One of the best Android telephones

The Android ecosystem is all about alternative. Whereas iPhone house owners have a smaller pool of recent gadgets to choose from when it’s time to improve, there’s a a lot wider vary of decisions on Android. You need unimaginable digital camera zoom? A built-in stylus? A cellphone that runs a whole desktop setting whenever you plug it right into a monitor? You could find it on Android. Heck, yow will discover all of that in a single system.

On the flip facet, all that alternative could make for some onerous selections. Right here’s the place I’d like to assist; I’ve examined a complete boatload of latest Android telephones, and I believe there are some actual winners within the present batch. It’s all a matter of what you’re searching for, what you’re comfy spending, and what your definition of a “moderately sized cellphone” is. (I’ve my very own, personally.)

As you sift by the choices, you’ll virtually actually come throughout tech’s favourite buzzphrase of the yr: AI. Usually talking, AI has but to essentially 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 massive tech corporations preserve promising. Finest to not put an excessive amount of inventory in any firm’s AI claims simply but.

In case you stay within the US, I’ve some dangerous information concerning 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 obtainable 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 “totally free” from their wi-fi provider. In case you 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. Cellphone producers additionally provide financing and trade-in offers to make fee extra manageable. However if you happen to’re joyful along with your provider and the free cellphone on provide is the one you actually need, by all means, take the free cellphone. Simply ensure you perceive the phrases, particularly if you’ll want to change plans to money in on the deal. 

Nonetheless you go about it, you will have some incredible choices to your subsequent Android cellphone.

Display screen: 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 picture enhancing tips, boy does this cellphone have ‘em. There’s a brand new Screenshots app that acts as a spot to retailer the entire info that may 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 useful.

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 seemingly 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 straightforward suggestion for anybody who simply desires a pleasant Android cellphone that works.

Learn my Google Pixel 9 evaluate.

Display screen: 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 title: Extremely. It has every little thing you would ask for in a cellphone — nicely, a minimum of one which doesn’t fold in half. There’s a stylus, two telephoto cameras, an enormous battery, and among the best ding dang screens on any cellphone, wherever.

So why am I somewhat 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. This can be a wise transfer, and pictures 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 swap to titanium for the body hasn’t made it any lighter.

Private emotions concerning 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 well worth the improve, it’s the display. Its anti-glare coating and boosted most brightness make it so comfy to make use of exterior it’s virtually magic. That’s hardly a flowery new tech function, however the Galaxy S24 Extremely is hardly any outdated cellphone.

Learn my Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely evaluate.

Display screen: 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 ranking: IP65

After just a few years and somewhat soul-searching, OnePlus is again to its roots. The OnePlus 12 is a superb system with high-end efficiency with a aggressive worth: $799 for the bottom mannequin with a hefty 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

For that worth, 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 a full day, and light-weight customers can stretch it to 2.

What stands out concerning the OnePlus 12, although, may simply be what’s not right here: a bunch of AI options. Truthfully? That’s form of refreshing. A few of the AI options Google and Samsung are busy transport 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 ideal cellphone, the OnePlus 12 is perhaps the one.

Learn my OnePlus 12 evaluate.

Display screen: 8.0-inch 2076p 120Hz OLED internal 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 internal selfie digital camera / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

Does anybody actually want a folding cellphone? In all probability not. However utilizing one is very good, and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is the nicest book-style foldable I’ve used so far. 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. Nevertheless it’s a pleasure to make use of, each as an everyday cellphone with the quilt display and whenever you unfold the massive internal display.

The 9 Professional Fold is Google’s second folding cellphone, following up the passport-shaped Pixel Fold with a format that feels rather 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 want the 9 Professional Fold’s strategy.

That stated, 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 brilliant 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’ll’t get it repaired simply wherever. For $1,800, that’s an terrible lot to swallow. For the adventurous early adopter, although, the 9 Professional Fold will probably be very rewarding.

Learn my Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold evaluate.

Display screen: 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 Cellphone 2 doesn’t provide the easiest worth proposition in its upper-midrange class. But when it’s model you’re after and one thing somewhat flashy (nicely, so much flashy), then the Cellphone 2 is a straightforward decide.

It gives a superb 6.7-inch display, nice every day efficiency and battery life, and a succesful digital camera system. However that’s the standard stuff — what’s uncommon concerning the Cellphone 2 is its set of LED mild strips on the again panel. They illuminate in combos referred to as “glyphs,” and you’ll set them to provide you with a warning to sure notifications. It’s neat however finally isn’t as useful because the system’s customizable always-on show.

On the draw back, the Cellphone 2 is barely splash-resistant relatively than totally proof against water submersion like just about all different telephones over $500. It’s additionally not totally supported on Verizon’s community, which takes it out of rivalry for lots of the US inhabitants.

If neither of the above is a deal-breaker, and the Cellphone 2’s styling appeals to you, then it’s a wonderful alternative. One factor’s for positive — it undoubtedly stands out from the group.

Learn my Nothing Cellphone 2 evaluate.

There are a lot of extra nice Android gadgets that weren’t coated right here, and some are price calling out that didn’t fairly make the reduce for a suggestion.

• First off, there’s the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung’s wonderful 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 quilt display extra simply — however Motorola’s monitor document for software program updates isn’t nice, so the Z Flip 6 is a safer wager for a flip cellphone. Learn our evaluate.
• The OnePlus Open can be one other good book-style foldable choice. It’s skinny and light-weight, and the software program consists of some considerate approaches to multitasking — an important a part of the folding cellphone expertise. Nevertheless it gained’t be supported with software program updates for so long as the Pixel 9 Professional Fold or the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Learn our evaluate.
• Final however not least, there’s the Google Pixel 8A. In case you 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. Learn our evaluate.

Replace, September thirteenth: Changed the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus with the Google Pixel 9 and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with the Pixel 9 Professional.