The very best Android telephone to purchase in 2023

The Android ecosystem is all about selection. Whereas iPhone house owners have a smaller pool of recent gadgets to select 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 selection could make for some onerous selections. Right here’s the place I’d like to assist; I’ve examined an entire boatload of current Android telephones, and I feel there are some actual winners within the present crop. It’s all a matter of what you’re searching for, what you’re comfy spending, and what your definition of a “moderately sized telephone” is. (I’ve my very own, personally.)

And haven’t you heard? It’s sizzling foldable summer time, and there are a bunch of recent folding telephones debuting over the subsequent few months. Motorola’s Razr Plus seems to be actually promising with an enormous cowl display, the Google Pixel Fold is arriving quickly with a likable new kind issue, and OnePlus says it’ll have a (seemingly cheaper) foldable this 12 months. In the event you’re interested by foldables, you may need to maintain off for just a few months till all of the choices are on the desk.

In the event you reside within the US, I’ve some dangerous information concerning the Android market, although. For sophisticated causes having to do with “capitalism” and “geopolitics,” we don’t get practically as lots of the choices as you’ll discover in Asia and Europe — manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo simply aren’t obtainable right here. I’ve restricted this information to the gadgets 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 “totally free” from their wi-fi provider. In the event you can handle it, shopping for a telephone unlocked offers you probably the most flexibility and freedom if you find yourself wanting to vary carriers within the close to future. Cellphone producers additionally provide financing and trade-in offers to make fee extra manageable. However in the event you’re completely satisfied together with your provider and the free telephone on provide is the one you really need, by all means, take the free telephone. Simply ensure you perceive the phrases, particularly if it’s good to change plans to money in on the deal. 

Nonetheless you go about it, you’ve got some improbable choices to your subsequent Android telephone.

Display screen: 6.6-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy / Cameras: 50-megapixel F1.8 essential 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 a great cause for that: they’re wonderful gadgets. The Galaxy S23 Plus is a minor replace to that successful components, 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 digital camera system with a telephoto lens, sturdy climate resistance, and nice battery life. At $999, it’s not low cost, nevertheless it’s additionally not the costliest flagship telephone you should purchase.

It’s not stunning that the S23 Plus contains Qualcomm’s newest chipset: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However what is stunning is that each 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 be well-tuned to preserve battery.

The 50-megapixel essential digital camera, 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 sufficient for many conditions. Often, the S23 Plus takes beautiful images, notably in its telephoto portrait mode. However it’s additionally vulnerable to some heavy-handed processing that goes a bit of too onerous on the HDR typically.

Samsung’s software program isn’t our favourite, both. With a bit of work upfront, you possibly can uninstall or at the very least conceal a lot of the proprietary apps and companies Samsung insists on downloading, however it might be good to not need to tango with Bixby within the first place. However on the intense facet, Samsung affords 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 a bit of work to get proper, at the very least you gained’t need to do it over again in a few years.

Learn my full assessment 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 go 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 costlier than the $499 Pixel 7A, a bona fide midrange system. Its specs comply with 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 digital camera and a 120Hz display. If these issues aren’t tremendous essential to you, then the Pixel 7 is one heck of a great deal.

The Pixel 7 and its step-up 7 Professional sibling use Google’s newest customized chipset, Tensor G2. It delivers flagship-level efficiency, nevertheless it’s additionally a part of the Pixel sequence’ particular sauce of Google-exclusive options. They’re usually intelligent however type 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 after 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 properly persistently. However they aren’t actively dangerous, and Google has confirmed dedicated to supporting its gadgets 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 will probably be supported properly into the close to future with three OS upgrades and 5 years of safety patches. On the {hardware} entrance, you’ll need to reside with a few concessions Google made to maintain the value down. The 6.3-inch display is simply effective, however its 90Hz refresh fee is a bit slower than the super-smooth scrolling 120Hz screens on most telephones at this worth. 

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

Learn my full assessment 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 essential 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 expensive, beginning at $1,199, and due to a 6.8-inch display, it’s enormous. It’s additionally probably the most highly effective Android telephone you should purchase 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 — depend ’em, two — telephoto cameras on the rear panel. It’s form 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 fee 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 via a full day of heavy use with a bit of extra wiggle room than its predecessor may. 

The S23 Extremely’s digital camera system is a serious cause to think about placing within the further money for this mannequin reasonably than the S23 Plus. There’s nothing fairly prefer it obtainable on another flagship telephone: there’s each a 3x and 10x telephoto digital camera plus an ultrawide and, oh yeah, a 200-megapixel essential digital camera.

The 200-megapixel factor is simply partially a stunt — more often than not, you’ll be getting a 12-megapixel file from it, however the further information from all these pixels appears to assist the system give you some improbable photographs. It often makes some bizarre judgments or turns the HDR as much as 11, nevertheless it’s usually excellent and, right here and there, is even able to beautiful “I can’t consider it’s not a ‘actual’ digital camera” images.

