The best Galaxy smartphones to buy in 2026

✨ TL;DR: What makes a Samsung Galaxy smartphone the best choice?

No matter what you need in a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy has it. The best Samsung Galaxy smartphone for you truly depends on your needs and your budget, so don’t make the mistake of splurging on something you won’t use to its full potential. If you’re looking to invest on the top overall model, then the S26 Ultra will be your best bet. If you are looking for something small that fits easily into your pocket then look for the S25 Edge. For photographers and content creators, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has some of the best cameras in the line. If you’re in the market for a foldable phone, consider the Galaxy Z Fold 7. And if you’re shopping on a budget, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is the reliable choice.

Why you can trust our list of best Galaxy smartphones

At Back Market, we have one goal: to make tech reliable, sustainable, and affordable. We do this by giving devices a second life; our certified third-party refurbishers work with smartphones every day, including Samsung Galaxy phones. They’ve spent countless hours taking them apart, inspecting, repairing, cleaning, and testing them to ensure they’re in great working condition, so they know a thing or two about the best Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

We also have our finger on the pulse of all things tech, including the details of the new S26 line release. This list of the best Galaxy phones is brought to you by a combination of our real-world experience with these smartphones and our expert knowledge of tech news and features. We also consider user experience and reviews when bringing you these lists, providing a comprehensive review to help you make your purchasing decisions.

​​Why buy Samsung

Samsung is a top smartphone manufacturer and successfully competes with other top brands like Apple and Google. If you’re someone who values customization and design innovation, you may benefit more from a Samsung smartphone.

Samsung’s phones are more customizable than Apple’s and Google’s thanks to its One UI user interface. This interface offers many more personalization options when it comes to app management and multitasking, especially compared to Apple’s iOS, which notoriously asks users to sacrifice personalization for seamless Apple ecosystem integration across devices.

Samsung also offers more reliable and faster performance than Google’s Pixel phones thanks to its innovative technology and AI features. Part of this is due to the fact that Samsung produces its own components, such as displays and memory, which allows for better quality control. These prevent the lags that can sometimes happen with Google phones.

Finally, Samsung offers a better range of design options than either of these other brands. When you’re getting an Apple or Google phone, you can expect that it will resemble some type of brick. Samsung, however, is leading the charge on foldable and flip technology, giving you more customization options and therefore more pricing options than either other brand.

Which is the best Galaxy smartphone?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — best Galaxy phone overall

​​​✨ The S26 Ultra may be one of the most expensive phones in the lineup, but it rivals the price of the S25 Ultra while bringing in key improvements and a few new features.

If money is no object and you’re ready to splurge on the best Samsung Galaxy phone overall, go for the new S26 Ultra. The S26 Ultra may not be revolutionary compared to the S25 Ultra, but it does come at the same launch price ($1299.99) as its predecessor with a few extra bells and whistles. So, if you were considering the S25 Ultra, you may as well make the jump to the S26 Ultra for the same price point.

The S26 Ultra keeps several elements of its predecessor. The built-in S pen supports note-taking and productivity tasks, the display is large at 6.9 in, and the 5000 mAh battery packs a punch, delivering up to 31 hours of video playback. The storage options, including the 1TB model, remain the same, but in the S26 Ultra, the 1TB gets 16GB of RAM instead of 12GB, boosting its performance. The S26 Ultra is also very similar to the S25 Ultra, just with slightly more rounded corners and a thinner profile. While the S26 Ultra does revert to an aluminum build, durability may not be a huge concern if you’re going to slap a case on it anyway.

Aside from the RAM, the S26 Ultra also makes incremental improvements on its S25 counterpart. It gets the upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy chip and better-integrated AI features, which work together to deliver even faster, smoother performance. There are even some completely new AI features, including Photo Assist, Now Nudge, and Gemini and Perplexity Support. The quad-camera setup gets a lower f-stop for the main lens, allowing you to take better photos in low light, and the S26 Ultra gets the fastest wired charging speed of any Galaxy phone at 60W, reaching up to 75% charge in just 30 minutes.

The S26 Ultra also adds Privacy Display, a new feature that many users are excited about. The customizable Privacy Display feature lets you keep your phone screen private, preventing others from seeing what’s on it. While this sounds great to some people, others are concerned about the effect this could have on the overall display experience, with one Redditor stating:

“I went to check out the 26U in person at BestBuy today since I really wanted to purchase this one - so my bias was more 'let's not overrate the reported privacy screen issues". But seeing it in person the issue of a color shift and dimming is real - even the BestBuy rep confirmed it.”

