Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8, and Z Flip8 have reshaped its foldable lineup, but choosing the best Samsung phone in 2026 isn’t as simple as picking the newest model. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best Samsung phone you can buy right now, yet the choice becomes more complicated if you’re considering a foldable. The Korean smartphone maker has a broader Galaxy lineup than ever, spanning its S26 flagships, new foldables, and more affordable A-series phones.
We’ve tested Samsung’s latest phones to find the best options for different budgets and priorities, looking at everything from camera and battery performance to displays, software, design, and everyday usability. These are the best Samsung Galaxy phones you can buy right now, and what you should know before choosing one.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung at its most ambitious, and after four months of using it as a primary phone, it remains the Galaxy that gets the most right. During our review we found its combination of camera performance, display quality, speed, and the broader Galaxy experience difficult to fault. It is also the Samsung phone where features such as the S Pen and its more advanced software tools feel genuinely useful rather than simply nice to have. The S26 Ultra is expensive, large, and more phone than many people need, but if you want the best Samsung has to offer in one device, this is the Galaxy to get.
The Galaxy S26 is a reminder that a good flagship doesn’t need to be enormous. Its compact size makes it much easier to handle than Samsung’s Ultra models, while still delivering the core flagship experience that makes the Galaxy S series so appealing. While reviewing this device it also became clear that Galaxy S6’s biggest weakness is that the company is playing it safe. The S26 doesn’t radically reinvent the formula, but that restraint doesn’t erase what it does well. It remains a capable, polished phone with the performance, display, software, and everyday usability expected from a flagship. For buyers who don’t need the Ultra’s larger screen, more advanced cameras, or S Pen, the S26 makes a compelling case as the more sensible Galaxy.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung pushing its book-style foldable as far as it currently can. While we’re still working on our full review, our hands-on time with the phone highlighted its 8-inch flexible display, a new coating that significantly reduces distracting reflections, and a slimmer design paired with more ambitious hardware. That matters because foldables have increasingly become an exercise in refinement rather than novelty. The challenge is making a device this complex feel less compromised in everyday use. The Fold8 Ultra doesn’t eliminate the fundamental trade-offs of a foldable, and its price remains a major barrier, but it represents Samsung’s strongest argument yet that a foldable can stand on its own as a premium flagship rather than simply being an expensive alternative form factor.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 is the more interesting proposition for buyers who want the Fold experience without automatically stepping up to Samsung’s most expensive foldable. The new generation has focused heavily on Samsung’s push toward a thinner, more refined design, while also questioning whether the company has done enough to move the Fold formula forward. That tension is important to this recommendation. The Fold8 isn’t compelling because it suddenly makes foldables conventional; it’s compelling because Samsung continues to refine the parts that matter when you use one every day. If the ability to open a phone into a much larger screen is the feature you actually want, the Fold8 makes more sense than paying extra simply for the Ultra badge
The Galaxy Z Flip8 remains one of Samsung’s most distinctive phones because it solves a very specific problem: you get a full-size smartphone when you need it, then fold it down to something far easier to carry. During our limited time with this device we found the latest Flip refined rather than reinvented, with a slimmer design, newer processor, and useful improvements to the overall experience. The catch is that the changes are modest compared with the Flip7, while the price has gone up by $100. That makes it a harder upgrade for existing Flip owners, but for anyone buying a Samsung flip phone for the first time, the Flip8’s compact form factor and flagship experience still make it the obvious choice.
The Galaxy A57 makes a strong case for buyers who want the broader Samsung experience without flagship pricing. Its appeal is less about matching the flagship series feature for feature and more about the overall package: a modern Galaxy design, a capable everyday feature set, and the reassurance of Samsung’s long software support. For a buyer who values keeping a phone for several years, that combination can make the A57 a more compelling proposition than its price tag suggests.
