Best Samsung Phones 2026: Flagship to Budget (Refurbished)

Looking for the best Samsung phone? You've probably already decided you want more than just a phone; you want a device that works as hard as you do. Samsung packs its phones with sharp cameras, fast processors, and batteries that won't quit before you do. Android has plenty of options, but Samsung consistently comes out on top.
Choosing the right model comes down to how you use your phone and your budget. We've tested and reviewed the latest Samsung phones, then sorted them by what each one does best, so you can pick a device that fits your lifestyle without the guesswork.
What is the Best Samsung Phone?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the flagship everyone talks about, and for good reason. It's loaded with just about everything you could ask for: a world-first Privacy Display, an upgraded 200MP camera, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, and the built-in S Pen. For most people, it's overkill, but if you want the absolute best, nothing else in the Samsung lineup comes close.
That said, "best" depends on you. Want the Ultra experience for less? The S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra are the value picks, both with a 200MP camera and built-in S Pen. Want flagship power in a phone you can actually use one-handed? The S25. Love foldables? The Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 5 bring the wow factor. On a budget? The A36 punches well above its price. The table further down breaks down which Samsung suits which buyer.
Best Samsung Phones in 2026
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – from A$1,499
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – from A$1,349
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – from A$1,099
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – from A$769
- Samsung Galaxy S25 – from A$749
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 – from A$489
- Samsung Galaxy A36 – from A$349
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Best Samsung Phones at a Glance
Not sure where to start? Here's the quick version, so you can jump straight to the Samsung that matches your priority and your budget.
Phone | Best For |
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Best overall flagship |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | Best big-screen foldable |
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Best value flagship |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Best camera & S Pen value |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 | Best flip foldable |
Samsung Galaxy S25 | Best compact flagship |
Samsung Galaxy A36 | Best budget |
Samsung Galaxy S Series: Flagship Power
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung's crown jewel, and it shows. This is the phone for people who want the absolute best and aren't willing to settle. Bigger screen, elite cameras, the built-in S Pen, and a world-first Privacy Display that narrows your screen's viewing angle so the person next to you sees nothing while you see everything perfectly.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, it handles anything you throw at it. The 200MP main camera with a wider f/1.4 aperture pulls in stunning shots even in low light, and Samsung finally bumped wired charging on the Ultra. S25 Ultra owners may not feel the urgency to upgrade, but anyone coming from an S23 Ultra or older will notice the difference immediately.
Pros:
- World-first Privacy Display that actually works
- Outstanding low-light camera performance
- Blazing fast performance with the latest Snapdragon chip
- Built-in S Pen plus seven years of updates
Cons:
- S25 Ultra owners won't see a dramatic leap
- Battery capacity unchanged for years running
- Doesn't include a charger in the box
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Want the full Ultra experience without paying the newest-model premium? The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the smart buy. It keeps everything that matters: the 200MP quad camera, the built-in S Pen, a titanium frame, and a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X that hits 2,600 nits behind tough Gorilla Armor 2 glass.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is still enormously fast, chewing through gaming, editing, and heavy multitasking without breaking a sweat. The quad camera setup pairs the 200MP main with a 50MP ultrawide plus dual telephoto lenses at 3x and 5x, giving you the most versatile zoom range Samsung makes. Add a 5,000mAh battery good for 31 hours of video, 45W charging, IP68, and seven years of updates, and it's arguably the best value flagship in the lineup.
Pros:
- Full 200MP quad camera with dual 3x and 5x telephoto lenses
- Built-in S Pen and premium titanium frame
- Snapdragon 8 Elite performance that still feels flagship
- 5,000mAh battery with 31 hours of video playback
Cons:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite is a generation behind the S26 Ultra's chip
- 45W charging is unchanged and middling by 2026 standards
- The S Pen lost its Bluetooth air gestures
Samsung Galaxy S25
Want true flagship power without a phone that dominates your pocket? The Galaxy S25 is the compact pick that doesn't feel like a compromise. Its 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X runs at a silky 1–120Hz and hits 2,600 nits, so it stays sharp and readable anywhere, even in direct sunlight. Under the hood sits the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM found in its bigger siblings, so nothing about gaming or multitasking feels dialed back.
A 4,000mAh battery with 25W wired charging gets you through a normal day, and the 50MP triple camera with 3x optical zoom captures crisp, vibrant shots. Add IP68 water resistance, Qi2-ready wireless charging, a featherweight 162g body, and seven years of updates, and it lands as the small flagship most people should actually buy.
Pros:
- Genuinely pocketable at 6.2 inches and 162g
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite performance with 12GB RAM
- Same seven years of updates as the pricier models
- IP68 and Qi2-ready wireless charging
Cons:
- 4,000mAh battery is the weak link on heavy days
- 25W charging is slow next to the Plus and Ultra
- FHD+ rather than the QHD+ panel on bigger models
- Ships without a charger in the box
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Galaxy S24 Ultra brings the full Ultra experience, including the built-in S Pen and a 200MP camera, at a price that now makes serious sense. Its 6.8-inch flat QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X reaches 2,600 nits behind tough Gorilla Armor glass, and the titanium frame gives it a genuinely premium, durable feel.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM, it still flies through anything you ask of it. The standout is that quad camera: a 200MP main, a 50MP 5x periscope, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide, backed by up to 100x Space Zoom. With a 5,000mAh battery, 45W charging, IP68, and seven years of updates, it's the smart way to own a flagship Ultra for less.
Pros:
- 200MP quad camera with 5x periscope and 100x Space Zoom
- Built-in S Pen for notes and productivity
- Premium titanium frame with tough Gorilla Armor
- 5,000mAh battery and seven years of updates
Cons:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a couple of generations behind the newest chips
- 45W charging is unchanged and middling by 2026 standards
- Large and heavy for one-handed use
Samsung Galaxy Z Series – Compact & Fun
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Want a tablet-sized screen that folds into your pocket, without the compromises older Folds asked you to make? The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the one. It's dramatically thinner and lighter than any Fold before it at just 8.9mm folded and 215g, so it finally feels like a normal phone when closed. Open it up and you get a huge 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 2,600 nits, while the 6.5-inch cover screen now uses a wide 21:9 ratio that makes typing and one-handed use genuinely comfortable.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy makes it the fastest foldable Samsung has built, and for the first time a Fold gets the 200MP main camera from the S25 Ultra, a huge leap over previous generations. Add seven years of updates and the full Galaxy AI suite, and it's the most complete big-screen foldable on the market.
Pros:
- Huge 8-inch main display with a genuinely usable 6.5-inch cover screen
- Thinnest, lightest Fold yet at 8.9mm folded and 215g
- First Fold with the 200MP main camera from the S25 Ultra
- Snapdragon 8 Elite power plus seven years of updates
Cons:
- 4,400mAh battery is modest for the screen size
- 25W wired charging is slow for a flagship at this price
- No S Pen support this generation
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 folds a full-size phone into a pocketable square, and this generation is where the Flip formula truly clicked. The headline is the 3.4-inch Flex Window cover screen, a massive jump from the tiny 1.9-inch strip on the Flip 4, letting you check notifications, fire off replies, run widgets, and even use apps without ever opening the phone. The new Flex Hinge also closes completely flat with no gap, making it slimmer and sturdier in the pocket at just 15.1mm folded and 187g.
Unfolded, the 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X runs at a smooth 1–120Hz, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy with 8GB of RAM keeps everyday performance snappy. The dual 12MP main and 12MP ultrawide cameras take reliable, colour-accurate shots, and FlexCam still delivers the best hands-free selfies of any phone style. With a 3,700mAh battery, 25W wired charging, IPX8 water resistance, and a price that has dropped sharply since launch, it's the smart way into a folding phone.
Pros:
- Big 3.4-inch Flex Window, a huge upgrade over the Flip 4's tiny cover screen
- New gapless Flex Hinge makes it slimmer and more durable folded
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy performance
- Excellent value now that the price has dropped since launch
Cons:
- 12MP main camera trails the 50MP sensor on the newer Flip 6
- 3,700mAh battery is modest for heavy users
- 25W wired charging only
- IPX8 means water resistance but no dust rating
Samsung Galaxy A Series: Budget Value
Samsung Galaxy A36

