Greatest Android telephones in 2024

Android is a flexible and huge ecosystem, providing a few of the finest and strongest units that cash should purchase. They arrive in all sizes and styles, starting from normal smartphones to much more versatile type elements, akin to foldables. They’re extremely customizable, providing many options, high-quality cameras, and an extended battery life.

You have come to the proper place should you’re out there for a brand-new high-end gadget with loads of efficiency, a long-lasting battery life, a fantastic show, and a high-quality digital camera setup. We’ve acquired the newest foldable smartphones, the finest small telephones, and the very best general smartphones so that you can select from.

High-reviewed Android telephones

The Google Pixel 9 Professional is every little thing followers of Pixel telephones have been ready for. Google shed a lot of its previous baggage by delivering a cellphone that addressed a lot of our prior misgivings. It earns our badge of finest general with its wonderful efficiency, premium construct high quality, and lovely show. It builds on many enhancements made with the Pixel 8 Professional, with extra measures taken to regulate warmth and enhance battery life.

The Pixel 9 Professional encompasses a 6.3-inch Tremendous Actua OLED show that refreshes at 120Hz. Google elevated the utmost brightness to three,000 nits for 2024. The show is vibrant and simply readable outdoor. Google additionally improved its Tensor G4 chipset, making it extra energy and heat-efficient. As well as, Google fitted the Pixel 9 Professional with a vapor chamber, serving to warmth dissipation.

Google guarantees seven years of software program help for the Pixel 9 Professional, together with main Android upgrades. It’s spectacular help, and we’re glad Google is sticking with it. The Pixel 9 Professional’s software program options Google’s newest and best AI enhancements, together with Gemini Reside. Gemini Reside permits you to have pure, free-flowing conversations along with your voice assistant, making it preferrred for brainstorming. Pixel Studio is a enjoyable solution to generate photographs from just some phrases. After all, fan favorites like Now Enjoying and Name Screening are nonetheless round.

After all, there are the versatile Pixel cameras. The Pixel 9 Professional has a 50MP main sensor, 48MP 5x optical periscope zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide. Photographs from its digital camera are constant and precisely what you’d count on from Google’s computational pictures. Night time Sight is superb, producing crisp and detailed low-light images.

Whereas some criticize its iPhone-like look, the Pixel 9 Professional is the corporate’s finest design up to now, with clear strains and a unbelievable really feel within the hand. It sports activities Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back and front, with a sophisticated aluminum body. All informed, should you choose up a Pixel this yr, you received’t be dissatisfied.

It’s value noting we’re a fan of your complete Pixel 9 sequence this yr. The Pixel 9 Professional XL is a superb alternative should you’re on the lookout for a bigger display screen expertise, and the extra inexpensive Pixel 9 nonetheless provides you an incredible show, Tensor G4 efficiency, and 12GB of RAM for much less money.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely checks all of the bins of a premium choose — together with the value. Whereas we nonetheless advocate the S24+ for many customers, the S24 Extremely is widespread amongst hardcore customers and former Galaxy Be aware followers. It’s a a lot completely different dialog this yr, as Samsung has introduced the S24+ as much as spec; you now not should compromise on RAM or a QHD show merely since you don’t need to pay additional for the S24 Extremely.

Whilst you pay lots for the S24 Extremely, you received’t be quick on options, with its highly effective Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and lovely show, making Samsung’s flagship a prime performer. You’ll get wonderful frames on excessive graphics settings in most AAA cell video games, with the S24 Extremely additionally able to chewing via video and photograph enhancing on the go. If in case you have a very lengthy work day or get pleasure from your cellphone lasting effectively into the night, the S24 Extremely will get wonderful battery life, comfortably offering over 8 hours of screen-on time.

Let’s additionally not overlook the S-pen, which represents extra than simply nostalgia for Galaxy Be aware followers. One UI 6.1 encompasses a full suite of stylus capabilities, from making gifs to entertain mates to taking selfies remotely. It’s additionally simply handy to jot down on the show, whether or not it’s for easy note-taking or signing paperwork out within the discipline.

