Best Samsung Galaxy Phones of 2026
The Galaxy S26 ($849.99 on sale) is the best Samsung phone for most people. The S26 Ultra adds the S Pen and 5x zoom, the Z Fold8 is WIRED’s favorite foldable, and the A37 is the budget pick.
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Quick answer
The Galaxy S26 ($849.99 on sale) is the best Samsung phone for most people. The S26 Ultra adds the S Pen and 5x zoom, the Z Fold8 is WIRED’s favorite foldable, and the A37 is the budget pick. Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S26, $849.99. Best big-screen S26: Samsung Galaxy S26+, $999.99. Best upgrade: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, $1,149.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Samsung Galaxy S26 | most people | $849.99 sale; $999.99 list |
| Best big-screen S26 | Samsung Galaxy S26+ | a bigger screen | $999.99 sale; $1,199.99 list |
| Best upgrade | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | the best camera and S Pen | $1,149.99 sale; $1,399.99 list |
| Best foldable | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 | a foldable | $1,699.99 sale; $1,899.99 list |
| Best budget | Samsung Galaxy A37 5G | a cheap Samsung | $439.99 sale; $489.99 list |
This guide draws on WIRED’s[1] Samsung phone guide (September 2026) and prices from Samsung.com, checked October 27, 2026. Samsung raised S26 list prices on October 1, but its own store had most models on sale. For Pixel alternatives, see best Android phones.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Phone | List price | Screen | Samsung sale price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 | $999.99 | 6.3-inch | $849.99 |
| Galaxy S26+ | $1,199.99 | 6.7-inch | $999.99 |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | $1,399.99 | 6.9-inch, S Pen | $1,149.99 |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | $1,899.99 | 7.6-inch inner, 5.5-inch cover | $1,699.99 |
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | $1,199.99 | 4.1-inch cover | $1,049.99 |
| Galaxy S26 FE | $699.99 (128GB) | — | — |
| Galaxy A57 5G | $599.99 | — | — (out of stock) |
| Galaxy A37 5G | $489.99 | — | $439.99 |
The picks in detail
1. Samsung Galaxy S26
Best for: most peopleWIRED’s[1] top pick is the S26 series. The S26 has a 6.3-inch 120Hz screen, a triple camera with 3x zoom and 256GB of base storage, and the S26 line gets seven years of updates. Samsung’s list price is $999.99, but it was $849.99 on Samsung.com on October 27. Compare it in Galaxy S26 vs Pixel 11 and iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S26.
Price (Oct 2026): $849.99 sale; $999.99 list Source
Pros
- Compact 6.3-inch size
- 3x telephoto
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- Little new over the S25, per WIRED
- $100 list increase
2. Samsung Galaxy S26+
Best for: a bigger screenThe S26+ has the same features in a 6.7-inch size. WIRED[1] says you’re mostly choosing a size. It lists at $1,199.99 and was $999.99 at Samsung.
Price (Oct 2026): $999.99 sale; $1,199.99 list Source
Pros
- 6.7-inch screen
- Bigger battery than the S26
Cons
- Close to Ultra pricing on sale
3. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best for: the best camera and S PenWIRED’s[1] upgrade pick has a 6.9-inch screen with Samsung’s new Privacy Display, a built-in S Pen and a 200MP main camera with 3x and 5x telephotos. It lists at $1,399.99 and was $1,149.99 at Samsung on October 27. See Pixel 11 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,149.99 sale; $1,399.99 list Source
Pros
- Privacy Display
- S Pen included
- 3x and 5x zoom
Cons
- Large 6.9-inch size
- Highest S26 price
4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Best for: a foldableWIRED’s[1] favorite foldable has a new shorter, wider shape with a 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. WIRED misses a telephoto lens. It lists at $1,899.99 and was $1,699.99 at Samsung. The Fold8 Ultra starts at $2,099.99 list.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,699.99 sale; $1,899.99 list Source
Pros
- Wider shape is easier to use
- Big inner screen
Cons
- No telephoto
- Very expensive
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8
Best for: a phone that folds smallWIRED[1] says the Z Flip8 is slimmer, lighter and has better battery life than the Flip7, with a more useful 4.1-inch cover screen, but it costs $100 more. It lists at $1,199.99 and was $1,049.99 at Samsung.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,049.99 sale; $1,199.99 list Source
Pros
- Folds into small pockets
- Better battery than the Flip7
Cons
- $100 price increase
6. Samsung Galaxy A37 5G
Best for: a cheap SamsungWIRED’s[1] budget pick has an IP68 rating, great battery life and a big screen, but a plastic frame, a limited processor and 6GB of RAM. WIRED says most people may be better off with a Pixel 10a. It was $439.99 at Samsung ($489.99 list). See Galaxy A37 vs Pixel 10a.
