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We take a deep dive into Samsung’s recent smartphone output to find the perfect phone for your needs
Samsung is locked in a never-ending smartphone battle with its biggest tech rival, Apple. Some might argue that Samsung is winning, if not on every front, then at least in terms of value for money. Unlike its Californian rival, Samsung has flooded the market with a series of Galaxy phone models that span a healthy price range, from the dirt-cheap Galaxy A13 to the extra-large Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Which Samsung phone you choose will depend on a range of factors. Budget is likely the primary component when making this decision, but you’ll also want to weigh up other important factors such as screen size, display quality, battery life and camera characteristics. Have a read of our rundown so that you can make the most informed choice before bringing your next Samsung phone to the checkout.
The best Samsung smartphones to buy
1. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: The very best for flagship lovers
Price: From £1,149
With the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung kicked off the new year with a bang. Not a huge amount has changed from last year’s Galaxy S21 Ultra, but the biggest new addition is the inclusion of Samsung’s S Pen stylus, borrowed from the Note line while it takes a leave of absence.
If you’re in the market for a new flagship smartphone, there’s simply nothing better. Samsung’s latest all-singing and all-dancing smartphone has seen a major upgrade in the aesthetics department, with a fancy new camera housing and a new Burgundy colour. The sublime 6.2in 120Hz screen returns (perfect for doodling with the S Pen), with a modest uptick in performance courtesy of the new Exynos 2200 chipset as well.
What impressed us most in our review was the S22 Ultra’s camera offering – in particular, the improved zoom capabilities. With a pair of 3x and 10x telephoto lenses (as well as a primary 108MP sensor), the S22 Ultra’s pictures looked absolutely sublime in our tests, capturing every detail with tonally perfect colours, no matter the lighting conditions.
Sure, there are far cheaper handsets you can get your hands on in 2022, but if you’re after the very best that Android (not just Samsung) has to offer, then this is definitely it.
Key specs – Processor: Samsung Exynos 2200; Screen: 6.8in, 3,088 x 1,440; Camera: 108MP, 10MP (10x zoom), 10MP (3x zoom), 12MP (wide); Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB; Operating system: Android 12
2. Samsung Galaxy A21s: The best budget Samsung phone
Price: £150
If you aren’t too keen handing over flagship-sized sums for the latest and greatest Samsung, then the Galaxy A21s is the perfect choice for the budget-conscious. It’s not the flashiest smartphone on the market, but where it counts the Galaxy A21s is a remarkable smartphone that’s filled to the brim with features for very little money.
Somehow, Samsung has managed to squeeze in a total of five cameras which, again, is rather generous considering how much it costs. It has a massive 48MP camera, which is excellent, as well as a macro, wide-angle and depth-sensing lens. Samsung certainly knows how to make a well-priced smartphone, and the Galaxy A21s, complete with Android 10, a snazzy design and a lovely screen, absolutely smashes our expectations.
Key specs – Processor: Samsung Exynos 850; Screen: 6.5in, 1,600 x 720; Camera: 48MP, 8MP (wide), 2MP (macro), 2MP (depth); Storage: 64GB; Operating system: Android 10
3. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: The best foldable worth buying
Price: £1,649
Samsung’s high-end foldable is the best we’ve ever seen. The kinks have been ironed out, and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the ultimate culmination of previous improvements, with an IPX8 water resistance rating, hard-wearing design, overall performance increases and huge changes to the multitasking.
The most expensive smartphone you can buy at the moment, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is well worth the cost if you’re lucky enough to afford it, especially since it uses the most powerful mobile chipset yet, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 which, in our tests, provided the biggest gen-on-gen gaming performance improvement in a number of years. If you’re after a phone that inspires “ooh’s” and “aah’s” from friends, and you’ve also got a lot of cash burning a hole in your pocket, then this is the handset to get.
Key specs – Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1; Screen: 7.6in, 2,1768 x 1,812 (inner), 6.2in, 2,316 x 904 (cover); Camera: 50MP, 10MP (3x zoom), 12MP (wide); Storage: 256GB, 512GB; Operating system: Android 12
4. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Fan-tastic value
Price: £699
Not got a huge amount of money for a Samsung flagship but don’t want to scrimp on features? Thankfully, the S21 FE pretty much has it all: high-end specs and a long list of flagship-worthy features at a reduced price.
Cheaper than the S21 but with similarly speedy performance, a dazzling display and a great set of rear cameras, the S21 FE (or, Fan Edition) is one of 2022’s best-value smartphones. If you’re put off by the prices of this year’s flagships, then the Galaxy S21 FE is easily the next best thing.
Key specs – Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888; Screen: 6.4in, 2,400 x 1,080; Camera: 12MP, 8MP (zoom), 12MP (wide); Storage: 128GB/256GB; Operating system: Android 11
5. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: Samsung’s best-value smartphone
Price: £399
Alternatively, if you have even less money to spend on a new Samsung phone, and you still aren’t willing to sacrifice too much in the way of features, then the mid-range Galaxy A53 5G is a safe bet.
With a large, colour accurate 6.5in screen, triple camera array and solid performance, there’s very little to dislike. Not to mention that the battery life is exceptional, with the Galaxy A53 5G lasting over 22 hours in our tests. The only downside is that the Display isn’t HDR compliant, but this is a small niggle when you consider just how much stuff you’re getting for relatively little money.
Key specs – Processor: Samsung Exynos 1280; Screen: 6.5in, 2,400 x 1,080; Camera: 64MP, 12MP (wide), 5MP (macro), 5MP (depth); Storage: 128GB; Operating system: Android 12
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 5G: The best-value foldable
Price: £999
Alongside the Fold (featured above), the Z Flip 4 5G is another tremendous folding flagship. Featuring the same high-level features, such as IPX8-rated waterproofing, a surprisingly sturdy design and a 120Hz refresh screen, the Flip 4 5G is much better value, since it costs a heck of a lot less. And with Flip-friendly changes such as an increase to the size of the battery, upgraded performance and a handful of UI improvements, the Flip 4 5G is pretty much as good as it gets all for a fraction of the price.
Key specs – Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1; Screen: 6.7in, 2,640 x 1,080 (cover: 1.9in, 512 x 260); Camera: 12MP and 12MP (wide); Storage: 128GB, 256GB; Operating system: Android 12
6. Samsung Galaxy S21 (Renewed): Still great value
Price: £513
Samsung flagships needn’t cost the earth. If you’re in the market for a new top-end handset and don’t have S22-sized sums to pay for one, then last year’s Galaxy S21 is still a great pick. It’s still one of the fastest smartphones we’ve tested, the display is top-notch and the triple cameras still hold their own against more recent phone releases such as the iPhone 13.
As ever, this recommendation only applies if you don’t mind buying a refurbished model. However, if this doesn’t bother you then you’ll be rewarded with a great phone at a remarkably low price.
Key specs – Processor: Samsung Exynos 2100; Screen: 6.2in, 2,400 x 1,080; Camera: 12MP, 64MP (telephoto), 12MP (wide); Storage: 128GB, 256GB; Operating system: Android 11
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