10 Greatest Android Telephones of 2025, Examined and Reviewed
Is Now a Good Time to Purchase?
Sure. Most of the telephones on this information are the newest fashions we have examined, however extra importantly, there is a robust probability that costs of electronics like smartphones, laptops, and tablets will begin creeping up over the approaching months because of the heavy China tariffs. It is an evolving scenario, however it’s sensible to purchase a brand new smartphone now (if it’s essential improve), as an alternative of ready and ending up having to pay an absurd value.
We suggest unlocked telephones on this information. When a cellphone is bought as unlocked, which means it may be used on a number of wi-fi carriers and networks. Whenever you purchase a cellphone straight out of your wi-fi service, often on a cost plan, it typically comes locked to that community.
Carriers are legally required to unlock a cellphone upon request so you may change networks, however it’s a giant trouble. Attempt to pay full value on your cellphone, or ensure that it particularly says it is unlocked. Purchase it from the producer straight, or examine your service’s insurance policies for unlocking telephones in the event that they’re purchased on a cost plan that requires you to make use of its community. It is much less of a trouble if you journey and need to change to a world SIM card too.
Android Specs to Look For
If not one of the smartphones on this information strike your fancy and also you need to hold wanting, listed here are a few issues to bear in mind as you store.
Show measurement: You maintain a smartphone on a regular basis, so ensure that no matter you decide is the suitable measurement on your palms. Most small Android telephones are round 6.1 to six.3 inches (measured diagonally), whereas bigger telephones usually high out at 6.8 or 6.9 inches.
Processor: Most smartphones are powered by a Qualcomm or MediaTek processor. Google telephones use the corporate’s in-house Tensor chip, and a few Samsung telephones make the most of Samsung’s Exynos processor in choose markets. It is troublesome to say how reliably a processor will carry out with out critiques and benchmark outcomes, so do your analysis. In the event you’re after dependable efficiency, attempt to keep on with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 collection or increased, or MediaTek’s Dimensity 7000 collection or increased.
RAM: You will on the very least desire a cellphone with 6 GB of RAM, although 8 GB can be higher. It will allow you to juggle a number of apps way more seamlessly. If you wish to future-proof your machine, choosing 12 or 16 GB will seemingly permit you to higher entry new and upcoming synthetic intelligence options, although it is determined by the producer and the way nicely they help their units.
Cooling: Good-performing telephones may be ruined in the event that they get too scorching as a result of then the processor will get throttled, inflicting slowdowns. This largely applies to people who sport so much, however it’s value checking whether or not there is a devoted cooling system on the cellphone. You will need to search for language like “warmth pipes” or “vapor chamber cooling.”
Refresh price: Most telephones used to come back with 60-Hz refresh charges, that means the show refreshed 60 frames per second. These days, even low-cost telephones provide 90- or 120-Hz screens. The extra frames refreshed in a second, the extra fluid every little thing seems and feels. It would sound small, however it may possibly make a giant distinction in your smartphone feeling buttery easy. We have now a broader information that explains this expertise additional. Flagship telephones have screens with variable refresh charges that vary from 1 to 120 Hz, that means they’re typically extra battery environment friendly.
Battery capability: Smartphone batteries are measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). An enormous battery does not essentially imply higher battery life, as a result of a lot is determined by the dimensions of the display and different applied sciences the cellphone is powering. That stated, most telephones ought to have 4,000-mAh cells or increased, and also you usually will not see something increased than 5,500 mAh. Some telephones now have silicon-carbon batteries, a brand new expertise that enables them to be denser however thinner—the OnePlus 13, for instance, has a 6,000-mAh battery however is slimmer than lots of its friends.
Charging speeds: Most Android smartphones can cost quick, however sure corporations provide shockingly quick recharge instances. That is often as a result of they’ve a proprietary charging brick you will want to make use of. You could find charging velocity data on a cellphone’s product spec web page. OnePlus telephones are well-known for recharging absolutely inside round half-hour. Simply do not forget that lately, most smartphones don’t include a charging brick, only a cable. We have now extra particulars on this quick charging information.
