The Best Android Phones, Tested and Reviewed
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The Best Android Phone OverallGoogle Pixel 8ARead more
Best Flagship PhonesSamsung Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 UltraRead more
A Midrange AlternativeOnePlus 12RRead more
Best Cheap Android PhoneCMF Phone 1Read more
The best Android phone means something different to everyone—it's hard to find one that caters to every need. But chances are there's a smartphone that comes close to what you're looking for. From the bottomless pit of phone choices, these are our favorite Android handsets, including the Google Pixel 8A, our top pick. All the phones we've selected have their advantages, and we've laid them out as best we can based on our extensive testing.
Check our other mobile buying guides, like the Best iPhones, Best Cheap Phones, Best Phones With a Headphone Jack, Best Pixel Phones, Best Folding Phones, and Best Motorola Phones, for more picks.
Updated July 2024: We've added the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6, CMF Phone 1, and Motorola Razr+ (2024).
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- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
The Best Android Phone Overall
Google Pixel 8AThe Pixel 8A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes very close to being the perfect phone for everybody. It looks gorgeous (especially in the flashy Aloe color). It has a powerful processor—Tensor G3—to run demanding games and zip through dozens of apps with ease, with access to nearly all the same smart software features that make Pixels such a joy to use. The 64-MP camera and a 13-MP ultrawide capture better photos than most other phones at this price (and some pricier ones too). The 6.1-inch OLED screen is a nice size that's not too large and not too small, and it gets decently bright. Don't forget the smooth 120-Hz screen too! Then there's wireless charging and the IP67 water resistance rating. Google also has two modes of biometric authentication here: fingerprint or face unlock, and both can be used to access sensitive apps. Did I mention it costs less than $500? It will even last a while, thanks to a whopping seven years of software updates.
It does have some drawbacks. The battery life is just OK; on average it can last a day, but you'll need a power bank if you're a power user. Also, I had some issues with Real Tone, which is Google's imaging algorithm designed to more accurately capture darker skin tones. The results weren't as good as prior models. But if you can make do with those flaws, this is the best smartphone for the money.
Specs: Display: 6.1 inch, 120 Hz, OLED Processor and RAM: Tensor G3 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 128 and 256 GB options Battery: 4,492 mAh Cameras: 64-MP main camera, 13-MP ultrawide, 13-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 years of software updates Extras: Wireless charging, IP67, fingerprint and secure face unlock, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks - Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Best Flagship Phones
Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 UltraSamsung's smartphones are the crème de la crème of the Android world, with top specs, refined hardware, and excellent software support. Seriously, the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra (8/10, WIRED Recommends) will all receive seven years of software updates, so you can hold on to your phone for longer. They're powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for smooth and powerful performance, the AMOLED screens are sharp and extremely bright (with 120-Hz screen refresh rates), and the batteries in all three should last you more than a day with average use. I break down the differences between all three models in this story, but suffice it to say that if you prioritize battery life, you should stick with the S24+ or S24 Ultra; the S24 is the smallest and best for anyone who prefers a tiny phone. The Ultra has the S Pen embedded inside, so it's a must-have for stylus stans.
The triple-camera systems on the S24 and S24+ are reliable and versatile, and the selfie camera remains one of the sharpest on the market. The S24 Ultra has an extra fourth camera—a 5X optical zoom that replaced the old 10X optical zoom. I miss it, but 5X is still a nice option to have. These phones also capture some of the smoothest and most detailed videos in the world of Android, so if you film a lot on your phone, the S24 series is right for you. There is also now a bevy of smart AI features, some of which are genuinely useful, though they're still not quite as smart as Pixel phones. Once you have your Samsung in hand, read my recommendations on what settings to change to get the most out of it. And I have case and accessory recommendations here too.
