Choosing the best Android phone can be overwhelming because there are so many options from so many brands, it’s hard to know where to start. Unlike Apple, which sticks to its sleek lineup of iPhones, Android offers a diverse world. Whether you’re looking for the latest flagship phone from Samsung, a budget-friendly smartphone from Motorola, or something unique with a foldable design, there’s an Android device to suit your needs.
The beauty of Android is its flexibility. You’ll find phones with different screen sizes, camera settings, battery life, and even quirky extras like stylus support or sturdy designs. Plus, Android lets you customize your device to your heart’s content — something Apple fans might envy. We’ve tested and researched the best Android phones to help you find the right phone for your budget, lifestyle, and technology preferences.
What should you look for in a new Android phone?
performance
When it comes to choosing our favorite Android phones, the main things we look for are pretty clear: good performance (both algorithmic and AI), a beautiful display, a solid design, sharp cameras, long battery life, and a big commitment to ongoing software support. For performance, we don’t just look at benchmarks and other metrics, we also evaluate phones based on responsiveness. No matter if you’re reading, texting, browsing social media, or playing a game, no one wants a device that feels slow.
an offer
When it comes to displays, we generally prefer OLED panels that can produce rich, saturated colors with a brightness of at least 600 nits, although many of our mid-range and high-end phones can reach 1,000 nits or more. And recently, most of our favorite devices also support displays with fast 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, adding an extra level of smoothness and fluidity.
design
Now we’ll admit that there’s a bit of objectivity when deciding which phones look the best, but there are other design aspects like dust and water resistance or screen durability that can make a big difference in long-term survival. It’s also important to consider things like wireless charging support, power sharing (aka reverse wireless charging), and UWB connectivity, which can have an impact on how your phone interacts with your other devices.
Cameras
Obviously in photos we look for sharp and colorful shots in bright and low light conditions. And we want videos with high dynamic range, rich sound, and smooth image stabilization. Additional cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are a plus. The best cameras should also include features like dedicated night modes, support for different video recording resolutions, and additional photo modes like time-lapse, slow motion, and more.
Battery and software
Finally, in terms of longevity, we’re looking for all-day battery life on devices that also scored great in our local video testing (at least 16 hours on a charge, but obviously more is better). Wireless charging capabilities have become almost ubiquitous over the past few years, and most of our picks have that extra feature. Fast charging is available on some Android phones as well. Finally, with people keeping their phones longer than ever before, we’d like to see companies commit to at least three years of software support and regular security upgrades and updates.
Read our full article Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review
Processor: Google Tensor G4 | an offer: 6.3 inches Super Acta, up to 120 Hz | Cameras: Rear array (50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide with macro focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens), 42MP dual PD front camera with autofocus | battery: 4,700 mAh
Finally, the Pixel Pro is smaller. Google’s Pixel series has always been one of the best Android phones out there, with the Pro model being the premium version. But they’ve always been too big and too cumbersome for those of us who have smaller hands or want our phones to fit in our pockets. cue Pixel 9 ProIt is the smaller version of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Instead of a relatively large 6.8-inch screen like the one on its bigger sibling, the standard Pro has a 6.3-inch screen that’s easier to maneuver. No more worrying about dropping your Pixel Pro just because you fumbled while trying to reach the top of the screen!
Better yet, with the Pixel 9 Pro, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key feature to get to the smaller size, which means you’ll find the same camera setup and performance in both phones. The only real differences are screen size, battery and charging speeds, with the non-XL model recharging at a slightly slower rate. But the Pixel 9 Pro also lasts much longer than the XL, achieving nearly 25 hours on our battery test.
These differences aside, the Pixel 9 Pro lineup is our favorite Android phone due to its outstanding camera performance, interesting AI features, and overall adult vibe. While previous flagship Pixel devices had a colorful, blocky design that looked fresh, this year’s devices look solid and polished. And dare we say it, almost like iPhones. Without the camera bars, it would be very difficult to differentiate them from Apple phones.
