The best Android phone to buy in 2023

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

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

For those who dwell within the US, I’ve some unhealthy information, although. For classy causes having to do with “capitalism” and “geopolitics,” we don’t get almost as lots 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 units I’ve personally examined in depth; thus, it’s a pretty US-centric set of suggestions. 

With that in thoughts, it’s additionally value acknowledging that most individuals within the US get their telephones “at no cost” from their wi-fi service. For those who can handle it, shopping for a telephone unlocked gives you probably the most flexibility and freedom if you find yourself wanting to vary carriers within the close to future. Cellphone 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 actually need, by all means, take the free telephone. Simply ensure you perceive the phrases, particularly if it’s essential to change plans to money in on the deal. 

Nonetheless you go about it, you could have some implausible choices to your subsequent Android telephone buy accessible proper now.

Display screen: 6.6-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy / Cameras: 50-megapixel F1.8 primary with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68

Samsung’s Galaxy S sequence telephones have been the go-to high-end Android telephone for the previous few years — notably within the US — and there’s motive for that: they’re wonderful units. The Galaxy S23 Plus is a minor replace to that profitable method, however that also makes it a winner. It neatly checks each merchandise on the listing of 2023 must-have flagship options: a beautiful, massive 6.6-inch display, a succesful digicam system with a telephoto lens, strong climate resistance, and nice battery life. At $999, it’s not low-cost, but it surely’s additionally not the costliest flagship telephone you should buy.

It’s not shocking that the S23 Plus contains Qualcomm’s newest chipset: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However what is shocking is that every one variations of this telephone bought throughout the globe use that Snapdragon processor — beforehand, some areas would get a Samsung-made Exynos chip. That’s nice information as a result of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is superb, and it makes the S23 Plus sing. Day-to-day efficiency is top-notch, and battery stamina is far improved. There’s a bigger 4,700mAh battery cell within the Plus this 12 months, however the 8 Gen 2 can also be well-tuned to preserve battery.

The 50-megapixel primary digicam, ultrawide, and 3x telephoto cameras that make up the S23 Plus’ imaging system aren’t showstoppers just like the S23 Extremely, however they’re greater than ample for many conditions. Sometimes, the S23 Plus takes gorgeous pictures, notably in its telephoto portrait mode. Nevertheless it’s additionally vulnerable to some heavy-handed processing that goes just a little too onerous on the HDR typically.

Samsung’s software program isn’t our favourite, both. With just a little work up entrance, you possibly can uninstall or at the least disguise a lot of the proprietary apps and companies Samsung insists on downloading, however it could be good to not need to tango with Bixby within the first place. However on the intense facet, Samsung provides one of many strongest software program assist insurance policies from any Android device-maker, with 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of safety updates promised. Even when the preliminary setup takes just a little work to get proper, at the least you received’t need to do it over again in a few years.

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus.

Display screen: 6.3-inch 1080p 90Hz OLED / Processor: Google Tensor G2 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F1.85 with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10.8-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,355mAh / Charging: 30W wired, 20W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68

Relying on the way you take a look at it, the Google Pixel 7 can cross as both a budget-friendly flagship or a premium midrange telephone. At $599, it’s a bit cheaper than Samsung’s S-series telephones and likewise a bit dearer than a midranger just like the Galaxy A54. Its specs observe swimsuit: you get the high-quality construct and conveniences of a high-end system, like an IP68 score and wi-fi charging, however you miss out on good extras like a telephoto digicam and a 120Hz display. If these issues aren’t tremendous necessary to you, then the Pixel 7 is one heck of deal.

The Pixel 7 and its step-up 7 Professional sibling use Google’s newest customized chipset, Tensor G2. It delivers flagship-level efficiency, but it surely’s additionally a part of the Pixel sequence’ particular sauce of Google-exclusive options. They’re typically intelligent however kind of a combined bag when it comes to how useful they really are. 

Clear Calling, which is unique to the Pixel 7 sequence, is like noise cancellation for telephone calls that makes it simpler to listen to somebody you’re speaking to once they’re in a loud surroundings. Different options designed to make navigating telephone timber and customer support calls much less painful don’t work as effectively persistently. However they aren’t actively unhealthy, and Google has confirmed dedicated to supporting its units with updates and new options all through their life spans.

Software program actually is the Pixel 7’s energy. It runs a clear model of Android, freed from duplicate assistants and app shops ( you, Samsung) and might be supported effectively into the close to future with three OS upgrades and 5 years of safety patches. On the {hardware} entrance, you’ll need to dwell with a few concessions Google made to maintain the value down. The 6.3-inch display is simply effective, however its 90Hz refresh charge is a bit slower than the super-smooth scrolling 120Hz screens on most telephones at this worth. 

