Apple might have actually kicked off the smartphone period, however Google-powered Android telephones nonetheless dominate the market – particularly outdoors the US.
That’s no shock when you think about the vary of various producers producing Android handsets throughout an enormous unfold of costs, which means there’s most likely an Android on the market to enchantment to only about any style.
Samsung is by far the largest Android producer within the world market, and US patrons can even have the ability to select from Motorola, Sony, OnePlus, and naturally Google’s personal Pixel telephones. Exterior North America there’s much more competitors from massive Chinese language manufacturers together with Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and extra.
Meaning there’s loads of selection on the market – excess of you get from the handful of iPhones launched every year. Android customers even have the choice of novel type components just like the wave of recent foldable telephones hitting the market proper now, led by Samsung however with competitors catching up.
Since Android is so open, it’s simple to maneuver between manufacturers, so simply since you at the moment use a Samsung you shouldn’t really feel the necessity to keep it up. Even if you happen to’re at the moment an iPhone proprietor, it’s simpler than ever to change from iPhone to Android, so don’t let that put you off.
Right here at Tech Advisor we independently take a look at every cellphone completely so we are able to carry you the easiest choices at any given second. Clicking by way of to our in-depth critiques will assist, as we’ve got detailed benchmarks, take a look at pictures, and extra. These are our ten favourites proper now, however hold checking again as we replace this checklist recurrently.
Greatest Android telephones 2023
1. Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely – Greatest Android cellphone
Professionals
- Glorious digital camera
- Phenomenal show
- Stylus assist
Cons
- Cumbersome
- Costly
- Slower charging
The Galaxy S22 Extremely doesn’t really feel like an S22 in any respect – actually that is extra like a covert revival of Samsung’s once-loved Word model, with a definite design from its S22 siblings and a built-in slot to retailer the included S-Pen stylus.
The digital camera is without doubt one of the greatest in any cellphone, with a 108Mp essential shooter backed up by an ultrawide and two telephoto lenses at totally different zoom ranges – with the zoom efficiency significantly improved on earlier fashions.
The expansive 6.8in LTPO AMOLED show delivers each excessive WQHD+ decision and adaptive refresh fee as much as 120Hz, and with S-pen stylus assist it comfortably fills the productiveness area of interest of the previous Word telephones.
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Overview Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely
2. Google Pixel 7 Professional – Greatest software program
Professionals
- Very good show
- Unbelievable, versatile cameras
- Sturdy battery life
- Unique software program options
Cons
- Divisive design
- Large and heavy
- Gradual charging
Pixel telephones have all the time been in regards to the digital camera, and the 7 Professional’s digital camera – whereas not fairly our favorite proper now – is completely improbable, with versatility because of the inclusion of an ultrawide and a periscopic telephoto.
The larger edge to the cellphone is Google’s software program although. The 7 Professional runs the very best model of Android round, with the clear simplicity of inventory Android plus all of Google’s glorious Pixel-exclusive upgrades, now powered by the corporate’s second-gen in-house Tensor chip.
You’ll need to put up with sluggish charging (and purchase your individual charger besides), and settle for the truth that this can be a massive cellphone with a divisive design – it’s possible you’ll nicely adore it, however there are a lot on the market who don’t. The common Pixel 7 is a bit of smaller (and cheaper), however lacks that telephoto digital camera and has a barely extra fundamental show.
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Overview Google Pixel 7 Professional
3. Vivo X80 Professional – Greatest digital camera
Professionals
- (Possibly) the very best digital camera round
- Quick wired & wi-fi charging
- IP68-water resistance
- Nice battery life
Cons
- Costly
- No Gorilla Glass
- Irritating software program
MSRP:
Unavailable within the US
It’s possible you’ll not have heard of Vivo earlier than, however you need to positively be paying consideration.
The corporate is a big of the Chinese language smartphone market, and is slowly increasing its worldwide attain – which is an effective factor, as a result of it’s been an open secret for the previous few years that Vivo most likely makes the very best cameras in any cellphone round.
The X80 Professional isn’t any exception, with 4 phenomenal rear cameras. The 50Mp essential lens is phenomenal, nevertheless it’s the 48Mp ultrawide that basically blows away all of the competitors, and the 2 zoom lenses add further choices. The tech is admittedly at its greatest in low mild, with hands-down the very best evening mode accessible anyplace.
It’s an excellent cellphone elsewhere too, with a top-class show, quick charging, and glorious battery life. The principle frustration is that the corporate’s Android pores and skin is a bit of awkward, however if you happen to care in regards to the digital camera and may afford to spend this a lot, it’s arduous to do higher.
