I’m at all times comfortable to suggest the very best Samsung telephones to anybody who asks, because the firm’s vary of handsets is so large, there’s one thing to go well with everybody.
And as we come to the top of 2024, the Galaxy lineup is stronger than ever. At the moment I and my TG colleagues fee the Galaxy S24 FE because the primary decide resulting from its stability of options and worth. However should you favor having all the newest options, then I’d direct you to the Galaxy S24 Extremely, or alternatively the Galaxy A55 if preserving to a good price range is a very powerful factor.
Learn on for our greatest Samsung cellphone picks, in addition to some perception into some honorable mentions and our testing course of so you possibly can absolutely perceive why we consider these Galaxys are those that’ll doubtless go well with you greatest.
Richard Priday
Samsung launches dozens of telephones yearly, however happily I’m able to strive them out, take a look at and evaluation them. Earlier than changing into knowledgeable telephones man, I used to be a devoted Samsung person, eking out each final drop of life from my Galaxy S7 earlier than my job required me to swap gadgets extra recurrently. So I’ve seen how Samsung’s telephones have modified and improved over an extended time frame, and may hopefully steer you towards the precise system within the firm’s spacious portfolio.
The short record
Greatest general
Samsung’s greatest AI options are simply as potent on the S24 FE as they’re on the dearer fashions, making this an amazing possibility for customers who need extra worth or a smaller system.
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Greatest worth
Samsung retains issues easy with the Galaxy A55, providing every part you may want (besides maybe a strong chip) in a good-looking new design for a similar nice value.
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Greatest premium
3. Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
Going Extremely will get you Samsung’s final digital camera system, an in-built stylus and the very best expertise of the Galaxy S24 collection’ AI options, efficiency and show expertise.
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Large-screen possibility
4. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
With a 6.7-inch show and QHD decision, the Galaxy S24 Plus will get you many of the method to a Galaxy S24 Extremely, together with an identical charging speeds and higher battery efficiency, for much less.
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Greatest foldable
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
With a contemporary design, extra AI goodies, more durable exterior and superior efficiency, Samsung’s continued on its slow-but-steady path to foldable improvement with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
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Reasonably priced foldable
6. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
It is dearer than it was once, however the Galaxy Z Flip 6 continues to be round the price of a typical flagship cellphone, however dazzles with its foldable body, twin shows and enhanced cameras.
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Greatest Samsung cellphone general
Usually, the newest customary Galaxy S mannequin is the mannequin I would suggest to folks first. However in his evaluation of the Galaxy S24 FE, TG telephones editor John Velasco discovered it was “among the finest values you may discover in a cellphone this yr,” beating the opposite S24 fashions to this prime place.
John’s evaluation highlights the truth that there is not any distinction within the software program or Galaxy AI options between the Galaxy S24 FE and the opposite fashions, together with the seven years of promised software program help. Check knowledge additionally confirmed that the S24 FE had a brighter, extra colourful and extra correct show than the Galaxy S24 Plus, which is spectacular for a cellphone $350 cheaper.
The Galaxy S24 FE is not pretty much as good for efficiency or images resulting from Samsung’s resolution to downgrade the chip and cameras. However the truth it nonetheless has a 3x telephoto digital camera nonetheless impressed us, and helps reinforce what John concluded – that is all of the cellphone you want for a surprisingly low value, making it a simple no. 1 decide for us.
Seeking to the longer term, the Galaxy S25 collection is anticipated to show up in early 2025. Nevertheless, Samsung would not launch the FE model of Galaxy S fashions concurrently the usual, Plus and Extremely ones. So this might stay the highest Galaxy S mannequin, or a minimum of the very best FE, even after that rumored January launch.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluation.
Greatest worth Samsung cellphone
That is my decide for a Samsung to purchase if you wish to avoid wasting cash. Nevertheless it comes with a serious caveat – it isn’t offered within the U.S.
Whereas we consider the Galaxy A35, which is offered within the States, here is why I nonetheless suggest discovering an A55 should you can. First up, it is a surprisingly good images cellphone, even in comparison with powerful competitors like Samsung’s different telephones. Its battery life was additionally fairly spectacular, outlasting telephones with a lot bigger batteries in my very own YouTube-based testing. Plus the cellphone feels extra premium than ever due to an aluminum body and glass again and an adaptive 120Hz refresh fee.
The one attainable deal breaker for me is the low-powered chipset, which makes gaming and equally demanding apps run at disappointing speeds and high quality. Nevertheless there are lots of customers on the market who will not be bothered by this, and I would be very happy to introduce them to this explicit Samsung.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy A55 evaluation.
Greatest premium Samsung cellphone
One in all TG’s greatest telephones general, the Galaxy S24 Extremely is a cellphone I’ve stored shut handy because it launched. Its twin telephoto cameras, anti-glare show, and robust efficiency make it the only option for every kind of duties.
