The Best Android Phones To Handle Calls, Take Photos And Everything Else (2023)

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If you want a phone packed with the latest technology and tons of customization, you’ll inevitably look towards one of the best Android phones, such as our pick for best overall, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Android phones have a well-deserved reputation for being more innovative and flexible than the Apple iPhone, and they’re often more affordably priced as well.

Why consider an Android phone over an iPhone? “Android and iOS have grown more similar over the years, but one advantage Android continues to hold over the iPhone is the level of choice and diversity it offers,” notes JR Raphael, founder and publisher of Android Intelligence. Even though Apple’s current iPhone 14 Series has three models, “the iPhone is essentially a single approach, under one company's close control. Android is an entire platform, with lots of different companies competing and bringing their own unique visions into the mix. You can decide which type of device and experience is right for you.”

Raphael continues: “With the iPhone, if you like what Apple has at any given moment, that's great. But if you aren't entirely thrilled with Apple’s hardware choices or the software decisions, you're pretty much out of luck. On Android, you've always got a massive menu of options.”

The 5G Android phones on our list are all priced as unlocked phones for use on any carrier (confirm compatibility with your service before buying). Many of these phones have an additional discount at the time of purchase, if you are activating a new phone plan. Typically, manufacturers and retailers sell these phones directly. Many carriers also sell these phones with a service plan, but the pricing is carrier dependent.

After research and experience, we’ve chosen the best Android phones you can buy today. Whether you’re looking for a phone that matches well to your personal and professional life, or a phone that won’t break your budget, there’s something here for you.

Best Android Phone Overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best Value Android Phone: OnePlus 11 5G
Best Folding Android Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Best Mid-Range Android Phone: Google Pixel 7
Best Budget Android Phone: Google Pixel 6a
Best Compact Android Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

Best Android Phone Overall

Sleek Design, Loaded With Features

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Display size: 6.8-inch | Display type: 3,088 x 1,440-pixel AMOLED, up to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate | RAM: 8GB/12GB | Storage: 256GB | Battery life: 5,000 mAh | Dimensions: 6.4 x 3.1 x 0.4 inches | Weight: 8.3 ounces | Front camera: 12 megapixels | Rear camera: 200 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultra-wide), 10 megapixels (telephoto with 10x optical zoom), 10 megapixels (telephoto with 3x optical zoom) | Charging: 45W wired, 10W wireless| Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Best for: Photography, videography and high performance.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best Android phone you can buy today. This phone improves upon its capable predecessor, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, with a sharper design and impressive camera that can capture up to 200-megapixel images. The advantage to all those extra pixels is you can crop into the photo and reframe it without losing clarity. Beyond its pro-level camera array, this phone packs the fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a crisp, vibrant QHD+ display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 1,750 nits. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but you can step up 12GB of RAM with either 512GB or 1TB at an extra cost—a worthwhile choice if you plan to shoot lots of high-res photos or 8K video. The phone has a strong IP68 water resistance rating, so you can safely take it out about and not worry about the environment.

Another standout feature is this phone’s integrated S Pen stylus, a handy way to write, draw and annotate directly on the screen. And, if you use the phone with the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro noise cancelling wireless earbuds, you can listen to 360-degree audio.

From our full review: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra capably delivers on its hype. This powerful phone has an elegant design, a gorgeous display and the most versatile and capable cameras in an Android phone you can buy today.

Pros:

Impressive camera setup
Integrated S Pen stylus
Beautiful display

Cons:

Only includes a USB cable
No memory card slot

Best Value Android Phone

Awesome Camera And Much More

OnePlus 11 5G

Best for: Excellent performance and specialty photography.

The new OnePlus 11 5G is currently the best value Android phone you can buy. This unlocked phone comes in at a lower price than its closest competitor, the Google Pixel 7 Pro. Which to buy comes down a personal decision. Both are competitively priced, are powered by advanced processors and excel at photography (though the Pixel 7 Pro has the edge there). There are subtle differences between the two phones, but both offer a good value for the money—with features you’d expect from a phone more than twice its price. The $700 128GB version still bests the Google Pixel 7 Pro’s regular price, giving it a slight edge, and even the $800 256GB version with 16GB of RAM is a value price compared with the Google Pixel 7 Pro.

The OnePlus 11 can shoot video at up to 8K at 24 fps (the Pixel 7 Pro only does 4K video). It also captures impressive still images, thanks to a Hasselblad-driven camera array. This phone is good for gaming, thanks to the display’s Dolby Vision and HDR10/10+ support and its 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The internal speakers support Dolby Atmos with noise cancellation, but to hear the highest quality audio, we recommend using this phone with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds. Functionality for these earbuds is seamlessly integrated into the phone’s OS.

