Best Samsung Phones in 2024: Which Samsung phone should I buy?

If you’re looking for a new smartphone, Samsung’s are some of the best around. And they don’t come much better than its Galaxy S range – Samsung’s premium line-up of handsets, offering superb specs and features. Whether you want the latest in smartphone tech or an older device to suit your budget, Samsung's S series has something to suit everyone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Best Samsung phone overall

The S24 Ultra is the top-of-the-line flagship Samsung phone with all the bells and whistles. In addition to having a host of fantastic features, the S24 Ultra has a longer battery life and faster performance than the iPhone. It also has more camera options than any other Android smartphone and comes with the very handy S Pen Stylus, making using the device a breeze. 

Samsung's latest Galaxy S24 series saw the company take a significant leap towards AI integration, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra standing out as the most premium model. The Galaxy AI embedded in the S24 Ultra offers exciting features like real-time call translations, image-based Google searches by circling objects on the screen, AI-assisted photo editing, transcriptions, and a Chat Assist feature for messaging.

The S24 Ultra retains the large 6.8-inch AMOLED display and reliable 5,000mAh battery from its predecessor, the S23 Ultra. Although it is priced at a hefty £1,249, the S24 Ultra justifies its cost with upgrades such as a lightweight yet durable titanium frame and Corning's new Gorilla Armor for better display protection.

The S24 Ultra's glare-free screen betters the likes of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and other flagship phones for its usability. It also features an upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB), with an impressive 2,600 nits of brightness, a substantial improvement from last year's 1,750 nits. 

The camera system has also seen significant enhancements, with a new 50MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom, resulting in sharper, less noisy images and better low-light performance.

If you aren’t put off by the hefty price tag that unsurprisingly comes with a phone of this standing and a truly top-performing device, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. 

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Specs:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

• Display Size: 6.8 inches

• Storage Options: Up to 1TB

• Rear Cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x)

• Front Camera: 12MP

• Battery: 5,000mAh

Samsung Galaxy S24: Best Samsung phone for most people

The Samsung Galaxy S24 may be the smallest in the Galaxy S24 lineup, but it's one of the most powerful Android phones available today. Although the S24 falls slightly behind the Ultra and Plus models in terms of specs like camera setup and battery life, it is still a brilliant device, especially for the average user.  

Although The Galaxy S24 offers more colourful options than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it lacks the titanium frame and Gorilla Armor that improve durability in the Ultra model. Nonetheless, it remains a sturdy device with IP68 water resistance and a design reminiscent of last year's model.

The Galaxy S24 boasts a brighter display than the S23, reaching up to 2,600 nits. While the camera specs remain unchanged from the previous generation, Samsung has improved image processing for better photo quality. Unlike the iPhone 15, the Galaxy S24 features a 50MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.

The Galaxy S24's battery capacity has increased slightly from 3,900mAh to 4,000mAh. Despite the modest increase, the new model does definitely offer better battery life, easily lasting through a full day of regular use. 

With the features on offer and being almost £400 cheaper than the Ultra, the S24 is the obvious choice for the best Samsung phone for most people. It is fantastic to use for the average user.   

Samsung S24 Specs:

• Display: 6.24-inch dynamic AMOLED

• Peak brightness: 2600 nits

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy / Exynos 2400 for Galaxy

• Ram: 8GB

• Internal storage: 128GB, not expandable

• Battery 4000 mAh

• Cameras: Main camera 50 MP, Second camera 10 MP, Third camera 12 MP (ultra-wide), Front camera 12 MP

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Best foldable phone

Foldable phones are no longer a new phenomenon, but they were harder to recommend during their early days. Top-end prices, limited software functionality, and fragile builds hampered their appeal. But now, with the launch of the Z Fold 6, they have all the great features of flagship smartphones with the added large screens and cool additional features you get with a foldable device. 

What makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 really stand out from the rest of Samsung’s foldable offerings is the new AI features and how light it is, weighing only 43 grams more than the S24 Ultra.  

Samsung has been on a real journey with its foldable tablet range. In 2020, its Galaxy Z Fold 2 set a new standard for foldable devices that double as mini-tablets with its 6.2-inch display. The Z Fold 3 then added two highly requested features, with the S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance. The Z Fold 4 enhanced the rear cameras and refined the phone’s form factor, while the Z Fold 5 upgraded the processor.

Unveiled at Samsung Unpacked in July 2024, the Z Fold 6 is the most polished and advanced version yet. It features thin edges, a wider internal display, and a lighter weight, giving it the feel of a standard smartphone. 

The Fold 6 has also upgraded in durability with a new dual rail hinge for better shock distribution, a folding edge resistant to pressure and sharp objects, enhanced armour aluminium for scratch resistance, and, for the first time, an IP48 rating for dust resistance.

Like all the flagship Samsung phones released this year, the Z Fold 6 makes the most of the new Galaxy AI suite. The Fold 6’s lineup of AI features includes Circle to Search, Note Assist, Interpreter (for live translations and transcriptions), Sketch to Image (for applying generative AI to images), and more. 