The S24 Extremely’s 6.8-inch Tremendous AMOLED QHD show is attractive, and its 2,600 nits peak brightness means you’ll have little bother viewing it outdoor. While you add within the premium titanium body and flat glass again, the S24 Extremely offers probably the most premium smartphone experiences you should purchase stateside. When you get pleasure from shopping for the very best of the very best, want an S-pen, and wish essentially the most versatile digital camera Samsung gives, the S24 Extremely must be your choose

Google’s A-series telephones have at all times been strong performers contemplating their extra accessible worth tags, and the Pixel 8a is shaping as much as not solely proceed that pattern, however maybe even shut the hole with the corporate’s mainstream flagships. Whereas getting a smartphone underneath $500 necessitates a number of compromises, Google has accomplished a greater job than ever in making the proper ones right here, creating an A-series cellphone that delivers extra bang in your buck than ever.

For instance, whereas final yr’s Pixel 7a reduce corners on display screen high quality, the Pixel 8a packs in the identical Actua-quality panel because the Pixel 8. It is a shiny and vibrant show with strong viewing angles that we expect most people will get pleasure from — so long as you may get previous the bigger bezels which stay simply as massive as they have been on final yr’s finances mannequin. Whereas there are some refined technical variations between the shows, we do not suppose these are issues most people have to care about. The again can be plastic moderately than glass, nevertheless it’s a stunning matte end that feels nice within the hand and will not flip right into a fingerprint magnet.

Naturally, Google has additionally put its Tensor G3 chip into this mannequin, too, which suggests nice efficiency. Extra importantly, Google lastly nailed the effectivity curve with the G3, which suggests the Pixel 8a will run far cooler and devour much less energy when confronted with demanding duties like gaming. Even throughout the break-in interval, we have discovered we will simply get via a full day of heavy use with over 30 p.c battery remaining.

After all, like every other Pixel cellphone, what makes Google’s Pixel 8a actually compelling is its photographic prowess. You will not discover a lot new right here in comparison with prior fashions, however that is not a nasty factor in any respect contemplating how far forward Google’s picture processing is from what most different smartphones provide. The Google Pixel 8a will simply take the very best images you will get from a cellphone in its worth vary, which actually makes it stand out from the pack.

There are different telephones on this checklist with related worth tags that provide higher screens and sooner chips, however the Pixel 8a nonetheless punches above its weight class in each of those areas, and no different cellphone even holds a candle to it for producing images which are naturally balanced, vibrant, and sharp even underneath a few of the most difficult circumstances. Like each different A-series, the flagship Pixel telephones nonetheless pack in higher sensors, however Google’s magic has at all times been within the Tensor chip’s picture sign processing and its intelligent software program algorithms.

If we’re being sincere, the Pixel 9 Professional is not for everybody. Whether or not it is the comparatively restricted launcher, the love-it-or-hate-it design, or the bugs which have earned Google a repute for turning its customers into beta testers, anybody eager to steer clear of the Pixel is prone to discover themselves testing no matter Samsung’s been engaged on for the previous yr. And when you would possibly suppose the Galaxy S24 Extremely is the plain comparability level, in 2024, we really suppose most customers ought to try Samsung’s center youngster, the Galaxy S24+, as an alternative.

In contrast to earlier generations, the place skipping out on the S Pen-equipped cellphone meant some severe downgrades in specs, the Galaxy S24+ goes toe-to-toe with its greater sibling. A Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (at the very least stateside; globally, this cellphone is powered by Exynos, which can push some customers away), 12GB of RAM, and a QHD+ show make this really feel each bit a flagship for a whopping $300 lower than the Extremely. We additionally suppose it has a greater design too; you will lose out on that new titanium construct, however the flat edges and rounded corners assist the Galaxy S24+ match extra comfortably in your hand.

Samsung is simply as targeted on AI as every other tech firm proper now, and you will find One UI 6.1 loaded up with new methods to work together along with your keyboard, digital camera, and extra. Sadly, Galaxy AI cannot make up for the general blended outcomes we have seen when taking images with this cellphone, which holds it again from gracing the very prime of this checklist. Greater than ever, Samsung is struggling to course of shifting topics reliably, one thing that desperately must be improved via a software program repair if we’re to present this cellphone a wholehearted suggestion. Nonetheless, if Google is not for you, the Galaxy S24+ is totally value a glance.

2023 was actually the yr of the foldable, particularly within the US, the place earlier competitors included Samsung and, effectively, not a lot else. That modified due to launches by Google, Motorola, and, most impressively, OnePlus. The OnePlus Open arrived late within the yr, after Galaxy and Pixel units had already lined retailer cabinets, to depart loads of reviewers with their jaws on the ground. Although the corporate might look like the US arm of Oppo greater than ever earlier than, that did not cease the Open from turning into among the best foldables you should purchase at this time.