Software program updates: Software program help is essential. It means your cellphone will keep safe for longer and you will get new options over time. The gold normal in Android is 7 years proper now, due to Samsung and Google. Nevertheless, when you’ve got a cadence of changing your cellphone each two or three years, then the lesser replace insurance policies of different Android cellphone makers won’t be as large of a deal to you.
Cameras: Digital camera specs are very deceptive. A cellphone with a 108-megapixel sensor does not imply it can take higher images than a cellphone with a 50-MP sensor. The one technique to actually know is to have a look at critiques. What you are able to do, if the digital camera is essential to you, is verify if there is a versatile system. The most effective digital camera telephones provide a main extensive digital camera, an ultrawide, and a telephoto zoom (often at 5X zoom). That stated, low-cost telephones have a tendency to come back with lots of cameras, lots of that are ineffective.
Further options: It is essential to not overlook the smaller options it’s possible you’ll anticipate. Does the cellphone have a near-field communication sensor (NFC) so you can also make contactless funds? Does it have a very good IP ranking that may survive a drop within the pool? Is there wi-fi charging? What a few microSD card slot or headphone jack? Be sure to vet the cellphone’s tech specs in the event you’re after one thing particular.
5G service: Most new smartphones help 5G now, the present technology of community connectivity. If the cellphone you are does not help 5G—do not fret! 4G LTE is not going wherever but. Do not feel pressured to improve to a 5G cellphone. That stated, you do want a 5G-enabled smartphone if you wish to make use of 5G speeds. It is obtainable in telephones as low-cost as $200.
How one can Swap Between Telephones
One of the simplest ways to modify telephones is to observe the setup prompts if you first boot up your new machine—be sure you switch knowledge from an previous cellphone through a cable. It is a lot sooner than doing it wirelessly, although that is an choice too. Some producers, like Samsung, will counsel you obtain a proprietary knowledge switch app in your previous machine, like Good Swap, and it’s best to. It means much less be just right for you—whether or not it is fewer apps it’s essential signal into or fewer icons it’s essential rearrange. In the event you’re coming from an iPhone, you need to use Google’s official Android Swap app, although it isn’t vital in case you are switching to a Samsung cellphone.
Try our recommendations on establishing your new Android cellphone for extra, and our steps on methods to again up an Android and methods to manufacturing facility reset it.
I put my private SIM card in each smartphone I check, and usually use it for per week, if not two or three. I stress check efficiency by enjoying cellular video games and working benchmark checks, like Geekbench and Antutu, whereas additionally monitoring thermals. I ensure that to make calls to check the smartphone’s microphone high quality since, you recognize, it is nonetheless a cellphone.
I typically do digital camera testing by bringing a competing cellphone alongside and analyzing images aspect by aspect on a bigger, extra color-accurate display. I have been reviewing smartphones for near a decade—not simply the flagship units both. I am at all times testing low-cost telephones to see what improvements are trickling down.
Different Telephones to Take into account
We check a ton of Android telephones. We like those beneath, however you will be higher off with one of many choices above. If you have not but accomplished so, take a look at our Greatest Low-cost Telephones and Greatest Folding Telephones guides for extra.
Google Pixel 9 for $699: The Pixel 9 is a good smartphone (9/10, WIRED Recommends), however between the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 9 Professional collection, it struggles to face out. It shares many options with its pricier siblings, however you will get a very comparable expertise with the Pixel 9a, all whereas saving tons of of {dollars}. In the event you love the design and wish the brand new sensible software program options, do not let me cease you!
