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Choosing from Samsung's formidable line-up of smartphone handsets can be a daunting challenge. There's the allure of the premium lines, but those come with premium pricing. There's the considerably more affordable Galaxy J entry-level handsets, but what are the differences there, especially compared to the mid-range Galaxy A devices? It's not always an easy matter to sort out which features are mere gimmicks and which are must-have essentials.
Knowing what to shop for, and what the features actually mean in your day-to-day usage is key to working out how to properly compare Samsung smartphones. We've created a primer on the key features you should consider to make those comparisons as easy as possible, guiding you to the right Samsung phone for your needs.
User needs will vary, not just by budget but also by what it is you want from your smartphone. As such, it's impossible to single out a "best" Samsung phone for every user. What we can do is point you in the direction of the best Samsung phone to cover a variety of usage scenarios, such as the best budget model, the best camera phone and so on. You'll find these recommendations below.
Still, it's wise to consider our recommendations against your own personal situation and preference. Our team has decades of experience in testing and evaluating smartphones, but your tastes, preferences and dislikes could vary from ours, making a phone that we don't rate more valuable to you or vice versa.
Samsung's first foray into 5G has a lot more going for it than just compatibility with the latest mobile networks. Its powerful guts deliver fast and responsive performance, and its quad-lens camera provides plenty of flexibility for taking high-quality photos. Add to that a long-lasting 4,500mAh battery and the Galaxy S10 5G reaffirms why Samsung leads the Android smartphone market.
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G here
The Galaxy S10's camera performance is exceptional in the right circumstances.
The Galaxy S10 gets our nod here, and it's not hard to see why. With a 12MP f/2.4 telephoto lens, 12MP f/1.5 wide angle lens and a 16MP f/2.2 ultra-wide 123-degree angle lens at the rear, you have plenty of options for capturing long-range, close-up and panoramic photos at high quality. Low-light performance is similarly impressive, making the Samsung Galaxy S10 a compelling choice for folks wanting a premium camera experience.
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S10 here
The Samsung Galaxy J2's bright and colourful display and prolonged battery life make for a clean day-to-day experience
Premium phones are Samsung's calling card in terms of the brand, but that doesn't mean that folks on more modest budgets have to miss out. The Samsung Galaxy J2 combines the style of its more expensive siblings with more modest processing power, but its battery life is very good as a result.
It's also super-affordable, with typical prices under $200 easy to secure.
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy J2 here
Samsung's premium smartphones are among the most popular in Australia, and that means that there's plenty of competition in the carrier space to offer the best deals on Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Note phones. There's less pressure on the Galaxy A series, although it does get offered by a few carriers. The Galaxy J series phone's low cost means that if they are offered by telcos, it's pretty much always on an outright basis to pair with a prepaid phone SIM.
Here's the current rundown of Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Note plans in Australia:
Pre-order the latest Samsung handset from Optus and get double the data for the first year, plus a free pair of Galaxy Buds+. Read more…
Telstra's giving you a free upgrade from the Samsung S20 to S20+ for a limited time only. Read more…
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus combines heavy performance with improved camera features. Read more…