In short, if you want a versatile and highly customizable phone that’s well designed, durable and feature-packed, the OnePlus 11 5G is a great option. We do, however, recommend upgrading to the configuration with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage for $100 more.

From our full review: During my rigorous testing—which involved voice calls, listening to music, streaming video, playing games and more—I found the OnePlus 11 5G a powerful and reliable phone with a lot of customizable options.

Honorable Mention: Incredible Power And AI-Assisted Photos

Editor’s Pick

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Best for: AI-assisted photography and seamlessly tapping into Google’s service ecosystem.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is an attractive, stylish phone, with a distinctive band across the back housing three cameras. It has a vibrant and bright QHD+ OLED display. At 6.7-inches, the display is a satisfying size, although you can see the difference in the size of text when compared with larger 6.8-inch screens (like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra). This model’s impressive cameras—the best being a 50-megapixel wide lens—can produce well-exposed images even in tricky lighting. It also has Google’s AI-enhanced 30x Super Res Zoom, crystal clear macro photography and background blur effects. Google’s Real Tone feature aims to capture accurately the nuances of any skin tone, and it succeeds at this well. The phone only captures video at 4K at 60 fps.

Whether you’re shooting video, talking on the phone or on a video call, the Pixel 7 Pro uses stereo speakers and three built-in microphones to ensure you hear and capture clear audio. It has a slim and modern design, 12GB of RAM and starts at 128GB of storage (step up to 256Gb for $100 more, or 512GB for $150 more). Among the features that make this phone stand out from the competition: In addition to its built-in fingerprint scanner and facial recognition, it has a built-in virtual private network (VPN), which provides extra security when accessing the internet without needing to install third-party software. Google’s services—from Gmail and Google Maps, to Google Pay and YouTube—are all well-integrated, creating a seamless user experience.

From our full review: Android 13 really shines on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. There are some nice, small UI improvements that enhance the Google experience. For example, Now Playing—the feature that automatically identifies music—is available in the drop down menu instead of just on the lock screen. [And] ...the new AI-powered camera options are standout features and also completely unique.

Pros:

Stylish design
Excellent AI-enhanced cameras
Highly customizable

Cons:

Battery life is average

Best Folding Android Phone

Larger Folding Phone With A Handy Stylus

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

Display size: 7.6-inch (unfolded), (6.2-inch folded) | Display type: 1,812 x 2,176-pixel AMOLED display, up to 120Hz refresh rate | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB | Battery: 4,400 mAh | Dimensions: 6.1 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches (unfolded), 6.1 x 2.6 x 0.6 inches (folded) | Weight: 9.3 ounces | Front camera: 4 megapixels (front), 10 megapixels (cover camera) | Rear camera: 50 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultra-wide) and 10 megapixels (telephoto) | Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless | Processor: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | OS: Android 12 (upgradable to Android 13)

Best for: A large, tablet-like display that folds up to a pocket-size phone.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is too small to be a tablet, yet too large to serve as a traditional smartphone. However, it’s ideal for anyone who wants a larger (7.6-inch) touchscreen display that’s reminiscent of a tablet but folds nicely to fit in a sport coat pocket or purse. The integrated S Pen lets you handwrite or draw on the display, and you can easily convert handwriting to editable text. The massive QXGA+ display makes productivity tasks like reviewing and annotating documents a breeze. Since the main display uses a folding design, two separate apps can easily run simultaneously (one on each screen), or a single app can make full use of the display’s real estate. When folded, the phone is narrower and bulkier than most competitors, but fully usable as a phone thanks to the cover display.

As with other top-tier Samsung phones, the Galaxy Z Fold4 features an excellent camera setup, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options, plus enough performance to make the most graphic-intensive games run smoothly. With its top IPX8 water resistance rating, you don't need to worry about getting the phone wet, while the display’s Corning Gorilla Glass helps prevent scratches and cracks. It comes with 256GB of storage, but 512GB (an extra $120) or 1TB (an extra $240) are strong choices if you plan to use the camera liberally. This phone’s appeal lies with its large, compelling screen, perfect for when you don’t want to carry around a tablet.

Pros:

Large, vibrant 7.6-inch display (unfolded)
Integrated S Pen
Great for multitasking

Cons:

Expensive
Thicker and heavier than a typical smartphone

Best Mid-Range Android Phone

Scaled Down From The Ultra, But Still Feature-Packed

Google Pixel 7

Best for: Apps and photography on a smaller, general-purpose Android phone.