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Overview Vivo X80 Professional
4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Greatest foldable
Professionals
- Gorgeous design
- High specs
- Waterproof
- Inexpensive (for a foldable)
Cons
- No telephoto digital camera
- Sturdiness nonetheless a doubt
Samsung’s first few makes an attempt at foldables have been enjoyable, however generally felt like novelties. With the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the Korean tech big has unequivocally received it proper.
Core specs are top-tier all through, with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in tow, and the 12Mp essential digital camera is as succesful as virtually any round – although it’s possible you’ll miss having a telephoto lens.
Even battery life is now spectacular, comfortably lasting a full day’s use when its predecessors merely couldn’t. You’ll simply need to be keen to take an opportunity that the folding display screen will final so long as Samsung says.
If you’d like one thing greater, the Z Fold 4 is fairly nice too, however the increased worth, dodgy under-display digital camera, and software program quirks make it much less of a home-run than its smaller sibling.
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Overview Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
5. Google Pixel 6a – Greatest mid-range
Professionals
- High drawer efficiency
- Smaller dimension
- Spectacular digital camera
- Assured software program updates
Cons
- Rear plastic scratches simply
- Fees sluggish and scorching
- Solely 60Hz show
If you happen to can’t afford the Pixel 7 Professional or 7, then Google has another choice for you: the decidedly inexpensive Pixel 6a.
This mid-range cellphone packs the same flagship Tensor chip to its greater brothers, together with a well-known design. However it’s a a lot smaller cellphone, and produced from plastic fairly 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 60Hz refresh fee on the show. If you happen to can stay with these downsides although, this is a wonderful possibility for the worth.
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Overview Google Pixel 6a
6. Motorola Edge 30 Extremely – Greatest flagship-killer
Professionals
- 144Hz OLED show
- Greatest-in-class efficiency
- Glorious worth
- Phenomenal battery & charging
Cons
- Digicam is sweet, however not nice
- Poor IP ranking
MSRP:
Not accessible within the US
Some telephones are nice for what they do, others are nice for a way little they value doing it.
The Motorola Edge 30 Extremely stands out as a result of it affords the very best of an Android flagship whereas costing loads lower than many of the competitors. The 144Hz OLED show is just about unheard of outdoor gaming telephones, the 125W charging is among the many quickest round, and the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip is blisteringly quick. Oh, and the battery lasts for 2 full days, simple.
All that, and it prices simply £749/€899, making it an absolute discount. You’ll need to stay with IP54 fairly than IP68 water-resistance, and a digital camera that’s good however not fairly nice, however these really feel like small concessions to make for a cellphone pretty much as good as this.
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Overview Motorola Edge 30 Extremely
7. Oppo Discover X5 Professional – Greatest high-end all-rounder
Professionals
- Greatest display screen round
- Versatile digital camera
- Distinctive design
Cons
- No periscope zoom
- Costly
MSRP:
Unavailable within the US
The Oppo Discover X5 Professional is an exceptional cellphone by any measure. The 6.7in 10-bit 120Hz QHD+ panel is without doubt one of the greatest shows in any cellphone proper now and Oppo backs it up with 80W wired and 50W wi-fi charging, a 5000mAh battery, and a top-tier digital camera that boasts 50Mp sensors on each the principle and ultrawide lenses.
You’ll need to stay with out a periscopic zoom lens – the telephoto here’s a measly 2x zoom – however outcomes throughout all three rear lenses are distinctive. The design is exclusive too, because of a seamlessly sloped digital camera module constructed proper into the ceramic of the cellphone’s physique.
For pure efficiency, the Discover X5 Professional can also be arduous to beat, with the entire above plus a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 256GB storage and 12GB RAM. You simply need to be keen to pay the worth, because it doesn’t come low cost – although the common
Discover X5 is a superb possibility that prices a lot much less.
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Overview Oppo Discover X5 Professional
8. Asus Zenfone 9 – Greatest compact flagship
Professionals
- Distinctive, compact design
- Incredible battery life
- Glorious low mild pictures
Cons
- Overheating points
- Solely two Android updates promised
- No mmWave assist
The Zenfone 9 is a full-force flagship in a small dimension, and with remarkably few compromises for it.
The 5.9in show makes this one of many smallest telephones in the marketplace, particularly on the Android aspect, and comfortably the smallest with specs this sturdy.
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and as much as 16GB of RAM mark this as a severe efficiency cellphone, although cooling issues do depart that energy barely throttled. The 8+ Gen 1 can also be partly to thank for the superb battery life nonetheless, which places different compact smartphones to disgrace.
The gimbal-stabilised essential digital camera impresses, particularly at evening, although with just a few visible glitches and points in vivid environments it’s clear Asus has some software program tuning to do. Some can also miss the range provided by rivals, particularly the shortage of a telephoto lens right here.
Given the cellphone is so good, it’s irritating that Asus is just promising two years of assist, so it will solely swimsuit those that know they’re on an everyday improve schedule. The general expertise is superb although, with good software program and welcome touches just like the IP68 ranking and headphone jack.
