Selecting the very best Android cellphone can really feel overwhelming as there are such a lot of choices from so many manufacturers, it’s exhausting to know the place to begin. Not like Apple, which sticks to its smooth lineup of iPhones, Android gives a world of selection. Whether or not you are eyeing the newest flagship from Samsung, a budget-friendly smartphone from Motorola or one thing distinctive with a foldable design, there’s an Android machine on the market to fit your wants.
The fantastic thing about Android is its flexibility. You’ll discover telephones with completely different display screen sizes, digicam setups, battery life and even quirky extras like stylus help or rugged builds. Plus, Android helps you to customise your machine to your coronary heart’s content material – one thing Apple followers would possibly envy. We’ve examined and researched the highest Android telephones that will help you discover the suitable one to your funds, way of life, and tech preferences.
Greatest Android telephones for 2025
Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review
Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Show: 6.3-inch Tremendous Actua, as much as 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (50MP large, 48MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens), 42MP twin PD selfie entrance digicam with autofocus | Battery: 4,700mAh
Lastly, a smaller Pixel Professional. Google’s Pixel collection has lengthy been the most effective Android telephones round, with the Professional mannequin being the superior model. However it was at all times slightly too large and too cumbersome for these of us who’ve smaller palms or need our telephones to slot in our pockets. Cue the Pixel 9 Pro, which is the littler model of the Pixel 9 Professional XL. As an alternative of a comparatively giant 6.8-inch display screen like that on its greater sibling, the usual Professional has a 6.3-inch show that’s straightforward to maneuver. No extra worrying about dropping your Pixel Professional simply since you fumbled whereas attempting to succeed in the highest of the display screen!
Higher but, with the Pixel 9 Professional, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key function to get to the smaller dimension, that means you will discover the identical digicam setup and efficiency in each handsets. The one actual variations are the display screen dimension, battery and charging speeds, because the non-XL mannequin recharges at a barely slower charge. However the Pixel 9 Professional can also be a lot longer-lasting than the XL, notching nearly 25 hours on our battery check.
These distinctions apart, the Pixel 9 Professional lineup is our favourite Android cellphone due to its top-notch digicam efficiency, intriguing AI options and a normal grown-up vibe. Whereas earlier Pixel flagships had a colourful, blocky design that felt recent, this yr’s units really feel strong and refined. And, dare we are saying it, nearly like iPhones. With out the digicam bars, they’d be fairly exhausting to inform aside from Apple’s telephones.
Presumably as a result of it is grown up a lot over time, however the Pixel telephones now price the identical as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional each begin at $999, and although a few of us have come to think about Google’s handsets because the extra competitively priced possibility, this yr’s mannequin may be ok to justify a premium worth. In case you nonetheless need one thing from the Pixel 9 household however do not need to pay $1,000, the bottom Pixel 9 continues to be a strong handset for most individuals. However because it stands, the Pixel 9 Professional is the very best Android handset cash should buy. — Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor
- Nice digicam options and improved telephoto digicam
- A yr of Gemini Superior at no cost
- Unimaginable battery life
- An exquisite, vibrant display screen that’s straightforward to make use of outdoor
- Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor
- Slower charging speeds than the XL
- Not the very best cellphone for gaming
Learn our full Google Pixel 9a review
Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Show: 6.3-inch 1,080 x 2,424 pOLED, as much as 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (48MP large, 13MP ultrawide), 13MP entrance digicam | Battery: 5,100mAh
The Pixel 9a is not particularly flashy and it would not have any particular options that are not already obtainable on its dearer siblings. In truth, it really has slower charging and it is lacking help for a few of Google’s homegrown software program just like the Screenshots app. However for everybody who simply desires a easy cellphone with a strong design, a pleasant display screen, glorious cameras and powerful battery life, the Pixel 9a is absolutely exhausting to beat. So whereas it isn’t tremendous fancy, the cellphone has all of its most vital bases coated (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this cellphone appears like an unimaginable deal that punches effectively above its worth. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
- Modern design
- Superior battery life
- Good show
- Nice cameras
- IP68 score for mud and water resistance
- Charging might be quicker
- No Pixel Screenshot app
- Macro Focus mode generally is a bit finicky
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Show: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x QHD+, as much as 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (200MP, Twin Pixel AF, Digital Zoom 100x, 50MP Macro, 50MP UW), 12MP entrance digicam | Battery: 5,000mAh
The S25 Ultra is a do-anything cellphone. It has a variety of cameras together with a 5x telephoto lens and a brand new 50-megapixel sensor for its ultra-wide shooter, a beautiful 6.9-inch AMOLED show (which is 0.1 inches greater than final yr) and naturally, Samsung’s signature S Pen. That mentioned, for 2025, Samsung’s essential focus was on its improved Galaxy AI options equivalent to Now Transient, which creates a customized feed of reports, occasions and extra. There’s additionally Drawing Help that makes it simpler to create AI-generated artwork, or you possibly can flip to AI Choose for assist with taking screenshots, turning movies into GIFs or summarizing tales.
