We take a look at a ton of Android telephones. We like those under, however you will be higher off with one of many choices above. If you have not but completed so, take a look at our Finest Low-cost Telephones and Finest Folding Telephones guides for extra.
Google Pixel 9 for $785: The Pixel 9 is a very nice smartphone (9/10, WIRED Recommends), however between the Pixel 8A and the Pixel 9 Professional sequence, it struggles to face out. It shares many options with its pricier siblings, however you will get a very related expertise with the Pixel 8A, all whereas saving a whole lot of {dollars}. For those who love the design and wish the brand new sensible software program options, do not let me cease you! However there is a good likelihood the Pixel 8A will get most of the identical perks by way of a software program replace within the coming months.
Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional for $600 and $900: The Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Professional (7/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2023 are nonetheless that can be purchased and so they’re nice gadgets with a lot of life left in them. Simply be sure to do not spend greater than $500 or $700. Something extra and you must simply purchase from the brand new Pixel 9 sequence.
Honor Magic V3 for £1,799: For those who’re exterior the US, the Magic V3 is perhaps the perfect folding cellphone proper now; it is definitely the world’s thinnest folding cellphone (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It has nice battery life, a large exterior display screen that seems like a traditional cellphone, and an expansive interior display screen when unfolded. Even the cameras are versatile, although the ultrawide is not nice, and the cellphone’s total software program can induce some annoyances.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 for $1,900: The Fold6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a superb big-screen folding smartphone. For those who’re anxious about sturdiness and repairability when buying a fold, Samsung is your greatest guess because it has been producing these gadgets for the longest time. The cameras snap nice photographs, the shows get shockingly vivid, and Samsung guarantees prolonged software program assist. The Fold6’s exterior display screen is barely wider and far nicer to make use of than earlier iterations, however in any other case, there will not be a ton of recent modifications exterior of AI developments. You’ll be able to nonetheless snag final 12 months’s Galaxy Z Fold5 to avoid wasting dough.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 for $1,100: The Flip6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has some perks over Motorola’s new Razr+, like a nicer hinge mechanism, higher construct high quality, stronger cameras, and longer software program assist. However I nonetheless most well-liked the general expertise on Motorola’s flip, principally because of the bigger exterior display screen. Nonetheless, the Flip6’s 3.4-inch cowl display screen is helpful for glancing via widgets, and you’ll open it as much as get a big-screen Android cellphone expertise. The Galaxy Z Flip5 is a worthy choice to contemplate in case you do not thoughts shopping for final 12 months’s tech at a cheaper price.
Motorola Moto G Play 2024 for $130: On a decent funds? This Motorola cellphone does not have NFC for contactless funds, nor does it assist 5G. It will additionally solely get one Android OS improve. That mentioned, efficiency was fairly good in my time testing it, and the 6.5-inch LCD display screen was readable in sunny circumstances.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Sequence ($700+): The Galaxy S23 vary (9/10, WIRED Recommends) consists of the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23, the 6.6-inch S23+, and the large 6.8-inch S23 Extremely are filled with high-end options, from the highly effective Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that retains even essentially the most demanding video games working superbly to the fluid and vivid 120-Hz AMOLED shows. Battery life has improved throughout the board, with the S23 comfortably lasting greater than a day and the S23 Extremely hitting practically two full days with common use. The triple digital camera methods are the spotlight, delivering outstanding outcomes whether or not it is day or evening. The S23 Extremely has the particular 10X optical zoom digital camera, which is not accessible on the newest S24 Extremely, and I miss it. It was good having the ability to seize sharp photographs of objects far-off. It is the one cellphone within the trio with the embedded S Pen stylus in case you wish to doodle. Attempt to keep away from the MSRP since they seem to be a 12 months outdated; generally these costs match the newest fashions, which is a foul deal.
Xiaomi Poco X6 for £319 and X6 Professional for £369: Not within the US? You must check out the Poxo X6 or Poco X6 Professional (7/10, WIRED Recommends). These are speedy telephones contemplating the low costs, nice shows, and respectable battery life, plus the X6 even has a headphone jack! It is a disgrace there’s quite a lot of bloatware and restricted water resistance, and the cameras are lackluster.
