Best Android phones 2024

There's always a lot of choice among the best Android phones. But we guarantee the devices on this list are all winners; it just depends on your preferences and budget.

We think the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands head-and-shoulders above other Android phones thanks to its AI powered features, excellent cameras, and best-in-case performance. But if the S24 Ultra's $1,299 starting price is too much for you, perhaps you'll prefer more affordable phones like the OnePlus 12R and Google Pixel 8a. Or something in-between like the Google Pixel 8.

There's more to come before the end of the year, with August 13's Made by Google event the next big day on the calendar for Android phone announcements. (We anticipate seeing the new Pixel 9 family at that show.) But until those phones arrive, here are the best Android phones that we've tested and reviewed.

The Quick List

Best Android phone overall

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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t make major hardware changes from past Samsung flagships, instead putting most of its focus on new AI-powered features. These Galaxy AI capabilities are both practical and easy to use, allowing you to do things like get real-time translations on phone calls where someone speaks another language; automatically summarize and organize your notes; and search for things just by circling them.

The hardware changes may be modest, but they’re welcome — the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset powering the phone delivers performance that actually beats the iPhone 15 Pro Max on some speed tests. (That’s the first time we’ve seen that happen.) Power management features on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also contribute to the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s epic battery life, with the phone last nearly 17 hours on one charge in our testing.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra swaps out one of its telephoto lenses for a higher resolution sensor with less of an optical zoom, and that feels like a step back — so much so that we feel like it loses out the best camera phone title to Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max. Still, the cameras continue to produce excellent photos overall. Nevertheless, we tested its camera performance out in our Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max, S24 Ultra vs. OnePlus 12, and S24 Ultra vs. Pixel 8 Pro photo shootouts.

The bigger consideration is the $100 price hike Samsung instituted. Not everyone is going to be able to afford a $1,299 smartphone, but those that pay up for the Galaxy S24 Ultra will get a premium device in return. With seven years of software and security support provided by Samsung, this is a device clearly built to last a long time.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.

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Best alternative Android phone

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Before the Galaxy S24 Ultra made AI a focus, the Google Pixel 8 Pro was showing how AI could be integrated into your daily smartphone experience to make everyday tasks run smoother. Call screening features now feature a more realistic sounding assistant who takes incoming calls and even lets you know what the call is about so you can decide whether to answer after all. Proofreading and summary tools also benefit from the expanded machine learning powered by the Pixel 8 Pro's new Tensor G3 silicon.

But the AI is on full display in an area where Pixel phones have always thrived — the cameras. Magic Editor lets you change everything about your shot — lighting composition, even where the subject of the photo appears — with just a few taps. A face-swapping Best Take feature ensures you'll never have someone blinking in a group shot again. And Audio Magic Eraser keeps unwanted background noise out of the videos you capture. Combine those AI features with new camera hardware — every rear lens on the Pixel 8 Pro gets an upgrade — and this is a formidable camera phone.

The Pixel 8 Pro costs more than its predecessor, eliminating Google's pricing advantage. And overall performance still lags the best Android phones powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 silicon. But overall, the Pixel 8 Pro is one of the best phones Google has ever belt and a worthwhile alternative if you're looking beyond Samsung for your next device, especially with Google providing seven years of software support for the Pixel 8 lineup. We've even revisited its total package after using the Pixel 8 Pro for 6 months.

Read our full Google Pixel 8 Pro review.

Best Android phone value

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The Google Pixel 8a is a great device to get if you're on a limited budget. For just $499 (the same price as its predecessor), you can get a phone that still packs in some premium features like a 120Hz display, wireless charging support and the same Tensor G3 processor found in the Pixel 8 flagships. In many ways, it's impossible to tell the budget Pixel 8a from the more premium Pixel 8. What's amazing is that the Pixel 8a is also treated to the same seven years of support just like with the Pixel 8.

Even though there's not a major camera upgrade, which still uses a 64MP main shooter and a 13MP ultrawide lens, the AI features of the Pixel 8a carry a lot more of the weight because they're helpful. For example, it gains the same Magic Editor and Best Take features from the Pixel 8. We also like that the battery life on the Pixel 8a is much improved over its predecessor, albeit with the fast-refreshing display feature disabled.

Read our full Google Pixel 8a review.

Fast-charging Android phone

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It’s time to start including OnePlus in the same breath as Samsung and Google when talking about top Android phone makers, and the OnePlus 12 is a good example why. This phone has everything its rivals offer — a top performing processor, a distinct design and top-performing cameras. That last bit comes after years of improvements and a team-up with lens specialist Hasselblad to improve hat had been the weakest area of OnePlus flagships. With the OnePlus 12, cameras are now a strength.

It’s power management where the OnePlus 12 continues to excel. Our battery tests are ongoing, but we expect impressive numbers thanks to the efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a massive 5,400 mAh battery that reaches an outstanding 17+ hours in our testing. The OnePlus 12 continues to benefit from fast-charging technology, with support for 80W wired charging in the U.S. (It’s even faster elsewhere.) Wireless charging support returns to this model — a sign OnePlus listens to customer feedback.

The OnePlus 12 is more expensive than its predecessor by $100, but you can eliminate that extra cost through a trade-in program at OnePlus. With those savings, the OnePlus joins the Pixel 8 as an attractively priced flagship — and OnePlus offers a telephoto lens on its entry-level flagship. We just wish OnePlus could match the seven years of support Samsung and Google offer with their flagships, as the OnePlus 12 comes with a more limited four years of support.

Read our full OnePlus 12 review.

Most affordable Android flagship phone

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All the AI features found on the $999 Pixel Pro 8 are also available on the $699 Pixel 8, including the impressive photo-editing tools like Magic Editor and Best Take. Then again, that's not a surprise, as the Tensor G3 chip inside of Google's premium flagship also powers the Pixel 8.

You get more than just a smarter phone with the Pixel 8. Google swapped in a new display that's brighter than before, and the main camera has a wider aperture, improving performance in low-light settings. Even the battery life is much improved from the Pixel 7, though the Pixel 8 doesn't last as long as other phones in its price range. For all its AI powers, the Tensor chip lags behind top-of-the-line Snapdragon silicon for performance, so the Pixel 8 is not going to out-muscle other top Android phones.

Speaking of price, Google did raise the price on all its Pixel by $100. That said, the Pixel 8 continues to cost less than the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15, and it offers seven years of software support to boot.

Read our full Google Pixel 8 review.

Best budget Android phone alternative

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You don't have to pay flagship prices to get a top Android phone. For $499, the OnePlus 12R reaches new heights where no other sub-$500 priced Android has gone with its epic battery life. Paired with a bright display and cameras that are the surprisingly decent in a budget phone, the OnePlus 12R is every bit worth of being one of the best Android phones on a budget.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside the OnePlus 12R isn't exactly a powerhouse, but it can handle most mobile apps with aplomb. You'll also appreciate the colorful 6.78-inch panel on the OnePlus 12R and its ability to ramp up its refresh rate to 120Hz when on-screen activity would benefit from smoother scrolling. That's an awful lot of impressive features for a phone that won't put too big of a dent in your wallet. The only minor scratch in its otherwise pristine value is the rather short 3 years of software and security updates that OnePlus promises with the phone.

What's most astounding is its battery life. With a time of 18 hours and 42 minutes, it's the runner-up in our best phone battery life list.

Read our full OnePlus 12R review.

Most affordable Samsung flagship

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Despite being overshadowed by its bigger, more expensive siblings, the best things about the Galaxy S24 is that it packs a lot of muscle power in such a compact design. 

Specifically, the Galaxy S24 runs on the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset that powers more expensive S24 models. That not only means a performance boost over previous Galaxy S phones, it also helps the S24 turn in a time on our battery test that tops the average smartphone.

The Galaxy S24 offers a telephoto lens — not something you always find on a phone at this price. And all the cameras on the Galaxy S24 impress, as they benefit from Samsung's effort to improve low-light photography. However, the biggest incentive to get the S24 over other phones is its handful of Galaxy AI features. Some of them are practical and intuitive to use, saving you time to do other stuff.  Aside from that, the Galaxy S24 delivers the best of Samsung's flagship lineup in a more affordable package.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 review.

Best foldable

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Competition is heating up in the world of foldable phones, but the OnePlus Open emerges from the crowd by going big. Its cover display and interior screen are the largest out there for notebook-style foldables, and it boasts the best battery life of any foldable, too. Even the built-in storage — 512GB — is more than you may be used to. Cameras are the weakest part of the phone, especially when stacked up against the superior camera output produced by the Galaxy Z Fold 5. While the more recent Galaxy Z Fold 6 narrows the gap, we still would recommend the OnePlus Open over Samsung's foldable.

About the only thing OnePlus didn't supersize is the price of the Open. AT $1,699, it's $200 less than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and $100 cheaper than the Pixel Fold. Maybe that's not a big difference, but it gives the OnePlus Open an edge that its impressive specs and feature set take advantage of. Four years of software support plus another year of security updates should help your OnePlus Open stay current.

Read our full OnePlus Open review.

Best flip-phone foldable

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The best thing about the 2024 edition of the Motorola Razr Plus is something that didn't change from last year — the price. The Motorola Razr Plus (2024) still costs $999 at a time when the rival Galaxy Z Flip 6 raised its price to $1,099. That just might give Motorola the edge when comparing these two very similar folding flip phones.

But the Razr Plus has other things going for it, too, including upgraded rear cameras. Not everyone will like exchanging an ultrawide lens for a dedicated telephoto lens, but it will mean sharper zooms for the Razr Plus (2024). 

A bigger cover display adds more functionality to that outer screen, and the main 6.9-inch display is twice as bright as its predecessor. Battery life continues to impress, as the new Razr is one of the longest-lasting foldables we've tested.

Read our full Motorola Razr Plus (2024) review.

Best small Android phone

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Asus is one of the only Android phone makers still producing phones under 6 inches in size, and the Zenfone 10 is the latest and greatest. While a fair bit smaller than equivalently priced phones, it's got a fantastic battery life and equivalent power thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. We really like what Asus did with the software too, which takes Android and gives you faster access to important settings and apps.

The problems you'll need to face if you buy a Zenfone 10 are that it's only going to get two years of Android updates, giving it a potentially shorter life than other flagship Android phones. We also wish it had a telephoto camera, but considering what you already get, and how well-priced it all is, we still think the Zenfone 10 is excellent as-is.

Read our full Asus Zenfone 10 review.

Best Android phone under $200

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More often than not, you get what you pay for when you go super-cheap on smartphones, but occasionally, bargain devices can surprise you. The Moto G 5G (2024) packs in enough pleasant surprises to make up for the inevitable compromises you do have to make to get the price tag under $200.

The screen can be a little dim, and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset is not going to set any speed records. But for the most part, the Moto G 5G is a solid phone, with some flair like a vegan leather cover that's pleasing to the eye and to your hand. We also like the super long battery life we recorded when running the Moto G 5G through our testing. It'd be nice if Motorola extended support for its budget devices beyond a year of software updates, but you can't have everything for $199.

Read our full Moto G 5G (2024) review.

How to choose the best Android phone for you

The first place to start when shopping for the best Android phone for you is your budget. And there are essentially a few tiers. The cheapest Android phones cost under $200 and offer mostly the basics for using apps, taking pictures and staying connected. We chart the best cheap phones under $300, though honestly, you'll make a lot of compromises to get a phone priced that low.

As you move up to under $450, you'll find more compelling handsets, touting better processors, higher-grade materials and more camera lenses. Right now, the best value phones on our list are the Pixel 8a and OnePlus 12R. Our main guide to the best cheap phones for less than $500 goes into greater depth on these devices.

Jump into the $700-and-up range, and the best phones offer flagship-caliber performance along with cutting-edge computational photography and special features. You'll start to see features like telephoto lenses appear at this level of phone.

The most premium Android phones offer foldable designs and big price tags. The Motorola Razr+ joins the Galaxy Z Flip 5 on the cheap end of foldable phones with a $999 starting price. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Pixel Fold sport identical $,1799 prices as the battle for the best foldable phones heats up.

What you look for in the best Android phone also depends on what you plan to use your handset for. To that end:

• For mobile gaming: Make sure you're getting a phone with a top-performing processor. As of this writing, that would be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, though any recent Snapdragon 8 series system-on-chip would do the trick. Good gaming phones also have lots of RAM — at least 8GB — and a display that ramps up the refresh rate to at least 120Hz for smoother graphics. A phone with a long battery life won't conk out when you're gaming, either.
• For mobile productivity: As with gaming, a fast processor is helpful, and you'll want a phone with lots of storage capacity. Bigger screens are usually more helpful for performing tasks on the go, which is why foldable phones and their extended screens are of interest here. Foldable phones also have unique multitasking features that let you run multiple apps at once.
• For mobile photograhy: Nearly every phone will offer a main camera plus an ultrawide shooter, but more expensive models tend to include telephoto lenses. Just as an important as the camera hardware is the software — check out what kind of computational photography features a phone might have. (Google's Pixels excel in this area.)

How we test the best Android phones

The same method we use to test the best phones applies to the dozen or so Android phones we evaluate each year. Every smartphone Tom’s Guide evaluates is tested for several days in real-world use cases and benchmarked with a gamut of performance-measuring apps. In terms of performance, we used Geekbench 5 to measure overall speed and 3DMark Wild Life to measure graphics performance.

We also use our own video editing test in the Adobe Premiere Rush app to see how long it takes to transcode a clip, which we run on both Android phones and iPhone to compare performance. (This test is not always available for all phones we test due to app compatibility issues.)

To measure the quality of a phone's display, we perform lab tests to determine the brightness of the panel (in nits), as well as how colorful each screen is (DCI-P3 color gamut). In these cases, higher numbers are better. We also measure color accuracy of each panel with a Delta-E rating, where lower numbers are better and score of 0 is perfect.

One of the most important tests we run is the Tom's Guide battery test. We run a web surfing test over 5G (or 4G if the phone doesn't have 5G support) at 150 nits of screen brightness until the battery gives out. In general, a phone that lasts 10 hours or more is good, and anything above 11 hours makes our list of the best phone battery life.

Last but not least, we take the best phones out in the field to take photos outdoors, indoors and at night in low light to see how they perform versus their closest competitors. We take shots of landscapes, food, portraits and more, and also allow you to be the judge with side-by-side comparisons in our reviews. 

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.