The OnePlus Open is jam-packed with all the standard 2023 specs — a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a great deal of RAM, and a big battery able to energy your expertise. It is all in a chassis that is thinner and lighter than anything out there in North America, as little as 239 grams within the black colorway. The outer 6.3-inch show appears like an ordinary smartphone display screen, whereas the inside 7.82-inch panel is likely one of the finest on any foldable but. And resulting from its matte anti-glare display screen protector, it is easy to learn in all lighting circumstances, all whereas the crease is barely existent.

The massive digital camera module on the again of the gadget appears destined to be divisive amongst followers, nevertheless it homes essentially the most spectacular cellphone digital camera you should purchase on a foldable at this time. It isn’t as constant as one thing just like the Pixel 9 Professional’s digital camera, nevertheless it’s a whole lot of enjoyable to shoot with. OxygenOS stays as lackluster as ever, although the Open Canvas function for multitasking places it leagues past the competitors. And the battery is long-lasting and fast-charging, although on the sacrifice of wi-fi charging. Boo, OnePlus.

Regardless of its age, the OnePlus Open stays the very best all-around foldable you should purchase at this time. It has higher multitasking options and gaming efficiency than the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, a greater digital camera with extra character than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and a yr after launch, is routinely on sale for simply $1,300. It won’t be as svelte because the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, however in each different approach, this appears like a contemporary foldable worthy of your consideration in 2024.

Final yr Motorola got here out swinging with the Razr+, hoping to regain the very best flip cellphone title. With the 2024 version of the Razr+, Motorola continues to push Samsung and the flip class ahead. The Razr+ is such an incredible cellphone that it has allowed Motorola to regain its title of finest flip cellphone producer, at the very least in the meanwhile.

Motorola arguably already has the very best and most versatile cowl show and this yr it has elevated the quilt show to an nearly edge-to-edge 4 inches in measurement. This LTPO OLED show has a 165Hz refresh fee, making it each lovely to have a look at and silky easy.

Unfolding the Razr+ reveals an enhanced hinge and a big 6.9-inch inside show. The hinge has been tweaked barely, giving it a sturdy and satisfying really feel. The interior pOLED show has a 2640 x 1080 decision and a 165Hz refresh fee, in addition to as much as 3000 nits of brightness, making certain you will by no means have bother seeing the show outdoor.

The Razr+ comes with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Efficiency buffs might scoff that Motorola did not equip this gadget with Qualcomm’s flagship processor, however the Razr+ has greater than sufficient energy to deal with something you’ll be able to throw at it. With a 4,000mAh battery, you’ll be able to count on simply make it via a full day on a single cost.

The Razr+ has a a lot improved twin digital camera setup, together with a 50MP f/1.7 major lens and a 50MP f/2.0 telephoto lens. There is no ultrawide this yr as Motorola opted to switch it with the telephoto lens. These cameras are fairly good, not fairly to the extent of the finest digital camera telephones, however are a lot improved over Motorola’s earlier makes an attempt.

Motorola’s Achilles heal as of late has been their software program coverage. Motorola has promised three Android updates, which fall behind the likes of Google and Samsung’s seven years of help. Motorola can be very sluggish to challenge upgrades. As long as you do not care about which model of Android is in your gadget, the Razr+ is a superb alternative.

When you’re on the lookout for the final word finances cellphone, you will not discover it from Samsung or Google. This yr, OnePlus shook up the midrange competitors with the OnePlus 12R, the primary time the R-series has ever earned a world debut. It is a powerful one at that: it is a $500 smartphone that appears an terrible lot like a flagship cellphone from 2023, and at this worth level, it is arduous to go unsuitable.

From the general design to the curved glass edges to the underlying processor, the OnePlus 12R might even be mistaken for a rebranded model of final yr’s OnePlus 11. And sure, the core specs sheet — a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8 or 16GB of RAM, 80W quick charging — certain seems acquainted at first look. However OnePlus has made some attention-grabbing modifications right here, and all of it begins with the show. The 6.78-inch QHD+ panel on this cellphone is probably the very best I’ve seen on a tool on this worth vary. At 1,600 nits, it is consistent with the flagship OnePlus 12, and much past something the corporate’s produced earlier than. In contrast with the likes of the Pixel 7a and its mediocre 90Hz panel, it is evening and day.

