Your Guide to Today’s Best Android Smartphones

Key Specs

• Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
• Display: 6.1-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
• Camera: Triple rear camera (50MP wide, 10MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide), 10MP selfie camera
• Memory: 8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 5G is the best Android phone for most buyers, ticking all the boxes. It has a sleek design, a tough build, a bright and vibrant display, top-tier hardware specs and performance, and dependable battery life. Its $800 starting price tag is also agreeable, especially considering the design and features it offers.

The triple camera setup of the Galaxy S22 5G is one of the best, and so is its selfie camera. The phone also delivers an excellent Android experience. Samsung will treat it to timely platform and security updates for years.

If you are looking for a phone with a bigger screen, consider the pricier Galaxy S22+ instead. It has similar specs but a larger 6.6-inch display panel and a beefier battery. The phones arrived with a vast selection of original and third-party protective cases.

Reviewed: Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+

Key Specs

• Chip: Google Tensor
• Display: 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
• Camera: Triple rear camera (50MP wide, 48MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide), 11MP selfie camera
• Memory: 8/12GB RAM, 128/256/512GB storage

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the big-screen Android phone to get. For $100 less than the Samsung Galaxy S22+, it has a bigger and sharper screen, more RAM for better multitasking capabilities, a superior telephoto camera, and a larger battery. The Pixel will also get Android updates sooner.

Another bit I like about the Pixel 6 Pro is that, unlike the Galaxy S22, that’s almost identical to its predecessor, it has a distinctive design with a unique camera bar. Its dual-color finishes are also very characterful.

For $300 less than the Pro, you can snag a Pixel 6 with the same design but a dual rear camera, a 6.4-inch screen with lower resolution and refresh rate, and less RAM.

Reviewed: Google Pixel 6 Pro

Key Specs

• Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480
• Display: 6.4-inch FHD+ IPS display, 90 Hz maximum refresh rate
• Camera: Triple rear camera (13MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP monochrome), 16MP selfie camera
• Memory: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, microSD card slot

In terms of affordability, performance, and available features, the OnePlus Nord N200 exceeded my expectations, merging sleek design, stellar hardware, and phenomenal battery life. The product can easily last up to 2 days between charges, and its retail package includes a fast charger.

The sharp 6.4-inch display of the device is fantastic for its price range. Thanks to a 90 Hz refresh rate, it's vibrant and pleasant to interact with, making the phone feel pricier. There are no stereo speakers, but you'll get a standard audio jack.

If you are looking for an Android phone on a tighter budget, consider the sub-$200 OnePlus Nord N100 instead. It has a similar design but no 5G and a lower-resolution screen.

Key Specs

• Chip: Exynos 1280
• Display: 6.5-inch Edge FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
• Camera: Quadruple rear camera (64MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth, 5MP macro), 32MP selfie camera
• Memory: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, microSD card slot

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the best Android phone a sub-$500 budget will get you. Sporting a $450 sticker, it has a cool design with an IP67 rating for water resistance. Its up-to-date hardware specs include a beautiful display, a multi-sensor camera, and a big battery, to name a few highlights.

Compared to the pricier Samsung Galaxy S phones, the A53 5G has an inferior camera and a less premium plastic build. Unlike the Galaxy A52 5G that precedes it, the phone lacks an audio jack, but it still packs a memory card slot.

The Google Pixel 5a with 5G is another solid sub-$500 phone. Its screen lacks a high refresh rate, but its great camera and stock interface are worthy tradeoffs.

Reviewed: Google Pixel 5a With 5G

Key Specs

• Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
• Display: 6.7-inch folding Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz refresh rate, 1.9-inch external Super AMOLED
• Camera: Dual rear camera (12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide), 10MP selfie camera
• Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB storage

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip3 deserves your attention (and hard-earned money) for offering a striking foldable design without skimping on top-tier specs and essentials like IPX8 water resistance. Like every top-shelf Samsung Galaxy, the Z Flip3 has a powerful chip, a captivating display, and a solid camera. However, its battery is small by today’s top-shelf phone standards.

The product’s design, in addition to being a conversation starter, makes it easier to carry than a standard phone with such a big screen. After years of lugging solid rectangles, I found the Z Flip 3 to be refreshingly compact while testing it.

If your budget permits, consider the pricier Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 instead. The S Pen-compatible gadget can replace a phone and a tablet.

Reviewed: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3

Key Specs

• Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
• Display: 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
• Camera: Triple rear camera (48MP main, 8MP telephoto, 50MP ultra-wide), 32MP selfie camera
• Memory: 8GB RAM, 128GB storage

The OnePlus 10 Pro smartphone is a solid alternative to the best Samsung and Google phones, offering premium design, specs, and performance for a similar or lower price. It costs $100 less than the Samsung Galaxy S22+ despite having a bigger screen and a larger battery.

Insanely fast wired and wireless charging sets the phone apart from its top-shelf rivals. Its bundled charger — a costly optional accessory for high-end phones — can replenish its battery in head-spinning 34 minutes. A OnePlus wireless charger can give the 10 Pro a full battery in only 40 minutes.

An official rating for water resistance is a notably missing feature, though it’s not a dealbreaker. A representative told me that the device could survive exposure to water.

Reviewed: OnePlus 10 Pro

Key Specs

• Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
• Display: 6.8-inch Edge QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
• Camera: Quadruple rear camera (108MP main, dual 10MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide), 40MP selfie camera
• Memory: 8/12GB RAM, 128/256/512GB, 1TB storage

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G smartphone, like the S21 Ultra and the Note20 Ultra it replaces, is the absolute best big-screen Android. It has a captivating display, a luxurious build, a powerful chipset, a best-in-class camera setup, and a big battery that can easily make it through a day of heavy use.

The first Galaxy S with an integrated S Pen stylus is tailor-made for power users. The legendary accessory and the product’s class-leading specs ensure that there’s no task it isn’t up for.

This is the big Android phone to get if your budget has no limits. Since its launch, it’s been my go-to Android, and I haven’t encountered a rival to match its capabilities yet.

Reviewed: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra