The best Samsung Galaxy smartphones to buy in 2022

Samsung has a phone for every budget, from the high-end Galaxy S21 Ultra, with its incredible zoom capability, to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 folding phones, to the cheap but still 5G Galaxy A32. . There's also the new Galaxy S21 FE, which offers premium specs at a more reasonable price. The sheer number of phones the company offers can be dizzying, but that means there's likely a Galaxy phone for everyone, whatever your tastes.

However, it's hard to sift through everything the company has to offer to see which Samsung smartphone is truly worth considering. We've rounded up the top smartphones from the manufacturer so you can figure out exactly which one might be best for your needs.

But before you pull out the credit card, keep in mind that the company is due to launch its next flagship - the Galaxy S22 - in February, so if you're looking for the latest and greatest in mobile tech from Samsung, it's worth a shot. to wait and see what the new model has to offer.

1. The best Samsung smartphone

Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

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With its supercharged processor, 5G connectivity, S Pen support, and photography capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G represents the pinnacle of what the company currently offers in its phones. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the one for you if you really love taking amazing photos with your phone.

90 starsRead the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra testThe Samsung Galaxy S21 was available in three versions. The most powerful, but also the most expensive, is the Ultra version. This smartphone has a large 6.8-inch screen and an Exynos 2100 processor. On the photo side, we find ourselves with several rear sensors: a main sensor of 108 Mpx, an ultra wide-angle of 12 Mpx, a first telephoto x3 of 10 Mpx and a second telephoto x10 of 10 Mpx.

2. Cutting-edge technology at a more affordable price

Galaxy S21 FE

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The first S20 FE (seen below) seriously impressed us with its balance of performance and price, and the new S21 FE takes it a step further with a solid triple camera, big, vibrant display and the same processor as the S21. . Competition from Google's Pixel 6 is stiff, but if you're looking for a great Samsung phone and don't want to pay top dollar for the flagships, then the S21 FE is worth considering.

80 starsRead the test Samsung Galaxy S21 FESamsung's smartphone aims to offer the same experience as the S21 for €100 less.

3. A superb and affordable Galaxy experience

Galaxy S20 FE

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Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE came to replace it, you can still buy the S20 FE from last year. Its solid spec lineup and affordable price make it still worth considering in 2022. Especially if you can get it at a nice discount during the winter sale.

70 starsRead the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G testThe Samsung Galaxy S20 FE retains many of the elements that make the S20 range famous. This version benefits from a high-end technical configuration, a 120 Hz Super Amoled screen, and a 4500 mAh battery. All in all a very good model.

4. The versatile flagship

Galaxy S21 Plus 5G

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Unlike the Ultra version, the S21 Plus doesn't support the S Pen stylus, its screen is slightly smaller, and it doesn't have the top model's incredible zoom capabilities. However, this Samsung smartphone uses the same processor, has a solid battery and still offers 5G connectivity. Its lower price makes this phone a more affordable Samsung option than the Ultra, but you still get a premium flagship experience with the Gorilla Glass Victus coating that also equips the S21 Ultra.

87 starsRead the Samsung Galaxy S21+ reviewThe Samsung Galaxy S21+ is the larger format version of the S21. Its screen has a diagonal of 6.7 inches against 6.2 inches for the "standard" S21. Another differentiating element, the capacity of its battery of 4800 mAh against 4000 mAh.

5. The phone to upgrade without hesitation

Galaxy S21 5G

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The base Galaxy S21 is a very balanced formula. It doesn't have the zoom capabilities of the Ultra, but this smartphone can still take great images, has the same SoC and a vibrant display. In addition, it is 5G compatible.

88 starsRead the Samsung Galaxy S21 reviewThe Samsung Galaxy S21 is a premium smartphone. It has an FHD+ screen with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz as well as an Exynos 2100 processor. Of course, it is compatible with 5G, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1. The photo part is provided by a main sensor of 12 Mpx, a telephoto lens of 64 Mpx and an ultra wide-angle of 12 Mpx.

6. The most complete of the Note range

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G

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Samsung has made its Note series a technological showcase and the Note 20 Ultra is its most complete representative. It has a sublime screen, displays very good performance, supports 5G and has an incredible camera that seriously impressed us. The S-Pen stylus makes it ideal for note taking, which means this smartphone is a very solid option for the more professional among you who want a phone for work and play.

