Samsung has dominated the Android market for close to 15 years now, frequently sharing the number one spot in the smartphone space with Apple. Since 2009, both Samsung and Apple have remained in the world’s top five smartphone brands, and Samsung shifted over 60 million units in the fourth quarter of 2025 alone. As the brand’s loyal users anticipate the release of the Samsung Galaxy S26 in February this year, it’s worth looking back on where it all began.
Samsung, a South Korean company, is one of the world’s largest technology brands. Since the launch of the first Samsung Galaxy S device in 2010, Samsung has become a leader in the smartphone space by continually pushing the limits of quality and tech innovation. Its smartphones are known for an extensive app ecosystem, top-notch cameras, convenient multitasking capabilities, and enhanced security with Samsung DeX. Of course, these flagship smartphones aren’t cheap, but refurbished Samsung phones can offer high quality at a lower price.
Here’s a brief history of Samsung smartphones OzMobiles-style, focusing on the pivotal models you may encounter while shopping for refurbished Samsung phones. You’ll see that whether you’re shopping for new or refurbished, there’s plenty in the Samsung range to choose from.
Where Samsung Galaxy Phones Began
Founded in 1938 in Taegu, Korea, as a trading company, Samsung moved into the electronics world in the late 1960s. The company rose to become one of the most recognisable names in technology, a position it still holds. Samsung Electronics began with black-and-white TVs and expanded to include a range of other appliances, including washers, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and more.
Samsung’s first-ever cellular phone was the Samsung SC-1000, an in-car phone released in 1985. In 1988, the company released its first handheld cellular phone, the SH-100, the first mobile phone ever designed and manufactured in Korea. While these early efforts at mobile phones didn’t achieve commercial success, they did lay the groundwork for what was to come. It wasn’t until 2010 that the Galaxy S kick-started Samsung’s rise to the top of the smartphone world.
The Timeline of Samsung Galaxy Phones
Since 2009, Samsung has released hundreds of Galaxy smartphone models across various series, including the S, A, M, Z, and Note lineups. The smartphone models most influential in taking the brand to new heights include:
Galaxy S (2010)
The Samsung Galaxy S is the smartphone that started Samsung’s rise to Android greatness. At 9.9 mm, the thinnest smartphone in the world at the time also featured some of the most impressive specs of the era, including a 1GHz ARM Hummingbird processor that delivered cutting-edge graphics. The Galaxy S also set the standard for Samsung’s Android customisation.
Galaxy SII (2011)
While the Samsung Galaxy S made a splash, it was the Galaxy SII that really put Samsung’s smartphones on the map, with some reviewers calling it the best smartphone in the world. It was powered by a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 1GB of RAM, and up to 32GB of internal storage. Its Super AMOLED Plus screen made for a truly impressive image that far exceeded its predecessor.
Galaxy SIII (2012)
With the Galaxy SIII, Samsung continued to go from strength to strength. A quad-core handset that was again the world’s most powerful smartphone at the time of its release, it came with a 1.4GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM and an 8MP camera.
Galaxy S4 (2013)
Shifting 20 million units in the first two months alone, the Galaxy S4 was the fastest-selling Samsung smartphone ever. Featuring an impressive Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 2GB of RAM and a full HD AMOLED display, it was a powerful smartphone model that also looked great.
Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge (2015)
The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge were winning smartphones for Samsung. Replacing the plastic of previous models with quality metal and glass, its benefits included its 2K Super AMOLED display, excellent camera and powerful octa-core processor.
Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge (2016)
The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were Samsung’s sleekest but most powerful Android smartphones to date. With 4GB of RAM and large batteries in both, they also came with camera additions like dual-pixel autofocus.
Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus (2017)
The Galaxy S8 was the first Samsung phone to feature the Infinity Display, an edge-to-edge display with minimal bezels. The S8 also packed plenty of power with an Exynos 8895 processor and 48GB of RAM.
Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus (2020)
When Samsung jumped straight from S10 to S20, they made some other significant changes too, including an OLED display with a 120HZ refresh rate and a rear triple-camera with more photographic options.
Galaxy S21 Ultra (2021)
The Galaxy S21 Ultra has one of the best cameras you’re likely to find on a smartphone, even today. Its non-bundled S-Pen capabilities also make it a convenient smartphone for those who take notes on the go.
Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus (2023)
In 2023, Samsung continued to push the limits of what was possible with two of the most powerful smartphones for the time. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, these phones featured an impressive 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto camera, complete with 3x optical zoom.
Galaxy S24 Series (2024)
The Galaxy S24 series marked the dawn of "Galaxy AI." While the hardware remained top-tier, the focus shifted to integrated artificial intelligence, introducing features like Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Generative Edit for photos. The Ultra model also made the jump to a Titanium frame, following the industry trend toward more durable, premium materials, and utilised the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip to handle heavy AI processing.
Galaxy S25 Series (2025)
In 2025, Samsung doubled down on performance and design refinement. The S25 series is defined by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (or "Snapdragon 8 Elite"), which provides a massive leap in efficiency and neural processing. Samsung also addressed long-standing design critiques by introducing even slimmer, symmetrical bezels and a more ergonomic, rounded frame across the entire lineup. With 12GB of RAM becoming the new baseline to support advanced on-device AI, these models represent the most "intelligent" smartphones Samsung has ever produced.
The Future of Samsung Galaxy Phones
2026 is an exciting year for Samsung smartphones. The Galaxy S26 series, which includes the S26+ and S26+ Ultra, is set to feature even more refined designs and further camera quality improvements. The Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip 7 phones will reinforce the brand’s reputation for high-quality foldables. The Galaxy A15 5G and A26/A36 5G models are among the best budget-friendly phones available, balancing affordability with quality features.
What does the future hold for Samsung’s Galaxy range beyond the next 12 months? Samsung is focusing heavily on integrating ‘Galaxy AI’ into its ecosystem, with features like real-time translation and generative photo editing becoming more common. Samsung is also refining its approach to foldable phones, with the Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 being thinner and lighter with more durable hinges.
The brand will continue to improve smartphone hardware, with better chipsets, improved battery management, faster charging speeds and more camera lenses. Basically, all the factors that are most popular among smartphone shoppers.
As new Samsung smartphones hit the stores, older models will join the refurbished market. Refurbished Samsung phones let you experience the same high levels of quality that made Samsung a smartphone leader for a fraction of the usual price.
Buy the Latest Samsung Refurbished Phones at OzMobiles
OzMobiles is one of the easiest and best places in Australia to buy refurbished Samsung phones. Our range includes popular Samsung Galaxy models like the Galaxy S25 Edge, Galaxy Z Flip7, Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy Z Fold7.
We put every refurbished device we sell through a stringent 72-point checking and testing process to make sure it’s fully functional and in the best possible condition. This includes battery life, which we guarantee is at least 80%. When you buy refurbished through OzMobiles, you score a phone that can stand up to store-bought models in terms of quality for a fraction of the cost.
On top of Samsung smartphones, OzMobiles has a huge selection of iPhones and other refurbished Androids from brands like Google Pixel and Oppo. Every OzMobiles device comes with 12 months of warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To find out more and for help choosing the right refurbished Samsung, get in touch with the OzMobiles team.
