Samsung has a phone for just about every budget. Whether you're willing to splurge more than $1,000 on the Galaxy S22 Ultra or just want the basics, there's bound to be something for everyone.
Finding the best Samsung phone will ultimately come down to preference. Choosing between so many options can get complicated, so here's how to decide which Samsung phone is best for you.
Galaxy S22 Ultra Biggest screen and best camera
The $1,200 Galaxy S22 Ultra is Samsung's most expensive phone that isn't a folding phone. With its giant 6.8-inch screen and four-lens camera, it's best for those who want the largest screen and best camera possible in a new Samsung phone. Unlike last year's model, the Galaxy S22 Ultra also comes with Samsung's S Pen stylus at no additional cost, just like Samsung's older Galaxy Note devices.
The Galaxy S22's high price and large size are probably too much for most people, and its battery life could be better. But for those who love big screens and who really want a superior zoom camera and the S Pen for taking notes, the S22 won't disappoint.
Galaxy S22 Plus Just the right size
The Galaxy S22 Plus is the middle child of the Galaxy S22 lineup, but don't overlook it. Its 6.6-inch screen size is just right for most people, it has a sharp new glass-and-metal design and the camera has gotten a major upgrade compared with the S21 generation. Although it's a bit pricey at $1,000, it feels like the right option for those who want a screen that's big but not gigantic paired with one of the best cameras around.
Many of the updates Samsung made across the Galaxy S22 lineup are iterative, like the phones' new processors and refreshed designs. But the jump from the Galaxy S21's 12-megapixel camera to the S22's 50-megapixel camera is perhaps the most noticeable improvement. Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and regular Galaxy S22 have this new camera system, along with other internal camera enhancements, which results in better low-light performance, color and detail. The Galaxy S22 Plus also lasted the longest in CNET's battery test of Samsung's Galaxy S22 phones, although battery life still felt average rather than impressive.
Overall, the Galaxy S22 Plus is the best choice for those who want a premium phone with a top-notch camera and a large, bright screen.
Galaxy S22 For people who prefer smaller phones
Android users don't have much choice when it comes to small phones, but Samsung is changing that with the Galaxy S22. The standard Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch screen, whereas many competing Android phones have displays that measure around 6.4 inches or larger.
The $800 Galaxy S22 otherwise brings many of the same benefits as the Galaxy S22 Plus. That includes a 50-megapixel camera with better low-light photography, a new processor and a revamped design that feels more elegant than the S21. It's essentially a smaller version of the Galaxy S22 Plus, except the Plus also has a bigger battery, faster charging and ultrawideband support.
The Galaxy S22 is the best option for those who want a more compact phone that still has most of the premium features found in Samsung's bigger and more expensive phones. Just keep in mind that the Galaxy S22's smaller size also comes along with shorter battery life than the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra.
Galaxy S21 FE Flagship tech at a more approachable price
The first S20 FE seriously impressed us with its balance of performance and price, and the new Galaxy S21 FE takes that further with a solid triple camera, a vibrant display and the same powerful processor found in the flagship S21. It has a 6.5-inch screen, making it an ideal choice for those who want a phone that's larger than the regular Galaxy S22 without the Galaxy S22 Plus' high price. Although it's missing some of the Galaxy S22's bells and whistles -- like improved night photography and a newer processor -- this phone has a sharper front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.
The Galaxy S21 FE faces some tough competition from Google's Pixel 6, but if you're after a great overall Samsung phone and don't want to pay top dollar for the flagships, then the S21 FE is well worth considering.
Galaxy A53 Midrange Value
New for 2022, the Galaxy A53 gets you a plethora of Samsung features and power at a fraction of the S-series price. It boasts a far larger screen and more versatile camera cluster than the iPhone SE, though Apple's budget model delivers snappier performance.
Still, Samsung fans will appreciate what they're getting here considering the affordable price. The Galaxy A53 5G has an ultrawide lens for taking photos with a broader field of view and also supports night-mode photography. Image quality isn't as good as what you'd get on a more expensive Samsung phone like the Galaxy S21 FE or Galaxy S22, but it's certainly clear and colorful enough for basic shots. Other highlights include a long-lasting battery, four guaranteed generations of Android operating system updates and a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
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.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 Best Folding Phone
Samsung's original folding phone was a novel idea but the latest generation -- the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 -- refines it further.
Galaxy Z Flip 3 Smaller Folding Phone
If the Galaxy Fold is a tablet that folds in half to become a phone, the Z Flip is a phone that folds in half to become a smaller phone.
Galaxy A42 5G Affordable 5G and a big Screen
The A42 5G Android phone sits just below the A52, provides less RAM, loses the macro camera and has a lower-resolution front-facing camera.
It still has 5G connectivity though, along with a bigger battery and a marginally bigger display, which could make it a great affordable Samsung phone option for those of you who watch a lot of videos on the move.
Galaxy A32 5G Samsung's Cheapest 5G Phone
If 5G speeds are your top Android phone priority but you don't want to spend much money, Samsung's Galaxy A32 5G is where you should be looking.
Its low price makes it one of the cheapest 5G-enabled Samsung Galaxy phones that it's possible to buy right now, and you still get a big 6.5-inch display and a multiple rear camera setup. It's not challenging the overall performance of the S21 line, but it's a solid all-rounder device for the money.
