The Android ecosystem is all about alternative. Whereas iPhone house owners have a smaller pool of latest gadgets to select from when it’s time to improve, there’s an enormous vary of latest Android telephones yearly. A few of them even fold in half! You need a built-in stylus? A flagship processor for much less cash? Possibly even — dare I say it — an unapologetically pink telephone with matching earbuds? You’ve bought choices on Android.

On the flip facet, all that alternative could make for some exhausting selections. Right here’s the place I’d like to assist; I’ve examined a complete boatload of current Android telephones, and I believe there are some actual winners within the present crop. It’s all a matter of what you’re searching for, what you’re snug spending, and what your definition of a “moderately sized telephone” is. (I’ve my very own, personally.)

Right here’s one thing else to think about: one of many yr’s greatest Android telephone launches is probably going simply across the nook. We’re anticipating Google to announce new Pixels this fall, because it tends to do, and rumors level to some substantial upgrades to the digicam together with the top of the curved-edge design, ultimately. Should you’re concerned with a brand new Pixel, it’s price ready some time to see what’s new this yr. In any other case, a lot of the yr’s main Android telephone launches are behind us, and there are some nice choices on the desk.

Should you reside 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 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 price acknowledging that most individuals within the US get their telephones “without spending a dime” from their wi-fi provider. Should you can handle it, shopping for a telephone unlocked offers you probably the most flexibility and freedom if you find yourself wanting to vary carriers within the close to future. Telephone producers additionally provide financing and trade-in offers to make fee extra manageable. However should you’re comfortable together with your provider and the free telephone on provide is the one you really need, by all means, take the free telephone. Simply be sure you perceive the phrases, particularly if it’s essential to change plans to money in on the deal. 

Nonetheless you go about it, you’ve gotten some implausible choices on your subsequent Android telephone.

Display: 6.2-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G3 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F1.7 important with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,575mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 12W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68

There’s extra space between Google’s commonplace and Professional mannequin Pixels within the 8 sequence than there’s been up to now couple of generations. The Pixel 8 will miss out on among the showcase AI applied sciences that the Professional will get within the coming yr, besides, it’s a telephone with plenty of smarts and quality-of-life updates that will make nearly anybody comfortable.

Loads has modified right here and there from the Pixel 7, beginning with the dimensions. In an age of massive and greater telephones, the Pixel 8 really shrank a bit yr over yr, from a 6.3-inch display to six.2 inches. This brings the general gadget dimensions down only a smidge, too, making it a extra snug telephone to carry one-handed. The display has been upgraded with a 120Hz prime refresh charge, which has turn into the usual for high-end telephones (at the least on Android).

Different updates aren’t instantly apparent however make an actual distinction in how you utilize the telephone in your each day life. Face unlock now works for funds and password managers — not simply unlocking your gadget. Google Assistant is best at understanding pauses and emphasis in pure language, which makes it really feel like a extra great tool usually. The digicam system is sweet as at all times, bolstered this yr by the addition of some AI-driven picture enhancing instruments which can be creepily good.

Importantly, the Pixel 8 will get the fundamental stuff proper, too. The battery goes all day, there’s an IP68 ranking for strong mud and water resistance, and wi-fi charging is an choice should you’re into that. Better of all, Google is promising seven years of OS upgrades, which is an enormous enchancment over the three platform updates it supplied on earlier fashions. The entire above makes it a winner should you’re searching for one of the best telephone to get you thru your day now — and sustain for a very long time to come back.

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

Display: 6.1-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy / Cameras: 50-megapixel F1.8 important with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 3,900mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68

The Samsung Galaxy S23 isn’t actually a small telephone. It’s simply an average-sized telephone, however common begins trying awfully small when the most important telephones include 6.8-inch screens. It’s a bit bit greater than the Asus Zenfone 10, however its greater 6.1-inch display in comparison with 5.9 inches is well worth the tradeoff of a barely taller telephone. It additionally has all of the conveniences of a real flagship telephone, too: wi-fi charging, an IP68 ranking for thorough water and dirt resistance, plus a devoted telephoto lens.

The digicam system is able to glorious pictures, although Samsung’s processing actually likes to lean into vivid colours, and generally it’s an excessive amount of. Portrait pictures are glorious, although, notably with the 3x telephoto lens. Battery life is sweet sufficient to get by means of a full day, however should you plan to do plenty of gaming or different processing-intensive actions, you may want a noon recharge. Small telephones, small batteries, and so on.

It might not qualify as really small, however as different telephone makers push extra options to their greater, higher-end fashions, the Galaxy S23 stands out as a well-equipped virtually small telephone. Simply don’t point out it to an iPhone Mini fan — it’s too quickly.

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy S23.

