The Best Android Phones
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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 new smartphone that comes close to what you're looking for. From the bottomless pit of phone choices, my favorite Android handsets include the Google Pixel 10a, Pixel 10, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. All the phones we've selected have advantages, and I've laid them out here based on extensive testing.
See our other mobile buying guides for more, like the Best iPhones, Best Cheap Phones, Best Samsung Phones, Phones With a Headphone Jack, Best Pixel Phones, and Best Folding Phones.
Updated March 2026: We've added our final thoughts on the Galaxy S26 series.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
For the most part. While Google won't have another flagship phone until late summer, it just launched the Pixel 10a. Samsung just debuted the Galaxy S26 series, and Motorola will likely unveil its new Razr phones this spring. Prices of smartphones dip during major sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, so those are often the best times to upgrade if you're hunting for a bargain.
Buy an Unlocked Phone
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 go into a carrier store and buy a phone, usually on a payment plan, it often comes locked to that network, and they'll try to get you to pay for a host of unnecessary accessories and features.
Carriers are legally required to unlock a phone upon request so you can switch networks, but it's a big hassle, and they may have terms about how long you have to wait to ask. Try to pay full price for your phone, or make sure it specifically says it's unlocked. Buy it from the manufacturer or a third-party retailer 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. An unlocked phone is less of a hassle when you travel and want to switch to an international SIM card, too.
Android Specs to Look For
If none of the smartphones in this guide strike your fancy and you want to keep looking, here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you shop.
Display: Gone are the days of shoddy phone displays—almost every smartphone uses an OLED panel now. Cheaper phones still use LCD, which won't have as deep blacks and poppy colors, but even phones under $300 can sport OLED. You'll see some variations, like AMOLED or Dynamic AMOLED 2X, but that's mostly marketing jargon.
Screen 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 or 6.9 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. If you're after reliable performance, try to stick to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7 series or higher, or MediaTek's Dimensity 7000 series or higher. The current flagship chip of 2026 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
RAM: You'll at the very least want a phone with 6 GB of RAM, though 8 GB is better. This will let you juggle multiple apps much more seamlessly. If you want to future-proof your device, opting for 12 or 16 GB will likely allow you to better access new and upcoming artificial intelligence features, though it depends on the manufacturer and how well they support their devices.
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 with your smartphone feeling buttery smooth. We have a broader guide that explains this technology further. Flagship phones have screens with variable refresh rates that range from 1 to 120 Hz, meaning they're often more battery efficient (look for LTPO or LTPS).
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. Most phones should have 4,000-mAh cells or higher, and you typically won't see anything higher than 5,500 mAh. Some phones now have silicon-carbon batteries, a new technology that allows them to be denser but thinner—the OnePlus 15, for example, has a massive 7,300-mAh battery.
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. Just remember that these days, most smartphones do not come with a charging brick, just a cable. We have more details in this fast-charging guide.
Software updates: Software support is crucial. It means your phone will stay secure for longer and you'll get new features over time. Even if you trade in your phone, that device may end up in the hands of someone else, and a long update policy means the phone will continue to be supported. The gold standard in Android is 7 years right now, thanks to Samsung and Google. However, if you have a cadence of replacing your phone every 2 or 3 years, then the lesser update policies of other Android phone makers might not be as big 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). Cheap phones tend to come with a lot of cameras, many of which are useless.
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? You'll want IP67 or IP68! Is there wireless charging (Qi2 or Qi?)? What about a microSD card slot, dual-SIM tray, or headphone jack? Make sure you vet the phone's tech specs if you're after something specific.
5G service: Nearly all smartphones support 5G, the current generation of network connectivity. 4G LTE isn't disappearing, and you may still fall back to LTE when 5G isn't available. Avoid smartphones that do not offer 5G at all.
How to Switch Between Phones
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. It's much faster than doing it wirelessly, though that's an option too. 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. If you're coming from an iPhone, you can use Google's official Android Switch app, though Apple and Google have improved the transferring process to make things smoother.
Check out our tips on setting up your new Android phone for more, and our steps on how to back up an Android and how to factory reset it.
How We Test Smartphones
I put my personal SIM card in every smartphone I test and use it for at least a week, if not two or three. I stress-test performance by playing mobile games and running benchmark tests, like Geekbench and Antutu, while also monitoring thermals. I make calls to test the smartphone's microphone quality, since, you know, it's still a phone.
