8 Best Samsung Phones for Upgrades
Upgrading from an older Galaxy is usually less about finding the most expensive model and more about avoiding the wrong one. The best Samsung phones for upgrades are the devices that give you a clear step up in camera quality, battery life, screen performance and long-term value without paying for features you will barely use.
If you are moving on from a Galaxy A series, an ageing S10 or S20, or a phone with tired battery life and patchy performance, Samsung’s line-up gives you plenty of good options. The catch is that not every upgrade makes equal sense. Some phones are brilliant for everyday use, some are built for power users, and some only stack up if the price is right.
How to choose the best Samsung phones for upgrades
A smart upgrade starts with one question: what is actually annoying you about your current phone? If it is battery life, you do not need to chase the most premium model. If it is camera quality, zoom performance or lag when multitasking, then stepping into Samsung’s flagship range is worth it.
For most buyers, the biggest gains come from four areas. You will notice a brighter and smoother display, faster everyday performance, better low-light photos, and longer software support. That matters even more if you are buying refurbished, because the right model can give you flagship quality for far less than new retail.
Storage also matters more than many people expect. If you keep photos, videos and apps for years, 256GB is often the safer buy than 128GB. Battery condition matters too. A phone can look excellent on the outside and still disappoint if the battery has had a hard life, which is why expert testing and clear condition details are worth paying attention to.
The best Samsung phones for upgrades in 2026
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
If you want the biggest jump possible, this is the one. The S24 Ultra is the premium all-rounder in Samsung’s range, with a large high-end display, excellent battery life, fast performance and one of the best camera systems Samsung has produced.
It makes sense for buyers upgrading from an S21 series or older, or anyone coming from a mid-range phone who wants a proper flagship experience. The zoom cameras are especially strong, so if you shoot kids’ sport, concerts, travel shots or everyday photos from a distance, it feels like a real upgrade rather than a spec-sheet one.
The trade-off is price and size. It is expensive compared with standard Galaxy models, and not everyone wants a big handset in their pocket. If you like compact phones, this can feel like overkill.
Samsung Galaxy S24+
For plenty of Australians, the S24+ is the sweet spot. You still get a premium display, strong battery life, excellent performance and a polished flagship feel, but without going all the way to Ultra pricing.
This is a smart upgrade if your current phone feels slow, your battery is fading and you want something future-proof without stepping into foldable territory or spending top dollar. It is also easier to recommend to buyers who want a larger screen but do not care about the S Pen.
Compared with the Ultra, you give up some camera flexibility and a bit of extra premium hardware. For everyday users, that is usually a fair trade if the price gap is meaningful.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Not everyone wants a giant screen. The standard S24 is one of the best Samsung upgrades for buyers who want flagship performance in a more manageable size.
It suits people coming from older Galaxy S models, especially if they miss having a phone that is comfortable one-handed. You still get a sharp display, modern design and enough power for years of daily use. For work, streaming, messaging, banking and casual photography, it is more than enough.
Its limitation is simple: battery life and camera hardware are good, but not as strong as the bigger models. If you are a heavy user or a dedicated photo person, the S24+ or Ultra may hold value better for you.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
This is where refurbished starts to look especially smart. The S23 Ultra remains a serious phone with flagship performance, strong cameras, premium build quality and excellent screen quality. For many buyers, it hits the sweet spot between top-tier features and better value.
If you are upgrading from an S20, Note20 or older, the difference is obvious. You get better battery efficiency, stronger image processing and a more refined overall experience. In practice, it still feels current.
The reason to choose it over the S24 Ultra is straightforward: price. If the saving is substantial and the condition is right, the S23 Ultra can be the better buy. If pricing is too close, the newer model makes more sense.
Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23+
These two are easy to overlook, but they are some of the safest upgrade picks in Samsung’s line-up. They still feel modern, still perform well, and still offer the sort of premium experience most people actually need.
The standard S23 is ideal if you want a smaller flagship and care about value. The S23+ suits buyers who want more battery and screen size without jumping to Ultra money. If you are replacing an older A series or a base flagship from several years back, either model will feel noticeably quicker and more polished.
This is also the range where refurbished value can be excellent. You are often getting a phone that still feels premium, with a lower buy-in and less compromise than a brand-new mid-range device.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
The Z Flip5 is the Samsung upgrade for people who are bored with standard slabs. It folds down small, looks sharp and feels different in a way that is actually useful if pocketability matters.
It is best for buyers who want style and portability without giving up flagship-level performance. If your current phone feels bulky in jeans, handbags or small work bags, the Flip can solve that quickly.
The trade-off is practical. Battery life is generally not the strongest point compared with Samsung’s larger S series phones, and foldables are still more specialised devices. If your priority is maximum durability and all-day battery, an S series model is usually the safer choice.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
For a certain type of user, the Fold5 is the most dramatic upgrade Samsung offers. It works best for people who genuinely multitask on their phone, edit documents on the go, read a lot, or want something that can replace part of their tablet use.
The inner display is the drawcard. Emails, split-screen apps, web browsing and video all feel better on it. If you use your phone heavily for work, the Fold can justify itself in a way that standard phones cannot.
Still, this is not the default recommendation. It is expensive, heavier than a typical phone and not everyone will make full use of the folding format. Buy it because you want the larger screen experience, not just because it looks impressive.
Should you buy new or refurbished?
For Samsung upgrades, refurbished often makes the most sense when you are targeting a recent flagship. A refurbished S23 Ultra or S24+ can be a smarter buy than a brand-new lower-tier device if your goal is better cameras, stronger performance and premium build quality at a more realistic price.
The key is buying from a source that treats refurbished properly. That means expert testing, clear cosmetic grading, battery transparency, real photos where available and a proper warranty. It also means avoiding the usual risks that come with unverified marketplace sellers and mystery repair histories.
That is why many buyers now look to Australia’s trusted marketplace for refurbished tech rather than taking a chance on private listings. When the device has been checked by real experts who know devices inside out, the upgrade decision gets much easier.
Which Samsung upgrade is right for you?
If you want the best overall Samsung phone and do not mind paying for it, the S24 Ultra is the standout. If you want premium features without the top-tier price, the S24+ is the balanced choice. If you prefer a smaller handset, the S24 is the cleanest fit.
If value matters most, the S23 range deserves serious attention, especially refurbished. And if you want a more dramatic change in how your phone feels and works, the Flip5 and Fold5 are the models to consider.
The best upgrade is not always the newest Samsung. It is the one that fixes the frustrations you have now, gives you enough headroom for the next few years, and comes from a seller that removes the usual second-hand guesswork. Buy with that in mind and your next Galaxy should feel like money well spent, not just another phone swap.