The Best Android Phones, Tested and Reviewed

We 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. 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. It's less of a hassle when you travel and want to switch to a local SIM card too.

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, and our steps on how to back up an Android.

If none of the below smartphones strike your fancy and you want to keep looking, here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you shop.

• Display size: You hold a smartphone all the time, so make sure whatever you pick is the right size for your palms. Most small Android phones are around 6.1 to 6.3 inches (measured diagonally), whereas larger phones typically top out at 6.8 inches.
• Processor: Most smartphones are powered by a Qualcomm or MediaTek processor. Google phones use the company's in-house Tensor chip, and some Samsung phones utilize Samsung's Exynos processor in select markets. It's difficult to say how reliably a processor will perform without looking at reviews and benchmark results, so do your research. For Qualcomm, try to stick to its Snapdragon 7 series or higher, and for MediaTek, the Dimensity 7000 series or higher is a good place to start.
• RAM: You'll at the very least want a phone with 6 GB of RAM, though 8 GB would be better. This will let you juggle multiple apps much more seamlessly.
• Cooling: Good-performing phones can be ruined if they get too hot because then the processor gets throttled, causing slowdowns. This mostly applies to folks who game a lot, but it's worth checking whether there's a dedicated cooling system on the phone. You'll want to look for language like “heat pipes” or “vapor chamber cooling.”
• Refresh rate: Most phones used to come with 60-Hz refresh rates, meaning the display refreshed 60 frames per second. Nowadays, even cheap phones offer 90- or 120-Hz screens. The more frames refreshed in a second, the more fluid everything looks and feels. It might sound small, but it can make a big difference in your smartphone feeling buttery smooth. We have a broader guide that explains this technology further.
• Battery capacity: Smartphone batteries are measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). A big battery doesn't necessarily mean better battery life, because much depends on the size of the screen and other technologies the phone is powering. That said, most phones should have 4,000-mAh cells or higher, and you typically won't see anything higher than 5,500 mAh.
• Charging speeds: Most Android smartphones can charge fast, but certain companies offer shockingly fast recharge times. That's usually because they have a proprietary charging brick you'll need to use. You can find charging speed information on a phone's product spec page. OnePlus phones are famous for recharging fully within around 30 minutes.
• Software updates: Software support is crucial. It means your phone will stay secure for longer and you'll get new features over time. The gold standard in Android is seven years right now, thanks to Samsung and Google. However, if you have a cadence of replacing your phone every two or three years, then the lesser update policies of other Android phone makers might not be as big of a deal to you.
• Cameras: Camera specs are very misleading. A phone with a 108-megapixel sensor doesn't mean it will take better photos than a phone with a 50-MP sensor. The only way to really know is to look at reviews. What you can do, if the camera is important to you, is check if there's a versatile system. The best camera phones offer a primary wide camera, an ultrawide, and a telephoto zoom (usually at 5X zoom).
• Extra features: It's important not to overlook the smaller features you may expect. Does the phone have a near-field communication sensor (NFC) so you can make contactless payments? Does it have a good IP rating that can survive a drop in the pool? Is there wireless charging? What about a microSD card slot or headphone jack? Make sure you vet the phone's tech specs if you're after something specific.
• 5G service: Most new smartphones support 5G now, the current 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. It's available in phones as cheap as $200.