Maybe it’s because it’s evolved so much over the years, but Pixel phones now cost the same as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro both start at $999, and although some of us have come to think of Google’s devices as the more competitive option, this year’s model may be good enough to justify the premium price. If you still want something from the Pixel 9 family but don’t want to pay $1,000, the basic Pixel 9 is still a solid phone for most people. But for now, the Pixel 9 Pro is the best Android phone money can buy. —Sherilyn Lu, deputy editor
- Great camera features and improved telephoto camera
- One year of Gemini Advanced for free
- Incredible battery life
- Beautiful, bright display that’s easy to use outside
- The Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor
- Slower charging speeds than XL
- Not the best phone for gaming
Photography by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Read our full article Google Pixel 8a review
Processor: Google Tensor G3 | an offer: 6.1-inch 1080 x 2400 OLED, up to 120 Hz | Cameras: Rear array (64MP wide, 13MP ultra-wide), 13MP front camera | battery: 4.49 mAh
Google’s A-series Pixels have always been some of the best mid-range phones on the market. But now with the addition of the Tensor G3 chip, it has become… Pixel 8a It supports the same powerful and versatile AI functionality you get in Google’s flagship phones along with excellent cameras, a gorgeous 120Hz OLED display, and great battery life. The device also comes with amenities like IP67 dust and water resistance and convenient (but slow) 7.5W wireless charging. But more importantly, starting at $499, it may be one of the best deals on the market.
- OLED color screen with a frequency of 120 Hz
- Strong battery life
- Excellent cameras
- Great value
- Slow wireless charging
- Thick edges
Photography by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Read our full article Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 3rd generation | an offer: 6.8 inches Dynamic AMOLED QHD+, with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz | Cameras: Rear array (200 MP, Dual Pixel AF, 100x digital zoom, 50 MP macro, 12 MP UW), 12 MP front camera | battery: 5000 mAh
For its latest ultra-premium phones, Samsung has introduced S24 Ultra A more durable titanium frame, faster performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, and much longer battery life. The company has also modified its longest telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom so that it is more usable in a wider range of situations. But the biggest upgrade is a whole new suite of AI tools, which includes the ability to proofread text, edit images, and transcribe recordings. And when you get the best display available on a phone today and a built-in stylus, you have a very attractive flagship phone. Unfortunately, starting at $1,300, the S24 Ultra is a bit too pricey to recommend to anyone without deep pockets.
Read our full article Pixel 9 Pro Fold review
Processor: Google Tensor G4 | an offer: 8-inch Super Actua Flex LTPO FullView Display, 6.3-inch Actua Cover Display | Cameras: Rear array (48MP wide, 10.5MP ultra-wide, 10.8MP telephoto), 10MP front camera | battery: 4,650 mAh
The small but powerful improvements Google has made to its second-generation foldable have pushed it to the front of the pack. the Pixel 9 Pro Fold It turns the somewhat clumsy original Pixel Fold into a solid phone that’s ready for primetime use. Google has refined its design to have an aspect ratio that mimics standard Pixel 9 smartphones, with a familiar 6.3-inch external display and 20:9 aspect ratio, which is easier to use and hold. The internal display features a more square aspect ratio as well as a slightly larger screen area than before. The phone overall has a more premium feel and definitely a more polished look thanks to its matte back and satin metal frame.
Combined with strong performance (and battery life) and an updated design, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold still has the best cameras of any foldable phone we’ve tried, despite the lack of any hardware upgrades from the original version. Plus, Google’s AI photo editing tools like Magic Editor give you more control over your photos, and Pixel-only software like Made You Look makes Google’s phone more foldable. —Valentina Palladino, deputy editor
- Sleek design
- Better cameras than the competition
- Thinner and lighter than the previous model
- Runs cooler than before
- Still expensive
- Some programming quirks
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