brightness of 2600 nits, a glass body with a titanium frame, a powerful processor, and a quad-camera with excellent photo and video capabilities.

At first glance, the new model can even be confused with the previous S23 Ultra: a rectangular body, sharp angles, and flat edges. This external appearance is very recognizable, and it's clear why the company chose not to adopt a different design. However, some changes have still been introduced. The phone's display is entirely flat, which will appeal to users who criticized curved screens as inconvenient.

As befitting the top Android flagship of 2024, the model is equipped with a powerful 4-nanometer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Thanks to this top-tier hardware, the gadget demonstrates excellent performance in resource-intensive games at ultra-high settings. The base version now offers not 8, but 12 GB of RAM. The storage capacity remains the same at 256 GB. There are also options for 12/512 GB and 12 GB/1 TB configurations.

The Ultra model has received more features and interesting AI options. Let's explore the most significant innovations. One of them is bidirectional translation during phone calls. If you're communicating with a foreigner and don't understand each other, AI will assist you. Simply choose the languages for translation, and AI will handle the rest. It supports 13 languages. Additionally, the phone can suggest response options for messages, includes a useful information search function, and an enhanced photo editor.

Among the downsides, it's worth noting the high cost and relatively modest number of improvements compared to the S23 Ultra. Nevertheless, if the price is not a concern for you, then it is the best Samsung phone to buy.

Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 — the best folding model

Foldable models from the South Korean manufacturer are in high demand, especially compared to other companies, as they are durable, reliable, and are unlikely to break within a year of use. If you need a phone that stands out and offers tablet-like capabilities, then you have already answered the question "which Samsung phone is best for me?"

Design is one of the crucial aspects in foldable smartphones, so this parameter should receive sufficient attention. At first glance, it can be noted that the model doesn't differ much from its predecessor. The only noticeable difference is the availability of new color options – light blue and cream, alongside the existing black. The materials used in the body are premium – glass with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protective coating and aluminum, as expected.

The hinge is the most critical element, as the higher its quality, the longer the foldable mechanism will last. Samsung's brand can be trusted in this regard. The gap between the halves of the body when folded also depends on this hinge, and progress is evident compared to the previous model. The gap has finally completely disappeared, ensuring a seamless experience for perfectionists.

This is the only foldable smartphone with full water resistance according to the IPX8 standard. This level of protection allows submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Rain is nothing to worry about, but we wouldn't recommend swimming with the smartphone. It's better to let the device rest safely at the beach.

The powerful hardware allows the phone to easily handle all tasks, including demanding games – no lags, fast loading, and moderate heating. Playing games or watching movies on the large screen is an absolute pleasure. Users can choose from three memory configurations – the base with 12/256 GB, the middle option with 12/512 GB, and the premium variant with 12 GB/1 TB. The base version may seem inadequate for such a smartphone, but the middle one would be just right. And if you have extra money, you can opt for the 1 TB version.

Among the drawbacks, the high cost is once again noted, but this model is not initially intended for the mass market.

Samsung Galaxy Flip5 — compact and nostalgic

Which Samsung cell phone is the best if you need the most compact model? This is the latest flip phone from the company that will bring back pleasant memories of past mobile devices for old users.

The appearance is the first thing that catches the eye when getting acquainted with the phone. Here, the familiar folding design with two displays is present: an internal display inside the "flip" and an external additional display on the back. The crucial element, the hinge, has been significantly improved, and now there is no gap between the two halves of the body when folded. The absence of this gap, which caused noticeable aesthetic discomfort, is a welcome improvement.

There are no complaints about the materials of the body. The edges are aluminum, and the rear glass panel is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 coating. Everything here is mature and even includes IPX8 water resistance, a real triumph for a flexible smartphone.

Let's talk about the screens. The external 3.4" display may seem modest, but it is sufficient for answering messages, checking notifications or the weather forecast, and accepting or rejecting calls. The internal screen has a diagonal of 7.6" with a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, a refresh rate of 120 Hz, and a peak brightness of 1750 nits.

The performance is handled by the penultimate best processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The Samsung Galaxy Flip 5 is offered in two memory configurations only – 8/256 GB and 8/512 GB. The base configuration should be sufficient for moderate use, while the 512 GB variant is suitable if you want more storage. Although this model is not positioned as a top-tier camera phone, its cameras are genuinely good.

As for drawbacks, the battery is noted as weaker, with a capacity of 3700 mAh, but this is justified by the form factor.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G — best in the mid-range segment

Before this, we looked at quite expensive models, but the company's lineup is not limited to flagship devices only. Which Samsung phone is better if you need an excellent gadget in the mid-price range?

The A54 is, without exaggeration, a legend in the mid-range class, as it comes with a good shell, a recognizable flagship design, and a vibrant display. The materials used for the body are also quite interesting: if the frames are made of matte plastic, the back panel is made of glass, providing a pleasantly cool feel to the touch.

The gadget features a Super AMOLED panel with a 6.4-inch diagonal, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels). The pixel density is 403 ppi, and the maximum brightness is 1000 nits. Despite the display size, the smartphone feels quite sizable.

The phone operates on the proprietary Exynos 1380 processor. It can handle any modern game at medium and high graphics settings, although it may not match the performance of the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. However, this doesn't hinder its stable and smooth operation. The proprietary One UI software contributes to the smooth user experience and is widely recognized as one of the best among Android devices.

The smartphone is equipped with three cameras: a main 50 MP sensor (f/1.8) with optical stabilization and support for fast phase-detection autofocus, an 8 MP wide-angle camera (f/2.2), and a 5 MP macro module (f/2.2). The photos turn out genuinely good, especially in this price segment. So, if you need a well-balanced smartphone from a reputable brand, the choice is clear.

Additional advantages include a powerful 5000 mAh battery and IP67 water resistance. As for drawbacks, it includes a less impressive stereo speaker balance and a limitation on the charging speed at 25W.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G — the best in terms of cost-effectiveness

Which Samsung phone is good if you need a budget model? There are such models in the A series, and it's the A14 5G. For around $200, it offers quite a lot: a large and clear display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a 50-megapixel camera, long battery life, and even a headphone jack (remember those?). Of course, some sacrifices had to be made, but overall, it's a very respectable phone at the entry-level price.

The Galaxy A14 5G features a 6.6-inch LCD display with a 1080p resolution. Considering the price, the display looks quite good, with sharp and vibrant colors typical of Samsung displays. Unfortunately, as expected from a budget device, it has slightly thicker bezels around the screen compared to higher-end phones. However, a notable feature of the Galaxy A14 5G display is its 90Hz refresh rate, which is quite impressive for a $200 price point, considering that even the $800 iPhone 14 from Apple still has a modest 60Hz refresh rate.

As this is a budget phone, you will undoubtedly notice a slight productivity dip if you are accustomed to more expensive phones. The device is equipped with 4 or 6GB of RAM and a MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 chip, unchanged from its predecessor. It also comes with either 64GB or 128GB of storage, but you can expand it up to 1TB with a microSD card.

Another advantage of the device is its high battery life. With average usage, the device lasts for at least two full days, something flagship owners can only dream of.

Drawbacks include a mono speaker, lower screen brightness, and the absence of water resistance.

Conclusion

Which series of Samsung is best, A or S? These are two completely different lineups, and the decision will likely depend on your budget. The A series offers more affordable phones, while in the S series, you will find high-end premium gadgets.

The question of "which Samsung phone is right for me" can only be answered by you. Examine the technical specifications of the phones and compare the gadgets in our descriptions to make a decision.