With regards to smartphones, there’s one huge debate that tends to dominate the dialog: Android or iPhone?
Loads of individuals have robust opinions on which is superior, but it surely’s value noting that Android is an working system somewhat than a tool.
Dozens of smartphones operating Google’s software program are launched each single 12 months, although every producer makes its personal tweaks to the person expertise. The software program on a Samsung Galaxy telephone will look very completely different to that of a OnePlus or Xiaomi handset, for instance.
It’s additionally necessary to contemplate the size of software program help, which ranges from two to seven years.
Nevertheless, you shouldn’t base your resolution on which to purchase solely on the software program. There’s loads of variation in relation to {hardware}, particularly whenever you’re evaluating price range and mid-range telephones to flagship gadgets.
Apple solely tends to launch 4 or 5 iPhone fashions every year, so a lot of the finest smartphones you should purchase are additionally Android telephones. However in the event you don’t wish to think about Apple, that is the article for you.
It’s very straightforward to modify between Android telephones, and never way more tough to maneuver from an iPhone lately. So in the event you’re contemplating one of many telephones on this listing, don’t be postpone giving it a go.
Why you must belief us: Smartphones are our bread and butter right here at Tech Advisor, the overwhelming majority of that are Android telephones. We carry out in-depth, real-world testing on each new mannequin that’s value shopping for, shifting our most important SIM card to it for a minimum of every week for essentially the most genuine expertise attainable.
Up to date 4 April 2024: On this overhaul replace, we added the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14, Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and Samsung Galaxy S24+.
Greatest Android telephones 2024
1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely – Greatest total
The Galaxy S24 Extremely is the finest smartphone you should purchase, so it ought to come as no shock to see it prime this listing.
It’s arguably the final word smartphone, packing virtually each premium function you may anticipate into one large gadget. Nevertheless, the beautiful 6.8-inch show and built-in S Pen stylus are definitely value it.
Different highlights embody elegant efficiency from an overclocked model of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and powerful battery life from the 5000mAh cell. The cameras won’t be one of the best on any smartphone, however they’re not far off, providing spectacular versatility throughout 4 lenses.
Samsung’s One UI software program is intuitive and comparatively straightforward to make use of, and the corporate’s new AI options are genuinely helpful. Throw in a class-leading seven years of updates and also you’ve received your self an outstanding telephone.
Apart from the imposing design and comparatively sluggish charging, the worth tag is the primary factor that counts towards the S24 Extremely. However in the event you can afford it, you received’t be disenchanted.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely assessment
2. Google Pixel 8 Professional – Greatest for most individuals
Professionals
- Premium construct
- Prime-tier cameras
- Glorious software program options
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- Common battery life
- Gradual charging
- Large and heavy
Value When Reviewed:
Dès 1 099 €
The Pixel 8 Professional is one of the best smartphone you should purchase proper now. A mixture of premium {hardware} and superior software program make it very straightforward to suggest.
Google’s Tensor G3 chip is vital, enabling each nice efficiency and a variety of superior images options. Alongside wonderful digital camera {hardware}, it’s one of the best point-and-shoot telephone digital camera for nonetheless pictures.
Whereas a 213g telephone with a big 6.7-inch show received’t be for everybody, the high-resolution 120Hz OLED display screen here’s a pleasure to make use of. With slick Android 14 software program and an unbelievable seven years of updates, the Pixel 8 Professional is the smartphone to beat in 2023.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply it’s one of the best for everybody. The mix of common battery life and sluggish charging is irritating, whereas the common Pixel 8 is a better option in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing extra compact.
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Google Pixel 8 Professional assessment
3. Google Pixel 7a – Greatest worth for cash
Professionals
- Phenomenal digital camera for the worth
- Glorious Google software program
- Sturdy efficiency
- Water resistant
Cons
- Gradual charging
- Wi-fi charging is unreliable
- Solely 90Hz show
Value When Reviewed:
509 €
In the event you can’t afford the Pixel 8 or 8 Professional, then Google has an alternative choice for you: the decidedly inexpensive Pixel 7a.