The Pixel 7 can also be lacking a telephoto rear digicam, although the 2x crop mode from the 50-megapixel primary sensor does an admirable impression of a real optical telephoto lens. The ultrawide digicam can also be a technology behind the Pixel 7 Professional’s. However outdoors of these few drawbacks, you don’t miss out on a complete lot by choosing the Pixel 7 reasonably than the 7 Professional — and also you undoubtedly get to maintain just a few additional {dollars} in your pocket.

Learn my full overview of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional.

Display screen: 6.8-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy / Cameras: 200-megapixel primary 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 dear, beginning at $1,199, and due to a 6.8-inch display, it’s big. It’s additionally probably the most highly effective Android telephone you should buy within the US proper now, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, S Pen stylus assist with a built-in silo for storage, and two — rely ’em, two — telephoto cameras on the rear panel. It’s sort of onerous to think about what else Samsung may probably stuff into this telephone.

The display on the heart of this spec monster is a 6.8-inch OLED with a variable refresh charge as much as 120Hz and 1440p decision. It’s pretty, and the even higher information is that it’s extra battery-efficient than final 12 months’s mannequin. Between that and the brand new chipset, the S23 Extremely will get by a full day of heavy use with just a little extra wiggle room than its predecessor may. 

The S23 Extremely’s digicam system is a serious motive to think about placing within the additional money for this mannequin reasonably than the S23 Plus. There’s nothing fairly prefer it accessible on some other flagship telephone: there’s each a 3x and 10x telephoto digicam plus an ultrawide and, oh yeah, a 200-megapixel primary digicam.

The 200-megapixel factor is barely partially a stunt — more often than not, you’ll be getting a 12-megapixel file from it, however the additional knowledge from all these pixels appears to assist the system provide you with some implausible photographs. It sometimes makes some bizarre judgments or turns the HDR as much as 11, but it surely’s typically excellent and, right here and there, is even able to gorgeous “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 dear 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 sort of factor on a Pixel telephone. Nonetheless, there are sufficient spectacular issues in regards to the S23 Extremely that it’s value some minor software program annoyances.  

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely.

Display screen: 6.7-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F1.8 primary with OIS, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 32-megapixel 2x telephoto, 16-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 80W wired (100W outdoors of US) / Climate resistance: IP64

The US Android market is dominated by Samsung and Google (effectively, principally Samsung). However we do have just a few options to these manufacturers, and the OnePlus 11 5G is a standout for somebody who desires a high-performing system for a bit much less cash. It makes use of the wonderful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, however at $699, it’s $300 cheaper than the S23 Extremely with an identical processor. 

The OnePlus 11 has a few different issues going for it, too, together with a implausible 6.7-inch 1440p show with a high 120Hz refresh charge. There’s additionally very quick wired charging with the included quick charger — as much as 80W within the US, which is able to take its large 5,000mAh battery from empty to 100% in lower than half-hour. It’s quick sufficient to make in a single day charging elective. 

On the draw back, there are a few issues lacking right here that you just’ll discover on most different telephones at this worth. The primary is wi-fi charging, which can be a deal-breaker for those who’re already invested in charging your telephone that approach. And the OnePlus 11 is barely rated to IP64, not IP68 like nearly each different flagship. Meaning it’s immune to splashes and spray however isn’t constructed to face up to full immersion in water for any size of time. 

These two lacking options slender the OnePlus 11’s enchantment. For those who’re not involved about dropping your telephone in a puddle (or bathroom, or bathtub, or sink, or swimming pool) and also you’d reasonably cost your telephone shortly than on a wi-fi charging pad, then the 11 5G is an effective way to get wonderful efficiency and hold just a little more money in your pockets.

Learn my full overview of the OnePlus 11 5G.

Display screen: 7.6-inch 2176p 120Hz OLED inside display, 6.2-inch 2316p 120Hz OLED cowl display / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.8 primary with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display), four-megapixel under-display selfie (inside display) / Battery: 4,400mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

There’s nothing fairly just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 in the marketplace, notably within the US. The Z Fold 4 is Samsung’s tablet-style foldable — you’ve received a 6.2-inch cowl display on the skin for regular telephone stuff, however on the within, it unfolds to an enormous 7.6-inch display. It’s a degree of versatility you received’t discover on any conventional slab-style telephone. It’s priced accordingly, too, at a steep $1,799 MSRP.

