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Samsung

Samsung

Good7/10

South Korean electronics conglomerate's flagship company, making everything from chips and phones to home appliances.

Founded
1969
From
South Korea
HQ
Suwon, South Korea
Owned by
Independent
Made in
South Korea, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Mexico, Poland, the US and others
Also sold as
Samsung Electronics, Galaxy
www.samsung.com

Mobile phone

Excellent9/10Mid-range

Samsung is the default Android choice for most reviewers: polished hardware, strong displays and now some of the longest update commitments in the industry. Its range covers every budget, and local service is the most widespread of any Android brand.

Good at

  • Up to 7 years of OS and security updates on Galaxy S and Z
  • Galaxy A mid-rangers also get long (around 6-year) support
  • Excellent AMOLED displays across the range
  • Widest Android range, from budget A to Fold/Flip foldables
  • Big local service networks and carrier support everywhere

Weak at

  • Flagship launch prices high; best value comes after discounts
  • Budget Galaxy A models can feel sluggish
  • Some duplicated Samsung/Google apps
  • Foldables still less durable than slab phones
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty

In Australia: Sold by Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and all major retailers.

Galaxy SGalaxy Z FoldGalaxy Z FlipGalaxy AGalaxy S FE

Best for: Android buyers who want long support and easy local service at any budget

nzauukushk

SSD

Excellent9/10Premium

Samsung remains the benchmark consumer SSD brand, building every key part itself and topping many reviewer charts. Firmware stumbles in 2023 dented its reputation, but updates fixed them and long-term reliability is generally strong. Expect to pay a premium.

Good at

  • Own controller, V-NAND and DRAM: consistent top-tier drives
  • 990 Pro and 9100 Pro rank among the fastest consumer SSDs
  • Magician software handles firmware updates and health
  • Five-year warranty on Pro drives

Weak at

  • Usually costs more than equally fast rivals
  • 2023 firmware bugs hit 980 Pro and 990 Pro health (fixed)
  • 970 Evo Plus had a quiet controller change in 2021
  • 990 Evo Plus is DRAM-less (uses host memory buffer)
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
9100 Pro (PCIe 5.0)990 Pro990 Evo Plus870 Evo (SATA)T7 / T9 portable

Best for: buyers who want proven top performance and good software

nzauukushk

TV

Good8/10Premium

Samsung is the world's top TV seller, praised for bright Mini-LED and QD-OLED sets. The lack of Dolby Vision is a common complaint.

Good at

  • Bright Neo QLED Mini-LED TVs
  • Excellent QD-OLED models
  • The Frame lifestyle TV

Weak at

  • No Dolby Vision support
  • Tizen has many ads and recommendations
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Neo QLEDOLED S90/S95The FrameCrystal UHD

Best for: bright rooms and those wanting a stylish TV

nzauukushk

Tablet

Good8/10Mid-range

Samsung makes the best Android tablets, and the Tab S line is the main iPad alternative reviewers recommend. App quality on large screens still trails the iPad, and budget models are only adequate.

Good at

  • Best Android tablets, with bright AMOLED screens on Tab S
  • S Pen included with Galaxy Tab S models
  • Long update support on recent Tab S models
  • DeX desktop mode for laptop-style use

Weak at

  • Android tablet apps still weaker than iPad's
  • Galaxy Tab A budget models are slow
  • Top Tab S Ultra models are expensive
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Galaxy Tab SGalaxy Tab S FEGalaxy Tab A

Best for: Android users who want a premium tablet with a stylus in the box

nzauukushk

Smartwatch

Good8/10Mid-range

Galaxy Watch is the top pick for most Android users, especially Samsung phone owners who get the full feature set. Battery life is typical for Wear OS and some health tools are locked to Galaxy phones.

Good at

  • Most complete Wear OS watches for Android
  • Bright AMOLED screens and solid fitness tracking
  • Classic model's rotating bezel is well liked
  • Ultra model adds rugged build and longer battery

Weak at

  • Some health features need a Samsung phone
  • No iPhone support
  • Battery life mostly 1–2 days
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Galaxy WatchGalaxy Watch ClassicGalaxy Watch UltraGalaxy Fit

Best for: Android users, especially Galaxy phone owners

nzauukushk

Washing machine

Good7/10Mid-range

Samsung washers offer a lot of technology for the money and generally clean well. Long-term reliability and service are less consistent than LG, Bosch or Miele. A reasonable pick if features and price matter most.

