# Which Samsung Galaxy Phone Should You Buy? > A guide to Samsung's 2026 lineup, from budget A-series to premium foldables, with advice on software support, pricing, and features. - Title: Which Samsung Galaxy Phone Should You Buy? · WIRED | Shortify - Summary: A guide to Samsung's 2026 lineup, from budget A-series to premium foldables, with advice on software support, pricing, and features. Samsung offers reliable… - Keywords: samsung galaxy, android phones, smartphone buying guide, galaxy s26, galaxy z fold8, galaxy a37, software updates, qi2 wireless charging, snapdragon processor, foldable phones, Which, Samsung - Source: WIRED — https://wired.com/gallery/best-samsung-phones - Author: Julian Chokkattu - Published: 2024-10-25T11:33:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: samsung galaxy, android phones, smartphone buying guide, galaxy s26, galaxy z fold8, galaxy a37, software updates, qi2 wireless charging, snapdragon processor, foldable phones ## Samsung vs Apple in the US market Samsung Galaxy phones compete with iPhones as the two most popular brands. Samsung faces stiff competition from Google Pixel in the Android world. ## Why choose Samsung phones Samsung has a track record of reliability, a wide network of repair centers, and customer satisfaction equal to Apple's. It offers long software support. ## When to buy Samsung phones Samsung announced new foldables in August. The S-series launches in January, A-series in spring, Z-series in summer, and FE models later. Now is a good time to buy. ## Seven years of software updates Galaxy S26, S25, and Z Fold and Flip models get seven years of updates from release. A-series phones get six years. This keeps phones secure and current longer. ## Buy unlocked, not carrier phones Unlocked phones let you switch carriers freely. Carrier phones are locked to one network and may have bloatware. Unlocked phones get updates faster from Samsung. ## Change default Samsung settings Samsung leaves many useful features off by default. Change navigation to gestures, add battery percentage, enable always-on display, and switch to Google Gboard keyboard. ## Qi2 Ready means magnetic case needed Samsung's S26 and S25 flagships are Qi2 Ready but lack built-in magnets. You need a magnetic case to use Qi2 chargers. True Qi2 phones have magnets embedded. ## Snapdragon vs Exynos chips US Galaxy S-series phones use Qualcomm Snapdragon. Other regions use Samsung's Exynos. Performance gap has narrowed, but Exynos can overheat and affect camera quality. ## Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus The S26 has a six point three inch screen, S26 Plus has six point seven inches. Both cost one hundred dollars more than last year but now start at two hundred fifty-six gigabytes storage. ## S26 features and performance Snapdragon eight Elite Gen five processor, one hundred twenty hertz AMOLED displays, triple camera with three times optical zoom, and Horizon Lock video stabilization. ## S26 AI features Document Scanner removes fingers and creases. Call Screening filters robocalls. Audio Eraser reduces background noise. Gemini Task Automation is interesting but slow. ## Galaxy S26 Ultra The Ultra adds Privacy Display that blocks viewing angles, S Pen stylus, two hundred megapixel main camera, five times optical zoom, and faster charging. ## Galaxy Z Fold8 New shape is shorter and wider than previous Folds. Five point five inch cover screen opens to seven point six inch display with subtle crease. Excellent for split-screen. ## Galaxy A37 budget phone Seven hundred dollars cheaper than S26 FE. IP68 rating, good battery, nice display, and good fifty megapixel main camera. Plastic frame and limited processor are weak spots. ## Galaxy S25 FE midrange option Still recommended over S26 FE because it costs one hundred dollars less with almost identical specs. Exynos processor, impressive three times optical zoom camera. ## Galaxy Z Flip8 Slimmed down, lighter, better battery than Z Flip7. Four point one inch cover screen now more useful with widgets and app support. Four point three hundred mAh battery still weak. ## Galaxy S25 series still worth buying Previous generation flagships offer good deals, especially used. S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra are shockingly similar to S26 models. Skip MSRP and buy discounted. ## Samsung ecosystem and Galaxy AI Samsung makes watches, earbuds, rings, tablets, and laptops. Galaxy AI features include real-time translation, transcription, text summarization, and Gemini integration. ## Samsung DeX desktop mode Plug your phone into a monitor to launch desktop Android with resizable windows. Works on select Galaxy phones including Z Flip7. Great for travel or coffee shop work. ## Galaxy Z TriFold discontinued Samsung discontinued the two thousand eight hundred dollar Z TriFold after three months due to high manufacturing costs. The ten inch tablet-sized screen was amazing but not worth the price. > the luxury of having them in one pocket is incredible, but more than a thousand dollars incredible? ## Key takeaway Samsung offers reliable Android phones across multiple price points with seven years of software support on flagships, making them competitive with Google Pixel devices.