4 lesser-known Samsung Galaxy phones that offer best value

samsung galaxy best value

Get flagship features at mid-range prices with our picks. (Express image)

Samsung’s phones aren’t always the most wallet-friendly, especially if you’re going for their latest mid-rangers. But dig a little deeper, and some of their older models turn out to be excellent value propositions. Let’s take a look at four of such handsets.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (2023)

Galaxy S21 FE, Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy S21 FE review, Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Galaxy S21 FE price in India

(Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

Originally launched in January 2022, the Galaxy S21 FE was powered by the Exynos 2100, which didn’t exactly win over users with its tendency to overheat. But last year, Samsung released a refreshed version of the phone, priced at Rs 49,999, with the Snapdragon 888. It was a great phone with an excellent camera setup, a timeless design, and a compact build. But at that price, it wasn’t the easiest to recommend.

Fast forward to 2024, and you can snag this handset for just Rs 29,999 on Flipkart. The updated model ships with Android 13 out of the box, which means it’ll be updated all the way to Android 16 (at least).

The Snapdragon 888 may not be the latest anymore, but it was still Qualcomm’s top dog until the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 arrived a year later to steal the crown. Expect excellent day-to-day and gaming performance – after all, it was a flagship chip.

Samsung Galaxy S22

s22

(Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

For just Rs 7K more, you can get the Galaxy S22 instead from Flipkart at Rs 36,999. Compare this 2022 handset with the latest Galaxy S24, and you’ll notice that they’re hardly any different. Even better, the Galaxy S22 features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which, while not the latest, may still be preferable to the S24’s Exynos 2400 for some.

Sure, the Galaxy S22 may not pack the Ultra variant’s exceptional camera array, but there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a better camera experience than other newer handsets at the same price.

Looks-wise, the Galaxy S24 obviously takes the cake with its more contemporary designs and slim, even bezels. But slap a case on, and the Galaxy S22 will be pretty hard to tell apart.

Samsung Galaxy M55

samsung galaxy m55 review

(Image: Zohaib Ahmed/The Indian Express)

Launched earlier this month, this handset stands out from the other older models on this list. But if you’re in the market to splurge on a new Galaxy A55 or Galaxy A35, it may be time to reconsider your purchase. Priced at Rs 26,999, this handset is perhaps the best value if you want an affordable entry into Samsung’s teeming ecosystem without going for an older handset.

In our review, we noted that this is a fantastic all-rounder that nails the fundamentals – slim and lightweight design, brilliant display, swift performance, exceptional software support, and long-lasting battery life with (real) fast charging. Yes, with the Galaxy M55, Samsung’s brought 45W to its midrange lineup for the first time – it was previously exclusive to the newer Galaxy S Ultra models.

The cameras left plenty to be desired, but you can always throw in an additional Rs 3K to get the S21 FE instead if that’s what you’re looking for.

Samsung Galaxy F54

Samsung Galaxy F54 review 2

(Image: Zohaib Ahmed/Indian Express)

Rounding out the list is June 2023’s Galaxy F54. This handset serves as an excellent alternative to the Galaxy A35 for similar specs. In fact, both phones are powered by the Exynos 1380. Yet, the Galaxy A35 is priced Rs 8.5K higher at Rs 30,999, versus the Rs 22,499 price tag of the Galaxy F54 on Amazon. What do you lose out on for that price? Well, not much.

The Galaxy A35 features a metal frame and IP67 rating, which the Galaxy F54 misses out on. But besides that, the experience is supposedly more or less the same. You do get a larger 6,000mAh battery on the Galaxy F54 compared to the Galaxy A35’s more moderate 5,000mAh unit. Plus, with a 4-year OS upgrade policy in place, you’ll be covered until Android 17.

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