One of the best benefits Android phones allow you to choose. Phones running Android come in all different sizes and prices from a variety of manufacturers including Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, Google among others. Many of these phones come with the advanced features like f fast 5G connection, live Super AMOLED monitors, 120Hz refresh rate monitors, large batteries and multiple cameras. Those with deeper pockets can access futuristic, cutting-edge technology such as the folding screens available on Foldable phones like Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z-fold 3.
But all that choice can also make the shopping experience overwhelming and confusing, which is why we have put together our favorite choices. These phones all generally have good cameras, monitors, battery life or all of the above. We also considered features like 5G and wireless charging. Read on to see our top picks for the best Android phones, and check out our tips on how to buy a new phone, also. We update this list periodically when we review new products.
Lisa Eadicicco / CNET
Like:
• The S Pen comes with the phone and there is a space for storing it
• Fantastic photography in low light
• Closer zoom than most competing phones
• Distinctive design
Dislike:
• Expensive
• Cameras are pretty much the same as on the Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Battery life is not as long as the S21 Ultra
The $ 1,200 Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the most expensive Android phones out there, but with good reason. It has a giant 6.8-inch screen, an S Pen stylus that you can store inside the phone (like the Galaxy Note), and a camera with four lenses with a zoom range that is hard to beat. Samsung also improved the way all their new Galaxy phones take pictures in low light, which is especially important on a photo-oriented phone like the Ultra.
The only downsides? S22 Ultra’s sky high price and relatively short battery life. Still, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the best phone for people who want the largest screen and one of the best cameras available in a smartphone. You just have to be willing to pay a higher price for these perks.
Read our review of the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Lisa Eadicicco / CNET
Like:
• Bright screen
• Good balance between screen size and comfort
• Better camera with improved color and contrast
• Attractive design
Dislike:
$ 1,000 is still expensive for a phone
• Battery life is not as long as iPhone 13 Pro’s
• No new built-in camera modes
• Fast charging requires a special adapter for $ 50
The $ 1,000 Galaxy S22 Plus has the right balance of size, performance and camera performance for most people. The 6.6-inch screen provides plenty of space for those who prefer larger phones but feel that the Ultra can be too overwhelming (and expensive). The upgrade to a 50-megapixel camera also makes a huge difference compared to last year’s Galaxy S21 series, especially when it comes to color and contrast on images.
My biggest complaint is that the battery life was just mediocre, even though it survived the regular Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Ultra during CNET’s battery test. It would also have been nice to see new features that take advantage of the S22’s enhanced camera, especially since the S22 Plus is more expensive than several phones on this list. Still, the Galaxy S22 Plus has everything most people need in a new phone.
Read our review of the Galaxy S22 Plus.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
Like:
• Excellent cameras
• Solid all-round performance
• Nice Android 12 interface
• Attractive design
Dislike:
• The battery is good but not good
• Fast charging is not so fast
• No face lock
Google stayed out of the flagship segment for a few years, spending time making its own chip that specialized in machine learning and artificial intelligence. The Pixel 6 Pro packs it all with a shooting ability that is hard to beat.
Google’s advanced phone for $ 899 still undercuts rivals in price, while including so much value. It is a large phone, with a 6.7-inch screen, which is razor sharp thanks to its 3,120×1,440 pixel resolution. It has an adaptive refresh rate that can go up to 120Hz when playing fast games, but also slows down to only 10Hz when the phone is largely out of use. The 5,003 mAh battery should be good for a full day of mixed use.
Patrick Holland / CNET
Like:
• Two-tone design
• Value for the price
• The main camera is Google’s best
Dislike:
• Fingerprint reader under the screen can be frustrating
• Battery life is good but hard to get for more than a day
• The ultra-wide camera is decent, but not at the same level as the main camera
Google’s Pixel 6 is the smartphone you can get if you want a large screen, flagship performance, some of the best cameras on the market and a look that sets it apart from the competition. Google extended its three years with OS and security updates to five, so it lasts. In the US, Pixel 6 is available both through Google and all major companies.
Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch 1080p screen. It can be set to automatically switch from 60Hz to 90Hz depending on the content on the screen. However, the fingerprint sensor is on the slower side. It comes with two rear cameras: the main camera with a wide-angle lens and another camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens.
If you have $ 599 and are looking for a new phone, the Pixel 6 is our recommendation.
Lisa Eadicicco / CNET
Like:
• Improved camera with better shooting in low light
• Elegant design
• Great size for people who prefer smaller phones
Dislike:
• Battery life could be better
Finding a smaller size Android phone is no easy task these days. Most phones come with screens that are at least 6.4 inches or larger, leaving people who prefer small phones with few options. The $ 800 Galaxy S22 marks that field. It has everything we loved about the Galaxy S22 Plus – an eye-catching design, an excellent camera system with a 50 megapixel main lens and a sharp screen – but in a more pocket-friendly size.
Still, the Galaxy S22 falls short in the same area as its more expensive siblings: battery life. I was able to get through an entire day with the S22’s refresh rate set to adaptive, turning it up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling, but only barely. That said, the S22’s battery life may be enough for some people, especially those who spend most of their day at home or in the office with a charger nearby. The Galaxy S22 is otherwise a solid choice for any Android user, but especially those looking for a smaller size phone.
Read our review of the Galaxy S22.
Like:
• Nice screen
• Fast performance
• IP67 water-repellent
• Affordable price
Dislike:
• No wireless charging
• 5G support in the US is unclear
Although the next generation Pixel 6 is available now, the Pixel 5A 5G is still a solid choice if you want 5G cheap. This Pixel phone has good battery life and great rear cameras, and for $ 449 it’s one of the best, cheapest ways to get 5G.
Read our Google Pixel 5A review.
OnePlus 10 Pro
High-performance flagship with a lower price
Andrew Lanxon / CNET
Like:
• Classic design
• Powerful performance
• Battery life all day
• Live screen
Dislike:
Disappointing camera
• Waterproof classification limited to T-Mobile exclusive models
• Lacks 80-watt fast charging in the US
OnePlus 10 Pro got a good score in our review thanks to its smart design, its powerful performance and its price tag that undercuts its main rivals. It needs a few improvements – especially for the camera, which is good but not great – but this flagship offers a great overall experience. If you are looking for a top-end 5G phone that is a little different than your friends’ iPhones and Galaxy phones, then this is a solid option to consider.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Like:
• 120Hz cover screen
• Water repellent
• Wonderful tablet experience
• The S Pen is great to use
• Software enhancements for multitasking and Flex Mode
Dislike:
• Battery life lasts about a day
• Strange, heavy phone when closed
$ 1,800 is still expensive
Foldable phones have not really hit the mainstream, instead remaining only within reach of those who are willing to spend top picks on the latest in mobile innovation. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the best folding phone that offers top performance, a great camera setup and a number of folding technology adjustments that make this Android smartphone more desirable than its predecessor.
Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.
More phone and Android recommendations
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