One of the best Android telephones for 2024

There’s one clear perk that Android has over iOS and that’s selection in relation to the telephones you need to select from. Apple has made the iPhone is the one recreation on the town for iOS, however with Google’s working system, there are dozens of selections on the market from producers like Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus and others. However that additionally means it may be tough to determine which system is finest for you when it comes time to improve, or if you wish to change from iPhone to Android within the new yr. If you happen to’re in search of a brand new cellphone and don’t know the place to begin, we’ve obtained you coated with a choice of one of the best Android telephones for each finances.

What to search for in a brand new Android cellphone

Efficiency

In the case of selecting our favourite Android telephones, the principle issues we search for are fairly easy: good efficiency (each compute and AI), a pleasant show, strong design, sharp cameras, lengthy battery life and a major dedication to ongoing software program help. For efficiency, not solely can we take a look at benchmarks and different metrics, however we additionally consider telephones based mostly on responsiveness. No matter whether or not you’re studying, textual content messaging, scrolling by social media or taking part in a recreation, nobody needs a gadget that feels sluggish.

Show

While the specs haven't changed much from last year, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED display is still easily one of the best smartphone screens on the market. — Sam Rutherford/Engadget

In the case of shows, we usually want OLED panels that may produce wealthy, saturated colours with no less than 600 nits of brightness, although lots of our prime mid-range and high-end telephones can hit 1,000 nits or extra. And extra lately, most of our favourite units additionally help screens with quick refresh charges of 90Hz or 120Hz, which provides an additional stage of smoothness and fluidity.

Design

Now we’ll admit there’s a little bit of subjectivity when deciding which telephones look one of the best, however there are different design points like mud and water resistance or display sturdiness that may make a giant distinction to long-term survival. It’s additionally necessary to contemplate issues like help for wi-fi charging, energy sharing (aka reverse wi-fi charging) and UWB connectivity, which might have an effect on how your cellphone interacts together with your different units.

Cameras

Clearly, for images we’re in search of sharp, colourful pictures in each brilliant and low-light situations. And we would like video clips with excessive dynamic vary, wealthy audio and easy picture stabilization. Further cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are a plus. One of the best cameras also needs to embrace options like devoted night time modes, help for varied video recording resolutions, and extra photograph modes like timelapse, gradual movement and extra.

Battery and software program

Lastly, by way of longevity, we’re in search of all-day battery life on units that additionally delivered nice outcomes on our native video rundown check (no less than 16 hours on a cost, however extra is clearly higher). Wi-fi charging capabilities have change into nearly ubiquitous over the previous few years, and most of our prime picks have this additional perk. Quick-charging is obtainable on some Android telephones, too. Lastly, with folks holding onto their telephones longer than ever, we wish to see corporations decide to no less than three years of software program help, upgrades and common safety updates.

Google

Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review

Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Show: 6.3-inch Tremendous Actua, as much as 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (50MP huge, 48MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens), 42MP twin PD selfie entrance digital camera with autofocus | Battery: 4,700mAh

Lastly, a smaller Pixel Professional. Google’s Pixel sequence has lengthy been the most effective Android telephones round, with the Professional mannequin being the superior model. But it surely was at all times just a little too massive and too cumbersome for these of us who’ve smaller palms or need our telephones to slot in our pockets. Cue the Pixel 9 Pro, which is the littler model of the Pixel 9 Professional XL. As a substitute of a comparatively massive 6.8-inch display like that on its greater sibling, the usual Professional has a 6.3-inch show that’s straightforward to maneuver. No extra worrying about dropping your Pixel Professional simply since you fumbled whereas making an attempt to achieve the highest of the display!

Higher but, with the Pixel 9 Professional, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key function to get to the smaller dimension, which means you will discover the identical digital camera setup and efficiency in each handsets. The one actual variations are the display dimension, battery and charging speeds, because the non-XL mannequin recharges at a barely slower charge. However the Pixel 9 Professional can be a lot longer-lasting than the XL, notching nearly 25 hours on our battery check.

