The best Android phones for 2024 are scary-smart thanks to AI

The best Android smartphones for 2024: Tap the power of AI in the palm of your hand — Samsung

If you're shopping for a new smartphone, it can be hard to choose. Should you opt for a touchscreen-centric Android phone, or one of the newer models feature folding displays? You might be tempted by a familiar brand like Samsung over a lesser-known option like OnePlus. And much like buying a tablet or a TV, there are also specs that you'll want to consider.

Whatever your budget or need, our in-house smartphone experts have rounded up the year's best smartphones. After doing all the research and hands-on testing, we've discovered the best Android phones from Samsung, Google, Motorola, OnePlus and Asus.

What is the best Android smartphone for 2024?

Not all Android smartphones are created equal. Some models are the cream of the crop, but others can still work for you, depending on your budget. We've rounded up the very best Android smartphones, including models from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.

Best Android smartphone overall: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best compact Android smartphone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Best folding Android smartphone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Best Google smartphone: Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best budget Google smartphone: Google Pixel 8a
Best mid-range Android smartphone: OnePlus 12
Best Android smartphone under $250: 2022 Moto G Stylus
Best smaller Android smartphone: Asus Zenfone 10

Keep in mind that there's no one smartphone manufacturer that stands tall above all the rest. Even though we've crowned the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra the best overall smartphone, that doesn't necessarily mean that Samsung phones are the best Android smartphones you can buy. Look to our detailed guides to see which brand and model may be best for you.

Best Android smartphone overall: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

If you're a fan of Android who needs a higher-end phone with plenty of processing power, you can't go wrong with Samsung's top-of-the-line Galaxy S24 Ultra. This phone features a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x touchscreen display and is one of the few to include a stylus that allows users to handwrite or draw directly on the screen.

We're huge fans of the phone's main, rear-facing camera, which offers a whopping 200MP resolution. This allows you to capture breathtaking still images or video, while take advantage of the up to 2x and 10x optical zoom, or up to 100x digital zoom that's offered by this phone's rear-camera setup.

When it comes to viewing your own video, as well as movies, photos, or any type of animated graphics on the display, you get an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, along with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. Thanks to the phone's titanium housing and IP68 rating, the S24 Ultra is durable and water resistant. And as you'd expect, for wireless connectivity, it supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. You also get a choice of seven colors.

This latest edition of the phone is loaded with new features and functions. The circle-to-search feature lets you draw a circle around anything onscreen. Within seconds, you'll learn all about it. This feature uses advanced AI and works in conjunction with Google. Also, for the first time, the phone offers real-time language translation during calls and texts. The note assist feature generates a text summary of a recording or document. Record a meeting, lecture or conversation and have the phone compose an easy-to-review, bulleted list of key points.

Key features of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra:

The phone's main, rear-facing camera boasts a remarkable 200MP resolution.
The new titanium housing is more durable and visually appealing than previous models.
The S Pen allows you to handwrite or draw directly on the screen or annotate documents, based on the app you're using.
This smartphone is powered by a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery and offers a battery life up to 24 hours.

$1,220 and up at Amazon

$1,300 and up at Samsung

Best compact Android smartphone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

The most popular flip-style smartphone on the market, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, got an eye-catching upgrade for its 5th generation. It now includes the Flex Window. It's a 3.4-inch AMOLED screen located on the outside of the phone that can easily be used for one-handed operation when the phone is shut.

This outside window is one of the most convenient features this versatile smartphone offers. It gives you a way to check messages, interact with apps, see alerts or incoming messages, plus interact with others without having to open the phone.

The other main upgrade here is its processor -- the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 are both powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This means you can count on fast and reliable performance. If you're looking for a powerful smartphone that can easily fit in a pocket, check out the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Oh, and you can now choose between eight handset colors, so pick one that matches your personal style.

Key features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5:

It has an interior 6.7" AMOLED FHD+ screen with a120Hz refresh rate and an exterior 3.4" AMOLED Flex Window with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Choose between 256GB or 512GB for internal storage.
It boasts a high-capacity 3,700mAh battery.
Its main camera array includes a 12MP wide camera and 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 10x digital zoom.
It's IPX8 rated, so it's waterproof and durable.

$828 and up at Amazon

$1,120 and up at Samsung

Best folding Android smartphone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Outside display size: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display | Inside display size: 2x 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex Display | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Battery: 4,400mAh | Dimensions: 6.24 x 5.06 x 0.26 inches (open), 6.24 x 2.66 x 0.52 inches (closed) | Weight: 8.9 ounces | Charging options: Wired or wireless | Stylus: S Pen included | Front camera: 10MP (cover screen), 4MP (under display, main screen) | Rear cameras: 50MP (wide), 12MP (ultra-wide), 10MP Tele 2x optical zoom (30x space zoom)

This folding smartphone is powered using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, so you get better-than-ever performance. It boasts a stunning, 7.6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

There is a small fold line visible down the middle, but it's barely noticeable and provides a gorgeous way to view TV shows or movies. The screen also provides a generous workspace for a single app. Or the two screens can be used separately to run two apps simultaneously for true multitasking.