The Galaxy A27 is aimed at buyers who want a straightforward Samsung phone without stretching their budget. Its compact, pocket-friendly appeal is only part of the story. Samsung’s software experience and long update commitment give the A27 an ownership advantage that is easy to overlook when comparing phones on specifications alone. It makes sense for anyone who wants the familiarity of a Galaxy phone and plans to keep it for several years.
The Galaxy S25 FE makes a strong case for buyers who want much of Samsung’s flagship experience without paying flagship money. In the past too we have shared that its premium design, display, camera capabilities, and features such as 8K video recording, while the longer-term assessment makes the case for it as a compelling everyday phone rather than simply a stripped-down flagship. There are compromises, particularly around camera performance and sustained performance, but that is precisely what makes the FE interesting: it is about deciding which flagship features you actually need.
The Galaxy S26 FE has now arrived, just days before this update, and we’re looking at it too. Until we’ve spent enough time with Samsung’s new FE to make a proper call, the S25 FE remains on this list, particularly if its price drops. Once we’ve tested the S26 FE, we’ll know whether last year’s model still earns its place or whether Samsung has finally given us a new FE worth recommending.
Samsung’s S26 lineup gives you three ways to approach its flagship experience. The Galaxy S26 is the smallest and easiest to handle, the S26+ adds a larger display and battery, while the S26 Ultra is the full-fat option with Samsung’s most capable cameras and additional features.
The Galaxy S26 is the simplest choice if you want a compact flagship. During our time with the device we found it polished and easy to live with, with a strong display, solid performance, and the advantages of Samsung’s latest software. The issue is that Samsung has played it safe this generation, with familiar camera hardware and relatively slow charging.
The S26+ sits between the two. Its larger screen and battery make it the better fit if you spend a lot of time watching video, gaming, or simply prefer a bigger phone. But it shares much of the standard S26’s hardware and limitations, which makes its position harder to justify when the Ultra offers a more substantial step up.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the one to choose if you want Samsung’s most complete flagship. After four months of testing it as a primary phone, Digital Trends found very little to fault, with its camera system, display, performance, S Pen, and Privacy Display making it a considerably more capable device.
Buy the Galaxy S26 if you want a compact flagship and don’t need the Ultra’s extras.
Buy the Galaxy S26+ if a larger display and battery matter more than having Samsung’s most advanced features.
Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the most capable Galaxy and are willing to pay for it.
Samsung’s latest foldables make a stronger case for the form factor, but they still aren’t phones we would recommend simply because they fold. The Galaxy Z Fold8 is the biggest step forward in usability, with a shorter, wider design that makes the cover screen much more comfortable to use and a lighter body that finally makes the Fold feel more pocketable. Digital Trends found the change immediately noticeable, particularly when compared with a conventional phone.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra takes the hardware further, with a larger inner display and thoughtful engineering refinements, but its premium comes with a very high price. The standard Fold8 is therefore the more compelling choice if what you really want is a phone that can open into a much larger screen.
The Z Flip8 is easier to justify if your priority is portability. It folds a full-size 6.9-inch phone into a much smaller package, and Samsung has made it slimmer and lighter this year. But Digital Trends found the changes relatively modest, with the Flip8 costing $100 more than its predecessor.
So, are Samsung foldables worth buying? Yes, if the folding form factor solves a problem for you. Choose the Fold if you genuinely want a larger screen for multitasking and media. Choose the Flip if pocketability is the appeal. If neither benefit matters to you, the Galaxy S26 series remains the simpler and better-value choice.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has Samsung’s most capable camera system. Its combination of multiple cameras and stronger zoom capabilities gives it a clear advantage over the standard S26 and S26+. The S26 remains capable for everyday photography, but the Ultra is the Galaxy to choose if cameras are a priority. When it comes to foldables, Samsung Galaxy Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra are both worth considering.
Samsung provides long-term software support across much of its current Galaxy lineup, including its flagship S-series, foldables, and A-series phones. That makes software longevity an important part of the value proposition, particularly on less expensive models such as the Galaxy A57 and A27. While the recent S Series and fold phones get 7 years of OS and security patches but it is always good to check the support policy for the specific model before buying, as update commitments can vary between generations.
