Short answer: “Galaxy” is Samsung’s brand for its personal devices: phones, tablets, smartwatches, a smart ring, earbuds, laptops and, more recently, XR headsets and smart glasses. In October 2026 the lineup is the Galaxy S series (S26, S26+, S26 Ultra, S26 FE) for flagships, the Galaxy Z series (Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, Flip8) for foldables, the Galaxy A series (A57 down to A07) for mid-range and budget phones, plus Galaxy Tab S12 and Tab A tablets, Galaxy Watch9 and Watch Ultra2, the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro, and the Galaxy Book6 laptops. The letter tells you the family, the number tells you the generation, and the suffix (FE, +, Ultra, Pro) tells you the tier. Pick the family by the job you need done, then the tier by budget.
Updated for the October 2026 lineup · Last checked October 10, 2026 · By Stephen Jacob
This page sorts and explains Samsung’s devices. To see how they connect once you own more than one (Quick Share, Multi Control, Auto Switch, Samsung Health and more), read our guide to how Galaxy devices work together in the Samsung ecosystem.
Looking for the user manual for your Galaxy? Samsung publishes an official manual for every phone and tablet. Find yours through Samsung’s user manual page. This guide is about the lineup, not step-by-step instructions.
What is a Galaxy device?
A Galaxy device is any product in Samsung’s Galaxy brand: Samsung’s mobile and personal-computing line, which started with the first Galaxy phone in 2009. Every Galaxy device shares a few attributes:
- Made by Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy” isn’t a separate company. Every Galaxy is a Samsung, but not every Samsung is a Galaxy: TVs, monitors and home appliances are Samsung-branded but aren’t Galaxy devices.
- Runs Samsung’s own layer on a standard platform. Phones and tablets run One UI on Android, watches run One UI Watch on Google’s Wear OS, and Galaxy Book laptops run Windows 11 with Samsung’s apps on top.
- Signs in with a Samsung account and connects to other Galaxy devices through it.
- Gets Galaxy AI to some degree. Flagships get the most features, and cheaper models get a smaller set.
- Is protected by Samsung Knox, Samsung’s security platform.
Is a Samsung Galaxy an Android phone?
Yes. Every Galaxy phone runs Android with Samsung’s One UI on top. Current flagships run One UI 9, based on Android 17. “Android” is the operating system, “Galaxy” is the product brand, and “One UI” is Samsung’s version of the interface.
How does Samsung name Galaxy devices?
Once you know the pattern, Samsung’s names are easy to decode.
| Part of the name | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Family letter or word | The product line | S = flagship, Z = foldable, A = mid-range and budget, M and F = online and regional value lines, Tab, Watch, Ring, Buds, Book |
| Number | Generation, and on A series, tier too | S26 = 2026 flagships; Fold8 = eighth Fold; A57 sits above A37, A27, A17 and A07 |
| Suffix | Tier within the generation | Ultra = top model, + = bigger screen and battery, FE = “Fan Edition” (flagship features for less), Pro = premium Buds or Book, Edge = ultra-thin (Galaxy S25 Edge; no S26 Edge so far) |
| Model number | The exact hardware and region | SM-S948 = Galaxy S26 Ultra, SM-S947 = S26+, SM-S942 = S26, followed by a region letter |
What’s the difference between Galaxy S, FE, Plus, Edge and Ultra?
Within one Galaxy S generation, the base model is the compact flagship, the Plus adds a bigger screen and battery, and the Ultra adds the best cameras, a built-in S Pen and the biggest battery. FE models arrive later in the year and keep most flagship features at a lower price, usually with older or simpler hardware. Edge was a 2025 experiment in thinness. Samsung didn’t make an S26 Edge, but it says the Edge category isn’t discontinued.
