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 Galaxy S26. Love foldables? The Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 6 bring the wow factor. Watching your spend? The A56 is the mid-range sweet spot, while 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$1,499
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – from A$1,149
- Samsung Galaxy S26 5G – from A$949
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – from A$769
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 5G – from A$629
- Samsung Galaxy A56 – from A$449
- Samsung Galaxy A36 – from A$319
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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 | Price | Best For |
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | A$1,499 | Best overall flagship |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | A$1,499 | Best big-screen foldable |
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | A$1,149 | Best value flagship |
Samsung Galaxy S26 5G | A$949 | Best compact flagship |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | A$769 | Best camera & S Pen value |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 5G | A$629 | Best flip foldable |
Samsung Galaxy A56 | A$449 | Best mid-range |
Samsung Galaxy A36 | A$319 | 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 S26 5G

Want true flagship power without a phone that dominates your pocket? The Galaxy S26 is the compact pick that doesn't feel like a compromise. Its 6.3-inch 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 Gen 5 for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM found in the S26 Ultra, so nothing about gaming or multitasking feels dialed back.
The headline upgrade over the S25 is endurance. Samsung finally grew the battery to 4,300mAh, up from 4,000mAh, which is good for 30 hours of video playback and fixes the one real complaint about the outgoing model. The 50MP triple camera with 3x optical zoom captures crisp, vibrant shots, and there's a vapor chamber to keep things cool under load. Add IP68, wireless charging, a featherweight 167g body, and seven years of updates, and it lands as the small flagship most people should actually buy.
Pros:
- Genuinely pocketable at 6.3 inches and 167g
- Same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 flagship chip as the S26 Ultra, with 12GB RAM
- Larger 4,300mAh battery with 30 hours of video playback, up from the S25
- Seven years of updates, IP68, and two-way wireless charging
Cons:
- Battery is still the smallest in the S26 range
- FHD+ rather than the QHD+ panel on the Ultra
- 50MP main camera rather than the Ultra's 200MP sensor
- 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 6 5G

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 folds a full-size phone into a pocketable square, and it's the generation where Samsung finally fixed the Flip's weakest link. The 12MP main sensor that carried over unchanged for years is gone, replaced by a 50MP camera with OIS, which transforms everyday shots and makes cover-screen selfies genuinely worth taking. Pair that with the 3.4-inch Flex Window, and you can frame, shoot, reply, and run widgets without ever opening the phone.
Unfolded, the 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X runs at a smooth 1–120Hz and hits 2,600 nits. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM is a full flagship chip, and Samsung added a vapor chamber this generation to stop the thermal throttling that dogged earlier Flips. With a 4,000mAh battery, IP48 protection, and seven years of updates on the cheapest foldable Samsung makes, it's the smart way into a folding phone.
Pros:
- Upgraded 50MP main camera with OIS, a major leap over every previous Flip
- Large 3.4-inch Flex Window handles replies, widgets, and selfies unfolded
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy with vapor chamber cooling
- Seven years of OS and security updates plus the full Galaxy AI suite
Cons:
- 4,000mAh battery is still modest for heavy users
- 25W wired charging only
- No telephoto lens, so all zoom is digital
- The hinge and folding display need more care than a standard phone
Samsung Galaxy A Series: Budget Value
Samsung Galaxy A56

The Galaxy A56 5G is the sweet spot of the Samsung A series, and the one to pick if the A36 feels a step too basic. The Exynos 1580 is roughly 37% faster than the chip in the A55, and the build is a clear tier above: Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and the back, an aluminium frame, and a slim 7.4mm profile that genuinely feels premium in the hand.
The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED runs at 120Hz and pushes to 1,900 nits at peak, so it stays readable in harsh Australian sun. The 50MP main camera has optical image stabilisation, and the 12MP ultrawide is a real step up from the 8MP unit on the A36. A 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging comfortably clears a day, and Samsung backs it with six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates.
Pros:
- Exynos 1580 is a significant performance step up from the A55 and the A36
- Premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back and an aluminium frame
- 6.7-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED reaching 1,900 nits peak brightness
- 50MP camera with OIS, plus a 12MP ultrawide and six years of updates
Cons:
- No microSD slot, so you're locked to the storage you buy
- No wireless charging
- IP67 rather than IP68
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 value standout of the cheap Samsung phones range, 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
- Lowest price of any Samsung on this list
Cons:
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is mid-tier and trails the A56's Exynos 1580
- 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 S26 5G | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | 12GB / 256GB, 512GB | 50MP + 12MP + 10MP (Rear) / 12MP (Front) | 4300mAh |
Galaxy S24 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 12GB / 256/512GB/1TB | 200MP + 12MP + 50MP + 10MP (Rear) / 12MP (Front) | 5000mAh |
Galaxy Z Flip 6 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 12GB / 256/512GB | 50MP + 12MP (Rear) / 10MP (Front) | 4000mAh |
Galaxy A56 5G | Exynos 1580 | 8/12GB / 128/256GB | 50MP + 12MP + 5MP (Rear) / 12MP (Front) | 5000mAh |
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 6 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
Liam Harris is a tech writer at Phonebot, covering refurbished phones, tablets and wearables since 2022. His buying guides and model comparisons draw on live Australian market pricing and Phonebot's experience rehoming over one million devices.

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