If you are looking for a new smartphone, Samsung is one of the best. And they don't get much better than the Galaxy S line, Samsung's premium line of phones, offering superior specs and features.
The Galaxy S line has been in operation since 2010. Since then, it has expanded significantly and competes directly with Apple's iPhone.
If you're a little confused by its naming conventions, let us explain. The range began to be numbered sequentially - the original Galaxy S was followed by the Galaxy S2 the following year, the S3 a year later, and so on. This continued until the Galaxy S10 lineup in 2019. It was followed by the Galaxy S20 in 2020, with the name change thought to make the phones look more modern.
Each phone now has its year of release, so the S20 was released in 2020 and the S21 this year.
Each line consists of more than one tube. The standard S model is often joined by the Plus variant (also spelled "+"), which is larger and more powerful. In recent years, the "Ultra" model has appeared, which is even larger and more powerful.
There were other variants such as "FE" and "e", but they are less common. And we'll explain them when we get to them.
Over the years, dozens of Galaxy S phones have been released, many of which are still on sale. Do you want to know what is for you? Let's find out.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The S21 Ultra is Samsung's latest and greatest phone, the best phone in the new S21 lineup. It has a larger screen than its S21 siblings (a giant 6.8 inches) as well as more advanced cameras: in addition to the ridiculous 40MP selfie camera, there's a quad-camera setup on the back that includes a 12MP camera. an ultra wide-angle lens, a 108-megapixel wide-angle lens, and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses with 100x spatial zoom.
It also has a larger battery and comes in a 512GB model (the other two have a maximum of 256GB), giving you more storage. It also works with the S Pen stylus, making it the first Samsung phone outside of the Galaxy Note line to do so.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is right for you if:
- You want the best Samsung phone with the most storage and the longest battery life.
- You want one of the best cameras on your smartphone
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is available for pre-order now and will go on sale starting Friday, January 29th.
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra deals
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Like other phones in the S21 line, the S21+ has 5G connectivity for ultra-fast internet access, downloads and streaming. With a 6.7-inch screen, it's smaller than the S21 Ultra, but only slightly, and it has the same cameras as the standard S21 - that's a 10-megapixel selfie snapper and a triple rear array (12-megapixel ultra-wide, 12 - megapixel wide-angle lens and 64-megapixel telephoto lens).
The battery is also bigger than the standard S21 (the bigger screen consumes more power), but not as big as the S21 Ultra.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is right for you if:
- You want a bigger screen, but you don't need the additional camera options of the S21 Ultra.
- The standard S21 is not powerful enough for you
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is available for pre-order now and will go on sale starting Friday, January 29th.
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S21+ deals
Samsung Galaxy S21
S21 is the standard option in the S21 line. While the screen is smaller than the S21+ and S21 Ultra, the screen is still a very respectable 6.2 inches and has the same 120Hz refresh rate as its siblings (that's higher than Apple's iPhone and means dynamic activities such as won sports and games don't blur).
It has the same water and dust resistance rating as the other models in the S21 family and the same camera setup as the S21+. The battery is also slightly smaller than the S21+, as is the screen, so you shouldn't notice much of a drop in battery life.
For most of us, the S21 is more than enough smartphone. And, of course, 5G comes as standard.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is right for you if:
- You need the latest Samsung smartphone without a big screen
- You don't want to spend as much as the S21+ and S21 Ultra teams
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is available for pre-order now and will go on sale starting Friday, January 29th.
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S21 deals
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
The S20 line was launched last year, but that doesn't mean it's old hat. Far from it, especially with the S20 Ultra being the top model of 2020 and sharing many of the same features as the S21 Ultra.
What is good about Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Like the S21 Ultra, it has a larger screen than its competitors (6.9 inches), 5G, a 40MP front camera and an incredible 100x zoom for a truly up close and personal experience.
What is bad Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
It doesn't work with a stylus, which is a new feature for the S21 Ultra (previously only the Samsung Galaxy Note line worked with the S Pen). This means that you cannot write, draw, paint or draw on the screen.
Many will like the 6.9-inch screen, but for some it will be too big. Our advice? Try it yourself if you can before you buy. Using the phone with two hands is not for everyone.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is right for you if:
- You want a big-screen phone, but you don't need the extra features of the S21 Ultra
- You are very fond of photography on your smartphone
Check out the latest Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra deals
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Another phone from last year, this is a larger variant of the standard S20. The screen is slightly smaller than the S20 Ultra, and the cameras are slightly less powerful.
