Best Samsung phones 2020: finding the right Galaxy for you

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The best Samsung phones consistently rank among the very best Android handsets – as well as being major rivals to the best iPhones, so it’s no wonder that the name Samsung is almost synonymous with Android.

Recent highlights include the Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, all of which you’ll find in our ranking below, among other Samsung phones.

They’re high-end handsets, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to get one of the best Samsung phones, as other entries include the likes of the Samsung Galaxy A80 and Samsung Galaxy S10e, both of which are rather more mid-range.

For each entry in our list you’ll find a complete specs list, along with the key pros and cons, an overview, and a link to our full review, so there should be everything you need to know about each phone.

And make sure to check back often, as Samsung is always releasing new phones and many of them are potential additions to this list. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip for example may well make an appearance once we’ve put it through a full review, and both the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 range and Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 are on the horizon.

But for now, ranked from best to worst (of the best), here are the very best Samsung phones you can buy.

Best Samsung phones 2020 at a glance:Samsung Galaxy S20 PlusSamsung Galaxy S20Samsung Galaxy Note 10 PlusSamsung Galaxy Note 10Samsung Galaxy S20 UltraSamsung Galaxy S10 PlusSamsung Galaxy S10Samsung Galaxy S10eSamsung Galaxy Note 9Samsung Galaxy S9 PlusSamsung Galaxy FoldSamsung Galaxy A80Best Samsung phones 2020

(Image credit: Future)1. Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is just right

Release date: March 2020 | Weight: 186g | Dimensions: 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8mm | OS: Android 10 | Screen size: 6.7-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 3200 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 / Exynos 990 | RAM: 8GB/12GB | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB | Battery: 4,500mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 64MP + 12MP + ToF 3D | Front camera: 10MP

Powerful yet sleek

Much-improved zoom

Ever-higher price

Improvements are mostly iterative

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus currently tops our rank of the best Samsung phones available, though its reign might be short-lived, as at the time of writing we’re yet to deliver our final verdict on the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Regardless, this is an absolutely fantastic phone. The design isn’t massively changed from the Galaxy S10 Plus, but most other elements have been upgraded. The screen now has a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, it packs a more powerful chipset, and its cameras have had a big boost.

The most exciting lens is its 64MP telephoto one, facilitating a 3x hybrid optical zoom, but there are also 12MP main and 12MP ultra-wide ones, as well as a depth sensor.

Add in a massive 4,500mAh battery, 5G support, and all the things you expect from a Samsung flagship – like water resistance and an in-screen fingerprint scanner – and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is clearly one of the very best phones from any company, not just the South Korean giant.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus review

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(Image credit: Future)2. Samsung Galaxy S20

The most one-hand-friendly version of Samsung’s flagship

Release date: March 2020 | Weight: 163g | Dimensions: 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9mm | OS: Android 10 | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 3200 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 / Exynos 990 | RAM: 8GB/12GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 4,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 64MP + 12MP | Front camera: 10MP

Good camera upgrade

Samsung’s best display yet

Quite expensive

Lowest spec in the range

While slightly less exciting than the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus and S20 Ultra, the standard Galaxy S20 has a lower price going for it, as well as a more pocket-friendly size.

Though at 6.2 inches this is still far from a small phone, and with a QHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and one of the best quality AMOLED screens yet put on a phone, the display is worth shouting about.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 also has an impressive camera setup, headlined by a 64MP telephoto sensor, which is joined by a 12MP main and 12MP ultra-wide one – so it misses out only on the S20 Plus’s depth sensor.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 is also available in a 5G flavor, has a large 4,000mAh battery, and top-end power, thanks to either a Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 chipset (depending on where in the world you buy it).

Read our Samsung Galaxy S20 review

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(Image credit: Future)3. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

This is a top Samsung phablet

Release date: August 2019 | Weight: 196g | Dimensions: 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.8-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 3040 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825 | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB | Battery: 4,300mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 16MP + ToF 3D | Front camera: 10MP

Handy S Pen stylus

The best screen on a smartphone

Supremely expensive

Camera isn’t ‘the best’

If you’re looking for the best Samsung phone to come with a stylus, the latest Galaxy Note flagship is just that. It comes with a massive screen, powerful processor, and four rear cameras.

The highlight of this device is the aforementioned S Pen, a stylus that helps you do loads with your device. It isn’t just used for drawing and taking notes; a range of gesture controls help you get the most out of your handset.

Yes, the phone is expensive (prohibitively so, to some), but every penny you pay goes straight into one of the best Samsung phones about, and one of the best handsets full stop.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review

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(Image credit: Future)4. Samsung Galaxy Note 10

The second best S Pen option

Release date: August 2019 | Weight: 168g | Dimensions: 151 x 71.8 x 7.9mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.3-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2280 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Battery: 3,500mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 16MP | Front camera: 10MP

Easier to hold than previous Notes

Great video recording

Mediocre battery life

Only a Full HD display

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 isn’t quite as high on this list as the Note 10 Plus, and that’s because of a few problems we had with it, like a battery life that left us wanting more.

