Best Samsung phones 2023

With new Samsung foldable phones now available, the best Samsung phone rankings have a new look, reflecting our time spent testing the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Neither of the new foldable offerings from Samsung supplant the Galaxy S23 Ultra at the top of our list. But Samsung's latest foldables remain top choices if you're in the market for a larger-screen device.

But our look at the best Samsung phones focuses on more than just those three models. If a phone's on offer from Samsung, you'll find it here, listed according to our test results and evaluation for each model we've gotten our hands-on.

Whether it's Samsung flagships or more budget-friendly midrange devices, we can help you find the right Samsung phone for your needs. See what you can save with the best Samsung Galaxy S23 deals along with our Samsung promo codes.

If you do wind up grabbing a Samsung device, make sure you check out the first app you should install on your Samsung Galaxy phone and all of the Samsung hidden features that will change the way you use your phone.

The quick list

No time to explore Samsung's current phone lineup. Here's where you can find summaries of the best Samsung phones currently on offer from the top-of-the-line Galaxy S23 Ultra to some older models that remain on sale at a discount. You'll find a number of options at a wide range of prices.

Best Samsung phone overall

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in greenEditor's Choice

(Image credit: Future)
The best Samsung phone you can buy

Specifications

Screen size: 6.8 inches
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Cameras: 200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 2 10MP telephoto (rear); 12MP (front)
RAM/Storage: 8GB, 12GB/128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Weight: 8.2 ounces
Battery life: 12:22 (adaptive); 13:09 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+
Amazing 200MP camera
+
Improved performance with custom Snapdragon chip
+
Vivid display
+
Upgraded battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Slow charging speed
-
Curved display isn't for everyone

As well as being the new top Galaxy S model, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is also one of the best phones around generally, beating even the usually indomitable iPhone on photography and performance in some areas.

The new 200MP camera proves to be very versatile, offering wonderful detail and color depending on your priority. The overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers lots of power too, while the display is as colorful and bright as ever, even though Samsung's improved the phone's power efficiency.

Samsung's still asking for a lot of money for this phone, and has stuck with the divisive curved display, even if the angle's less extreme than in previous years. We're also unimpressed by its charging speed, which even at 45W is a bit slow.  But if you've got the cash to splash, you won't get a better Galaxy phone right now than this one.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review.

Best value Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy A54 best samsung phonesbest value awards badge

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best Samsung budget phone

Specifications

Screen size: 6.4-inch AMOLED (2340 x 1080)
CPU: Exynos 1380
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 32MP front
RAM / Storage: 6GB, 8GB / 128GB, 256GB **Weight:** 7.1 ounces
Battery life: 10:20 (adaptive); 11:46 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent 50MP main camera
+
Solid battery life
+
Bright and colorful display

Reasons to avoid

-
Exynos 1380 delivers so-so performance
-
Noticeable bezel around display

The Galaxy A54 provides a low-cost alternative to Samsung's Galaxy S flagships, but don't dismiss it as a mere budget device. Samsung has packed a lot of value into the A54, starting with the same 50MP main camera that the Galaxy S23 uses. That camera helps the Galaxy A54 produce quality photos that outshine many of the other camera phones in its price range.

The Exynos 1380 powering the Galaxy A54 doesn't exactly impress in terms of performance, but it does help the phone last a long time on a charge. (The 5,000 mAh battery plays a role, too.) And we like the fact that Samsung didn't rest on its laurels with last year's Galaxy A53 display, making the Galaxy A54 screen even brighter than before.

As impressive as the Galaxy S23 models are, not everyone can pay $799 or more for a new phone. The Galaxy A54 means you don't have to, and you can still get a very capable device in return.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A54 review.

Best choice for most people

Samsung Galaxy S23 review

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best Samsung flagship for most people

Specifications

Screen size: 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED (2340 x 1080)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto; 10MP front
RAM / Storage: 8GB / 128GB, 256GB
Weight: 5.93 ounces
Battery life: 10:27 (adaptive)

Reasons to buy

+
Extremely bright display
+
Great performance from Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
+
Better battery life than the Galaxy S22

Reasons to avoid

-
Disappointing front camera
-
Wired charging still stuck at 25W

The changes that Samsung made with the Galaxy S23 lack the pizzaz of some Galaxy S23 Ultra features. Nevertheless, there are some solid improvements over past Galaxy S flagships, largely driven by the introduction of the customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Not only does this silicon bolster the Galaxy S23's performance, it also helps improve battery life over last year's model, addressing one of our key concerns about Samsung's flagships.

