One of the best Android telephones to purchase in 2024

The Android ecosystem is all about alternative. Whereas iPhone homeowners have a smaller pool of recent units to select from when it’s time to improve, there’s a a lot wider vary of decisions on Android. You need unimaginable digital camera zoom? A built-in stylus? A cellphone that runs a whole desktop atmosphere if you plug it right into a monitor? You will discover it on Android. Heck, you’ll find all of that in a single machine.

On the flip aspect, all that alternative could make for some onerous selections. Right here’s the place I’d like to assist; I’ve examined a complete boatload of current Android telephones, and I feel there are some actual winners within the present batch. It’s all a matter of what you’re searching for, what you’re comfy spending, and what your definition of a “fairly sized cellphone” is. (I’ve my very own, personally.)

As you sift by means of the choices, you’ll nearly definitely come throughout tech’s favourite buzzphrase of the yr: AI. Typically talking, AI has but to essentially impress me on a cellphone. The Pixel 9 collection has some probably helpful options, like a brand new Screenshots app that makes use of AI to tag related information in metadata, and Galaxy units can translate a cellphone name for you in actual time. This stuff are nothing to sneeze at! However none of it feels just like the platform shift that the massive tech corporations maintain promising. Greatest to not put an excessive amount of inventory in any firm’s AI claims simply but.

If you happen to dwell within the US, I’ve some dangerous information concerning the Android market, although. For sophisticated causes having to do with “capitalism” and “geopolitics,” we don’t get almost as most of the choices as you’ll discover in Asia and Europe — manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo simply aren’t obtainable right here. I’ve restricted this information to the units I’ve personally examined in depth; thus, it’s a pretty US-centric set of suggestions. 

With that in thoughts, it’s additionally value acknowledging that most individuals within the US get their telephones “without cost” from their wi-fi service. If you happen to can handle it, shopping for a cellphone unlocked offers you essentially the most flexibility and freedom if you find yourself wanting to alter carriers within the close to future. Cellphone producers additionally supply financing and trade-in offers to make fee extra manageable. However in case you’re glad together with your service and the free cellphone on supply is the one you actually need, by all means, take the free cellphone. Simply ensure you perceive the phrases, particularly if it’s essential change plans to money in on the deal. 

Nonetheless you go about it, you’ve got some implausible choices on your subsequent Android cellphone.

Display screen: 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 most important with OIS, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wi-fi (with Pixel Stand 2) / Climate resistance: IP68

Google’s {hardware} is best than ever, and the entire Pixel 9 lineup feels simply as polished as something you’d get from Samsung or Apple. However at $799, the essential Pixel 9 is in a very interesting place, and in case you don’t want a telephoto digital camera or the most important display, then that is the Android cellphone to get.

The Pixel 9 comes with some important quality-of-life enhancements like a quicker fingerprint scanner for unlocking the cellphone. The digital camera is as dependable as ever, and in case you’re into AI picture modifying tips, boy does this cellphone have ‘em. There’s a brand new Screenshots app that acts as a spot to retailer all the info that may in any other case be misplaced at sea in your digital camera roll, and it makes use of AI to parse info out and make it searchable. Kinda useful.

Even with out AI, this is a superb cellphone. It’s additionally designed to go the space, with seven years of promised OS updates, which very probably means you’ll outgrow the cellphone earlier than Google stops supporting it. Its potential for long-term worth and the standard of the {hardware} make it a simple suggestion for anybody who simply desires a pleasant Android cellphone that works.

Learn my full Google Pixel 9 assessment.

Display screen: 6.8-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 200-megapixel most important with OIS, 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely says all of it within the identify: Extremely. It has all the things you possibly can ask for in a cellphone — nicely, not less than one which doesn’t fold in half. There’s a stylus, two telephoto cameras, an enormous battery, and among the finest ding dang screens on any cellphone, wherever.

So why am I just a little underwhelmed? For starters, Samsung swapped final yr’s 10x telephoto digital camera for a higher-resolution 5x digital camera that makes use of in-sensor crop to zoom to 10x. It is a wise transfer, and pictures at 10x look high quality, if not as crisp as they did on the final mannequin. It’s additionally pricier this time round, and it was already an costly cellphone. It’s fairly darn heavy, too, and Samsung’s change to titanium for the body hasn’t made it any lighter.

Private emotions concerning the zoom lens apart, the S24 Extremely remains to be principally peerless. Its much-touted AI options are high quality, but when there’s one factor that makes it well worth the improve, it’s the display. Its anti-glare coating and boosted most brightness make it so comfy to make use of exterior it’s nearly magic. That’s hardly a elaborate new tech function, however the Galaxy S24 Extremely is hardly any previous cellphone.

Learn my full Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely assessment.