Good at

  • Feature-rich: EcoBubble, AddWash door, AI dosing, app control
  • Competitive pricing with frequent promotions
  • Good wash performance on mid and upper models

Weak at

  • Reliability surveys place it middle of the pack
  • US top loaders recalled in 2016 over detaching lids
  • After-sales service experiences are mixed
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Bespoke AI front loadersEcoBubbleAddWashTop loaders (US)

Best for: feature-focused buyers shopping on price

nzauukushk

Clothes dryer

Good7/10Mid-range

Capable dryers with plenty of smart features at fair prices. Performance is good but long-term reliability is less proven than LG or Bosch. Best bought as a matched pair on promotion.

Good at

  • Heat pump models with good energy ratings
  • Optimal Dry sensing and app connectivity
  • Often discounted when bundled with washers

Weak at

  • Reliability data is average
  • Service experience inconsistent
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Bespoke AI heat pumpVented electric/gas (US)

Best for: buyers matching a Samsung washer on price

nzauukushk

Vacuum cleaner

Good7/10Premium

Samsung's Bespoke Jet sticks are strong Dyson rivals with handy auto-empty stations. Reviewers like the features, though long-term support is less established.

Good at

  • Bespoke Jet sticks with powerful suction
  • Clean Station auto-empty docks
  • Robot vacuums with object recognition

Weak at

  • Pricey flagship sticks and robots
  • Smaller spare-parts ecosystem than Dyson
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Bespoke Jet AIJet 75/90Bespoke Jet Bot AI

Best for: buyers who want a feature-rich stick with an auto-empty dock

nzauukushk

Headphones / earphones / earbuds

Good7/10Mid-range

Galaxy Buds are to Samsung phones what AirPods are to iPhones: good ANC and sound with the best features reserved for their own devices. The Buds3 Pro launch in 2024 was marred by quality-control complaints; sales resumed after extra inspections.

Good at

  • Galaxy Buds tightly integrated with Galaxy phones
  • Buds Pro models have solid ANC and sound
  • Hi-res Samsung Seamless Codec on Galaxy devices

Weak at

  • Best features locked to Galaxy phones
  • Buds3 Pro launch hit by ear-tip quality problems
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Galaxy Buds ProGalaxy BudsGalaxy Buds FE

Best for: Galaxy phone owners

nzauukushk

LCD monitor

Good7/10Mid-range

Samsung pushes the most features and new formats, and its Odyssey OLEDs are strong performers. Quality control and early firmware on some Odyssey Neo models have been patchy, so owners often wait for fixes or reviews of the exact model.

Good at

  • Odyssey OLED models use its own bright, vivid QD-OLED panels
  • Pioneered super-ultrawide and high-refresh curved monitors
  • Smart Monitors stream apps without a PC
  • ViewFinity S9 offers a 5K option for Mac users

Weak at

  • Odyssey Neo mini-LED models drew scanline and flicker complaints
  • Firmware bugs at launch are a recurring theme
  • Aggressive curves and VA panels don't suit everyone
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Odyssey OLEDOdyssey NeoOdysseyViewFinitySmart Monitor

Best for: buyers after ultrawide, super-ultrawide or smart-TV-style monitors

nzauukushk

Dishwasher

Mixed6.5/10Mid-range

Samsung dishwashers are sleek and feature-rich but trail the leaders on cleaning and drying. Reliability is average, though owner satisfaction is decent (4 stars in Canstar's 2026 NZ ratings). A secondary choice unless matching other Samsung appliances.

Good at

  • Modern designs with smart features
  • StormWash on some models

Weak at

  • Cleaning and drying behind Bosch and Miele
  • Reliability average
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
BespokeStormWashFreestanding

Best for: buyers matching other Samsung appliances

nzauukushk (not sold)

Phone case / screen protector

Mixed6.5/10Mid-range

Samsung's official cases are a safe, well-fitting choice for Galaxy owners, with some useful designs like Smart View wallets. Protection is modest and third-party brands offer more for the money.

