Shopping for the best Samsung smartphones under $1300 in the USA gives buyers access to flagship-grade processors, high-brightness 120Hz–165Hz LTPO OLED screens, pro telephoto camera systems, and multi-year OS update support without overspending. Samsung offers the widest smartphone portfolio in the United States—stretching from the $100–$400 Galaxy A-series with expandable microSD storage, through the $600–$1,000 Galaxy S24 FE, S24, S24+, and Z Flip6, all the way up to the S-Pen-equipped Galaxy S24 Ultra and tablet-sized Galaxy Z Fold6 at $1,300 to $1,800.
On TheNewsify, our comprehensive price list guide compares the top Samsung smartphones available under $1300 in the US market—complete with side-by-side hardware specifications, real-world camera and battery breakdowns, and carrier compatibility tips.
Price List of Best Samsung Smartphones Under $1300 in USA
| Samsung Smartphone Model | Key Specifications (Display, Chip, Camera, Battery) | Best For | Approx. US Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) | 6.8″ QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM, 256GB Storage, 200MP Quad Camera, Built-in S Pen | Best overall Samsung flagship smartphone | $1,299 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (512GB) | 6.7″ FHD+ 120Hz Foldable AMOLED + 3.4″ FlexWindow, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM, 50MP + 12MP, 4,000 mAh, IP48 | Best high-storage clamshell foldable under $1200 | $1,199 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (256GB) | 6.7″ FHD+ 120Hz Foldable AMOLED + 3.4″ FlexWindow, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM, 50MP OIS + 12MP, 4,000 mAh | Best compact foldable phone under $1100 | $1,099 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24+ (256GB) | 6.7″ QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM, 50MP + 10MP 3x Telephoto + 12MP, 4,900 mAh | Best non-Ultra flagship under $1000 | $999 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 (256GB Unlocked) | 6.7″ 120Hz Foldable AMOLED + 3.4″ Flex Window, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8GB RAM, 12MP Dual OIS Camera, IPX8 | Best foldable phone under $900 | $899 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 (128GB) | 6.2″ FHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 8GB RAM, 50MP + 10MP 3x Telephoto + 12MP, 4,000 mAh | Best compact flagship under $800 | $799 |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 (128GB Unlocked) | 6.1″ FHD+ 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8GB RAM, 50MP + 10MP 3x + 12MP, 3,900 mAh, IP68 | Best compact Snapdragon flagship under $700 | $699 |
| Samsung Galaxy A35 5G (128GB) | 6.6″ FHD+ 120Hz Super AMOLED, Exynos 1380, 6GB RAM, 50MP OIS + 8MP + 5MP, 5,000 mAh, IP67, microSD | Best mid-range Galaxy phone under $400 | $399 |
| Samsung Galaxy A23 5G (64GB) | 6.6″ FHD+ 120Hz PLS LCD, Snapdragon 695 5G, 4GB RAM, 50MP OIS Quad Camera, 5,000 mAh, 25W fast charge | Best Snapdragon 5G Galaxy under $250 | $249 |
Top Picks Breakdown: Best Samsung Smartphones Under $1300
1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) — Best overall Samsung flagship smartphone ($1,299)
Priced at $1,299, the 256GB Galaxy S24 Ultra is the most complete Android flagship in the US market, combining a flat 6.8-inch QHD+ 2,600-nit anti-reflective display, built-in S Pen stylus, 5,000 mAh battery, and 100x Space Zoom. In the sub-$1300 US price bracket, it stands out for combining 6.8″ QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with dependable everyday battery life and strong resale value. You can verify current US band support and technical sheets on the Samsung US Official Smartphones Store.
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (512GB) — Best high-storage clamshell foldable under $1200 ($1,199)
The 512GB Galaxy Z Flip6 ($1,199) upgrades Samsung’s iconic pocketable clamshell with a vapor chamber cooling system, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, 12GB RAM, a 50MP flagship main camera, and a larger 4,000 mAh battery. In the sub-$1300 US price bracket, it stands out for combining 6.7″ FHD+ 120Hz Foldable AMOLED + 3.4″ FlexWindow and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with dependable everyday battery life and strong resale value. Compare additional hardware configurations on the Samsung Galaxy S Series US Lineup.
3. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (256GB) — Best compact foldable phone under $1100 ($1,099)
At $1,099, the 256GB Galaxy Z Flip6 folds in half to fit the smallest pocket while letting you reply to texts, frame 50MP FlexCam hands-free photos, and run widgets directly on its 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover screen. In the sub-$1300 US price bracket, it stands out for combining 6.7″ FHD+ 120Hz Foldable AMOLED + 3.4″ FlexWindow and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with dependable everyday battery life and strong resale value.
4. Samsung Galaxy S24+ (256GB) — Best non-Ultra flagship under $1000 ($999)
At $999, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ matches the Ultra’s QHD+ resolution, 12GB of RAM, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor in a lighter, sleeker 6.7-inch frame with a 4,900 mAh battery and 45W super-fast charging. In the sub-$1300 US price bracket, it stands out for combining 6.7″ QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with dependable everyday battery life and strong resale value.
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 (256GB Unlocked) — Best foldable phone under $900 ($899)
Frequently available around $899 unlocked, the Galaxy Z Flip5 features the large 3.4-inch Flex Window cover display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance, and IPX8 water resistance. In the sub-$1300 US price bracket, it stands out for combining 6.7″ 120Hz Foldable AMOLED + 3.4″ Flex Window and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with dependable everyday battery life and strong resale value.
How to Choose the Right Samsung Smartphone Under $1300 in the US
- Galaxy S Ultra vs. Z Fold vs. Galaxy A-Series: Above $1,200, choose between the camera and built-in S Pen mastery of the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the 7.6-inch multitasking inner screen of the Galaxy Z Fold6 / Z Fold5. Below $500, the Galaxy A35 5G and A25 5G deliver 120Hz AMOLED displays and microSD slots.
- 7 Years of One UI & Android OS Upgrades: Every Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, and S24 FE smartphone sold in the US comes with 7 generations of Android OS upgrades and 7 years of security patches.
- Galaxy AI & Samsung DeX Productivity: Samsung’s Galaxy S and Z series include Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist, and wireless Samsung DeX desktop mode for external monitors.
- Storage Expansion on Sub-$500 Models: While flagship Galaxy S and Z phones use high-speed UFS 4.0 internal storage without a card slot, Galaxy A-series models (A35, A25, A15) support microSD cards up to 1TB.
- Compare Adjacent Price Brackets & Rivals: Want to see what stepping up or saving a little unlocks? Explore our guides to the best Samsung smartphones under $1200 in USA, best Samsung smartphones under $1400 in USA, best Samsung smartphones under $1500 in USA, or compare cross-brand options in our best Apple smartphones under $1200 in USA roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best overall Samsung smartphones under $1300 in the USA?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) ($1,299) and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (512GB) are the top choices under $1300 in the US market, offering 6.8″ QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM, 256GB Storage, 200MP Quad Camera, Built-in S Pen alongside reliable multi-carrier connectivity.
Which Samsung smartphone under $1300 has the best camera?
For mobile photography under $1300, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) leads the bracket thanks to its high-resolution sensor and advanced night and portrait processing, while Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (256GB) is a strong value alternative.
Do unlocked Samsung phones under $1300 work on US 5G networks?
Yes. Factory-unlocked smartphones in this guide support US 4G LTE and sub-6GHz 5G networks. Always match the exact model number to your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or MVNOs like Mint Mobile and Visible) before activating your SIM or eSIM.
Which phone under $1300 offers the longest battery life and fastest charging?
Models equipped with 5,000 mAh to 6,500 mAh batteries—such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (512GB)—easily deliver 1.5 to 2 days of mixed use on a single charge.
How much RAM and storage should I get on a smartphone under $1300?
Under $1300, look for at least 8GB to 12GB of RAM and 128GB to 256GB of fast UFS storage so 4K video recording, multitasking, and modern games run smoothly for years.
