One of the best Android telephones to purchase in 2024

The Android ecosystem is all about selection. Whereas iPhone homeowners have a smaller pool of recent gadgets to select from when it’s time to improve, there’s a a lot wider vary of selections on Android. You need unimaginable digicam zoom? A built-in stylus? A cellphone that runs a whole desktop setting whenever you plug it right into a monitor? You will discover it on Android. Heck, you’ll find all of that in a single system.

On the flip facet, all that selection could make for some exhausting choices. Right here’s the place I’d like to assist; I’ve examined an entire boatload of latest Android telephones, and I feel there are some actual winners within the present batch. It’s all a matter of what you’re in search of, what you’re comfy spending, and what your definition of a “fairly sized cellphone” is. (I’ve my very own, personally.)

As you sift via the choices, you’ll nearly actually come throughout tech’s favourite buzzphrase of the yr: AI. Usually talking, AI has but to essentially impress me on a cellphone. The Pixel 9 collection has some probably helpful options, like a brand new Screenshots app that makes use of AI to tag related data in metadata, and Galaxy gadgets can translate a cellphone name for you in actual time. This stuff are nothing to sneeze at! However none of it feels just like the platform shift that the large tech corporations preserve promising. Greatest to not put an excessive amount of inventory in any firm’s AI claims simply but.

If you happen to stay within the US, I’ve some dangerous information in regards to the Android market, although. For sophisticated causes having to do with “capitalism” and “geopolitics,” we don’t get practically as lots of the choices as you’ll discover in Asia and Europe — manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo simply aren’t out there right here. I’ve restricted this information to the gadgets I’ve personally examined in depth; thus, it’s a pretty US-centric set of suggestions. 

With that in thoughts, it’s additionally value acknowledging that most individuals within the US get their telephones “without spending a dime” from their wi-fi provider. If you happen to can handle it, shopping for a cellphone unlocked will provide you with essentially the most flexibility and freedom if you find yourself wanting to alter carriers within the close to future. Cellphone producers additionally supply financing and trade-in offers to make fee extra manageable. However for those who’re completely happy together with your provider and the free cellphone on supply is the one you really need, by all means, take the free cellphone. Simply be sure you perceive the phrases, particularly if you could change plans to money in on the deal. 

Nevertheless you go about it, you will have some implausible choices to your subsequent Android cellphone.

Display screen: 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 foremost with OIS, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wi-fi (with Pixel Stand 2) / Climate resistance: IP68

Google’s {hardware} is healthier than ever, and the entire Pixel 9 lineup feels simply as polished as something you’d get from Samsung or Apple. However at $799, the fundamental Pixel 9 is in a very interesting place, and for those who don’t want a telephoto digicam or the most important display screen, then that is the Android cellphone to get.

The Pixel 9 comes with some vital quality-of-life enhancements like a sooner fingerprint scanner for unlocking the cellphone. The digicam is as dependable as ever, and for those who’re into AI picture enhancing tips, boy does this cellphone have ‘em. There’s a brand new Screenshots app that acts as a spot to retailer the entire data that might in any other case be misplaced at sea in your digicam roll, and it makes use of AI to parse data out and make it searchable. Kinda helpful.

Even with out AI, this is a wonderful cellphone. It’s additionally designed to go the space, with seven years of promised OS updates, which very doubtless means you’ll outgrow the cellphone earlier than Google stops supporting it. Its potential for long-term worth and the standard of the {hardware} make it a straightforward advice for anybody who simply desires a pleasant Android cellphone that works.

Learn my Google Pixel 9 evaluation.

Display screen: 6.8-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 200-megapixel foremost with OIS, 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely says all of it within the title: Extremely. It has all the things you would ask for in a cellphone — effectively, a minimum of one which doesn’t fold in half. There’s a stylus, two telephoto cameras, an enormous battery, and the most effective ding dang screens on any cellphone, wherever.

So why am I just a little underwhelmed? For starters, Samsung swapped final yr’s 10x telephoto digicam for a higher-resolution 5x digicam that makes use of in-sensor crop to zoom to 10x. This can be a smart transfer, and pictures at 10x look advantageous, if not as crisp as they did on the final mannequin. It’s additionally pricier this time round, and it was already an costly cellphone. It’s fairly darn heavy, too, and Samsung’s change to titanium for the body hasn’t made it any lighter.

Private emotions in regards to the zoom lens apart, the S24 Extremely remains to be principally peerless. Its much-touted AI options are advantageous, but when there’s one factor that makes it well worth the improve, it’s the display screen. Its anti-glare coating and boosted most brightness make it so comfy to make use of exterior it’s nearly magic. That’s hardly a elaborate new tech function, however the Galaxy S24 Extremely is hardly any outdated cellphone.

Learn my Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely evaluation.

