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The Best Samsung Phones of 2026: Ultra, Fold, Budget
There's the iPhone, and then there are Samsung Galaxy phones—the two most popular phone brands in the US. But whereas Apple is the sole company behind the iOS mobile operating system, even the best Samsung phones face stiff competition in the Android world. (And yes, Galaxy phones are Android phones, though Samsung calls its layer over Android “One UI.”)
Google's Pixel phones are our favorite Android devices, but Samsung's offerings are just as great and often have better hardware. Alongside Google, Samsung promises the longest software support for its cheap and high-end devices. That means you don't have to upgrade as often, since it will stay up-to-date, secure, and bug-free longer. But the Korean giant has many, many models at varying prices, so what's the best Samsung phone? We sort it out here in this guide. We also have tips and tricks to get the most out of your shiny new hardware.
Check out our mobile guides, including the Best Samsung Galaxy S26 Cases, Best Samsung Galaxy S25 Cases, Best Android Phones, Best Cheap Phones, Best Pixel Phones, and Best Folding Phones.
Updated September 2026: We’ve added the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy A37, and Galaxy Z Flip8; mentioned the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy S26 FE; removed some older devices; updated the best time to buy section; and updated prices.
The best part of the Android world is the choice of hardware. Want a phone with a headphone jack? Sure! Want a phone that fast-charges in around 30 minutes? It exists. So why stick with the stalwart Samsung?
In our experience and research, Samsung's smartphones have a track record of reliability, and because it's a major player, it has a wider network of authorized repair centers than competing Android manufacturers. Yes, there was the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco and even the issues with the first-gen Galaxy Fold, but Samsung now has a customer satisfaction score equal to Apple's, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. That said, we haven't read great things about the company's US customer support team.
With its flagship phones, you get top-of-the-line specs, exceptional build quality, and long software support. We primarily pick Pixel phones over Samsung because we prefer Google's software experience, but there are plenty of people who like Samsung's take on Android. As always, keep an open mind and consider all your options.
Samsung announced its new foldable range in August, and it won't upgrade the S-series until next year. If you're after the best Samsung phone, now's a good time to buy. But keep the company's launch time frames in mind if you want the latest and greatest.
Consider these dates as you shop, because you may want to hold off for the new model, or it can help inform you about when to expect the best discounts.
Android phones used to have disastrously poor software support. Two years after you bought your $1,000 phone, it would no longer receive software updates. Thankfully, Google began promising longer software update cycles for its Pixel phones, which pushed Samsung to match it.