Samsung also improved the Galaxy S23's display, giving it the same maximum brightness as the Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra screens. Throw in some worthwhile if not earth-shattering photo processing improvements, and this is certainly a solid addition to the Galaxy lineup. At $799, it's the Samsung flagship most people can afford, and they'll be getting plenty of premium features for their purchase.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S23 review.

Best sub-$1,000 big-screen Samsung phone

galaxy s23 plus

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
A big-screen Samsung flagship for less than $1,000

Specifications

Screen size: 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED (2340 x 1080)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto; 10MP front
RAM / Storage: 8GB / 128GB, 256GB
Weight: 6.9 ounces
Battery life: 11:24 (adaptive)

Reasons to buy

+
Better battery life than the S22 Plus
+
Big bright display
+
Stellar performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Few major improvements over recent models

Everything you get from the Galaxy S23, you'll find in the Galaxy S23 Plus, only with a much bigger screen. It's the best Samsung phone to get if you prefer super-sized displays but can't swing the Galaxy S23 Ultra's $1,119 starting price.

While screen size is the most prominent difference from the standard S23, it's not the only way the Galaxy S23 Plus stands out from its smaller sibling. You also get a bigger battery that helps the S23 Plus last nearly 11.5 hours on our battery test — an outstanding time. And the phone charges at 45W speeds, too, allowing you to top off that battery faster.

Otherwise, there's little difference between the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus, though we'd say that's a good thing. You can expect a bright, beautiful display, good cameras, and four years of Android software updates. That should be more than enough for fans of big-screen phones.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus review.

Best foldable Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 best samsung phones

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best foldable phone from Samsung

Specifications

Display: Interior: 7.6-inch AMOLED (2176 x 1812; 120Hz); Exterior: 6.2-inch AMOLED (2316 x 904; 120Hz)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Cameras: 50MP wide (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 10MP telephoto (f/2.4); 10MP front (f/2.2), 4MP under-display (f/1.8)
RAM / Storage: 12GB / 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Weight: 8.92 ounces
Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 11:15 (Adaptive) / 11:25 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+
New Flex hinge closes flat
+
Thinner and lighter design
+
Longer battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Few changes from Galaxy Z Fold 4
-
Front display still narrow

Samsung didn't make dramatic changes for the Galaxy Z Fold 5. In fact, Galaxy Z Fold 4 owners will likely be able to skip this version of the foldable phone without regret. But if you're new to foldables, this is Samsung's most polished version yet, thanks to a new hinge design that makes the Fold both thinner and lighter than it's ever been.

The biggest addition to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy silicon. You get top performance from the chipset, which is the same one found in the Galaxy S23 series. But the bigger benefit is battery life. For the first time ever, a Galaxy Z Fold performs well on our battery test, holding out for more than 11 hours. That's not only better than the average smartphone, it's also an improvement over the Galaxy Z Fold 4's sub-10 hour time.

The newer silicon also helps with image processing, so the Galaxy Z Fold 5 turns out better photos than before even if the camera specs are unchanged from its predecessor. We wish Samsung would start adjusting the price on the Galaxy Fold, particularly with the Pixel Fold costing an identical $1,799, but Samsung's phone re-establishes itself as the best foldable phone overall.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review.

Most affordable Samsung foldable

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review photos.

(Image credit: Future)
The Samsung foldable for most people

Specifications

Display: Interior: 6.2-inch AMOLED (2640 x 1080; 120Hz); Exterior: 3.4-inch AMOLED (720 x 748; 60Hz)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Cameras: 12MP main (f/1.8). 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2); 10MP selfie (f/2.2)
RAM / Storage: 8GB / 256GB, 512GB
Weight: 6.6 ounces
Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 8:52 (Adaptive) / 9:42 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+
Larger, more usable Flex Window
+
No gap when phone is closed
+
Base model now has double the storage

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited full apps on Flex Windows
-
Battery life could be better

Like the Galaxy Z Fold 5, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 doesn't see big changes from its predecessor. The same Flex Hinge found in Samsung's other foldable is on display here, too, and the new design helps the Flip to fully snap shut at last. But the bigger change comes to the Flip's outer display — instead of a 1.9-inch strip, you now get a 3.4-inch panel that's big enough to run more widgets without ever having to open up the flip phone. Unfortunately, there's a limitation — you can only run select apps on the Galaxy Z Flip 5's outer display. (That's not something Motorola Razr+ owners need worry about.) Still, we're happy to see the Flex Window arrive on the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

We're also happy with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset powering the phone. You get better performance, sure, but you also get improved battery life over past Flips — the Z Flip 5 now comes close to the average battery life for smartphones on our test, which is a big improvement over the Z Flip 4. Unfortunately, other phones still outlast Samsung's flip phone.