Display screen: 6.82-inch 1440p 120Hz LTPO OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.6 foremost with OIS, 64-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 48-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide / Battery: 5400mAh / Charging: 80W wired, 50W wi-fi / Climate-resistance score: IP65

After a number of years and just a little soul-searching, OnePlus is again to its roots. The OnePlus 12 is a wonderful system with high-end efficiency with a aggressive value: $799 for the bottom mannequin with a hefty 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

For that value, you get a crisp 1440p 6.8-inch show, a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and a succesful digicam. It helps wi-fi charging, one thing that earlier OnePlus flagships have skipped. Battery efficiency is implausible, too — energy customers can get via a full day, and lightweight customers can stretch it to 2.

What stands out in regards to the OnePlus 12, although, may simply be what’s not right here: a bunch of AI options. Truthfully? That’s type of refreshing. A number of the AI options Google and Samsung are busy delivery proper now are good, however none of them really feel important. If you wish to sit out this AI hype cycle however you continue to need an ideal cellphone, the OnePlus 12 could be the one.

Learn my OnePlus 12 evaluation.

Display screen: 8.0-inch 2076p 120Hz OLED internal display screen, 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED cowl display screen / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 foremost with OIS, 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display screen), 10-megapixel internal selfie digicam / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

Does anybody really want a folding cellphone? Most likely not. However utilizing one is very good, and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is the nicest book-style foldable I’ve used to this point. It’s dear, it’s nonetheless bulkier than a slab-style cellphone, and its cameras aren’t fairly as good as the opposite Pixel 9 Professional telephones. However it’s a pleasure to make use of, each as a daily cellphone with the duvet display screen and whenever you unfold the large internal display screen.

The 9 Professional Fold is Google’s second folding cellphone, following up the passport-shaped Pixel Fold with a format that feels way more acquainted. The outer display screen measures 6.3 inches on the diagonal, however extra importantly, the ratio is identical as Google’s slab telephones. By comparability, Samsung’s Z Fold 6 makes use of a taller, narrower format that feels cramped. Having used them each, I a lot choose the 9 Professional Fold’s strategy.

That stated, the 9 Professional Fold isn’t with out compromises. The digicam system isn’t fairly pretty much as good as what you get within the different 9 Professional telephones. The outer display screen isn’t as sharp or vivid because the Pixel 9 Professional’s, both. And it’s not as sturdy as its slab-style counterparts — there’s no mud resistance, and you’ll’t get it repaired simply wherever. For $1,800, that’s an terrible lot to swallow. For the adventurous early adopter, although, the 9 Professional Fold can be very rewarding.

Learn my Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold evaluation.

Display screen: 6.7-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.9 foremost with OIS, 50-megapixel ultrawide, 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP54

The Nothing Cellphone 2 doesn’t supply the easiest worth proposition in its upper-midrange class. But when it’s fashion you’re after and one thing just a little flashy (effectively, rather a lot flashy), then the Cellphone 2 is a straightforward choose.

It presents 6.7-inch display screen, nice each day efficiency and battery life, and a succesful digicam system. However that’s the same old stuff — what’s uncommon in regards to the Cellphone 2 is its set of LED gentle strips on the again panel. They illuminate in combos known as “glyphs,” and you’ll set them to warn you to sure notifications. It’s neat however finally isn’t as useful because the system’s customizable always-on show.

On the draw back, the Cellphone 2 is barely splash-resistant reasonably than absolutely immune to water submersion like nearly all different telephones over $500. It’s additionally not absolutely supported on Verizon’s community, which takes it out of competition for lots of the US inhabitants.

If neither of the above is a deal-breaker, and the Cellphone 2’s styling appeals to you, then it’s a wonderful selection. One factor’s for certain — it undoubtedly stands out from the gang.

Learn my Nothing Cellphone 2 evaluation.

There are numerous extra nice Android gadgets that weren’t coated right here, and some are value calling out that didn’t fairly make the lower for a advice.

• First off, there’s the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung’s wonderful clamshell-style foldable. It’s not as a lot enjoyable to make use of because the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus — which facilitates utilizing apps on the duvet display screen extra simply — however Motorola’s observe document for software program updates isn’t nice, so the Z Flip 6 is a safer wager for a flip cellphone. Learn our evaluation.
• The OnePlus Open can also be one other good book-style foldable choice. It’s skinny and lightweight, and the software program consists of some considerate approaches to multitasking — a vital a part of the folding cellphone expertise. However it gained’t be supported with software program updates for so long as the Pixel 9 Professional Fold or the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Learn our evaluation.
• Final however not least, there’s the Google Pixel 8A. If you happen to actually need to maximize the return in your funding, it’s exhausting to beat Google’s newest midrange cellphone. It covers all of the fundamentals for $499 whereas providing seven years of software program help. Learn our evaluation.

Replace, November 4th: Up to date to replicate present pricing and availability.