What is good about Samsung Galaxy S20+
It has plenty of power under the hood - with 12GB of RAM at your disposal, menus load in the blink of an eye. You can record videos in 8K, which is amazingly high definition. A larger battery will last all day, and then some more.
What's wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S20+
Not bad, but you don't get some of the S20 Ultra's best camera specs. For example, there is no 100x spatial zoom or 108MP selfie camera. While many will find it redundant anyway - do you really want to take selfies with that much detail?
The Samsung Galaxy S20+ is right for you if:
- You need a Samsung with a big screen without advanced photography skills
- You need expandable storage for more movies, photos, games and songs
Check out the latest Samsung Galaxy S20+ deals
Samsung Galaxy S20
The Galaxy S20 is the standard member of the S20 line. It's smaller than the S20+ and Ultra, but at 6.2 inches it's still not small at all. The battery is also smaller, but due to the smaller screen, it uses less power.
What is good Samsung Galaxy S20
This is Samsung's flagship phone, so it has a lot to like. Such as the? The screen has a refresh rate of 120Hz, so when you move quickly, such as in games and sports, blurring will be minimal. 5G enables ultra-fast browsing, streaming and downloads (rejoice, Netflix lovers!). And cameras do everything most of us can ask of them.
What is bad Samsung Galaxy S20
It lacks some of the best features of more expensive Samsung phones - for example, it doesn't have a time-of-flight camera, so it loses some of its more advanced photography abilities.
There's also no 512GB model, which is a shame if you have a lot of content to carry around with you. Instead, you are limited to 128 GB. Although you can always insert a memory card to add more space.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 is right for you if:
- You want a Samsung flagship experience without a huge screen
- Small phones are not quite right for you
- You enjoy games and sports on your phone
Samsung Galaxy S20
FE stands for "Fan Edition" and is essentially a stripped-down version of the S20, offering many of the same features and an almost identical chassis for significantly less money. It came out towards the end of last year.
What is good about the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
This is a cheaper variant of the S20 that saves money.It comes in 4G or 5G models so you can decide depending on your network provider and how heavily you rely on your internet connection. And it has an excellent AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate to make quick actions easy.
Wireless charging comes standard, like all other S20 models.
It also has three cameras on the back, giving you plenty of shooting options, and a very powerful selfie shot on the front. Say cheese.
What is bad Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
The 6.5-inch screen is slightly smaller than some S20 models, but not as sharp either. The device also feels less premium than standard S20 phones - the back feels a bit plastic instead of the usual build quality we'd expect from a premium Samsung phone.
The cameras are less advanced than the rest of the models, and there's less power under the hood.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is for you if:
- You want a cheaper version of the Galaxy S20
- Photography is not your priority
- Do you mind a less premium phone
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S20 FE deals
Samsung Galaxy S10+
The S10+ was released back in 2019, which makes it quite old in terms of smartphones. But the upside is that it will be much cheaper than the new Samsung models. As the + name suggests, it's larger than the standard S10 and has many of the same features.
What is good about Samsung Galaxy S10+
Just like the Galaxy S10, only to a greater extent. This means you get a slightly larger screen (6.4 inches compared to the standard S10's 6.1 inches), a larger battery and wireless charging, and the ability to wirelessly charge another device by simply placing it on top of the S10+. Careful.
It also comes with the option of a whopping 1TB of onboard storage (in the Performance edition), which is more than most laptops. And the front camera is more advanced too, with two buttons for better selfies.
What's wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S10+
The screen is big, bright and beautiful, but it actually loses a bit of sharpness due to its larger size. However, whether this is noticeable to the naked eye is a moot point.
It's not as big as the later "+" variants, and because it's older, it also doesn't support the S Pen stylus.
Samsung Galaxy S10+ is for you if:
- You need a big phone, but not too big
- You'll love wireless charging
- Do you want your selfies to be great?
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S10+ deals
Samsung Galaxy S10
The excellent screen, excellent operating system, and excellent camera setup have generated rave reviews for the Samsung Galaxy S10. And two years after its first launch, it's still a great option.
What is good Samsung Galaxy S10
The 6.1-inch Super AMOLED display is an absolute beauty, and its 3440 x 1440 pixel resolution gives it a sharpness of 550ppi. This is actually higher than the larger and more expensive Galaxy S10+.
This is also an Infinity-O display. This means it has a notch in the top corner for the front camera, resulting in even thinner bezels and a larger screen. This is the same screen style found on the newer S20 models.
Wireless fast charging is built in and you can use the device as a wireless power bank to charge another device by simply placing it on top. And the triple rear camera is up to Samsung's usual excellent standard.
