New smartphones are coming out left and right, and we already have an excellent selection of high-end and premium midrange devices that you can buy right now, in 2024. We have new Samsung Galaxy S24 devices, the new OnePlus 12 series, the Pixel 8 lineup, and many more to choose from, each offering better software features, support, and hardware.

We have a massive selection of high-end devices to choose from, and we have a fairly long list detailing the best Android smartphones that money can buy, including a few new foldables. Since our list strictly focuses on Android devices, we included some of our other guides below that will direct you to different guides. If you somehow managed to navigate to this page but want to see the latest and best iPhone lineup, you can find our recommended list here.

Here are the best Android smartphones you can buy right now

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Overall

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip with up to 1TB of storage, and a quad camera setup. The phone comes with Galaxy AI, bringing new advanced features to the table.

Pros

• Gorgeous, bright, and vivid display
• 7 years of OS and security updates
• Improved camera performance
• New Galaxy AI Features

Cons

• It costs $100 more than its predecessor
• The charging speed is still not competitive

Suppose you’re after the best Samsung Galaxy smartphone, and you don’t have a tight budget; the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is something you might be interested in. The new flagship has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with up to 12GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. It sports a 6.8-inch LTPO, Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz variable refresh rate, and it’s capable of handling everything you throw at it.

The phone has one of the most impressive camera setups in 2024, and it features a 200MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, a 10MP telephoto, and a 50MP periscope telephoto sensor that’s capable of 5x optical zoom. It has a large battery, and it’s one of the best Android flagships that money can buy in 2024.

However, if you don’t need such a large device or want to save a bit of money, both the Galaxy S24+ and standard Galaxy S24 offer equally great premium hardware and specifications, and the same 7 years of OS and security updates.

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  Google Pixel 8 Pro

  The Best Pixel in 2024

  The Google Pixel 8 Pro, featuring the third-generation Tensor G3, is Google’s flagship phone for 2023. It introduces some small improvements overall, a brand-new processor to set it apart, a thermometer sensor, and promises an outstanding smartphone camera experience.

  Pros

  • Bright and beautiful display
  • Excellent camera quality & features
  • 7 years of OS & Security updates

  Cons

  • Weaker processing prowess in comparison to rivals
  • It costs $100 more than its predecessor

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  Google Pixel 8

  Best Compact Pixel Phone

  $549 $699 Save $150

  The Google Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch display with adaptive refresh rate (up to 120Hz). It also ships with the improved Google Tensor G3 and a 4,575 mAh cell that will allow for all-day use. And if you enjoy capturing images on your smartphone, its cameras, enhanced by AI will help capture the best moment in your life.

  Pros

  • 120Hz display with 1400 nits of peak brigthness
  • Faster performance
  • Upgraded camera
  • 7 years of OS & Security updates

  Cons

  • It costs $100 more than the Pixel 7
  • Still only 27W wired charging

The Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Google Pixel 8 are some of the latest and best Pixel devices from Google. The larger Pixel 8 Pro comes with a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with 2400 nits of peak brightness, while the smaller Pixel 8 sports a 6.2-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 2000 nits of peak brightness. Both devices are powered by the latest Google Tensor G3 chip; the Pro model has 12GB of RAM, and the standard has 8GB.

The difference between the two devices isn’t just the size, but also some of the features. The Pixel 8 Pro has a 50MP primary, a 48MP ultrawide, and another 48MP telephoto sensor with 5x opical zoom. This is more capable, and benefits from additional AI features that Google bundles with the phone that allows users to take better and more enhanced videos and photos in all lighting conditions. The standard Pixel 8 has a 50MP primary, and a 12MP ultrawide, making it excellent for most occasions.

If you’re after a compact flagship with the latest features from Google, and you want a device that’ll continue receiving updates for seven years, the Pixel 8 is an excellent choice. However, if you want to take photography to the next level, and you’re looking for a larger device with a bigger battery, the Pixel 8 Pro might be the phone to choose.

