Contents
- 1 Samsung Product Categories
- 2 Best Flagship Phone: Galaxy S25 Ultra
- 3 Best Foldable: Galaxy Z Fold 7
- 4 Best Budget Foldable: Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
- 5 Budget Flagship: Galaxy S25 FE
- 6 Best Mid-Range: Galaxy A56
- 7 Best Budget Phone: Galaxy A17
- 8 Samsung Galaxy XCover: Robust Reliability
- 9 How to Buy at the Best Prices
We have updated this guide in February 2026. While the Galaxy S26 is not yet included, we will refresh this list once the new flagships are officially announced and reviewed. The latest additions to the lineup are the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, alongside the entry-level Galaxy A17.
Samsung Product Categories
Internally, Samsung maintains four primary lines. The Galaxy S series serves as the flagship slab category, while its foldable counterpart is the Galaxy Z series. Within the S series, Samsung includes Fan Edition (FE) models, which provide a more affordable entry point to flagship features. The Galaxy A series focuses on budget to mid-range offerings.
There is also an enterprise and rugged tier known as Galaxy XCover. These devices offer enhanced durability and specialized security features tailored primarily for industrial and professional use.
| Category | Typical Price Range | Target Audience | Key Models (2026) |
| Galaxy A | $ | Budget & Mid-range | Galaxy A17, A37, A57 |
| Galaxy S | $$ | Mainstream Flagships | Galaxy S25 FE, S25, S25 Ultra |
| Galaxy Z | $$$ | Premium Foldables | Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, Flip 7, Fold 7 |
| Galaxy XCover | $$ | Enterprise & Rugged | Galaxy XCover 7 Pro, XCover 5 |
Best Flagship Phone: Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched at the start of 2025. It’s Samsung’s most feature-packed flagship in the S25 family and also the most expensive, priced at $1,200. Depending on what device you’re upgrading from, it’s more than just a refinement.
The hardware feels more polished, with subtle design changes like rounded corners and a thinner, lighter profile for easier one-handed use. It stands out with Gorilla Glass Victus protection and a titanium frame for added durability. Another major advantage is the S Pen integration for drawing and note-taking. The stylus has a built-in silo and water resistance, making it a key reason many users prefer the Ultra over standard models.
The display improvements are modest but still deliver top-class color and resolution. Camera hardware remains largely unchanged, except for a new 50 MP ultrawide sensor that captures more detail in landscapes. Combined with software optimization and a 200 MP main sensor, the Ultra is a versatile and reliable camera phone.
Internally, the Snapdragon 8 Elite replaces the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offering noticeable performance and graphics gains. In real-world use, the device runs smoothly even with intensive tasks like AI workloads and gaming.
If you’re upgrading from a mid-range or older Galaxy flagship, the S25 Ultra is a significant leap—especially if you find it discounted.
Pros of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Premium titanium and a lighter build
- More ergonomic design
- Tougher Gorilla Glass Armor 2 protection
- Flat 120 Hz screen and as bright as ever
- Top performance and battery life
- Versatile camera setup
- Integrated S Pen
- 7 Android updates & 7 years of security updates
Cons of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Expensive
- Galaxy AI functions are a little gimmicky
- Charging speed hasn’t improved
Best Foldable: Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung’s foldable range now includes the Fold, the Flip, and the innovative Tri-Fold. While the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (review) is a popular choice, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (review) offers a true tablet alternative in a pocketable form factor. Note that while the new Tri-Fold is a technical marvel, its niche design and high price point make it less practical for most buyers.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 introduced meaningful upgrades over the Fold 6. The build is notably thinner and lighter, effectively addressing the “bulky” complaints associated with earlier generations. Samsung also reinforced the hinge and aluminum chassis for better long-term durability.
The displays have grown to 6.5 inches (cover) and 8 inches (inner). This added screen estate makes the device feel more like a conventional phone when closed and a proper tablet when opened. It also adopts the 200MP main sensor from the S25 Ultra and runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, ensuring performance remains snappy for years to come. Like all foldables, the trade-off is a more modest battery life, though 45W fast charging helps refill 50% of the juice in just 30 minutes.
