Alternative Samsung Phones to Consider
If a Samsung device isn’t mentioned in this guide, it may be due to its limited accessibility in the US, making it challenging to evaluate. Nevertheless, here are several other Samsung phones we’ve assessed.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra for $2,100: An upgrade from the Z Fold7, the Z Fold8 Ultra is designed for foldable phone aficionados willing to pay for excellence. Its book-style layout features a 6.5-inch cover display and unfolds to reveal an 8-inch tablet-sized screen with a less prominent crease and improved hinge durability. It provides top-notch performance, extended battery life, and features Samsung’s best camera in a folding format, boasting a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens.
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE for $700: The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is a capable phone providing robust battery life, a large display, and a dependable triple-camera system; however, the added $100 over the nearly identical S25 FE is hard to rationalize. The only significant enhancement is a marginally better processor, while Samsung even downgraded the USB-C port to USB 2.0 in the S26 FE. You might be better off choosing the S25 FE while it’s still available.
Z Fold7 for $2,000 or Z Flip7 for $1,100: For a Samsung foldable that’s budget-friendly, consider the 2025 Galaxy Z Fold7 or Galaxy Z Flip7, particularly if available at a discount. The Fold7 is marginally thicker, features a more prominent screen crease, and has average battery life, but the differences from the Fold8 Ultra are not significant. Likewise, the Flip7 only has slight variations compared to the Flip8, which includes minor hinge upgrades, a more refined design, a more efficient processor, and enhanced software for the external display.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for $1,300: Have you ever desired an exceptionally slim and lightweight phone? The Galaxy S25 Edge attempts to fulfill that need with its 5.8-mm thickness, sacrificing certain features like a stylus, a telephoto camera, and battery size for its sleek profile. While the thin design is striking, its 3,900-mAh battery life is short-lived – regular charging was essential. Nonetheless, if you are often near a power source and lean toward a slender design, it may suit you.
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G for $249: On paper, the Galaxy A17 seems to provide excellent value, featuring six years of software updates, an AMOLED display, expandable memory, and a decent camera; however, its performance is curtailed by the 4 GB RAM in the US variant. The insufficient RAM leads to a less stable user experience, making it inadequate for urgent needs. If your needs are minimal, it could be a viable choice.
If saving money is your aim, the Galaxy S24 series from 2024 may be worthwhile, provided their prices are significantly reduced from the original retail values. These products will continue to receive support and remain relevant. Older models are not advised.
Investing in Samsung’s Ecosystem
Samsung provides an ecosystem comparable to Apple, with hardware that includes smartphones, the <a href="https://cna.st/affiliate-link/HJ99Tbj4dgEhtDLnr