An older Galaxy can still make sense if you find it at a substantial discount, particularly when the hardware remains capable and the phone has several years of software support remaining. However, don’t assume an older flagship is automatically a better deal than a newer FE or A-series model. Compare the current price, remaining update support, battery condition, and the features you actually need before buying.
Samsung is one of the most recognized names in modern smartphones, boasting a well-deserved reputation for offering a wide range of excellent phones that cater to different needs and budgets. If you’re in the market for an Android phone, you’re likely to find a Samsung model that fits your requirements. While the variety of choices can be a bit overwhelming, the good news is that we have explored the entire lineup and selected the best Samsung smartphones available in 2025.
Nirave is a creator, evangelist, and founder of House of Tech. A heart attack at 33 inspired him to publish the Impact of Tech newsletter, which covers the best technology and its impact on mental, physical, and emotional health. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more.
Jesse has been a Mobile Writer for Digital Trends since 2021 and a technology enthusiast for his entire life — he was online in BBSes and Usenet when computer screens were green and modems made loud squealing noises. He probably would have been born with an iPhone in his hand had they existed then. Jesse began his career in technology fixing PCs and building small local area networks in his small hometown in the early 90s before moving to the big city (Toronto) and building his own small consulting practice doing enterprise-level network systems integration and project management.
A digital music fan from the earliest days of MP3s, Jesse gave up his Creative Nomad Jukebox for his first iPod in 2004 and quickly became a fan of all things Apple. Not long after, he switched gears to go into tech journalism by joining iLounge in 2007 and becoming a stay-at-home dad to his soon-to-be-born daughter. He spent the next 12 years covering all things iPhone and iPad, writing how-to guides and reviews of apps, accessories, headphones, speakers, smart home devices, and more. He also authored three editions of iPod & iTunes Portable Genius for Wiley Publishing and helped create the Apple-themed CES iLounge Pavilion in 2010.
After leaving iLounge in 2019, Jesse remained steeped in the world of Apple devices at iDrop News and covered networking gear as an editor for Lifewire before joining Digital Trends in late 2021. He's also contributed to SlashGear and still keeps his pulse on the Android world at Android Police. Beyond his interest in Apple and other mobile gear, Jesse's previous career in networking tech has given him a deep interest in 5G and related technologies like RCS. He also keeps a close eye on what the carriers are up to.
Jesse lives in a house that's fully tricked out with Apple HomeKit in Toronto with his iPhone-toting teenage daughter, Victoria, and his new wife, Nora. When he's not fiddling with the latest gadgets or tweaking his Plex library, you'll find him enjoying old movies and TV shows, reading, playing with a Mac Pro while coordinating the media team at his church, and adjusting to married life.
Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server run by the VPN provider. Websites see the VPN server’s IP address instead of yours, and you can get around geo-blocks, censorship, and ISP throttling. The best VPN services are paid, but there are still a handful of free options that do the job well.
Most free VPNs come with a hidden cost, because running servers isn’t cheap and a company that doesn’t charge you has to make its money somewhere else. Many do so by logging your browsing activity and selling it to advertisers, while others flood you with ads and track you across apps.
There's nothing quite like curling up with a good book on a cold evening. As much as I love the feel of a physical book, books take up a lot of space, and carrying more than one on a trip quickly becomes a chore. That's where e-readers come in, and the Amazon Kindle remains one of the best options.
Amazon just refreshed its Kindle lineup with thinner, lighter designs, a new flush-front display, and colors that wrap from front to back. Add the Kindle Scribe and the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft to the mix, and you have more choices than ever before.
A good Android app should earn its place on your phone. It might make an everyday task easier, handle something the built-in software can't, or let you change an experience that never quite worked for you.
These 20 apps cover everything from quick notes and password management to automation and local file sharing. Some are free, others charge for advanced features, and a few take some effort to figure out. The point isn't to install them all. It's to find the ones that make your phone work better for you.