Although Samsung built its reputation off its flagship phones, like the latest S23 Ultra, it has slowly moved its attention to budget and mid-tier smartphones as well. When it comes to handsets, Samsung definitely has a finger on the pulse of what Android users want; the South Korean electronics giant has been launching one banger after the other in recent times.
Samsung phones consistently make it to the top 3 of Android smartphones. Regardless of whether you’re shopping for a budget phone or a top-end foldable, you will end up going through Samsung’s catalog. And things can get confusing because of all the options — which is where we come in, we here at XDA have tested them all, to compile the list below.
So whether you’re deciding which model to pick from the Galaxy S23 series or locking on to an entry-level phone, this "best of" list should make things a lot clearer.
Our favorite Samsung Galaxy phones of 2023
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.
- Versatile camera system with very good long-zoom lenses
- Great screen and performance
- Stylus support and Samsung DeX
- Expensive
- Large size and boxy corners makes the phone unwieldy to hold
- Charging speed slower than peers
The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn't change too much from the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but that's not a bad thing because the latter is one of the very best Android phones. The main upgrades this year are the new 200MP main camera and a processor upgrade to the latest Qualcomm chip specifically customized for Samsung hardware. The screen curvature is a bit different too, with the new phone gaining a flatter display panel. Other than these three things, the rest of the package is almost the same as the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
But if you're in the market for a new phone and you want the most capable and do-it-all phone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra still takes the crown. With four rear cameras, including two zoom lenses, it still has the most versatile zoom system in smartphones, and video performance is the absolute best in Android. Samsung is using the new 200MP main camera to shoot 16-in-1 pixel binned photos that feature uncanny dynamic range and sharp photos in all conditions. You can also shoot in full 200MP resolution, which allows you to crop way into a photo.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is different from the other phones in that it's been overclocked specifically for Samsung's S23 series. This means if you're gaming heavily, this phone should outperform some other Android peers using the same chip. But the difference is virtually negligible everywhere else. But the fact there is no Exynos variant this year gives the phone way more appeal in select regions. Throw in the S Pen stylus and unique software features like Samsung DeX, and you have the most capable phone anywhere, not just the most capable Samsung phone.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
The Galaxy S23+ doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Ultra, but it doesn't need them. This is still a premium flagship phone.
- More comfortable in-hand feel than the Ultra
- Same excellent screen and Snapdragon chip
- Still really good main camera
- Missing epic 10X Periscope zoom lens
- No S-Pen
- Still relatively pricey
If you don't have much use for the S Pen and would rather save a bit of money, the Galaxy S23+ (or the standard Galaxy S23) is an excellent alternative option. You're still getting a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED screen, a very good camera system, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that's been optimized for the S23 series, glass and aluminum construction, and Samsung's polished and versatile software that can arguably do more things than just stock Android. For example, you can open apps in a floating resizable window in OneUI, which you can't do in stock Android. This, plus Samsung DeX, makes the Galaxy S23+ a better device for multitasking than, say, a Pixel 7.
You also get the same software promises made for the Ultra on the Plus (and even the regular), so no compromises are made on that end. The only difference in software is the omission of S Pen features because this phone doesn't support the stylus. In fact, many people will probably find the 6.6-inch flat screen easier to handle than the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 6.8-inch curved screen, especially since this phone has a mid-frame with rounded corners.
Yes, you do lose out on the awesome 10x Periscope zoom lens from the Ultra, but you still get a capable 3x telephoto zoom lens here that's ideal for portraits. The 50MP main camera is still a capable sensor, producing shots with solid bokeh and punchy colors. Video performance, which was a strong point in the Ultra, is equally excellent here. Ultimately, the Galaxy S23 or S23+ is flagship enough for most people.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 brings back all the great things about the Fold 3, plus a much better camera system, a slightly wider outside screen, and smarter software.
- It's both a phone and small tablet
- Excellent screens
- Much improved cameras over previous Galaxy Folds
- Thicker and heavier than foldables from Chinese brands
- No S Pen
- Still relatively pricey
Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 4 may not look much different from the Z Fold 3 at first glance, but Samsung has improved the device by making subtle but crucial changes here and there for the most polished foldable yet. Naysayers will still say it's too expensive, and they're not wrong, but for those who can stomach the price (or take advantage of Samsung's awesome trade-in offers), the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the most primetime-ready big foldable phone yet.
So, what's new? Samsung has further shaved a bit of weight from last year's Fold 3, so Fold 4 now tips the scale at 254g. While this isn't light per se, it's not unbearably heavy anymore. It doesn't weigh much more than, say, the Galaxy S23 Ultra with a case. The Fold 4 also shaved a few millimeters off the hinge area, so it's less bulky when folded, and gave those precious extra space to the screens, so both the inside and outside displays are slightly wider than last year. This improvement is most noticeable when using the Fold 4 in folded form. It's still an elongated candy bar shape, but the screen feels less cramped to type in.
Samsung also gave the Fold 4 major camera upgrades. Last year's Fold 3 used a dated camera system that was about on par with the Galaxy S10's cameras. This year, the Fold 4 upgrades to the same system used in the Galaxy S22, with a 50MP main camera with a large (for a foldable) 1/1.56-inch image sensor and a 3X telephoto zoom lens that's much better than the mediocre zoom lens in previous Folds.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC and offers a stunning foldable display.