If you don’t need the large size display and pro-level camera setup in the Google Pixel 7 Pro, the scaled-down Google Pixel 7 is a strong, less costly alternative. The baseline unlocked phone has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Since the camera is so strong on the Pixel 7, upgrading to the 256GB version for $100 more is a good bet—especially if you plan to shoot and store lots of high-resolution video.

The Pixel 7 has all the advanced features of the Pixel 7 Pro, but it lacks that model’s telephoto camera and 120Hz display. The phone is sleek and compact in-hand, and its appearance and user interface are extremely customizable. It also seamlessly integrates with other Google mobile devices and services. Like the Pixel 7 Pro, this phone takes security rather seriously, with a fingerprint scanner, facial recognition and a built-in VPN. The phone has an IP67 water resistance rating; plus, it has a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for added durability. And with its maximum brightness of 1,400 nits, the display is easily viewable in virtually any lighting situation, including sunlight.

Pros:

Beautiful and bright 6.3-inch display
Plenty of built-in security features
Powered by Google Tensor G2 Titan

Cons:

Lacks telephoto lens
Slower display refresh rate

Best Budget Android Phone

This Google Device Is Easy On The Wallet

Google Pixel 6a

Best for: Experiencing the features of a Google Pixel smartphone without the high-end features or high price.

For anyone who does not need the cutting-edge features built into the more expensive Google Pixel 7 or Google Pixel 7 Pro, the scaled-down and more affordable Google Pixel 6a might be the perfect choice. Like all Pixel phones, this model gets updates from Google for 5 years after its release, so this 2022 model has plenty of life left in it. The most appealing thing about this phone is its price: You can often find it for less than $350.

The Pixel 6a offers an impressive battery life, fast performance thanks to the Google Tensor processor, plus security features that use the Titan M2 chip. It has a secure fingerprint unlock, but it lacks face recognition. The FHD+ OLED display is good, but it lacks the same faster refresh rates of the Pixel 7 series. The camera array is a generation behind, too, although the software does a great a job focusing on faces, maintaining accurate skin tone and capturing detail even in low light. Like all the Pixel phones, this one is also extremely customizable. One drawback is the phone is only available with 128GB of storage, but for the many, this capacity is more than enough.

Pros:

Integrates with other Google gear, like the Pixel Buds Pro wireless earbuds and the Google Watch
Comes unlocked and uses eSIM technology
Compatible with all Google apps and services, like Gmail, Google Translate, Google Photos and Google Maps

Cons:

Cameras are lower resolution than other Pixel smartphones
Slow charging speed

Best Compact Android Phone

Pocket-Sized, And Capable Of Unique Angles

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

Display size: 6.7-inch (main), 1.9-inch (front) | Display type: 2,640 x 1,080 pixel AMOLED display, up to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (main) / 512 x 260 pixel (front) | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | Battery: 3,700 mAh | Dimensions: 2.8 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches (unfolded), 3.3 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches (folded) | Weight: 6.6 ounces | Front camera: 10 megapixels | Rear camera: 12 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultra-wide) | Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless | Processor: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | OS: Android 12

Best for: Unique, hands-free camera angles in a full-featured, pocket-size phone.

Traditional smartphone designs have a rectangular shape that makes it difficult to fit in a pocket or prop up on a flat surface without the use of an optional stand. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4’s design addresses both these issues. It also folds up to fit inside the palm of your hand—or a tight pocket. You can prop this phone up as a tent, or fold the phone into an L-shape, using half of the body as a base. These configurations open up a world of new camera angles, as well as the flexibility to take pictures without having to hold the camera yourself or set it up on a tripod. Unfortunately, the camera array isn’t as advanced as on the larger Galaxy Z Fold4 or the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has a choice of 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of storage. For the most user, we recommend going with the 256GB configuration. But if you’re a power user, choose the 512GB configuration to ensure you have plenty of storage for your photos, videos, apps, files and related content. The phone has an IPX8 water resistance rating. When folded, the phone has a 1.9-inch outside cover screen so you can view the clock, notifications and messages, for example, without having to open the phone. The main screen is a tall, 6.7-inch AMOLED display. This phone stands out for its folding design, yet it’s able to do everything a typical Android phone can handle.

