The perfect Android telephones to purchase in 2024

The Android ecosystem is all about selection. Whereas iPhone homeowners have a smaller pool of recent gadgets to choose from when IT’s time to improve, there’s a a lot wider vary of decisions on Android. You need unimaginable digital camera zoom? A built-in stylus? A telephone that runs a whole desktop atmosphere while you plug IT right into a monitor? Yow will discover IT on Android. Heck, you could find all of that in a single system.

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

If Samsung’s S24-series launch occasion is something to go by, then IT’s a protected guess that this yr’s cellular tech buzzword might be AI. Typically talking, AI has but to actually impress me on a telephone. Google’s Pixel telephones have some neat AI photograph enhancing methods, and Galaxy gadgets can translate a telephone name for you in actual time. This stuff are nothing to sneeze at! However simply remember that you’re at all times only a few faucets away from AI-gone-wrong atrocities like Pillow Arm. Finest to not put an excessive amount of inventory in any firm’s AI claims simply but.

If you happen to dwell 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 most of the choices as you’ll discover in Asia and Europe — manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo simply aren’t accessible right here. I’ve restricted this information to the gadgets I’ve personally examined in depth; thus, IT is a reasonably US-centric set of suggestions. 

With that in thoughts, IT’s additionally price acknowledging that most individuals within the US get their telephones “totally free” from their wi-fi service. If you happen to can handle IT, shopping for a telephone unlocked provides you with probably the most flexibility and freedom if you find yourself wanting to vary carriers within the close to future. Telephone producers additionally supply financing and trade-in offers to make fee extra manageable. However for those who’re completely satisfied together with your service and the free telephone on supply is the one you really need, by all means, take the free telephone. Simply be sure to perceive the phrases, particularly if it is advisable to change plans to money in on the deal. 

Nevertheless you go about IT, you may have some incredible choices to your subsequent Android telephone.

Display: 6.7-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F1.8 important with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,900mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68

Samsung’s greater flagship — however not the massive massive flagship — is as soon as once more the most effective Android telephone for most individuals. The Galaxy S24 Plus is a crowd-pleaser if the crowds need a massive display screen, spectacular cameras, and good battery life (I believe they do).

Samsung makes a giant deal about its AI options, that are like all AI options on telephones proper now: hit-and-miss. You’ll be able to have the telephone act as a real-time language translator on telephone calls. IT works effectively sufficient and will actually come in useful in a pinch. However the generative AI photograph edits? Nonetheless very a lot a piece in progress.

Outdoors of software program updates, you received’t discover a lot new {hardware} right here — and that’s tremendous. The up to date Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is highly effective sufficient for almost anybody, the battery is slightly greater, and the display screen will get a decision bump this yr for a crisper picture. If these sound like minor updates, IT’s as a result of they’re. However that’s okay while you’re already giving the individuals what they need.

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus.

Display: 6.8-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 200-megapixel important 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 IT all within the title: Extremely. IT has every thing you possibly can ask for in a telephone — effectively, at the least one which doesn’t fold in half. There’s a stylus, two telephoto cameras, a large battery, and among the best ding dang screens on any telephone, anyplace.

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

Private emotions in regards to the zoom lens apart, the S24 Extremely continues to be mainly peerless. Its much-touted AI options are tremendous, 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 outdoors IT’s nearly magic. That’s hardly a flowery new tech function, however the Galaxy S24 Extremely is hardly any previous telephone.

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely.

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

After a couple of years and a little soul-searching, OnePlus is again to its roots. The OnePlus 12 is a superb 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 digital camera. IT helps wi-fi charging, one thing that earlier OnePlus flagships have skipped. Battery efficiency is incredible, 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 sort of refreshing. A few 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 amazing telephone, the OnePlus 12 could be the one.

Learn my full overview of the OnePlus 12.

Display: 6.7-inch 1344p 120Hz LTPO OLED / Processor: Tensor G3 Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 important with OIS, 48-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 48-megapixel ultrawide / Battery: 5050mAh / Charging: 30W wired, 23W wi-fi with Pixel Stand 2 / Climate-resistance ranking: IP68

Anybody who’s ever tried to {photograph} a younger little one understands what a telephone digital camera is up towards: an unpredictable (however cute!) topic that received’t. Ever. Sit. Nonetheless. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional deal with this age-old downside with some new tech: AI. And in contrast to most up-to-date AI options on smartphones, these instruments actually do come in useful.

Each telephones embrace an AI enhancing software that may allow you to select the most effective expression for every particular person in your photograph while you take a burst of photos — particularly useful if you wish to get one with everybody wanting on the digital camera. There’s AI to enhance the audio in your movies, too, permitting you to attenuate distracting background noises.