Specs: Display: 6.2 inch, 6.7 inch, 6.8 inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 8 GB | 12 GB RAM on S24+ and S24 Ultra Storage: 128, 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB options Battery: 4,000, 4,900, and 5,000 mAh Cameras: S24 and S24+ have a 50-MP main camera, 12-MP ultrawide, 10-MP telephoto, and 12-MP selfie cameras | S24 Ultra has a 200-MP main, 12-MP ultrawide, 10-MP telephoto (3X), 50-MP telephoto (5X), and 12-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 years of software updates Extras: Wireless charging, IP67, fingerprint unlock, NFC, S Pen stylus integrated on S24 Ultra Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
A Midrange Alternative
OnePlus 12ROnePlus seems to be reconnecting with its roots this year, offering killer specs at surprisingly low prices. The OnePlus 12R isn't its flagship phone—that would be the OnePlus 12—but this handset has 2023's top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, offering excellent performance for just $500. If you're a heavy mobile gamer on a modest budget, buy this phone. The 6.78-inch AMOLED has a variable 120-Hz screen refresh rate and gets plenty bright too. The software feels slick, the primary camera does a decent job keeping up with the Pixel 8A, and the 5,500-mAh battery will last roughly two days with average use. You can recharge it very quickly too with the included charger (100 percent in about 30 minutes!).
So why isn't the OnePlus 12R our top overall pick? Sadly, it only has an IP64 water-resistance rating, meaning it'll be fine in the rain, but not so much if you drop it in a pool. Its secondary cameras, the ultrawide and macro, are a bit lackluster. It doesn't have wireless charging, a convenience available on the Pixel 8A. OnePlus is also promising only three Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates, which isn't as good as its Pixel competitor. Still, this is an excellent midrange smartphone if those limitations don't bug you (and they might not!).
Specs: Display: 6.78 inch, 120 Hz LTPO, AMOLED Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 128 and 256 GB options Battery: 5,500 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 8-MP ultrawide, 2-MP macro camera, 16-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 3 OS upgrades, 4 years of security updates Extras: IP64, fingerprint unlock, ultra-fast wired charging, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks - Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Best Cheap Android Phone
CMF Phone 1CMF—a subbrand from Nothing—has delivered a remarkable smartphone for just $199. Sure, you can swap out the back to a different color via the screws and the included screwdriver. And it has a fun system that lets you attach various accessories via the thumb screw on the back corner of the phone, like a lanyard, kickstand, or wallet. But this Accessory Point is just the cherry on top. What's impressive is the sheer hardware itself. The CMF Phone 1 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best-performing phone you'll find for the money, with a surprisingly good camera system and two-day battery life with average use. The screen gets decently bright and is sharp and smooth too.
There are some caveats though. First, this phone is only available via a beta program in the US, so you'll need to sign up, and once accepted, you can purchase it. It also has spotty carrier compatibility. It'll work best on T-Mobile and I had no issues on AT&T, but you might not get the best 5G coverage. CMF doesn't recommend you use it on Verizon. My only other gripe is the lack of NFC, meaning you can't tap to pay with this phone. Still, this is the best value in Android today.
Specs: Display: 6.67 inch, 120 Hz, AMOLED Processor and RAM: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 128 and 256 GB options Battery: 5,000 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera and portrait sensor, 16-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 2 OS upgrades, 3 years of security updates Extras: IP52, fingerprint unlock, microSD, Accessory Point system Carrier compatibility: Works on T-Mobile and AT&T with spotty 5G coverage; not recommended on Verizon
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Best Folding Android Phone (It's Small!)
Motorola Razr+ (2024)Folding flip phones are the solution for folks who hate big-screen devices and want tiny things that can fit in the smallest pockets. This year's standout is the Razr+ 2024 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). It has a large 4-inch cover screen that lets you launch any app, scroll through widgets like a calendar and weather, and even play fun mini-games designed for the compact form. My favorite is the ability to see the camera preview on this screen, so you can take high-quality selfies and make sure everyone is in the shot.
