Other Phones to Consider
We test a ton of Android phones. We like the ones below, but you’ll be better off with the options above. If you haven’t already, check out the Best Cheap Phones and Best Flip Phones guides for more.
Google Pixel 9 for $799: The Pixel 9 is a really good smartphone (9/10, WIRED Recommends), but between the Pixel 8A and the Pixel 9 Pro series, it’s hard to stand out. It shares many features with its pricier siblings, but you can get a a lot the same experience with the Pixel 8A, all while saving hundreds of dollars. If you love design and want new smart software features, don’t let me stop you! But it might be more prudent to wait for the Pixel 9A this spring.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for $650: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is in the same boat as the Pixel 9. It’s very close in price to the flagship Galaxy S24 series, which you can find on sale for a lot more, and there are cheaper phones that are just as good value. It’s a fully capable smartphone with a triple camera system (including a 3X telephoto camera), and it delivers great performance. It has wireless charging, is water resistant to IP68, and has a solid all-day battery life. It’s a shame the design is struggling.
Google Pixel 8 for $499 and Pixel 8 Pro for $599: The Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommended) from 2023 are still available to buy and are great devices with plenty of life left in them. Just make sure you don’t spend more than $600. Anything more and you should just buy from the new Pixel 9 series.
Honor Magic V3 for £1,799: If you’re outside the US, the Magic V3 might be the best foldable phone right now; It’s definitely the thinnest folding phone in the world (8/10, SPECIFICATIONS Recommend). It has excellent battery life, a wide external screen that feels like a regular phone, and an internal screen that expands when open. Even the cameras are variable, although the ultrawide isn’t great, and the phone’s software as a whole can cause some irritation.
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
OnePlus 12 for $800 and OnePlus 12R for $600: OnePlus has reconnected with its roots in 2024, offering killer specs at surprisingly low prices. The OnePlus 12R is a better value than the OnePlus 12 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but you should only buy these phones if you can get them on sale. If not, just buy the latest OnePlus 13 and 13R as they are less expensive.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 for $1,900: The Fold6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a foldable smartphone with a large screen. If you are concerned about durability and adjustability when buying a flip, Samsung is your best bet as it has been producing these devices for a very long time. The cameras take great pictures, the displays are shockingly bright, and Samsung promises long-term software support. The Fold6’s external screen is slightly wider and more comfortable to use than previous iterations, but other than that, there aren’t a ton of new changes other than AI improvements. You can still grab last year’s Galaxy Z Fold5 to save some dough.
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 for $1,100: The Flip6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has some advantages over Motorola’s new Razr+, such as a better hinge mechanism, better build quality, stronger cameras, and longer software support. But I still preferred the overall experience to Motorola’s security, mainly because of the large external screen. However, the Flip6’s 3.4-inch cover screen is capable of viewing widgets, and you can flip it open for a large-screen Android phone experience. The Galaxy Z Flip5 is the perfect option if you don’t mind buying last year’s technology at a lower price.
Mobile Services You May Need
We have case recommendations for several popular devices, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, and the S22 range or Google’s Pixel 9 series. It’s smart to slap a case on these glass sandwiches and even a screen protector to keep the display free of scuffs and scratches. Here are a few other essential accessories, including charging adapters, that many phones no longer include. Read our Best USB-C Cables guide for more recommendations.
Anker 45-Watt Charger for $20: This small charger will be all most people need to charge multiple smartphones. It’s compact, reliable, and cheap, and the prongs are collapsible. More smartphones than ever can go up to 45-watt charging speeds, so use a 45-watt charger.
Counterpart The Charger for $44: It’s not the best value, but this design-forward charger has a 4-foot retractable cable that makes it a great two-in-one—no need to pack a separate charger and cable! It puts out 35 watts, which is plenty to charge most phones and tablets quickly, and the prongs fold up for portability.
Peak Design Samsung and Pixel Everyday Case for $50: If you have a Samsung or Pixel phone and often mount your phone on a bike or scooter, you owe it to yourself to grab this case and Peak Design bike mount. The case fits snugly on the bike, is easy to loosen, and will still fall off after years of riding. Peak Design also sells a few other accessories that you can attach to the back of these cases, bringing Android into Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.
Nimble Champ Portable Charger 10,000 mAh for $60: This portable battery is small enough to leave in a bag but has enough power to recharge your phone once or twice. There is a USB-C and USB-A port, it delivers 18 volts, so it can recharge your tablet or phone, and it’s housed in a 73 percent plastic back.
Nomad ChargeKey for $25: When your phone dies, you almost always forget to bring a charger or battery pack. The ChargeKey is a great solution—it’s like clipping a small USB-C charging cable to your keychain. Just plug one end into your phone and the other into any kind of power source (a friend’s phone or a charging adapter if you can find one), and you can charge your phone. Native Union also has a similar look but is capable.
Choose a Wireless Charger: Our guide to the best wireless chargers includes dozens of models in different colors, shapes, and materials, and even some designed for specific phones. Not all Android phones support wireless charging, but it’s a convenience you’ll want to take advantage of. Check out our guide to our favorites.
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