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for $1,100: Samsung’s newest innovation is to slim down the smartphone to an amazingly skinny 5.8 mm. That is not as spectacular as telephones from the previous, however the Galaxy S25 Edge (6/10, WIRED Recommends) continues to be spectacular if you maintain this light-weight 6.7-inch cellphone in your hand. It maintains a number of options from the Galaxy S25 Extremely, besides there isn’t any S Pen stylus, no telephoto cameras in anyway, and battery life just isn’t good in any respect for a cellphone of this measurement and value. I routinely needed to hold it topped up all through the day. However in the event you’re a mean to mild consumer, it’s possible you’ll discover it adequate, and possibly you’ll admire the skinny and light-weight measurement much more.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for $650: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is a greater purchase now that the flagship Galaxy S24 collection is tougher to search out on the market. It is a completely succesful smartphone with a triple-camera array (together with a 3X telephoto digital camera), and it delivers good efficiency. It has wi-fi charging, is IP68 water-proof, and has stable day-long battery life. It is a disgrace the design’s a bit drab. Alternatively, you may attempt to discover the flagship Galaxy S24 collection on sale: the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Extremely are nonetheless wonderful units, however be sure you do not spend wherever close to their MSRP.
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Motorola Moto G Energy 2025 for $300: The brand new Moto G Energy (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is not as nice as its predecessor, and that comes down to at least one purpose: Resulting from a lesser chipset, there is a slight hit in efficiency, and it feels a bit extra sluggish to make use of. Nevertheless, the efficiency is nice sufficient that you just received’t really feel annoyed. Exterior of this, it is a exceptional $300 cellphone. The inexperienced fake leather-based again exudes luxurious, and it is good and slim. The cameras are stable, and the 6.8-inch LCD display has a 120-Hz display refresh price and will get loads shiny. Better of all, the corporate retained the wi-fi charging it debuted in final 12 months’s mannequin, making it one of many solely sub-$300 telephones with this comfort. One other space of enchancment? It is IP68/69-rated, so you will not must child this cellphone close to a pool; it may possibly deal with a dip simply advantageous. Motorola has additionally prolonged software program updates on the Moto G collection, promising two Android OS upgrades, with the identical 3 years of safety updates. There is a honest quantity of bloatware, however you may take away most of those preinstalled apps.
Google Pixel 8a for $487: The Pixel 8A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is not too dissimilar from the newest Pixel 9a. It seems beautiful (particularly within the flashy Aloe colour), has a robust processor—Tensor G3—and almost all the identical sensible software program options that make Pixels a pleasure to make use of. The 64-MP digital camera and a 13-MP ultrawide seize higher images than most midrange telephones, and also you get a compact 6.1-inch OLED display with a 120-Hz display refresh price besides. Be sure to do not pay greater than $399 for one. If it is near $499, simply purchase the newer Pixel 9a.
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Asus ROG Cellphone 9 for $1,000: The ROG cellphone collection is for severe avid gamers. There are two USB-C ports, so you may cost the cellphone comfortably even whereas utilizing it in panorama mode for gaming. It has perks like a headphone jack and a bevy of equipment you may connect, like a cooler and a cellular controller, to boost the gaming expertise. Sadly, different elements of this cellphone battle to match the excessive value—the software program can really feel clunky, and the cameras are in no way what you’d anticipate at this value stage. I additionally bumped into a couple of annoying bugs whereas utilizing the Cellphone 9 Professional.
Minimal Cellphone for $399: Having hassle curbing your display time? As a substitute of going chilly turkey with one thing just like the Gentle Cellphone III, attempt the Minimal Cellphone (6/10, WIRED Evaluation). That is an e-paper Android cellphone with a bodily keyboard. The objective is to allow you to entry the same old Android apps, however as a result of the display is ill-suited to movies and most social media, you will naturally have the ability to keep away from these distractions. It is profitable on this process, however the fixed display ghosting and plasticky construct dampen the expertise.
