Which Samsung Galaxy to buy? Galaxy S, A, Note or Z

You want a Samsung Galaxy, but the range is huge: more than fifty models, in four families. Which Samsung to buy without paying too much, or buying a model that ages badly? This guide helps you decide, family by family, with the strengths and limits of each model. It is written by Abdel Gafar Njupouen, CEO of Gafloow Store, and is based on the spec sheets in our catalogue.

The answer at a glance

For a small or mid-range budget, choose a Galaxy A: the A25 5G or the A55 5G. For power and photography, choose a Galaxy S: the S26 Ultra is the most complete. The table below sums up our advice.

Our four favourites

• 
  Samsung Galaxy A25 5G

  128GB · 6GB RAM · 5G · 2024

  129,000 FCFASee the model
• 
  Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

  256GB · 8GB RAM · 5G · 2024

  229,000 FCFASee the model
• 
  Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

  256GB · 12GB RAM · 5G · 2026

  899,000 FCFASee the model
• 
  Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

  256GB · 12GB RAM · 5G · 2025

  649,000 FCFASee the model

These four models cover almost every need: the Galaxy A25 5G for value, the Galaxy A55 5G for a complete mid-ranger, the Galaxy S26 Ultra for the high end and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for a phone that folds.

How to choose a Samsung

Eight criteria make the difference. Look at them in this order.

• The family. The A series targets budget, the S series the high end, the Note series offers a stylus, the Z series folds.
• The screen. An AMOLED screen is brighter and has more contrast. A 90 or 120 Hz refresh rate makes scrolling smooth.
• The battery. Many models reach 5,000 mAh. Small compact models, such as the Galaxy S22, have 3,700 mAh.
• 5G. It arrives with the Galaxy S20. It is only useful if your network covers your city.
• The camera. The Galaxy S Ultra models have the biggest sensors, up to 200 MP. Recent Galaxy A models have a 50 MP main sensor, which is very decent.
• Length of support. Samsung promises 4 Android versions and 5 years of security for the Galaxy S22 and S23, and 7 years from the Galaxy S24. It decides the phone's lifespan.
• The Android version. Every page shows the version the phone ships with.
• Storage. 128GB is enough to start. Take 256GB if you film a lot.

Galaxy A: the best value

The A series gives you the essentials of a modern smartphone at a gentle price: a big screen, a big battery and a good main camera.

Small budget: Galaxy A06, A07, A14, A15, A16 and A32

These models have 6.4 to 6.7-inch screens and a 5,000 mAh battery. The Galaxy A16 has a 90 Hz Super AMOLED screen and runs Android 14. The Galaxy A15 is also Super AMOLED. The A06, A07 and A14 have an LCD screen, which is less bright. All work on 4G.

Who is it for? A first smartphone, a tight budget or a phone for a child.

Mid-range: Galaxy A25 5G, A35, A50 and A52

The Galaxy A25 5G is the best choice in this range: a 120 Hz Super AMOLED screen, 5G, a 5,000 mAh battery. The Galaxy A35 offers the same screen comfort on 4G. The Galaxy A52 is water and dust resistant (IP67). The Galaxy A50 is the oldest.

Who is it for? People who want a nice screen and a big battery without spending too much.

Top of the A series: Galaxy A55 5G, A56 5G, A37 5G and A57 5G

The Galaxy A55 5G offers 256GB, 8GB of RAM, a 6.6-inch 120 Hz Super AMOLED screen, 5G and a 32 MP selfie camera. The Galaxy A56 5G is newer, with Android 15 and a 6.7-inch screen. The Galaxy A37 5G and A57 5G, unveiled in 2026, have a 5,000 mAh battery and 6 years of promised updates.

Who is it for? People who want almost a flagship without the price of a Galaxy S.

Galaxy S: power and photography

The S series is Samsung's high end. It offers the most powerful chips, the best screens and the most advanced cameras. The "Ultra" versions have the biggest screen and the best battery life.

The older ones: Galaxy S9, S9+ and S10

These 2018 and 2019 models are very affordable. They have a quality AMOLED screen and a decent camera, but they work on 4G and ship with an old Android version. The Galaxy S10 gets an update to Android 12.

Who is it for? A very tight budget that wants an AMOLED screen.

The good compromise: Galaxy S20, S21 and S22

These models bring 5G, a 120 Hz screen and very powerful chips for their time. The Ultra versions have a 5,000 mAh battery and a 108 MP camera. Watch the support period: the Galaxy S22 is supported by Samsung until about February 2027. The Galaxy S20 and S21 are older: look at the Android version shown on their page. For longer support, choose a Galaxy S23 or newer.

Who is it for? People who want flagship power at a reasonable price. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of our Bestsellers. To choose between the S22 and the S23, read our comparison Galaxy S22 vs S23.

The recent ones: Galaxy S23 and S24

The Galaxy S23 models, unveiled in February 2023, have 4 Android versions and 5 years of security promised, until about February 2028. The Galaxy S24 models, unveiled in January 2024, are the first with 7 years of promised updates. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 200 MP camera, the Galaxy S24 Ultra a titanium frame. Our catalogue includes the Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra, as well as the Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra and S24 FE.

