Selecting the most effective Android telephone can really feel overwhelming as there are such a lot of choices from so many manufacturers, it is laborious to know the place to start out. Not like Apple, which sticks to its glossy line of iPhones, Android presents a world of selection. Whether or not you are wanting on the newest flagship from Samsung, a funds smartphone from Motorola, or one thing distinctive with a foldable design, there’s an Android machine to fit your wants.
The great thing about Android is its flexibility. You may discover telephones with totally different display sizes, digicam configurations, battery life, and even quirky extras like stylus assist or rugged builds. Plus, Android allows you to customise your machine to your coronary heart’s content material — one thing Apple followers may envy. We have examined and researched the most effective Android telephones that can assist you discover the precise one in your funds, life-style and expertise preferences.
What to search for in a brand new Android telephone
efficiency
Relating to selecting our favourite Android telephones, the primary issues we search for are fairly easy: good efficiency (each compute and AI), a wonderful show, strong design, sharp cameras, lengthy battery life, and a major dedication to ongoing software program assist. For efficiency, not solely will we take a look at benchmarks and different metrics, however we additionally fee telephones primarily based on responsiveness. Whether or not you are studying, texting, scrolling via social media or enjoying a recreation, nobody desires a gadget that feels sluggish.
Show
Relating to shows, we typically favor OLED panels that may produce wealthy, saturated colours with at the very least 600 nits of brightness, although a lot of our mid-range and high-end telephones can hit 1,000 nits or extra. . And eventually, most of our favourite units additionally assist shows with quick refresh charges of 90Hz or 120Hz, which provides an additional stage of smoothness and fluidity.
design
Now we’ll admit there is a little bit of subjectivity when deciding which telephones look higher, however there are different design points like mud and water resistance or display sturdiness that may make an enormous distinction in long-term survival. It is also vital to think about issues like assist for wi-fi charging, energy sharing (aka reverse wi-fi charging), and UWB connectivity, which may have an effect on how your telephone interacts along with your units. others.
camcorders
In fact, for photographs we’re on the lookout for sharp and colourful pictures in each vibrant and low-light circumstances. And we wish video clips with excessive dynamic vary, wealthy audio and easy picture stabilization. Further cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are a plus. The very best cameras also needs to embrace options like devoted evening modes, assist for various video recording resolutions, and extra picture modes like time-lapse, gradual movement, and extra.
Battery and software program
Lastly, when it comes to longevity, we’re all-day battery life on units that additionally scored nice in our native video roundup check (at the very least 16 hours on a cost, however extra is certainly higher) . Wi-fi charging capabilities have turn into virtually ubiquitous over the previous few years, and most of our prime picks have this additional benefit. Quick charging can also be accessible on some Android telephones. Lastly, with folks protecting their telephones longer than ever, we wish to see corporations decide to at the very least three years of software program assist, upgrades and common safety updates.
Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL assessment
maker: Google Tensor G4 | Show: Tremendous Actua 6.3 inches, as much as 120 Hz | camcorders: Rear array (50MP large, 48MP ultra-wide with macro focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens), 42MP selfie entrance twin PD selfie digicam | The battery: 4700 mAh
Lastly, a smaller Pixel Professional. Google’s Pixel collection has lengthy been top-of-the-line Android telephones round, with the Professional mannequin being the superior model. Nevertheless it’s at all times been somewhat too huge and too heavy for these of us who’ve smaller palms or need our telephones to slot in our pockets. Cue the Pixel 9 Professional, which is the smaller model of the Pixel 9 Professional XL. As an alternative of a comparatively massive 6.8-inch display like its larger brother, the usual Professional has a 6.3-inch display that is straightforward to maneuver. No extra worrying about dropping your Pixel Professional simply since you jumped making an attempt to succeed in the highest of the display!
Higher but, with the Pixel 9 Professional, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key options to get to the smaller measurement, that means you may discover the identical digicam setup and efficiency in each handsets. The one actual variations are the display measurement, battery and charging velocity, because the non-XL mannequin recharges at a barely slower fee. However the Pixel 9 Professional additionally lasts for much longer than the XL, clocking in at practically 25 hours in our battery check.
