The largest phone manufacturer in the world is not just that. It makes amazing phones with outstanding hardware design and reliable software. The phones from flagships to $100 budget phones are still worth buying today. The current favorite is the S22 Plus, which is the best phone in the world today. First, consider the phones that are cheap and foldable.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

Even though it isn't very small, the S22+ has a lot to offer, even though it is the same price as its predecessor. The curved glass back has been replaced with a flat one, which could make the S22 the best-looking of them all. The larger screen has a 120Hz refresh rate so you get smooth interactions for everything from browsing to gaming.

You get the latest internal hardware in the form of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Chipset with Sub 6 and 5G as standard. The base version of the device has 8 gigabytes of RAM and 128 gigabytes of storage. You get reliable cameras, decent battery life, and all of the extras you care about, such as 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

The software is the best part of the S22+, it will have monthly security updates, four guaranteed version updates, and five years of patches. The fact that the S22+ gets more platform updates than the Pixel 6 Pro makes it stand out from the crowd. This is the best phone that the company has ever made. It costs less than the S22 Ultra, but you get the same powerful chip. It has a better battery life than the S22, its cheaper counterpart. The S22+ is the best phone of them all and it's free.

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Best flagship: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra burgundy colorway

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

If you want a flagship with all the bells and whistles, the obvious choice would be the S22 Ultra. The S22 Ultra features a 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED screen with a dynamic refresh that scales from 1 to 120Hz and samples touch at a rate of up to 120 frames per second.

The latest cameras include an upgraded108MP primary lens, two zoom lens that deliver 10x and 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle shooter. The S22 Ultra has camera upgrades over the S21 series. Just like the S22+, it starts at the same price.

The S Pen can be stored and carried inside the phone, thanks to a newly-added space. The device is powered by the latest version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Chipset. The 5,000mAh battery lasts more than a day, and the new design is striking.

You don't have to worry about running out of storage with the base version of the phone having 128GB of storage. The S22 Ultra is a flagship worthy of the name. If you are looking for a flagship, you cannot go wrong here.

Best value flagship: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

One of the best phones you can buy even a year after its release is the S21 FE. The phone offers most of the same features as last year's S21, but the fact that it is unlocked for $700 or less makes it a great value.

You can also get 5G with the S21 FE because it is powered by the same chip as the S21 series. It has the same excellent screen and has a 120Hz refresh rate. It has the same 12MP primary sensor as the regular S21, so you get the same great caliber of photos in any lighting condition.

All of the extras have not been removed. The S21 FE has dust and water resistance, 15W wireless charging, and even 5W reverse wireless charging. The battery lasts all day without any issues, and there is 25W wired charging as well.

The OneUI 4 out of the box is what the S21 FE has. The phone has a plastic back, but the texture masks its plastic build, which is the only downside. If you want to save money, you can pick up the S21 FE instead of the regular S21. Some may choose the S21 FE over the S22

Best for productivity: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Taking notes with the S Pen on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Source: Nick Sutrich / Android Central (Image credit: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

The future can be unlocked.

There is evidence that foldables are going mainstream. There are several refinements that make the latest foldable stand out a lot more than the previous one.

The Z Fold 3 picks up IPX8 water resistance and has a more durable design thanks to a new aluminum alloy body. Because the Z Fold 3 is launching in lieu of the Note series, you can use the stylus with the device just as you would a phone in the Note portfolio.

The new plastic layer on the screen is thinner, more durable, and mimics the feel of glass, so you will feel like you are using a regular phone when interacting with it. That has been a big issue with previous foldables, so it's a huge deal for them to fix it.

There are a lot of changes on the hardware front. The Z Fold 3 has a robust internal hardware system in the form of the Snapdragon 888, and you get 120Hz AMOLED panels for the inner and outer screens, ensuring smooth visuals in daily use. The Z Fold 3 has better photos thanks to better software tuning, and you can get 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage as standard.

You can update OneUI 3.1 to OneUI 4/Android 12 right away from the box, if you choose to do so. The device will get four years of security updates. The upgrade to the OneUI6 and OneUI5 will be left out since the update to the Android 12 has already been released.

It is less expensive than the Z Fold 2 but still more expensive than the S21. It has been significantly discounted in recent months, and with the right trade-in deal, you may be able to get one for the same price as a regular flagship.

Best foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 in hand, unfolded

Source: Nick Sutrich / Android Central (Image credit: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)

One of the most intriguing phones is the Z flip 3. There is a plastic cover for the screen that feels like it is interacting with a glass panel, and the device is resistant to water.

Compared to the Z flip, it received a lot of interesting changes to the front. The larger cover screen makes it more useful for viewing incoming calls and notifications. The phone has the same hardware as last year&s S21+, with a 120Hz screen, great cameras, and the latest internal hardware.