The Z Fold 4 is as sturdy as foldables come proper now. It’s IPX8 rated, so it’s protected in opposition to full immersion in water. However that “X” means there’s no assure in opposition to mud intrusion, and regardless of Samsung’s greatest efforts to strengthen the system’s resistance to environmental components, long-term sturdiness remains to be a query mark. That’s most likely a leap of religion most individuals received’t be capable of take for a $1,800 telephone.

The Z Fold 4 additionally runs up in opposition to one other limitation on the software program facet: the Android pill app ecosystem. Apps don’t at all times make nice use of the massive inside display; they’re typically simply scaled-up telephone apps, leaving plenty of unused clean house. Fortunately, Samsung’s UI provides loads of assist to rearrange a number of home windows for multitasking. It might probably take just a little futzing, however you can also make use of that large canvas by displaying a number of apps without delay. 

Uncertainty about the way it will maintain up in the long term, and the two-hands-on-ness required to profit from it imply the Z Fold 4 is sort of a gadget particular person’s gadget. It’s a showcase of {hardware} innovation, and you are able to do issues with it that slab-style telephones can solely dream of. For those who’ve received the literal and figurative deep pockets for it, you’ll be effectively rewarded.

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Display screen: 5.9-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.9 primary with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,300mAh / Charging: 30W wired / Climate resistance: IP68

The idea of a “small” telephone is fluid. What we contemplate small now was gigantic solely a handful of years in the past, however proper now, something with a display smaller than 6.1 inches matches the class. That’s very true within the Android ecosystem, the place large screens reign supreme. In comparison with one thing just like the S23 Extremely, the $699 Asus Zenfone 9 is downright tiny, with a 5.9-inch show. It’s additionally a pleasant little system with wonderful construct high quality and a considerate design. It’s your greatest wager for a “small” Android telephone, although there are a few necessary disclaimers right here.

The primary is that it doesn’t work on Verizon’s community — not on 4G or 5G. That places it out of rivalry instantly for lots of people within the US. Asus additionally solely guarantees two years of software program updates, and we’re nearly a 12 months into its lifespan already because it got here out in July 2022. There’s additionally no wi-fi charging, which stinks. 

On the intense facet, the Zenfone 9 is IP68 rated, so it ought to survive dunks and splashes simply effective. It’s powered by a extremely succesful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, and its primary 50-megapixel rear digicam makes use of gimbal-like stabilization for terribly {smooth} video footage. You’ll additionally discover a uncommon headphone jack on the Zenfone 9, which is simply considerate of Asus to incorporate. 

There are too many cons to broadly suggest the Zenfone 9, however for those who’re on the best wi-fi community and none of its different shortcomings are deal-breakers, then it is a system that can completely delight small telephone followers.

Learn my full overview of the Asus Zenfone 9.

There are various extra nice Android units that weren’t coated right here, and some are value calling out that didn’t fairly make the lower for a suggestion. The Galaxy S23 Plus’ smaller sibling, the Galaxy S23, is a implausible choice if you need a considerably smaller Android telephone. Its 6.1-inch display doesn’t put it in “small telephone” territory, but it surely’s way more pocketable than the opposite two S23 fashions. Battery life has been improved this 12 months on the S23, too, which was a weak level for the S22. 

There’s additionally the Galaxy Z Flip 4, Samsung’s clamshell-style foldable. It provides a 6.7-inch inside display that folds in half with a small 1.9-inch cowl display on the skin for heads-up information and notifications. It’s sort of like an everyday telephone with a smartwatch glued on the entrance. It’s not as versatile because the Z Fold 4, but it surely prices a way more cheap $999. I’ve the identical considerations about long-term sturdiness as I do with the Z Fold, and the quilt display might be extra helpful. Nonetheless, it’s plenty of enjoyable to make use of, and it folds down sufficiently small to slot in your entrance denims pocket. 

For those who’re all in on Google’s ecosystem, then the Pixel 7 Professional is an effective (and considerably apparent) step-up choice. It doesn’t supply any important upgrades in comparison with the Pixel 7 however does include 5x telephoto digicam. The display is larger — 6.7 inches in comparison with 6.3 — and it’s additionally just a little nicer, with a quicker 120Hz high refresh charge. However the Pixel 7 is priced so effectively, it’s sort of inconceivable not to suggest it, and most of the people will discover every thing they want within the base mannequin.

There’s another Pixel telephone to think about: the Google Pixel 6A. It’s possible going to get replaced within the close to future, and it’s a solidly midrange system with much less strong weatherproofing, a previous-gen digicam, and a middling show. Nonetheless, it’s effectively priced at $449 and infrequently on sale lately, and for those who don’t essentially want a best-of-the-best Android telephone, it’s a implausible discount for an important midtier system.