Open it up and you get a pretty normal Android phone experience with the 6.9-inch internal AMOLED display. Performance was more than satisfactory, even if this phone uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, a slightly lesser version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in other top-end Android phones. Battery life won't wow you—heavy users may have to top up before the day's end. But at least Motorola has improved its camera system thanks to a new image processing algorithm, though processing time does take a few more seconds than I'd like. Still, this is a well-performing flip phone and one of the only smartphones around that comes in hot pink.
Specs: External display: 4 inch, 165 Hz LTPO, pOLED Internal display: 6.9 inch, 165 Hz LTPO, AMOLED Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 with 12 GB RAM Storage: 256 GB Battery: 4,000 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 50-MP telephoto (2X), 32-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 3 OS upgrades, 4 years of security updates Extras: Wireless charging, IPX8, fingerprint unlock Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks - Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Best Under $300
Motorola Moto G 5G Power (2024)Motorola's latest Moto G Power is the best it's ever made (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It doesn't feel like it costs only $300. The faux leather back exudes luxury, and it's nice and slim. The performance is smooth thanks to a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 inside with 8 gigs of RAM. You'll see some slight hiccups here and there but it should handle most apps and games just fine. The cameras are solid, and the 6.7-inch LCD screen has a 120-Hz screen refresh rate and gets plenty bright. Best of all, Motorola has enabled the NFC sensor, so you can make contactless payments (about time), and the company has surprisingly brought wireless charging to this handset, making it one of the only sub-$300 phones with the convenience.
Sadly, it'll only get one Android OS update (to Android 15), but Motorola is promising three years of security updates. There's also a fair amount of bloatware on this phone, but thankfully, you can remove most of it.
Specs: Display: 6.7 inch, 120 Hz, LCD Processor and RAM: MediaTek Dimensity 7020 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 128 GB Battery: 5,000 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 8-MP ultrawide, 16-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 1 OS upgrade, 3 years of security updates Extras: Wireless charging, fingerprint unlock, NFC, headphone jack Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
My Favorite Folding Phone
Google Pixel FoldGoogle is expected to announce the Pixel 9 Fold on August 13, so I would avoid buying the Pixel Fold (8/10, WIRED Recommends) for anything above $1,200. Still, it remains my favorite booklike folding phone. On the outside, you have a wide 5.8-inch screen you'll primarily use, and it feels like using a normal phone screen with zero compromises (er, except the phone's overall weight). When you have both hands free, open it up and you're able to take advantage of a 7.6-inch screen—a larger canvas that makes some apps nicer to use, like Gmail and its two-pane view, but it also allows for easy split-screen mode so you can multitask. This comes in handy more times than you'd expect.
Top that off with a great camera system, bright displays, good battery life, and smart software and you have a winning recipe. Unfortunately, this comes at an insanely high cost, and you probably shouldn't spend $1,799 on a smartphone. There's also cause for concern about durability with these folding devices. Still, I loved using this first-gen device; it's a great showcase of where phones are heading next. Read our Best Folding Phones guide for more options.
Specs: External display: 5.8 inch, 120 Hz, OLED Internal display: 7.6 inch, 120 Hz, OLED Processor and RAM: Tensor G2 with 12 GB RAM Storage: 256 and 512 GB options Battery: 4,727 mAh Cameras: 48-MP main camera, 10.8-MP telephoto (5X), 10.8-MP ultrawide, 9.5-MP front camera, 8-MP inner camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 3 OS upgrades, 5 years of security updates Extras: Wireless charging, IPX8, fingerprint unlock, built-in VPN Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks - Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
For Spec Fiends
OnePlus 12If you want a powerful Android phone with all the top specs, then I dare say you will be satisfied with the OnePlus 12 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). OnePlus worked closely with Qualcomm to synergize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset inside with the software, crafting an incredibly polished experience that's buttery smooth and fast. Games like Genshin Impact ran slightly smoother than on the Galaxy S24 series, and the OnePlus didn't get as hot, either. I was able to eke out two days of average use from the 5,400-mAh battery, and as usual, you can recharge the phone very quickly (the charger is included in the box). OnePlus has brought wireless charging support back, and you can also recharge it fast if you use the company's proprietary wireless charger (a separate purchase).
