If I had been shopping for an older flagship telephone, that is the one I would get

I’m all the time requested which telephone somebody can purchase. It’s not all the time phrased precisely that method — typically, the query is which telephone is my favourite, however the finish purpose is all the time the identical. And, in these instances, it’s straightforward to wish to suggest the newest and biggest from Google, Apple, or OnePlus. Nonetheless, most individuals don’t want a brand-new, top-end gadget with all of the bells and whistles.

So, once I’m requested, I’ve began trying deeper into the finest telephones from current years. I’ve discovered that there’s one older flagship I like to recommend greater than every other, and it’s the one I’d be most keen to purchase for myself: Google’s Pixel 8 Professional. Right here’s why.

My love for Google’s digicam bar design has been well-documented because it launched on the Pixel 6 sequence. I instantly pounced on the truth that it made Pixels really feel completely different from most different Android flagships with their corner-mounted digicam bumps. Since then, although, Google has discovered a factor or two about constructing its flagships. It’s made them lighter, softened the beforehand sharp corners, and stayed forward of the curve when ditching the curved show.

And now, whenever you take a look at the Pixel 8 Professional, it’s a telephone that was considerably forward of its time. It launched with a flat-screen at a degree when waterfall shows had been nonetheless the norm for many Android flagships and stored its comfortably rounded body whereas most rivals (and the following Pixel 9) had been shifting in the direction of flat, iPhone-like sides. Google additionally packed its earlier Pixel flagship with a textured again of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which has aged fingerprint-free, not like most shiny glass units.

Every thing else I beloved concerning the Pixel 8 Professional again in 2023 nonetheless rings true greater than a 12 months later. That flat, 120Hz OLED nonetheless seems wonderful, the curved facet rails are nonetheless extra snug to carry than newer, squared frames, and the Pixel 8 Professional provides significantly better colour decisions than most opponents. Actually, I’d take the vibrance of Bay or Mint over the tasteless lotions, grays, and blacks that usually include premium telephones.

In fact, there are a number of quirks with the Pixel 8 Professional’s design — alright, only one primary quirk. Sure, Google launched a temperature sensor on the Pixel 8 Professional, a lot to the confusion of, nicely, everybody. It’s that additional circle that lives on the digicam bar, and I can nonetheless rely the variety of instances I’ve used it on one hand. Conveniently, it’s not integral to a lot of something, so you’ll be able to simply purchase an older Pixel 8 Professional with out ever touching it.

Once I began eager about the older flagship telephones I’d suggest, I thought of going even additional again than 2023. In spite of everything, within the grand scheme of issues, the Pixel 8 Professional isn’t that outdated. However then I remembered that Android software program replace commitments solely actually jumped to Apple’s stage in 2023. So, if I needed to suggest an older Android telephone that you may have by means of the tip of the last decade, it was 2023 or bust.

Apart from, for those who’re after a telephone that’ll obtain each loads of updates and well timed ones, you’ll be able to’t beat a Google Pixel. Earlier than the Pixel 8 sequence, the Android flagship customary for software program updates hovered someplace round 4 or 5 years — good, however not fairly on par with the iPhone.

Then, as Google’s in-house Tensor chip matured, Google was lastly in a position to increase its assure, skipping proper over six years and going straight to seven years of Pixel Updates, which cowl Android variations, safety patches, and have drops a number of instances yearly. It may not get the identical AI-powered options that newer Pixels will, but it surely’s onerous to argue with Google’s well-rounded expertise.

Now, each Google and Samsung promise seven years of updates for his or her respective flagships, however I’m nonetheless keen to push the Pixel 8 Professional forward of its Galaxy opponents for a simple cause: Velocity. As Android’s chief developer, Google can push updates to its Pixels a lot sooner than different OEMs. Take Android 15, for instance. Google was in a position to push its newest main replace to current Pixels in October 2024, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy S24 and Z Flip and Fold 6 are nonetheless ready for it — and doubtless will likely be till 2025.

There are, after all, different older telephones that supply neat designs and spectacular replace commitments, however I’d nonetheless take the Pixel 8 Professional. I’d attain for its versatile, Tensor-powered cameras, gentle, easy software program, and dependable in a single day charging lengthy earlier than contemplating the rest. May I get extra uncooked energy out of a telephone with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in it? Certain, I might. I might discover an older telephone that costs sooner than the Pixel 8 Professional, too. Nonetheless, I’m but to search out one other older flagship that also feels as recent and new because the Pixel 8 Professional and can proceed to take action because it receives replace after replace for years to come back.

Sure, after all, there are different older flagships past the Pixel 8 Professional that I’d purchase. Despite the fact that Google’s gadget is a private favourite of mine — and our in-house choose for the 2023 telephone of the 12 months — I do know that some folks want iOS to Android, some want One UI to Pixel UI, and a few is likely to be after their first foldable telephone. So, for these folks, I’d nonetheless suggest any of the older flagships beneath (every of which made it to our end-of-year editor’s selection voting in 2023).

• iPhone 15 Professional ($999 at Amazon): Should you’re set on attempting iOS, the iPhone 15 Professional might be your finest guess. Sure, its titanium body is heavier than the featherweight iPhone 15, however if you wish to strive Apple Intelligence in any respect, it’s a must to go Professional. Combine within the further digicam flexibility from the telephoto lens and wonderful video capabilities, and also you would possibly end up trapped in Apple’s walled backyard.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 ($999.99 at Samsung): For some time, I used to be hesitant to suggest flip telephones too lengthy after their launch, however the Galaxy Z Flip 5 modified issues for me. It picked up a much-improved Flex Window as its cowl display, and Samsung has lastly made the show crease largely a factor of the previous. I’d additionally seize the Z Flip 5 over Motorola’s authentic Razr Plus as a result of the fifth-generation hinge is a bit sturdier than that on the Razr.
• OnePlus Open ($1699.99 at Amazon): Should you’ve been ready to strive a book-style foldable telephone, it’s onerous to skip the OnePlus Open. It provides the quickest charging amongst foldable telephones obtainable within the US and probably the most fascinating method to multitasking, Open Canvas. It’s additionally price a glance because it has what I believe is the finest digicam on a foldable telephone proper now.
• Motorola Edge Plus (2023) ($699 at Amazon): You could have anticipated me to select Motorola’s Razr Plus as one in all my suggestions, however hear me out. As a result of the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s {hardware} has held up higher, I assumed it might be extra acceptable to select one in all Motorola’s extra conventional choices. In spite of everything, the Edge Plus (2023) took Motorola’s flagships to a brand new stage with 67W wired charging, much-improved supplies over the earlier technology, and higher cameras besides.
• Xiaomi 13 Professional (£1099.99 at Amazon): Should you’re exterior of the US, another older flagship to contemplate is the Xiaomi 13 Professional. No, it’s not fairly as bold as Xiaomi’s Extremely-tier digicam telephones, but it surely has a exceptional Leica-powered setup that provides basic Leica colour science to your pictures. The software program would possibly take some getting used to (and also you gained’t discover nice band assist within the US), however the cameras are price it.