Google Pixel 8 for $600 and Pixel 8 Professional for $669: The Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Professional (7/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2023 are nonetheless in the stores, and so they’re nice units with plenty of life left in them. Simply be sure you do not spend greater than $600. (Costs continually fluctuate.) Something extra, and it’s best to simply purchase from the brand new Pixel 9 collection.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 for $1,900: The Fold6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a wonderful big-screen folding smartphone. In the event you’re fearful about sturdiness and repairability when buying a fold, Samsung is your finest wager, because it has been producing these units for the longest time. The cameras snap nice images, the shows get shockingly shiny, and Samsung guarantees prolonged software program help. The Fold6’s exterior display is barely wider and far nicer to make use of than earlier iterations, however in any other case, there should not a ton of latest adjustments exterior of AI developments. You may nonetheless snag 2023’s Galaxy Z Fold5 to avoid wasting dough.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 for $1,100: The Flip6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has some perks over Motorola’s new Razr+, like a nicer hinge mechanism, higher construct high quality, stronger cameras, and longer software program help. However I nonetheless most well-liked the general expertise on Motorola’s flip, largely because of the bigger exterior display. Nonetheless, the Flip6’s 3.4-inch cowl display is useful for glancing by widgets, and you may open it as much as get a big-screen Android cellphone expertise. The Galaxy Z Flip5 is a worthy choice in the event you do not thoughts shopping for 2023 tech at a cheaper price.
Cell Equipment You Would possibly Want
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
We have now case suggestions for a couple of in style units, like Samsung’s Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S23, or Google’s Pixel 9 collection. It is sensible to slap a case on these glass sandwiches and even a display protector to maintain the show freed from scuffs and scratches. Listed below are a couple of different noteworthy equipment, together with charging adapters, which many telephones do not embody anymore. Learn our Greatest USB-C Cables information for different suggestions.
Anker 45-Watt Charger for $28: This tiny charger can be sufficient for most individuals to cost most smartphones. It is compact, dependable, and low-cost, plus the prongs fold up. Extra smartphones than ever can go as much as 45-watt charging speeds, so take benefit with a 45-watt charger.
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Counterpart Retractable The Charger for $44: It isn’t the very best worth, however this design-forward charger has a retractable 4-foot cable that makes it a implausible two-in-one—no have to pack a separate charger and cable! It outputs 35 watts, which is loads to fast-charge most telephones and tablets, and the prongs fold in for journey.
Peak Design Samsung and Pixel On a regular basis Case for $50: In case you have a Samsung or Pixel cellphone and also you ceaselessly mount your cellphone to a motorbike or scooter, you owe it to your self to snag this case and Peak Design’s bike mount. The case snaps completely into the mount, is lifeless easy to launch, and has but to fall off after years of driving. Peak Design additionally sells a number of different equipment you may connect to the again of those instances, bringing Android into Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.
Nimble Champ Transportable Charger 10,000 mAh for $60: This moveable battery is sufficiently small to go away in a bag however has sufficient energy to completely recharge your cellphone a few times. There is a USB-C and USB-A port; it delivers 18 watts of energy, so it may possibly recharge your pill or cellphone, and it is housed in 73 % post-consumer plastic with plastic-free packaging.
Nomad ChargeKey V2 for $25: When your cellphone dies, it is virtually at all times if you overlook to deliver a charger or battery pack. The ChargeKey is a nifty answer—it is like clipping a tiny USB-C charging cable to your keychain. Simply plug one finish into your cellphone and the opposite into any sort of energy supply (a good friend’s cellphone or a charging adapter in the event you handle to search out one), and you may high up your cellphone. Native Union additionally has an analogous merchandise that is cuter however almost as succesful.
Select a Wi-fi Charger: Our information to the very best wi-fi chargers consists of dozens of fashions in various colours, shapes, and supplies, and even some designed for particular telephones. Not each Android cellphone helps wi-fi charging, however it’s a luxurious you will need to make the most of. Take a gander at our information for our favorites.
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