The best Samsung phones for games in 2026

It should come as no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Korean tech brand's 2026 flagship, is at the top of our guide to the best Samsung phones. It's got plenty of gaming performance power, thanks to its state-of-the-art Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, four elite cameras that are ideal for some serious smartphone photography, and a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, which makes it perfect for streaming video content.

In terms of upgrades over the S25 Ultra, the S26 has improved 60W charging speeds, so you can juice your phone from flat to full up to 20 minutes faster than with the 2025 model. The S26 Ultra also boasts Samsung's new Privacy Display, which, as the name suggests, keeps strangers from seeing whatever's on your phone screen when you're texting, gaming, or watching videos in public. This latest model also features a larger vapor chamber, keeping your phone cool when gaming or using power-intensive apps.

As you'd likely expect from a premium flagship phone, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is pretty expensive, but no more so than the likes of the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. It also comes with seven years of Android software and security updates, so while it might leave a pretty big hole in your wallet, you won't have to worry about upgrading again anytime soon.

If you're looking for a great phone for under $1,000, you can't go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S26. Sure, the S26 Ultra is an impressive flagship, but for a significantly lower price, you're getting a lot of the same features and hardware, including the ever-expanding suite of Galaxy AI tools and the power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Plus, it's a better pick for those who prefer a compact phone, with its 6.3-inch display fitting more comfortably in your pocket.

Where the S26 really excels, though, is in its gaming capabilities. In our testing, we found that this phone could run Genshin Impact at the maximum graphics settings and with high frame rates without any issues. That's something that even some of the top picks from our guide to the best gaming phones struggle with, so to get it from a handset that also has great cameras and solid battery life is just a bonus.

While the launch of the S26 might mean that older models, such as the S24 and S25, are now cheaper, the newest version boasts a refined design that feels nicer in the hand and an improved selfie camera. Simply put, it's a fantastic all-rounder phone, and if the S26 Ultra is just outside of your budget, this is the next best option.

While there are more alternatives around than when the first generation of Samsung's flip phones emerged back in 2020, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the best on the market in our opinion. This is essentially a premium flagship phone, akin to last year's 25 Ultra, in a foldable form factor. It's ideal for both photography and mobile gaming, and that satisfying snap when the two halves of the display come together never gets old.

Still, the Z Flip 7's biggest selling point is its design. You can use the outside display for checking your notifications or replying to messages, while the big, bright inner display is ideal for watching videos or scrolling through social media. It also comes in some lovely colors, including a personal favorite of Pocket Tactics' editor, Ruby: Coral-red. It's not quite pink, but it's as close as you're going to get from Samsung.

The main concern for most potential flip phone users is durability, but that's another area in which the Z Flip 7 excels. It's good for half a million folds, 300k more than the Z Flip 6, and is waterproof enough to withstand 30 minutes submerged in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water. It also benefits from a battery life boost compared to the previous generation and should get you through the day if you're not sitting on the sofa playing Honkai Star Rail for more than six hours.

Just like its Z Flip equivalent, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an out-and-out flagship phone with an alternative form factor. However, this phone doesn't flip; it folds, book-style. When unfolded, you're dealing with an 8-inch display that is perfectly suited for streaming or gaming, and better still, the days of notable screen creases are long gone, so you don't have to try to ignore a massive line going down the middle of the display.

Even if you've got an older model, such as the Z Fold 5 or 6, it's worth checking out the latest iteration. Its battery life is now much more reliable than in previous versions, offering a full day of screentime with some juice to spare. Not only that, but it's also more durable, with an IP48 dust and water resistance rating, which means if you did happen to drop this phone in the bath while watching a bit of Netflix, you won't have to replace it.

The only real drawback to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is that it's the priciest phone in this list by some distance. Fortunately, you can offset that eye-watering price point by picking up a long-term contract via the likes of Verizon or AT&T. All new Samsung phones come with seven years of software support, so you could pick up a four-year contract and not have to worry about whether your phone is sufficiently futureproofed for Android and security updates.

Slap bang in the middle of Samsung's latest lineup of phones is the Galaxy A57 5G, but just because it doesn't get the same sort of plaudits as the S26 Ultra flagship, that doesn't mean it doesn't look or feel like a mid-range Android handset. In fact, that's one of the best things about this phone, with its lightweight and slim-line design making it feel more like a flagship rather than a mid-range phone, and the positives don't stop there.

Whether you're a casual gamer or a fan of demanding games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, the A57 5G is powerful enough to run your favorites at least on medium settings - it'd be nice to get the higher-grade visuals, but you've got to temper your expectations when you're picking up a mid-ranger. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is also ideal for gaming, as well as general social media scrolling and watching video content.

It's worth adding that the A57 5G is the first Samsung A-series phone with IP68 dust and waterproofing, which is effectively the industry standard, so you don't have to worry about any accidental spills around this phone. Essentially, you're getting something practical, great for gaming, and that looks more expensive than it is, all for under $550. What's not to like?

At the sub $200 price point, you're going to struggle to find a better phone than the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G. You have to temper your expectations with a budget device like this, but it's still pretty impressive, with its 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, capable 50MP main camera, and sleek-looking design.

The real star of the show, though, is the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G's battery. It's a standout for the price range, offering upwards of ten hours of juice before it's time to plug in and charge. As for charging speeds, you can juice back up to full in just over an hour, which, again, is pretty good going for such a cheap pick.

Admittedly, the A17 5G isn't the best option for gaming, but if you're just a casual mobile gamer who enjoys a bit of Candy Crush and Royal Match, you won't want for much more in terms of power. This phone also comes with six years of software and security updates, so it's ideal if you're looking to pick up something affordable that can keep you going until the turn of the next decade.