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Samsung‘s best phones are among the best Android phones you can buy, and Samsung fans know that a Galaxy phone offers more features and the most cutting edge technology you’ll find on any mobile phone. Samsung is uncompromising when it comes to making superlative handsets, and we see many fancy new features first when Samsung adds them to the latest Galaxy phone.
If you’re looking for a Samsung phone, now may not be the best time to buy unless you really need a phone right now. That’s because Samsung historically launches its new Galaxy S phones right after the new year, and we’ve heard hints that late January, 2025 will see the introduction of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the whole Galaxy S25 family.
If these phones use the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chips, they could make a huge leap forward in performance, based on benchmarks I’ve seen of Qualcomm’s stunning new processor.
I’ve tested all of the best Samsung phones, from the mighty (and mighty expensive) Galaxy Z Fold 6 to the Galaxy S24 Ultra along with most competing Android and iPhone models, so you can trust this list to rank and explain what makes these Samsung phones the best choice.
Once you’re done marveling over Samsung’s phones, check out our list of the best Android tablets, because Samsung makes most of them.
Quick list
Here are the best Samsung phones you can buy, whether you want the absolute top phones or the most affordable options with all of Samsung’s best features.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The best Samsung phone does everything, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a phone, a tablet, a desktop computer, a drawing slate, and everything else you can imagine a phone could be.
Read more below
For
- It folds flat
- Lighter and thinner
- A better mobile chipset means even snappier performance
Against
- The cover screen now feels too narrow
- The cameras are good but unchanged from the last model
- It’s expensive and should include the S Pen in the price
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Galaxy S24 Ultra remains the best camera phone you can buy, even better than the latest Google Pixel 9 phones, with the best photos and most versatile lenses and shooting modes.
Read more below
3. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
The Galaxy S24 Plus has the best battery life of any Samsung phone we’ve tested, even better than the Ultra, which makes it the best pick if you need a phone that lasts longer.
Read more below
The Galaxy S24 isn’t a cheap phone to buy your teenager, but it is very durable, gets enough software updates to get them into college, and does everything they want a phone to do.
Read more below
For
- Compact design with Ultra powerful processor
- Sharp and bright display
- Seven years of Android updates and security patches
Against
- Samsung’s software is too complicated
- Not as many cool social features as the iPhone 15
- Galaxy AI is a mix of cool and useless new tools
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is my favorite flip phone overall, thanks to its fast performance and improved durable design. It’s stylish but professional, a flip for the ages.
Read more below
For
- Most powerful clamshell foldable on the market
- Superb long-term software support
- Finally usable battery life
- Versatile cover display
Against
- Colorways are a little lackluster
- Design is playing catch-up to rivals
- Even better battery life would be great
- UK and Australian pricing far higher than US
The Galaxy S24 FE offers Samsung’s full AI suite, a triple camera system with 3x optical zoom, and solid performance for well below the asking price of its flagship counterpart.
Read more below
Philip Berne
Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews. He has been writing about phones since before the Samsung BlackJack. Phil was the internal reviewer for Samsung Mobile until 2017, writing opinions and review predictions about top secret new devices months before launch. He has reviewed hundreds of smartphones, tablets, and mobile devices.
The best Samsung phones in 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
I’ve reviewed all of the phones on this list and we have tested every Samsung phone in Future Labs, so you can be sure that we are recommending the best Samsung phone you can buy.
The best Samsung phone
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Buy it if
✅ You want two devices in one: There’s a powerful, if narrow smartphone on the outside and a Galaxy tablet with S Pen within. It’s flexible and versatile.
✅ You need a Pro folding phone: The Pixel Pro Fold has Pro in the name, but Samsung has Pro in the software, with many more multi-tasking features
✅ You want quality photography: Forget about foldable phones having bad cameras. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 took remarkable pics, up close and far away.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re on a budget: At $1,619 / £1,799 / AU $2,749, this is one of the most expensive phones on the market. At the very least, look for deals before you buy.
❌ You a normal cover display: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is oddly narrow. It still looks great, but other foldable phones have a cover display that looks like a normal phone.
❌ You demand the best in camera optics: For the best in phone photography, look elsewhere, like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which has bigger sensors and 5X telephoto zoom.