Our complaints about Samsung software program stand, sadly, and its faults are much more obvious on a really expensive 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 form of factor on a Pixel telephone. Nonetheless, there are sufficient spectacular issues concerning the S23 Extremely that it’s value some minor software program annoyances.  

Learn my full assessment 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 essential 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 (properly, principally Samsung). However we do have just a few alternate 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 superb 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 improbable 6.7-inch 1440p show with a prime 120Hz refresh fee. There’s additionally very quick wired charging with the included quick charger — as much as 80W within the US, which can 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 simply’ll discover on most different telephones at this worth. The primary is wi-fi charging, which can be a deal-breaker in the event you’re already invested in charging your telephone that method. And the OnePlus 11 is simply rated to IP64, not IP68 like just about each different flagship. Meaning it’s proof against splashes and spray however isn’t constructed to resist full immersion in water for any size of time. 

These two lacking options slim the OnePlus 11’s attraction. In the event you’re not involved about dropping your telephone in a puddle (or rest room 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 a good way to get wonderful efficiency and hold a bit of extra cash in your pockets.

Learn my full assessment of the OnePlus 11 5G.

Display screen: 7.6-inch 2176p 120Hz OLED internal display, 6.2-inch 2316p 120Hz OLED cowl display / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.8 essential with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display), four-megapixel under-display selfie (internal 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 surface for regular telephone stuff, however on the within, it unfolds to an enormous 7.6-inch display. It’s a degree of versatility you gained’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 towards full immersion in water. However that “X” means there’s no assure towards mud intrusion, and regardless of Samsung’s greatest efforts to strengthen the system’s resistance to environmental elements, long-term sturdiness continues to be a query mark. That’s in all probability a leap of religion most individuals gained’t be capable to take for a $1,800 telephone.

The Z Fold 4 additionally runs up towards 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 internal display; they’re usually simply scaled-up telephone apps, leaving plenty of unused clean house. Fortunately, Samsung’s UI affords loads of assist to rearrange a number of home windows for multitasking. It may possibly take a bit of 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 take advantage of it imply the Z Fold 4 is form of a gadget individual’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. In the event you’ve received the literal and figurative deep pockets for it, you’ll be properly rewarded.

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

There are lots of extra nice Android gadgets that weren’t coated right here, and some are value calling out that didn’t fairly make the reduce for a suggestion. The Galaxy S23 Plus’ smaller sibling, the Galaxy S23, is a improbable possibility if you’d like a considerably smaller Android telephone. Its 6.1-inch display doesn’t put it in “small telephone” territory, nevertheless it’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 affords a 6.7-inch internal display that folds in half with a small 1.9-inch cowl display on the surface for heads-up data and notifications. It’s form of like an everyday telephone with a smartwatch glued on the entrance. It’s not as versatile because the Z Fold 4, nevertheless it prices a way more cheap $999. I’ve the identical considerations about long-term sturdiness as I do with the Z Fold, and the duvet display could possibly 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. 

In the event you’re all in on Google’s ecosystem, then the Pixel 7 Professional is an efficient (and considerably apparent) step-up possibility. It doesn’t provide any important upgrades in comparison with the Pixel 7 however does include a great 5x telephoto digital camera. The display is larger — 6.7 inches in comparison with 6.3 — and it’s additionally a bit of nicer, with a sooner 120Hz prime refresh fee. However the Pixel 7 is priced so properly that it’s form of unimaginable not to suggest it, and most of the people will discover all the things they want within the base mannequin.

There’s yet another Pixel telephone to think about: the Google Pixel 7A. It’s $499 and has the identical Tensor G2 processor because the Pixel 7 and seven Professional. The 7A is unquestionably one of the best telephone digital camera you will get for the cash, and it comes with good creature comforts not normally seen in finances gadgets, like wi-fi charging. It’s on the expensive facet of the “finances” class, nevertheless it’s designed to go the space.

Lastly, there’s the Motorola Edge Plus (2023). It’s a effective system for $799, with a pleasant display, nice battery life, a wonderful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and all of the flagship trimmings like wi-fi charging and an IP68 score. It’s a great possibility if the OnePlus 11 appeals however you need wi-fi charging and higher water resistance. However we’re not followers of the curved edge display, and the OnePlus 11 comes with a further 12 months of safety updates. Moreover, it doesn’t provide sufficient to face out from the remainder of the sphere to warrant a full suggestion.

Replace June ninth, 2023, 5:25PM ET: Eliminated the Asus Zenfone 9, which will probably be changed quickly by the Zenfone 10. Eliminated the Google Pixel 6A from the “additionally think about” part and changed it with the Pixel 7A.