Samsung is the number one phone brand in the world for good reason. The South Korean tech giant makes not just the most premium slab flagships and cutting-edge foldables, it also manufactures very capable mid-tier and budget handsets. So no matter your budget, Samsung has something for you.
The Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra.
Of course, if you’re open to using more than just Samsung, we have a guide to the best Android phones, and even the best iPhones too.
Navigate this article:
- Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Best Value: Samsung Galaxy S22
- Best that money can buy: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Best compact and style: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Best for affordable 5G: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Best for battery: Samsung Galaxy M32
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung’s brand new Galaxy S22 Ultra is the successor to not just last year’s excellent Galaxy S21 Ultra, but also the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. And on both fronts, the phone knocks it out of the park. The Galaxy S22 Ultra improves on the already awesome and versatile camera system of the Galaxy S21 Ultra by adding subtle refinements to hardware while giving its computational photography engine a major revamp. The result is a 10x zoom lens that can produce even sharper and better-lit zoom shots than before; a main camera with better dynamic range and low light capabilities; and smoother video stabilization all around.
Then there’s the S-Pen. Last year’s S21 Ultra supported Samsung’s stylus too, but it was a separate purchase and the phone had no slot to house the thing. This year? The S-Pen comes with the phone, and just like previous Note devices, there’s a silo into which the S-Pen rests. But that’s not all, Samsung also improved the S-Pen performance, with lower latency to 2.8ms for an even more realistic sketching and jotting experience.
Elsewhere, the Galaxy S22 Ultra runs on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a 4nm SoC that is the cream of the crop in Android right now. Some regions do get the new Exynos 2200 SoC, but now many major markets get the Snapdragon chip, and Samsung has also improved GPU performance which was a sore point on previous Exynos. And while the 5,000 mAh battery size is the same as before, the Galaxy S22 Ultra should gain better battery life due to the phone’s screen being a second-generation LTPO panel, which is smarter at finding the right refresh rate for better power efficiency.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra will also get four guaranteed years of software updates, five years of security patches, and a refined software experience that offers the best of Android 12 plus a bunch of Samsung-specific features like DeX. Other than the fact that this phone doesn’t fold, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the pinnacle of Samsung’s mobile craftsmanship right now.
- The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the ultimate Samsung phone -- combining the best of the S and Note series for a powerful beast of a machine that excels for work and play.
Second Best Phone Overall: Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
If you don’t care much about the S-Pen and would rather save a bit of money, the Galaxy S22 Plus is an excellent alternative. You’re still getting a gorgeous AMOLED screen, a very good camera system, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, and Samsung’s polished and versatile software that can arguably do more things than just stock Android. You also get the same software promises made for the Ultra on the Plus (and even the regular), so no compromises are made on that end. The only difference in software is with the S Pen functionality, which we’ve already established is something that people considering the Galaxy S22 Plus over the Galaxy S22 Ultra can live without.
In fact, many people will probably find the 6.6-inch, 1080 x 2340 flat screen easier to handle than the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 6.8-inch curved screen, especially since this phone has a mid-frame with rounded corners too. Yes, you lose out on the awesome 10x Periscope zoom lens seen in the Ultra, but you still get a capable 3x telephoto zoom lens here that’s ideal for portraits. The 50MP main camera is a big improvement from last year’s mediocre 12MP shooter in the Galaxy S22 Plus.
You get most of the other bells and whistles that the Galaxy S22 Ultra gets, such as wireless charging, IP68 water resistance, Samsung DeX, and Galaxy S22 series exclusives like Live Sharing with Google Duo. This is every bit a flagship phone, just not the complete do-it-all overkill of its bigger brother. But most people don’t really need an overkill flagship, so this becomes an excellent option.
- Even if it sits a tier below the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Galaxy S22 Plus is still every bit a flagship phone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and a stunning display.
Best Value: Samsung Galaxy S22
If the $1,199 Galaxy S22 Ultra is too expensive, then consider the smaller Galaxy S22, which starts at $799. Yes, the Galaxy S22 lacks the world-class zoom camera of the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the S-Pen, but if you don’t take zoom photography or use a stylus often, then these losses may not matter much. You’re still getting an excellent triple camera system consisting of a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto. The latter is basically the same 3x telephoto zoom lens used in the Galaxy S22 Ultra so you’re getting a focal length that’s ideal for portraits. Many of us are also fans of the 6.1-inch screen size which is small enough for easy one-hand use.
