Choosing the best Android phone can feel overwhelming with so many options from so many brands, it’s hard to know where to start. Unlike Apple, which sticks to its standard iPhones, Android offers a world of variety. Whether you’re looking for the latest flagship from Samsung, a budget-friendly smartphone from Motorola or something unique with a foldable design, there’s an Android device out there that will suit your needs.
The beauty of Android is its flexibility. You’ll find phones with different screen sizes, camera setups, battery life and weird extras like stylus support or rugged constructions. Plus, Android lets you customize your device to your heart’s content — something Apple fans can covet. We’ve tested and researched the top 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 straightforward: great performance (both computing and AI), great display, solid design, sharp cameras, long battery life and a significant commitment to ongoing software support. . Operationally, we not only look at benchmarks and other metrics, but also evaluate phones based on feedback. Whether you’re reading, texting, scrolling through social media or playing a game, no one wants a gadget that feels sluggish.
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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 top mid-range and high-end phones can hit 1,000 nits or more. And recently, most of our favorite devices also support screens with fast refresh rates of 90Hz or 120Hz, which add an extra level of smoothness and fluidity.
Design
Now we will admit that there is subjectivity when deciding which phones look the best, but there are other design features such as 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 (also called wireless charging) and UWB connectivity, which can affect how your phone interacts with your other devices.
Cameras
Obviously, in photography we want sharp, colorful shots in both bright and low light conditions. We also want video clips with high dynamic range, rich sound and smooth image stabilization. Additional cameras include ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. The best cameras should also include features such as dedicated night modes, support for various video recording resolutions, and additional photo modes such as timelapse, slow motion and more.
Battery and software
Finally, in terms of longevity, we’re looking for all-day battery life in devices that also delivered good results in our local video tests (at least 16 hours on a charge, but more is obviously better). Wireless charging capabilities have become almost ubiquitous in the past few years, and many of our top picks have this added benefit. Fast charging is available on some Android phones. Finally, with people holding on to 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 Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL update
The processor: Google Tensor G4 | Show: 6.3-inch Super Actua, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens), 42MP front camera for PD selfie with autofocus | Battery: 4,700mAh
Finally, the tiny Pixel Pro. Google’s Pixel series has long been one of the best Android phones, with the Pro model being the best version. But it was always too big and cumbersome for those of us with small hands or who want our phones to fit in our pockets. Check out the Pixel 9 Pro, which is a smaller version of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Instead of a very large 6.8-inch screen like that of its larger sibling, the standard Pro has a 6.3-inch display that is easy to operate. 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 important features to get to the smaller size, which means you’ll get the same camera setup and functionality on both phones. The only real difference is the screen size, battery and charging speed, as the non-XL model recharges at a slightly slower rate. But the Pixel 9 Pro also lasts longer than the XL, clocking in around 25 hours in our battery test.
Those differences aside, the Pixel 9 Pro lineup is our favorite Android phone thanks to its top-notch camera performance, impressive AI features and casual grown-up vibe. While past Pixel flagships had a colorful, blocky design that felt fresh, this year’s devices feel solid and refined. And, dare we say it, almost like iPhones. Without the camera bars, it would be very difficult to distinguish it from Apple phones.
Maybe it’s because it’s grown 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 while some of us already think of Google phones as a competitively priced option, this year’s model may be good enough to justify the premium price. If you’re still looking for something in the Pixel 9 family but don’t want to pay $1,000, the base Pixel 9 is still a solid handset for most people. But as it stands, the Pixel 9 Pro is the best Android handset money can buy. – Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor
- Good camera features and advanced telephoto camera
- A year of Gemini Advanced for free
- Amazing battery life
- Nice, bright screen that’s easy to use outdoors
- The Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor
- Slower charging speed than XL
- It’s not the best phone for gaming
$999 from Google
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Read our full Google Pixel 8 update
The processor: Google Tensor G3 | Show: 6.1-inch 1,080 x 2,400 OLED, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear camera (64MP wide, 13MP ultrawide), 13MP front camera | Battery: 4,49mAh
Google’s A-series Pixels have long been some of the best midrange phones on the market. But now with the addition of the Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a supports the powerful and flexible AI functions you find in Google’s best phones along with excellent cameras, a beautiful 120Hz OLED display and great battery life. The device also comes with creature comforts like IP67 dust and water resistance and convenient (but slow) 7.5-watt Qi wireless charging. But most importantly, starting at $499, it may be one of the best deals on the market.
- 120Hz color OLED display
- Powerful battery life
- Very good cameras
- Great value
- Slow wireless charging
- The bezels are thick
$499 at Amazon
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review
The processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Show: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED QHD+, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear camera (200MP, Dual Pixel AF, Digital Zoom 100x, 50MP Macro, 12MP UW), 12MP front camera | Battery: 5,000mAh
With its latest super-premium phone, Samsung has given the S24 Ultra a durable titanium frame, fast performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a very long battery life. The company has also tweaked its long telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom to make it more usable in a variety of situations. But the biggest improvement is a whole new set of AI tools, which include the ability to scan documents, edit images and write recordings. And when you factor in the best display available on a phone today and the built-in stylus, you have a very compelling flagship handset. Unfortunately, starting at $1,300, the S24 Ultra is too expensive to recommend to anyone without deep pockets.
$40 at Samsung Electronics
Read our full Pixel 9 Pro Fold review
The processor: Google Tensor G4 | Show: 8-inch Super Actua Flex LTPO full display, 6.3-inch Actua cover display | Cameras: Rear camera (48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto), 10MP front camera | Battery: 4,650mAh
The small but powerful improvements that Google has brought to its second generation folder have pushed it to the front of the pack. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold turns the unfinished original Pixel Fold into a rugged handset that’s ready for prime time. Google has adjusted its design to have an aspect ratio that mimics regular Pixel 9 smartphones, with a 6.3-inch 20:9 external display, which is easy to use and hold. The internal display has a squarer aspect ratio and less screen real estate than before. The overall handset has a more premium feel and certainly a more polished look thanks to its matte back and satin metal frame.
Along with solid performance (and battery life) and an improved design to match, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold still has the best cameras of any foldable handset we’ve tried, despite lacking the 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 handset more flexible. – Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
- Smooth design
- The cameras are better than the competition
- It is thinner and lighter than the previous model
- It runs cooler than ever
- It’s still expensive
- Other features of the software
$1,799 at Google
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