We take a look at a ton of Android telephones. We like those under, however you may be higher off with one of many choices above. If you have not but achieved so, try our Best Cheap Phones information for extra.
Google Pixel 6A for $349: Google’s persevering with to promote the 2022 Pixel 6A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) at a marked-down worth (attempt to not pay greater than $300). It’s nonetheless glorious worth and a worthy buy. It’s powered by Google’s first-gen Tensor chip, which suggests you are getting a number of the finest efficiency for the cash, and it helps all the identical nice (and useful) software program smarts because the flagship Pixel 6 sequence. It’s acquired an OLED display, a good digital camera system, and prolonged software program assist. There’s no wi-fi charging and it has a 60-Hz display.
Google’s Pixel 7 for $449 and Pixel 7 Pro for $649: The 2022 Pixel 7 sequence (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are good buys if you’ll find them at these costs (or decrease). The Pixel 7 offers you virtually every little thing you’d need, from wi-fi charging to a 90-Hz display refresh charge. The Pixel 7 Pro is even greater with a 6.7-inch display and it has a 120-Hz refresh charge. Both characteristic Face Unlock, however this is not safe just like the model on the Pixel 8, so you may must depend on the fingerprint sensor to entry delicate apps. (*15*) are an enormous a part of Pixels, and the Pixel 7 Pro outshines its sibling with an upgraded ultrawide with autofocus, enabling a Macro Focus mode for close-ups. Its telephoto digital camera has additionally improved, with glorious 5X optical zoom. These Pixels will obtain 4 extra years of safety updates, which is nice, however solely two extra OS upgrades, which is inferior to the newest fashions.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 for $1,499: The Fold5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) stays a superb big-screen folding smartphone. The cameras can take some nice pictures, the shows can get shockingly brilliant, and Samsung guarantees prolonged software program assist. But the introduction of the Pixel Fold has proven me how rather more I want the broader entrance display. The Fold5’s exterior display feels too slim, and a few apps really feel squished (although it is somewhat simpler to understand when closed). There aren’t too many modifications from its predecessor, that means it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to purchase the Fold4 at a reduction in case you actually wish to enter the folding cellphone world.
OnePlus 11 5G for $600: This OnePlus 11 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is regularly bought at this worth, so keep away from the MSRP. It’s a velocity demon, nevertheless it is not my first selection of cellphone, neither is it my second. It feels tremendously fluid and responsive, due to the top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset inside (and all the opposite optimizations), and it recharges so shortly with the included adapter and cable—you’ll be able to go from 0 to 100 in roughly 20 minutes. It’s acquired a surprising 120-Hz 6.7-inch AMOLED display, good stereo audio system, and a dependable battery that simply lasts greater than a full day. Even the Hasselblad-tuned cameras produce some good outcomes, and OnePlus is now matching Samsung with a promise of 4 years of Android OS upgrades and 5 years of safety updates (although these are bimonthly as an alternative of month-to-month). It’s not all rosy although. There’s no wi-fi charging, no assist for millimeter-wave 5G, and the water resistance is barely IP64 when almost each cellphone at this worth has an IP67 score (rated to outlive submersions). The total software program interface additionally is not my favourite. But hey, at the very least it is fairly! It works on all three main US networks.
Sony Xperia 1 V for $1,398: Sony’s newest flagship cellphone (7/10, WIRED Review) is tremendous costly. But it is one of many few smartphones with a 4K OLED display, and it is uncommon to see a high-end cellphone with a headphone jack. There are numerous toys for digital camera nerds, whether or not you wish to seize a photograph with guide settings or use Sony’s Cinema Pro app to seize cinematic footage. You may even use the cellphone as an exterior monitor to your digital camera. It’s a disgrace Sony has a brief software program replace coverage, and its digital camera system continues to be too clunky.
OnePlus 10 Pro for $450: OnePlus’ 2022 flagship cellphone is nice however not nice (7/10, WIRED Recommends), although it is a sensible purchase at this worth. It’s spiffy and has highly effective {hardware}, together with a 120-Hz AMOLED display that will get brilliant, speedy efficiency, and a number of the quickest wired and wi-fi charging you may discover within the US. (Yes, not like the OnePlus 11, the older cellphone has wi-fi charging assist). It’ll get two extra OS upgrades and three years of safety updates. You ought to know that there isn’t any millimeter-wave 5G right here, simply sub-6, which is odd for a flagship.
Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola for $700: This Motorola cellphone is a collaboration with Lenovo’s ThinkPad division, maker of the famed enterprise laptops with the little crimson nubs. It’s a reasonably good cellphone all-around (7/10, WIRED Recommends), with options like flagship efficiency, two-day battery life, and an OLED 144-Hz display, nevertheless it simply would not measure as much as its friends at this worth.
Motorola Edge+ 2023 for $800: A Motorola smartphone with contactless cost assist, 5G, wi-fi charging, plus a promise of three OS upgrades and 4 years of safety updates? Say it ain’t so! The Motorola Edge+ lastly matches its friends on a number of counts and exceeds them in some methods. It has a brilliant 165-Hz OLED display, it is light-weight, and its 5,100-mAh battery simply lasts two days. The draw back? The cameras are inferior to the cheaper Pixel 7A. Read our Best Motorola Phones information for extra picks.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G for $300: This OnePlus cellphone (6/10, WIRED Review) would not break the mould, and you must completely pay up for a Pixel 6A or any of the telephones above in case you can. But in case your price range is actually tight and this cellphone goes on sale, it does the job. Performance is nice, and there is two-day battery life.