This mid-range nonetheless packs a flagship-quality Tensor G2 chipset for stable efficiency, together with a well-known design. Nevertheless it’s a barely smaller telephone, and comprised of plastic somewhat than glass.
There are draw back, after all. The digital camera specs aren’t fairly the identical, although it nonetheless impresses. You’ll additionally get slower charging and solely a 90Hz refresh fee on the show somewhat than 120Hz on the flagships.
In the event you can dwell with these downsides although, this is a superb possibility for the worth. Photographs from the primary digital camera are one of the best you’ll discover on any mid-range telephone.
Nevertheless, it’s value noting {that a} successor within the Pixel 8a won’t be far-off.
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Google Pixel 7a assessment
4. OnePlus 12 – Greatest design
Professionals
- Elegant, distinctive design
- Stellar display screen
- Quick wired and wi-fi charging
- Nice most important and telephoto cameras
Cons
- Fewer OS updates than rivals
- Common ultrawide and selfie cameras
- Restricted water resistance
The OnePlus 12 is considerably dearer than the OnePlus 11, which was an incredible handset for the cash. However this additional expense is justified – a surprising design, vital efficiency improve and the introduction of wi-fi charging make an actual distinction.
Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset speeds by duties with ease (together with gaming), then combines with a 5400mAh battery for excellent battery life. Once you do run low, you may select between 100W wired and 50W wi-fi charging, although the 80W charger within the field will likely be lots quick sufficient for most individuals.
The 120Hz AMOLED display screen is among the many largest on any telephone at 6.82-inches, but additionally among the best. The slick software program expertise can be a pleasure to make use of, even when the 4 OS updates and 5 years of safety updates is a small step down from one of the best round.
Rear cameras, a weak spot of earlier OnePlus telephones, are excellent on the entire. However the ultrawide and selfie lenses aren’t one of the best, and the IP65 score means it’s not protected towards submersion in water.
Nonetheless, none of those ought to be dealbreakers for most individuals. The OnePlus 12 nonetheless undercuts many flagships on worth, making it an incredible possibility.
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OnePlus 12 assessment
5. Xiaomi 14 – Greatest cameras
Professionals
- Unbelievable cameras
- Flawless efficiency
- Tremendous-fast charging
- Beautiful display screen
Cons
- Some software program frustrations
- Vulnerable to fingerprint smudges
Prior to now, Xiaomi’s model of Android has usually prevented us from recommending its telephones. Regardless of a rebrand, the brand new HyperOS pores and skin isn’t an enormous step ahead, but it surely shouldn’t detract from simply how good this telephone is.
Regardless of a comparatively compact design and wonderful 6.36-inch show, Xiaomi has packed in among the finest cameras within the enterprise. Throughout all three 50Mp lenses – most important, ultrawide and three.2x telephoto – you will get unbelievable outcomes. Even the 32Mp selfie digital camera is robust.
Similar to any telephone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Xiaomi 14 presents excellent efficiency. A 4610mAh battery isn’t significantly huge by fashionable requirements, however you may nonetheless anticipate stable battery life, and it’s nice to get the quick 90W charger included within the field.
As gorgeous because the design is, that cup again is vulnerable to fingerprint smudges and different seen grime. However that’s about the place the downsides finish – Xiaomi’s dedication to 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of safety updates is now in keeping with most rivals.
Total, the Xiaomi 14 is a good telephone which shouldn’t be missed.
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Xiaomi 14 assessment
6. Motorola Razr 40 Extremely/Razr+ – Greatest foldable
Professionals
- Massive outer show
- Mud and water resistant
- Good battery life (for a flip telephone)
Cons
- Older chipset
- Cameras are good, however not nice
- Outer display screen software program wants some fine-tuning
Value When Reviewed:
Dès 1 199 €
The Motorola Razr 40 Extremely – also referred to as the Razr+ within the US – is one of the best foldable proper now.
The most recent Razr packs a bigger and extra helpful exterior display screen that’s the most important on any flip telephone but, extending virtually fully throughout the telephone’s outer facet. It even helps you to run full Android apps with out opening the telephone, although some work higher than others.
