The most effective Android telephones to purchase in 2024

The Android ecosystem is all about selection. Whereas iPhone house owners have a smaller pool of latest units to select from when it’s time to improve, there’s a a lot wider vary of selections on Android. You need unimaginable digicam zoom? A built-in stylus? A cellphone that runs a whole desktop surroundings while you plug it right into a monitor? You’ll find it on Android. Heck, you’ll find all of that in a single machine.

On the flip aspect, all that selection could make for some onerous choices. Right here’s the place I’d like to assist; I’ve examined a complete boatload of current Android telephones, and I believe there are some actual winners within the present batch. It’s all a matter of what you’re searching for, what you’re snug 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 virtually actually 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 sequence 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. These items are nothing to sneeze at! However none of it feels just like the platform shift that the large tech firms hold promising. Finest to not put an excessive amount of inventory in any firm’s AI claims simply but.

Should you stay within the US, I’ve some unhealthy information in regards to the Android market, although. For classy causes having to do with “capitalism” and “geopolitics,” we don’t get almost as lots 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 “at no cost” from their wi-fi provider. Should you can handle it, shopping for a cellphone unlocked will provide you with probably the most flexibility and freedom if you find yourself wanting to alter carriers within the close to future. Telephone producers additionally supply financing and trade-in offers to make cost extra manageable. However when you’re joyful together with your provider and the free cellphone on supply is the one you actually need, by all means, take the free cellphone. Simply be sure to perceive the phrases, particularly if you’ll want to change plans to money in on the deal. 

Nonetheless you go about it, you’ve gotten some incredible choices in your subsequent Android cellphone.

Display: 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 primary 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 fundamental Pixel 9 is in a very interesting place, and when you don’t want a telephoto digicam or the largest display screen, then that is the Android cellphone to get.

The Pixel 9 comes with some vital quality-of-life enhancements like a quicker fingerprint scanner for unlocking the cellphone. The digicam is as dependable as ever, and when you’re into AI photograph enhancing 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 might in any other case be misplaced at sea in your digicam 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 straightforward advice for anybody who simply desires a pleasant Android cellphone that works.

Learn my Google Pixel 9 evaluation.

Display: 6.8-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 200-megapixel primary 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 pieces you possibly can ask for in a cellphone — properly, no less than one which doesn’t fold in half. There’s a stylus, two telephoto cameras, a large battery, and among the finest ding dang screens on any cellphone, anyplace.

So why am I just a little underwhelmed? For starters, Samsung swapped final yr’s 10x telephoto digicam for a higher-resolution 5x digicam that makes use of in-sensor crop to zoom to 10x. This can be a smart transfer, and images at 10x look effective, 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 swap to titanium for the body hasn’t made it any lighter.

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

Learn my Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely evaluation.

Display: 6.82-inch 1440p 120Hz LTPO OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.6 primary 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 just a few 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 worth: $799 for the bottom mannequin with a hefty 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

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

What stands out in regards to the OnePlus 12, although, may simply be what’s not right here: a bunch of AI options. Actually? That’s form of refreshing. A number 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 excellent cellphone, the OnePlus 12 could be the one.

Learn my OnePlus 12 evaluation.

Display: 8.0-inch 2076p 120Hz OLED inside display screen, 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED cowl display screen / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 primary with OIS, 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display screen), 10-megapixel inside selfie digicam / 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. Nevertheless it’s a pleasure to make use of, each as a daily cellphone with the quilt display screen and while you unfold the large inside display screen.

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 screen measures 6.3 inches on the diagonal, however extra importantly, the ratio is similar 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 choose the 9 Professional Fold’s method.

That mentioned, the 9 Professional Fold isn’t with out compromises. The digicam system isn’t fairly nearly as good as what you get within the different 9 Professional telephones. The outer display screen isn’t as sharp or vivid 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 may’t get it repaired simply anyplace. 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 Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold evaluation.

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

The Nothing Telephone 2 doesn’t supply the easiest worth proposition in its upper-midrange class. But when it’s type you’re after and one thing just a little flashy (properly, loads flashy), then the Telephone 2 is a straightforward decide.

It gives a great 6.7-inch display screen, nice day by day efficiency and battery life, and a succesful digicam system. However that’s the same old stuff — what’s uncommon in regards to the Telephone 2 is its set of LED mild strips on the again panel. They illuminate in combos known as “glyphs,” and you may 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 Telephone 2 is simply splash-resistant moderately than totally immune to 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 competition for lots of the US inhabitants.

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

Learn my Nothing Telephone 2 evaluation.

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

• 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 quilt display screen extra simply — however Motorola’s observe document for software program updates isn’t nice, so the Z Flip 6 is a safer guess for a flip cellphone. Learn our evaluation.
• 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 — a vital a part of the folding cellphone expertise. Nevertheless it gained’t be supported with software program updates for so long as the Pixel 9 Professional Fold or the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Learn our evaluation.
• Final however not least, there’s the Google Pixel 8A. Should you 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. Learn our evaluation.

Replace, October tenth: Up to date to mirror present pricing and availability.