Phones for every budget: which model is right for you

Samsung is one of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers and as such offers a huge number of devices to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles. Whether it’s the ultra-premium Galaxy Z Fold 4 or cheap Samsung phones like the affordable Galaxy A53 5G, Samsung has an option for everyone.

Samsung phones fall into three distinct categories

The Samsung Galaxy S range is the company’s main flagship smartphone range. All of its models have a premium waterproof design, plenty of power and the best cameras. Interestingly, the latest S22 Ultra has a built-in S Pen stylus, normally only found on Note devices. This is because the Note series has officially been discontinued, though it lives on through the current Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy Z series represents the company’s foldable smartphones, ranking at the top of the portfolio in terms of price and featuring the latest design innovations. It currently consists of the Z Flip and Z Fold phones, which are in their fourth generation.

The Samsung Galaxy A is Samsung’s cheap range of phones, which is below the S range in terms of price, but borrows some of its design features, such as full screens and under-screen fingerprint sensors.

With so many devices on offer, it can be difficult to choose the best Samsung smartphone for you. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our favourites to help you decide.

Samsung S22 Ultra

The S22 Ultra is the first device in the S series to feature an integrated S Pen stylus. Stylus support has been greatly improved, making it easier than ever to operate. With the Note series having suspiciously disappeared of late, the S22 Ultra seems to be the best fit for Note fans.

The camera system, which was already impressive on the S21 Ultra, has undergone a number of improvements that make it a very capable device. It can even capture 16-bit RAW images if you’re serious about photography. Couple this with a powerful processor and an impressive big screen, and Samsung has a winner with the S22 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

The Z Flip 4 is a more nostalgic take on the foldable screen smartphone – remember when all you had to do to lock your phone was turn it off? Well, that’s back thanks to foldable screen devices like the Z Fold 4.

Instead of folding into a larger screen device, the Z Flip 4 is a traditionally sized smartphone that folds into a more pocket-friendly device. The Z Flip 3 was already the foldable phone of choice, and a number of generational improvements make the Z Flip 4 even more attractive. It has better cameras, battery life and performance, along with a sleeker hinge and more refined design.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

For those looking for cheap Samsung phones, this could be the perfect choice. The Galaxy A53 5G might not be a device that makes a huge leap from the previous iteration, but it’s still a fantastic mid-range smartphone.

The screen is vibrant, and the design is clean and complemented by waterproofing. With a bigger battery, plus very decent camera performance in our tests, the value is undeniable.

However, for its price point, it’s important to consider the competition. There are excellent options to consider from Realme and OnePlus, which achieve about the same (if not more) than the A53 at a lower price.

That said, this is the best option for those who want a modern Samsung experience without the price of a flagship. And Samsung’s approach to software updates is admirable, which means it should remain a good choice for many years to come.

When trying to decide what we think are the best Samsung phones currently available, we spend hours testing and researching. We consider a number of factors when choosing smartphones, such as screen clarity, camera quality, battery life and gaming performance, applying the same basic tests when considering a new device. We should also pay attention to what others say and see what they recommend, but also check the technical specifications. We can choose cheap Samsung phones, but we can also opt for flagships like the S22 Ultra if our budget allows. After all, it’s a long-term investment.