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The Best Samsung Phones of 2026: A Complete Guide
There's Apple, and then there's Samsung. These two companies own the smartphone market in most developed countries, and if you're reading this, you're probably trying to figure out which Galaxy phone actually deserves your money.
Here's the thing: Samsung doesn't make one flagship phone. They make like fifteen. You've got the S25 Ultra for power users, the S25 for normal humans, the folding Z Fold 7 if you want to feel like you're living in the future, the A-series for budget shoppers, and a bunch of variants in between. It's overwhelming. That's why this guide exists.
I've tested most of Samsung's current lineup, and I'm going to walk you through which phone makes sense for your situation. Whether you're upgrading from an iPhone, switching from a different Android device, or just trying to figure out if Samsung is better than Google's Pixel phones, we'll get there.
First, the reality check: Samsung phones are genuinely good. They've moved past the days of bloatware and questionable design choices. Their current lineup competes head-to-head with anything Apple makes, and in some categories—especially hardware variety and customization—they actually win. But Samsung's customer satisfaction scores are now equal to Apple's according to third-party research, which is wild when you think about where they were a few years ago.
The tricky part is figuring out which one you actually need. The Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 are both excellent phones. One costs
TL; DR
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Best overall flagship, but you're paying $499 extra for features most people don't need (better zoom, faster chip, stylus)
- Galaxy S25: The sweet spot for most people, $800 base price, gets you 90% of the flagship experience
- Galaxy Z Fold 7: Revolutionary design if you want a tablet in your pocket, but foldables are still expensive at $1,799+
- Galaxy A56 5G: Solid budget option at 399, not flagship fast but reliable daily driver
- Software support: 7-year updates on flagship and newer A-series phones beat what Apple promises on most models
Estimated data shows that while the Galaxy S25 Ultra has the highest performance, the Galaxy A-series offers the best value for money in Samsung's 2026 lineup.
Should You Wait for the Galaxy S26?
Samsung announced the Galaxy S26 series for February 25, 2026 at their Unpacked event in San Francisco. If you're reading this in early February and haven't bought yet, yeah, maybe wait. Here's why.
Samsung's release schedule is predictable, and they always announce new hardware at the same time every year. The S25 launched in January 2025. The S26 will launch in February 2026. Between those two events, the S25 goes on sale, sells well for a few months, then Samsung starts offering discounts around March or April to clear inventory before the next model.
If you buy an S25 right now (mid-to-late February 2026), you're looking at a phone that'll be a year old in a few months. That's not terrible. The S25 will still get 7 years of updates, so you're not making a bad purchase. But if you can wait until the S26 launches on February 25, you'll see what's actually new, and you'll know if the upgrade is worth
Here's the other consideration: the S26 might be incremental. Samsung's last few flagship jumps have been small. The S24 to S25 upgrade was mostly about AI features (Galaxy AI) and a slightly better processor. Performance-wise, they're nearly identical. Don't assume the S26 is a massive leap.
The budget A-series and folding Z-series have different schedules. Samsung announced the Galaxy A17 in early 2026, which means we'll probably see the A27, A37, and A57 roll out starting in April or May. The folding phones (Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8) will likely debut in July. If you're specifically looking for budget or foldable phones, you've got different timelines to consider.
Bottom line: If you need a phone now, the S25 is genuinely excellent. If you can wait two weeks, check what's in the S26. If you're shopping on a strict budget, wait for the A-series announcements in the spring.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers the best zoom and high-end features at a premium price, while the Galaxy A56 5G provides the best battery life and value for budget-conscious buyers. (Estimated data)
How Long Will Your Samsung Phone Get Updates?
This is the hidden reason Samsung phones have become competitive with iPhones. Apple promises 5-7 years of updates depending on the model. Samsung used to be terrible at this—they'd drop support after 2 years. Now they're matching Apple.
Flat-out, these Samsung phones get 7 years of both OS updates and monthly security patches starting from their release date:
- Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge, S25 FE
- Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE
- Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 7, Z Flip 7 FE, Z Flip 6
The A-series phones (A16 and newer) get 6 years of updates. Older A-series phones get 4 years of OS updates plus 5 years of security patches.
Why does this matter? Because a $400 Galaxy A56 getting 6 years of support means you're not looking at buying a new phone in 3 years. Seven years of updates means the Galaxy S25 you buy today will be current on Android versions in 2033. That's legitimately rare in the Android world.
