Although Samsung built its reputation off flagship phones, like the latest S23 Ultra, it has slowly moved its attention to budget and mid-tier smartphones as well. When it comes to handsets, Samsung definitely has a finger on the pulse of what Android users want; the South Korean electronics giant has been launching one banger after the other recently. It's safe to say that Samsung phones consistently make it to the top 3 of Android smartphones, and you're bound to find a Samsung device regardless of whether you’re shopping for a budget phone or a top-end foldable.

2023, in particular, has been a year of refinement for Samsung so far, but that only means you can get better versions of phones that were available last year. If you are in the market to buy a new Samsung phone and are wondering which one to consider, then below is a list of the best Samsung phones you can buy right now in 2023. Let's dive in!

Our favorite Samsung Galaxy phones of 2023

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in green with transparent background showing front and back of the phone with S Pen stylus
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best overall

The best Galaxy flagship on the market, hands down

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.

Pros
  • Versatile camera system with very good long-zoom lenses
  • Great screen and performance
  • Stylus support and Samsung DeX
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Large size and boxy corners makes the phone unwieldy to hold
  • Charging speed slower than its peers

The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn't change too much from the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but that's not a bad thing because the latter is one of the very best Android phones. The main upgrades this year are the new 200MP main camera and a processor upgrade to the latest Qualcomm chip specifically customized for Samsung hardware. The screen curvature is a bit different too, with the new phone gaining a flatter display panel. Other than these three things, the rest of the package is almost the same as the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

But if you're in the market for a new phone and you want the most capable and do-it-all phone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra still takes the crown. With four rear cameras, including two zoom lenses, it still has the most versatile zoom system in smartphones, and video performance is the absolute best in Android. Samsung is using the new 200MP main camera to shoot 16-in-1 pixel binned photos that feature uncanny dynamic range and sharp photos in all conditions. You can also shoot in full 200MP resolution, which allows you to crop far into a photo.

Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is different from the other phones in that it's been overclocked specifically for Samsung's S23 series. This means if you're gaming heavily, this phone should outperform some other Android peers using the same chip (the difference is virtually negligible everywhere else). But the fact there is no Exynos variant this year gives the phone way more appeal in select regions. Throw in the S Pen stylus and unique software features like Samsung DeX, and you have the most capable phone anywhere, not just the most capable Samsung phone.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus in Green
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
A fantastic alternative

Offers a similar flagship experience as the Ultra model for less

The Galaxy S23+ doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Ultra, but it doesn't need them. This is still a premium flagship phone. 

Pros
  • More comfortable in-hand feel than the Ultra
  • Same excellent screen and Snapdragon chip
  • Still really good main camera
Cons
  • Missing epic 10X periscope zoom lens
  • No S Pen
  • Still relatively pricey

If you don't have much use for the S Pen and would rather save a bit of money, the Galaxy S23+ (or the standard Galaxy S23) is an excellent alternative option. You're still getting a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED screen, a very good camera system, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that's been optimized for the S23 series, glass and aluminum construction, and Samsung's polished and versatile software that can arguably do more things than just stock Android. For example, you can open apps in a floating resizable window in OneUI, which you can't do in stock Android. This, plus Samsung DeX, makes the Galaxy S23+ a better device for multitasking than, say, a Pixel 7.

You also get the same software promises made for the Ultra on the Plus (and even the regular), so no compromises are made on that end. The only difference in software is the omission of S Pen features because this phone doesn't support the stylus. In fact, many people will probably find the 6.6-inch flat screen easier to handle than the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 6.8-inch curved screen, especially since this phone has a mid-frame with rounded corners.

Yes, you do lose out on the awesome 10x Periscope zoom lens from the Ultra, but you still get a capable 3x telephoto zoom lens here that's ideal for portraits. The 50MP main camera is still a capable sensor, producing shots with solid bokeh and punchy colors. Video performance, which was a strong point in the Ultra, is equally excellent here. Ultimately, the Galaxy S23 or S23+ is flagship enough for most people.

Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S23
Best compact phone

The smallest slab phone on this list

The regular Galaxy S23 is a great option if you're in the market for a smaller smartphone thanks to its 6.1-inch display. But despite the size, it's not lacking any features that the larger S23+ has. It has a 120Hz AMOLED display, a 50MP camera, and more.

Pros
  • Compact form factor
  • Beautiful display
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Limtied to 25W wired charging
  • No charger in the box
  • Missing larger camera system from S23 Ultra

Samsung's Galaxy S23 is one of the last remaining "compact" phones on the market, so it's hardly a surprise it's on this list. It's perfect for those who prefer using smaller phones that are easy to carry around and great for one-handed use. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is also a good option to consider if you're looking for a compact phone, but you'll have a tougher time using it with one hand, and it's more expensive.

The highlight of this phone, as you would've guessed, is its 6.1-inch display which is smaller than pretty much every other Samsung phone on this particular list. It offers a high screen-to-body ratio, so the overall footprint is still quite compact. The best thing about the Galaxy S23 is that it's just as powerful as its siblings. It's powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy as even the S23 Ultra, meaning it's just as powerful as pretty much every other high-end flagship on the market right now.

The Galaxy S23 packs a slightly bigger battery compared to its predecessor, and the upgraded Snapdragon chip also helps it last longer between charges. It might not be a significant departure from its last year's counterpart, but it offers a more refined experience overall.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 render
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Best foldable phone

Samsung's best foldable phone for power users

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a further refinement of the Z Fold lineup. The smartphone looks similar to past Z Fold iterations, featuring a 7.6-inch main screen and a tall cover screen. On the inside, it's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and a 4,400mAh battery. 

You can score up to $750 off with trade-ins at Samsung.com.

Pros
  • Hinge finally folds flat
  • Relatively lightweight
  • Great software experience
Cons
  • Design starting to look dated
  • Expensive price tag
  • Cameras are just OK

Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 5 may not look like a significant upgrade over its predecessor, but the company has still included some improvements. This new book-style foldable now has an upgraded hinge which allows it to fold completely flat, leaving no gaps in the middle. This has been a highly requested feature, and I am glad Samsung has finally done it. You'll still see a crease in the middle of the folding display, though, so there's still room for improvement.

The upgraded hinge feels just as sturdy, and it feels very satisfying to fold and unfold the device. It adds to the overall premium fit and finish of the phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is also a few grams lighter compared to its predecessor, so it feels more comfortable to hold and use every day.

The new foldable also packs upgraded internals to go against the latest flagship phones on the market. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip as the Galaxy S23 series, meaning it's among the most powerful phones in 2023. You can configure the Galaxy Z Fold 5 to have up to 1TB of storage, and it comes in a couple of new finishes. Samsung hasn't improved the cameras this year, and it doesn't come with an S Pen either. It's not quite the update we were hoping it would be, but the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is still the best foldables you can buy from Samsung as a power user.

New Project-17
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Best clamshell foldable

A fun phone for those who want to try foldables

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the latest compact foldable from Samsung, offering a flexible 6.7-inch internal display, a 3.4-inch external display, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and much more.

You can score up to $600 off with trade-ins at Samsung.com.

Pros
  • A compact phone for people with small pockets
  • Bigger outer screen
  • New hinge improves the form factor
Cons
  • The cameras could've been better
  • No DeX support

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5, unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 5, slots in as a solid upgrade over its predecessor thanks to a new, larger 3.4-inch outer screen compared to the Flip 4 from last year. The result is a more useful cover display that lets you run apps on it as opposed to just widgets. You'll need a GoodLock workaround to run full apps on it, but it's possible.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 also gets the updated hinge, meaning it can fold completely flat as well. The hinge also feels just as nice and sturdy as the older flagship, so you still have a premium user experience. The crease on the Flip 5's folding screen is still prominent, though, so keep that in mind. The overall dimensions and the weight of the Flip 5 are the same as the Flip 4 from last year, so there are no differences there.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 packs Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which is the same one you get inside the Fold 5 and the Galaxy S23 series flagships. Samsung hasn't made any other changes to the phone, so you'll be a bit disappointed if you were expecting a camera and other improvements this year. However, if you're new to the world of foldables and want a phone that can slot nicely in your pocket, the Z Flip 5 is a great option.

