Samsung

The first Samsung Galaxy smartphone was released in 2009 using the Android operating system and has since become one of the most popular smartphone models in the world. Samsung have expanded their range of devices to cover all levels of budget and have produced innovative modern flip smartphones as well as entering the foldables market and producing tablets, smart watches and other accessories.

Samsung release new models of their flagship devices early in the year with other devices unveiled at other events throughout the year. The flagship handsets from Samsung are usually available from all major UK mobile networks, with accessory deals sometimes available for customers looking at bundle plans.

Samsung smartphone models

Samsung regularly release mobile devices via UK mobile networks across the following ranges:

• Samsung Galaxy S
• Samsung Galaxy Z
• Samsung Galaxy A

The Samsung Galaxy S Series is also known as the SuperSmart Series. This includes the annual flagship devices that are currently released in S, S+ and S Ultra ranges. In 2022, these were the S22, S22+ and the S22 Ultra. Samsung also release a Fan Edition (FE) of the S device between nine months and a year after the range is initially launched.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Series is also known as the Zero Series. It was launched in 2019 with the first foldable Samsung smartphone and now comprises the Z Fold and Z Flip ranges of high-end foldables.

A more affordable range of smartphones is found in the Samsung Galaxy A Series, also known as the Samsung Alpha Series. This range of handsets offers features and specifications for a mid-range target audience.

Several other ranges of Samsung smartphones are available in other counties or exclusively online via Samsung UK.

The Samsung Galaxy Note is a discontinued range of Samsung smartphone phones that offered large screens and stylus support. S Pen capability and integrations have now transferred to the S Ultra range of devices.

Cameras

The most expensive Samsung smartphones in the S Series have the best available cameras, with the S Ultra devices often topping lists of the best camera phones at any given time.

Samsung offer extra lenses in their premium devices such as the periscope telephoto lens available on the S22 Ultra, encouraging customers to upgrade. Meanwhile, their cheaper handsets often feature multiple lenses with specialist macro and depth sensors to improve photography options for those on a budget.

Behind the scenes, Samsung tweak their photography software and sensors annually to improve the photography experience for users. Often, more cutting-edge features will be found on the S Series before making their way to budget handsets in future years.

Processors

Samsung use two different chipsets in their flagship series devices. Customers in the UK and Europe will be able to buy Samsung Galaxy S Series handsets with Samsung's in-house Exynos chipsets, while customers in many other markets receive Samsung handsets with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets for contractual reasons.

Benchmarking tests frequently demonstrate Exynos chipsets are less powerful than their Snapdragon rivals. This is how benchmarking data from Antutu currently looks for the latest Samsung Galaxy S Series:

Samsung Z devices currently use Qualcomm Snapdragon chips globally. These are the Snapdragon 888 benchmarking results from Geekbench and Antutu:

More affordable handsets in the Samsung A Series use a range of chips. Some come with MediaTek Dimensity chipsets while Snapdragon and Exynos chips are also used in these devices:

Antutu benchmarking data is based on a cumulative score across several categories. Geekbench do not include the S Series handsets in their benchmarking data because they say an artificial benchmark mode is used and may not correspond to real-world performance, but the baseline for the other Geekbench results is 1000.

Benchmarking data correct as of April 2022.

Android OS

Samsung use a custom version of the Android operating system known as OneUI. This operating system is updated annually to improve the customer experience.

From 2022 onwards, Samsung promised users of the latest S Series and Z Series devices there will be four generations of OneUI available, extending Android support to four years. There will also be five years of security updates included for these phones.

Select A Series devices will be included in this promise in the future, although it is important for users to check at time of purchase if this extended support is important to them.

How to choose the right Samsung phone

The different Samsung phone ranges available ensure customers can find a device that works for their budget. While the premium S Series and Z Series may not be affordable for some, the A Series provides users with a Samsung smartphone using slightly dated technology at a cheaper price point.

Use the Choose comparison tool to see the latest Samsung mobile deals across their range of current handsets.