I often do camera testing by bringing a competing phone along and analyzing photos side by side on a larger, more color-accurate screen. I've been reviewing smartphones for close to a decade—not just the flagship devices either. I'm always testing cheap phones to see what innovations are trickling down.
| Compare phones | Price (MSRP) | Display | Processor and RAM | Storage | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Google Pixel 10a | $499 | 6.3-inch, 120-Hz, OLED | Tensor G4, 8 GB RAM | 128, 256 GB | 5,100 mAh |
| Smartest Phones: Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL | $799+ | 6.3-inch, 6.3-inch, and 6.8-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, OLED | Tensor G5, 12 or 16 GB RAM | 128, 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB | 4,970, 4,870, and 5,200 mAh |
| Top-Tier Flagships: Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, Galaxy S26 Ultra | $900+ | 6.3-inch, 6.7-inch, 6.9-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 12 GB RAM | 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB | 4,300, 4,900, and 5,000 mAh |
| Best Battery Life: OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R | $900 and $700 | 6.78-inch, 6.83 inch, 165-Hz LTPO/LTPS, OLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 12 or 16 GB RAM | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 12 GB RAM | 256 and 512 GB | 7,300 and 7400 mAh |
| Best Under $400: Motorola Moto G Power 2026 | $300 | 6.7-inch, 120-Hz, AMOLED | MediaTek Dimensity 6300, 8 GB RAM | 128 GB | 5,200 mAh |
| Best Small Phone: Motorola Razr Ultra | $1,300 | Internal: 7-inch, 165-Hz LTPO, AMOLED, 120 Hz. External: 4-inch, 165-Hz LTPO, pOLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16 GB RAM | 512 GB and 1 TB | 4,700 mAh |
| Best Folding Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 | $2,000 | Internal: 8-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED. External: 6.5-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, OLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12 GB RAM | 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB | 4,400 mAh |
| Best Aesthetic: Nothing Phone (3) | $799 | 6.67-inch, 120-Hz, AMOLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 12 or 16 GB RAM | 256 and 512 GB | 5,150 mAh |
| A Repairable and Sustainable Phone: The Fairphone (Gen. 6) | €549 | 6.31-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, P-OLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, 8 GB RAM | 256 GB with microSD slot | 4,415 mAh |
Other Phones to Consider
We 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.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE for $650: If Google's Pixel 10 doesn't appeal, you can get a really great Samsung phone for around $500 (it's often on sale around this price!). The Galaxy S25 FE is like a “lite” version of the flagship Galaxy S25, with a bigger 6.7-inch screen, a larger battery, and a triple-camera system that includes a 3X optical zoom lens. Performance isn't as good, but I never had any issues (you may not be able to play the most demanding games at the highest graphical settings). The screen is sharp, bright, and smooth, and this phone is even Qi2 Ready if you use a compatible magnetic case. I don't recommend buying it at its MSRP, but when it's frequently at $500, it's a smart option. It's also worth considering the standard Galaxy S25 series if you can find them on sale.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold for $1,799: I think Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 takes the cake as the best folding phone designed like a book in 2025, but if you prefer Google's Pixel phones, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold (7/10, WIRED Review) isn't a bad option. It's nowhere near as thin, but it does have Qi2 magnets built in, meaning you can attach it to various magnetic accessories, like car docks and phone chargers, or attach magnetic wallets or power banks to the phone. It's also one of the only folding phones with an IP68 dust- and water-resistance rating for peace of mind. The screens look great, battery life is solid, and the camera system is reliable. It's easy to get into split-screen mode, but I think there's more Google can do to improve the multitasking experience.
Google Pixel 9 series for $570+: The Pixel 9 series (9/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2024 is still a great buy if you can find them on sale. The Pixel 9 is similar to the Pixel 9a but with better build quality and larger camera sensors. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL have the 5X optical camera and the vapor chamber cooling, among other perks. The key is to make sure you avoid paying MSRP. These have dipped fairly often in price during sale events, and now, as stock gets cleared, you can probably find a killer deal if you hold out.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 for $1,056: Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip7 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) got some great upgrades over its predecessor, but it wasn't enough to dethrone the Razr Ultra 2025 as my top flip phone pick. Still, it's worth considering if you're shopping for a folding phone of this category, because the cameras are solid, the displays are excellent and larger than ever, and the cover screen is a little more useful (though not as versatile as on Motorola's phone). Battery life is even worse here over the Fold7, so snag a power bank while you're at it.
Minimal Phone for $450: Having trouble curbing your screen time? Instead of going cold turkey with something like the Light Phone III, try the Minimal Phone (6/10, WIRED Review). This is an e-paper Android phone with a physical keyboard. The goal is to let you access the usual Android apps, but because the screen is ill-suited to videos and most social media, you'll naturally be able to avoid those distractions. It's successful in this task, but the constant screen ghosting and plasticky build dampen the experience.
Mobile Accessories You Might Need
We have case recommendations for a few popular devices, like Samsung's Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S23, or Google's Pixel 10 series. 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.
Nomad 65W Slim Power Adapter for $55: There are lots of great options if you want a cheap, tiny charger these days, but why not spend a bit more for something versatile? This ultra-slim charger from Nomad is easy to travel with, especially thanks to its folding prongs, and it has enough power to recharge a MacBook, let alone your phone. There are two USB-C ports to boot.
Counterpart Retractable The Charger for $44: It's not the best value, but this design-forward charger has a retractable 4-foot cable that makes it a fantastic two-in-one—no need to pack a separate charger and cable! It outputs 35 watts, which is plenty to fast-charge most phones and tablets, and the prongs fold in for travel.
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 V2 for $29: 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. Native Union also has a similar item that's cuter but nearly as capable.
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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