The bottom line
📱The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a do-everything device with few compromises. It’s great for multi-tasking, drawing and doodles, and watching Netflix, and it outperforms the competition. It costs a lot, but you get it all. ★★★★½
What you need to know
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is Samsung’s no holds barred super-phone. Samsung took a phone that could already do everything and bent it in half, making it a phone and mini tablet in one. It has the best cameras of any foldable, bucking the trend, and it’s powerful enough to replace a laptop. Seriously.
Design: The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a sturdy, polished foldable phone that looks compact and clean. It is durable and water resistant, and it folds nice and flat. It isn’t the thinnest foldable phone you can buy, but the difference is minimal, and the Z Fold 6 is still easy to carry and hold. I just wish the front display were wider.
Display: The main screen is a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 2176 x 1812 resolution, and it’s really a big, beautiful screen. Samsung is the only foldable phone maker I’ve used that supports a real precision stylus, just make sure you get the right S Pen for the Fold line. The cover screen is wider this year than last year, but it still doesn’t quite look normal. It offers plenty of room, though, and it makes a bright viewfinder when I’m taking photos.
Camera: I compared the best foldable phones, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 took the best photos in almost every situation. It also shot the best video footage I got from a foldable phone. It isn’t quite as good as a Galaxy S24, but the photos still looked clean and exciting, thanks to Samsung’s dramatic saturation.
Performance: With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy inside, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is one of the fastest phones I’ve tested … and that includes the latest iPhones. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 makes an excellent high-performance phones since it was so fun for gaming on the big screen, or for getting work done.
Battery life: I got more than a day of battery life on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with balanced use, but using that tempting inner display will drain the battery more quickly.
Value for money: It’s incredibly expensive, but you might find a great deal if you’re willing to sign a contract or trade another incredibly expensive phone to get one.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review
Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | The best foldabe design Samsung has ever produced. Sharp and pro-looking at every level | 4.5 / 5 |
| Display | A wider cover display and noticeably improved Main screen prove a formidable combo | 4.5 / 5 |
| Performance | The best Qualcomm has to offer with a ittle bit more that shows in benchmarks and day-to-day performance | 4.5 / 5 |
| Camera | Still good camera array but Samsung could’ve done more for its flagship foldable | 4 / 5 |
| Software | A good blend of Android 14, foldable-friendly utility and Samsung’s OneUI | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value | More expensive than ever but there’s no denying it’s a two-for-one mobile device that’s stuffed with power, fun, utility, and AI | 3.5 / 5 |
The best cameras
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Buy it if
✅ You want more than any other smartphone: There is no other phone that matches everything the Galaxy S24 Ultra can do, not even close.
✅ You want a phone that is future proof: The Galaxy AI features are just warming up, and with seven years of major Android OS updates, and plenty of new AI features to come, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will be the first phone to take that step into the next generation.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You don’t need everything this phone can do: There are plenty of Samsung phones that do almost as much as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but won’t cost nearly as much if you don’t need the S Pen.
❌ You prefer something easier to use: Samsung keeps adding features, and the software and menus get harder to use every time. If you want a phone that makes things easy, check out an iPhone instead.
The bottom line
📱 The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra pushes the bounds of smartphone technology, offering top-of-the-line features and capabilities. It excels in versatility and intelligent functionality, although it comes at a premium price. if you want the absolute best in performance, camera quality, and power, the Galaxy S24 Ultra stands as the undisputed leader. ★★★★½
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra takes smartphone features further than any other phone. It’s a top-performer, and in so many ways you won’t find better. It has longer battery life and faster performance than the iPhone, more camera options than any other Android, and features we don’t often see, like the S Pen stylus.
Design: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a big, heavy phone, even with the new titanium frame. Samsung still manages to pack so much inside, and the design improvements are welcome. The display is easier to read this year, and the titanium finish and colors are very nice, though it’s too bad the phone couldn’t shave some weight.
Display: The bright, OLED display on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the best you’ll find, especially with the new coating that reduces glare and makes it easier to read in bright light. Samsung’s display is colorful, sharp, and bright enough for every task.
Camera: There have been plenty of changes to Samsung’s cameras, even if the spec sheet looks the same as last year. The Galaxy S24 Ultra produced better images in every setting. Portrait and landscape photos look a lot better, and even zoom photos have more color and better lighting, though we do miss the 10X zoom from the last generation.
Performance: This is the fastest phone you can buy right now. In our tests playing games and editing photos, the Galaxy S24 Ultra was the fastest we’ve used, beating even Apple‘s iPhone 15 Pro,. That’s a first for Samsung phones ever since Apple starting designing its own chipsets.