Samsung Galaxy lineup 2026 at a glance
| Family | Current models (October 2026) | Who it’s for | US starting price | Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S | S26, S26+, S26 Ultra, S26 FE | People who want the best cameras, performance and longest support | $699.99 (S26 FE) to $1,399.99 (S26 Ultra) | One UI 9 |
| Galaxy Z | Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8, Z Flip8 | People who want a big folding screen or a pocketable flip | $1,199.99 (Flip8) to $2,099.99 (Fold8 Ultra) | One UI 9 |
| Galaxy A | A57, A37, A27, A17, A07 | Value buyers who want a reliable phone for less | About $270 to $600 (see note) | One UI 8 or later, depending on model |
| Galaxy M and F | Regional models, mainly in India | Online buyers who want big batteries for the price | Varies by market | One UI |
| Galaxy Tab | Tab S12 Ultra, Tab S12+, Tab S11 series, Tab S10 FE, Tab A11+ | Note-takers, students, media and a laptop alternative | $1,199.99 (S12+) and $1,399.99 (S12 Ultra) for the newest models | One UI 9 on Tab S12 |
| Galaxy Watch | Watch9 (40/44mm), Watch Ultra2 (47mm) | Health and fitness tracking on Android | From $379.99 (Watch9) | One UI 9 Watch (Wear OS 7) |
| Galaxy Ring | Galaxy Ring | Screen-free sleep and health tracking | $399.99 | Samsung Health |
| Galaxy Buds | Buds4 Pro, Buds4, Buds3 FE, Buds Core | Earbuds that work best with a Galaxy phone | $179.99 (Buds4), $249.99 (Buds4 Pro) | Galaxy Wearable app |
| Galaxy Book | Book6, Book6 Pro, Book6 Ultra, Book6 Edge | Windows laptops that integrate with Galaxy phones | From $1,599.99 (Book6 Pro) | Windows 11 |
| Galaxy XR and eyewear | Galaxy XR headset; Intelligent Eyewear (announced) | Early adopters | $1,799.99 (Galaxy XR) | Android XR |
US prices are Samsung list prices on October 10, 2026, after Samsung’s early-October US price rise on the S26 series. Galaxy A prices are from third-party reports after the same rise, so check them on samsung.com. For current discounts, see our Samsung Galaxy deals guide.
Galaxy phones: S, Z, A, M and F series explained
Galaxy S series: the flagships
The Galaxy S series is Samsung’s main flagship line, refreshed every February. The Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra were announced on February 25, 2026 and went on sale on March 11 (Samsung Global Newsroom). The cheaper Galaxy S26 FE followed on September 4 at $699.99 (Samsung US Newsroom).
| Model | Screen | Battery | Chip | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 | 6.3 inches | 4,300mAh | Exynos 2600 in most markets; Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in the US, China and Japan | Compact flagship |
| Galaxy S26+ | 6.7 inches | 4,900mAh | As S26 | Bigger screen and battery |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 6.9 inches | 5,000mAh | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in every region | Built-in S Pen, Privacy Display, 200MP camera, 60W charging |
The S26 FE is the fourth model: flagship features at a lower price, and it launched with One UI 9. All four get seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. For the history of the line and how the three main models compare, read our Galaxy S series overview.
From Dubai: UAE launch prices were AED 3,299 for the S26, AED 3,999 for the S26+ and AED 5,099 for the S26 Ultra. If you’re buying in the Gulf, check Samsung Gulf’s own pages, because offers and bundles differ from the US.
Galaxy S26 Ultra guides
The Ultra is the model we cover in most depth. Our Galaxy S26 Ultra guide is the place to start, and these guides go deeper:
| If you want to… | Read |
|---|---|
| Decide whether to buy it | Galaxy S26 Ultra review, Galaxy S26 Ultra specs explained, Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max |
| Choose RAM and storage | S26 Ultra 12GB vs 16GB RAM, S26 Ultra 256GB vs 512GB vs 1TB |
| Set it up | How to transfer data to the S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Ultra settings to change first |
| Get more from it | Galaxy S26 Ultra tips and tricks, Galaxy S26 Ultra camera settings |
| Battery and charging | Galaxy S26 Ultra battery life, Galaxy S26 Ultra charging guide, how to improve battery life on any Galaxy phone |
| Fix a problem | Galaxy S26 Ultra problems and fixes, S26 Ultra battery draining fast, S26 Ultra overheating, S26 Ultra screen problems |
Galaxy Z series: the foldables
The Galaxy Z series is Samsung’s line of folding phones, refreshed every July. Fold models open like a book into a small tablet, and Flip models fold in half like a compact. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 were unveiled on July 22, 2026 and went on sale on August 7 (Samsung US Newsroom).
| Model | Main screen | Battery | US price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 8.0 inches | 5,000mAh | $2,099.99 | The biggest folding screen and a 200MP camera, for productivity |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | 7.6 inches (4:3) | 4,800mAh | $1,899.99 | A wide tablet-style screen for video and reading |
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | 6.9 inches, plus a 4.1-inch cover screen | 4,300mAh | $1,199.99 | A pocketable phone with an outside screen |
There’s no Flip8 FE: the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is still on sale in some markets. The tri-folding Galaxy Z TriFold launched in Korea in December 2025, and its limited US run has sold out.