The Z Flip 3 is one of the most compact devices you can find today, because of the unique design and the fact that you can always fold it out to access the sizeable inner screen. The device's battery is small and barely lasts a day with a full charge.

If you trade in a cheap or older phone for the Z Flip 3, you can get one for free or a major discount.

Best for Note fans: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

(Image credit: Daniel Bader / Android Central)

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The best phone for Note fans.

If you are looking for a high-end phone with a large screen, this should be the one for you. The phone has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel, and it is powered by the Snapdragon 865+ Chipset. The standard amount of RAM is 12 gigabytes, with storage options from 128 to 512 gigabytes.

If you want one of the largest phones in the market, the Note 20 Ultra is the phone to get. The large screen is ideal for watching videos. The 120Hz AMOLED panel has outstanding colors, and you can get stereo sound with it.

The stylus is next. The Note 20 Ultra has a lot to like about it, if you are used to using a stylus on earlier Note devices. The device is an ultimate tool for productivity due to its lower latency and better handwriting recognition features.

You get a 12MP zoom lens, a wide-angle lens, and a 10MP camera at the front, as well as a108MP camera at the back. There is the ability to shoot 8K video, and the design looks great.

If you're looking for a phone for productivity, theGalaxy Note 20 Ultra is a great choice. As a 2020 phone, you will get three OS updates and four years of security updates. The Note 20 Ultra ships with OneUI 3.1/Android 11 and OneUI 4/Android 12 as well as two more major platform updates.

Best mid-range option: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G in hand

(Image credit: Samsung)

The mid-range phone of the future will be the newly-revealed SAMSUNG GALAXY A 53 5G. The top-tier A series of phones from SAMSUNG have brought you great cameras, outstanding battery life, and more.

The phone has a beautiful design that makes it easy to hold and use, and it has a 120Hz display, just like the S22 The phone comes with a 5G connection. The phone works with all 5G carriers in the U.S., and you get a 64MP camera on the back that takes great photos in just about any lighting scenario.

The A53 5G is immune to the elements because of its dust and water resistance. The flagship S22 series is identical to the phone that will get four guaranteed Android updates along with monthly security updates. You can uninstall bloatware from the box. You will get a brilliant phone if you pay for the A53 5G.

Best on a budget: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

(Image credit: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

If you are looking for a budget-friendly phone, the A42 5G may be the one for you. The phone is powered by the same platform as the A52 5G, and that means it will last for a long time. If you want to make the switch to 5G on a budget, the A42 5G is a good choice.

The phone has an attractive design on the back, and it comes with a 48MP camera that takes great photos, as well as a 20MP selfie camera. The 720p resolution is not ideal, but it still has some pretty vibrant colors.

The battery life is the main feature of the A42 5G. You can get two-day battery life out of the phone with a 5,000mAh battery under the hood. The phone is an excellent overall choice if you are looking for a 5G-enabled device on a budget.

Best entry-level pick: Samsung Galaxy A12

Samsung Galaxy A12

(Image credit: Samsung)

Want a phone for less than $200? You should look at the A12 The A12 has a large 5,000mAh battery that lasts over two days on a full charge, a 48MP camera on the back, and a modern design that belies the A12's budget roots.

The phone has a 6.5-inch 720p display, but it isn't as bright as the AMOLED panels that the rest of its portfolio uses, and it doesn't have too many issues. The basics of the phone are covered in the software if you are in the market for an entry-level phone.

The Galaxy S22+ is the best Samsung phone in 2022

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

The S22 is the best phone in the year of 2022, but the S22 is the default phone for people who want to upgrade to a flagship. The internal hardware is the fastest of any phone today, and you get Sub 6 and 5G as standard. The camera is at the back. You get good battery life and wireless charging. It offers the right features at the right price point.

Then there is the S21 FE. Again, the phone destroys its rivals when it comes to value, and it's great to see that it's also an attractive option for considerably less than its regular flagships. The camera has a 12MP lens. The 120Hz screen is great to use. It has a large battery and water resistance. This is the phone to get if you want a flagship.

If you are interested in a flagship with all the latest tech, you will want to look at what the S22 Ultra has to offer. The only phone in the S22 series that has a QHD+ screen is the one with the S Pen. It has all the extras you will need, along with the latest processor and camera improvements. You will be paying a high price for this phone, as it has an ultra-high price tag to go with it.

If you can't push your budget as high as the S21 FE, you can still find a mid-range version of theGalaxy A53 5G with hints of the flagship models trickled down to a mid-range price. The A53 5G has a 120Hz screen, 5G, and powerful hardware that will last several years.