Past that, you may anticipate good battery life, nice mud and water-resistance, and a succesful most important digital camera – although the opposite lenses are slightly missing. The improved hinge design additionally permits the Razr 40 Extremely to shut utterly flat and really feel extra stable because of this.
Nevertheless, it’s additionally value contemplating the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, which is a good different.
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Motorola Razr 40 Extremely assessment
7. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G – Greatest price range
Professionals
- Premium design
- Glorious battery life
- Intuitive One UI software program
- First rate most important digital camera
Cons
- Not one of the best efficiency
- No official water resistance score
- Gradual charging
In the event you simply want a smartphone for normal on a regular basis use, look no additional than the Galaxy A15 5G. It presents every part most individuals want in a smartphone, but prices underneath £200/$200.
In fact, there are compromises in comparison with high-end telephones, however Samsung has been sensible about the place it’s made them. A lovely design is clearly impressed by the corporate’s flagships, even when much less premium supplies have been used.
The show continues to be OLED and presents a easy 90Hz refresh fee, whereas its decrease decision helps the wonderful battery life. You additionally get Samsung’s slick One UI software program expertise and an honest three years of Android OS updates, plus a most important rear digital camera that’s very serviceable.
Efficiency is sluggish at occasions, however ready a couple of extra seconds for issues to load is hardly a dealbreaker. And until you’re planning on getting your telephone moist or want quick charging, it’s straightforward to suggest.
In the event you don’t need 5G, it’s additionally value contemplating the Samsung Galaxy A15 (4G), but it surely’s not simply 5G that you simply lose there.
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Samsung Galaxy A15 5G assessment
8. Samsung Galaxy S24+ – Nice all-rounder
Professionals
- Nice, massive show
- Sturdy efficiency
- Unbelievable battery life
- Helpful AI options
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- No S Pen help
- Restricted storage choices
- Comparatively costly
The center telephone in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 vary isn’t fairly the all-singing, all-dancing S24 Extremely, but it surely’s arguably a greater telephone for most individuals.
You continue to get a lot of the fundamentals of Samsung’s ultra-flagship, together with a beautiful massive show, excellent battery life, helpful AI options and that class-leading seven-year replace dedication.
US patrons will nonetheless get the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, however even the Exynos 2400 within the UK delivers robust efficiency.
If you are able to do with out a stylus or a great deal of storage however nonetheless desire a Samsung flagship, the S24+ is the telephone to get.
Learn our full
Samsung Galaxy S24+ assessment
9. Asus Zenfone 10 – Greatest compact flagship
Professionals
- Distinctive, compact design
- Improbable battery life
- Headphone jack
Cons
- Digital camera isn’t prime tier
- Solely two Android updates promised
- Gradual 30W charging
Value When Reviewed:
Dès 799 €
The Zenfone 10 is a full-force flagship in a small measurement, and with remarkably few compromises for it.
The 5.9in show is likely one of the smallest in the marketplace, particularly on the Android facet, although notice that total the telephone is about the identical measurement because the common Galaxy S24
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and as much as 16GB of RAM mark this as a severe efficiency telephone, and it additionally boasts wonderful battery life, which places different compact smartphones to disgrace.
The gimbal-stabilised most important digital camera impresses, particularly at evening, although there are undoubtedly higher cameras on equally priced rivals – particularly in relation to choices like a telephoto lens.
Given the telephone is so good, it’s additionally irritating that Asus is barely promising two main Android updates, although the telephone will a minimum of get safety help by to 2027.
If that’s a dealbreaker for you, go for the common Samsung Galaxy S24 as a substitute. However with the newer Zenfone 11 Extremely a lot larger and fewer noteworthy because of this, that is nonetheless the Asus telephone that most individuals should purchase.
Learn our full
Asus Zenfone 10 assessment
10. OnePlus Open – Greatest book-style foldable
Professionals
- Nice shows
- Excellent rear cameras
- Helpful software program options
- Premium, sturdy design
Cons
- Not one of the best battery life
- Few apps optimised for large display screen
- Costly
The Open is technically OnePlus’ first ever foldable, although guardian firm Oppo has loads of expertise. And it reveals – that is an impressively completed gadget with few compromises.
