Samsung sells Galaxy phones in a wide spread of sizes, shapes and budgets, from a 6.3-inch flagship that weighs 167 g to a book-style foldable with an 8.0-inch main screen. This guide is for US buyers who want an unlocked Samsung phone and need help matching a model to the way they use it.
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7 Best Samsung Phones in 2026
The Galaxy S26 Ultra leads our picks of the best Samsung phones in 2026, with options for compact, foldable, flip, value and budget shoppers in the US.
T
Technobezz
Editorial Team
Updated November 8, 2026Nov 8, 2026
•14 min read
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The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best overall pick. It pairs a 6.9-inch display that has a built-in Privacy Display with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, a 200 MP main camera, two telephoto cameras, a 5000 mAh battery and an S Pen. That makes it the most complete phone on this list.
The other picks cover a larger S26+, a smaller S26, the value-focused S26 FE, two foldables and the budget Galaxy A37 5G.
At a Glance
| Category | Product | Why We Picked It |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Privacy Display, 200 MP camera, two telephotos and an S Pen |
| Best lighter large-screen flagship | Samsung Galaxy S26+ | 6.7-inch screen and a 4900 mAh battery at 190 g |
| Best compact | Samsung Galaxy S26 | 6.3-inch flagship at 167 g with IP68 and a telephoto camera |
| Best value | Samsung Galaxy S26 FE | 3x telephoto, wireless charging and up to seven years of security patches |
| Best foldable | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 8.0-inch main screen, 200 MP camera and a 5000 mAh battery |
| Best flip phone | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 | 6.9-inch screen that folds to a 4.1-inch FlexWindow |
| Best budget | Samsung Galaxy A37 5G | IP68, 5000 mAh battery and six years of updates |
How we chose
We compared the specifications Samsung publishes on its US product pages, including display size, processor, cameras, battery, charging, durability, storage and software support. We also checked that each pick is sold new on Amazon, then matched each phone to a specific type of buyer.
The best Samsung phones right now
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - Best overall
The Galaxy S26 Ultra puts the most capable hardware in Samsung's S26 range into one phone. Samsung lists a 6.9-inch display with a built-in Privacy Display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip customized for Galaxy, and a 5000 mAh battery rated for up to 31 hours of video playback.
The rear cameras combine a 200 MP wide, a 50 MP ultra wide, a 50 MP telephoto and a 10 MP telephoto, and Samsung rates the zoom at up to 100x with AI. Privacy Display lets you choose what to hide from people nearby, such as certain apps or all incoming notifications. Super Fast Charging 3.0 is rated at up to 75% in around 30 minutes. Memory depends on storage: the 256 GB and 512 GB models have 12 GB of RAM, and the 1 TB model has 16 GB.
Key highlights
- 6.9-inch display with built-in Privacy Display
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- 200 MP wide, 50 MP ultra wide, 50 MP telephoto and 10 MP telephoto cameras
- Up to 100x AI-powered zoom
- 5000 mAh battery, up to 31 hours of video playback
- 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB storage, with 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM depending on storage
- S Pen
Pros
- Two telephoto cameras, the only pick here with that setup
- Privacy Display can hide chosen apps and notifications
- Highest charging rating in the S26 range at up to 75% in around 30 minutes
- Storage goes up to 1 TB
Cons
- At 214 g, heavier than the S26+ (190 g) and S26 (167 g)
- At 7.9 mm, thicker than the S26 (7.2 mm) and S26+ (7.3 mm)
- Samsung notes some information may still be visible to others depending on the viewing environment
Who it is for: Buyers who want the widest camera range, an S Pen and the largest S26 screen in one phone.
Skip if
You want a light phone for one-handed use, since the Galaxy S26 is 47 g lighter.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ - Best lighter large-screen flagship
The Galaxy S26+ gives buyers a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 2600 nits of peak brightness without moving up to the Ultra. It runs on Samsung's Exynos 2600 processor and comes with 12 GB of RAM in both the 256 GB and 512 GB versions.
Its 4900 mAh battery is rated for up to 31 hours of video playback, the same figure Samsung gives the Ultra, and Samsung says it reaches up to 69% charge in around 30 minutes. The cameras match the smaller S26: a 50 MP wide, a 12 MP ultra wide and a 10 MP telephoto. An IP68 rating, an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover durability.
Key highlights
- 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 2600 nits peak brightness
- Exynos 2600 processor
- 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultra wide and 10 MP telephoto cameras
- 4900 mAh battery, up to 31 hours of video playback
- 256 GB or 512 GB storage with 12 GB of RAM
- IP68, Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Pros
- Large screen at 190 g, 24 g lighter than the Ultra
- Video playback rating matches the Ultra
- Faster charging rating than the S26
- IP68 water and dust resistance
Cons
- No 200 MP camera or second telephoto like the Ultra
- No 1 TB storage option
- No S Pen
Who it is for: Buyers who want a big flagship screen and long video playback without the Ultra's weight.