These variations apart, the Pixel 9 Professional lineup is our favourite Android telephone on account of its top-notch digicam efficiency, intriguing AI options, and an total grown-up vibe. Whereas earlier Pixel flagships had a colourful, cluttered design that felt contemporary, this yr’s units really feel strong and refined. And, dare we are saying it, virtually like an iPhone. With out the digicam bands, it will be very tough to tell apart them from Apple telephones.
Possibly it is as a result of it is grown a lot through the years, however Pixel telephones now price the identical as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional each begin at $999, and though a few of us have considered Google’s telephones because the extra competitively priced possibility, this yr’s mannequin could also be ok to justify a premium worth. Should you nonetheless need one thing from the Pixel 9 household however do not need to pay $1,000, the bottom Pixel 9 continues to be a strong telephone for most individuals. However because it stands, the Pixel 9 Professional is the most effective Android telephone cash should buy. – Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor
- Nice digicam options and improved telephoto digicam
- A 12 months of Superior Gemini Free
- Unbelievable battery life
- A pleasant, vibrant display that is straightforward to make use of open air
- The Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor
- Slower charging speeds than XL
- It is not the most effective telephone for gaming
$999 at Google
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Learn our full Google Pixel 8a assessment
maker: Google Tensor G3 | Show: 6.1 inch 1080 x 2400 OLED, as much as 120 Hz | camcorders: Rear digicam (64MP large, 13MP ultra-wide), 13MP entrance digicam | The battery: 4.49 mAh
Google’s A-series Pixels have lengthy been a few of the greatest mid-range telephones available on the market. However now with the addition of a Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a helps the identical highly effective and versatile AI options you get in Google’s flagship telephones together with nice cameras, a stunning 120Hz OLED show and nice battery life . The machine additionally comes with creature comforts like IP67 mud and water resistance and handy (however gradual) 7.5-watt Qi wi-fi charging. However extra importantly, beginning at $499, it is perhaps top-of-the-line offers available on the market.
- 120Hz colour OLED show
- Robust battery life
- Nice cameras
- Nice worth
- Sluggish wi-fi charging
- Thick frames
$499 on Amazon
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely assessment
maker: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Show: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED QHD+, as much as 120Hz | camcorders: Rear Digicam (200MP, Twin Pixel AF, 100x Digital Zoom, 50MP Macro, 12MP UW), 12MP Entrance Digicam | The battery: 5000mAh
For its newest super-premium telephone, Samsung gave the S24 Extremely a extra sturdy titanium body, sooner efficiency due to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a for much longer battery life. The corporate additionally modified its longer telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom to make it extra usable in a wider vary of conditions. However the greatest enchancment is a whole new set of AI instruments, which incorporates the power to proofread textual content, edit photos and transcribe recordings. And while you throw in the most effective display accessible on a telephone at this time and a built-in stylus, you’ve gotten a really compelling cellular digicam. Sadly, beginning at $1,300, the S24 Extremely is a bit too costly to suggest to anybody with out deep pockets.
$40 at Samsung Electronics
Learn our full Pixel 9 Professional Fold assessment
maker: Google Tensor G4 | Show: 8 Inch Tremendous Actua Flex LTPO Full Show, 6.3 Inch Actua Cowl Show | camcorders: Rear digicam (48MP large, 10.5MP ultra-wide, 10.8MP telephoto), 10MP entrance digicam | The battery: 4650mAh
The small however highly effective enhancements Google dropped at its second-generation foldable machine have pushed it to the entrance of the pack. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold turns the considerably unfinished unique Pixel Fold right into a rugged handset prepared for prime time. Google refined its design to have a side ratio that mimics customary Pixel 9 smartphones, with a well-recognized 6.3-inch, 20:9 exterior show that is even simpler to make use of and maintain. The interior show has a squarer facet ratio, in addition to barely extra display actual property than earlier than. The handset total has a extra premium really feel and positively a sleeker look due to its matte again and satin metallic body.
Together with strong efficiency (and battery life) and an improved design to match, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold nonetheless has the most effective cameras of any foldable telephone we have examined, regardless of missing any {hardware} upgrades from the unique. Plus, Google’s AI-powered picture modifying instruments like Magic Editor offer you extra management over your photographs, and Pixel-only software program like Made You Look make Google’s handset a extra compelling foldable. — Valentina Palladino, deputy editor
- Nice design
- Higher cameras than the competitors
- Thinner and lighter than the earlier mannequin
- It runs cooler than earlier than
- Nonetheless costly
- Some options of the software program
$1,799 at Google
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