Tech From the 2020s: History's Best Sellers

At the dawn of the new millennium, 2020s saw a swell surge of Y2K fever and early digital revolution in the world of tech! Leading the charge were mighty, top-selling marvels like Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, capturing the public’s fancy in grand fashion. Distinguished creators from industry leaders like Samsung and Xiaomi proved their mettle with Samsung Galaxy A11, delivering craftsmanship that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Step right up and inspect our complete, rank-ordered historical archive below!

1. Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra

   Released in 2020 by Samsung

   On February 11, 2020, Samsung took the stage in San Francisco for its bi-annual Unpacked event, one of the last major in-person tech showcases before the world changed due to the global pandemic. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation for the successor to the highly successful Galaxy S10 line. On this day, Samsung unveiled not two, but three flagship devices: the Galaxy S20, S20+, and the all-new, top-tier Galaxy S20 Ultra. The presentation positioned the series as a monumental leap forward, heavily emphasizing two key pillars for the new decade: the widespread implementation of 5G connectivity across the entire lineup and a radical new camera system designed to change mobile photography forever.

2. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

   Released in 2020 by Xiaomi

   On March 12, 2020, as the world was grappling with the onset of a global pandemic, Xiaomi held a major online-only launch event in India, unveiling the Redmi Note 9 Pro. This date marks a key moment in the hyper-competitive mid-range smartphone market. With physical events canceled, the digital stage became the sole focus, and Xiaomi leveraged it to introduce a device designed to continue its dominance in the value-for-money segment. The announcement was significant not just for the phone itself, but for demonstrating how tech launches would adapt to a new global reality. For millions of fans, the Redmi Note 9 Pro's debut was a welcome distraction, promising flagship-level features without the flagship price tag.

3. Samsung Galaxy A11

   Released in 2020 by Samsung

   On March 13, 2020, amidst the growing global uncertainty of the early COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung quietly updated its official press website, formally revealing the Galaxy A11 to the world. There was no grand Unpacked event or lavish launch party; instead, the arrival of this crucial budget device was a subtle affair, marked by its appearance online. This low-key announcement underscored the phone's purpose: to be an accessible, no-fuss workhorse for the masses. By launching on this date, Samsung reinforced its commitment to the entry-level market, ensuring that even as the world was changing, consumers on a tight budget would have access to a modern, capable smartphone from a globally trusted brand.

4. Samsung Galaxy A21s

   Released in 2020 by Samsung

   On May 15, 2020, amidst a global landscape reshaped by the pandemic, Samsung quietly announced the Galaxy A21s. This date marked a strategic reinforcement of its dominance in the budget smartphone segment. With consumers worldwide seeking value and reliability more than ever, the A21s was launched not with a grand stage event, but with a press release detailing a device built for the times. It represented Samsung's commitment to its highly successful A-series, aiming to bring features once reserved for flagships, like a versatile quad-camera array and a massive battery, to an accessible price point, directly challenging competitors in the fiercely contested mid-range market.

5. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

   Released in 2020 by Samsung

   On September 23, 2020, Samsung held a special virtual event titled 'Galaxy Unpacked for Every Fan.' This presentation was uniquely dedicated to unveiling a single device: the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE). In a year defined by global economic uncertainty, this launch was a strategic masterstroke. Instead of a minor iteration, Samsung presented a smartphone built entirely from fan feedback, distilling the most beloved features of its flagship S20 series into a more accessible package. This date marks the moment Samsung directly responded to consumer demand for high-end specifications without the premium price tag, creating a new and highly successful category within its own product ecosystem.

6. Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra

   Released in 2021 by Samsung

   On January 14, 2021, Samsung held its first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year, unveiling the Galaxy S21 series. Breaking from its traditional February or March launch schedule, this earlier debut was a strategic move to directly challenge Apple's recently released iPhone 12 and gain a head start in the flagship market. Presented in a virtual format due to the global pandemic, the event showcased a refined product lineup with a striking new design, significant camera upgrades, and a revised pricing structure. The introduction of the S21, S21+, and the S Pen-compatible S21 Ultra marked a pivotal moment for Samsung's mobile strategy, aiming to reclaim momentum after the S20's high price met with a challenging economic climate.

7. Samsung Galaxy A02

   Released in 2021 by Samsung

   On January 27, 2021, Samsung quietly unveiled the Galaxy A02, a strategic addition to its sprawling entry-level smartphone portfolio. The announcement came at a time when the global economy was still grappling with the effects of the pandemic, leading to a surge in demand for affordable yet capable devices for remote work, online education, and staying connected. The Galaxy A02 was Samsung's direct answer to this demand, particularly in emerging markets. Instead of a high-profile launch event, its specifications and availability were simply listed, underscoring its role as a workhorse device designed to bolster Samsung’s market share against aggressive competition from Chinese brands in the sub-$150 price category.

8. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

   Released in 2022 by Samsung

   On February 9, 2022, Samsung hosted its Galaxy Unpacked event, a date that marked a pivotal strategy shift for its mobile division. The star of the show was the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which did more than just iterate on its predecessor. It signaled the official merging of two iconic Samsung lineages: the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Note. For the first time, Samsung's premier S-series device came with an integrated S Pen stylus, complete with a dedicated silo in the phone's body. This launch effectively made the S22 Ultra the spiritual successor to the Galaxy Note series, which had been absent in 2021, ending years of speculation and delighting a loyal fanbase of power users and productivity enthusiasts.

9. Samsung Galaxy A14 4G

   Released in 2023 by Samsung

   On February 28, 2023, Samsung officially introduced the Galaxy A14 4G, expanding its portfolio of budget-friendly smartphones. This release followed the debut of its 5G counterpart earlier in the year and was strategically timed to capture key global markets where 4G LTE networks remained the standard. The announcement was not a grand, staged event but a quiet, official unveiling that underscored the phone's practical purpose. It was designed to bring a modern feature set—including a large, high-resolution display and a capable camera—to an accessible price point. This launch was critical for reinforcing Samsung's dominance in the entry-level segment, particularly in developing regions across Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, ensuring a competitive option for every consumer.

10. Samsung Galaxy A05s

    Released in 2023 by Samsung

    On September 25, 2023, Samsung quietly updated its entry-level lineup by officially revealing the Galaxy A05s alongside its sibling, the A05. The announcement, which first appeared on Samsung's Malaysian website, didn't come with the fanfare of a flagship launch but was significant for the budget-conscious market. This date marks the introduction of a device designed to bring modern smartphone essentials to a wider audience. The A05s represented an important strategic move for Samsung, aiming to fortify its position in the highly competitive low-end segment by offering key upgrades in performance and display technology, directly challenging other value-focused brands in emerging markets.

11. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

    Released in 2023 by Samsung

    On October 4, 2023, Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy S23 FE, re-energizing its popular Fan Edition lineup after skipping a generation. This launch was significant as it marked the return of a highly anticipated product category for the brand: a smartphone that distills the essence of its flagship S series into a more accessible package. The announcement wasn't just for a phone; it introduced a whole FE ecosystem, launching alongside the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Buds FE. This strategic move aimed to offer a cohesive, premium-yet-affordable experience across multiple device categories, solidifying the FE brand's identity and signaling Samsung's commitment to the value-conscious consumer who still desires high-end features and design.

12. Samsung Galaxy A15 4G

    Released in 2023 by Samsung

    On December 11, 2023, Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy A15 series, continuing its strategic dominance in the global budget smartphone market. The announcement introduced both 4G and 5G variants, with the Galaxy A15 4G specifically targeting price-sensitive consumers and markets where 4G LTE remains the prevalent network standard. This launch was significant as it marked the introduction of Super AMOLED displays into one of Samsung's most affordable lines, a feature previously reserved for mid-range and premium devices. The date represents Samsung's commitment to democratizing high-quality technology and reinforcing the Galaxy A-series' position as a worldwide bestseller by offering substantial year-over-year upgrades.

13. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

    Released in 2024 by Samsung

    On January 17, 2024, at its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California, Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy S24 Ultra, heralding a new era for its flagship line. This date is significant not just for a hardware refresh, but for the introduction of 'Galaxy AI,' Samsung's comprehensive suite of on-device and cloud-based artificial intelligence features. Presented amidst a tech industry captivated by generative AI, the S24 Ultra was positioned as the first mainstream device to deeply integrate these capabilities. The launch aimed to redefine the smartphone's role from a simple communication tool to a proactive, intelligent companion, setting a new competitive benchmark for the year.

14. Samsung Galaxy S24

    Released in 2024 by Samsung

    On January 17, 2024, Samsung took the stage for its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California, to introduce the Galaxy S24 series. This date marked a pivotal moment for the company, signaling a strategic shift from hardware-focused upgrades to a new era defined by artificial intelligence. The unveiling of "Galaxy AI" was the central theme, positioning the S24 not just as an iteration of its predecessor but as a revolutionary tool designed to integrate AI into daily tasks. The launch was a direct response to the industry-wide AI boom, aiming to redefine user experience with features like real-time translation and advanced photo editing, setting a new benchmark for flagship smartphones in 2024.

15. Samsung Galaxy A55

    Released in 2024 by Samsung

    On March 11, 2024, Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy A55, continuing the lineage of its most successful smartphone series. This date marked a significant moment for the mid-range market, as Samsung reinforced its strategy of democratizing premium features. The announcement wasn't just another product launch; it was a statement. By introducing a metal frame for the first time in the A5x series and incorporating its Knox Vault security platform, Samsung signaled a new standard for non-flagship devices. The launch, which also included the Galaxy A35, set the stage for the competitive landscape of 2024, challenging rivals to match its blend of premium design, robust security, and long-term software commitment in a more accessible package.