Who is it for? A high-end Samsung at a gentler price than the latest generation. The details are in our guides Galaxy S23 in Cameroon and Galaxy S24 in Cameroon.

The newest: Galaxy S25 and S26

The Galaxy S25 models, on sale since February 2025, have the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and Android 15. The S25 is the most compact at 6.2 inches; the S25+ has 6.7 inches and a 4,900 mAh battery. The Galaxy S26 models, unveiled on 25 February 2026, are the newest: they ship with Android 16, with the Exynos 2600 chip on the S26 and S26+ and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip on the S26 Ultra, which charges at 60W. Both series have 7 years of promised updates.

Who is it for? The best of Samsung, with the longest years of updates. Read our guides Galaxy S25 in Cameroon and Galaxy S26 in Cameroon.

Galaxy Note: the stylus

The Note series made the stylus, the S Pen, popular (the Galaxy S22 Ultra and later Ultra models also include it). It appeals to people who write, draw or take lots of notes. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the newest: a 6.9-inch 120 Hz screen, 5G and a 108 MP triple camera. The Galaxy Note 8, 9 and 10 are older and much cheaper. There is no "Note 23": Samsung stopped the range after the Note 20.

Who is it for? Stylus fans. Good to know: the models before the Note 20 Ultra work on 4G.

Galaxy Z: the foldable phones

The Galaxy Z models fold. The Z Flip folds in half and fits in a pocket: it is the compact choice. The Z Fold opens like a book: it is almost a tablet. Our catalogue runs from the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 (2022) to the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 (2026).

Here is what changes from one generation to the next:

• Z Flip. The Flip 4 and 5 have a 6.7-inch screen and a 3,700 mAh battery. The Flip 6 moves to 4,000 mAh. The Flip 7 and 8 have a 6.9-inch screen, a 4.1-inch cover screen and a 4,300 mAh battery.
• Z Fold. The Fold 4, 5 and 6 have a 7.6-inch screen and a 4,400 mAh battery. The Fold 7 goes up to 8 inches and weighs only 215 g. The Fold 8 has a 7.6-inch 4:3 screen and a 4,800 mAh battery.
• S Pen. The Fold 6 supports the S Pen (sold separately). The Fold 7 no longer supports it.

Who is it for? People who want an original format. Good to know: the fold needs care: keep sand and fine dust away from the hinge.

Small or large: which screen size?

Size matters as much as the chip. The compact models (Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25 and S26, from 6.1 to 6.3 inches) fit in one hand. The medium models (6.4 to 6.7 inches) are the best compromise. The Ultra models (6.8 to 6.9 inches) are perfect for video, but they are heavier. The Z Flip folds to fit in a pocket, the Z Fold opens to 7.6 or 8 inches.

Which Samsung for your budget

Each price range has its ideal Samsung. To go further, read our detailed guides.

• Under 75,000 FCFA: the Galaxy A06 and A07. See our guide to the best phone under 75,000 FCFA.
• Under 150,000 FCFA: the Galaxy A16, A25 5G, A52 and S10. See the best phone under 150,000 FCFA.
• Under 250,000 FCFA: the Galaxy A35, A55 5G, S20 and S21. See the best phone under 250,000 FCFA.
• Above that: the Galaxy S22 to S26 and the Galaxy Z models, to choose according to your needs.

Torn between a Samsung and an iPhone? Read our comparison iPhone or Samsung in Cameroon. Prefer Apple? See which iPhone to buy.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing on price alone. A Samsung that is too old gets fewer updates and eventually stops supporting some apps.
• Ignoring the end of support. According to Samsung, a Galaxy S22 will get no more security patches after about February 2027. A Galaxy S24 or newer is supported for 7 years.
• Forgetting 5G. It arrives with the Galaxy S20 and a few Galaxy A models. It is only useful if your network covers it.
• Overlooking battery life. Small compact models last less than 5,000 mAh models.
• Buying a foldable without care. Galaxy Z phones are more fragile: protect them with a case.
• Not checking the IMEI. Compare the one on the phone, the box and the receipt. Our guide on how to check the IMEI explains the steps.

Our advice before you buy

• Ask your questions before paying. Torn between two models? Message us on WhatsApp, the answer comes fast.
• Enjoy 24-hour delivery in Douala and Yaounde for models in stock.
• Check the phone on delivery, in front of the courier.
• Check the warranty and returns. The warranty lasts 12 months, and you have 7 days to return your phone.
• Pay on delivery. You pay the courier with MTN MoMo, Orange Money or cash, after checking the phone: see how to buy a phone with Mobile Money.

Find all our models in the Samsung category or the full catalogue.

Our sources

• Galaxy S24: availability and 7 years of updates, Samsung Newsroom;
• Samsung devices eligible for long-term updates, Android Authority (third-party source: Samsung's update policy);
• the spec sheets in our catalogue and the Galaxy S22 to S26 guides cited above.

Information last checked: 23 September 2026.