Display screen: 6.82-inch 1440p 120Hz LTPO OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.6 most important with OIS, 64-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 48-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide / Battery: 5400mAh / Charging: 80W wired, 50W wi-fi / Climate-resistance ranking: IP65

After a number of years and just a little soul-searching, OnePlus is again to its roots. The OnePlus 12 is a superb machine with high-end efficiency with a aggressive value: $799 for the bottom mannequin with a hefty 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

For that value, you get a crisp 1440p 6.8-inch show, a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and a succesful digital camera. It helps wi-fi charging, one thing that earlier OnePlus flagships have skipped. Battery efficiency is implausible, too — energy customers can get by means of a full day, and lightweight customers can stretch it to 2.

What stands out concerning the OnePlus 12, although, may simply be what’s not right here: a bunch of AI options. Actually? That’s sort of refreshing. A few of the AI options Google and Samsung are busy delivery proper now are good, however none of them really feel important. If you wish to sit out this AI hype cycle however you continue to need an awesome cellphone, the OnePlus 12 is likely to be the one.

Learn my full OnePlus 12 assessment.

Display screen: 8.0-inch 2076p 120Hz OLED interior display, 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED cowl display / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 most important with OIS, 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display), 10-megapixel interior selfie digital camera / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

Does anybody really want a folding cellphone? In all probability not. However utilizing one is terribly good, and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is the nicest book-style foldable I’ve used thus far. It’s dear, it’s nonetheless bulkier than a slab-style cellphone, and its cameras aren’t fairly as good as the opposite Pixel 9 Professional telephones. However it’s a pleasure to make use of, each as an everyday cellphone with the duvet display and if you unfold the massive interior display.

The 9 Professional Fold is Google’s second folding cellphone, following up the passport-shaped Pixel Fold with a format that feels far more acquainted. The outer display measures 6.3 inches on the diagonal, however extra importantly, the ratio is identical as Google’s slab telephones. By comparability, Samsung’s Z Fold 6 makes use of a taller, narrower format that feels cramped. Having used them each, I a lot favor the 9 Professional Fold’s strategy.

That mentioned, the 9 Professional Fold isn’t with out compromises. The digital camera system isn’t fairly nearly as good as what you get within the different 9 Professional telephones. The outer display isn’t as sharp or brilliant because the Pixel 9 Professional’s, both. And it’s not as sturdy as its slab-style counterparts — there’s no mud resistance, and you’ll’t get it repaired simply wherever. For $1,800, that’s an terrible lot to swallow. For the adventurous early adopter, although, the 9 Professional Fold will probably be very rewarding.

Learn my full Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold assessment.

Display screen: 6.7-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.9 most important with OIS, 50-megapixel ultrawide, 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP54

The Nothing Cellphone 2 doesn’t supply the perfect worth proposition in its upper-midrange class. But when it’s type you’re after and one thing just a little flashy (nicely, rather a lot flashy), then the Cellphone 2 is a simple decide.

It affords a great 6.7-inch display, nice each day efficiency and battery life, and a succesful digital camera system. However that’s the standard stuff — what’s uncommon concerning the Cellphone 2 is its set of LED mild strips on the again panel. They illuminate in mixtures referred to as “glyphs,” and you’ll set them to warn you to sure notifications. It’s neat however in the end isn’t as useful because the system’s customizable always-on show.

On the draw back, the Cellphone 2 is simply splash-resistant moderately than totally proof against water submersion like just about all different telephones over $500. It’s additionally not totally supported on Verizon’s community, which takes it out of rivalry for lots of the US inhabitants.

If neither of the above is a deal-breaker, and the Cellphone 2’s styling appeals to you, then it’s a superb alternative. One factor’s for certain — it undoubtedly stands out from the gang.

Learn my full Nothing Cellphone 2 assessment.

There are lots of extra nice Android units that weren’t lined right here, and some are value calling out that didn’t fairly make the lower for a suggestion.

• First off, there’s the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung’s wonderful clamshell-style foldable. It’s not as a lot enjoyable to make use of because the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus — which facilitates utilizing apps on the duvet display extra simply — however Motorola’s observe file for software program updates isn’t nice, so the Z Flip 6 is a safer wager for a flip cellphone.
• The OnePlus Open can also be one other good book-style foldable possibility. It’s skinny and lightweight, and the software program consists of some considerate approaches to multitasking — an important a part of the folding cellphone expertise. However it received’t be supported with software program updates for so long as the Pixel 9 Professional Fold or the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
• Final however not least, there’s the Google Pixel 8A. If you happen to actually need to maximize the return in your funding, it’s onerous to beat Google’s newest midrange cellphone. It covers all of the fundamentals for $499 whereas providing seven years of software program assist.

Replace, September thirteenth: Changed the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus with the Google Pixel 9 as the very best Android cellphone for most individuals; changed the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 with the Google Pixel 9 Professional as the very best folding cellphone.