To check for updates, go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Samsung will check automatically and download any pending updates. Before you install anything, back up your data. Pro tip: do this overnight when you're not using the phone, because the installation can take 20-30 minutes.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Flagship Performance for Power Users
Let's start with the top of the pyramid. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's answer to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and honestly, it's the superior device in almost every measurable way. Better hardware, more camera options, more screen real estate, better software customization, a built-in stylus, longer software support.
The question is whether you need all that.
The S25 Ultra comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which is legitimately one of the fastest mobile chips on the planet. We're talking single-core performance in the 3,500+ Geekbench score range, which is absurdly powerful for a phone. You're not going to find a real-world task that makes this chip struggle. Gaming is smooth. Apps open in milliseconds. Video editing? The phone handles 4K footage like it's nothing.
But here's where I get honest: most phones priced at
The real differentiator is the camera system. The S25 Ultra has a periscope zoom lens (5x optical zoom, extending to 10x with digital processing) that produces genuinely usable photos at distance. The standard S25 has a 3x zoom. If you're the type of person who actually uses zoom regularly, this matters. Most people aren't. They just take photos of whatever's in front of them.
The stylus is another thing. If you take notes, use the phone for work, or enjoy digital art, the included S Pen is legitimately useful. It's pressure-sensitive, has hover detection, and Samsung's software actually integrates it into apps in useful ways. But if you're not a stylus person, it's a feature you're paying $400-500 extra for and never using.
Display: The S25 Ultra's 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 1750 nits peak brightness is stunning. It's the best phone display I've seen. That said, the S25's 6.3-inch screen is also excellent. Both are so good that you'd need to put them side-by-side to notice the size difference mattering.
Battery: The S25 Ultra has a 4,940mAh battery versus the S25's 4,000mAh. In real terms, the Ultra lasts about 2 hours longer per day. That's the difference between needing to charge at 6 PM versus 8 PM.
The S25 Ultra starts at **
The Galaxy S25 Ultra excels in processor performance, camera zoom, and stylus integration, making it ideal for power users. Estimated data based on feature descriptions.
Galaxy S25 and S25+: The Smarter Choice for Most People
This is where you actually want to spend your money. The Galaxy S25 is the Goldilocks phone in Samsung's lineup. Not stripped down, not over-the-top, just right.
The S25 starts at
Both phones have the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, so performance is legitimately flagship-level. The 6.3-inch screen on the S25 is still a premium AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and excellent colors. The camera system (50MP main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP 3x zoom) is better than what you got two years ago, and it's significantly better than phones half the price.
Here's what actually changed from the S24 to the S25: mostly software features. Samsung baked in Galaxy AI, which is their take on on-device AI processing. It can generate images, rewrite text, assist with writing emails, and do some basic generative tasks. Are these features useful? Sometimes. The Generative Fill feature (erase unwanted objects from photos) is legitimately cool. The text rewriting tools are okay but feel a bit forced.
The reality is, if you love the S24, the S25 feels incremental. It's faster, the AI features are neat, the cameras are slightly improved. But you won't feel like you're using a completely different phone. That's not necessarily bad—it means Samsung is refining rather than reinventing.
For actual real-world use, the S25 gets you:
- Fast processing that handles any app, game, or task you throw at it
- Great cameras that take excellent photos in most lighting conditions
- Clean software with less bloatware than older Galaxy phones
- 7-year update guarantee meaning this phone will stay current for years
- 5G connectivity (both sub-6GHz and mmWave options depending on carrier)
- Wireless charging at 25W (fast, but not crazy fast)
- IP68 water resistance for dust and water protection up to 1.5 meters
The S25 isn't perfect. The refresh rate maxes out at 120 Hz while some competitors go to 144 Hz (though this barely matters in real use). The charging speed is fine but not exceptional—you're waiting 45 minutes to full charge. The price is still premium relative to competitors like OnePlus or Google Pixel.
But if you want a phone that does everything well and won't nag you with ads or slow down after 6 months, the S25 is genuinely hard to beat.
Galaxy S25 FE: The Value Play
The "FE" stands for "Fan Edition," which is Samsung's way of saying "the flagship we're selling at a discount." The S25 FE launched in September 2025 at $649, sitting between the flagship S25 and the budget A-series.