Pros:

Folding design
Outside cover screen gives immediate information
6.7-inch main touchscreen display

Cons:

Less advanced rear cameras

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What To Look For When Choosing An Android Phone

There’s a lot to think about when choosing a new phone. First, consider how you’ll be using it and what features are most important to you. For example, do you want a large touchscreen display with a virtual keyboard that’s easier to type on? Will you be shooting lots of photos and videos? Or do you expect to store a lot of movies, music and photos—which requires plenty of storage?

Let’s look at some of the most important features to consider when shopping for a new Android smartphone.

Display

Android phones come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The phone’s physical size usually determines the size of the phone’s display. However, with foldable phones, you typically get two screens, and the main display is actually double the phone’s footprint. While all displays look the same when dark, not all displays are equal. They can vary in refresh rate, brightness and resolution, which contribute to how sharp and responsive the phone’s touchscreen feels.

If you’ll be using the phone to take and view photos, watch videos or play games, a larger size display with a fast refresh rate and a high resolution will be extremely beneficial. However, if your primary use of the smartphone is to make and receive calls and use text messaging, you can get away with a smaller screen with a lower resolution. This typically translates to needing a less expensive phone.

Connectivity

Look for the latest phones with the 5G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Doing so ensures the fastest internet connection speed possible, while allowing you to take advantage of the most current and secure cellular phone networks offered by cellular service providers within the United States and abroad. It also provides faster data transfer rates between devices and low latency audio when using wireless headphones or earbuds with the phone.

Design

Android-based smartphones come in many sizes and designs, including several that fold (allowing them to fit easily into a pocket). The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Motorola Razr are two examples of smaller size phones that fold. Choose a smartphone that fits well in your hand, makes it easy for you to type and offers a display that matches your needs.

If you’re looking for a larger size smartphone (which by default has a larger size display), check out the Google Pixel 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, OnePlus 11 5G, or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Processor

The processor is the heart of a phone. Just as with a computer, the faster and more powerful the processor, the better the performance you’ll get from the phone. The Google Pixel 7 Pro uses Google’s own Tensor G2 processor and Titan M2 security chip, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and OnePlus 11 5G, for example, take full advantage of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.

The main difference between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is that the latter supports Bluetooth 5.3 and the aptX lossless audio codec. This allows you to transmit audio from the device to wireless earbuds, headphones or speakers in CD quality, with minimal latency. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is also 12% faster, has added compute power and generates less heat (which makes it more power efficient).

Internal Storage

The amount of internal storage (measured in gigabytes) within a smartphone determines how much data—including files, photos, videos and apps—can reside on the device itself. If you’re a casual user with low storage needs, go with the lower-end storage option. An average user, however, should consider the phone’s middle option, while a power user (with extensive storage needs) should select the configuration with the most storage possible.

The more storage the phone offers, the higher the price. The Google Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, for example, each offers configurations with either 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of storage, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, offers 256GB, 512GB or 1TB storage options. A few smartphones only offer one storage option, but some of these also support a memory card for adding more storage.

Overall Size and Weight

The display size of the phone has a direct correlation with the overall size and weight of the device itself (unless the device folds, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, Motorola Razr and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Non-folding smartphones are typically thin and rectangular, to fit comfortably within your hands and travel in a larger pocket or a purse.

Battery Life

Most smartphone users need a smartphone with an all-day battery life. However, depending on which features you use, the battery within the phone could get depleted faster. For example, extensively using 5G cellular service (as opposed to Wi-Fi) and the phone’s internal speakers will typically drain battery life faster.

Pay attention to the battery life advertised for the phone, but keep in mind that when you use the phone in the real world, its actual battery life will vary. For this reason, it makes sense to invest in extra chargers or an external battery pack (also called a power bank).

Front And Rear Cameras

On most smartphones, you get one front-facing camera which is used for taking selfies and taking part in video calls. On the back of the phone, you’ll find between one and four additional cameras. These rear-facing cameras typically offer a higher resolution and give you multiple zoom and field of view options when taking pictures or shooting video. So, if smartphone photography or videography is important to you, choose a higher-end phone with a more powerful camera setup, like the Google Pixel 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or OnePlus 11 5G.

Special Features

These days, most Android-based smartphones are at least water-resistant, although some are waterproof and more shock resistant than others. This allows them to be used in harsher climates without fear of damage. All include GPS for navigation, along with 5G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Meanwhile, some smartphones offer a folding design, while others have extra built-in sensors that make it easier to manage and track fitness and health-related activities, for example.

How Often Should You Upgrade Your Android Phone?

If you don't yet own a 5G compatible smartphone, we recommend upgrading your phone sometime this year to take advantage of the latest 5G offerings from your cellular service provider. A 5G phone also offers the most robust security features being incorporated into the latest phones.

