Feb 5, 2024 9:00 AM

The Best Android Phones

Shopping for a new phone can be an ordeal. Let us take some of the pain out of it with these WIRED-tested picks and tips.

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Featured in this article

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones

4 / 13

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 7A, 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 February 2024: We've added Samsung's Galaxy S24 series and the OnePlus 12 and 12R.

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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
01
The Best Android Phone
Google Pixel 7A
The Pixel 7A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes very close to being the perfect phone for everybody. It looks gorgeous (especially in the flashy Coral color). It has a powerful processor—Tensor G2—to run demanding games and zip through dozens of apps with ease. New in this model is an upgraded 64-megapixel camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide that take better photos than most other phones its 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 90-Hz screen too! Then there's wireless charging and the IP67 water resistance rating. Did I mention it costs less than $500? It will even last a while, thanks to the five years of security updates and three Android OS upgrades.
It does have some concessions. It lacks a headphone jack and a microSD card slot, so if those are important to you, look elsewhere. 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. And the fingerprint sensor isn't my favorite. But even with these flaws, it's easily the best bang for your buck.
Works on all three major US networks.
$478 at Amazon
$499 at Best Buy
$499 at Target
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
02
Best Flagship Phones
Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra
Samsung'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—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. 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.
Works on all three major US networks.
$800 at Amazon (All Models)
$800 at Samsung (All Models)
$800 at Best Buy (All Models)

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
03
The Smartest Phones (and Great Cameras!)
Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
Google's flagship Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are more polished than ever, and they will be supported for a whopping seven years of software updates like Samsung's Galaxy S24 series. The camera system on these two phones is, as always, excellent—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 Call Screen, which thwarts robocalls and now even lets you respond to people without having to answer the phone. The Pixel 8 series focuses on smart image-editing software. With tools like Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser, and Best Take, you get a powerful suite of features to easily change up your photos and videos, whether that's by erasing unwanted objects in the background, removing annoying sounds in your videos, or just switching someone's face in a group photo to one where they're not blinking. It's nuts, kind of disconcerting but also fun, and it can be genuinely helpful. I just wish the battery life on these phones could stretch closer to two days. Be sure to check out our Best Pixel Phones, guide, where we've got case and accessory recommendations.
Works on all three major US networks.
$678 at Amazon (Pixel 8)
$999 at Amazon (Pixel 8 Pro)
$699 at Best Buy (Pixel 8)
$999 at Best Buy (Pixel 8 Pro)
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
04
A Midrange Alternative
OnePlus 12R
OnePlus 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 of keeping up with the Pixel 7A, 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. And it doesn't have wireless charging, a convenience available on the Pixel 7A. 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, if those limitations don't bug you (and they might not!), this is an excellent midrange smartphone.
Works on all three major US networks.
$500 at Amazon
$500 at OnePlus
$500 at Best Buy

Photograph: Asus
05
Best Small Phone
Asus Zenfone 10
Want the smallest Android phone without compromises to performance or features? Get the Asus Zenfone 10 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). Its 5.9-inch AMOLED screen is compact, sharp, and buttery smooth thanks to the 120-Hz screen refresh rate. It's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which is the flagship processor of 2023, and it will handle anything you throw at it with ease. Despite its small size, the Zenfone 10 delivers more than a day of battery life, and you also get perks like wireless charging, a headphone jack, and an IP68 water resistance rating. Oh, and a charging brick comes in the box! How thoughtful.
Asus is only promising two Android OS updates, but the Zenfone 10 will get four years of security updates, which is better than ever before. The cameras are the weak point—they're fine, just not the best you can find for the money—and I wish the screen got brighter. It's tough to see on super bright days. This phone also doesn't work on Verizon's network.
Works on T-Mobile and AT&T. Doesn't work on Verizon.
$630 at Amazon
$660 at Walmart
$660 at Target
$700 at Asus
Photograph: Samsung
06
Unconventional Tiny Phones
Motorola Razr+ and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
Folding flip phones are the solution for folks who hate big-screen devices and want tiny things that can fit in the smallest pockets. Here are two standouts.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) delivers a big-screen phone that feels more like a stack of Post-Its in your pocket when it's all folded up. How can you hate that? The new 3.4-inch Cover Screen lets you do more than before, like scroll through widgets, and you can browse a few apps too. The cameras are better than what's on the Motorola Razr+ (see below), and it has an overall better build quality, but the battery life isn't great.
Motorola's Razr+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has, in my opinion, an even more useful (and larger) front screen than the Galaxy Z, meaning you can use almost any app, read notifications clearly, and check other widgets like the weather, news, and your calendar—all without having to open the phone. The cameras are sadly lackluster, and battery life is equally as middling as the Flip5. It's also not as water-repellent. If you want to save some cash, Motorola's cheaper Razr (2023) regularly dips as low as $500, which is one of the lowest prices you'll find on a folding phone. It still functions great, with smooth performance and day-long battery life. However, the cover screen is barely useful and the cameras are so-so.
Works on all three major US networks.
$1,000 at Amazon (Flip5)
$700 at Amazon (Razr+)