The shows are the true spotlight. A 6.31-inch cowl display screen seems to be identical to an everyday smartphone, then opens to disclose a 7.82-inch inside show with a barely noticeable crease. Each are 120Hz OLED panels, and look incredible.
OnePlus has carried out its finest to benefit from this bigger display screen, with varied options that make multitasking straightforward. However Android’s lack of help for third-party apps, mixed with the excessive price ticket, stay the primary causes most individuals shouldn’t purchase one.
It’s a disgrace, because the rear cameras and design are an actual hit. Efficiency is nice too, and common battery life is offset by 67W quick charging by way of the adaptor within the field.
Learn our full
OnePlus Open assessment
Shopping for recommendation for Android telephones
Which model of Android is the most recent?
The most recent model of Android proper now’s Android 14, which launched in 2023.
Nevertheless, it usually takes a while for Android manufacturers to replace their telephones, so many telephones launched in 2022, and even some cheaper 2023 fashions, will nonetheless be operating Android 13.
The subsequent model, Android 15, ought to launch in 2024, however will take a while to roll out to handsets.
Do all Android telephones run the identical software program?
Sure and no. All of them run Android after all, however there are variations inside that. Each producer tweaks Android to supply its personal model – usually known as an ‘Android pores and skin’.
For instance, Samsung telephones run One UI, OnePlus telephones are on OxygenOS, and Xiaomi telephones run HyperOS (which changed MIUI).
Telephones that run software program near Google’s personal are sometimes described as operating ‘inventory’, however in fact even the Google Pixel telephones run their very own distinctive spin on the software program. Every of those presents a novel aesthetic and a variety of particular options, so you must at all times attempt to study slightly a few model’s software program earlier than you decide to a telephone.
It’s additionally necessary to keep in mind that not each Android telephone will get equal updates. Each producer guarantees a completely different variety of updates for his or her gadgets – normally separated into Android function updates and safety patches – and usually talking dearer telephones are supported for longer than cheaper gadgets.
On the time of writing, one of the best model on this regard is Google, which presents as much as seven years of each, however many rivals aren’t far behind.
Which specs matter essentially the most?
With extra Android telephones on the market, there are additionally extra specs to choose between. There’s no hard-and-fast rule about what issues most, so as a substitute take into consideration your priorities.
Do you care most about quick and easy efficiency? Maybe you prioritise longer battery life, or sooner charging speeds? Possibly a succesful digital camera is the primary factor you search for?
Most Android telephones will supply some mixture of the above – and extra – however there’ll at all times make certain specs the place they compromise. Deciding in your priorities is step one in choosing a telephone.
Are Android telephones higher than iPhones?
This argument has waged for over a decade, and it received’t finish any time quickly. For now, let’s simply say that every has its benefits.
There’s extra selection in Android telephones, giving shoppers much more alternative – together with uncommon choices like foldable telephones or gadgets designed for gaming.
Sure {hardware} options additionally are typically higher on Android. Nearly all of fashionable Android telephones charger sooner – usually a lot sooner – than even the most recent iPhones, and quick refresh fee shows have additionally develop into frequent. Look to the actually prime finish and also you’ll additionally discover that by and enormous one of the best digital camera telephones run Android, although Apple nonetheless has the sting in relation to recording video.
However, Apple’s fastidiously managed ecosystem means iPhones usually have fewer bugs and inconsistencies than Android gadgets, and there’s a degree of polish to each the software program and {hardware} that few Android rivals match. Apple’s long-term software program help additionally outstrips the overwhelming majority of Android.
Why isn’t each Android telephone obtainable the place I dwell?
It is a sophisticated query, and each producer approaches it in another way. In the event you dwell in Europe or Asia, you’ll doubtless discover that the majority – albeit not all – Android telephones launch the place you reside. Markets similar to Africa and South America get a barely completely different choice, whereas in North America there are solely only a few manufacturers, with virtually not one of the Chinese language producers.
In the end, every producer has to resolve which markets will likely be worthwhile for them, which comes right down to a mixture of market sizes, native rules, and the facility that networks have – within the US, for instance, it’s the strict management carriers exert that retains most Chinese language firms out.