The triple-camera system isn't the best you'll find in a phone, but it can go toe-to-toe with its peers in some areas; you just have to be OK with the massive camera bump on the back. (I like the snazzy marble-esque design!) What sets it back is the curved glass display, which is dated and just not as nice to use as a flat display. It's also only IP65 water-resistant, and while it'll get four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, that's not as good as the seven years of support from Samsung and Google.
Specs: Display: 6.82 inch, 120 Hz LTPO, OLED Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 16 GB RAM Storage: 256 and 512 GB options Battery: 5,400 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 64-MP telephoto (3X), 48-MP ultrawide, 32-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 4 OS upgrades, 5 years of security updates Extras: Wireless charging, ultra-fast wired charging, IP65, fingerprint unlock, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
For the Aesthetic
Nothing Phone (2a)Nothing is all about style, and this is reflected not just in its phone hardware design but also in its slick Nothing OS interface. If you feel like every phone looks and acts the same, you should check out the Nothing Phone (2a) (9/10, WIRED Recommends)—it will feel like a breath of fresh air. Yes, there's also the more widely available Nothing Phone (2), which goes for $699, but the Phone (2a) does nearly as much as its flagship sibling at around half the cost. Most notable are the Glyph LED lights on the back, which illuminate when you get notifications, but you can also set them to work with other apps—you can set a timer and the LED bar will decrease as the timer runs out.
I barely had any issues with performance on this smartphone—the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset handled games and apps like a champ. The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen has a 120-Hz screen refresh rate and it's excellent. There's NFC and an in-display fingerprint sensor, plus Nothing is promising three Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates. That's pretty good for a sub-$400 phone. Seriously, I used this phone as my daily driver when I was covering the Mobile World Congress 2024 trade show, and it performed flawlessly. However, cameras and connectivity are its weaknesses. The photos you snap on this phone will be decent, but nothing to write home about. And there's sadly no Verizon support. You also have to enroll in Nothing's developer program to buy the phone in the US; once you're accepted, you can buy it.
Specs: Display: 6.7 inch, 120 Hz, AMOLED Processor and RAM: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro with 8 GB or 12 GB RAM Storage: 128 and 256 GB options Battery: 5,000 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 50-MP ultrawide, 32-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 3 OS upgrades, 4 years of security updates Extras: IP54, fingerprint unlock, NFC, Glyph lights Carrier compatibility: Works on T-Mobile and AT&T; doesn't work on Verizon - Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
For Gamers and Audiophiles
Asus ROG Phone 8 and Zenfone 11 UltraThese two smartphones from Asus are very, very similar. They're big Android phones—6.78 inches—with AMOLED screens, high screen refresh rates, IP68 water resistance, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and a beefy 5,500-mAh battery. The cameras are a little lackluster considering the price, but what makes them unique is that they have a headphone jack. Yes, if you prefer to jack in, these are some of the only flagship Android phones with the venerable port.
The ROG Phone 8 is a little more unique than the Zenfone 11 Ultra, in that it has two USB-C ports, which enables compatibility with Asus' ROG AeroActive Cooler X. This fan clips onto the phone and significantly cools it down when you're gaming, meaning better frame rates and smoother gameplay for longer periods. Sadly, these phones will only get two Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates, which is better than prior Asus phones, but not competitive with their peers.
Specs: Display: 6.78 inch, 144 Hz LTPO, AMOLED | 165 Hz LTPO on ROG Phone 8 Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM on ROG Phone 8 Storage: 256 GB Battery: 5,500 mAh Updates (from date of manufacture): 2 OS upgrades, 4 years of security updates Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 32-MP telephoto (3X), 13-MP ultrawide, 32-MP selfie camera Extras: Wireless charging, IP68, fingerprint unlock, headphone jack, ROG Phone 8 has two USB-C ports Carrier compatibility: Works on T-Mobile and AT&T. Doesn't work on Verizon.
