The Android ecosystem is all about selection. Whereas iPhone house owners have a smaller pool of recent gadgets to select from when it’s time to improve, there’s a a lot wider vary of selections on Android. You need unbelievable digital camera zoom? A built-in stylus? A cellphone that runs a whole desktop atmosphere once you plug it right into a monitor? You’ll find it on Android. Heck, you’ll find all of that in a single machine.
On the flip facet, all that selection could make for some onerous choices. Right here’s the place I’d like to assist; I’ve examined an entire boatload of latest Android telephones, and I feel there are some actual winners within the present batch. It’s all a matter of what you’re in search of, what you’re snug spending, and what your definition of a “reasonably sized phone” is. (I’ve my very own, personally.)
As you sift by means of the choices, you’ll virtually actually come throughout tech’s favourite buzzphrase of the yr: AI. Typically talking, AI has but to actually impress me on a cellphone. The Pixel 9 collection has some doubtlessly helpful options, like a brand new Screenshots app that makes use of AI to tag related information in metadata, and Galaxy gadgets can translate a cellphone name for you in actual time. These items are nothing to sneeze at! However none of it feels just like the platform shift that the large tech firms maintain promising. Finest to not put an excessive amount of inventory in any firm’s AI claims simply but.
If you happen to reside within the US, I’ve some unhealthy information in regards to the Android market, although. For classy causes having to do with “capitalism” and “geopolitics,” we don’t get practically as lots of the choices as you’ll discover in Asia and Europe — manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo simply aren’t accessible right here. I’ve restricted this information to the gadgets I’ve personally examined in depth; thus, it’s a pretty US-centric set of suggestions.
With that in thoughts, it’s additionally price acknowledging that most individuals within the US get their telephones “for free” from their wi-fi provider. If you happen to can handle it, shopping for a cellphone unlocked gives you probably the most flexibility and freedom if you find yourself wanting to alter carriers within the close to future. Telephone producers additionally supply financing and trade-in offers to make fee extra manageable. However if you happen to’re completely satisfied along with your provider and the free cellphone on supply is the one you really need, by all means, take the free cellphone. Simply ensure you perceive the phrases, particularly if you want to change plans to money in on the deal.
Nevertheless you go about it, you’ve gotten some incredible choices to your subsequent Android cellphone.
The most effective Android cellphone general
Display: 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 foremost with OIS, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wi-fi (with Pixel Stand 2) / Climate resistance: IP68
Google’s {hardware} is healthier than ever, and the entire Pixel 9 lineup feels simply as polished as something you’d get from Samsung or Apple. However at $799, the essential Pixel 9 is in a very interesting place, and if you happen to don’t want a telephoto digital camera or the most important display, then that is the Android cellphone to get.
The Pixel 9 comes with some important quality-of-life enhancements like a quicker fingerprint scanner for unlocking the cellphone. The digital camera is as dependable as ever, and if you happen to’re into AI photograph modifying methods, boy does this cellphone have ‘em. There’s a brand new Screenshots app that acts as a spot to retailer all the info that might in any other case be misplaced at sea in your digital camera roll, and it makes use of AI to parse info out and make it searchable. Kinda helpful.
Even with out AI, this is a superb cellphone. It’s additionally designed to go the gap, with seven years of promised OS updates, which very possible means you’ll outgrow the cellphone earlier than Google stops supporting it. Its potential for long-term worth and the standard of the {hardware} make it a simple suggestion for anybody who simply desires a pleasant Android cellphone that works.
The most effective maximalist cellphone
Display: 6.8-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 200-megapixel foremost with OIS, 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely says all of it within the identify: Extremely. It has all the things you possibly can ask for in a cellphone — properly, a minimum of one which doesn’t fold in half. There’s a stylus, two telephoto cameras, a large battery, and among the best ding dang screens on any cellphone, anyplace.
So why am I just a little underwhelmed? For starters, Samsung swapped final yr’s 10x telephoto digital camera for a higher-resolution 5x digital camera that makes use of in-sensor crop to zoom to 10x. It is a smart transfer, and photographs at 10x look advantageous, if not as crisp as they did on the final mannequin. It’s additionally pricier this time round, and it was already an costly cellphone. It’s fairly darn heavy, too, and Samsung’s change to titanium for the body hasn’t made it any lighter.
Private emotions in regards to the zoom lens apart, the S24 Extremely continues to be principally peerless. Its much-touted AI options are advantageous, but when there’s one factor that makes it definitely worth the improve, it’s the display. Its anti-glare coating and boosted most brightness make it so snug to make use of outdoors it’s virtually magic. That’s hardly a elaborate new tech function, however the Galaxy S24 Extremely is hardly any outdated cellphone.
The most effective cellphone if you happen to’re sick of listening to about AI
Display: 6.82-inch 1440p 120Hz LTPO OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.6 foremost with OIS, 64-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 48-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide / Battery: 5400mAh / Charging: 80W wired, 50W wi-fi / Climate-resistance score: IP65
After a couple of years and just a little soul-searching, OnePlus is again to its roots. The OnePlus 12 is a superb machine with high-end efficiency with a aggressive value: $799 for the bottom mannequin with a hefty 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
For that value, you get a crisp 1440p 6.8-inch show, a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and a succesful digital camera. It helps wi-fi charging, one thing that earlier OnePlus flagships have skipped. Battery efficiency is incredible, too — energy customers can get by means of a full day, and lightweight customers can stretch it to 2.