The Fold 5 is also a powerful smartphone for photography and videography. It has three rear-facing cameras with a 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP telephoto lens that offers 3x optical and up to 30x digital zoom. And with its 4,400mAh battery, it will help you power through your day. We also like that this phone has an IPX8 waterproof rating.

If you're looking for another good reason to upgrade to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, consider the included S Pen stylus. It can be used for handwriting, sketching, annotating files or simply navigating. It feels silky smooth to use, with no noticeable lag.

Key features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5:

It has an internal 7.6-inch AMOLED 2x Infinity Flex display screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Choose between 256GB, 512GB or 1TB for internal storage (all with 12GB of RAM)
Its 4,400mAh battery is great for all-day use.
Its rear-facing camera array includes a main 50MP wide-angle lens.
The phone has IPX8 waterproof protection.

$1,800 (256GB version) at Amazon

$1,800 (256GB version) at Samsung

Best Google smartphone: Google Pixel 8 Pro

Google has done an excellent job taking its Android operating system and creating a smartphone that makes full use of its features in ways other phones can't match -- especially when it comes to photos, videos and customizing the phone. This phone also now takes full advantage of Google Gemini Nano, which is the company's enhanced AI-based system that's now utilized by many of the phone's core functions.

Google has also taken a bunch of steps to protect user privacy and enhance online security. The Google One VPN is integrated into the OS for added online security when using Wi-Fi hotspots, plus, you get features like malware blocking and phishing protection.

Battery life of the Pixel 8 Pro is up to 24 hours, or 72 hours in "extreme battery saver" mode. Of course it has wireless charging capabilities. While new versions of the Pixel smartphones debut yearly, Google has committed to supporting the Pixel 8 Pro with OS, feature and security updates for seven years. So, if you're looking for a feature-packed, user-friendly and nicely designed Android-based smartphone, we recommend the Google Pixel 8 Pro. We think it's one of the best smartphone options out there. It's also very affordable, compared to competing phones with similar capabilities.

Key features of the Google Pixel 8 Pro:

Pixel 8 Pro makes full use of Android 14 (or later) in ways other smartphones do not.
You get a handful of security and privacy tools integrated into the smartphone.
Battery life is excellent (up to 24 hours).
The camera setup and related photography and video apps are top-notch.
The phone's use of Google Gemini Nano AI is unprecedented.

$890 and up at Amazon

Best budget Google smartphone: Google Pixel 8a

Released in mid-May, the new Pixel 8a is a scaled down version of the Pixel 8 Pro It's affordably priced starting at just $499. While not as advanced as its more expensive counterpart, the Pixel 8a also runs using the Tensor G3 processor the same version of Android 14. Both phones come with the same collection of preinstalled apps.

Battery life is up to 24 hours. The phone can be recharged using a wired or wireless option. One of the things we love about this new phone is its sleek design with rounded edges and the visually stunning touchscreen OLED display. It offers 1,080 x 2,400 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and maximum brightness of 2,000 nits.

Within the Pixel 8a, Google has integrated some of the cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities featured in the Pixel 8 Pro. This allows the phone to perform incredibly complex tasks, yet remain very intuitive to use. The photo and video editing capabilities integrated into Google Photos tap the power of AI to make transforming photos and videos shot on the phone look incredible. The Magic Editor allows objects within a photo to be removed with a few on-screen taps -- a feature not even the highest-end Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers.

The Pixel 8a is ideal for handling the average person's everyday needs related to communications, productivity and entertainment. It's also a great option for someone switching from an iPhone to an Android phone, or for a parent looking to provide their child or tween with their first Android smartphone.

Key features of the Google Pixel 8a:

The Pixel 8a is affordably priced, yet offers functionality that rivals what phones costing two to three times as much offer.
The phone integrates seamlessly with Google Drive and Google Photos, so content can be automatically backed up to the cloud and synced with other devices.
The up to 24 hour battery life is impressive.
While not as powerful as the Pixel 8 Pro, the photo and video shooting, editing and sharing capabilities built into the Pixel 8a are in line with what average users need.
This phone is highly customizable thanks to functionality built into the phone itself, as well as the Android 14 OS. And the built in security and privacy features are among the best you'll find in any smartphone.

$499 and up at Amazon

Best mid-range Android smartphone: OnePlus 12

The OnePlus 12 impresses with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile processor, which provides souped-up performance, even at the phone's somewhat lower price than some of its competitors.

The 6.82-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display, with 3,168 x 1,440 pixel (QHD+) resolution, ensures a stunning visual experience. Its versatile camera system, featuring a 50MP main, 64MP telephoto and 48MP ultra-wide lens -- all perfect for capturing detailed images, whether you're snapping photos at the beach or in low light situations.

The 5,400 mAh battery supports 80W fast charging. It comes with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB storage, all housed in an elegantly designed body. For more information about this feature-packed phone, be sure to read our in-depth review.