- Photograph: Fairphone
Best Eco-Friendly Phone
Fairphone 5The Fairphone 5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) isn't the most exciting smartphone, and it doesn't support all the cell networks in the US, but it's the best choice for eco-conscious consumers. It has received a rare 10 out of 10 on iFixit's repairability rankings and the company has B Corp certification. The Fairphone 5 is manufactured ethically, and it's made of postconsumer recycled materials, like the 100 percent recycled plastic back cover. The battery is removable and replaceable, as are the camera, speaker, earpiece, USB-C port, screen, and more. You can replace all of these yourself (you need a screwdriver), and each phone has a five-year warranty. The company also promises to deliver five Android OS upgrades and eight years of security updates. Wowza. If you hate the idea of constantly upgrading your phone, this phone's for you.
The downside? Performance is just OK and the cameras are middling. It's not sold in the US, either. You can import it, but you won't get full network compatibility. I wish more manufacturers followed Fairphone's lead.
Specs: Display: 6.46 inch, 90 Hz, OLED Processor and RAM: Qualcomm QCM 6490 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 256 GB options Battery: 4,200 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 50-MP ultrawide, 50-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 5 OS upgrades, 8 years of security updates Extras: IP55, fingerprint unlock, NFC, microSD, repairable, 5-year warranty Carrier compatibility: Not fully compatible with US carriers - Photograph: Simon Hill
For Camera Lovers (Outside the US)
Xiaomi 14 UltraWIRED reviewer Simon Hill says the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best camera phone he's ever used. It's not a major leap from the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, touting a similar design with a big round camera module and fake leather back, but the screen is flat with only a very slight curve on the glass. Performance is slick, battery life is solid, the screen is sharp and bright, and it charges very fast. Because it’s a global version, you have access to all your Google apps and services; my banking apps and Android Auto work on it (often a problem with Chinese phones).
But the key reason to buy this phone is the 50-MP primary camera and its 1-inch sensor. That's positively massive compared to the sensors on all the other smartphones in this guide. A bigger sensor means it can absorb more light, resulting in sharper details, brighter low-light images, and less grain. You can also buy a photography kit, which adds a grip with a battery and physical controls, to further fuel your photography kick.
Specs: Display: 6.73 inch, 120 Hz LTPO, OLED Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 16 GB RAM Storage: 512 GB Battery: 5,000 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 50-MP telephoto (3.2X), 50-MP telephoto (5X), 50-MP ultrawide, 32-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 4 OS upgrades, 5 years of security updates Extras: Wireless charging, IP68, fingerprint unlock, NFC, Leica tuning Carrier compatibility: Not officially supported in the US
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Other Great Phones
Honorable MentionsWe test a ton of Android phones. We like the ones below, but you'll be better off with one of the options above. If you haven't yet done so, check out our Best Cheap Phones and Best Folding Phones guides for more.
Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro for $670 and $740: Google's annual Pixel hardware event is around the corner (August 13), so this is not a good time to buy a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends). They'll likely start seeing steep discounts in the coming weeks following the launch of the Pixel 9 series. The Pixel 8 series is still my favorite Android phone, delivering seven years of software updates, powerful performance, and an excellent camera system—the ultrawide on the Pixel 8 Pro is one of the best in the business. There's now secure Face Unlock, which means you can use your mug as biometric authentication to get into banking apps, but it's not effective in low light so the fingerprint sensor is still present as a secondary option. The reason to buy Pixel phones is the smart software features, like Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser, and Best Take, you get a powerful suite of features that are genuinely helpful every day. Be sure to check out our Best Pixel Phones, guide, where we've got case and accessory recommendations.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 for $1,900: The Fold6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) remains an excellent big-screen folding smartphone. If you're worried about durability and repairability when purchasing a fold, Samsung is your best bet as it has just been producing these devices for the longest time. The cameras snap great photos, the displays get shockingly bright, and Samsung promises lengthy software support. The Fold6's exterior screen is slightly wider and much nicer to use than previous iterations, but otherwise, there are not a ton of new changes outside of AI advancements. You can still snag last year's Galaxy Z Fold5 to save some dough.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 for $1,100: The Flip6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has some perks over Motorola's new Razr+, like a nicer hinge mechanism, better build quality, stronger cameras, and longer software support. But I still preferred the overall experience on Motorola's flip, mostly due to the larger external screen. Still, the Flip6's 3.4-inch cover screen is handy for glancing through widgets, and you can open it up to get a big-screen Android phone experience. The Galaxy Z Flip5 is a worthy option to consider if you don't mind buying last year's tech at a lower price.
