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Choosing the best Android phone can be difficult because there are so many options from so many brands, it’s hard to know where to start. Unlike Apple, which sticks to its colorful iPhones, Android offers a variety of models. Whether you’re looking for the latest flagship from Samsung, a budget-friendly smartphone from Motorola or something special with a curved design, there’s an Android device out there to suit your needs.
The beauty of Android is its flexibility. You’ll find phones with different screen sizes, camera placement, battery life and extra features like a handy stylus or sturdy construction. Plus, Android lets you customize your device to your heart’s content – something Apple fans will be jealous of. We’ve tested and researched the best Android phones to help you find the right one for your budget, lifestyle, and technology preferences.
What to look for in a new Android phone
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When it comes to choosing our favorite Android phones, the main things we look for are pretty straightforward: good performance (both computing and AI), great display, solid design, sharp cameras, long battery life and a strong commitment to ongoing software support. . In order to be successful, we not only look at benchmarks and other metrics, but also test phones based on responsiveness. Whether you’re reading, texting, browsing social media or playing games, no one wants a device that feels sluggish.
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When it comes to displays, we generally prefer OLED panels that can produce rich, saturated colors with at least 600 nits, although many of our mid-range and high-end smartphones can hit 1,000 nits or more. And soon, many of our favorite devices also support displays with fast refresh rates of 90Hz or 120Hz, which add to the smoothness and sweetness.
Creation
Now we will admit that there is a little bias in choosing the phones that look the best, but there are other features such as dust and water resistance or the durability of the screen that can make a big difference in longevity. It’s also important to consider things like wireless charging support, power sharing (aka reverse wireless charging) and UWB connectivity, which can affect how well your phone works with your other devices.
Cameras
Obviously, in photography we are looking for sharp, beautiful images in bright and subdued colors. And we want videos with high definition, rich audio and picture stability. Ultra-wide cameras and telephoto lenses are a plus. The best cameras should also have features such as dedicated night mode, support for various video recording modes, and other photo modes such as timelapse, slow motion and more.
Battery and software
Finally, when it comes to longevity, we’re looking at all-day battery life for devices that also delivered good results in our video game tests (at least 16 hours on a charge, but more is better). Wireless capabilities have become ubiquitous in the past few years, and many of our top picks have them. Quick wash is also available on other Android phones. Finally, with people using their phones longer than ever, we like to see companies commit to at least three years of software support, upgrades and regular security updates.
Read our full article Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review
Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Show it: 6.3-inch Super Actua, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear (50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens), 42MP dual PD front selfie camera with autofocus | BatteryCapacity: 4,700mAh
Finally, the smaller Pixel Pro. The Google Pixel series has long been one of the best Android phones around, with the Pro version being the top model. But they were always too big and cumbersome for those of us who have small hands or want to keep our phones in our pockets. That Pixel 9 Prowhich is a smaller version of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Instead of a large 6.8-inch screen like the one on its big brother, the standard Pro has a 6.3-inch display that is easy to navigate. No more worrying about dropping your Pixel Pro because you keep tripping trying to reach the top of the screen!
Even better, with the Pixel 9 Pro, Google hasn’t sacrificed anything to get to the smaller size, meaning you’ll get the same camera setup and functionality on both handsets. The real differences are the size of the screen, the battery and the speed, as the non-XL version also adds a little more. But the Pixel 9 Pro also lasts longer than the XL, clocking in at around 25 hours in our battery tests.
That aside, the Pixel 9 Pro is our favorite Android phone thanks to its top-notch camera, impressive AI features and great vibes. While previous Pixel devices had a sleeker, sleeker design, this year’s devices are more rugged and refined. And, dare we say, almost like iPhones. Without the camera bars, it would be difficult to distinguish them from Apple phones.
Maybe it’s because they’ve grown so much over the years, but Pixel phones are now about the same price as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro both start at $999, and while some of us have come to think of Google’s smartphones as a pricey option, this year’s model may be good enough to justify the price tag. If you still want something from the Pixel 9 family but don’t want to pay $1,000, the original Pixel 9 is still a solid device for most people. But as it stands, the Pixel 9 Pro is the best Android money can buy. – Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor
Goodness
- Excellent cameras and a good telephoto camera
- A year of Gemini Advanced for free
- Amazing battery life
- A beautiful, bright display that is easy to use outdoors
- The Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor
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- Slower speed than XL
- Not the best phone for gaming
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Read our full article Google Pixel 8 review
Processor: Google Tensor G3 | Show it: 6.1-inch 1,080 x 2,400 OLED, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Back (64MP wide, 13MP ultrawide), 13MP front camera | Batterycapacity: 4.49mAh
Google’s A-Series Pixels have long been some of the best smartphones on the market. But now with the addition of the Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a it supports the same powerful and flexible AI functions that you find in Google’s flagship phones along with excellent cameras, a bright 120Hz OLED display and excellent battery life. The device also comes with creature comforts such as IP67 dust and water resistance and convenient (but slow) 7.5-watt Qi wireless charging. But most importantly, starting at $499, it could be one of the best on the market.
Goodness
- A beautiful 120Hz OLED display
- Powerful battery life
- Excellent cameras
- A great price
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- Slow wireless speed
- Large bezels
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Read our full article Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Show it: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED QHD+, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear (200MP, Dual Pixel AF, Digital Zoom 100x, 50MP Macro, 12MP UW), 12MP front camera | BatteryCapacity: 5,000mAh
For its latest phone, Samsung has delivered Pictures of S24Ult solid titanium frame, works fast thanks to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and long battery life. The company has also updated its ultra-long telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom so it can be used in a variety of situations. But the biggest upgrade is the new AI tools, which include the ability to read text, edit photos and write notes. And when you look at the best display on a phone these days and a built-in stylus, you have a really solid stylus. Unfortunately, starting at $1,300, the S24 Ultra is too expensive for anyone without deep pockets.
Read our full article Pixel 9 Pro Fold review
Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Show it: 8-inch Super Actua Flex LTPO full display, 6.3-inch Actua cover screen | Cameras: Rear (48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto), 10MP front camera | Batterycapacity: 4,650mAh
The small but powerful changes that Google brought to its second foldable pushed it to the front of the pack. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold transforms the original unfinished Pixel Fold into a fully functional device that is ready for the big time. Google redesigned its design to have a design that mimics the Pixel 9 smartphones, with a 6.3-inch, 20:9 external display, which is easy to use and hold. The interior display has more square footage and a more polished look than before. The entire handset has a high quality and highly polished look thanks to its matte back and satin metal frame.
Along with solid performance (and battery life) and a similar design, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold still has the best cameras of any folding model we’ve tested, even if it doesn’t have any major changes from the original model. Plus, Google’s AI photo editing tools like Magic Editor let you take control of your photos, and Pixel-only apps like Made You Look make Google’s phone even more powerful. – Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
Goodness
- Stupid design
- Better cameras than the competition
- Thinner and lighter than the previous version
- It runs cooler than before
evil
- They are still expensive
- Some software problems