OnePlus 12

Runner-up: A flagship for less

$800 $900 Save $100

The new OnePlus 12 features a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display, a larger 5,400 mAh battery, and the new powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. It has a new and improved camera setup with periscope telephoto lens, improved durability, and charging. 

OnePlus had a few rough years, but the latest OnePlus 12 offers major improvements over its predecessor, the OnePlus 11. The new device, like many new flagships, sport the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, coupled with 12/24GB of RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The phone has a 6.82-inch LTPO, AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. The panel supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits for general use, and a whopping 4,500 nits for HDR content.

The phone features an impressive triple Hasselblad camera setup that consists of a 50MP primary, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. There’s a 32MP front-facing camera, and OnePlus claims the new device offers major quality improvements when it comes to low-light photography.

We’re happy to recommend the OnePlus 12 to anyone looking for a flagship experience for less, assuming you’re happy with OnePlus’ implementation of Android and its unique features. The device comes with a large 5,400 mAh battery and support for 100W wired charging (internationally), and 80W wired charging in the US, offering 1-100% charge in just 30 minutes. The phone also supports 50W wireless charging and IP65 ingress protection.

Motorola Edge Plus (2023)

Premium Motorola Flagship

$600 $800 Save $200

Motorola Edge+ 2023 comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and a beautiful looking 6.7-inch AMOLED display. It even features a set of three cameras on the back that gives it a lot of versatility. And for $799, it’s one of the most bang for the buck devices available in 2023.

Pros

• Great design and quality
• Excellent performance
• Good battery life

Cons

• The curved display isn’t for everyone
• Software support isn’t on par with Samsung or Google

You might be surprised to see the Motorola Edge+ 2023 on this list, but there are a lot of good reasons it deserves a spot here. First and foremost, it’s a great all-rounder, and it offers high-end components at an affordable price tag that’s below the likes of Google and Samsung.

The Moto Edge+ is powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, coupled with a beefy 5,100 mAh battery and 66W wired, and 15W wireless charging. It has a 6.67-inch OLED screen with 165Hz refresh rate, and it’s IP68 rated against dust and water. There are gentle curves all around the front of the device, which might not be for everyone, yet, we love the look of it as it offers a seamless and smooth design that doesn’t appear to mess with the usability of the phone.

The Moto Edge+ performs well, and the camera takes decent photos, and it’s a massive step up from previous generation Moto devices. It still lacks behind the big names, but it’s roughly on par with OnePlus. In terms of software, Motorola continues to offer a near-stock Android experience with very little bloatware, and we’d recommend the Edge+ as an alternative for those who want a seamless experience for less.

REDMAGIC 9 Pro

Best Foldable in 2023

REDMAGIC 9 Pro is the latest gaming smartphone from the brand, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. It features a slightly tweaked design, a big 6,500 mAh battery with 80W fast charging, up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, and a full-screen front with an under-display selfie camera.

Pros

• Stunning full-screen display with an under-display camera
• Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
• Stylish design
• Impressive battery life and fast charging

Cons

• Ergonomics could be improved
• Lacks official IP rating
• No support for wireless charging

The nubia REDMAGIC 9 Pro is one of the best gaming smartphones that you can buy right now. It not only has an RGB light on the back, but it also has a dedicated fan, shoulder triggers, and the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

The REDMAGIC 9 Pro is a massive device, and it comes with a 6.8-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and even an under-display camera. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack, DTS:X Ultra sound, and it’s made of aviation aluminium.

The phone has an enormous 6,500 mAh battery and support for 80W fast wired charging. During our tests, Sanuj was unable to kill the device, regardless of how much he played. The phone was able to last on a single charge, and the 80W charging solution ensured that the phone charged up in just 35 minutes.

