The Best Android Phones of 2025

Discover the Top Android Phones of 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

The Android market explodes with choices beyond simple iPhone alternatives. From foldable giants like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 to gaming powerhouses with extra buttons and active cooling, Android offers unparalleled innovation. This guide highlights some of the best, including the recently released Galaxy S25 series, showcasing options across various price points. You don't need to break the bank for a fantastic Android experience.

TL;DR – Top Android Phones:

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (See it at Amazon!)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (See it at Amazon!)

Poco X5 5G (See it at Amazon!)

RedMagic 10 Pro (See it at Amazon! See it at RedMagic!)

Google Pixel 8 (See it at Amazon!)

Years of hands-on experience with Android devices, from budget-friendly options to cutting-edge gaming phones and foldable marvels, inform this selection. Our team has rigorously tested top brands and lesser-known contenders to bring you the best.

This list showcases not only the best Android phones but some of the best smartphones overall, offering a blend of premium features and budget-friendly champions. Check back regularly, as the Android landscape is constantly evolving.

Contributions by Jackie Thomas, Danielle Abraham, and Georgie Peru.

1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Best Android Smartphone

Boasting a massive 6.8-inch AMOLED screen and a powerful processor, the S24 Ultra excels in multitasking, video editing, gaming, and photography. Our review confirms its top spot in 2024.

Key Features:

• 6.8-inch 1440p AMOLED display (120Hz refresh rate)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
• 5,000mAh battery
• 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
• Five cameras (200MP main sensor)
• S Pen support
• Titanium frame, water and dust resistance
• Seven years of OS updates

2. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: The Best Foldable Android Phone

A dual-natured powerhouse with a 6.2-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch internal display, the Z Fold 6 offers seamless transitions between smartphone and tablet modes. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor ensures exceptional performance.

Key Features:

• 7.6-inch 2160 x 1856 AMOLED main display; 6.2-inch 968 x 2376 AMOLED cover display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
• 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP front camera
• 4400mAh battery
• S Pen compatibility (optional)

3. Poco X5 5G: The Best Budget Android Phone

Offering exceptional value, the Poco X5 5G boasts a brilliant AMOLED display, smooth performance, and a long-lasting battery, despite some compromises in camera quality and gaming performance at the highest settings.

Key Features:

• 6.67-inch AMOLED display (120Hz refresh rate)
• Snapdragon 695G processor
• 50MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide camera
• 6,500mAh battery
• IR blaster and 3.5mm headphone jack

4. RedMagic 10 Pro: The Best Gaming Android Phone

The RedMagic 10 Pro prioritizes gaming performance with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and active cooling system, ensuring stable frame rates even during extended gameplay. Its large display and shoulder buttons enhance the gaming experience.

Key Features:

• 6.85-inch AMOLED display (144Hz refresh rate)
• Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
• Active cooling system
• 50MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide camera, 2MP macro camera, 16MP selfie camera
• 7,050mAh battery
• Capacitive shoulder buttons

5. Google Pixel 8: The Best Midrange Android Phone

Despite being a previous generation model, the Pixel 8 remains a strong contender offering excellent value. Its Tensor G3 processor, impressive camera system, and seven years of OS updates make it a compelling choice.

Key Features:

• 6.2-inch OLED display (120Hz refresh rate)
• Tensor G3 processor
• 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, 10.5MP selfie camera
• 4,575mAh battery
• Seven years of OS and security updates

What to Consider When Choosing an Android Phone:

• Storage: Consider your needs (videos, games, music) and whether expandable storage (microSD) is available.
• RAM: At least 6GB is recommended for smooth multitasking and gaming.
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Tensor G4 are currently top performers.

FAQ:

What's the difference between an Android phone and a smartphone?

Android phones are a type of smartphone. Android is Google's operating system, so any phone running Android is also a smartphone.