The Galaxy S22 also fixes a lot of what was wrong with last year’s Galaxy S21. Last year’s device had a plastic back and a weak 12MP main camera, this year’s Galaxy S22 uses Gorilla Glass Victus back with a much improved 50MP main camera. Of course, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the more capable phone, but the Galaxy S22 keeps close enough that it doesn’t feel like an afterthought.
- If you find that you don't need the S-Pen or a crazy zoom camera, or if you find the S22 Ultra too big, this standard Galaxy S22 is $400 cheaper and much more easier to operate with one hand.
Second Best Value: Galaxy S21 FE
First things first, do not buy this phone at its launch retail price of $699, not when the Galaxy S22 is just $100 more and has a newer chip and much better camera system. We are instead listing the Galaxy S21 FE in this spot because there are likely discounts that further shave another $100 off. Currently, Amazon, which we’ve listed below, has it available for $599. At this price, then the Galaxy S21 FE is worth considering if you want to further save some money. For the launch retail price, we’d recommend looking for offers like an included Galaxy Buds Live that will help sweeten the deal.
With this device, you’re getting a Snapdragon 888, a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz display, and a colorful back design. You also get a relatively large battery of 4,500 mAh. While we just said the camera system here isn’t as good as the Galaxy S22 series’ it’s still capable: a triple-lens system consisting of a 12MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto zoom. The main and ultra-wide cameras will get the job done for most people, but the 8MP telephoto lens is mediocre. Still, at $599, this is still a really good value considering you still get Samsung’s polished software and build quality.
- The Galaxy S21 FE is worth a look if you want to further shave some cost off and still get a relatively modern and powerful smartphone.
Best that money can buy: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 4 may not look too different from the Z Fold 3 at first glance, but Samsung has further improved the device by making subtle but crucial changes here and there for the most polished foldable yet. Naysayers will still say it’s too expensive, and they’re not entirely wrong, but for those who can stomach the price (or take advantage of Samsung’s awesome trade-in offers), the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the most prime-time-ready big foldable phone yet.
So, what’s new? Samsung has further shaved a bit of weight from last year’s Fold 3, so Fold 4 now tips the scale at 254g. While this isn’t light per se, it’s not unbearably heavy anymore, as this weight is not much more than, say, the Galaxy S22 Ultra with a case.
The Fold 4 also shaved a few millimeters off the hinge area so it’s less bulky when folded, and gave those precious extra space to the screens, so both the inside and outside displays are slightly wider than last year. This improvement is most noticeable when using the Fold 4 in folded form. It’s still an elongated candy bar shape, but the screen feels less cramped to type in.
Samsung also gave the Fold 4 major camera upgrades. Last year’s Fold 3 used a dated camera system that was about on par with the Galaxy S10’s cameras. This year, the Fold 4 upgrades to the same system used in the Galaxy S22, with a 50MP main camera with a large (for a foldable) 1/1.56-inch image sensor, and a 3X telephoto zoom lens that’s much better than the mediocre zoom lens in previous Folds.
The Fold 4 also brings back all the great features established in previous Folds, including a sturdy hinge that can stay in place mid-fold (Samsung calls this “Flex Mode), and IPX8 water resistance plus S-Pen support. While the battery size remains the same at 4,400 mAh, the Fold 4 can last quite a bit longer thanks to the very efficient Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. From our testing so far, the Fold 4 can easily last an entire 12-, 13-hour day of heavy use.
If you’ve been curious about foldable phones, now may be the time to jump on, because Samsung has refined its large foldable formula to almost perfection — the only thing left is to remove the crease from the display, which is sadly still here (don’t worry you only notice it if you look at the screen off-angle).
- The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is Samsung's latest flagship foldable, packing high-end specs and up to 512GB of internal storage. You can't expand it with a microSD card, though.
Also Great: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
If you find the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s price still too high to bear, you could consider getting the Galaxy Z Fold 3. While Samsung no longer sells it officially, you can find it on Amazon and other retailers at a price that’s at least 30-40% lower than the Fold 4’s price.