These distinctions apart, the Pixel 9 Professional lineup is our favourite Android cellphone due to its top-notch digital camera efficiency, intriguing AI options and a common grown-up vibe. Whereas earlier Pixel flagships had a colourful, blocky design that felt contemporary, this yr’s units really feel strong and refined. And, dare we are saying it, nearly like iPhones. With out the digital camera bars, they might be fairly onerous to inform aside from Apple’s telephones.

Presumably as a result of it is grown up a lot through the years, however the Pixel telephones now price the identical as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional each begin at $999, and although a few of us have come to consider Google’s handsets because the extra competitively priced possibility, this yr’s mannequin could be adequate to justify a premium worth. If you happen to nonetheless need one thing from the Pixel 9 household however do not wish to pay $1,000, the bottom Pixel 9 remains to be a strong handset for most individuals. However because it stands, the Pixel 9 Professional is one of the best Android handset cash should purchase. — Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor, Opinions

Execs

Nice digital camera options and improved telephoto digital camera
A yr of Gemini Superior without spending a dime
Unbelievable battery life
An attractive, brilliant display that’s straightforward to make use of open air
Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor

Cons

Slower charging speeds than the XL
Not one of the best cellphone for gaming

$999 at Google

Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

Learn our full Google Pixel 8a review

Processor: Google Tensor G3 | Show: 6.1-inch 1,080 x 2,400 OLED, as much as 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (64MP huge, 13MP ultrawide), 13MP entrance digital camera | Battery: 4,49mAh

Google’s A-series Pixels have lengthy been among the finest midrange telephones in the marketplace. However now with the addition of a Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a helps the identical highly effective and versatile AI features you get on Google’s flagship telephones together with wonderful cameras, a beautiful 120Hz OLED show and nice battery life. The system additionally comes with creature comforts like IP67 mud and water resistance and handy (however gradual) 7.5-watt Qi wi-fi charging. However most significantly, beginning at $499, it could be the most effective offers in the marketplace.

Execs

Colourful 120Hz OLED show
Robust battery life
Wonderful cameras
Nice worth

Cons

Gradual wi-fi charging
Thick bezels

$499 at Amazon

Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Show: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED QHD+, as much as 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (200MP, Twin Pixel AF, Digital Zoom 100x, 50MP Macro, 12MP UW), 12MP entrance digital camera | Battery: 5,000mAh

For its newest super-premium cellphone, Samsung gave the S24 Ultra a extra sturdy titanium body, quicker efficiency because of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a for much longer battery life. The corporate additionally tweaked its longest telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom so it is extra usable in a wider vary of conditions. However the largest improve is a brand new full suite of AI instruments, which incorporates the flexibility to proofread texts, edit photos and transcribe recordings. And once you tack on one of the best show obtainable on a cellphone right now and a built-in stylus, you might have a really compelling flagship handset. Sadly, beginning at $1,300, the S24 Extremely is a bit too costly to suggest to anybody with out deep pockets.

$46 at Samsung Electronics

Picture by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Show: 7.6-inch QXGA+ full show, 6.3-inch HD+ cowl show | Cameras: Rear array (50MP huge, 12MP ultrawide, 10dMP telephoto), 10MP (Cowl) + 4MP UDC (Predominant) entrance digital camera | Battery: 4,400mAh

Whereas we’d have preferred to see some extra drastic design modifications, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 stays some of the versatile and well-rounded examples of a giant, premium foldable cellphone. Its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers robust efficiency and improved vitality effectivity whereas its Enhanced Armor Aluminum chassis is noticeably lighter than earlier than (and a bit extra sturdy too). There’s additionally a brand new ultra-wide angle digital camera sensor and a boatload of AI-powered options scattered all through the cellphone. Plus, the Z Fold 6 stays one of many few foldables with native stylus help, although you’ll have to pay additional for certainly one of Samsung’s S Pens. Maybe the largest draw back is that Samsung’s newest flagship now prices $100 greater than its predecessor.

Execs