At $999, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 remains Samsung's most affordable foldable phone. It's good news then, that Samsung continues to offer a solid phone at that price, though we'd like to see more substantial changes down the road.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review.

Samsung's discounted 2022 flagship

Samsung Galaxy S22 review

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
A lower price for 2022's flagship

Specifications

Screen size: 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED (2340 x 1080)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto; 10MP front
RAM / Storage: 8GB / 128GB, 256GB
Weight: 5.9 ounces
Battery life: 7:51 (adaptive), 8:02 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+
Price cut to $699
+
Bright, colorful display
+
Improved zoom and low-light photos

Reasons to avoid

-
Below-average battery life
-
Not the more recent Samsung flagship

Does the Galaxy S22 get better with age? Perhaps not, but the fact that Samsung cut the price on this phone by $100 after the arrival of the Galaxy S23 makes it an attractive option for bargain hunters.

Our Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S22 face-off addresses the differences between these two phones, but the upshot is that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset in the newer phone gives a big boost to both performance and battery life. There's not much difference in the cameras, though, and while the Galaxy S23 display has a higher maximum brightness, the Galaxy S22 is plenty bright in its own right.

Thanks to Samsung's generous update policy, the Galaxy S22 can expect another three years of software updates. If you don't need the latest and greatest hardware, this older model could be your chance to save on one of the best Samsung phones.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S22 review.

Another low-cost option

best samsung phones: Samsung galaxy s21 fe

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Still part of Samsung's lineup

Specifications

Screen Size: 6.4 inches
Processor: Snapdragon 888
Cameras: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto (Rear); 32MP (Front)
RAM/Storage: 6GB, 8GB/128GB, 256GB
Weight: 6.2 ounces
Battery life: 7:46 (120Hz); 9:15 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+
Solid Snapdragon 888 processor
+
Improved Night Mode

Reasons to avoid

-
120Hz refresh rate isn't adaptive
-
Aging phone

Just as the Galaxy S22 remains around after the Galaxy S23 though at a reduced cost so does the Galaxy S21 FE. Samsung now offers this stripped-down variation of 2021's Galaxy S21 for $599, more expensive than the Galaxy A54 but a bit cheaper than the repriced Galaxy S22.

That's an attractive price for a phone that shares many of the Galaxy S21's features. (The S21 FE has less RAM than its counterparts and you have to manually adjust the display's refresh rate.) But at almost two years old, we've got some doubts about if this is the best way to save your money.

 If you absolutely need a new phone now and $600 is the limit of your budget, the Galaxy S21 FE is a decent enough option with a still solid chipset powering the device. But it's just one of several budget options among the best Samsung phones — just be aware that rumors point to a Galaxy S23 FE coming out later this year.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review.

How to choose the best Samsung phones

Picking which Samsung phone to buy is primarily driven by budget considerations. You're not going to spring for a Galaxy S23 Ultra, for example, if you're not prepared with at least $1,199 even if you opt to spread those payments out over time. But other factors need to be taken into consideration as well.

Start with how you use your smartphone. If it's primarily a productivity device, the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 5 are appealing, despite their high price tags, because they both support the S Pen. (Like the S22 Ultra before it, the S23 Ultra comes with an S Pen; the stylus is an optional add-on for Samsung's foldable.) If you turn to your phone for photography, the Galaxy S series is usually first in line for Samsung's camera innovations, and all three S23 models offer impressive camera features — particularly the 200MP main camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. (Check out our 200MP camera test results.)

Budget-minded shoppers have a plethora of options, from the reduced price tags of the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 FE to the midrange Galaxy A series. You can also find discounts on Samsung phones by buying directly from the phone maker and trading in your current device. Check out the best Samsung phone deals for the latest savings.