Once you have a 5G compatible phone, if you want the absolute latest features and fastest performance, then upgrade your phone every year. However, the benefits vary, and usually involve upgrades to cameras and battery efficiency. If you’re an average smartphone user, chances are you’ll be able to get three to four years out of your smartphone before needing to upgrade.

Are Android Phones More Innovative Than iPhones?

The short answer here is yes. “Apple tends to take its time bringing new approaches and types of technology into its limited universe. Switching ecosystems isn't easy—something Apple spends a lot of energy ensuring—so Apple doesn't have to be quite as aggressive at bringing the latest and greatest possibilities into its products, since it's largely just competing with itself,” explains Android Intelligence’s Raphael.

The competition among Android phones helps push manufacturers to do more with Android, faster. “On Android, all of the choice means a lot more competition. And competition, as we see in lots of different domains, tends to drive innovation at a much more rapid pace,” continues Raphael. “Android device-makers are often pushing the envelope when it comes to cutting-edge technology and new and different things, whether we're talking folding or even sliding screens or camera configurations that go beyond the current status quo.”

Are Android Phones Less Expensive Than iPhones

This is a generalization, at best. “Android phones run the gamut from dirt-cheap budget devices to sky-high premium phones—with models that are far pricier than any baseline iPhone option. It all comes down to a matter of choice and what you want,” notes Raphael. “As you'd expect, the super-low-end budget models tend to make compromises and are less pleasant to use. But once you start getting into the mid-range realm, you can find some compelling choices in the $400 to $500 range. And as you veer more into premium territory, you'll encounter some incredibly impressive high-end devices that are right up there alongside any iPhone in poise, polish, and all-around quality, along with devices that far exceed what Apple is even trying in terms of cutting-edge technology.”

Should You Purchase An Unlocked Android Phone?

The phones in this roundup are all sold “unlocked,” meaning it will work with any compatible cellular service provider by inserting the proper SIM card or using an electronic SIM. If you buy a phone through a carrier with activation, though, the phone starts out as “locked” to that provider. While carriers offer incentives—and better prices and payment plans—to buy through them, buying an Android phone unlocked gives the most flexibility possible when switching between service providers.

Which Brand Of Android Phone Is The Best?

This is rather subjective. It could be said that the Google Pixel smartphones are the best Android phones, since it’s Google that developed the Android operating system. Samsung leads the pack in features and performance. And other Android phone manufacturers may offer certain features you find important at the price you want to pay. While Google and Samsung are the most popular Android smartphone manufacturers, if you’re looking for a phone with certain niche capabilities or a lower price, it’s worth looking into Android phones from companies like Motorola, OnePlus and more.

One benefit to going with a Google or Samsung phone is that both have an impressive ecosystem of devices—including tablets, smartwatches, Bluetooth earbuds and smart speakers—all designed to work seamlessly with that company’s phone.

How We Chose The Best Android Smartphones

We combined research with hands-on testing and experience, and we spoke with product experts and industry leaders to help us determine the products that make the cut. We carefully evaluated each smartphone’s display, processor, camera setup and more. We also paid attention to what sets each Android smartphone apart from its competition.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted tech team strives to offer accurate, trustworthy product assessments that are the result of intensive research and hands-on testing. Our writers and editors have years of experience writing about a broad range of consumer electronics and have the background and expertise to help you make the best buying decisions possible.

The Best Android Phones To Handle Calls, Take Photos And Everything Else (2023)

Best Android Phone Overall

Sleek Design, Loaded With Features

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Best Value Android Phone

Awesome Camera And Much More

OnePlus 11 5G

Honorable Mention: Incredible Power And AI-Assisted Photos

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Best Folding Android Phone

Larger Folding Phone With A Handy Stylus

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

Best Mid-Range Android Phone

Scaled Down From The Ultra, But Still Feature-Packed

Google Pixel 7

Best Budget Android Phone

This Google Device Is Easy On The Wallet

Google Pixel 6a

Best Compact Android Phone

Pocket-Sized, And Capable Of Unique Angles

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

What To Look For When Choosing An Android Phone

Display

Connectivity

Design

Processor

Internal Storage

Overall Size and Weight

Battery Life

Front And Rear Cameras

Special Features

How Often Should You Upgrade Your Android Phone?

Are Android Phones More Innovative Than iPhones?

Are Android Phones Less Expensive Than iPhones

Should You Purchase An Unlocked Android Phone?

Which Brand Of Android Phone Is The Best?

How We Chose The Best Android Smartphones

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

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