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Overview Asus Zenfone 9
9. OnePlus Nord 2T – Greatest for reasonable quick charging
Professionals
- Phenomenal worth
- Glass physique
- Quick 80W charging
Cons
- Solely 90Hz show
- No wi-fi charging
- Solely 2 Android updates
MSRP:
Unavailable within the US
OnePlus’s first T-branded Nord cellphone is a worthy follow-up, powered by MediaTek’s 5G-capable Dimensity 1300 chipset.
The Nord 2T additionally totes a 90Hz AMOLED show, an excellent main 50Mp essential digital camera, and nippy 80W quick charging.
Software program-wise, the corporate’s OxygenOS person expertise can also be a significant spotlight – bringing responsive interactivity and a clear interface to the desk that lends itself to the cellphone’s highly effective, premium really feel. The one draw back is that the corporate solely guarantees two Android model updates, and a 3rd yr of safety fixes.
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Overview OnePlus Nord 2T
10. Asus ROG Cellphone 6 – Greatest for gaming
Professionals
- Stellar efficiency
- Gorgeous show
- Stable battery life
- Surprisingly good cameras
Cons
- Can run scorching with out fan
- No wi-fi charging
- Solely two years of updates
MSRP:
From $999.99 | Mannequin reviewed $1,099.99
There are a great deal of choices in relation to Android gaming telephones, however Asus ROG Cellphone 6 is the very best for most individuals.
It excels on the fundamentals, delivering stellar efficiency, a surprising show, and nice battery life. With first rate cameras, two USB-C ports, and even a headphone jack, there’s loads to love right here.
Nevertheless, it’s not good, with an absence of wi-fi charging and poor software program replace dedication probably the most distinguished issues. You’ll additionally want to attach a fan for lengthy gaming classes.
However none of those are dealbreakers for most individuals, and the ROG Cellphone 6 gives such a well-rounded expertise elsewhere. If you happen to’re severe about gaming in your cellphone however simply need the very best core expertise, that is the cellphone to purchase.
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Overview Asus ROG Cellphone 6
Shopping for recommendation for Android telephones
Which model of Android is the newest?
The newest model of Android proper now could be Android 13, which launched in late 2022. Nevertheless, it typically 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 12.
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 – typically known as an ‘Android pores and skin’.
For instance Samsung telephones run One UI, OnePlus telephones are on OxygenOS, and Xiaomi telephones run on MIUI. Telephones that run software program near Google’s personal are sometimes described as operating ‘inventory’, however in reality even the Google Pixel telephones run their very own distinctive spin on the software program. Every of those affords a novel aesthetic and a spread of particular options, so you need to all the time try to be taught a bit of a few model’s software program earlier than you decide to a cellphone.
It’s additionally essential to keep in mind that not each Android cellphone will get equal updates. Each producer guarantees a distinct variety of updates for his or her units – often separated into Android function updates and safety patches – and customarily talking dearer telephones are supported for longer than cheaper units. On the time of writing, the very best manufacturers on this regard are Samsung and Google.
Which specs matter probably the most?
With extra Android telephones on the market, there are additionally extra specs to select 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 clean efficiency? Maybe you prioritise longer battery life, or sooner charging speeds? Possibly a succesful digital camera is the principle factor you search for?
Most Android telephones will provide some mixture of the above – and extra – however there’ll all the time make sure specs the place they compromise. Deciding in your priorities is step one in selecting a cellphone.
Are Android telephones higher than iPhones?
This argument has waged for over a decade, and it gained’t finish any time quickly. For now, let’s simply say that every has its benefits.
There’s extra selection in Android telephones, giving customers much more alternative – together with uncommon choices like foldable telephones or units designed for gaming.
Sure {hardware} options additionally are usually higher on Android. Nearly all of trendy Android telephones charger sooner – typically a lot sooner – than even the newest iPhones, and quick refresh fee shows have additionally turn out to be frequent. Look to the actually high finish and also you’ll additionally discover that by and huge the very best digital camera telephones run Android, although Apple nonetheless has the sting in relation to recording video.
Then again, Apple’s rigorously managed ecosystem means iPhones typically have fewer bugs and inconsistencies than Android units, 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 assist additionally outstrips even the very best of Android.
Why isn’t each Android cellphone accessible the place I stay?
This can be a difficult query, and each producer approaches it in a different way. If you happen to stay in Europe or Asia, you’ll possible discover that almost all – albeit not all – Android telephones launch the place you reside. Markets like Africa and South America get a barely totally 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 determine which markets shall be worthwhile for them, which comes all the way down to a mixture of market sizes, native laws, and the ability that networks have – within the US, for instance, it’s the strict management carriers exert that retains most Chinese language firms out.