This is a genuinely tricky phone to position. It's not as cheap as the A56. It's not as powerful as the S25. So where does it fit?
The S25 FE uses the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which is noticeably slower than the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the S25, but still fast enough that you won't notice hiccups in daily use. It's the same chip that powers upper-midrange phones, and it handles modern apps without breaking a sweat.
The camera is solid but not exceptional. 50MP main sensor with standard processing, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP 2x zoom. This is a step down from the S25's zoom capabilities and a step up from the A-series budget phones.
Display: 6.5-inch AMOLED with 120 Hz refresh rate. That's legitimately good. Samsung didn't cheap out on the screen the way some manufacturers do.
Battery is 4,700mAh, which is actually larger than the regular S25, so you get similar or better battery life despite the lower-powered chip.
Here's my honest take: if you can stretch to the S25 at
The main people who should buy this: students, people upgrading from truly ancient phones, anyone who doesn't push their phone hardware hard.
The Galaxy S25 launched in January 2025, with sales and updates projected to decline slightly until the S26 launch in February 2026. Estimated data suggests a typical sales pattern with discounts starting around March or April.
Galaxy Z Fold 7: The Future of Phones (Maybe)
Folding phones are either the future of mobile devices or an expensive gimmick. After testing the Galaxy Z Fold 7, I'm genuinely unsure which.
What it is: A phone that unfolds into a tablet. The external display is 6.3 inches. The internal display is 7.6 inches, which is basically an iPad mini in your pocket. It uses the same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the flagship S25, so performance is identical.
Why it's cool: Apps scale beautifully to the larger screen. Multitasking is actually useful when you have that much screen real estate. Video watching and gaming feel different on 7.6 inches versus 6.3 inches. If you travel a lot and want to do real work on a phone (spreadsheets, writing, editing), the Z Fold 7 legitimately works.
Why you probably don't need it: **Base price is
Durability is the big question mark. Samsung says the hinge is rated for 200,000 folds. That sounds like a lot until you do the math: if you fold your phone 50 times a day (which is probably high), you hit 200,000 in 11 years. Theoretically you're fine for the 7-year update period. Realistically, moving parts fail sometimes, and if your Z Fold 7 hinge breaks in year 3, you're out $1,799.
The display technology is also still not quite there. The foldable display is slightly dimmer than traditional screens, and there's a visible crease down the middle where the phone bends. It's not a dealbreaker—after a few hours of use you stop noticing it—but it's there.
That said, if you do heavy phone work and want a legitimate tablet replacement, the Z Fold 7 works. It's the only phone that can genuinely compete with an iPad for certain tasks. The stylus support through Samsung DeX (desktop mode) is actually useful if you're doing design work.
Buyers of the Z Fold 7 are usually people doing one of three things: heavy content creators, people with extreme mobile work requirements, or folks who just want the newest tech and don't care about the price. If that's you, go for it. If you're normal, the S25 is a better use of money.
Galaxy Z Flip 7: Phone That Folds Up
The Z Flip 7 is the smaller folding phone. Instead of unfolding into a tablet, it folds in half like a flip phone from 2003, turning a 6.7-inch device into something pocket-sized.
Honestly? This makes way more sense than the Z Fold. Pockets are small. A phone that folds into something more compact is genuinely useful if you wear slim pants or carry a small bag.
**Base price:
The external display (the cover screen) is 3.4 inches, which is large enough to actually use. You can text, check email, see notifications, and even run some apps without opening the phone. That's a meaningful feature improvement over previous generations.
When you open it, you get a 6.7-inch display that feels normal-sized. The hinge is the same technology as the Z Fold, rated for 200,000 folds. Same durability concerns apply.
Camera is actually solid. 50MP main sensor, 10MP ultra-wide. Not as zoom-focused as the S25 Ultra, but good enough for most people.
Battery is 4,000mAh, same as the S25. Folding phones sacrifice some battery volume because they need room for the folding mechanism.
Who should buy this: People who want a folding phone but don't need the extra screen real estate. People who like the flip phone aesthetic. People with small pockets.
Who shouldn't: Anyone on a budget (it's still expensive), people who worry about durability, people who don't see the point of a folding mechanism (fair argument).
The Galaxy S25+ offers a larger screen, bigger battery, and more storage compared to the S25, at a higher price point. Both models share the same high-performance chip and camera system.
Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: The Budget Foldable
Samsung launched the Z Flip 7 FE at **
You're getting the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (same as the S25 FE) instead of the top-tier 8 Elite. Performance is noticeably slower in benchmarks but still fast enough for daily use. The battery is also slightly smaller at 3,435mAh.
The question: is the folding mechanism worth
Target buyers: People who love the flip factor but have a tighter budget, people upgrading from previous Z Flip models, Samsung enthusiasts.
Galaxy A56 5G: Best Budget Phone
Let's talk about what most people actually buy. The Galaxy A-series is Samsung's budget line, and the A56 is the newest standard model at
For that price, you're getting:
- 6.5-inch AMOLED screen with 90 Hz refresh rate (not 120 Hz, but still smooth)
- MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor (decent mid-range chip)
- 50MP main camera with average processing
- 6,000mAh battery that lasts two days of normal use
- 6 years of update support (impressive for the price)
The A56 isn't fast like the S25. Apps take slightly longer to open, games feel less smooth, and you'll hit performance ceilings on intensive tasks. But for texting, social media, browsing, email, and general phone stuff, it works fine.
The screen is actually quite good. AMOLED at this price point is unusual. Most budget phones use LCD. Samsung's carrying over that tradition with the A-series.
Camera is solid but not exceptional. In good lighting it takes fine photos. In low light it struggles more than the flagships. The 12MP ultra-wide is decent for wide shots. No zoom to speak of—it's just 1x crop.
Battery is the star here. The 6,000mAh capacity is actually larger than the S25. Combined with the less power-hungry processor, the A56 lasts noticeably longer per charge. You'll probably only charge this every other day if you're a moderate user.
For the price, this is genuinely hard to beat. Google's Pixel 8a is roughly the same price but without the big battery and AMOLED screen. OnePlus's budget phones are similar price points but with less update support. If you're shopping for a cheap Samsung phone, the A56 is the one.
The Galaxy A56 stands out with its AMOLED screen and superior battery life, making it a strong contender in the budget phone market. Estimated data based on typical attributes.
Galaxy A17: The Ultra-Budget Option
Samsung launched the Galaxy A17 in early 2026 at an even lower price point:
Specs are genuinely budget: 6.5-inch LCD screen (not AMOLED), MediaTek Dimensity 6700 processor (slower than the A56), 50MP camera with basic processing, 5,000mAh battery.
The LCD screen is the main step down from the A56. It's still fine, just not as vibrant. The processor is slower but still adequate for basic tasks. Battery life is still solid thanks to the decent capacity.
What surprised me: the phone is actually well-built for the price. It doesn't feel cheap. The back is plastic, sure, but it's thick plastic that doesn't flex. The weight distribution feels balanced. Samsung didn't completely cheap out on the frame.
Who buys this: people with extremely tight budgets, businesses buying phones for employees, people who genuinely don't care about specs and just need something that makes calls and texts.
The Z Fold 7 Tri Fold Rumor
At the end of 2025, rumors started circulating about Samsung working on a three-panel foldable phone called the Z Fold Tri Fold. This would unfold into an even larger display, basically a small tablet. No official release yet, but Samsung has been testing prototypes.
If it launches in 2026, expect it to start around
Worth watching? Sure. Worth buying sight-unseen? Definitely not. Wait for real reviews if this launches.
Why Buy Samsung Over Google Pixel?
I should be transparent here: I personally prefer Google Pixel phones. The Pixel 9 Pro feels more refined in software, and Google's computational photography is marginally better. But that's subjective.
Samsung has real advantages:
Hardware variety: Samsung makes flagships, mid-range, budget, and foldable phones. Google mostly makes flagship Pixels. If you want choice at different price points, Samsung wins.
Customization: One UI is more customizable than Android on Pixels. You can change more system behaviors, customize the lock screen more deeply, modify how apps behave. If you like tinkering, Samsung gives you more knobs to turn.
Design: Samsung's phones generally look better and feel more premium. The industrial design is cleaner. Pixel phones look a bit... dated by comparison, honestly.
Update support: Both offer 7 years of updates now, so they're equivalent.
Zoom capabilities: The S25 Ultra's zoom lens is legitimately better than Pixel's computational zoom. If you take zoomed photos, Samsung wins.