Like the S24 Ultra, the AI tools are powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12GB of RAM. Disappointingly, the Z Fold 6 retains the same camera setup as the Z Fold 5, but it does have new AI image processing and editing tools.

With prices ranging from £1,799 to £2,099, the Z Fold 6 is among the most expensive phones on the market, so it will only really appeal to users who are in the market for a top-of-the-line foldable phone. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 specs:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

• Main Display: 7.6 inches

• Cover Display: 6.3 inches

• RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB options

• Cameras: 12MP ultrawide, 50MP wide angle, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP cover screen, 4MP under main display

• Battery: 4,400mAh

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Best compact phone

We all remember the early days of the flip phone and how they quickly became famous for their unique design and convenience. Samsung has taken all the nostalgic elements of a flip phone and given it a range of superb features to make the Flip 6 feel like part of the S series while neatly fitting in your pocket. 

While the Z Fold 6 stands out as Samsung's top foldable, the Z Flip 6 is still a great option, especially if you’re looking for a more compact alternative to the S-series line. It's more affordable than the Z Fold and more compact, portable, and easier to use than any other Samsung phone.

Beyond its foldable display, the Z Flip 6 actually shares many features with the Samsung Galaxy S-series. It has a fantastic 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, up to 512GB of storage for all your photos and videos, and a larger 4,000mAh battery compared to the Z Flip 5. 

It also features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a vapour cooling chamber, a first for the Z Flip series. These features will help the device be more efficient and reduce battery drain. The Z Flip 6 is also thinner and lighter than its predecessors.

In terms of photography, the Z Flip 6 has an improved 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. It also introduces an AI-powered Auto Zoom feature that automatically adjusts the frame to include people and relevant background objects. The Flex Window, or outer display, has been upgraded with interactive wallpapers, suggested text replies, and a new Interpreter Mode for live translations, adding even more convenience and fun to this versatile device.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 specs: 

• Foldable Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120 Hz, 1080 x 2640

• Cover Screen: 3.4-inch or 3.9-inch AMOLED, 720 x 748+

• Camera: 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP front camera

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

• Storage & RAM: Options of 256GB/8GB RAM and 512GB/12GB RAM

• Battery: 4,000mAh

Samsung Galaxy A15: Most affordable Samsung phone

The Samsung Galaxy A15 is one of the most affordable and popular smartphones on the market. At just £169, it offers a range of features typically found in more expensive models at a more budget-friendly price.

Crucially, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is priced as a cheaper version of the S24 series, but remarkably, it doesn’t look like it. The A15 has a large screen, a thin build, and a triple rear camera system and despite being priced at £20 less than the A14, the A15 comes with several upgrades.

It has a high-spec 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a sharp 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution, 800 nits brightness, and a 90Hz refresh rate, giving the device solid visuals. The A15 also starts with double the storage of the A14, offering 128GB, but disappointingly, this is as high as its storage offering goes.

The rear cameras include a 50MP main camera, a 5MP ultra-wide camera for broader shots, and a 5MP macro camera for clear close-ups. The 13MP front camera is discreetly placed at the top of the screen.

One of the standout specs, given the phone's price, is the 5,000 mAh battery. Samsung claims the A15 can last two days on a single charge, which is very impressive for a phone at the lower end of the smartphone pay scale. 

Samsung Galaxy A15 tech specs: 

• Processor: Mediatek Dimensity  

• Display: 6.5 inches 

• RAM/Storage: 4GB/128GB 

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 5MP wide, 2MP macro, and 13MP front-facing camera 

• Battery: 5,000mAh 

FAQs

What is the best Samsung phone?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is probably the best Samsung smartphone on the market. It's got a huge 6.8-inch dynamic AMOLED display, a five-camera setup and premium materials, as well as a host of impressive AI features to keep you constantly engaged and entertained. 

Which Samsung phone is best for me?

The Galaxy S24 range has an option for everyone, whether it's the standard S24, the supersized S24+ or the even bigger and super-specced S24 Ultra (complete with an S Pen stylus).

What is the best Samsung camera phone?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has the best camera setup of any Samsung phone and ranks among the top cameras in the smartphone market in general. A 200MP main sensor, accompanied by four additional cameras, means you can capture exceptionally high-quality images, from close-ups to ultra-wide shots.

To top it all off, the S24 Ultra supports video recording in up to 8K UHD quality at 30fps, making it one of the most advanced and capable phone cameras available today.

Which Samsung phone has the best battery life?

At 5000mAh, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has one of the largest batteries of any Samsung phone. But the largest battery doesn't necessarily mean the 'best battery life'. While the S24 Ultra has the biggest, it also has to work a lot harder to meet the very high-end specs and processing power the phone has. So you might find that a lower-budget Samsung phone with less demanding specs could last longer than an Ultra.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 worth buying?

A year after its initial release, the Samsung Galaxy S23 remains a solid purchase. While it lacks some of the latest Galaxy AI features and slightly lags in camera performance compared to the new S series, it still delivers about 80% of the S24 experience. 

Plus, with its lower price, the Galaxy S23 offers a fantastic alternative to the latest models, providing excellent value for those who aren’t too fussed about having the absolute newest tech available.