Battery life: I had no trouble using the Galaxy S24 Ultra for two days when I used it normally, and it lasted through a full day of camera usage and gaming with no trouble. The battery hasn’t gotten bigger, Samsung manages power on this phone better than ever before.
Value for money: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is expensive, even more than last year, but the upgrades are a big deal. Samsung now offers seven years of software updates, including Android updates, and that makes the Galaxy S24 Ultra a better value than any Galaxy Ultra to come before.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review
Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
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| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Even more than before, but you get the best when you pay for it. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Design | It looks very familiar, but the screen is less reflective, and also sharper. It’s still as heavy, even with titanium. | ★★★★☆ |
| Display | There isn’t a better display, and the new anti-glare finish really helps outdoors. | ★★★★★ |
| Camera | The cameras are better all around, even if the spec sheet looks a bit suspicious. Still the best, most versatile camera system. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Performance that beats an iPhone 15 Pro, for the first time we can remember, putting Android ahead of Apple. | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | Better battery life this year means the Galaxy S24 Ultra can last a very long time. | ★★★★★ |
The best battery life
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Buy it if
✅ You want top notch performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus has all the power of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with the same Galaxy AI features, for less money.
✅ You want a bigger, sharper screen: The Galaxy S24 Plus gives you more than a bigger screen, it also packs more pixels for a higher resolution than the Galaxy S24.
✅ You want more battery life: We got great battery life from the Galaxy S24 Plus, and the only way to get better on a Samsung is to get an even bigger phone like the Ultra.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want the long zoom cameras: The 5X zoom camera is the best advantage that the Galaxy S24 Ultra has over the Galaxy S24 Plus.
❌ You need easy software: Samsung’s OneUI interface is a mess, and it’s more difficult than iPhone’s iOS by far. Even Google’s Pixel is better.
The bottom line
📱 The Galaxy S24 Plus is blazing fast with great battery life and a big, sharp display. It gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t. ★★★★½
The Galaxy S24 Plus is just too good. You wouldn’t expect Samsung’s middle child to be our top pick, but it offers the same performance, the same sharp and bright display experience, and the same great battery life as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It doesn’t make sense to pay so much more for features even premium users don’t need.
Design: You don’t get the titanium frame of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus comes in some great color options, and it still has a premium and modern feel.
Display: The Galaxy S24 Plus has a display that isn’t just bigger than the Galaxy S24, it also has more pixels, so it has a higher resolution than the basic S24, and it’s even a little more sharp than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Camera: You could pay a lot more and get 5X zoom on the Ultra, but the Galaxy S24 Plus has a 3X optical zoom camera, plus a great main camera and an ultra wide lens. Samsung’s shooting modes and AI photography expertise are what makes the cameras great, not the spec sheet.
Performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus delivers class-leading performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. In our benchmark tests, the Snapdragon occasionally beat the Apple A16 Pro chipset in the iPhone 15 Pro. The Galaxy S24 Plus will make short work of your gaming and productivity needs with no trouble.
Battery life: The Galaxy S24 Plus lasted longer than almost any other smartphone we’ve tested, almost as long as the larger Galaxy S24 Ultra. It also charges fast and offers charging to other devices, if you need to juice up your earbuds on the run.
Value for money: The Galaxy S24 Plus launched at close to the same price as the iPhone 15 Pro, but Samsung phones are always available for a discount, whether you’re looking at Amazon, your favorite mobile carrier, or Samsung’s own storefront. We’ve already great deals of up to 20% off in the US, and we expect more discounts soon as the 2024 Galaxy Z edition of Unpacked approaches.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review
Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
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| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Value | The Galaxy S24 Plus is significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it’s still a mightily expensive phone. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | The phone’s slim bezels and flatter sides look great, but the lack of Gorilla Armor glass is dissapointing. | 3 / 5 |
| Display | The Galaxy S24 Plus’ display is big, bright, outdoor-friendly and as good as the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s. | 5 / 5 |
| Software | Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are welcome addition, but they don’t do enough to mitigate OneUI’s dizzying complexity. | 3 / 5 |
| Cameras | The Galaxy S24 Plus’ camera array is objectively solid, but some hardware upgrades are long overdue. | 3 / 5 |
| Performance | Despite the region-based chipset discrepancy, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a phenomenally powerful phone. | 5 / 5 |
| Battery | The phone’s class-leading battery life and speedy charging make it a battery champion. | 5 / 5 |
The best for teens
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Buy it if
✅ You’re want power on a budget: The Galaxy S24 isn’t cheap, but it packs as much power as the S24 Ultra for hundred less.