Key features of the OnePlus 12:

Its high-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile processor can handle just about anything.
The 6.82-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display is perfect for more immersive viewing.
The phone's triple camera setup allows for powerful and versatile photography and videography.
Its long-lasting 5,000 mAh battery has fast charging capabilities.
The phone has ample storage and memory options, so you can worry about what's important, not a lack of storage space.

OnePlus has also recently released the OnePlus 12R ($530). It's a slightly scaled down version of the OnePlus 12.

$700 and up at Amazon

Best Android smartphone under $250: 2022 Moto G Stylus

The Moto G Stylus (2022) offers a wide range of features and a price that's friendly to the wallet, compared with many other smartphones. It's about six times cheaper than the latest and greatest from Samsung, which makes it an exceptional value. This is, however, an older phone.

This smartphone comes with all the bells and whistles you're likely accustomed to as an Android user, complete with a Mediatek Helio G85 processor and 8MP front-facing selfie camera. There's also a rear-facing main camera with a 50MP lens. Overall, this phone is slim, rugged and feels great in the hand. And for this price, the included and highly functional stylus is a useful bonus when it's used with compatible apps.

Writing with the stylus feels smooth and comfortable, with no input lag when handwriting, sketching or annotating. Plus, the phone's battery life ensures it can serve as a reliable companion all day.

Key features of the Moto G Stylus (2022):

This phone is powered by a Mediatek Helio G85 octa-core processor.
The Moto G Stylus' 6.8-inch Max Vision FHD+ (1080x2460 pixel) IPS display is sufficiently bright.
The 8MP front-facing selfie camera and 50MP rear main camera allow for decent quality photos and videos.
The 5,000mAh battery ensures all-day use.
It's attractively priced for budget-conscious buyers wanting an Android smartphone.

180 and up

Best smaller-size Android smartphone: Asus Zenfone 10

Many recent Android smartphones offer super-fancy bells and whistles. But for those who want a more down-to-earth smartphone that still offers impressive tech, check out the Asus Zenfone 10.

This phone is on the smaller side. It offers a 5.9-inch Super AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 1,100 nits.

The base configuration of the phone is equipped with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage -- more than enough power for the average user. You also get 5G LTE cellular connectivity, plus a 32MP front-facing camera. The two rear-facing cameras offer 50MP and 13M resolution.

The Zenfone 10 runs Android 13 and is considerably less expensive than high-end Android-based phones. And you can choose between five casing colors.

While this is a perfect smartphone everyday use, Asus also offers two high-end versions, the ROG Phone 7 and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, designed specifically for mobile gamers. These two phones are incredibly powerful, a bit on the expensive side and often very hard to find in stock. They do, however, offer unparalleled mobile gaming.

Key features of the Asus Zenfone 10:

The Zenfone 10 offers a compact design and is lightweight.
This phone runs Android 13 (or later) using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
You can choose between 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of internal storage.
The 5.9-inch Super AMOLED display offers an impressive and zippy 144Hz refresh rate.

$600 and up at Amazon

The best Android phones in 2024

Cutting-edge tech like Samsung's own Galaxy S24 Ultra makes that model one to watch if you're looking to adopt a new phone from the ubiquitous brand. Android loyalists can also look to the Google Pixel 8 Pro and its impressive specs. Folding phones also continue to innovate, with eye-catching interfaces that give traditional touchscreens a run for their money.

Should you buy an Apple iPhone or Android phone?

Most buyers simply prefer to stick to the operating system they're already familiar with. If you're looking to make the switch from an iPhone to an Android phone, we've got you covered with some excellent advice for making the transition.

Android offers more room to make the device your own through customization. You can tweak everything from the home screen and icons to deeper system settings. The interface is open and allows for more personal touches. The Apple iPhone keeps things simpler and more consistent out of the box, which works well for those wanting an easy user experience right away.

Cost is another factor to consider. A wide range of Android phone prices means there's an option for every budget. iPhone definitely leans more high-end, which isn't feasible for some. Overall both iOS and Android have strong followings. And both types of phone get the job done in the end.

Which Android phone has the best camera?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is undoubtedly the Android smartphone with the best camera right now, and to be fair, it's difficult to beat. Its 200-megapixel main (rear-facing) camera is absolutely fantastic when it comes to resolution. Though there's a clear winner here, most top-tier Android phones have great cameras and easy-to-use software that can help transform the photos you take, even if you end up with low lighting, blurry shots, or photos with subjects you'd like to remove entirely. One of our top picks when it comes to smartphone photography and videography is the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

How long will an Android phone last?

An Android phones' longevity tends to land somewhere in the two- to three-year range. But manufacturers continue to march toward sturdier builds. Samsung, for one, designed its flagship S24 Ultra with resilience in mind, vowing four years of updates. Not to be outdone, Google shines in terms of longevity for its Pixel 8 Pro, pledging seven years of security and support for its Pixel 8 series phones.

Jason R. Rich

Jason R. Rich (www.JasonRich.com) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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