- It's both a phone and small tablet
- Can be had at great price
- Still powerful enough in 2023
- The Qualcomm chip is two years old
- No S Pen
- Below average camera system in 2023
If you find the Galaxy Z Fold 4's price still too high to bear, you could consider getting the Galaxy Z Fold 3. While Samsung no longer sells it officially, you can find it on Amazon and other retailers at a price that's at least 30-40% lower than the Fold 4.
The Fold 3 still holds up well in 2023 because it was an epic 2021 device. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, at two years old, is still a capable SoC, and the camera system, while not as good as the Fold 4's, is still acceptable.
The display, of course, is great too. Whether it's the 7.6-inch large display or the 6.5-inch outside cover display, color accuracy, maximum brightness, resolution, and viewing angles are all top-notch. With the Galaxy Z Fold 3, you're getting a device that can transform from a phone to a mini tablet within a second. At 271g, the Fold 3 is not too heavy, though the thickness is still about twice the size of a typical Android phone.
With Samsung guaranteeing at least four years of Android updates, you can buy the Fold 3 today and know it'll still be supported for at least another three years. Samsung's OneUI for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is also excellent at multitasking, including the ability to run two apps in a split-screen view or open apps in smaller, resizable, floating windows. There's just so much the Galaxy Z Fold 3 can do that other phones cannot.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a clamshell foldable that combines the compact form factor of yesteryear's phones with a modern Android experience. It's also equipped with the most powerful Qualcomm chipset and cutting-edge foldable OLED technology.
- Compact size
- Excellent design and look
- Relatively good price for a foldable
- Poor battery life
- The outside cover screen doesn't do enough
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 was one of the most stylish-looking smartphones to come out in recent years, and the Flip 4 wisely brings back the exact same look but with more color customization options. We adore the two-tone finish and the petite size when folded up. But don't mistake the small size for lack of power — this thing is, along with the Fold 4, the most durable foldable phone ever, with IPX8 water resistance and "Armor Aluminum" build material.
The Flip 4 is an awesome device for those who find modern Android phones too large and hard to pocket. Unfolded, the 6.7-inch, 1080 x 2640 display looks and behaves like any other top Samsung screen, with vibrant colors, top-notch sharpness, and a fast refresh rate of up to 120Hz for buttery smooth animations. Samsung also improved the software for the outer Cover Display, allowing users to open any app on the smaller 1.9-inch display.
New to the Flip 4 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, which has a stronger GPU and superior battery efficiency. The latter is important, as battery life has always been a slight weakness in previous Flips. While the Flip 4 isn't going to win any battery endurance awards, it is now possible to get all-day use provided you're not pushing it too heavily.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a great mid-range phone. It offers a sleek design, a beautiful 120Hz display, plenty of power under the hood, and a triple camera setup on the back.
- The Samsung smartphone experience for less
- Gorilla Glass 5 finish on front and back
- Good performance for its price
- Weak haptics
- Cameras are fine, but not great
- 5MP macro sensor is mostly pointless
The newest phone on this list, the Galaxy A54, is the most premium-looking and feeling Samsung A-series phone yet. Instead of the plasticky body from last year's A53, you now get a glass-aluminum-glass sandwich design that's usually found in flagships. The glass panels are Gorilla Glass 5 panels too.
The cameras also got an upgrade, with the main camera using a 50MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture, which can now produce brighter images with better dynamic range. The 12MP ultra-wide is fine for a phone at this price range, but the 5MP macro lens doesn't do much, with macro shots soft on details. The A54 also features an awesome 6.4-inch 120Hz Samsung OLED display that exhibits excellent viewing angles and respectable maximum brightness.
The phone features an Exynos 1380, which surprisingly keeps up well with other mid-tier chips on the market. It does run a bit hot if you play heavy games, but for the most part, performance feels snappy and can even pass for a Galaxy S23 flagship-level performance at times.
The large 5,000 mAh battery returns, along with IP67 water and rust resistance rating. At $450, this is one of the better mid-rangers on the market anywhere in the world, but particularly more so in North America.
Best Samsung Galaxy phone: The bottom line
A good argument can be made that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is technically Samsung's alpha dog phone, but the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best overall Samsung phone because it's the one with the best cameras, processor, and screen in Samsung's lineup right now. Plus, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is still priced in a range unaffordable by most. The Galaxy S23 Ultra isn't cheap by any means, but it's a price that's been proven to be more acceptable among smartphone fans.
It remains to be seen if the S23 Ultra's successor can dethrone it because when it comes to Samsung phones, it is still the top choice. The combination of awesome cameras, the latest (and best) Qualcomm processor, and a large screen with stylus support make the S23 Ultra a great phone for power users and multitaskers. You can simply do more with the Galaxy S23 Ultra than you could on a Galaxy A54 or a rival flagship phone. If you want a slightly more affordable phone, the Galaxy S23+ is also a great option — but stay tuned to this page for deals on the Ultra model because Samsung has been offering some sweet deals recently.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.