A breakdown of Samsung’s four core smartphone ranges – Galaxy S, Note, A and J – to help you choose the right Samsung device for you and your budget.
Samsung has numerous smartphones within its portfolio, from the latest flagship models including the Galaxy Note 9 and S9 to older, and now more affordable, models like the Galaxy S8. There are also the sub-flagship Galaxy A and Galaxy J ranges that sit under the £550 and £250 marks, respectively.
We’ve broken down the four core ranges – Galaxy S, Note, A and J – and the devices available within each to help you choose the right Samsung device for you and your budget. Quick Summary The Samsung Galaxy S range is the company’s main flagship smartphone range. Its models have a glass and metal waterproof design, along with a lovely 18.5:9 aspect ratio dual-edge display. The Samsung Galaxy Note series is more expensive than the S range, but it adds S Pen functionality with the stylus built into a similar metal and glass design. The Samsung Galaxy A is the sub-flagship range, sitting below the S range in terms of price, but borrowing several of its design features including the waterproof metal and glass finish. The Samsung Galaxy J is the company’s budget range of smartphones, sitting under the £250 mark. Don’t dismiss them though as they have some good features for their price like an 18.5:9 aspect ratio display. Samsung / Pocket-lint Samsung Galaxy S
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the latest devices in the Galaxy S range, but the S8 and S8+ are still available to buy and at good prices too. Samsung Galaxy S9 Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm, 163g, IP68 Display: 5.8-inches, 2960 x 1440 (568ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED Cameras: 12MP (f/1.7, AF, OIS, 4K video), 8MP front (f/1.7, AF) Storage: 64GB, microSD support up to 400GB Battery: 3000mAh Colours: Lilac Purple, Midnight Black, Coral Blue Price (RRP): £639
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is an excellent smartphone. It has a fantastic display, a lovely curved glass and metal design and it delivers a fluid performance.
The S9 has a smaller battery capacity than the S9+ and a single rear camera instead of dual, but it is also £200 cheaper and whilst its battery life could be better, the camera results are good. Samsung Galaxy S9 review Samsung Galaxy S9 vs S9+: What’s the difference? Samsung Galaxy S9+ Dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm, 189g, IP68 Display: 6.2-inches, 2960 x 1440 (531ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED Cameras: Dual 12MP (Dual Aperture, AF, Dual OIS, 4K video), 8MP front (f/1.7, AF) Storage: 128GB/256GB, microSD support up to 400GB Battery: 3500mAh Colours: Lilac Purple, Midnight Black, Coral Blue Price (RRP): £839
The Samsung Galaxy S9+ has the same excellent design as the smaller S9, but it has dual rear cameras that deliver great low light shots and a 500mAh larger battery.
You also get a larger display that’s only just shy of the Note series size but still manageable one-handed. The S9+ is pricey though and for a little extra, you could get S Pen functionality in the Note so consider whether that might be a feature you might benefit from. Samsung Galaxy S9+ review Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs Note 9: What’s the difference? Samsung Galaxy S8 Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm, 155g, IP68 Display: 5.8-inches, 2960 x 1440 (568ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED Cameras: 12MP (f/1.7, AF, 4K video), 8MP front (f/1.7, Storage: 64GB, microSD support up to 256GB Battery: 3000mAh Colours: Midnight Black Price (RRP): £499
The Samsung Galaxy S8 features a very similar design to the newer S9, including the 18.5:9 aspect ratio display. The position of the rear fingerprint sensor is a little more awkward on the S8 than the S9 but aside from this, the two devices look almost identical.
You’ll of course get slightly older hardware on the S8, and the S9 offers optical image stabilisation on the rear camera, but the S8 is still a very compelling device, especially at its sub-£500 price point. Samsung Galaxy S8 review Samsung Galaxy S9 vs S8: What’s the difference? Samsung Galaxy S8+ Dimensions: 159.5,73.4 x 8.1mm, 173g, IP68 Display: 6.2-inches, 2960 x 1440 (531ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED Cameras: 12MP (f/1.7, AF, 4K video), 8MP front (f/1.7) Storage: 64GB, microSD support up to 256GB Battery: 3500mAh Colours: Midnight Black Price (RRP): £649
Like the smaller model, the Samsung Galaxy S8+ has a similar design to the newer S9+, though the new model does offer the repositioned fingerprint sensor, as well as a dual rear camera.