Display: 6.8-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy / Cameras: 200-megapixel important with OIS, 10-megapixel 10x 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 S23 Extremely isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. It’s expensive, beginning at $1,199, and because of a 6.8-inch display, it’s large. It’s additionally probably the most highly effective Android telephone you should purchase within the US proper now, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, S Pen stylus help with a built-in silo for storage, and two — depend ’em, two — telephoto cameras on the rear panel. It’s type of exhausting to think about what else Samsung might presumably stuff into this telephone.

The display on the middle of this spec monster is a 6.8-inch OLED with a variable refresh charge as much as 120Hz and 1440p decision. It’s beautiful, and the even higher information is that it’s extra battery-efficient than final yr’s mannequin. Between that and the brand new chipset, the S23 Extremely will get by means of a full day of heavy use with a bit extra wiggle room than its predecessor might. 

The S23 Extremely’s digicam system is a serious purpose to contemplate placing within the further money for this mannequin somewhat than the S23 Plus. There’s nothing fairly prefer it out there on some other flagship telephone: there’s each a 3x and 10x telephoto digicam plus an ultrawide and, oh yeah, a 200-megapixel important digicam.

The 200-megapixel factor is simply partially a stunt — more often than not, you’ll be getting a 12-megapixel file from it, however the further knowledge from all these pixels appears to assist the system provide you with some implausible photos. It sometimes makes some bizarre judgments or turns the HDR as much as 11, however it’s usually excellent and, right here and there, is even able to beautiful “I can’t consider it’s not a ‘actual’ digicam” pictures.

Our complaints about Samsung software program stand, sadly, and its faults are much more evident on a really expensive telephone. Why the spammy clickbait hyperlinks within the climate app? And who on earth desires push notifications from the Samsung Galaxy retailer? You don’t get that type of factor on a Pixel telephone. Nonetheless, there are sufficient spectacular issues in regards to the S23 Extremely that it’s price some minor software program annoyances.  

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely.

Display: 7.6-inch 2176p 120Hz OLED internal display, 6.2-inch 2316p 120Hz OLED cowl display / 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), four-megapixel under-display selfie (internal display) / Battery: 4,400mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

Samsung’s flagship foldable isn’t the one present on the town anymore, however it’s nonetheless your best option for most individuals searching for a folding telephone. Its multitasking capabilities are 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 a bit 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 vital issues to contemplate, 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 quite a bit 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 somewhat than with a niche between the 2 halves of the telephone, and that’s about it. A few software program updates that it provides 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.

Should you’re a faithful Pixel fan or averse to the Fold 5’s slim kind 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 provide the perfect worth proposition in its upper-midrange class. For sheer ROI, the Pixel 7 is the higher choose. But when it’s fashion you’re after and one thing a bit totally different, then the Telephone 2 is a straightforward choose.

It provides a very good 6.7-inch display, nice each day efficiency and battery life, and a succesful digicam system. However that’s the standard stuff — what’s uncommon in regards to the Telephone 2 is its set of LED gentle strips on the again panel. They illuminate in mixtures known as “glyphs,” and you’ll set them to provide you with a warning 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 simply splash-resistant somewhat than totally immune to water submersion like just about 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 alternative. One factor’s for positive — it undoubtedly stands out from the group.

Learn my full overview of the Nothing Telephone 2.

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

There’s the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung’s clamshell-style foldable. It’s way more helpful than its predecessors, because of a much bigger 3.4-inch cowl display that means that you can sort out texts and emails on a full QWERTY keyboard. It’s not as versatile because the Fold 5, however it additionally prices a way more cheap $999. One other flip telephone price contemplating: the Motorola Razr Plus. It’s not as sturdy because the Flip 5, and its cowl display widgets aren’t as helpful, however it runs full apps on the outer show extra simply. And it’s simply plain enjoyable, gosh dang it.

On the opposite facet of the foldable spectrum, the OnePlus Open is a welcome addition to the combo with one of the best display format on a book-style folding telephone. It’s skinny and light-weight, and the software program consists of some considerate approaches to multi-tasking — an important 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 beautiful gadget to make use of.

There’s yet another Pixel telephone to contemplate: the Google Pixel 7A. It’s $499 and has the identical Tensor G2 processor because the Pixel 7 and seven Professional. The 7A is unquestionably one of the best telephone digicam you will get for the cash, and it comes with good creature comforts not normally seen in price range gadgets, like wi-fi charging. It’s on the expensive facet of the “price range” class, however it’s designed to go the gap.

Replace October twenty second, 2023, 1:20PM ET: Changed the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus with the Google Pixel 8 as one of the best Android telephone total. Eliminated the Google Pixel 7 and added the Samsung Galaxy S23 as one of the best small flagship telephone. Eliminated the Google Pixel 7 Professional as an also-consider and added the OnePlus Open.