Now that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 have gotten their launch, attention will turn to the next big flagship launch for Samsung — the Galaxy S24. We've already started hearing rumors about that device, including forecasts for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. There's also the possibility of a Galaxy S23 FE arriving later this year, giving shoppers a lower-cost alternative to Samsung's current flagships.

How we test the best Samsung phones

In order for a smartphone to make our best phone list, it needs to excel on several tests that we run on every handset. We perform some of these tests in our labs and some in the real world. See our detailed explanation on how Tom's Guide tests and reviews smartphones for more information.

When it comes to performance, we rely on such synthetic benchmarks as Geekbench 5 and 3DMark to measure graphics performance. These tests allow us to compare performance across iPhones and Android devices. We also run a real-world video transcoding test on each phone using the Adobe Premiere Rush app and time the result. (We unfortunately have to skip this test on some phones due to app compatibility issues, but we attempt this benchmark with each device we get in to review.)

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Performance benchmarks
Row 0 - Cell 0 Geekbench 5 (single-core / multicore)3DMark Wild Life Unlimited (FPS)
Galaxy S23 Ultra1578/508187.5
Galaxy A54781/266416.9
Galaxy S231522/487687.3
Galaxy S23 Plus1524/464287
Galaxy Z Fold 51487 / 457881.3
Galaxy Z Flip 51354 /428876.2
Galaxy S221204 / 334860
Galaxy S21 FE1101 / 319934

To measure the quality of a phone's display, we perform lab tests to determine the brightness of the panel (in nits), as well as how colorful each screen is (DCI-P3 color gamut). In these cases, higher numbers are better. We also measure color accuracy of each panel with a Delta-E rating, where lower numbers are better and score of 0 is perfect.

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Display benchmarks
Row 0 - Cell 0 sRGB (%)DCI-P3 (%)Delta-E
Galaxy S23 Ultra193 (Vivid) / 111 (Natural)136 (Vivid) / 78 (Natural)0.37 (Vivid) / 0.3 (Natural)
Galaxy A54127.1% (Natural)90%0.06
Galaxy S23212 (Vivid) /128 (Natural)150 (Vivid) / 91 (Natural)0.34 (Vivid) / 0.24 (Natural)
Galaxy S23 Plus204 (Vivid) / 117 (Natural)148 (Vivid) / 83 (Natural)0.33 (Vivid) / 0.23 (Natural)
Galaxy Z Fold 5180.7 (Vivid) / 106.1 (Natural)128 (Vivid) / 76.2 (Natural)0.1 (Vivid) / ).11 (Natural)
Galaxy Z Flip 5181.6 (Vivid) / 114 (Natural)128.7 (Vivid) / 80.8 (Natural)0.08 (Vivid) / 0.28 (Natural)
Galaxy S22210 (Vivid) / 100 (Natural)149 (VIvid) / 78 (Natural)0.33 (Vivid) / 0.22 (Natural)
Galaxy S21 FE207 (Vivid) / 120 (Natural)147 (Vivid) / 79 (Natural)0.32 (Vivid) / 0.29 (Natural)

One of the most important tests we run is the Tom's Guide battery test. We run a web surfing test over 5G (or 4G if the phone doesn't have 5G support) at 150 nits of screen brightness until the battery gives out. In general, a phone that lasts 10 hours or more is good, and anything above 11 hours makes our list of the best phone battery life.

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Battery life benchmark
Row 0 - Cell 0 Battery life (Hrs:Mins)
Galaxy S23 Ultra12:22 (Adaptive) / 13:09 (60Hz)
Galaxy A5410:20 (adaptive); 11:46 (60Hz)
Galaxy S2310:27 (Adaptive)
Galaxy S23 Plus11:24 (Adaptive)
Galaxy Z Fold 511:15 (Adaptive) / 11:25 (60Hz)
Galaxy Z Flip 58:52 (Adaptive) / 9:42 (60Hz)
Galaxy S227:51 (Adaptive) / 8:02 (60Hz)
Galaxy S21 FE7:40 (120Hz) / 9:15 (60Hz)

Last but not least, we take the best phones out in the field to take photos outdoors, indoors and at night in low light to see how they perform versus their closest competitors. We take shots of landscapes, food, portraits and more, and also allow you to be the judge with side-by-side comparisons in our reviews. 

Richard Priday
Senior Writer

Richard is a Tom's Guide senior writer based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

With contributions from