What is bad Samsung Galaxy S10
Because it's older, its camera lacks some of the more compelling features, such as being able to see what other lenses might be capturing from the viewfinder itself when shooting with another camera. The battery is also slightly smaller than later models, which can be noticeable in everyday use.
Samsung Galaxy S10 is for you if:
- You want the basic Galaxy S experience without the new features
- You'll never be far from an outlet to recharge
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S10 deals
Samsung Galaxy S10e
The Galaxy S10e is cheaper than the standard S10, except it has lower specs. But small compromises in the area of screen and battery don't detract from what is still a very capable smartphone indeed.
What is good about Samsung Galaxy S10e
This price is for starters. For that, you get a 5.8-inch AMOLED screen, a size many would prefer, considering it more compact than its larger siblings. There's wireless charging here, as is fast wireless charging, which lets you charge your phone even faster.
You also get two storage options as well as a memory card slot for downloading more movies, games, pictures and ringtones. And the cameras are supremely capable with plenty of shooting options.
What is bad Samsung Galaxy S10e
Not only is the screen smaller than the standard S10, but it also has a lower resolution so images won't be as sharp. The battery is also smaller, which could mean less time between recharges.
While you have 128GB and 256GB storage options, there's no 512GB model, so you might find that memory card sooner than you'd like. And there are only two rear cameras, not three like on the S10, so your shots won't be as amazing.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e is for you if:
- You want a Galaxy phone without spending too much
- You need a smaller Galaxy S phone
- Are you happy to use a memory card to store content
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S10e deals
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
It was something of a milestone: Samsung's first smartphone with 5G capabilities, which means faster web browsing, downloading and streaming. Back in 2019, this was a breakthrough, but now that 5G coverage has become more widespread, 5G phones are a dime a dozen.
But 5G isn't the only thing that makes this different from the standard S10...
What is good about Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
5G is much faster than 4G speed, which means more internet connectivity. This means movies will load faster when streaming, downloads will take less time, and overall web browsing will be much more enjoyable.
The S10 5G has a larger screen than the regular S10 - it's 6.7 inches across - with the same amazingly high resolution. And it has four rear cameras, while the standard S10 can only manage three. It also has a much larger battery.
What's wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
The screen could be bigger, but since it has the same number of pixels as the S10, they are scattered over a wider area, meaning the image will be slightly less sharp. The cameras, while advanced, are not as powerful as those found on newer models. And there's no 128GB model (only 256GB and 512GB), so you're out of luck if you'd rather pay less for less storage.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is right for you if:
- You want 5G without spending big on a new Galaxy phone
- Do you prefer a bigger screen?
- Without recharging all day.
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S10 5G deals
Samsung Galaxy S9+
The S9+ was released back in 2018. It has an older screen design than current models, a smaller battery, and less bells and whistles overall. But it's still a good phone. And now you can pick it up at a bargain price.
Why Samsung Galaxy S9+ is good
The Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display is par for the course here, making everything displayed on it look amazing. It supports microSD cards to add extra storage, and it's a bit more powerful than the standard Galaxy S9.
Cameras are still around today and have support for super slow motion video, which really lets you get creative with your home movies.
What's wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S9+
The screen is an Infinity Display, which is a slightly older design than the Infinity-O displays Samsung currently uses. The battery is smaller than later models and cannot be charged wirelessly.
While you have microSD card support, you'll need it - internal storage is limited to 64GB, which will soon fill up if you take a lot of photos or want to take a lot of movies with you. And while still not bad, there are only two rear cameras, not three or even four like on the new Galaxy S models.
Samsung Galaxy S9+ is for you if:
- You need a medium-sized Galaxy S phone
- Do you mind the old design?
- You are happy to use memory cards for more storage
Samsung Galaxy S9
The S9 is smaller than later Galaxy S phones, but that doesn't mean it's not powerful. Indeed, many will enjoy the simplistic approach the phone takes, with fewer distractions and more emphasis on pure productivity.
What is good Samsung Galaxy S9
The screen is actually a bit sharper than the S9+ because the same number of pixels are crammed into a smaller space. It has the same water and dust resistance rating as the new Galaxy S phones and is much more compact.
What is bad Samsung Galaxy S9
The battery is smaller than the S9+, there's no wireless charging, and less RAM, making it less powerful. The cameras are also less efficient - there's a slow motion video mode, for example, but it's not as fun as the S9+.
Samsung Galaxy S9 is for you if:
- You don't mind an older and less powerful Galaxy S phone
- You have fewer pockets or less space in your bag
- Smartphone photography is not on your list
