Best Samsung Phones of 2026: S26 Ultra, Foldables & Budget Picks

The Best Samsung Phones of 2026: Tested and Reviewed

Samsung’s Galaxy lineup has become as much a fixture of our digital lives as overflowing inboxes and the endless rotation of streaming subscriptions. But as we settle into 2026, navigating the "Galaxy" feels less like a simple shopping trip and more like a deep-space mission. With a roster that expands every season, finding the right device—whether for yourself or as a high-stakes gift—requires cutting through a thick cloud of marketing buzzwords.

As someone who has spent the last few months stress-testing everything from the titanium-clad flagships to the plastic-backed budget heroes, I can tell you that Samsung has reached a fascinating tipping point. We’re finally seeing a shift where raw specs like gigahertz and megapixels are taking a backseat to Galaxy AI—tools that actually change how you use your phone daily. Here is the definitive guide to the Samsung landscape in 2026.

The Unquestionable King: Galaxy S26 Ultra

Best For: Power users, professional mobile photographers, and anyone who refuses to compromise on battery life or screen real estate.

If you’re the type of person who wants the absolute ceiling of what a smartphone can do, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is your destination. This year, the Ultra isn't just a phone; it's a statement. The headline feature for 2026 is the Generative Edit 3.0 suite, which allows you to literally move the sun in your photos or remove entire crowds with frighteningly realistic results.

The hardware remains best-in-class. You’re getting a 200-megapixel main sensor that now uses AI-driven "Deep Fusion" to pull detail out of shadows that would have been a grainy mess last year. The S Pen is still tucked into the bottom, and while it might seem like a niche tool, its new handwriting-to-spreadsheet AI feature is a genuine lifesaver for anyone working on the go.

The real talk: It’s a massive phone. If you have smaller hands or prefer a pocket-friendly device, the Ultra will feel like carrying a small brick. But for those who treat their phone as a primary computer, it’s unparalleled. You’re paying a premium for the titanium frame and that periscope zoom lens, so make sure you (or your giftee) are actually going to use the 100x zoom before dropping the cash.

The Foldable Frontier: Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7

Best For: The Z Fold 7 is for the multitasking executive; the Z Flip 7 is for the trendsetter who misses the era of satisfyingly snapping a phone shut.

Samsung’s foldables have officially moved past the "experimental" phase. The Z Fold 7 has finally shed the bulk of its predecessors, feeling almost as thin as a standard S26 when closed. It’s the ultimate productivity machine, especially with the 2026 update to "Circle to Search," which now lets you drag information directly from a search result into a split-screen email or document.

Then there’s the Z Flip 7. It remains the most "fun" phone Samsung makes. The outer cover screen is now a fully functional mini-display, allowing you to reply to texts with full AI-generated summaries without ever unfolding the device.

My take: Foldables are more durable than ever, but they still require a bit of grace. If you work in a dusty environment or are notoriously rough on your gear, the moving parts might still give you pause. However, as a gift for the person who already has every gadget, a Z Flip 7 in one of the new matte pastel finishes is an easy win.

The Sweet Spot: Galaxy S26 and S26+

Best For: The 90 percent of users who want a flagship experience without the "Ultra" price tag or the foldable learning curve.

This is where the most sensible decisions are made. The standard Galaxy S26 and its larger sibling, the S26+, are the reliable workhorses of the family. However, the gap between the two has widened slightly in 2026, making the choice more important than it used to be.

The S26+ is no longer just a "bigger S26." It now boasts a significantly upgraded cooling system and a 4,900mAh battery that consistently outlasts the base model by three to four hours. More importantly, the S26+ shares the Ultra’s upgraded 50MP telephoto lens, whereas the standard S26 sticks with a more modest 10MP zoom.

If you prefer a phone you can actually use with one hand, the base S26 is a pocketable dream. But if you spend your day watching videos or gaming, the extra screen real estate and battery longevity of the S26+ make it the true "sweet spot" for 2026. They both feature the new "Live Translate 2.0," which handles face-to-face conversations in 20 languages with almost zero lag—a must-have for summer travel.

The Budget Heroes: Galaxy A57 and A37

Best For: Students, seniors, and anyone who realizes that spending four figures on a phone is, frankly, unnecessary.

The Galaxy A series is where Samsung quietly dominates. The Galaxy A57 is, in my opinion, the best value in tech right now. It mimics the look of the S26 so closely that most people won't know the difference, and it features a gorgeous 120Hz OLED screen that puts other budget phones to shame.

The trade-offs are specific: you lose the wireless charging and the most advanced AI photo-editing features. The processor is plenty fast for Instagram, TikTok, and casual gaming, but it will stutter if you try to edit 4K video.

Then there’s the Galaxy A37. This is the "two-day battery" king. It’s built with a slightly thicker chassis to accommodate a massive battery and uses a more power-efficient screen. It’s the perfect device for a student who forgets to plug in their phone or a grandparent who just wants a reliable tool for video calls and clear photos of the grandkids.

What Really Matters in 2026

When you’re standing in the aisle (or staring at your cart), ignore the megapixel counts for a second and ask yourself these four questions:

How long do I plan to keep this? Samsung now promises seven years of security and OS updates for the S-series. If you’re a "keep it until it dies" person, the S26 or S26+ is a better investment than the A-series.

Do I actually care about AI? If features like real-time meeting summaries and generative photo editing sound like magic to you, stick with the S26 series or the Z Fold 7. The budget A-series gets a "lite" version of these tools that isn't nearly as capable.

How much does size matter? The S26 Ultra and Z Fold 7 are huge. The S26 and Z Flip 7 are tiny. The S26+ and A57 sit in that "just right" middle ground.

What’s the true budget? Don’t forget to factor in a case and a charger (which are still sold separately). Often, stepping down from an S26+ to a well-specced A57 allows you to afford the Galaxy Buds or a Watch 7 to complete the ecosystem.

Samsung’s 2026 lineup is its most diverse yet. My advice? Don’t buy more phone than you need. The Ultra is a marvel, but for most of us, the refined S26+ or the surprisingly capable A57 offers everything we actually use on a Tuesday afternoon. Choose the tool that fits your life, not the one that fits the loudest commercial.