The remainder of this specs sheet is nearly as good as you in all probability keep in mind. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, specifically, is not all that completely different from its successor when it comes to uncooked energy — this smartphone continues to be higher at gaming and different intensive duties than anything in the marketplace. Actually, the most important draw back is the digital camera. It isn’t unhealthy, nevertheless it falls far in need of the Pixel A-series, and with out the Hasselblad coloration profile, that signature OnePlus pop simply is not there. Nonetheless, it is a mighty spectacular smartphone for the value, and it will take a whole lot of work for different Android OEMs to finest it.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 brings many enhancements and enhancements over its predecessor. Its small type issue and compact bundle provide a novel gadget that may virtually slot in any pocket and backpack. The cellphone can be product of premium supplies and powered by a premium chipset.

The Flip 6 may need the same look and related shows to its predecessor, nevertheless it has a usable 3.4-inch cowl, and a fantastic, and even brighter 6.7-inch AMOLED show that appears attractive in all lighting circumstances. Whether or not you need to devour content material, play video games, or multitask, it’ll serve you effectively with its massive display screen property and compact design. The duvet display screen also can show chosen apps, notifications, and even widgets.

The digital camera takes first rate images in most lighting circumstances, and we discovered the battery lasts a couple of full day on a single cost — relying on how intensively you utilize it. The extra succesful chip definitely helps make issues extra environment friendly, which additionally helps enhance the digital camera high quality.

When you’re on the lookout for an incredible all-rounder and among the best flip foldable units that’s available, options seven years of software program and safety updates, and gives nearly all of the options you would possibly want, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is value contemplating.

The OnePlus 12R is likely to be an undoubtedly spectacular debut for the corporate’s midrange sequence, however we’re equally impressed with the 2024 correct flagship. The OnePlus 12 builds on every little thing the corporate acquired proper in 2023, all whereas making the required enhancements to maintain its telephones within the dialog. From the putting marble inexperienced colorway to the top-tier specs sheet, it is arduous to discover a higher flagship cut price for $800 proper now.

If there’s one factor the OnePlus 12 is not, it is stunning. The core design is sort of unchanged from final yr, whereas the under-the-hood efficiency is every little thing you’d look forward to finding on a contemporary Android cellphone. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is as nice a chip as we would hoped for, whereas the 6.82-inch show is shiny, vivid, and as spectacular as something Samsung has on its telephones. It is nonetheless curved, although, and whereas some customers would possibly respect it, others would possibly discover the general design missing in comparison with flat edges from its friends.

In contrast to the OnePlus 12R, although, this cellphone does not really feel like its slicing as many corners to hit a price ticket decrease than the competitors. Wi-fi charging is again, for instance, and at 50W with a appropriate charger, it is as speedy as ever. Likewise, Hasselblad’s coloration profile has come a good distance; capturing on this smartphone feels lots like capturing on the OnePlus Open, and that is removed from a nasty factor. There’s nonetheless area for modifications subsequent yr — IP65 mud and water resistance is not fairly as much as par with fashionable requirements — however that is as near the complete bundle as we have seen from OnePlus in years, and at a worth that is not too arduous to swallow.

We perceive not everybody desires to spend upwards of $1,000 on their subsequent smartphone, and most of the people received’t even use the added horsepower supplied by the opposite entries on this checklist. When you’re seeking to save a number of {dollars} however nonetheless get a strong Android expertise, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G gives a lot of Android’s advantages with out the huge hit to your pockets.

We’ll begin with the show, a beautiful 6.5-inch Tremendous AMOLED panel refreshing at 90Hz. It’s crisp and contrasty, offering an incredible expertise whereas binging content material or taking part in video games. Talking of gaming, the A15 is powered by the Dimensity 6100+, permitting for higher efficiency in video games like Genshin Impression and different titles you wouldn’t count on at this worth level.

Whereas we really feel it is restricted by 4GB of RAM, the Galaxy A15 nonetheless contains some fan favorites like a 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage — the one gadget on our checklist to incorporate each. The A15 might not be constructed of glass and titanium like its costlier siblings, nevertheless it at the very least seems the half, with Samsung streamlining its design language throughout all units.