✅ You want a compact phone: The 6.1-inch Galaxy S24 offers plenty of power for a phone this small, and it’s hard to find a smaller phone worth buying today.
✅ You need serious power: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset is plenty powerful for any task, even running an external display or playing the latest games.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want a big screen: A 6.1-inch display used to be huge, but these days it’s feeling a bit cramped, especially if you’re used to a big phone like a Pro Max or an Ultra.
❌ Your budget can stretch: For a few hundred more you can have a much better camera system, a magical S Pen accessories, and a huge screen with a big battery inside, if you get the Galaxy S24 Ultra instead.
❌ All of your friends use the iPhone: Samsung’s software is a big weakness, and it’s lagging behind Apple in simplicity and social features that make it fun to connect with other iPhone users. If your crowd is Blue Bubbles only, stick with the iPhone.
The bottom line
📱 The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a serious pocket powerhouse, with a processor inside that can handle any task you’d imagine for a smartphone, and thanks to Galaxy AI, even some tasks you never thought possible. There are software problems, and of course you can get more if you spend more, but the Galaxy S24 is a great compact phone if you need a strong mobile game for a bit less. ★★★★
What you need to know
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the smallest option in the Galaxy S24 family, but it’s easily one of the most powerful Android phones you can buy right now. Plus, it’s the only one that fits comfortably in your front jeans pocket.
Design: The Galaxy S24 comes in more colorful options than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it lacks the titanium frame and Gorilla Armor makes this generation so durable. It’s still a sturdy little phone, with IP68 water resistance, and a look that calls back to last year’s model.
Display: The Galaxy S24 can reach much brighter levels than before, up to 2,600 nits, and its 6.1-inch display is still plenty sharp, even though it’s a lower resolution than the rest of the S24 family.
Cameras: Samsung hasn’t changed the specs on the Galaxy S24 cameras, but it has improved the photos you’ll end up taking thanks to better image processing. There’s a 50MP main lens, 12MP ultrawide lens, and unlike the iPhone 15, the Galaxy S24 has a 10MP telephoto lens with real 3x optical zoom.
Performance: The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor that powers the Galaxy S24 family looks like a real winner. It’s incredibly powerful, strong enough to take on even the fastest Apple iPhone 15 Pro, and it doesn’t waste a lot of power. It also works great for playing the latest games.
Battery life: The Galaxy S24 gets only a slightly bigger battery than the S23, with Samsung jumping from 3,900mAh to 4,000mAh. We still got better battery life from this year’s model, and most folks will have no trouble lasting through a full day of normal use with the Galaxy S24.
Value for money: The Galaxy S24 is an affordable way to take advantage of everything Samsung’s Galaxy S has to offer. Of course, you don’t get everything the S24 Ultra can give you, but the Galaxy S24 is hundreds cheaper.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 review
Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy S24
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| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Same as last year, but more battery, better performance, and seven years of Android. , | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | It looks a lot like an iPhone, but it’s small, light, and thin enough for a front pocket. | ★★★★☆ |
| Display | Sharp and bright display, no complaints here. It isn’t the absolute best, but the size is worth the trade. | ★★★★☆ |
| Software | Terrible software, Samsung really needs to fix its menu and interface design. The Galaxy is lagging far behind Apple’s iOS. | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Camera | Versatile cameras, especially for the price. You won’t find real zoom on the iPhone 15. | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | Excellent performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, held back only by laggy Galaxy AI and Google AI features. | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Battery life improved over last year by a few hours, even though the battery isn’t much bigger. Great power management. | ★★★★★ |
The best flip phone
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Buy it if
✅ You want a flip phone to keep a while: The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is more durable than the competition, and it will get seven years of software updates.
✅ You want to carry your flip phone to work: Peach Fuzz may be a fun Razr color, but the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is more professional than cool, and it’s better for getting work done.
✅ You want to try all the AI features: Samsung’s AI features are actually useful and cool to try, if you want to see what the future is all about.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want two phones in one: The cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a big let down, especially compared to the Razr 2024, which gives you a versatile device on the outside.