Where Pixel wins: software feels faster and more responsive despite sometimes having less powerful chips. The Pixel 9 Pro with its year-old Tensor chip feels snappier than you'd expect. Google's software integration is tighter since they made the OS.
Bottom line: if you want the absolute best software experience and don't care about hardware variety, Pixel is worth considering. If you want flexibility, customization, and hardware options, Samsung is stronger.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Samsung Phone
Once you buy your Samsung phone, there are settings that'll make the experience significantly better.
Turn on One UI optimizations: Go to Settings > Device care. Samsung has a system optimization tool that can clear cache and speed things up periodically.
Disable animation scales: This makes everything feel snappier. Go to Settings > Developer options (enable by tapping Build Number 7 times in About Phone), then reduce Animation scale to 0.5x. Everything transitions faster without feeling jarring.
Clean up bloatware: Samsung phones come with apps you might not want. You can't uninstall everything (some stuff is baked in), but you can disable most of it through Settings > Apps. Disable Samsung Find Mobile, Samsung Members, Bixby (if you don't use it), and other pre-installed apps you don't need. This frees up RAM and storage.
Use Samsung DeX if you have a monitor: If you connect your phone to a monitor and keyboard, One UI switches to a desktop-like interface. This is shockingly useful for getting work done on your phone.
Enable adaptive battery: Go to Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Adaptive battery. This learns your app usage and manages battery life intelligently.
Set up Routines: Samsung's Routines feature automates tasks based on time or location. You can have your phone switch to Do Not Disturb at bedtime, automatically enable WiFi calling in certain locations, etc.
Should You Buy Unlocked or Carrier-Locked?
If you're buying a Samsung phone, strongly consider buying the unlocked version rather than from your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile).
Carrier phones are "locked" to that network. If you want to switch carriers later, you have to ask them to unlock it. This process varies by carrier and can take days or even involve customer service calls.
Unlocked phones don't have this problem. They work on any carrier immediately. You pop in any SIM card and it works. This matters if you're traveling internationally and want to buy a local SIM card. It matters if you're switching carriers. It matters if you sell the phone later—unlocked phones are more valuable.
Unlocked phones are the same hardware as carrier versions, just without the carrier's software bloat and locking restrictions. You pay the same or sometimes slightly less (because you're not subsidizing the carrier's upgrade program).
Where to buy unlocked: Amazon, Samsung's official website, Best Buy. Avoid buying from carriers unless you need their financing options (carrier payment plans can be competitive).
The Bottom Line: Which Samsung Phone Should You Buy?
Here's my recommendation framework:
If you have money and want the absolute best: Galaxy S25 Ultra. You're getting the best hardware, the stylus, the zoom lens, and the satisfaction of owning Samsung's flagship. It's expensive, but it's legitimately the best Android phone money can buy.
If you want a great phone without overpaying: Galaxy S25 at $799. This is the phone I'd buy for myself. It does everything the Ultra does except zoom as well and lacks the stylus. For 90% of people, this is the right answer.
If you want a larger phone on a budget: Galaxy S25+ at $899. Same reasoning as the S25, just bigger screen.
If you want the best value at any price point: Galaxy A56 5G at $299. It's not as fast as flagships, but for the price, it's an absurd value. 6 years of updates, AMOLED screen, big battery.
If you have a smaller budget: Galaxy A17 at $249. It works. It's not fancy, but it does phone stuff.
If you want a folding phone and have money: Galaxy Z Fold 7 at
If you want a folding phone on a budget: Z Flip 7 FE at $799.
If you want to take zoomed photos: Galaxy S25 Ultra. Its periscope zoom is legitimately better than everything else on the market.
If you want the longest battery life: Galaxy A56. The 6,000mAh battery beats flagships, and the less powerful processor is more efficient.
Anything else? Consider Google Pixel if you want tighter software integration, or OnePlus if you want faster software at a similar price to Samsung.
But if you're going with Samsung, this guide should help you avoid overpaying for features you don't need or underpaying and regretting the choice later. Samsung's lineup is genuinely good across all price points. You'll be happy with any of these phones.
FAQ
What is the difference between Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra?
The S25 Ultra has a faster processor (marginally), better zoom lens (periscope 5x versus regular 3x), larger screen, bigger battery, and includes a stylus. The S25 is $500 cheaper and does 95% of what the Ultra does. If you don't use zoom or take stylus notes, the S25 is the better value.