Price (Oct 2026): $439.99 sale; $489.99 list Source
Pros
- IP68
- Great battery life
Cons
- Slow processor
- Plastic frame
Also considered
Galaxy S26 FE: $699.99 at Samsung for 128GB, released September 2026, with seven years of updates. See Galaxy S26 FE vs Galaxy A57.
Galaxy A57 5G: $599.99 at Samsung but out of stock on Oct 27. See Galaxy A57 vs Galaxy A37.
How long Samsung supports its phones
WIRED[1] says the S26 series, S26 FE, Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 get seven years of updates, and A-series phones from the A16 up get six years.
When to buy
Samsung launches the S series early in the year, A-series phones in the spring, foldables in the summer and FE phones in the fall. Sales are frequent, so check Samsung.com before paying list price. For cheaper Android options, see best Android phones under $300.
Who should skip this guide
Skip this Samsung-only list if you want the best phone overall across brands—see best Android phones. Skip if you need a foldable-first shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Samsung phone?
Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra worth it?
What is the cheapest good Samsung phone?
How many years of updates do Samsung phones get?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- WIRED: The best Samsung phones (Sept 2026) (wired.com)
- Samsung: Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 FE buy page (samsung.com)
- Samsung: Galaxy S26 Ultra buy page (samsung.com)
- Samsung: Galaxy Z Fold8 buy page (samsung.com)
- Samsung: Galaxy A37 5G buy page (samsung.com)
Related
Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Ultra adds a 200MP f/1.4 main camera, a 50MP 5x telephoto with 100x Space Zoom, the S Pen, the world’s first built-in Privacy Display, a bigger battery and 60W charging. The S26 is 47g lighter, much smaller and $400 cheaper.
comparisoniPhone Duo vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
The iPhone Duo lasts longer, is rated IP68 and has the faster chip, but it’s heavier and starts $100 higher. The Galaxy Z Fold8 is lighter, often on sale for $1,699.99, and runs Android.
best ofBest Folding Phones of 2026
Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, is PCMag’s top pick at $1,999. On Android, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is the best book-style foldable, and the $799.99 Motorola Razr is the most affordable.
best ofBest Android Phones of 2026
The Pixel 11 is the best Android phone for most people, and it’s often $150 off at Best Buy. Get the S26 Ultra for the biggest screen and S Pen, or the Pixel 10a to save money.
best ofBest Phones of 2026
The iPhone 17 and Pixel 11 both start at $899 and are the best flagship values. Spend more for zoom, or less with the $599 Pixel 10a.
comparisonSamsung Galaxy S26 vs Google Pixel 11
Pick the Pixel 11 for camera-first simplicity and the Galaxy S26 for Samsung’s display features and DeX-class versatility.
comparisoniPhone 18 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Two flagship camera phones in different ecosystems. Ultra leans on zoom and S Pen; iPhone 18 Pro leans on Apple’s camera stack and continuity.
comparisonGalaxy S26 FE vs Galaxy A57
Buy the Galaxy S26 FE while it is $599.99: it adds a 3x telephoto, 15W wireless charging and a faster Exynos 2500 for the same money as the A57's list price. Buy the A57 only if you find it well below that.