So, it seems you’ll just have to decide whether you value your privacy more than display quality.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge — best pocket-friendly Galaxy phone

✨The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge provides a durable, thin, and lightweight option for those prioritizing pocket-friendliness and one-handed use, but it compromises on battery life and camera versatility.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is rumored to have been released to rival its Apple counterpart, the ultra-thin iPhone Air, and it does just that. The S25 Edge weighs just a little bit less than the iPhone Air at 5.75 oz (163 g), but its profile clocks in at 0.23 in (5.8 mm) thick — 0.16 mm thicker than the iPhone Air’s. The phone is also 6.23 in tall (158.2 mm) and 2.98 in wide (75.6 mm). This is a little taller than Apple’s pocket-friendly iPhone minis, but narrower.

Despite its size, the S25 Edge’s performance power is actually quite similar to that of the other phones in the S25 series. It gets the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Galaxy chipset as the S25 Ultra and has the same 120Hz screen refresh rate, making everyday tasks like switching between apps, editing video, and scrolling feel fluid and fast. Its Galaxy AI integration is also exactly the same as its siblings’, with features like Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Chat Assist, and more running smoothly.

There is one area in which the S25 Edge’s size bites back, though: the battery. With this thin of a phone, Samsung managed to fit in a 3900 mAh battery for up to 24 hours of video playback — significantly less than many other flagship phones produced today. If you’re a heavy gamer or streamer, this may not be the phone for you, but if you use it only for the basics, the S25 Edge will still easily get you through the day. Its charging speed, however, is also quite slow, with wired charging at only 25W. That gets you to around 50% or 60% in 30 minutes.

Due to its size, it also makes the downgrade from a triple-lens rear setup to a dual-camera setup. The 200MP main sensor, which is the same as the S25 Ultra’s, still captures great photos, but the phone lacks a telephoto lens and the zoom versatility needed for more complex shots.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — best Galaxy phone for photographers

✨The S25 Ultra has one of the best camera setups in the Galaxy lineup, rivaled only by the S26 Ultra, but it has basically all the same features and will be easier to get sooner at a lower price point.

Photographers and content creators looking to combine value with camera quality can spring for the S25 Ultra. The camera quality here rivals that of the S26 Ultra, although it doesn’t perform quite as well as in low light. However, the quad-camera setup with a 200MP sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, a 50MP 5X periscope telephoto lens, and a 10MP 3X telephoto lens packs a real punch. The launch of the S26 is just behind us; S25 models are likely to be discounted and more readily available on refurbished marketplaces like Back Market. These details, along with the phone’s strong overall performance, make it the best option for photographers looking to save a little cash.

The S25 Ultra features strong AI integration, with GalaxyAI features like Generative Edit, Object Eraser, and Sketch to Image truly taking your in-phone photo editing to the next level. The S25 Ultra also uses the NextGen ProVisual Engine to optimize skin tone, texture, and lighting all in-camera. With such a powerful camera and all this pro editing technology, it’s a good thing there’s a 1TB storage option so you can keep all your media right at your fingertips. The 6.9-inch Quad HD+ display also helps with editing quality. And while the camera itself may not have as low an f-stop as the S26 Ultra, since the S25 Ultra doesn’t have the Privacy Display, you don’t have to worry about the potential screen quality loss noted for the S26 Ultra.

The phone also boasts powerful flagship performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip and a 120Hz screen refresh rate, making graphics and app switching smooth and fluid. The battery offers up to 31 hours of video playback and Super Fast Charging at 45W via wired charging. All this is decked out in an attractive matte titanium build for durability and a premium look.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 — best foldable Galaxy phone

✨The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the brand’s best foldable phone yet, ideal for maximizing productivity but at a high price point.

For users looking to maximize productivity on the go, book-style foldable phones are where it’s at. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is our pick for Samsung’s best foldable as it has a 6.5-inch cover screen when closed and an 8-inch display when open — the largest inner display of any Samsung foldable yet. This is perfect for multitasking and having multiple apps open at once. In addition, it’s only 0.35 in (8.9 mm) thick when closed, eliminating the concern that it feels like you have 2 phones in your pocket.