The Pixel 8 and eight Professional have extremely succesful cameras on the whole, although solely the pricier 8 Professional has a telephoto lens. IT’s well worth the improve for those who’re a eager photographer. The 8 Professional additionally comes with an even bigger display screen and battery, which lots of people will admire. The sunshine and svelte Pixel 8, with its 6.2-inch display screen, is an efficient selection for small-ish telephone followers. Each telephones use Google’s Tensor G3 chipset, although solely the 8 Professional is ready to run massive language fashions on-device — that’ll be necessary sooner or later as AI instruments (presumably?) change into extra helpful.

In any other case, the 8 and eight Professional are good all-around gadgets — simply know that Pixels are sadly prone to an uncommon bug right here and there. Not one of the overview items I’ve examined have suffered from them, however they’re out there.

Learn my full overview of the Google Pixel 8 and eight Professional.

Display: 7.6-inch 2176p 120Hz OLED internal display screen, 6.2-inch 2316p 120Hz OLED cowl display screen / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.8 important with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display screen), four-megapixel under-display selfie (internal display screen) / Battery: 4,400mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

Samsung’s flagship foldable is due for substitute quickly, so preserve that in thoughts for those who’re contemplating the Z Fold 5. However its multitasking capabilities stay second to none, and IT’s lighter and simpler to wield than Google’s Pixel Fold. The slim dimensions of the quilt show make IT slightly awkward to make use of for normal telephone stuff, however that’s an inexpensive tradeoff contemplating every thing that the Fold 5 can do.

There are some necessary issues to think about, although, beginning with the $1800 value. That’s what the Pixel Fold prices, too, however IT doesn’t matter the way you have a look at IT — that’s rather a lot to pay for a telephone. The Fold 5 isn’t dust-resistant, both, so that you’ll need to be considerably cautious together with your funding.

The Fold 5 isn’t precisely teeming with technological enhancements over final yr’s mannequin, both. There’s a brand new hinge that folds flat moderately than with a niche between the 2 halves of the telephone, and that’s about IT. A few software program updates that IT affords will come to older Fold gadgets sooner or later, so there’s not a lot purpose to hurry out and commerce in your Fold 4 for a Fold 5.

If you happen to’re a loyal Pixel fan or averse to the Fold 5’s slim type issue when closed, Google’s foldable could be a better option. However for most individuals, the Galaxy Fold 5’s versatility and good current monitor file for sturdiness make IT a greater guess.

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

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

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

IT affords 6.7-inch display screen, nice day by day efficiency and battery life, and a succesful digital camera system. However that’s the standard stuff — what’s uncommon in regards to the Telephone 2 is its set of LED mild strips on the again panel. They illuminate in combos known as “glyphs,” and you may set them to warn you to sure notifications. IT’s neat however in the end isn’t as useful because the system’s customizable always-on show.

On the draw back, the Telephone 2 is barely splash-resistant moderately than totally proof against water submersion like nearly all different telephones over $500. IT’s additionally not totally 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 Telephone 2’s styling appeals to you, then IT’s a superb selection. One factor’s for certain — IT positively stands out from the gang.

Learn my full overview of the Nothing Telephone 2.

There are numerous extra nice Android gadgets that weren’t lined right here, and some are price calling out that didn’t fairly make the reduce for a suggestion.

• First off, there’s the Galaxy Z Flip 5, a clamshell-style foldable that’s due for substitute quickly, very like the Z Fold 5. The newest Flip is much extra helpful than its predecessors, due to an even bigger 3.4-inch cowl display screen that means that you can kind out texts and emails on a full QWERTY keyboard. IT’s not as versatile because the Fold 5, however IT additionally costs a more reasonable $999. Motorola’s Razr and Razr Plus flip telephones at the moment are within the combine, too, however we’re nonetheless testing the 2024 variations.
• On the opposite facet of the foldable spectrum, the OnePlus Open is a welcome addition to the combo with the most effective display screen format on a book-style folding telephone. IT’s skinny and lightweight, and the software program consists of some considerate approaches to multitasking — a vital a part of the folding telephone expertise. At $1,700, IT’s simply $100 shy of the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 5 and misses a few key options that each of these different choices embrace: wi-fi charging and an IPX8 ranking. But when these omissions don’t hassle you and the shape issue appeals, IT’s a stunning system to make use of.
• 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 onerous to beat Google’s newest midrange telephone. IT covers all the basics for $499 whereas providing seven years of software program assist.

Replace, June twenty ninth: Added a point out of the Google Pixel 8A, flagged Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Unpacked occasion, and famous Motorola’s 2024 Razr flip telephones.