Galaxy A series: mid-range and budget
The Galaxy A series is Samsung’s best-selling line: dependable phones with big batteries and long support, without flagship pricing. Within a year, a higher number means a better phone. The 2026 models are the Galaxy A57 and A37 (announced March 2026), the A27, the A17 and the entry-level A07. The A57 and A37 get up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates (Samsung US Newsroom). Galaxy A models get a smaller set of Galaxy AI features than the S series, and most don’t support DeX.
Galaxy M and F series: what are they?
The M and F series are mainly sold online in India and some other markets. M phones focus on big batteries for the price, and F phones are mostly sold through Flipkart. Many share hardware with an A series model under a different name, so compare specs rather than names. If neither appears on your local Samsung site, you can ignore them.
Galaxy A vs M vs F vs S: which phone series is which?
| Series | Price tier | Sold mainly | Galaxy AI | Typical support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Flagship (and FE upper mid-range) | Worldwide | Full suite | 7 OS upgrades (S26 series, S26 FE) |
| Z | Premium foldable | Worldwide | Full suite plus foldable features | Check the model |
| A | Mid-range to budget | Worldwide | Smaller set | Up to 6 OS upgrades (A57, A37) |
| M / F | Budget to mid-range | Online, mainly India | Smaller set | Check the model |
Galaxy Tab: Samsung’s tablets
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra (14.6 inches) and Tab S12+ (12.6 inches) went on sale on October 7, 2026. Both run Android 17 with One UI 9, use a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip, include the S Pen in the box, support 45W charging and microSD cards up to 2TB, and are rated IP68. They cost $1,399.99 and $1,199.99 (Samsung US Newsroom). The Tab S11 series is still on sale. Further down, the Tab S10 FE keeps the S Pen at a lower price, and the Tab A11+ is the budget family tablet.
- Tab S Ultra: a laptop alternative, with the biggest screen and DeX.
- Tab S and S+: premium tablets for drawing, notes and media.
- Tab S FE: S Pen and the core features for less, but no HDMI or wireless DeX.
- Tab A: streaming, browsing and kids.
Galaxy wearables: Watch and Ring
Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2
The Galaxy Watch9 (40mm and 44mm, aluminium, 3,000-nit display) is the everyday smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 (47mm, titanium, 5,000-nit display, 800mAh battery, 10ATM and IP69K, dive certified) is the rugged outdoor model. Both were announced on July 22, 2026 and run One UI 9 Watch on Wear OS 7 (Samsung Global Newsroom). They need an Android phone and don’t support iPhone. The ECG and blood pressure features need a Galaxy phone. For the full rundown, see our Galaxy Watch 9 guide.
Galaxy Ring
The Galaxy Ring is a screen-free smart ring for sleep, heart rate and activity tracking. The 2024 original is still the current model. It costs $399.99, comes in sizes 5 to 13, has no subscription, lasts up to seven days on the largest sizes and is rated 10ATM. It works with Android phones running Android 11 or later but not with iPhone (Samsung US). A Galaxy Ring 2 has been reported for 2027 but hasn’t been announced.
Galaxy Buds: Samsung’s earbuds
The Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro launched alongside the S26 series and went on sale on March 11, 2026, at $179.99 and $249.99 (AED 649 and AED 899 in the UAE). Both have Bluetooth 6.1, Samsung’s SSC codec, hands-free AI assistants, Head Gestures and Interpreter playback. The Pro is the premium model. Our Galaxy Buds4 vs Buds4 Pro comparison explains which to pick. The Buds3 FE and Buds Core are the cheaper options. All Galaxy Buds work with any Bluetooth phone, but features such as Auto Switch need a Samsung device.
Galaxy Book: Samsung’s laptops
The Galaxy Book6 family (Book6, Book6 Pro and Book6 Ultra) was introduced at CES on January 5, 2026, with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors (Samsung US Newsroom). The Book6 Pro starts at $1,599.99, and the Book6 Edge went on sale in the US on June 15. They’re Windows 11 laptops. What makes them “Galaxy” is how they work with your phone: shared files, keyboard and camera.
Newer Galaxy categories: XR headsets and smart glasses
The Galaxy XR headset runs Google’s Android XR and costs $1,799.99 in the US. Samsung has also announced Galaxy-connected Intelligent Eyewear, made with Google, with no display and Gemini built in. Reports put its launch in November 2026 in the US and Korea. Treat both as early products rather than core parts of the lineup.
