When you think of top-tier smartphones, Samsung is probably a brand that instantly springs to mind. And for good reason. They’ve brought out some of the best mobile’s year after year, packed with amazing tech to make life easier – and more fun! From a built-in stylus, to folding screens, to incredible cameras, these handsets cover just about everything and prove that Samsung is always ahead of the game.
We’ve gathered up some info on the top 5 best Samsung smartphones and what makes them great, which are:
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – Best overall
- Galaxy S23 – Best screen-size.
- Galaxy Z Flip 5 – Best compact.
- Galaxy A54 – Best value
- Galaxy Z Fold5 – Best Foldable
Now we’ve had a brief rundown of each model, we can go a bit more in-depth and get to the really juicy stuff. We’re talking all things tech, fantastic features, and unbeatable style.
Best overall phone: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price: £1,179 for 256GB
If you want the best of the best and have the cash to splash, then you can’t beat a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The huge 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is like carrying around a portable cinema, that’s how colourful and detailed it is. It’s the perfect way to enjoy all the amazing pics you’ll take with its outstanding 200MP rear camera that has four different lenses, including periscope, telephoto and ultrawide. But if you want to up your selfie game, there’s a 12MP front-facing camera – just what you need to give your profile a refresh. And if you love your tunes, it’s also got Dolby Atmos® surround sound to get the best out of your fave beats. Of course, it’s 5G ready too. That means you won’t have to put up with stuttering streams or slow downloads, so you can settle in and catch up with the latest boxsets. It’s got it all.
Pros
- Big, bright 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen
- 200MP quad rear camera
- Dolby Atmos® surround sound
Cons
- Very expensive
- Slower charging speed than other models
Best compact: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
Price: £1,049 for 256GB
Small but very, very mighty, the Galaxy Z Flip5 smartphone takes the best of the past and brings it into the future. Anyone that had a flip phone back in the day will instantly feel at home with its super clever folding design. Instead of splitting it into a screen and a keypad like in the past, it has a special hinge that lets you fold the entire phone in half without damaging the display. That makes it much more portable and able to fit into any pocket. But what’s really clever is the second 3.4-inch screen that appears when it’s folded, turning it into a powerful palmtop pal. You can still do everything on it that you normally would – like browsing and texting – as well as set it down somewhere to snap the perfect selfie. Now all you have to do is find just the right angle for your next profile pic and it’ll do the rest.
Pros
- Innovative clamshell-style folding screen
- Versatile 3.4-inch cover display
- Palmtop form factor is great for creators
Cons
- The battery could be a little better
- Other similar models have higher refresh rate
Best value: Samsung Galaxy A54
Price: £449 for 128GB
If you want to make your money, go further and still grab a great smartphone, then the Galaxy A54 is the one for you. For a fraction of the cost, you still get a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen that’s only a bit smaller than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. That means watchers and gamers alike can still enjoy a great experience wherever you are. And it has the same 50MP rear camera as the Galaxy S23+, so you can be sure that any pictures come out looking smashing. What sets this handset apart though (and makes it worth every penny) is the 32MP front-facing camera, which is a must-have for serial social media users. That’s plenty of pixels to capture your best side to splash all over your profiles.
Pros
- Similar to S23 Ultra and S23+ at a much lower price
- 32MP front-facing camera for amazing selfies
- Enhanced security options like fingerprint unlock
Cons
- Not as powerful as other models
- Some people might not like OneUI
Best Foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Price: £1,749 for 256GB
It’s a smartphone, it’s a tablet – it’s the best of both worlds in one amazing device. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is a leading model in the folding screen design space with a specially made Flex hinge and Samsung Ultra Thin Glass. This incredible combo means it doesn’t leave a crease in the middle when you unfold it – you just get a sleek, smooth surface that’s super bright and bursting with lifelike colours. You can even set it up like a mini laptop if you fancy. Combined with its rapid 120Hz refresh rate and 5G tech, you’ll be streaming, downloading, and gaming without any annoying stuttering or lag. It also works in a similar way to the Galaxy Z Flip5, letting you use it like an old clamshell mobile. But none of that makes it too big and bulky – it’s just as pocket-friendly as other handsets, with a few more cool features.
Pros
- Gives you 2 devices in one
- You want to be up-to-date with the latest tech
- Powerful camera and processor
Cons
- It’s pretty pricey.
- Not the fastest at charging
Best screen-size: Samsung Galaxy S23+
Price: £1,049
If you’re serious about screens, then you can’t go wrong with the Galaxy S23+. First off, it’s 6.6-inches in size, giving you a big bright display to feast your eyes on. That makes it perfect to kick back on the train and launch your favourite streaming app or try to grab some high scores in the latest hit games. But the size wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t filled with loads of detail and colour. Luckily, this model has Dynamic AMOLED tech that manages to squeeze tons of pixels in so you get a crystal-clear view of the action. It’s also got a fantastic contrast ratio that makes lights and darks really pop, and a super-fast 120Hz refresh rate that makes the action look really smooth. Plus, it even has reduced blue light to help stop those harmful wavelengths hurting your eyes after a long day. Just don’t stay up too late.
Pros
- Amazing 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen
- Fast 120Hz refresh rate
- Reduced blue light
Cons
- Much less powerful camera
- Almost as expensive as the Galaxy S23 Ultra
How do I choose the right Samsung for me?
At the end of the day, it’s completely up to you which Samsung smartphone tickles your fancy. They’re all fantastic for different things, so it comes down to what features you really care about. You can also check out the last Galaxy S24 range if you want the absolute latest tech. You can find loads of deals and contracts on mobilephonesdirect.com, so you’re sure to find something that suits you.