Motorola Moto G Play 2024 for $130: On a tight budget? This Motorola phone doesn't have NFC for contactless payments, nor does it support 5G. It'll also only get one Android OS upgrade. That said, performance was pretty good in my time testing it, and the 6.5-inch LCD screen was readable in sunny conditions.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE for $600: I used this phone for several weeks and found it was more than enough to meet my needs. The cameras are surprisingly decent—you even get a usable 3X optical zoom, though its results are not as excellent as the ones from the Galaxy S23. The performance gave me zero issues, and the battery often lasted me a little more than a day with average use. The 6.4-inch screen is a pretty nice size that's not too big and not too small, and you still get perks like wireless charging and a 120-Hz screen refresh rate. It has dipped as low as $400 during Cyber Monday, so I highly recommend you wait for a sale.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Series ($700+): It seems like last year's Galaxy S23 range (9/10, WIRED Recommends) may be disappearing faster than usual, as stock is low across a variety of retailers. If you can find them, the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23, the 6.6-inch S23+, and the massive 6.8-inch S23 Ultra are full of high-end features, from the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that keeps even the most demanding games running beautifully to the fluid and bright 120-Hz AMOLED displays. Battery life has improved across the board, with the S23 comfortably lasting more than a day and the S23 Ultra hitting nearly two full days with average use. The triple camera systems are the highlight, delivering remarkable results whether it's day or night. The S23 Ultra has the special 10X optical zoom camera, which is no longer available on the latest S24 Ultra, and I miss it. It was nice being able to capture sharp photos of objects far away. It's the only phone in the trio with the embedded S Pen stylus if you like to doodle. Try to avoid the MSRP since they're a year old; sometimes, these prices match the latest models, which is a bad deal.
OnePlus Open for $1,400: The OnePlus Open (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the first folding smartphone from OnePlus, and it's surprisingly good. OnePlus has some clever software trickery to make multitasking on this booklike foldable simple and effective. The camera system delivers good results, the screens get plenty bright, and the battery life is excellent. I just wish the water resistance was better and that it had wireless charging.
Xiaomi Poco X6 for £319 and X6 Pro for £369: Not in the US? You should take a look at the Poxo X6 or Poco X6 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends). These are speedy phones considering the low prices, with great displays, and decent battery life, plus the X6 even has a headphone jack! It's a shame there's a lot of bloatware, limited water resistance, and the cameras are lackluster.
- Photograph: Samsung
Before You Buy
Buy Your Phone UnlockedWe recommend unlocked phones in this guide. When a phone is sold as unlocked, that means it can be used on multiple wireless carriers and networks. When you buy a phone directly from your wireless carrier, usually on a payment plan, it often comes locked to that network. Carriers are legally required to unlock a phone upon request so you can switch networks, but it's a big hassle. Try to pay full price for your phone, or make sure it specifically says it's unlocked. If you feel it's too expensive to buy outright, that's a good sign you should find a cheaper model. Buy it from the manufacturer directly, or investigate your carrier's policies for unlocking phones if they're bought on a payment plan that requires you to use its network.