Skip if
Zoom photography matters most, since the Ultra adds a 50 MP telephoto and a 200 MP main camera.
Samsung Galaxy S26 - Best compact
The Galaxy S26 is the smallest flagship here, with a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display rated at 2600 nits of peak brightness. It weighs 167 g, measures 7.2 mm thick and uses the same Exynos 2600 processor and 12 GB of RAM as the S26+.
Samsung rates its 4300 mAh battery for up to 30 hours of video playback and quotes up to 55% charge in around 30 minutes. It keeps a 10 MP telephoto camera alongside the 50 MP wide and 12 MP ultra wide, plus IP68 water and dust resistance and Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Key highlights
- 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 2600 nits peak brightness
- Exynos 2600 processor
- 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultra wide and 10 MP telephoto cameras
- 4300 mAh battery, up to 30 hours of video playback
- 256 GB or 512 GB storage with 12 GB of RAM
- 167 g and 7.2 mm thick
Pros
- Lightest and thinnest phone in the S26 range
- Keeps a telephoto camera in a small body
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Same processor and RAM as the S26+
Cons
- Smallest battery in the S26 range at 4300 mAh
- Lowest charging rating in the S26 range at up to 55% in around 30 minutes
- No 1 TB storage option
Who it is for: Buyers who want flagship features in a phone that is easy to hold and pocket.
Skip if
You watch a lot of video on the go and want the larger 4900 mAh battery of the S26+.
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE - Best value
The Galaxy S26 FE brings much of the S-series feature list to a more affordable tier. It has a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, an Exynos 2500 processor and a 4,900 mAh battery that Samsung rates for up to 29 hours of video playback.
The cameras include a 50 MP wide with OIS, a 12 MP ultra wide and an 8 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. It supports 45 W wired charging, with the 45 W charger sold separately, and 15 W wireless charging. Samsung promises 7 major Android OS upgrades and up to 7 years of security patches, and the phone has an IP68 rating, an Aluminum Alloy frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+. Storage comes in 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB versions.
Key highlights
- 6.7-inch FHD+ display, 120 Hz refresh rate
- Exynos 2500 processor
- 50 MP wide with OIS, 12 MP ultra wide, 8 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
- 4,900 mAh battery, up to 29 hours of video playback
- 45 W wired and 15 W wireless charging
- 7 major Android OS upgrades and up to 7 years of security patches
- 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB storage
Pros
- Long software support commitment
- 3x optical telephoto at a value tier
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Large screen and battery
Cons
- Uses the Exynos 2500 rather than the Exynos 2600 in the S26 and S26+
- The 45 W charger needed for top wired speed is sold separately
- Aluminum Alloy frame rather than the Armor Aluminum used on the S26 range
Who it is for: Buyers who want a large screen, a telephoto camera and long update support without paying for a full flagship.
Skip if
You want the faster processor and Armor Aluminum build of the S26 or S26+.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra - Best foldable
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra opens to an 8.0-inch main screen and has a 6.5-inch cover screen for use when closed. Samsung lists a peak brightness of 3000 nits, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip and a thickness of 4.1 mm when unfolded.
The rear cameras pair a 200 MP wide with a 50 MP ultra wide and a 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, plus 10 MP front cameras on both screens and up to 30x digital zoom. A 5000 mAh battery is rated for up to 27 hours of video playback. It comes in 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB versions, with an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Key highlights
- 8.0-inch main screen and 6.5-inch cover screen
- Up to 3000 nits peak brightness
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- 200 MP wide, 50 MP ultra wide and 10 MP 3x telephoto cameras
- 5000 mAh battery, up to 27 hours of video playback
- 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB storage
- 4.1 mm thick unfolded, 215 g
Pros
- Largest screen on this list
- 200 MP main camera, matching the S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh battery in a 4.1 mm unfolded body
- Storage goes up to 1 TB
Cons
- No IP rating listed on Samsung's product page
- At 215 g, the heaviest pick here
- Video playback rating of 27 hours trails the S26 Ultra's 31 hours
Who it is for: Buyers who want a tablet-sized screen for reading, video and multitasking in a phone that folds shut.
Skip if
You need a confirmed water resistance rating or the longest battery rating.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 - Best flip phone
The Galaxy Z Flip8 has a 6.9-inch main screen that folds in half, with a 4.1-inch FlexWindow cover screen you can customize with photos, messages and widgets. It weighs 180 g and uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip.