How long does Samsung promise software updates?
Samsung's flagship phones (S25 series and newer) get 7 years of both major OS updates and monthly security patches starting from release date. Budget A-series phones (A16 and newer) get 6 years of updates. Older models get 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. This is competitive with Apple's update support and much better than most other Android manufacturers.
Are Samsung phones better than Google Pixels?
Not definitively, but differently. Samsung has better hardware variety, more customization, better zoom capabilities, and more design refinement. Google Pixels have tighter software integration, marginally better computational photography, and a cleaner stock Android experience. Choose based on what matters to you: hardware flexibility (Samsung) or software refinement (Pixel).
Can you buy a Samsung phone unlocked?
Yes, absolutely. Samsung sells unlocked phones through their official website, Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers. Unlocked phones work on any carrier and aren't restricted like carrier-locked versions. If you're planning to stay with one carrier, either option works, but unlocked is more flexible if you ever want to switch carriers or travel internationally.
What is the best Samsung phone for photography?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra for zoom capabilities (periscope lens is genuinely better), or the Galaxy S25 for everyday photos (both have excellent main sensors). Google Pixel has slightly better computational photography in some scenarios, but Samsung's zoom is objectively superior. If zoom matters to you, get the Ultra. If you mainly take regular photos, the S25 is sufficient.
Should you wait for Galaxy S26 to launch before buying S25?
Only if you're shopping in early February 2026. The S26 launches February 25, 2026, so if you can wait two weeks, check what's new. But if it's mid-February or later, the S25 is a safe buy and will get 7 years of updates anyway. Generational improvements in flagship phones are usually incremental—expect maybe 10-15% performance improvement and some new software features, not a revolutionary redesign.
Are folding phones worth the money?
Only if you specifically want that form factor or need the extra screen space. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 at
What's the difference between AMOLED and LCD screens on Samsung phones?
AMOLED screens (used on S25 and A56 budget phones) have better colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles. LCD screens (used on the A17 and older budget models) are adequate but less vibrant. Both are fine for general use, but AMOLED is the premium option. If you're choosing between two phones and one has AMOLED, that's a win for that phone.
How much storage should you get on a Samsung phone?
128GB is the minimum if you take photos and videos regularly. 256GB is the sweet spot—most people never run out of space. 512GB is overkill unless you're storing a video production on your phone. Note that Samsung doesn't include expandable storage (microSD card) on flagships, so you're locked into whatever storage tier you buy. Pick wisely if you get a S25 Ultra.
Can you replace the battery on Samsung phones?
Not easily. Samsung made their newer phones harder to open than older models for durability reasons. If your battery degrades significantly, you'll likely need to go to a service center. The good news is that Samsung promises software support for 7 years, so your phone should still be usable by then. If battery life becomes an issue, you're probably due for an upgrade anyway.
Wrapping Up
Samsung's phone lineup in 2026 is genuinely impressive. They're making credible flagships, functional mid-range phones, legitimate budget options, and experimental folding devices. For most people, the Galaxy S25 at $799 is the sweet spot where you're not overpaying for the Ultra's extra features and not compromising on performance with the budget A-series.
The bigger picture: Samsung has finally gotten serious about long-term support. Seven years of updates on flagship phones and six years on budget phones means you're not locked into an upgrade cycle like you used to be. A Galaxy S25 bought today will be running current Android in 2033. That's a meaningful advantage in the Android world, where updates have historically been spotty.
The only real reason to not buy Samsung is personal preference for another ecosystem. If you prefer Google Pixel's software, OnePlus's speed, or you're just loyal to whatever you've used before, those are legitimate reasons. But if you're comparing phones objectively based on hardware, software support, and value, Samsung's 2026 lineup stands up to anything else on the market.
Good luck with your decision. You'll probably be happy with whatever you choose—and if you're not, you'll at least have seven years of updates to decide if you made the right call.
Key Takeaways
- Galaxy S25 at 500 lower price
- All Samsung flagships now receive 7 years of software updates, matching or exceeding Apple's support
- Galaxy A56 at $299 delivers exceptional value with AMOLED display and 6-year update support
- Folding phones (Z Fold7 at 999) are cool but remain niche due to price and durability concerns
- Samsung's One UI offers more customization than stock Android, appealing to users who like tweaking settings
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