If budget is the priority, the Galaxy A36 5G proves you don't need to spend big for a solid Samsung. As the standout of the budget Samsung A series, it gets the essentials done well: a large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED at 120Hz, a 5,000mAh battery, fast 45W charging, and a dependable 50MP main camera.
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 handles day-to-day tasks, social media, and casual gaming without fuss, and Samsung backs it with six generations of OS upgrades, which is unusually generous at this price. For a first phone, a reliable backup, or anyone who just wants the basics done right, the A36 is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Large 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- All-day 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging
- Six generations of OS upgrades
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is mid-tier
- The camera is fine, but not flagship-level
- IP67 rather than IP68
Best Samsung Mobiles in Australia – Feature Comparison Table
Phone / Feature | Processor | RAM + Storage | Cameras | Battery |
Galaxy S26 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | 12/16GB / 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 200MP + 50MP + 10MP + 50MP (Rear) / 12MP (Front) | 5000mAh |
Galaxy Z Fold 7 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 12/16GB / 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 200MP + 12MP + 10MP (Rear) / 10MP + 10MP (Front) | 4400mAh |
Galaxy S25 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 12/16GB / 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 200MP + 50MP + 10MP + 50MP (Rear) / 12MP (Front) | 5000mAh |
Galaxy S24 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 12GB / 256/512GB/1TB | 200MP + 12MP + 50MP + 10MP (Rear) / 12MP (Front) | 5000mAh |
Galaxy Z Flip 5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 8GB / 256/512GB | 12MP + 12MP (Rear) / 10MP (Front) | 3700mAh |
Galaxy S25 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 12GB / 128/256/512GB | 50MP + 12MP + 10MP (Rear) / 12MP (Front) | 4000mAh |
Galaxy A36 5G | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | 6/8/12GB / 128/256GB | 50MP + 8MP + 5MP (Rear) / 12MP (Front) | 5000mAh |
Wrap Up
Samsung's 2026 lineup has something for every budget and every priority, from the powerhouse Galaxy S26 Ultra to the fun, compact Z Flip 5 and the value-packed A36. Whether you're chasing the best camera, the biggest screen, the longest battery, or simply cheap Samsung phones that deliver real value, there's a Samsung here that fits your lifestyle.
Posted by Liam Harris
Liam Harris
I’m Liam Harris, a tech writer at Phonebot with a passion for technology. I provide trusted insights on refurbished phones, tablets, and accessories, focusing on quality, sustainability, and affordability. With a solid understanding of the refurbished market, I offer practical tips, product comparisons, and the latest tech updates to help you make informed decisions. My goal is to connect you with high-quality devices that fit your budget and lifestyle. Stay tuned for more on the best in refurbished tech here at Phonebot.

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