Other phones to consider
We test a lot of Android phones. We like the options below, but one of the options above might be a better fit for you. If you haven't done so yet, check out our cheapest phones And Best Folding Phone Guides For more information.
Google Pixel 9 for $799, Pixel 9 is really a great smartphone (9/10, Wired recommends), but between the Pixel 8A and Pixel 9 Pro series, it struggles to stand out. It shares many features with its more expensive siblings, but you can get a Very Similar experience with the Pixel 8A, with hundreds of dollars in savings. If you like the design and want new smart software features, don't let me stop you! But there's a good chance that the Pixel 8A will get similar features via a software update soon.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for $650, Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE is very similar to the Pixel 9. This is very close to the price of the flagship Galaxy S24 series, which you can't find on sale for much higher prices, and there are even cheaper phones that have a better price. It's a fully capable smartphone with a triple-camera array (including a 3X telephoto camera), and it delivers good performance. It has wireless charging, is IP68 water resistant and its battery lasts all day. It's a shame the design is a bit bland.
Google Pixel 8 for $499 And Pixel 8 Pro for $719, Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro (7/10, Wired recommends) are still available to buy from 2023 and they are great devices with plenty of life left in them. Just make sure you don't spend more than $500 or $700. Anything else, you should just buy from the new Pixel 9 series.
Honor Magic V3 for £1,799, If you're outside the US, the Magic V3 might be the best foldable phone right now; This is definitely the thinnest foldable phone in the world (8/10, Wired recommendsIt has great battery life, a wide external screen that feels like a normal phone, and a wide internal screen when unfolded. Even the cameras are versatile, though ultrawide isn't great, and the phone's overall software can cause some irritation.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
OnePlus 12 for $650, Now that OnePlus has launched the OnePlus 13 in China, the only reason to buy it is this oneplus 12 ,8/10, Wired recommends) if you can find it at a good discount. I'd say anything under $600 makes it a solid buy, although it should drop even lower in the coming months. OnePlus worked closely with Qualcomm to combine the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with the software, creating an incredibly polished experience that's buttery smooth and fast. As always, you can recharge the phone very quickly (charger is included in the box). OnePlus has brought back wireless charging support, and you can even recharge it faster if you use the company's proprietary wireless charger (a separate purchaseWhat holds it back is the curved glass display, which is dated and not as nice to use as a flat display. This is also only IP65 water-resistantAnd while it will get four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, it's not as good as Samsung and Google's seven years of support.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 for $1,900, Fold6 (7/10, Wired recommends) is a great big screen foldable smartphone. If you are concerned about durability and repairability when buying the Fold, Samsung is the best option for you as it has been producing these devices for the longest time. The cameras capture great photos, the display gets surprisingly bright, and Samsung promises long software support. The Fold6's external screen is a little wider and nicer to use than previous versions, but otherwise, there aren't too many new changes other than AI advancements. You can still perform last year Galaxy Z Fold5 To save some dough.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 for $1,100, Flip6 (7/10, Wired recommends) has a few features over Motorola's new Razr+, like a better hinge mechanism, better build quality, stronger cameras, and longer software support. But I still prefer the overall experience on Motorola's Flip, mostly because of the larger external screen. Still, the Flip6's 3.4-inch cover screen is useful for peeking through widgets, and you can open it up to get the big-screen Android phone experience. Galaxy Z Flip5 If you don't mind purchasing last year's technology at a lower price then this is a suitable option.
Xiaomi Poco X6 for £319 And X6 Pro for £369, Not in America? You should take a look at the Poco X6 or Poco X6 Pro (7/10, Wired recommendsThese are fast phones considering the low price, great display, and good battery life, plus the X6 even has a headphone jack! It's a shame there's a lot of bloatware and limited water resistance, and the cameras are underpowered.
Motorola Moto G Play 2024 for $150, On a tight budget? This Motorola phone does not have NFC for contactless payment nor does it support 5G. It will also get only one Android OS upgrade. That said, performance was great during my testing, and the 6.5-inch LCD screen was readable in sunny conditions.
Mobile Accessories You May Need
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We have case recommendations for some popular devices like Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, And S22 range Or Google's Pixel 9 seriesIt's smart to put a case and even a screen protector on these glass sandwiches to keep the display free from abrasion and scratches. Here are some other notable accessories, including charging adapters, that are available on many phones don't include anymoreread our Best USB-C Cables Guide For other recommendations.
Anker 45-Watt Charger for $20, This little charger will be all that most people need to charge most smartphones. It is compact, reliable and inexpensive, plus its forks fold. More smartphones than ever before can go up to 45-watt charging speeds, so take advantage of a 45-watt charger.
Peak Design Samsung and Pixel Everyday Case for $50, If you have a SAMSUNG Or pixel phone and you frequently keep your phone on bike or scooter, then you are responsible to prevent this case Peak Design Bike MountThe case fits perfectly into the mount, it's very easy to drop, and even after years of riding it has yet to fall off. Peak design also sells many other accessories You can add Android by bringing it to the back of these cases Apple's MagSafe ecosystem,
Nimble Champ Portable Charger 10,000 mAh for $60, This portable battery is small enough to keep in a bag but has enough power to fully recharge your phone once or twice. It has a USB-C and USB-A port, it offers 18 watts of power, so it can recharge your tablet or phone, and it's housed in plastic-free packaging with 73 percent post-consumer plastic .
Nomad ChargeKey for $25, When your phone dies, it almost always happens that you forgot to bring a charger or battery pack. ChargeKey is a great solution—it's like clipping a little USB-C charging cable to your key chain. Simply plug one end into your phone and the other end into any type of power source (a friend's phone or a charging adapter if you can find one), and you're good to top up your phone. Native Union also has a similar item It's prettier but just as capable.
Choose a wireless charger, Our guide to the best wireless chargers includes dozens of models in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials, and some are even designed for specific phones. Not every Android phone supports wireless charging, but it's a luxury you'll want to take advantage of. Take a look at our guide to our favourites.