❌ You need the best cameras: There’s no zoom lens and the image quality is fine, but not great. If you care about photos, get a flat phone for the same price.
❌ You don’t find a deal: The Galaxy Z Flip 6 might be more expensive than last year’s model, depending on where you live, and that’s a bit too much. Find a deal or get a bundle to soften the impact.
The bottom line
📱 The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is the best flip phone you can buy today. It tops the competition, especially the Motorola Razr Plus 2024, with more power, durability, and class, though the Razr does look like it’s having a lot of fun. This is the flip phone to get if you want a phone that will last a long time, for work and for play. ★★★★
What you need to know
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is Samsung’s most refined Flip phone yet, and the improvements are clear when you feel the more durable build quality and amazing power. It doesn’t do enough with the cover display, but hopefully future software updates will improve things.
Design: The Galaxy Z Flip 6 looks like every other flat phone until you bend it in half, and that’s a compliment. It feels solid and durable, like I could crease it a hundred times a day for years and it wouldn’t break. I also like the classy color options and the cool textured black design.
Display: The inner display on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is incredibly large for such a compact phone. It beats any iPhone you can buy and gives you a bright, colorful display for games and reading. The cover display can’t do much, but it works well as a viewfinder or to check your calendar. You can type a message on it, but it can’t run most apps.
Cameras: The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is made for selfies and group photos, so you won’t find a zoom lens or high-performance cameras. It’s still a lot of fun to find unique angles to place the folded phone, and using the video camera in old-school camcorder mode is a blast.
Performance: The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor inside is one of the most powerful mobile platforms you’ll find on any phone. Too bad Samsung limited what the Galaxy Z Flip 6 can do, like removing DeX desktop environment software, because it feels like this phone is capable of more.
Battery life: The Galaxy Z Flip 6 had no trouble lasting through a full day of use, though battery life could have been a bit better. Less powerful flip phones also last a bit longer, but that’s the trade-off for speed.
Value for money: The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is expensive, and without more utility on its cover display it feels like you’re not getting everything you pay for. I’d wait to find this phone at a discount or part of a great bundle offer.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review
Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
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| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Value | The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a good value compared to other Galaxy phones and the competition, but is it worth as much as Apple’s best iPhone 15 Pro? That’s the question a foldable flip phone this expensive needs to answer. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is more durable and refined than ever, with a frame that looks more like an iPhone in a business meeting than a Motorola Razr trying to find the party. | 4 / 5 |
| Display | A front-pocket phone that hides a very nice, big inner display and a competent cover screen. Too bad the cover is being wasted by a lack of features, but having a huge phone that you can fold in half is still very appealing | 4 / 5 |
| Software | First time I ever wanted more software from Samsung, but I wish the Galaxy Z Flip 6 took more advantage of its cover screen and its flippy-ness. It does most of what Samsung’s Galaxy S24 can do, but it should do everything and more. | 3 / 5 |
| Camera | Flip-phone cameras will always need to compromise, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is no exception. The lack of zoom hurts worse than the lack of quality, though. Fun and advanced AI photo-editing tools help soothe the pain. | 3 / 5 |
| Performance | Wow, simply astounding performance that beats almost everything else I’ve tested, including many iPhone Pro models. Too bad this phone doesn’t get Samsung DeX or cover-screen superpowers; it can definitely handle harder tasks. | 5 / 5 |
| Battery | Disappointing battery life means this phone can’t last as long as the competition. The Moto Razr can still party after work, but the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will need a long nap to recharge. | 3 / 5 |
The best Samsung bargain
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Buy it if
✅ You want a reasonably priced Galaxy: The Galaxy S24 FE finds the sweet spot between price and power.
✅ You’re looking for AI on a budget: Many of the best AI phones come with a high price tag, but the Galaxy S24 FE offers a full suite of AI features.
✅ You’re a true Samsung fan: Whether FE stands for Fan Edition remains a hot debate, but with Galaxy AI, DeX, and OneUI, you’ll be getting all the features Samsung is famed for.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need the very best performance: At this price point, there’s no way the Galaxy S24 FE can keep up with high-end and super-premium flagships.
❌ You want the very best cameras: The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a solid camera system, but the snappers found on the flagship S24 range still outdo it.
❌ You like to keep things simple: Samsung loads its phones with options and settings, and, while it’s nice to have choice, Apple and Google still lead the way in simplicity.