Samsung A54 5G in black with transparent background, showing front and partial back panel
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Best mid-range phone

A mid-range phone that looks and feels like a high-end flagship.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a great mid-range phone. It offers a sleek design, a beautiful 120Hz display, plenty of power under the hood, and a triple camera setup on the back.

Pros
  • The Samsung smartphone experience for less
  • Gorilla Glass 5 finish on front and back
  • Good performance for its price
Cons
  • Weak haptics
  • Cameras are fine, but not great
  • 5MP macro sensor is mostly pointless

The Galaxy A54 is Samsung's most premium-looking A-series phone yet. Instead of a polycarbonate finish seen on last year's A53, you now get a glass-aluminum-glass sandwich design that's usually found in flagships. The glass panels are Gorilla Glass 5 panels, too, meaning they're quite durable.

The cameras also got an upgrade, with the main camera using a 50MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture, which can now produce brighter images with better dynamic range. The 12MP ultra-wide is fine for a phone at this price range, but the 5MP macro lens doesn't do much, with macro shots soft on details. The A54 also features an awesome 6.4-inch 120Hz Samsung OLED display that exhibits excellent viewing angles and respectable maximum brightness.

The phone features an Exynos 1380, which surprisingly keeps up well with other mid-tier chips on the market. It does run a bit hot if you play heavy games, but for the most part, performance feels snappy and can even pass for a Galaxy S23 flagship-level performance at times. The large 5,000 mAh battery returns, along with IP67 water and rust resistance rating. At $450, this is one of the better mid-rangers on the market anywhere in the world, but particularly more so in North America.

Samsung_Galaxy_A14_5G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Best budget phone

The best phone you can buy under $200

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is an affordable smartphone with a beautiful display, plenty of power, and a compact design. 

Pros
  • Solid performance for the price
  • Nice looking, 90Hz display
  • Goes easy on the wallet
Cons
  • Macro and depth cameras are wasted
  • The back feels cheap

The $200 Galaxy A14 5G is easily among the best budget phones you can buy. Despite its affordable price tag, the Galaxy A14 brings a lot of noteworthy features that are often reserved for more expensive smartphones. One of the highlights of this particular budget phone is its 6.6-inch display. It's an FHD+ LCD screen with support for up to 90Hz refresh rate, which is better than what you get even on more expensive phones.

The Galaxy A14 5G is powered by Samsung's in-house Exynos 1330 chipset, which should be able to deliver reliable performance for day-to-day usage. It only comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, but you do get support for expandable storage up to 1TB via a microSD card. What's more impressive about this particular phone is that it even comes with a 5,000mAh battery, which will easily last you for more than a day on a single charge.

Some other noteworthy features of the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G include support for 5G, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Samsung's One UI 5.1 software. Samsung is promising two major OS updates and four years of security updates for this phone, which is pretty good considering the asking price. The Galaxy A14 5G also comes with a triple camera setup at the back which includes a 50MP main sensor along with two 2MP sensors for macro and depth.

Best Samsung Galaxy phone: The bottom line

A good argument can be made that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is technically Samsung's alpha dog phone, but the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best overall Samsung phone because it's the one with the best cameras, processor, and screen in Samsung's lineup right now. Not to mention, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is also quite expensive, coming in at $1,800 in the U.S. The Galaxy S23 Ultra isn't cheap by any means, but it's a price that's been proven to be more acceptable among smartphone fans.

It remains to be seen if the S23 Ultra's successor can dethrone next year, but it's our top choice for now. The combination of awesome cameras, the latest (and best) Qualcomm processor, and a large screen with stylus support make the S23 Ultra a great phone for power users and multitaskers. You can simply do more with the Galaxy S23 Ultra than you could on a Galaxy A54 or a rival flagship phone. If you want a slightly more affordable phone, the Galaxy S23+ is also a great option — but stay tuned to this page for deals on the Ultra model because Samsung has been offering some sweet deals recently.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in green with transparent background showing front and back of the phone with S Pen stylus
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Editor's Choice

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.