Samsung’s large new function for the S24 collection is Galaxy AI, a collection of options together with translation, photograph enhancing and textual content producing and summarizing instruments. I like the facility of the interpretation instruments, however discover the others much less helpful for a way I take advantage of my telephones. That might be completely different for you although.
Except for its price, we at TG do miss Samsung’s previous 10x zoom digital camera, that is now been changed with a higher-res 5x one. However there’s actually little or no I can discover fault with on the Galaxy S24 Extremely, so anybody with the funds to take action – hit the purchase button.
Simply bear in mind as you learn this in December 2024 that the next-gen Galaxy S25 Extremely might be with us in simply over a month. So be sure to do not hit the purchase button on the S24 Extremely with out seeing what the S25 Extremely might be able to.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely evaluation.
Greatest sub-$1,000 big-screen Samsung cellphone
When you have a tough price range restricted of a grand, then I believe the Galaxy S24 Plus continues to be value your time even when it sits in an ungainly center spot within the S24 line-up.
The S24 Plus’ large display screen and battery imply you need to use the cellphone for longer whereas having fun with video games and content material in bigger and higher-definition model. The cellphone additionally chargers a good bit quicker than the fundamental S24 due to 45W charging, and will get extra RAM to assist along with your varied apps and AI wants.
You continue to get the identical chipset because the cheaper S24 although, and the Galaxy S24 FE has launched extra just lately for customers who need a large display screen for much less. However I nonetheless suppose the Galaxy S24 Plus will go well with lots of people, and for a very long time to return due to Samsung’s beneficiant software program replace plan.
As with the Galaxy S25 Extremely above, be sure to know what’s rumored for the Galaxy S25 collection earlier than shopping for an S24 mannequin. You can be higher off ready for the brand new mannequin, because it’s presumably solely a month or so away from launch.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus evaluation.
Greatest foldable Samsung cellphone
Samsung’s been evolving the Z Fold line slowly because it first arrived, however the Galaxy Z Fold 6 continues to be certainly one of my favourite telephones of the yr regardless of that sluggish progress.
An improve I used to be glad to see this yr are higher resistance towards water and mud and more durable exterior elements – as a result of no one needs their costly foldable to interrupt due to an unlucky drop in a sandbox or puddle. However the show, chipset and cameras have all been tweaked since final yr too to maintain issues updated, and the addition of Galaxy AI options are fairly a bonus too. Options like Sketch to Picture work particularly nicely on the large 7.6-inch internal show, and much more so should you get the elective stylus.
In case you like your images, or worth for cash, the Z Fold 6 is not the cellphone for you. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless a strong alternative for individuals who wish to go foldable.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 evaluation.
Most reasonably priced Samsung foldable
In case you like your telephones actually pocket-size, permit me to introduce you to the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It is taken quite a lot of cues from the Z Flip 5 final yr, however upgrades like a 50MP principal digital camera and a brand new chipset imply images and efficiency are higher than ever.
Galaxy AI is right here in all its glory too. The brand new Interpreter mode is a specific favourite of mine, transcribing and translating speech on each screens without delay that can assist you converse face-to-face with somebody talking a special language.
Dearer than earlier than, plus it was disappointing to see the brand new bigger battery barely make a distinction to the Z Flip 6’s battery life. It is nonetheless an enthralling cellphone although, and one you can pretty simply afford in case you have a typical flagship cellphone price range.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 evaluation.
Additionally examined
If these choices do not fit your wants, then happily we’ve got different suggestions that are not essentially the best choice for a given area of interest, however might nonetheless be wonderful for explicit customers.
As an example, final yr’s Galaxy S23 collection bear quite a lot of {hardware} similarities to the Galaxy S24 collection, however now promote for a good bit much less since there are newer fashions on the market. There’s additionally the Galaxy S23 FE, which affords customers a bigger show and a telephoto digital camera for lower than the Galaxy S24 FE, albeit at the price of some older elements in some areas.
Additionally, for customers unable to search out the Galaxy A55 on sale of their area, the Galaxy A35 affords related specs and options. Its chipset is much less highly effective although, and its cameras aren’t fairly as succesful, however for the cash it stays an amazing worth.
How to decide on the very best Samsung telephones
Choosing which Samsung cellphone to purchase is primarily pushed by price range issues. You are not going to spring for a Galaxy S24 Extremely, for instance, should you’re not ready with a minimum of $1,199 even should you decide to unfold these funds out over time. However different elements should be considered as nicely.
