CNET reviews: The best Samsung Galaxy phones
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G packs great features, like 5G connectivity, a multiple rear camera setup and solid battery life. Credit: CBS Interactive
The Galaxy S24 series has arrived. All three new models, the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra, get new AI features in addition to the regular slew of performance, camera and battery upgrades. Here's what else all three have to offer.
WHAT Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
THE COST $1,299.99
AVAILABLE FROM samsung.com
With a sharper 5x optical zoom, a faster new processor and that familiar giant display and 100x digital zoom, the Samsung’s "Ultra" phone remains a top choice for mobile photographers that want plenty of screen space. This is also one of the first phones with Samsung’s new Galaxy AI features, which include tools for translating text messages and phone calls instantly and Circle to Search, a new gesture that lets you launch a Google search for almost anything simply by drawing a circle around it.
Like the previous two generations, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with an embedded S Pen for those who like jotting down notes or doodling. But perhaps best of all, Samsung has committed to updating these devices with new versions of Android for seven years, meaning it shouldn’t feel out of date anytime soon.
WHAT Samsung Galaxy S24
THE COST $859.99
AVAILABLE FROM samsung.com
What impresses us the most about the Samsung Galaxy S24 aren't the new Galaxy AI features, brighter screens or solid cameras. It's the battery life which allows the Galaxy S24 to plow through a long day of use on a single charge.
This a wonderful, well-built phone that is excellent right out of the box just as the nearly identical S22 and S23 were before it. This similarity to the S22 and S23 can be viewed as either a strength, because the design reflects three years of refinements, or a weakness, because features like the camera hardware are essentially identical to what came out in 2022. But all of this is overshadowed by the great battery life.
WHAT Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
THE COST $399
AVAILABLE FROM amazon.com
Although it's one of the cheapest phones you can buy from Samsung, the Galaxy A54 still packs great features, like 5G connectivity, a decent multiple rear camera setup, solid battery life and power enough for your everyday essentials. It looks pretty, and it's one of the few remaining phones that let you expand the built-in storage using microSD cards.
It's a great all-around budget phone, although the Pixel 6A offers better camera and processor performance and costs less than the Samsung.
The following CNET staff contributed to this story: senior editor Lisa Eadicicco, editor at large Andrew Lanxon and copy editor Jim Hoffman. For more reviews of personal technology products, visit cnet.com.