The S8+ is still an excellent device though with a great camera, fabulous display and a gorgeous design. It might not have the latest hardware inside but it’s still a powerful handset that’s well worthy of its £650 price tag. Samsung Galaxy S8+ review Samsung Galaxy S8+ vs S9+: What’s the difference? Samsung / Pocket-lint Samsung Galaxy Note
The latest model in the Galaxy Note range is the Note 9, which launched in August 2018. Don’t ignore the Note 8 if you’re interested in the Note though. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Dimensions: 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 x mm, 201g, IP68 Display: 6.4-inches, 2960 x 1440 (514ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED Cameras: Dual 12MP (Dual Aperture, AF, Dual OIS, 4K video), 8MP front (f/1.7, AF) Storage: 128GB/512GB, microSD support up to 512GB Battery: 4000mAh Colours: Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, Lavender Purple (UK), Metallic Copper (US) Price (RRP): £899
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 sits at the top of Samsung’s line up, featuring a similar design and hardware to the Galaxy S9+ but with the addition of the S Pen stylus and a larger battery capacity.
It is an exceptional device with an excellent display, great low light camera performance and a fantastic battery life. It is also expensive though so consider the S9+ if the S Pen isn’t essential to you. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs S9+: What’s the difference? Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm, 195g, IP68 Display: 6.3-inches, 2960 x 1440 (522ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED Cameras: Dual 12MP (AF, OIS, 4K video), 8MP front (f/1.7, AF) Storage: 64GB, microSD support up to 256GB Battery: 3300mAh Colours: Midnight Black, Maple Gold Price (RRP): £769
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has an almost identical design to the Note 9, aside from the repositioned fingerprint sensor. It is a brilliant device with a great camera performance, plenty of power and a wonderful display.
The latest model has a bigger battery, newer hardware and a Bluetooth-enabled S Pen for more features, but the Note 8 is a great option for those after a Note device but at a cheaper price. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Note 9: What’s the difference? Samsung / Pocket-lint Samsung Galaxy A
The newest device in the Galaxy A range is the A9, which will be available from mid-November, though Samsung also recently announced the A7, which is available now. Samsung Galaxy A9 Dimensions: 163.5 x 77 x 7.8mm, 183g, IP68 Display: 6.3-inches, 2220 x 1080 (392ppi), Super AMOLED Cameras: Quad rear 24MP (f/1.7, AF, FHD video), 10MP telephoto, 8MP ultra wide and 5MP depth, 24MP front (f/2.0) Storage: 128GB, microSD support up to 512GB Battery: 3800mAh Colours: Caviar Black, Bubblegum Pink, Lemonade Blue Price (RRP): £549 (available mid-November)
The Samsung Galaxy A9 comes with a huge display within its footprint thanks to the 18:9 aspect ratio, along with a fabulous ombre finish on the rear and a quad camera setup.
It might not be quite as premium as the S9, but it offers some great specs under its hood, including plenty of RAM and a battery that will likely see you through the day and then some. Samsung A9 initial review Samsung Galaxy A8 Dimensions: 149.2 x 70.6 x 8.4mm, 172g, IP68 Display: 5.6-inches, 2220 x 1080 (441ppi), Super AMOLED Cameras: 16MP (f/1.7, AF, FHD video), Dual front 16MP/8MP (f/1.9) Storage: 32GB, microSD support up to 400GB Battery: 3000mAh Colours: Black, Orchid Grey, Gold Price (RRP): £299
The Samsung Galaxy A8 doesn’t have a dual-edged display like the S8 and S9, but it does have an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, facial recognition and a great design for its price.
It borrows plenty from the flagship series but for a much more affordable price.