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
07
For Spec Fiends
OnePlus 12
If you want a powerful Android phone with all the top specs, then I daresay 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.
Works on all three major US networks.
$800 at Amazon
$800 at OnePlus
$900 at Best Buy
Photograph: Nothing
08
For the Aesthetic
Nothing Phone (2)
Nothing’s Phone (2) is its first phone in the US market (7/10, WIRED Recommends), and it's an excellent follow-up to the Phone (1). The price has jumped, but you now get a flagship-grade Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor for great performance, a nice 120-Hz AMOLED screen, and perks like wireless charging and NFC for making contactless payments. But where it shines is, well, literally the back of the phone. The LED “Glyph” lights can flash when you get notifications or calls, and now can be set to light up only for app alerts you designate as important. No need to stare at the screen for a spam email anymore. Plus you can use the lights as countdown timers or even the status of your Uber driver.
Nothing is all about style, and this is reflected not just in the phone's hardware design but also in the slick Nothing OS interface. If you've been feeling like every phone looks and acts the same, the Phone (2) will be a breath of fresh air. Its flaws might give you pause, though—its cameras are solid but not as good as the cheaper Pixel 7A, there's no Verizon support, and it's only IP54-rated, so it's not protected from a dip in the pool. At least it will get three years of Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates.
Works on T-Mobile and AT&T. Doesn't work on Verizon.
$692 at Amazon
$699 at Nothing

Photograph: Fairphone
09
Best Eco-Friendly Phone
Fairphone 5
The 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 a B Corp certification. The Fairphone 5 is manufactured ethically, and it's made of post-consumer 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.
Not fully compatible with US carriers.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
10
My Favorite Folding Phone
Google Pixel Fold
The Pixel Fold (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is Google's first folding smartphone. On the outside, you have a wide 5.8-inch screen you'll primarily use, and it actually feels like using a normal phone screen with zero compromises. 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.
Works on all three major US networks.
$1,799 at Amazon
$1,799 at Best Buy
$1,799 at Target

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
11
Honorable Mentions
Other Good Phones
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 guide for more.
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 Black Friday, 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 $1,700: 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.
Google Pixel 6A for $349: Google's continuing to sell the 2022 Pixel 6A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) at a marked-down price. It's still excellent value and a worthy purchase. It's powered by Google's first-gen Tensor chip, which means you're getting some of the best performance for the money, and it supports all the same great (and helpful) software smarts as the flagship Pixel 6 series. It's got an OLED screen, a decent camera system, and lengthy software support. There's no wireless charging and it has a 60-Hz screen.
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.
Google Pixel 7 Pro for $600: The 2022 Pixel 7 Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a good buy if you can find it at this price (or lower). You get a 6.7-inch screen with a 120-Hz refresh rate. There's Face Unlock, but this isn't secure like the version on the Pixel 8, so you'll have to rely on the fingerprint sensor to access sensitive apps. Cameras are a big part of Pixels, and the Pixel 7 Pro remains one of the best with an upgraded ultrawide with autofocus, enabling a Macro Focus mode for close-ups. Its telephoto camera has an excellent 5X optical zoom too.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 for $1,499: The Fold5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) remains an excellent big-screen folding smartphone. The cameras can take some great photos, the displays can get shockingly bright, and Samsung promises lengthy software support. But the introduction of the Pixel Fold has shown me how much more I prefer the wider front screen. The Fold5’s external screen feels too narrow, and some apps feel squished (though it's a little easier to grasp when closed). It's frequently available for $1,499 so try not to pay more.
Samsung Galaxy A54 for $453: Samsung also has a great A-series mid-range phone, the Galaxy A54 5G (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It's a nice alternative to the Pixel 7A or OnePlus 12R. The 6.4-inch AMOLED screen can ratchet up the brightness like crazy, so you never have to squint, and the screen reacts more smoothly thanks to the 120-Hz refresh rate. It matches the Pixel on security updates but it offers an extra year of OS upgrades for a total of four. The reason why it's not above? Performance is good, but things can get a little stuttery when you try to juggle many apps at once; the Pixel 7A and OnePlus 12R easily beat it in speed. The A54's battery can last more than a day at least, and the camera system holds its own. There's no headphone jack on the phone, no wireless charging, nor is there a charging brick in the box, but you do get a microSD slot if you want to expand the 128 GB of included storage.
Sony Xperia 1 V for $1,398: Sony's latest flagship phone (7/10, WIRED Review) is super expensive. But it's one of the few smartphones with a 4K OLED screen, and it's rare to see a high-end phone with a headphone jack. There are a lot of toys for camera nerds, whether you want to capture a photo with manual settings or use Sony's Cinema Pro app to capture cinematic footage. You can even use the phone as an external monitor for your camera. It's a shame Sony has a short software update policy, and its camera system is still too clunky.
Motorola Edge+ 2023 for $600: A Motorola smartphone with contactless payment support, 5G, wireless charging, plus a promise of three OS upgrades and four years of security updates? Say it ain't so! The Motorola Edge+ finally matches its peers on several counts and exceeds them in some ways. It has a bright 165-Hz OLED screen, it's lightweight, and its 5,100-mAh battery easily lasts two days. The downside? The cameras are not as good as the cheaper Pixel 7A. Read our Best Motorola Phones guide for more picks.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G for $300: This OnePlus phone (6/10, WIRED Review) doesn't break the mold, and you should pay up for a Pixel 6A or any of the phones above if you can. But if your budget is tight and this phone goes on sale, it does the job. Performance is good, and there's two-day battery life.
Photograph: Samsung
12
Before You Buy
Buy Your Phone Unlocked
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. 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
13
Mobile Accessories You Might Need
Kit Out Your New Phone
We have case recommendations for a few popular devices, like Samsung's 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 $50: 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.

Julian Chokkattu is the reviews editor at WIRED, covering personal technology and reviewing consumer products. Previously he was the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, steering coverage and reviews of smartphones and smartwatches, and an intern at TechCrunch. He graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree in English... Read more

Reviews Editor