Furthermore, the A15 has serviceable cameras and unbelievable battery life, including worth. All informed, it’s a tough bundle to beat for $200, and if you add in 5 years of software program help, the Galaxy A15 turns into a beautiful Android possibility.

What are a very powerful issues to search for in an Android cellphone?

It is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the specs and options thrown round in a cellphone’s product itemizing or opinions. Ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, 100x zoom cameras, S Pen stylus help, UWB, and the checklist goes on, however what do you really want, and what’s simply icing on the proverbial cake? There are 4 key options you need to take a look at in a brand new cellphone — after you determine in your finances, in fact:

• Digital camera
• Display
• Battery
• Software program and updates

Digital camera

Whereas the digital camera won’t be a very powerful function for some patrons, it’s a superb indicator of general velocity, efficiency, and high quality. For instance, if a assessment mentions that the digital camera takes too lengthy to open or too lengthy between photographs when snapping a number of images in succession, that’s a touch that the cellphone’s long-term efficiency is likely to be extra sluggish than what preliminary opinions point out.

Display

Most telephones at this time include screens within the 6.4 to six.8-inch vary, although side ratio definitely performs a job in how vast/slender/tall/quick a cellphone finally ends up feeling in your hand. When you want extra petite units, be ready for a troublesome search if you wish to go smaller than the 6.1-inch Samsung Galaxy S24. There are three different display screen options to contemplate: curved screens, excessive refresh charges, and most brightness. Curved screens can look pretty, nevertheless it’s usually more durable for tempered glass display screen protectors to suit on them — they usually will also be more durable to grip with out unintended touches.

In the meantime, relating to refresh charges, the upper, the higher. 60Hz is the traditional fee, however 90Hz and 120Hz have gotten way more frequent, even amongst mid-range and finances telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy A15. You will get a smoother expertise with a excessive refresh fee show, however usually at the price of battery life. Lastly, be sure to take note of your cellphone’s display screen brightness should you spend time outdoor. If a display screen doesn’t get very shiny, it’ll be arduous to learn exterior. You don’t essentially want a display screen that may attain 2,600 nits just like the S24 Extremely, however 800 nits is a pleasant objective if you could reliably and usually use your cellphone exterior in full solar.

Battery

The brighter your display screen, the extra energy it consumes. Nevertheless, a battery is greater than only a quantity on a spec sheet; make sure you learn the opinions and see how that battery fares in precise use in opinions. Whereas a superb energy financial institution or a quick cellphone charger can considerably offset a smaller battery, nothing can exchange getting a cellphone with a correct battery life from the beginning.

Software program and updates

And naturally, relating to software program, you will need to search for options you care about crossed with a dependable replace schedule. Some customers can’t stand how One UI behaves in direction of most third-party launchers or how over-stuffed Samsung’s apps and options are, flocking as an alternative to the Pixel 9 sequence and its cleaner design. Others want how versatile One UI might be in comparison with the competitors, particularly with add-ons like Good Lock.

When taking a look at a cellphone’s promised updates, it’s necessary to recollect a number of issues. Platform updates are updates to the options and Android degree of your cellphone; the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 9 sequence will get seven years of OS upgrades and safety patches.

Choosing the very best Android smartphone

Android telephones have acquired numerous quality-of-life enhancements over time, akin to improved battery life, longer and sooner software program and safety updates, much more options, and added craftsmanship to enhance the general really feel and sturdiness. With all of those mixed, it’s simple to see why some telephones have come near costing over $1,000, though there are lots of different elements at play.

With all that mentioned, our alternative for the very best Android smartphone goes to the Google Pixel 9 Professional, the very best mixture of efficiency, options, and even software program help. It has a high quality digital camera setup on each the back and front, an extended battery life, plenty of superior Pixel and superior AI options, and plenty of equipment to additional personalize your expertise.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely is one other wonderful alternative, providing much more personalization and customization choices, the identical wonderful degree of software program and safety, and one of many best-performing digital camera setups in the marketplace. It’s additionally the very best cellphone for individuals who prefer to doodle and make notes, due to its built-in S Pen stylus.

Final, however not least, the Google Pixel 8a is a real flagship-killer, providing superior options from Google’s Professional-branded high-end flagships. It’s remarkably inexpensive, and it has the quick Google Tensor G3 chipset, a responsive show, and all the standard options you’d count on from a extremely succesful gadget.