The bottom line
📱 The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE goes well beyond our expectations for a typical midrange flagship variant, offering users the full Galaxy AI suite, a brilliant display, premium build quality, and great battery life. That said, the performance, design, and cameras don’t quite live up to the flagship S24 line. ★★★★
What you need to know
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE brings the staple midrange Galaxy S phone into the AI age, with a full suite of Galaxy AI features, pro-grade software including the DeX desktop mode, and a specs sheet that earnestly comes close to flagship-level. It’s an impressive phone that makes sensible cutbacks to reach its mid-tier price.
Design: Heavier and thicker than the flagship S24, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE feels built to last, and the glass used in its construction can take a beating. It’s not exactly svelte, but still feels premium.
Display: The Galaxy S24 FE comes equipped with a bright, sharp, and detailed display that gets bright and comes with a variety of display modes. It’s hard to notice that this isn’t a flagship display.
Cameras: While not as ludicrously powerful as the camera system on the S24 Ultra, and not quite matching the S24, the S24 FE offers a lot of flexibility. The 50MP main camera has more than enough detail for all kinds of shots, while the 3x optical telephoto camera is a rarity at this price.
Performance: Samsung holds its own with the proprietary Exynos 2400e chipset found within the Galaxy S24 FE. This is a powerful and versatile chipset that flies through day to day use and faces more challenging workflows with vigor, but it can take a while to load up AI features.
Battery life: The Galaxy S24 FE boasts even better battery life than its predecessor and even better longevity than the flagship S24, and proved somewhat difficult to run down all the way in a single day of normal use. It supports both wireless charging and power sharing, and charges at a reasonable 25W.
Value for money: Samsung makes a lot of mid-range phones, but none of them have as much ambition as the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. This is an impressive phone by any standards, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that offers more for the same price.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 FE review
Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
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| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Value | It’ll be hard to find another phone this capable at this price point | 5 / 5 |
| Design | A minimalistic look and larger frame will appeal to some, and is at the least inoffensive. | 4 / 5 |
| Display | A great display that pulls few punches, but could be a bit brighter. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Software | Galaxy AI is here, but the overall experience could feel more cohesive. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Camera | Solid performance from a versatile camera system, with a surprising level of optical zoom. | 4 / 5 |
| Performance | Samsung’s own Exynos 2400e chipset proves to be a worthy contender, with the only slowdown seen in AI tasks. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Battery | Astoundingly good battery life makes it difficult to run the S24 FE down in a normal day. | 5 / 5 |
How to choose the best Samsung Galaxy phone
If you’ve decided to buy a Samsung phone, the next consideration is how much you want to spend. The best Samsung phones cost more than the Apple iPhone, making them the most expensive smartphones you can buy. Make sure you aren’t paying more for features you don’t need.
Do you need a pen? The S Pen is more than a stylus, it’s also a Bluetooth remote control, but is it worth paying more? Do you need a foldable display? You can replace your tablet with a tablet foldable, but it will cost more than an average phone and tablet together.
Decide how much you want to spend, wait a moment, because Samsung phones go on sale often. We saw deals on Samsung phones over Black Friday, and Samsung offers trade-in bonuses, bundle offers with earbuds, and other discounts throughout the year.
What makes a Samsung better than other Android phones?
Samsung makes much of the technology used in mobile phones, even phones from other phone makers, and it is known for producing top tier components. Samsung displays, Samsung memory, and processors made on Samsung’s foundries (including chips from other chipmakers), are often the highest quality available, and Samsung uses those components on its own phones.
Samsung also offers the most robust service and support among any Android phone maker. If you Samsung phone breaks (or if you break it) and you need help, Samsung has a proven track record and numerous options to get your phone fixed.
How we test
How we test the best Samsung Galaxy phones
We only include phones that we’ve fully reviewed in this guide, so every entry has been extensively tested. As such, we can be confident of how each model compares to other Samsung phones, and to the wider smartphone landscape.
As well as the review score, we consider the specs of a phone, how well it all comes together in practice, how much it costs, how good value it is, and how it compares to the competition.
To come to these conclusions we’ll make use of every key feature of a phone, see how it performs under different circumstances, and see how the battery holds up under different use cases. We’ll also run benchmarks.
With all that information combined, we’re then able to see exactly how each Samsung phone stacks up.