However, the Galaxy Note 10 is still an impressive smartphone, and it’s a lot more affordable than the Note 10 Plus.

So if you’re looking for a great new smartphone that combines impressive processing power, great video recording hardware, and the S Pen stylus for note-taking, doodling and drawing, then the Note 10 could be that handset.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review

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(Image credit: Future)5. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

The ultimate flagship – at an ultimate price

Release date: March 2020 | Weight: 166g | Dimensions: 166.9 x 76 x 8.8mm | OS: Android 10 | Screen size: 6.9-inch | Resolution: 3200 x 1440 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 | RAM: 12/16GB | Storage: 128/512GB | Battery: 5,000mAh | Rear camera: 108MP + 48MP + 12MP + ToF 3D | Front camera: 40MP

Best specs of 2020, period

5x optical, 100x digital ‘Space Zoom’

Enormous 6.9-inch display

Very expensive

Extras not worth price bump

Space Zoom dubious worth

If money were no object then the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra would rank higher on this list, as in many ways it’s the best Samsung phone you can buy.

It has a massive 6.9-inch 1440 x 3200 screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, plus a quad-lens camera, headlined by a 108MP main sensor, and also featuring a 48MP periscope zoom one capable of up to 100x digital zoom.

It also of course has the same top-end chipset as the rest of the Galaxy S20 range, coupled with up to 16GB of RAM – which is more than the other two models.

So you get a bigger screen, more power, an arguably higher spec (though inconsistent) camera, and a massive 5,000mAh battery, but the price – and size – will prove impractical for many.

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Image credit: TechRadar 6. Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus

A still-great Samsung flagship

Release date: February 2019 | Weight: 175g | Dimensions: 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.4-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 3040 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820 | RAM: 8/12GB | Storage: 128GB/512GB/1TB | Battery: 4,100mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 16MP | Front camera: 10MP + 8MP

Excellent screen-to-body ratio

In-screen fingerprint sensor

Sizable price hike

Slippery design

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus spent a long time at the top of this list, and with good reason.

It’s a big upgrade over the previous year’s model, with a newer all-screen design, enabled by Samsung ditching bezels in favor of a punch-hole camera. Speaking of the camera, you get three on the back and two on the front, making this a very versatile camera phone.

The fingerprint scanner is in the screen, which is far more ideal than it being on the back as was the case with the S9 range, and there’s a big 4,100mAh battery, which gives the Galaxy S10 Plus a lot of life. So much so you might even consider using its Wireless PowerShare feature to juice up other devices with it.

The Galaxy S10 Plus also has a big 6.4-inch screen and all the power you’d expect from a 2019 flagship.

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Image Credit: TechRadar 7. Samsung Galaxy S10

Similar to the S10 Plus, but smaller

Release date: February 2019 | Weight: 157g | Dimensions: 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 3040 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB/512GB | Battery: 3,400mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 16MP | Front camera: 10MP

In-screen fingerprint sensor

Wireless PowerShare feature

Another price hike

Not the best camera

Samsung’s Galaxy S10 is largely similar to its plus-sized sibling, just a slight downgrade and slightly more compact.

You miss a few features by opting for the S10 over the Plus, but if you’re looking to save a little money it’s still going to offer the core highlights, such as that Infinity-O screen, the slick design and high-end internals.

The fingerprint scanner is also in the screen on the Galaxy S10, plus it looks gorgeous with an incredible 550 pixels per inch on this model. You’ve got a variety of color options, plus there’s the choice of either 128GB or 512GB depending on how much space you’ll need.

The battery life on the standard S10 isn’t as great as it is on the Plus, but it’s not something to turn your nose up at as it can still easily survive a full day of use.

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(Image credit: TechRadar)8. Samsung Galaxy S10e

Release date: March 2019 | Weight: 150g | Dimensions: 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2280 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820 | RAM: 6/8GB | Storage: 128/256GB | Battery: 3,100mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 16MP | Front camera: 10MP

Superb camera for price

Easy to use in one hand

No in-screen scanner

Thicker than the S10

Fancy an S10 but don’t want to spend lots of money? Samsung has you covered with its more affordable Galaxy S10e, which is a new addition to the company’s range of flagship phones for 2019.

The S10e loses a lot of the top-end features you’ll find on the two S10 products above in this list such as the in-screen scanner or high-res display, but it has a slick design for its lower price.