Verizon tips: Buying an unlocked phone is smart, but even if you do the smart thing, networks like Verizon will put up hoops for you to jump through. If you insert your SIM card but still have trouble receiving text messages or something else, contact customer service and have them enable "CDMA-Less roaming." This Motorola guide may help. The steps should be similar for other phones.
Sub-6 or millimeter wave 5G? Most new smartphones these days support 5G, the latest generation of network connectivity. If the phone you're looking at doesn't support 5G—don't fret! 4G LTE isn't going anywhere yet. Don't feel pressured to upgrade to a 5G phone or plan. That said, you do need a 5G-enabled smartphone if you want to make use of 5G speeds. The technology comes in two primary flavors: sub-6 and millimeter wave (mmWave). The latter is often exclusive to flagship devices, but even then, not every pricey Android phone supports it. We have a guide that explains it all, but in short, mmWave lets you access super-fast 5G speeds, though its range is severely limited and the areas you'll find it in are rare (think stadiums and airports, plus some spots in major cities). Sub-6 is much more commonplace, the type of 5G you'll run into most often. It has a broader range and delivers faster speeds over 4G LTE (but nowhere near as fast as mmWave). Coverage still isn't as widespread as LTE. It's ideal if the phone you're buying supports both (especially if you're paying $700 or more), but having sub-6 alone is also totally fine.
The best way to switch phones is to follow the setup prompts when you first boot up your new device—make sure you transfer data from an old phone via a cable. Some manufacturers, like Samsung, will suggest you download a proprietary data transfer app on your old device, like Smart Switch, and you should. It means less work for you—whether it's fewer apps you need to sign into or fewer icons you need to rearrange. Check out our tips on setting up your new Android phone for more.
- Photograph: Peak Design
Mobile Accessories You Might Need
Kit Out Your New PhoneWe have case recommendations for a few popular devices, like Samsung's Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, and S22 range or Google Pixel phones. It's smart to slap a case on these glass sandwiches and even a screen protector to keep the display free of scuffs and scratches. Here are a few other noteworthy accessories, including charging adapters, which many phones don't include anymore. Read our Best USB-C Cables guide for other recommendations.
Anker Nano 3 30-Watt Charger for $20: This tiny charger will be all most people need to charge most smartphones. It's compact, reliable, and cheap, plus the prongs fold up.
Satechi 108-Watt USB-C Charger for $75: A single-port charger can be annoying. This one from Satechi is slim enough to tote everywhere (with folding prongs), but it can fast-charge practically any Android phone at the highest speeds possible and still have enough power to juice up a laptop or tablet. If you want a USB-A and USB-C port, I like this 65-watt model from Nimble.
Peak Design Samsung and Pixel Everyday Case for $50: If you have a Samsung or Pixel phone and you frequently mount your phone to a bike or scooter, you owe it to yourself to snag this case and Peak Design's bike mount. The case snaps perfectly into the mount, is dead simple to release, and has yet to fall off after years of riding. Peak Design also sells several other accessories you can attach to the back of these cases, bringing Android into Apple's MagSafe ecosystem.
Nimble Champ Portable Charger 10,000 mAh for $60: This portable battery is small enough to leave in a bag but has enough power to fully recharge your phone once or twice. There's a USB-C and USB-A port, it delivers 18 watts of power, so it can recharge your tablet or phone, and it's housed in 73 percent post-consumer plastic with plastic-free packaging.
Nomad ChargeKey for $25: When your phone dies, it's almost always when you forget to bring a charger or battery pack. The ChargeKey is a nifty solution—it's like clipping a tiny USB-C charging cable to your keychain. Just plug one end into your phone and the other into any kind of power source (a friend's phone or a charging adapter if you manage to find one), and you can top up your phone.
Choose a Wireless Charger: Our guide to the best wireless chargers includes dozens of models in varying colors, shapes, and materials, and even some designed for specific phones. Not every Android phone supports wireless charging, but it's a luxury you'll want to take advantage of. Take a gander at our guide for our favorites.
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