Begin with how you employ your smartphone. If it is primarily a productiveness system, the Galaxy S24 Extremely and Galaxy Z Fold 6 are interesting, regardless of their excessive value tags, as a result of they each help the S Pen. (Just like the S23 Extremely earlier than it, the S24 Extremely comes with an S Pen; the stylus is an elective add-on for Samsung’s foldable.) In case you flip to your cellphone for images, the Galaxy S collection is normally first in line for Samsung’s digital camera improvements, and all three S24 fashions supply spectacular digital camera options — notably the 200MP principal digital camera on the Galaxy S24 Extremely.
Price range-minded customers have a plethora of choices, from the lowered price ticket of the Galaxy S22 to the midrange Galaxy A collection. The Galaxy S23 FE can be one other older Samsung cellphone with a low beginning value. Moreover, yow will discover reductions on Samsung telephones by shopping for straight from the cellphone maker and buying and selling in your present system. Take a look at the very best Samsung cellphone offers for the newest financial savings.
How we take a look at the very best Samsung telephones
To ensure that a smartphone to make our greatest cellphone record, it must excel on a number of exams that we run on each handset. We carry out a few of these exams in our labs and a few in the true world. See our detailed clarification on how Tom’s Information exams and critiques smartphones for extra data.
In the case of efficiency, we depend on such artificial benchmarks as Geekbench 6 and 3DMark to measure graphics efficiency. These exams permit us to match efficiency throughout iPhones and Android gadgets. (Word that some telephones within the chart beneath are nonetheless displaying their Geekbench 5 numbers.) We additionally run a real-world video transcoding take a look at on every cellphone utilizing the Adobe Premiere Rush app and time the outcome. (We sadly must skip this take a look at on some telephones resulting from app compatibility points, however we try this benchmark with every system we get in to evaluation.)
Row 0 – Cell 0 | Geekbench 6 (single-core / multicore) | 3DMark Wild Life Limitless (FPS) |
Galaxy S24 FE | 2,161 / 6,386 | 86 |
Galaxy A55 | 1161 / 3464 | Not examined |
Galaxy S24 Extremely | 2300 / 7249 | 123 |
Galaxy S24 Plus | 2272 / 7083 | 121 |
Galaxy Z Fold 6 | 2172 / 6901 | 112 |
Galaxy Z Flip 6 | 2091 / 7022 | 113 |
To measure the standard of a cellphone’s show, we carry out lab exams to find out the brightness of the panel (in nits), in addition to how colourful every display screen is (DCI-P3 shade gamut). In these circumstances, larger numbers are higher. We additionally measure shade accuracy of every panel with a Delta-E ranking, the place decrease numbers are higher and rating of 0 is ideal.
Row 0 – Cell 0 | sRGB (%) | DCI-P3 (%) | Delta-E |
Galaxy S24 FE | 140.6 (Vivid) / 120.5 (Pure) | 99.6 (Vivid) / 85.3 (Pure) | 0.23 (Vivid) / 0.2 (Pure) |
Galaxy A55 | Not examined | Not examined | Not examined |
Galaxy S24 Extremely | 139.1 (Vivid) / 119.9 (Pure) | 98.5 (Vivid) / 84.9 (Pure) | 0.25 (Vivid) / 0.23 (Pure) |
Galaxy S24 Plus | 140.3 (Vivid) / 115.0 (Pure) | 99.3 (Vivid) / 81.5 (Pure) | 0.24 (Vivid) / 0.27 (Pure) |
Galaxy Z Fold 6 (internal display screen) | 136.4 / 114.7 | 96.9 (Vivid) / 81.2(Pure) | 0.24 (Vivid) / ).24 (Pure) |
Galaxy Z Flip 5 (internal display screen) | 135.8 (Vivid) / 119.9 (Pure) | 96.2 (Vivid) / 84.9 (Pure) | 0.24 (Vivid) / 0.24 (Pure) |
Some of the necessary exams we run is the Tom’s Information battery take a look at. We run an online browsing take a look at over 5G (or 4G if the cellphone would not have 5G help) at 150 nits of display screen brightness till the battery offers out. Typically, a cellphone that lasts 10 hours or extra is nice, and something above 11 hours makes our record of the very best cellphone battery life.
Row 0 – Cell 0 | Battery life (Hrs:Minutes) |
Galaxy S24 FE | 12:22 (adaptive); 11:38 (60Hz) |
Galaxy A55 | Not examined |
Galaxy S24 Extremely | 16:45 (adaptive); 16:26 (60Hz) |
Galaxy S24 Plus | 15:56 (adaptive); 16:46 (60Hz) |
Galaxy Z Fold 6 | 11:13 (adaptive) / 10:37 (60Hz) |
Galaxy Z Flip 5 | 10:11 (adaptive) / 10:32 (adaptive) |
Final however not least, we take the very best telephones out within the discipline to take photographs open air, indoors and at evening in low gentle to see how they carry out versus their closest opponents. We take pictures of landscapes, meals, portraits and extra, and likewise can help you be the choose with side-by-side comparisons in our critiques.