Of course, the camera isn’t a strong point for this device, but a gaming phone shouldn’t be considered for photography as its main selling point. That said, the device takes decent daytime photos but falls short in low light. The REDMAGIC 9 Pro is ideal for those who want a reliable and affordable gaming smartphone with high-end specifications. It provides excellent performance and is significantly cheaper than some flagship devices from other manufacturers, such as Google, Samsung, and even OnePlus.

OnePlus 12R

Best Midranger on a Budget

The OnePlus 12R is the new mid-range king from the flagship maker. It features a powerful triple camera setup, a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and a large 5,500 mAh battery that easily lasts a full day. It supports 80W wired charging, taking 0-100% in around 30 minutes.

Pros

• Flagship-level performance
• Excellent hardware and beautiful design
• Affordable

Cons

• It costs more than some other devices in the same category

The OnePlus 12R is an excellent midranger, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor with up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone starts at just $499 in the US and competes against the likes of the Pixel 7a.

The phone features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and 4,500 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. It’s fair to say, the OnePlus 12R might just have the best and brightest display in its category. When it comes to the camera setup, the phone features a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The front has a 16MP selfie shooter.

The device packs a 5,500 mAh battery and supports 100W fast wired charging, that OnePlus claims can go from 1-100% in just 26 minutes, making it one of the fastest charging devices under $500. The phone also has IP65 ingress protection and features most of the same features as its more expensive counterpart, the OnePlus 12.

Google Pixel 7a

Best Phone on a Budget

$450 $500 Save $50

The Pixel 7a is the new affordable smartphone from Google, featuring much-awaited features such as a 90Hz responsive display, a more powerful camera setup, and support for wireless charging. The Pixel 7a is powered by the Tensor G2 chipset, and it’s the best device in the A series yet.

Pros

• Great 90Hz display
• Wireless charging
• Excellent performance

Cons

• Slow wired and wireless charging

The Google Pixel 7a is an excellent budget device that costs less than $500. It’s one of the best Google pixel phones, and it has a powerful camera setup that competes against the biggest, best, and priciest flagship phones. The phone features 18W wired, and 7.5W wireless charging, and has an IP67 ingress protection certificate against water and dust.

The Pixel 7a is equipped with the Google Tensor G2 chipset, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. While these are good enough for even some power users, they won’t win any benchmark tests. That said, you can rest assured that most games and multitasking will work just fine, and the device will be plenty powerful and smooth.

The Pixel 7a packs a dual camera setup on the back, a 64MP primary, and a 13MP ultrawide. There’s also a 13MP front-facing camera. These sensors provide some of the best camera performance we’ve seen at this price point, and if you want to take photography seriously on a budget, you won’t find anything better than the Pixel 7a.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

Best Flip Phone in 2024

$850 $1000 Save $150

The latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes with a large 3.4-inch cover display, a 6.7-inch AMOLED foldable display with 120Hz refresh rate, upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, dual-12MP cameras, and much more.

Pros

• Beautiful design
• Large cover screen
• Great performance
• Excellent camera

Cons

• Slow charging
• Price increase outside of the US

Samsung further refined its flip phone, and it made it better with an even larger cover display, a new hinge mechanism, and a more efficient and powerful processor. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes with a 3.4-inch cover screen, and it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform. It has a large, 6.7-inch main display with 120Hz refresh rate, and it’s the best flip phone from Samsung yet.

It offers high-end performance in a slim, foldable form factor, and the large cover screen makes it possible to use the phone for far more things than before. Users can now use selected third-party apps, take better selfies using the main cameras on the back, and access their widgets and information without squinting.

We recommend the Flip 5 for anyone looking to try the foldable flip phone in a modern device, and those looking for a compact, portable form factor that can sit in pockets more easily than traditional smartphones. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is fun to use and has all the specifications to make it one of the best Android foldable smartphones in 2023.

Motorola Razr+ 2023

The Best Foldable from Motorola

$700 $1000 Save $300

The Motorola Razr+ (2023) (also known as Razr 40 Ultra in some regions) is the company’s latest flip-style foldable. It features a 6.9-inch AMOLED foldable display, a 3.6-inch cover screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, 12MP and 13MP cameras, and much more.