What stands out in regards to the OnePlus 12, although, would possibly simply be what’s not right here: a bunch of AI options. Actually? That’s type of refreshing. A few of the AI options Google and Samsung are busy delivery proper now are good, however none of them really feel important. If you wish to sit out this AI hype cycle however you continue to need an excellent cellphone, the OnePlus 12 could be the one.
The most effective foldable cellphone
$1799
The Pixel 9 Professional Fold includes a 6.3-inch outer display and an 8-inch inside display as soon as it’s unfolded — each of that are bigger than the unique Pixel Fold. The brand new foldable additionally lays flat when opened, sports activities IPX8 climate resistance, and presents a thinner design than the last-gen mannequin.
Display: 8.0-inch 2076p 120Hz OLED inside display, 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED cowl display / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 foremost with OIS, 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display), 10-megapixel inside selfie digital camera / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8
Does anybody really want a folding cellphone? Most likely not. However utilizing one is terribly good, and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is the nicest book-style foldable I’ve used up to now. It’s dear, it’s nonetheless bulkier than a slab-style cellphone, and its cameras aren’t fairly as good as the opposite Pixel 9 Professional telephones. But it surely’s a pleasure to make use of, each as an everyday cellphone with the duvet display and once you unfold the large inside display.
The 9 Professional Fold is Google’s second folding cellphone, following up the passport-shaped Pixel Fold with a format that feels way more acquainted. The outer display measures 6.3 inches on the diagonal, however extra importantly, the ratio is similar as Google’s slab telephones. By comparability, Samsung’s Z Fold 6 makes use of a taller, narrower format that feels cramped. Having used them each, I a lot choose the 9 Professional Fold’s method.
That mentioned, the 9 Professional Fold isn’t with out compromises. The digital camera system isn’t fairly nearly as good as what you get within the different 9 Professional telephones. The outer display isn’t as sharp or vivid because the Pixel 9 Professional’s, both. And it’s not as sturdy as its slab-style counterparts — there’s no mud resistance, and you may’t get it repaired simply anyplace. For $1,800, that’s an terrible lot to swallow. For the adventurous early adopter, although, the 9 Professional Fold will likely be very rewarding.
The most effective cellphone that places on a light-weight present
The Nothing Telephone 2 embraces a sure retro-infused aesthetic that’s in contrast to anything you’ll discover available on the market. It’s not licensed to work on Verizon, and its rear-panel LED mild strips are extra fashionable than purposeful, but it surely’s a great different to the large Android manufacturers.
Display: 6.7-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.9 foremost with OIS, 50-megapixel ultrawide, 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP54
The Nothing Telephone 2 doesn’t supply the easiest worth proposition in its upper-midrange class. But when it’s type you’re after and one thing just a little flashy (properly, loads flashy), then the Telephone 2 is a simple choose.
It presents a great 6.7-inch display, nice each day efficiency and battery life, and a succesful digital camera system. However that’s the same old stuff — what’s uncommon in regards to the Telephone 2 is its set of LED mild strips on the again panel. They illuminate in mixtures known as “glyphs,” and you may set them to provide you with a warning to sure notifications. It’s neat however in the end isn’t as useful because the system’s customizable always-on show.
On the draw back, the Telephone 2 is just splash-resistant reasonably than totally immune to water submersion like nearly all different telephones over $500. It’s additionally not totally supported on Verizon’s community, which takes it out of competition for lots of the US inhabitants.
If neither of the above is a deal-breaker, and the Telephone 2’s styling appeals to you, then it’s a superb selection. One factor’s for positive — it positively stands out from the group.
Different Android telephones price contemplating
There are numerous extra nice Android gadgets that weren’t coated right here, and some are price calling out that didn’t fairly make the minimize for a suggestion.
- First off, there’s the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung’s glorious clamshell-style foldable. It’s not as a lot enjoyable to make use of because the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus — which facilitates utilizing apps on the duvet display extra simply — however Motorola’s monitor report for software program updates isn’t nice, so the Z Flip 6 is a safer guess for a flip cellphone.
- The OnePlus Open can also be one other good book-style foldable possibility. It’s skinny and lightweight, and the software program consists of some considerate approaches to multitasking — a vital a part of the folding cellphone expertise. But it surely received’t be supported with software program updates for so long as the Pixel 9 Professional Fold or the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
- Final however not least, there’s the Google Pixel 8A. If you happen to actually need to maximize the return in your funding, it’s onerous to beat Google’s newest midrange cellphone. It covers all of the fundamentals for $499 whereas providing seven years of software program help.
Replace, September thirteenth: Changed the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus with the Google Pixel 9 as one of the best Android cellphone for most individuals; changed the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 with the Google Pixel 9 Professional as one of the best folding cellphone.