Sadly, except for a brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the S25 Extremely doesn’t include a ton of recent {hardware} in comparison with its predecessor (or the S23U for that matter). So whereas Samsung’s newest flagship is a superb cellphone, it doesn’t really feel like an important improve for folks with flagship units which might be solely a yr or two previous. — S.R.
- Wonderful display screen
- Nice efficiency and battery life
- Anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panels
- Slimmer bezels
- New 50MP ultra-wide sensor
- S Pen not suppers Air actions
- Similar essential and telephoto cameras as final yr
- Not totally suitable with magnetic Qi2 equipment
- Costly
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite | Show: 8-inch 2184 x 1968QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X full show, 6.5-inch 2520 x 1080FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X cowl show | Cameras: Rear array (200MP large, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto), 10MP entrance digicam | Battery: 4,400mAh
One of many greatest points with foldable telephones is the added dimension and weight that always comes with the inclusion of a versatile show. Samsung has made {that a} factor of the previous on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which sports activities bigger screens — each in and out — whereas being 26 % thinner than earlier than. And as if that wasn’t sufficient, the Z Fold 7 additionally options improved sturdiness, elevated efficiency and a brand new 200MP essential digicam, matching or exceeding what you get from conventional flagship smartphones. The primary downsides are that at $2,000, it is nonetheless removed from inexpensive and for long-time Samsung followers, the lack of S Pen help could also be a dealbreaker. However for individuals who need to expertise new heights in foldable cellphone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of contemporary gadget design. — S.R.
- Exquisitely skinny design
- Sleeker hinge
- Massive 200MP essential digicam
- Bigger shows
- Prime-tier efficiency
- Very costly
- No S Pen help
- Mediocre charging speeds
Learn our full OnePlus 13 review
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Show: 6.8-inch OLED, 120Hz, 4,500 nits max brightness | Cameras: Rear array (50MP large, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto), 32MP entrance digicam | Battery: 6,000mAh
Whereas the OnePlus 13 options some fundamental AI options like Google’s Circle to Search and Gemini assistant, it’s actually simply an old school flagship in all the very best methods. That’s as a result of as an alternative of specializing in machine studying, OnePlus crammed the cellphone with tons of top-notch {hardware}. It sports activities a 6.8-inch OLED show with an unimaginable peak brightness of as much as 4,500 nits. The OP13 additionally gives glorious efficiency due to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, together with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There are additionally three 50-MP rear cameras together with one with a 3x telephoto zoom and a large 6,000 mAh battery that’s greater than what you get in virtually all of its rivals.
OnePlus didn’t skimp on the cellphone’s design both, because the OP13 nonetheless comes with the corporate’s signature Alert Slider. Plus, for those who go for the blue or white variants, you’ll get a sturdy and really touchable vegan leather-based again that helps the cellphone stand out amongst all its glass brick rivals. However the very best half is that beginning at $900, it prices lower than an equal Galaxy S25+ too.
- Class-leading battery life
- Tremendous-bright show
- Nice efficiency
- Enticing design
- Picture high quality might be a contact higher
- Solely six years of software program help as an alternative of seven
- Wants a case to completely help magnetic Qi2 equipment
What to search for in a brand new Android cellphone
Efficiency
On the subject of choosing our favourite Android telephones, the principle issues we search for are fairly simple: good efficiency (each compute and AI), a pleasant show, strong design, sharp cameras, lengthy battery life and a big dedication to ongoing software program help. For efficiency, not solely can we have a look at benchmarks and different metrics, however we additionally consider telephones primarily based on responsiveness. No matter whether or not you’re studying, textual content messaging, scrolling by social media or taking part in a sport, nobody desires a gadget that feels sluggish.
Show
On the subject of shows, we typically want OLED panels that may produce wealthy, saturated colours with a minimum of 600 nits of brightness, although a lot of our prime mid-range and high-end telephones can hit 1,000 nits or extra. And extra just lately, most of our favourite units additionally help screens with quick refresh charges of 90Hz or 120Hz, which provides an additional stage of smoothness and fluidity.
Design
Now we are going to admit there’s a little bit of subjectivity when deciding which telephones look the very best, however there are different design points like mud and water resistance or display screen sturdiness that may make a giant distinction to long-term survival. It’s additionally vital to think about issues like help for wi-fi charging, energy sharing (aka reverse wi-fi charging) and UWB connectivity, which might have an effect on how your cellphone interacts along with your different units.
Cameras
Clearly, for pictures we’re in search of sharp, colourful photographs in each vibrant and low-light situations. And we would like video clips with excessive dynamic vary, wealthy audio and easy picture stabilization. Further cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are a plus. One of the best cameras also needs to embody options like devoted evening modes, help for varied video recording resolutions, and extra picture modes like timelapse, sluggish movement and extra.
Battery and software program
Lastly, by way of longevity, we’re in search of all-day battery life on units that additionally delivered nice outcomes on our native video rundown check (a minimum of 16 hours on a cost, however extra is clearly higher). Wi-fi charging capabilities have grow to be nearly ubiquitous over the previous few years, and most of our prime picks have this further perk. Quick-charging is offered on some Android telephones, too. Lastly, with folks holding onto their telephones longer than ever, we wish to see firms decide to a minimum of three years of software program help, upgrades and common safety updates.
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