How to choose a Galaxy device
Start with what you need the device to do, then choose a tier.
| If you want… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The best camera and an S Pen in a phone | Galaxy S26 Ultra | Top cameras, built-in S Pen, Snapdragon in every region |
| A flagship in a smaller size | Galaxy S26 | 6.3-inch screen at 167g |
| Flagship features for less | Galaxy S26 FE | Seven years of updates from $699.99 |
| A phone that becomes a tablet | Galaxy Z Fold8 or Fold8 Ultra | 7.6-inch or 8.0-inch inner screen |
| A small, fun phone that folds | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Folds to pocket size, with a 4.1-inch cover screen |
| A solid phone on a budget | Galaxy A57 or A37 | Up to six OS upgrades for much less |
| A tablet for notes or study | Galaxy Tab S10 FE or Tab S12+ | S Pen included |
| Health tracking with a screen | Galaxy Watch9 | ECG and blood pressure with a Galaxy phone |
| Health tracking with no screen | Galaxy Ring | No subscription, up to a week of battery |
| Earbuds that switch between devices | Galaxy Buds4 or Buds4 Pro | Auto Switch across Samsung devices |
| A laptop that works with your phone | Galaxy Book6 Pro | Storage Share, Camera Share and Multi Control |
Which Samsung phone should I buy?
Answer three questions in order:
- What’s your budget? That decides between the S series, the A series and the Z series.
- What size and shape do you want? Compact (S26), large (S26+ or S26 Ultra), foldable (Fold8 or Flip8).
- How long will you keep it? If it’s four years or more, the seven-year update promise on the S26 series and S26 FE matters more than a slightly better spec on an older model.
If you already own Galaxy Buds, a Watch or a Tab, buying a Galaxy phone keeps their connected features. Our Samsung ecosystem guide shows which features each combination unlocks.
How long do Galaxy devices get updates?
It depends on the model. Samsung promises seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the Galaxy S26 series and S26 FE, and up to six of each for the Galaxy A57 and A37. One UI 9 began rolling out to the S26 series on September 16, 2026. See One UI 9 explained for what’s in it and which devices have it.
Which Galaxy phone do I have?
Open Settings > About phone. The Model name (for example “Galaxy S26 Ultra”) and the Model number (for example SM-S948 followed by a region letter) are at the top. On a tablet it’s under About tablet, and on a Galaxy Watch it’s in the Galaxy Wearable app under Watch settings > About watch. The model number is what you need for the right case, charger or manual.
Samsung Galaxy guide FAQ
Is Galaxy a Samsung brand?
Yes. Galaxy is Samsung Electronics’ brand for its phones, tablets, wearables, earbuds and laptops. Samsung TVs and appliances aren’t sold under the Galaxy name.
What counts as a Galaxy device?
Any product in Samsung’s Galaxy line: Galaxy phones, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Book laptops and Galaxy XR. They share a Samsung account, Samsung’s One UI software and Galaxy AI features.
What’s the difference between Samsung A and S series?
The S series is the flagship line, with the best cameras, chips, materials, the full Galaxy AI suite and seven years of updates on current models. The A series is the mid-range and budget line, with fewer AI features and up to six years of updates on the A57 and A37, for much less money.
What does FE mean on a Samsung Galaxy?
FE stands for “Fan Edition.” It’s a cheaper version of a flagship that keeps most of the features. The Galaxy S26 FE launched in September 2026 at $699.99.
Samsung A vs M vs F: what’s the difference?
The A series is sold worldwide. The M and F series are mostly online models for India and some other markets, often with bigger batteries or hardware shared with an A model. Compare the specs, not the letter.
What is the newest Samsung Galaxy phone?
As of October 2026, the newest are the Galaxy S26 FE (September), the Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 (August), and the S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra (March). The newest tablets are the Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ (October 7).
Where can I find a Samsung Galaxy user guide?
Samsung’s official manual for each model is linked from its user manual support page. For the S26 Ultra, our owner’s handbook covers setup, settings and fixes.
Bottom line
Samsung Galaxy is one brand with ten families. The S series is for flagships, the Z series for foldables, the A series (with M and F) for value phones, and then there’s Tab for tablets, Watch and Ring for health, Buds for audio, Book for laptops, and XR as the newest category. Decode the name (family, generation, tier), choose the family by what you need it to do, then choose the tier by budget and how long you’ll keep it. Once you own two or more, the Samsung ecosystem guide shows how to make them work together.