There’s a dual rear camera that can take some impressive shots considering the price of this handset, plus you’ll be sporting a top-end chipset inside alongside either 6GB or 8GB of RAM.

Overall, the Galaxy S10e isn’t anywhere near as impressive as the other two parts of the S10 range but if you’re not looking to spend lots of money, this is one of the best Samsung phones for you.

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Image credit: TechRadar 9. Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Big screen, bigger battery, a top Samsung phone

Release date: August 2018 | Weight: 205g | Dimensions: 162 x 76.4 x 9mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.4-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810 | RAM: 6/8GB | Storage: 128/512GB (up to 1TB with card) | Battery: 4,000mAh | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 8MP

 Improved battery life 

 Gorgeous display 

 Very expensive 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 isn’t just one of the better Samsung phones you can buy today, it’s one of the better phones, period. It’s an expensive device, sure, but cheaper than it once was

Its key selling point this time around is the unique S Pen, which no longer requires a charge. Not only will you be able to do normal stylus-like things with the new S Pen, you’ll also be able to use it to take selfies remotely, giving you shots you otherwise would be incapable of getting. 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is also one of the best camera phones in Samsung’s lineup, with a camera that easily outshines much of the competition. 

That’s on top of the improved cooling and battery life compared to its predecessor, which will see this jumbo device last you through most of the day without burning a hole through your pocket – even if the price does.

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review  

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Image credit: TechRadar 10. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Still a great Samsung phone

Release date: March 2018 | Weight: 189g | Dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Battery: 3,500mAh | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 8MP

Great dual-aperture camera

Impressive screen

Pricey

Not all that different to S8 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is big, in fact its 6.2-inch screen would make it very big, were it not for the almost complete absence of bezel and the curved edges, which ensure it’s actually quite manageable in the hand. The screen is one of the best around too – it’s sharp and sports great colors.

The Galaxy S9 Plus also stands out through its dual 12MP cameras, one of which is a dual-aperture one, meaning it can switch between f/1.5 for dark scenes and f/2.4 for everything else.

Other highlights include impressive stereo speakers and a big 3,500mAh battery. There’s flagship power too of course, and all the bells and whistles that tend to go with that, like a stylish metal and glass build, water resistance, wireless charging and various biometric security options, including a fingerprint scanner, an iris scanner and a face scanner.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review

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(Image credit: Future)11. Samsung Galaxy Fold

The most forward-thinking phone you shouldn’t buy

Release date: September 2019 | Weight: 263g | Dimensions: 160.9 x 117.9 x 6.9mm (unfolded) | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 7.3 and 4.6-inch | Resolution: 1536 x 2152 and 720 x 1680 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 512GB | Battery: 4,380mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 16MP | Front camera: 10MP + 8MP + 10MP cover camera

Supremely cool form factor

Gaming taken to the next level

Outrageously expensive

Vulnerable plastic screen

The Samsung Galaxy Fold is Samsung’s most ambitious and arguably exciting handset yet. It’s also the company’s most expensive and arguably impractical.

Its 7.3-inch folding screen is sure to wow literally everyone who sees it, and it means you basically have a phone and tablet all in one.

It also has a pin-sharp resolution, a small secondary display for when the main screen is closed, and flagship specs, including a high-end Snapdragon 855 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and six cameras (three on the back, two on the front, and one on the ‘cover’).

In other words this is about as flagship as flagships get, as well as being the best choice at the time of writing if you want a foldable phone.

But that’s a big if – the screen is even more delicate than most, and that price tag puts it out of reach for most buyers. The Galaxy Fold is certainly impressive, which is why it’s on this list, but it’s also certainly aimed at early adopters with lots of money to burn.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Fold review

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(Image credit: Future)12. Samsung Galaxy A80

Samsung’s best affordable smartphone so far

Release date: May 2019 | Weight: 220g | Dimensions: 165.2 x 76.5 x 9.3mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.7-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2400 | CPU: Snapdragon 730 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 3,700mAh | Rear camera: 48MP, 8MP, ToF 3D camera | Front camera: Same as rear

Novel pop-up spinning camera

High quality screen

Fast charging is speedy

Slow to use

Camera is OK, not great

Unreliable data connection

Samsung’s premium Note and S-series aren’t its only good phones, as it has the Galaxy A devices that provide toned-down specs at lower prices. However A phones are also Samsung’s testing grounds for more novel ideas, and that’s exactly what the Samsung Galaxy A80 is, with its cameras.

When you want to take a selfie on the Samsung Galaxy A80, which has no front-facing camera (in order to make way for a full screen with no complications), a panel housing the device’s rear cameras pops up and spins around, which is a quirky and fun gimmick.

There’s more to the phone than its cameras though, with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display and impressive charging speed, making it a decent option for people who don’t need one of Samsung’s premium devices.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A80 review

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