The 50 MP wide camera offers 2x optical quality zoom and sits beside a 12 MP ultra wide, with a 10 MP camera on the main screen. FlexCam handles hands-free shots, and Mirror View on the cover screen runs at up to 120 fps. Samsung rates the 4300 mAh battery for up to 31 hours of video playback and offers up to 7 OS upgrades and security updates.
Key highlights
- 6.9-inch main screen, 2600 nits peak brightness
- 4.1-inch FlexWindow cover screen
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- 50 MP wide and 12 MP ultra wide cameras, 10 MP main screen camera
- 4300 mAh battery, up to 31 hours of video playback
- 256 GB or 512 GB storage
Pros
- Folds to a small size while keeping a 6.9-inch screen
- Cover screen supports widgets and custom backgrounds
- Hands-free FlexCam shooting
- Up to 7 OS upgrades and security updates
Cons
- No dedicated telephoto camera
- No IP rating listed on Samsung's product page
- No 1 TB storage option
Who it is for: Buyers who want a large screen that folds into a compact square and a capable cover display for quick tasks.
Skip if
You shoot a lot of zoomed photos and want a dedicated telephoto lens.
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G - Best budget
The Galaxy A37 5G covers the basics well for a budget phone. It has a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with Vision Booster, an Exynos 1480 octa-core processor and a 5,000 mAh (typical) battery.
The triple rear camera uses a 50 MP wide with OIS, an 8 MP ultra wide and a 5 MP macro, with a 12 MP front camera. Super Fast Charging 2.0 is rated at up to 60% in 30 minutes with a 45 W charger sold separately. The phone is rated IP68 for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes, uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, and gets 6 OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates. RAM depends on storage: 6 GB with 128 GB, or 8 GB with 256 GB.
Key highlights
- 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with Vision Booster
- Exynos 1480 octa-core processor
- 50 MP wide with OIS, 8 MP ultra wide and 5 MP macro cameras
- 5,000 mAh (typical) battery
- IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back
- 6 OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates
- 128 GB with 6 GB RAM or 256 GB with 8 GB RAM
Pros
- IP68 rating at a budget tier
- Large 5,000 mAh battery
- Six years of OS and security updates
- Optical image stabilization on the main camera
Cons
- No telephoto camera
- The 128 GB model has only 6 GB of RAM
- The 45 W charger needed for top speed is sold separately
Who it is for: Buyers who want a durable, large-screen Samsung phone with long update support on a tight budget.
Skip if
You want optical zoom, which starts with the 3x telephoto on the Galaxy S26 FE.
How to Choose
- Pick a size first. The S26 is 6.3 inches and 167 g, the S26+ and S26 FE are 6.7 inches, and the S26 Ultra is 6.9 inches and 214 g. Foldables trade weight and thickness for a bigger screen in a smaller folded shape.
- Check the cameras for zoom. The S26 Ultra has two telephoto cameras, the S26, S26+, S26 FE and Z Fold8 Ultra have one, and the Z Flip8 and A37 5G have none.
- Read battery and charging together. Compare battery size with Samsung's video playback and charging ratings, and note that the S26 FE and A37 5G need a separately sold 45 W charger for their top wired speed.
- Confirm the durability rating. The S26, S26+, S26 FE and A37 5G are rated IP68. Samsung's S26 Ultra page says it is engineered for water resistance but lists no IP rating, and the Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 pages do not list one either.
- Count the update years. Samsung lists 7 major OS upgrades and up to 7 years of security patches for the S26 FE, and 6 OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates for the A37 5G.
- Match RAM to storage. On some models RAM changes with storage, such as 6 GB or 8 GB on the A37 5G and 12 GB or 16 GB on the S26 Ultra.
FAQ
Which Samsung phone here has the largest screen?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, with an 8.0-inch main screen. Among phones that do not fold, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is largest at 6.9 inches.
What does the Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra do?
It lets you choose what to hide from people nearby, such as certain apps or all incoming notifications. Samsung notes some information may still be visible depending on the viewing environment.
Which of these phones are rated IP68?
The Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 FE and A37 5G. Samsung's S26 Ultra page says it is engineered for water resistance but gives no IP rating. Samsung rates the A37 5G for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
Do I need to buy a charger separately?
For the Galaxy S26 FE and A37 5G, Samsung says the 45 W charger needed for the fastest wired charging is sold separately.
Is a Galaxy Z Flip8 or Z Fold8 Ultra better for me?
The Z Flip8 folds a 6.9-inch screen down to a small square at 180 g. The Z Fold8 Ultra opens to an 8.0-inch screen and adds a 200 MP camera and 3x telephoto, but weighs 215 g.
Published November 8, 2026 Last updated November 8, 2026
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