Good at

  • Official cases fit Galaxy phones exactly, including S Pen models
  • Smart View and wallet cases add useful features
  • Easy to buy where Galaxy phones are sold

Weak at

  • Light protection for the price
  • Silicone and clear cases wear or yellow
  • Less choice than Spigen or OtterBox
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Silicone CaseClear CaseSmart View Wallet CaseStanding Grip Case

Best for: Galaxy owners wanting an official slim case

nzauukushk

Fridge / freezer

Mixed6/10Mid-range

Samsung fridges look good and are packed with features, but reliability, particularly of ice makers, has been a recurring issue. Models without ice makers are safer bets. Service can be slow.

Good at

  • Bespoke customisable panels and modern design
  • Family Hub smart screen on top models
  • Twin Cooling keeps fridge and freezer air separate

Weak at

  • Ice maker faults are a common owner complaint
  • Below-average reliability in some US surveys
  • Service experiences vary
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
BespokeFamily HubFrench DoorTop/Bottom Mount

Best for: style-conscious buyers, ideally choosing models without ice makers

nzauukushk

Air conditioner / heat pump

Mixed6/10Mid-range

Samsung brings useful comfort and smart-home features at sharp prices. Reviewers like WindFree, but after-sales support and longevity are less proven than the Japanese brands.

Good at

  • WindFree mode reduces direct draughts
  • SmartThings app integration
  • Often cheaper than Japanese equivalents

Weak at

  • Service and parts support weaker than HVAC specialists
  • Mixed long-term reliability reports from installers
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
WindFreeEHS (air-to-water)

Best for: SmartThings households wanting a feature-rich unit on a budget

nzauukushk

Charger / power bank / cable

Mixed6/10Mid-range

Samsung's chargers are a safe choice for Galaxy owners who want guaranteed full-speed charging without researching PPS support. The range is narrow, and specialists such as Anker and Ugreen offer more ports and power for similar money.

Good at

  • Guaranteed Super Fast Charging (PPS) for Galaxy phones
  • Solid build quality
  • Easy to find wherever Galaxy phones are sold

Weak at

  • Small range with few multi-port chargers
  • Power banks basic next to specialist brands
  • Costs more than third-party PPS chargers
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
25W/45W Power AdapterWireless Charger Duo/TrioBattery Pack

Best for: Galaxy owners who want a no-fuss official fast charger

nzauukushk

Oven / cooktop

Mixed6/10Mid-range

Samsung offers feature-rich ovens and ranges at good prices, with ideas like the Dual Cook split cavity. Reviewers praise the features, but owner feedback on reliability and service is weaker than for the German brands.

Good at

  • Dual Cook ovens split into two cavities
  • Smart app control and connected features
  • Competitive prices

Weak at

  • Electronics faults feature in owner complaints
  • After-sales service is often criticised
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Dual Cook FlexBespokeSmart ranges (US)Induction cooktops

Best for: Buyers wanting smart features and flexibility at a lower price

nzauukushk (not sold)

Laptop

Mixed6/10Premium

Galaxy Books are sleek and pleasant, especially for people already using Galaxy phones, but they're a small player in laptops. Limited market availability also means thinner local support and fewer independent reviews.

Good at

  • Thin, light Galaxy Book designs with vivid AMOLED screens
  • Tight integration with Galaxy phones, tablets and earbuds
  • Good battery life on recent models

Weak at

  • Not sold in every market (not in NZ or Australia)
  • Some features only work with a Samsung Galaxy phone
  • Heavy Samsung software layer on top of Windows
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Galaxy Book (Pro, 360, Edge)Galaxy Chromebook

Best for: Samsung Galaxy phone owners wanting a matching Windows laptop

nz (not sold)au (not sold)ukushk

Microwave

Mixed6/10Mid-range

Samsung microwaves look good and are well featured, but reliability feedback, particularly for over-the-range models in US owner surveys, is weak. Countertop models are a reasonable buy.

Good at

  • Stylish designs with ceramic enamel interiors
  • Smart features and air-fry options
  • Competitive prices

Weak at

  • Over-the-range models rate poorly for reliability in US
  • Service quality often criticised
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
BespokeSolo and grillOver-the-range (US)

Best for: Buyers who want style and smart features over reliability

nzauukushk

Researched September 2026 from public reviews, consumer groups and retailer listings, and summarised by hand — ratings are a judgement, not a lab score. Check current reviews and local retailers before you buy.