The display itself is brilliant, featuring a 2520 × 1080-pixel resolution for the external display and a 2184 × 1968-pixel resolution for the internal one. The display itself is brilliant, featuring a 2520 × 1080-pixel resolution for the external display and a 2184 × 1968-pixel resolution for the internal one.u’ll also notice that the crease is much less visible when open than on its predecessor, making for a much smoother user experience. The triple-camera system is also excellent, with a 200MP main sensor and AI features galore to help you edit your photos. One Redditor, however, points out that the camera bump adds a layer of thickness:

“Given how thick that camera bump is it could’ve been a trifold or even a tetrafold”

Like many other thin phones, it falls short in its battery life and charging speeds. The 4400 mAh battery provides about 24 hours of video playback and supports wired charging at 25W. The 4400 mAh battery is built for productivity, but it also lacks S Pen support. Built for productivity, it also lacks S pen support, which can be a game-changer for some who prefer using an S pen for note-taking.

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G — best budget Galaxy phone

✨The A17 5G’s performance definitely falls short of modern flagship models, but it’s a great steal for its price point, especially display-wise and in regards to its AI features.

Those looking for a reliable smartphone that won’t break the bank should consider the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G model. This affordable smartphone ticks all the right boxes for basic use, including Core AI features such as Gemini and Circle to Search, as well as 5G connectivity for phone calls and messaging.

The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display has a 90Hz refresh rate, so most tasks will feel fluid, but this definitely isn’t a phone for heavy gaming. While it may only reach 800 nits of brightness, its AMOLED screen is a step up from the LCD panels often found in phones from other brands in the same price range.

With the Exynos 1330 chip, calls, messaging, browsing the web, and scrolling social media will be easy for this phone to handle, but it’s definitely not as powerful as the stronger Snapdragon chips in the newer series of phones, so this isn’t a phone for heavy gaming or editing media. Having been released in 2025 along with a promised 6 years of software support, this phone is a good future-proof investment.

The design is sleek with a plastic frame (that very closely resembles metal, especially in certain colors) and glass fiber backing. And at only 0.3 in (7.5 mm) thick, it easily fits in a pocket. Despite its slim frame, the budget phone packs a 5000 mAh battery that typically lasts almost 16 hours on a single charge. This may be less than the other phones on this list, but it’s pretty good for its price point.

The camera performance is lacking, even with a triple-camera setup — it only has a 50MP main sensor. The camera bump, however, is fairly thin, which could be a plus for those concerned about it making the phone much thicker than it needs to be.

Best Galaxy smartphones — tech specs compared

*Back Market prices taken at the date of publication — these are subject to change.

Shopping tips: How to buy a Samsung Galaxy phone for less

We get it: most Samsung Galaxy smartphones aren’t exactly budget-friendly. There are, however, a few ways you can get your hands on one for less. If you’re looking to buy new, you can wait for sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday to try to get a discount, or you can bundle your smartphone with other accessories to get more value for your money. Since the S26 series was also just launched, you may be able to find older Galaxy phones at a lower price.

The best way to find deals on Galaxy smartphones year-round, though, is to shop at Back Market. Verified Refurbished devices are repaired, inspected, cleaned, and tested to ensure they deliver top-notch quality at a much lower price. You can often find tech for 20% to 50% off the price of new on our pages. Shopping refurbished at Back Market isn’t just better for your wallet; it’s also better for the planet. When you give tech a second life, you keep it from ending up in landfills as e-waste, and you reduce the need for new manufacturing. It’s a win-win.    Plus, all our devices come backed by a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee for your peace of mind. But don’t take it from us; take it from this satisfied customer: 

“I recently purchased a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S22+, and I am very pleased with the device. The phone arrived in excellent condition, with little visible scratches , and it looks almost brand new. Performance has been smooth so far, with fast processing speed, vibrant display quality, and a reliable battery life. I was a bit hesitant about buying refurbished, but this purchase exceeded my expectations. Overall, it feels like a great value for the price, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone considering a refurbished phone.”

If you’re looking to save even more, you can check out our trade-in program. You can trade in your old device at Back Market either for cash or credit towards your next purchase with us. All you have to do is give us some information about your device and get a quote, ship it to us for free, and when we verify it, you get paid. It’s that simple.

✨No matter how you decide to purchase your new Galaxy smartphone, it’s important to remember that the best one for you isn’t always the latest and greatest on the market. Consider your budget, preferences, and needs to find the best Galaxy smartphones for you.