Best Samsung phone

Best Samsung phone in 2024: Which one is right for you?

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Samsung has been one of the leading smartphone brands for many years, often neck and neck with Apple’s iPhones for smartphone domination — and for good reason. When it comes to Android devices, Samsung has been a real market leader, especially as it offers a diverse lineup of phones to suit a range of users and price points.

So, if you’re wondering what is the best Samsung phone, in this guide, we take a look at the best Samsung phone across different categories to help you find the device that will best suit your needs.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra phone
Source: Emma Bradstock/Canstar Blue

Best Samsung phone overall: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

If you’re after the best of the best that Samsung has to offer, it’s hard to go past the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While it includes many of the standard features of the flagship S24, you’ll get plenty of extras packed in, including a quad rear camera setup, S Pen, big battery, fast processor and AI-driven features, all packed in a lighter and more durable titanium frame. If you want to save some cash on this rather expensive phone, you might find some stock of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is still around, which shares some of the same specs as the newer phone.

Read our hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to find out more.

Pros:

  • Slim design and premium finish combine to create a sleek phone to look at and hold
  • S Pen is just as good as ever and still fun to use, adding extra functionality
  • Night and low light photos really show what the cameras can do

Cons:

  • Cameras struggle to focus at times and there’s a lot of lens switching when taking closeup shots
  • Focus on AI enhancements and tools rather than more tech upgrades
  • Prices start at over $2,000 — more expensive than its predecessor

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

 

Phone Features Storage Size Price
Buy Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G

  • 6.8-inch Edge Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
  • Rear cameras: 200MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide + 50MP telephoto + 10MP telephoto
  • Front camera: 12MP
  • 5,000mAh battery
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor for Galaxy
  • Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet and Titanium Yellow colours
256GB $2,199 Shop now
Samsung Galaxy S24 in hand.
Samsung Galaxy S24. Image: Canstar Blue

Best all-rounder and compact Samsung phone: Samsung Galaxy S24

It’s hard to go past the Samsung Galaxy S24 as the perfect all-rounder Samsung phone — not to mention, a more compact size if you prefer a small smartphone. You’ll get many of Samsung’s best premium features, including a fast processor, great quality camera setup, plenty of AI features and some upgrades to its predecessor, all with a 6.2-inch display. The Galaxy S24 offers a balance between the premium features and performance a standard phone user wants, but at a cheaper price than the Ultra phones.

Compare the Samsung Galaxy S24 range

Samsung Galaxy S24 plans

The following table shows selected published 24-month plans for the 256GB Samsung Galaxy S24 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our tool for mobile phone plan comparison to see a wider range of plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Samsung Galaxy S24+ plans

The following table shows selected published 24-month plans for the 256GB Samsung Galaxy S24+ on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our tool for mobile phone plan comparison to see a wider range of plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra plans

The following table shows selected published 24-month plans for the 256GB Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our tool for mobile phone plan comparison to see a wider range of plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G review
Source: Emma Bradstock/Canstar Blue

Best budget Samsung phone: Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

If you’re after a more budget-friendly Samsung phone, you’ll want to look at the Samsung Galaxy A series. Samsung offers several different phones in this range to suit different budgets. When it comes to a great value-for-money phone, it’s hard to go past the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G. While it’s more expensive than some of the other Galaxy A series phones, the A55 5G includes many features not seen in an Samsung A series phone before, and offers an experience that feels closer to a premium phone, but at a much cheaper price.

Read our hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G to find out more.

Pros:

  • Looks and feels more like a premium Samsung phone
  • Screen size and quality great for watching videos
  • Decent battery life with moderate usage

Cons:

  • Macro and portrait modes a bit hit and miss
  • Shiny finish on the back prone to smudges
  • Price on the more expensive end of ‘budget-friendly’

The following table shows selected published 24-month plans for the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our tool for mobile phone plan comparison to see a wider range of plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in mint
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in mint

Best foldable Samsung Galaxy phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

Samsung produces two types of foldable phones — the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the latest flip phone released by Samsung and offers some of Samsung’s best tech, all with the added convenience of a foldable screen. While someone looking for a device aimed at multitasking might prefer what the more expensive Z Fold 5 has to offer, the Z Flip 5 comes in at a much cheaper price point and will no doubt suit the average phone user looking for a foldable phone from Samsung.

You can read our hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 to find out more.

Pros:

  • Excellent main display and improved size of cover screen
  • Tougher hinge and thinner design
  • Fun to use with a fast performance

Cons:

  • Cover screen could use more features
  • Cameras not as impressive as Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series
  • Battery life is average

Phone Features Storage Size Price
Buy Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5  

Galaxy Z Flip5 5G

  • 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex main display, 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover display
  • Rear cameras: 12MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide
  • Front camera: 10MP
  • 3,700mAh battery
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • Mint, Lavender, Cream and Graphite colours
256GB
$1,649
Go to Site

Optus Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Plans

The following table shows selected published 24-month Optus plans for the 512GB Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our tool for mobile phone plan comparison to see a wider range of plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Vodafone Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Plans

The following table shows selected published 24-month Vodafone plans for the 512GB Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our tool for mobile phone plan comparison to see a wider range of plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Telstra Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Plans

The following table shows selected published 24-month Telstra plans for the 512GB Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our tool for mobile phone plan comparison to see a wider range of plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Which Samsung phones are currently available to purchase?

Samsung releases a new range of phones every year, usually across the Galaxy S, Galaxy A and Galaxy Z Flip/Fold ranges, although other devices may also be released. Which devices are available may also depend on how old the device is and whether there is still stock of the devices.

However, while you might find that Samsung no longer stocks a particular phone, other retailers may still have stock available. Here are some of the devices you may find available from retailers, telcos or directly through the Samsung store:

  • Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra
  • Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, A35 5G, A25 5G, A15 5G and A05s
  • Samsung Galaxy XCover7
  • Samsung Galaxy 23, 23+, S23 Ultra and S23 FE
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5
  • Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, A35 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4

Compare Samsung Galaxy phone plans


What is the best Samsung phone for me?

Choosing the best Samsung phone doesn’t mean buying the most expensive phone — even though we’ve highlighted one of the most expensive devices as the best phone overall. While paying more will generally mean you get a ‘better’ phone than a cheaper one (thanks to the top of the range features), it doesn’t mean it will be the best phone for you.

You’ll want to consider your preferences for features and the size of the phone, along with how much you’re willing to spend. If you have a tighter budget, you’ll want to compare the cheaper Samsung phones.

It’s also worth looking at how you use your phone. If you take a lot of photos and videos, a better camera setup might be a priority for you, whereas anyone who uses their phone for work or multitasking, might benefit from additional features like the S Pen or a larger, foldable screen.

Ultimately, choosing the best Samsung phone will depend on your needs. While it might be tempting to buy a more expensive device, you might be able to save on the cost of your phone if you compromise on some features.

 

Emma Bradstock
Telco Specialist
Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for over five years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University and has over a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media.

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