The Fold 3 still holds up very well in 2022, because it was that great a 2021 device. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 is still a capable processor, and the camera system, while not as good as the Fold 4’s, is still solid. You still get an IPX8 water resistance rating, S-Pen support, and the awesome hinge that can stay in place. The display is great too. Whether it’s the 7.6-inch large display or the 6.5-inch outside cover display, you’re getting a device that can transform from a phone to a mini tablet within a second.
And with Samsung guaranteeing at least four years of Android updates, you can buy a year-old Fold 3 and know it’ll still be supported for at least another three years.
- The Galaxy Z Fold 3 may be a year old, but it's still very capable, and right now on Amazon, it can be had for below $1,000, making it quite a good deal.
Best Compact and Style: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 was one of the most stylish-looking smartphones to come out in recent years, and the Flip 4 wisely brings back the exact same look — but with more color customization options. We adore the two-tone finish and the petite size when folded up. But don’t mistake small size for lack of power — this thing is, along with the Fold 4, the most durable foldable phone ever, with IPX8 water resistance and “Armor Aluminum” build material.
The Flip 4 is an awesome device for those who find modern Android phones too large and hard to pocket. Unfolded, the 6.7-inch, 1080 x 2640 display looks and behaves like any other top Samsung screen, with vibrant colors, top-notch sharpness, and a fast refresh rate up to 120Hz for buttery smooth animations.
New to the Flip 4 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, which has a stronger GPU and superior battery efficiency. The latter is important, as battery life has always been a slight weakness in previous Flips. While the Flip 4 isn’t going to win any battery endurance awards, it is now possible to get all-day use provided you’re not pushing it too heavily.
Samsung also improved the software for the outer “Cover Display,” allowing users to open any app on the smaller 1.9-inch display. Sure, some apps will look silly in the cramped space, but other apps will benefit from it. You can, for example, scroll through your Spotify playlist directly from the outside screen. Overall, the Flip 4 is an iterative refinement to already an excellent small foldable.
- The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the ideal phone for those who want something more pocketable -- and more stylish.
Best Samsung for those who want 5G on a budget: Samsung Galaxy A53
The Galaxy A53 5G is a solid mid-ranger from Samsung that cuts the right corners to reach its lower price. There’s a plastic build instead of glass, and you don’t get much of a zoom camera, but these are features people on a budget would gladly sacrifice to save several hundred dollars. Instead, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G still offers a near bezel-less 120Hz AMOLED display, the capable Exynos 1280, and a good camera system (for its price range) headlined by a 64MP shooter and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. There’s also a huge 5,000 mAh battery that ensures the phone can last all day. And as if the name didn’t already give it away — the phone supports 5G connectivity too.
And unlike many mid-rangers, the Galaxy A53 5G is also water-resistant, as it’s rated IP67, meaning it can survive being dunked in water for minutes at a time.
Factor in the intuitive Samsung software that offers easy multi-tasking and superior connectivity with Samsung’s eco-system of devices, the Galaxy A53 5G is a mid-range phone that hits the three pillars of what most people need in a phone — a great screen, a solid camera that just works, and enough processing power.
- The Galaxy A53 5G is Samsung's answer to the iPhone SE, meaning it is a mid-range phone that offers just enough power and performance to make for a great everyday phone, even if it doesn't pack all the bells and whistles of a flagship.
Best for battery life: Samsung Galaxy M32
Do you suffer from battery anxiety? If so, the Galaxy M32 should put you at ease. It has a large 6,000 mAh battery that will surely go a full day and then some. You’ll want to have all that juice to power the 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display. With a resolution of 1080 x 2400, it is a sharp and vivid panel ideal for gaming or watching movies. With the MediaTek Helio G80 powering things you will be able to run all your favorite apps without issues. While the plastic body and back look a bit dull, the Galaxy M32 is more about substance than style.
- A 6,000 mAh battery is the star of the show here, along with a serviceable camera and a good screen.
It’s difficult for us to give a blanket recommendation on which Samsung phone to get. Obviously, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the best overall phone right now, and the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the most versatile. But if you want to save some money, the standard Galaxy S22 is still very good. Of course, Samsung’s budget offerings punch above their price range too.
What’s your favorite Samsung Galaxy phone from this list, and are there any others you think we should add? Let us know in the comments below.
The post These are the Best Samsung Galaxy phones to buy in 2022 appeared first on XDA.
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