80 starsRead the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra testLaunched at 1309 euros, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra broadly takes up the technical data sheet of the S20, introduces new software features and comes with an improved S Pen.

7. The best folding phone

Galaxy Z Fold 3

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Samsung's first folding phone was a novel idea, but the latest generation, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, is much nicer to handle on a day-to-day basis. It's still a Samsung device that's basically a tablet that folds in half to become a phone, but it has an improved hinge, better specs across the board, 5G connectivity and a bigger screen on the outside which actually makes it usable as a phone. Folding smartphones might not be to everyone's taste and they certainly come at a premium, but the Z Fold 3 is the best one to buy.

81 starsRead the test Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3The third generation of Samsung's smartphone-tablet gains in solidity, practicality and efficiency. It is also becoming more accessible without being within reach of all budgets.

8. Samsung's smallest folding phone

Galaxy Z Flip 3

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If the Galaxy Fold is a tablet that folds in half to become a phone, the Z Flip is a phone that folds in half to become a smaller phone. When opened, this smartphone has a large screen of 6.7 inches, but by folding it in half, it becomes a small square that is easy to slip into a jeans or jacket pocket. We like its neat design, as well as its decent specs and 5G connectivity. It's a more affordable option than the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

81 starsRead the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 testSamsung has thought out its Galaxy Z Flip 3 well. The body, the hinge and the screen are made of materials that make the smartphone more solid without forgetting that it is now waterproof. A larger secondary screen, a quality main screen and an improved software part put the Z Flip 3 on par with most other $1,000 phones. This does not mean that the device is not free from any defects. The battery life is weak, the crease on the inner screen is still there, the smartphone is not dust resistant and its long-term durability is unknown.

9. 5G for a more modest budget

Galaxy A52 5G

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Samsung's Galaxy A52 5G sits at the top of Samsung's more affordable A-series phones. It has a large 6.5-inch display, 6GB of RAM, a multiple rear camera setup (including a 64-megapixel main sensor, ultra-wide-angle and macro), and 5G. This is a budget option that offers a solid spec sheet for a much more affordable price than the S21s.

82 starsRead the test Samsung Galaxy A52 5G We were expecting it at the turn and Samsung's new formula does not disappoint us by making good progress in key areas. The Galaxy A52 5G sports a sublime 120 Hz OLED screen, incorporates a faster processor and delivers a more accomplished photo performance. All this pretty little world cohabits within a chassis with quality finishes.

10. Affordable, 5G and a big screen

Galaxy A42 5G

Samsung

The Galaxy A42 5G sits just below the A52, offers less RAM, loses the macro lens, and has a lower definition front camera. It still has 5G connectivity, a bigger battery and a slightly bigger screen, which could make it an affordable Samsung smartphone for those of you who watch a lot of videos on the go.

70 starsRead the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G reviewThe Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is, as its name suggests, a 5G-compatible smartphone. Positioned in the mid-range, this large format terminal offers solid characteristics. We note in particular its 6.6-inch Super AMOLED screen, its Snapdragon 750G SoC and its 5000 mAh battery.

11. Samsung's cheapest 5G phone

Galaxy A32 5G

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If 5G is your priority but you don't want to spend a lot of money, Samsung's Galaxy A32 5G is the one you should buy. Its price makes it one of the cheapest 5G-enabled phones out there right now, but it also lets you get a large 6.5-inch screen and a versatile photo part. It doesn't technically rival the S21 range, but it's good value for money.

65 starsRead the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G reviewThe spec sheet of the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is quite disconcerting. The 5G smartphone from the South Korean firm actually opts for an HD+ LCD panel. This is apparently the price to pay to enjoy 5G at a lower cost. We nevertheless appreciate its 5000 mAh battery and its 128 GB storage space.

12. The cheapest Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Galaxy A12

Samsung

The Galaxy A12 is the cheapest phone sold by Samsung and it's the one to consider for those of you who just want a smartphone for all life's essentials. It's not 5G-capable, but has quad rear cameras, a 6.5-inch screen, and a large 5,000mAh battery that should easily deliver a full day of battery life.

Samsung Galaxy A12 The Samsung Galaxy A12 is the second most affordable smartphone in the A range. It benefits from a large 6.5-inch IPS HD+ screen, a huge 5000 mAh battery (15 W fast charge compatible) and a quadruple rear photo sensor. The device runs on a Mediatek Helio P35 processor and 4GB of RAM; a limited configuration in short.

CNET.com article adapted by CNET France

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