Pros

• Crease-less, beautiful displays
• Thin and light
• Great software features

Cons

• It’s a bit pricey
• Software support not as long as the competition
• No ingress protection

The Motorola Razr+ (also known as the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra in some regions) is an excellent alternative to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, and it has a decent camera setup and great battery life. It has a large 6.9-inch main screen, and a massive 3.6-inch pOLED cover screen, making excellent use of the space when the phone is closed shut.

The Razr+ is available in most regions, including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, and it’s one of the best alternatives to the Flip 5. It does, however, cost slightly more than Samsung’s flagship. That aside, it’s a compelling device with great features, and if you’re after a flip phone that does everything, and has a more stock Android user interface, this is the phone you should consider.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Best Foldable in 2024

$1500 $1800 Save $300

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the latest foldable flagship in the lineup. It’s equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a powerful triple rear camera, a large 6.2-inch cover and 7.6-inch main display, and a large battery that can last all day on a single charge.

Pros

• Beautiful large displays
• Superb performance
• Great overall battery life

Cons

• Minor refinement over Z Fold 4
• Expensive
• Slow charging speeds

Samsung may not have changed the game with the release of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but it sure made some small refinements to entice new users into joining the foldable smartphone market. The Fold 5 stands out with its unique design, and this year, Samsung finally managed to make the phone fold shut, without a gap in the middle.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and it has a 6.2-inch cover and 7.6-inch main display. Both screens offer excellent viewing angles, colors, and brightness, and are excellent for playing demanding games and movies for extended periods. The device is efficient, and the main screen also supports the S Pen stylus that lets users draw, make notes, and do sketches.

The Fold 5 also has a competitive camera setup, and while it won’t blow $1,000 phones out of the water, it’s more than capable of taking casual photos in all lighting conditions. It can last about a good day on a single charge, or even more, depending on the usage, and it’s the best Samsung foldable yet.

Google Pixel Fold

The Best Foldable from Google

The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable smartphone offering some of the finest hardware and software on the market. The device features a 5.8-inch cover display and a big 7.6-inch foldable display. It is powered by the Tensor G2 chipset and is backed by a 4,821 mAh battery.

Pros

• Beautiful design and display
• Large cover screen
• Comes with all the Pixel features we love
• Supports wireless charging

Cons

• Expensive
• Cover screen might be too wide for some

Google did many things right this year and in 2022, and the company managed to put not one, but two of its devices on our best Android smartphone list. Building up momentum with the excellent Pixel 7 series, Google announced the Pixel Fold at its Google I/O 2023 event back in June 2023.

The Pixel Fold has a 5.8-inch OLED cover screen, and a 7.6-inch OLED, 120Hz main screen. It follows the design language of the Pixel 7 series, and it even changes it slightly, though it’s undoubtedly a Pixel. It’s powered by the Google Tensor G2 chip, it’s IPX8 water resistant, and it has an excellent triple camera setup that can take on the highest-end flagship phones in 2024.

The Pixel Fold also has a large battery, and while it lacks support for a proper fast charging solution, it’s a device that can generally be used for an entire day without an issue. It’s ideal for anyone looking to get their hands on their first foldable device, and those who always wanted a folding phone running near stock Android with prompt updates, directly from Google.

OnePlus Open

OnePlus’ first Foldable

The new OnePlus Open is powered by the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and comes with an inward folding design. It houses a 7.8-inch main, and a 6.3-inch cover display with 120Hz refresh rate. It has a powerful triple camera setup, and support for 80W wired charging.

