Best Samsung Phones of 2026: Context, Analysis, and Buyer’s Guide

Background

Samsung’s phone portfolio in 2026 stretches from top-tier glass-and-metal flagships to playful foldables and pragmatic budget models. That breadth is a strength and a source of choice paralysis. You can spend four figures on a camera monster with a built-in stylus, or a third of that on a durable midranger that nails the basics. In between sits a thicket of “FE” editions, carrier bundles, and last‑year’s‑flagship deals.

Here’s the lay of the land so you can read any “best Samsung phone” roundup—including WIRED’s 2026 guide—with sharper context:

Galaxy S-series remains the all-rounder line. The standard and Plus models are the safe picks for most people. The Ultra is Samsung’s halo device, with the biggest camera leap, the largest display, and S Pen support baked in.
Galaxy Z foldables split in two. The Fold aims to be a phone that turns into a small tablet for productivity and reading; the Flip is a compact clamshell with big style and surprising endurance for its size.
Galaxy A-series is where value lives. You trade away luxuries like periscope zoom or top-tier chipsets for long battery life, solid screens, and reliable cameras at far lower prices.
FE (Fan Edition) models rotate in some years. They tend to recycle flagship guts with a slightly pared-down body and a friendlier price.

Two cross-cutting themes define Samsung’s 2026 catalog:

Longevity and software support. Samsung now promises extended Android OS and security updates on many models, closing the gap between premium and midrange longevity. For most buyers, this is more meaningful than a few extra frames in a game benchmark.
On-device AI and computational photography. Samsung layers its One UI features on top of Android, and recent generations push translation, transcription, image editing, and summarization into places you’ll actually use them—calls, messages, screenshots, and the camera app. The best experiences increasingly happen without an internet connection, though some cloud features still apply.

What happened

WIRED published its tested-and-reviewed picks for the best Samsung phones of 2026. Rather than rehash their list, let’s decode what choices like these typically signal—and how to match them to your needs.

The “best for most people” S-series pick

Expect the mainstream S-model (not the Ultra) to land here. Why? It’s the Goldilocks compromise:

Display that’s large but not unwieldy, with adaptive refresh for smooth scrolling.
Battery sized for a full day, without the bulk.
Flagship-grade processor and cameras that hold up for years.
Price that’s high, but meaningfully less than the Ultra.

If you read WIRED’s blurb and see phrases about balance, pocketability, or value within the premium tier, that’s your cue. For nearly everyone, this is the phone you won’t overthink six months from now.

The Ultra as the camera king and power user tool

Samsung’s Ultra models routinely carry:

A main sensor tuned for excellent detail, strong low-light performance, and versatile cropping.
A dedicated telephoto system (often periscope-style) for loss-minimal zoom beyond 3x.
The S Pen silo, which turns casual handwriting, photo annotations, and remote camera controls into daily conveniences—not just gimmicks.

If you shoot kids’ sports at dusk, grab faraway wildlife, or mark up documents, the Ultra is worth the bulk and price premium. Many publications, WIRED included, tend to crown it the “best camera phone for Android users,” with the caveat that it’s big and pricey.

The foldable darlings: Z Fold and Z Flip

Z Fold: The pick for travelers, commuters, and multitaskers who live in spreadsheets, e-books, and split-screen apps. The outer screen now behaves like a normal phone; unfold and you get an expansive canvas for maps, markup, and reading. Newer hinges and dust ingress protection have calmed durability fears, but cases remain wise.
Z Flip: A compact slab that bends into a pocket pebble. The front display handles quick replies, media controls, and selfies without opening the phone. It’s the rare device that’s fun and, thanks to maturing batteries and efficiency gains, now reliably lasts a day for light to moderate users.

Publications often split their foldable awards: the Fold wins for productivity; the Flip wins for delight and portability. If you’re foldable-curious, reread the warranty terms and consider Samsung’s first‑party care plans—they’re not must-buys, but they do buy peace of mind.

The best budget and midrange A-series choices

Samsung’s A-series sweet spot centers on models that deliver:

An OLED screen with enough brightness outdoors and smooth-enough refresh.
A main camera that’s consistent in daylight and serviceable at night with computational help.
All-day battery life and charging that, while not class-leading, is predictable.
NFC for tap-to-pay, 5G for longevity, and a clean update roadmap.

Don’t fixate on the highest A-number alone; look at panel quality, camera stabilization, and promised software years. WIRED’s budget pick usually favors real-world reliability over flashy spec-sheet numbers.

The stealth value: last year’s flagship (or an FE)

When a new S-series launches, the prior year’s phones slide down in price while keeping most of what made them excellent—build quality, cameras, and top-tier processors. An FE model, when available, can do something similar with a fresher warranty. If you spot a WIRED nod to “best value flagship,” it’s often one of these two routes.

How the 2026 context changes the buying calculus

A few 2026 realities deserve extra attention as you read any recommendation list:

Regional chips and radios still matter. Some regions get Samsung’s in-house chips, others get Qualcomm. Both are fast, but camera processing, efficiency, and cellular behavior can differ slightly. Look for test notes specific to your country or carrier.
Charging speeds remain conservative vs. Chinese rivals. Samsung prioritizes battery health and safety over headline wattage. Learn the difference between the default slower brick and the faster-rated adapter; the latter is often not in the box.
Update commitments are long now—even midrange. This shifts the value equation. Paying more upfront can amortize better when you plan to keep the phone five to seven years.
AI features have moved from novelty to utility. Translation in calls, voice transcription, photo cleanup, automatic summaries of long texts—these are the real daily wins. Make sure the features you care about work on-device for privacy and travel scenarios.
Repair, trade-in, and resale are part of total cost. Samsung’s trade-in credits can be aggressive at launch, but independent resale may net more cash later. Meanwhile, easier access to parts and manuals means self- or third-party repair is more feasible than it was a few years ago.

