Android phones come in all shapes, sizes and prices, with a dizzying range of options from a huge selection of manufacturers. And new models seem to be arriving every week, with big names like Samsung, Google, OnePlus and others packing their phones with the latest, best pieces of mobile technology. Features such as fast 5G connectivitybright Super AMOLED displays and 120 Hz refresh rates are now common, and those with deeper pockets have access to futuristic, cutting-edge technologies such as folding displays.
Many of the best choices for Android phones are available at different prices ranging from budget phones with android for high-end flagship phones. We took a close look at them all and gathered our favorites. These phones all have great cameras, screens, battery life or all of the above. We also considered features like 5G and wireless charging. Read on to see our best choices for the best Android phones and check out our tips for how to buy a new phoneWe will also update this list periodically as we review new products.
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As Samsung’s flagship flagship phone, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a brilliant 6.8-inch AMOLED display with an ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which also supports the Samsung S-Pen stylus, a great rear camera with incredible zoom skills and 5G connectivity. super fast data. This is the best in mobile technology that Samsung has to offer, and this is the Android phone you should choose if you want to put cutting-edge technology in your pocket.
However, Samsung’s new flagship, the Galaxy S22, is expected to go on sale in the coming weeks, so if you’re looking for the best phone around, it might be worth the wait.
Read our review of the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
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Google stayed out of the leading segment for several years and spent time making its own chip specializing in machine learning and artificial intelligence. The Pixel 6 Pro packs it all with photographic prowess that’s hard to beat.
Google’s high-end $ 899 phone still beats its competitors in price, while including so much value. This is a large phone that has a 6.7-inch display that is sharp thanks to its resolution of 3,120×1,440 pixels. It has an adaptive refresh rate that can reach up to 120Hz when playing fast-paced games, but also slows down to just 10Hz when the phone is idle. The 5003 mAh battery should be good for all-day mixed use.
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The Google Pixel 6 is the smartphone you should get if you want a large display, leading performance, some of the best cameras on the market and a look that sets it apart from the competition. Google has extended its three years of operating system and security updates to five. In the US, the Pixel 6 is available through both Google and all major carriers.
The Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch, 1080p screen. It can be set to switch automatically from 60Hz to 90Hz depending on the screen content. However, the fingerprint sensor is on the slower side. Available with two rear cameras: the main camera with a wide-angle lens and a second camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens.
If you have $ 599 and are looking for a new phone, Pixel 6 is our recommendation.
While the next generation Pixel 6 is available now if you want 5G cheap, the Pixel 5A 5G is still a solid choice. This Pixel phone has a good battery life and great rear cameras, and priced at $ 449 is one of the best and cheapest ways to get 5G.
Read our review of Google Pixel 5A.
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Although the OnePlus is not as well known as Apple or Samsung, the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro offer a first-class experience at a relatively affordable budget for the phone from competitors. Both phones have 5G support, support wireless charging, work with the most powerful Qualcomm processor and have cameras with multiple lenses. OnePlus 9 is our favorite of the two, with all the features we love from the series, but at a more affordable price and with better battery life. This is a solid option if the high prices of the Galaxy S21 Ultra are beyond your reach.
Sarah Tu / CNET
Folding phones are not really necessary, but remain only within the reach of those who want to spend the highest prices on the latest mobile innovations. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the best foldable phone around, offering first-class performance, great camera setup and various folding technology settings that make this Android smartphone more desirable than its predecessor.
Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Sarah Tu / CNET
The Motorola Edge Plus has almost everything you’d expect in a premium 5G phone: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, a giant battery, a high-refresh OLED screen, and a host of heavy-duty rear cameras. Motorola took features found on other high-end Android phones, put its own Moto spin on them and built them all into one of our favorite Android phones.
Read our review of the Motorola Edge Plus.