Pros

• Large and beautiful displays
• Great cameras
• Superb performance
• IPX4 water resistant

Cons

• It’s pricey
• Not as feature-packed as some competitors
• No wireless charging

The OnePlus Open is an excellent foldable flagship device, offering a premium experience. OnePlus nailed the fundamentals with its first foldable, and the phone includes most of the essential features you’d want to see in a device of this caliber. The Open features a 6.3-inch AMOLED cover screen with 120Hz, and 2800 nits of peak brightness. The main screen features a 7.8-inch screen with LTPO3, OLED, and 120Hz refresh rate.

The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It has all of the bells and whistles, and it also packs a triple camera setup on the back. There’s a 48MP primary, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. The cover screen has a 32MP front-facing camera, while the main display packs a 20MP sensor, capable of capturing excellent photos day or night.

The Open features IPX4 water resistance, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and it’s fairly slim at 11.7mm when folded. It’s one of the larger devices, however, that also means that it has a bigger battery. The Open comes with a 4,805 mAh cell inside, and it supports 67W fast wired charging in Europeand 80W elsewhere. The phone can go from 0% to 100% in 42 minutes, but it lacks support for wireless charging which is a step back, especially as it costs $1,700. That said, if you’re after a great overall experience, the OnePlus Open is worth considering as it’s one of the best foldable phones in 2024.

Honor Magic V2

An excellent alternative

The Honor Magic V2 is the thinnest and lightest foldable phone on the market. The Magic V2 has a large 7.92-inch inner foldable display and a 6.43-inch cover display. It also features a triple camera array and runs on the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.

Pros

• Beautiful displays and thin & light design
• 4 years of OS and 5 years of security updates
• Excellent cameras
• Great battery life

Cons

• No wireless charging
• It doesn’t have the latest hardware
• No ingress protection

​​The HONOR Magic V2 might be a couple of months old at this point. Still, the device has only become available in the EU and other key regions, making it an excellent alternative to the foldable devices mentioned above. The Magic V2 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, coupled with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.

It features a 6.43-inch OLED display with 120Hz, and a 7.92-inch OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate. It supports HONOR’s own stylus, and the cover screen offers a more usable and wider area than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, making it look like a traditional smartphone. The device is also 9.9mm when folded, yet it still comes with a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 66W wired charging. Unfortunately, the device lacks ingress protection of any kind, and there’s no wireless charging, but given the fast wired charging speeds, one could look past it. That said, we’re still hoping that HONOR changes its mind about these crucial features in the future.

With a starting price of £1,700 and €2,000 in the UK and Europe, it’s hard to recommend, however, the company offers various incentives that help bring the cost down to a more affordable level, and at those prices, it’s worth considering it over other foldables.

Which Android phone should you buy?

Depending on your needs, preferences, and budget, we recommend you consider the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Google Pixel 8 Pro, and their subsequent models in the series. The Galaxy S24+, Galaxy S24, and Google Pixel 8 are excellent devices that cost less, and the OnePlus 12, Moto Edge+, and IQOO 12 all offer exceptional value and an excellent overall experience for less.

When it comes to cheaper and more budget-oriented devices, the Google Pixel 7a and the OnePlus 12R both offer great value at a price that’s more affordable than some of the high-end Android phones on this list.

If you’re a gamer looking for a gaming smartphone, the nubia REDMAGIC 9 Pro offers an excellent performance. It’s not exactly for those wanting to take the best photos and videos, but for those who want the best overall gaming experience with dedicated shoulder buttons, RGB lights, and a fan to sustain the incredible performance. If you want to take mobile gaming more seriously and more competitively, this is a great pick.

Folding phones have also come a long way, and Android is the only platform that offers high-end devices. Whether you’re after a flip phone or another form factor, there are plenty of options to choose from. While Samsung might not longer be the best of its class, the new Galaxy Z Fold 5 still offers one of the best experiences for the majority of people, and the devices are widely available in most regions. Luckily, the competition is catching up, and the Google Pixel Fold, the OnePlus Open, and HONOR Magic V2 are all available at various prices. They offer excellent features, performance, and even a camera, and they’re worth considering and choosing over Samsung’s selection of foldables – assuming you find something else that you like more.