Key takeaways

The standard S-series is usually the right default. Unless you know you need the Ultra’s zoom or the Fold’s tablet screen, start here.
Foldables are no longer fragile experiments, but they still benefit from cases, screen protectors, and care plans if you’re risk-averse.
A-series phones punch above their price in battery life and screens. If you don’t shoot a lot of night photos or long-zoom shots, you may not miss the premium cameras.
Don’t overpay for storage you won’t use. Cloud photos, streaming, and external drives reduce the need for 1 TB tiers. But if you record lots of 4K/8K video, get more storage up front.
Updates outlast many upgrade cycles. Buy with a five-year mindset: performance today, cameras you’ll still like in three years, and software support through the period you plan to keep it.

How to match a WIRED pick to your life

If you want the best camera without switching platforms

Pick the Ultra. You’ll get superior zoom, better low-light detail, and the most robust photo/video controls among Samsung’s lineup, plus the S Pen for composition and quick edits.

If you want a phone you forget about (in a good way)

Choose the standard S-model. It balances battery, size, and features. You won’t chase chargers, and you won’t need a second hand to reach the top of the screen every time.

If you read, work, or travel on your phone constantly

Go Z Fold. Unfolded, it’s a reading and productivity machine. The taskbar, split-screen, and stylus support (with compatible pens) make a persuasive mini‑tablet.

If you want something fun and pocketable

Try the Z Flip. It’s the only premium phone that feels like an accessory. The front display is useful now, and the form factor doubles as a built-in tripod for group selfies and time-lapses.

If you’re optimizing for price-to-longevity

Look at the A-series sweet spot or last year’s S-series. You’ll keep security updates and most flagship comforts at a calmer price.

Buying checklist (2026 edition)

Updates: Confirm the promised OS/security years for your exact model.
Cameras: Look for optical stabilization on the main lens and at least one optical zoom if you care about portraits or events.
Battery: Aim for a capacity and tested runtime that fits your day; bigger isn’t always better if software is efficient.
Charging: Check the phone’s max supported wattage and whether you own the right adapter and cable.
Screen: Prioritize brightness and PWM behavior if you’re sensitive to flicker. Adaptive refresh should be table stakes above the budget tier.
Radios: Verify band support and eSIM features for your carrier and travel plans.
Storage: Consider how much local video you shoot. For heavy video, step up in storage; for everything else, 256 GB is the current safe middle ground.

What to watch next

Foldable maturation, round 3. Expect slimmer hinges, tougher inner screens, and better dust resistance to keep improving. The software side—windowing, app continuity, and pen support—will keep getting smoother.
AI features going fully on-device. Translation, transcription, and image editing are increasingly offline, which boosts privacy and speed. Watch for more models gaining the same features without a cloud tie.
Midrange camera upgrades. As sensors and algorithms trickle down, the A-series will keep closing the daylight photo gap with flagships; low-light and zoom will remain the differentiators.
Battery chemistries and safety. Incremental gains matter more than raw wattage. Samsung’s conservative approach should continue, but keep an eye on any model-specific charging optimizations.
Regulatory nudges: right‑to‑repair and parts availability. Greater access to official parts and manuals should make out‑of‑warranty fixes less daunting, improving long-term value.

FAQ

Which Samsung phone should most people buy in 2026?

A standard S-series model is the safest bet for performance, camera quality, size, and battery life without the Ultra’s bulk or price. If a roundup calls out a “best for most people,” it’s usually this one.

Is the Ultra worth it over the regular S-model?

If you frequently shoot distant subjects, care about the best low-light photos, or want the S Pen, yes. Otherwise, the regular S will feel identical in daily use and save you money.

Are Samsung foldables durable enough now?

They’ve improved significantly, with stronger hinges and added dust resistance compared to early generations. Still, because of moving parts and flexible glass, a case and screen protector are wise, and accidental-damage coverage can be reassuring.

How long will my Samsung phone get updates?

Many 2026 Samsung phones—flagships and midrange alike—carry extended OS and security update commitments. Check the exact promise for your model and region; planning for five years is reasonable on current devices.

Why are Samsung’s charging speeds lower than some rivals?

Samsung prioritizes battery health and safety over maximum wattage. Real-world charge times are fine for most people, but you’ll need the right higher-rated adapter to hit the phone’s top speed.

Should I buy last year’s flagship instead of a new midranger?

Often, yes. A discounted prior-year S-series can deliver better cameras, faster chips, and sturdier build than a brand-new midrange phone at similar prices—plus a longer accessory ecosystem.

Exynos vs. Snapdragon: does it matter?

Both are fast. Differences show up in efficiency, camera processing, and sometimes network behavior. If you can, read tests for your region’s model. In day-to-day apps, the gap is small on modern chips.

Source & original reading: https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-samsung-phones/

The Best Samsung Phones of 2026, Tested and Reviewed—What Matters Before You Buy