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 2023, 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.
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 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 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 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 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 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. 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.