Pros of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Thinner and lighter than Fold 6
- Sturdier hinge and chassis
- Larger 6.5″ cover display and expansive 8″ inner screen
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite SoC
- 200 MP main camera sensor
- Tablet-like experience in a portable form factor
Cons of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Still bulky compared to slab-style phones
- Battery life remains modest
- Very high price point, limiting accessibility
- Foldable design adds fragility despite improvements
Best Budget Foldable: Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE as the first Fan Edition model in its foldable lineup. It starts at a competitive $800 price, which is $300 less than the standard Flip 7.
To achieve this price, it utilizes a previous-generation clamshell design with a slightly smaller cover display. It is powered by the Exynos 2400 chipset rather than the newer Exynos 2500. However, the Exynos 2400 remains a highly capable processor with plenty of performance overhead. With optimized software, the 4,000 mAh battery can easily last through a full day of typical use.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE Pros
- Lower price than the standard Z Flip 7
- Bright main display
- Competent processor
- Same cameras as the standard model
Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE Cons
- Battery life is still modest
- Slow charging compared to rivals
- Smaller cover screen with limited functionality
Budget Flagship: Galaxy S25 FE
For those who want a flagship experience, including 7 years of software support and a premium display, without spending $1,200, the Fan Edition is the perfect entry point.
The Galaxy S25 FE (review) features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,900 nits of peak brightness. It runs on the Exynos 2400 silicon, which remains a potent chip for everyday tasks and gaming. While the cameras are a slight downgrade from the Ultra, the 50MP main shooter produces vibrant, high-quality images that will satisfy most users.
Galaxy S25 FE Pros
- Cheaper than the Galaxy S25
- Flagship-like experience
- Versatile camera
- 7 years of Android updates
- Larger battery capacity
- Faster charging speed
Galaxy S25 FE Cons
- Last generation Gorilla Glass Victus
- Exynos 2400 chip is less efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Elite
Best Mid-Range: Galaxy A56
If your budget is under $500, the Galaxy A56 (review) is a fantastic option. It mirrors the dimensions of the S25 FE with a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. It is powered by the mid-range Exynos 1580, which is more than capable of handling daily multitasking. The camera drops the telephoto lens in favor of a 5MP macro, but the primary 50MP sensor remains reliable and punchy. Its standout feature is battery life, as it can easily last 2 days on a single charge.
Galaxy A56 Pros
- Bright and fast AMOLED display
- Long battery life with fast charging
- IP67 water/dust resistance
- 6 years of software updates
Galaxy A56 Cons
- Macro camera is not very useful
- No telephoto camera
- 6 GB RAM in base model
Best Budget Phone: Galaxy A17
The Galaxy A17 arrived in December 2025 as a refresh to the A16. It maintains a sub-$200 price point, making it one of Samsung’s best-selling models. It features a modern design that is thinner than previous versions and a large 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Crucially, it ships with One UI 8 and is promised 6 years of major Android OS upgrades, a level of support that is unheard of in the budget category.
Galaxy A17 Pros
- Affordable price point
- Long battery life
- 6 years of software updates
Galaxy A17 Cons
- Plastic frame
- Charging speed is modest
Samsung Galaxy XCover: Robust Reliability
The Galaxy XCover series prioritizes protection over “sexy” specs. With an IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810H certification, these phones are designed to survive construction sites and extreme outdoor sports. The Enterprise Edition models also offer extended warranties and remote management tools for IT administrators.
The Galaxy XCover 7 Pro (review) is the latest entry in the series. In addition to its more rugged build, it features a removable battery. It also matches Samsung’s flagships in terms of software policy, offering 7 years of Android OS updates and security patches. However, you should be aware of the compromises, such as an average camera setup and a mid-range Snapdragon processor.
How to Buy at the Best Prices
Waiting for seasonal promotions can save you a significant amount of money. Key events to watch for in 2026 include Presidents’ Day, Valentine’s Day, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, and Black Friday in the second half.
Is your Samsung phone eligible for One UI 8.5? Check our latest compatibility list. We want to hear from you! Have you used any of these devices? Share your feedback in the comments below.
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