Best Android phone

The main advantage of Android OS smartphones is their extensive variety. You can choose the best Android phone 2024 to suit your taste and budget, considering all your preferences. Manufacturers offer both top-tier flagships and respectable budget models. We have decided to assist you in making a choice and have gathered the top Android phones in different categories.

How to choose the best Android phone: what to pay attention to

In addition to the cost, there are several parameters to consider when buying a phone.

• Dimensions. Pay special attention to the width of the body. The larger it is, the more challenging it is to use the gadget with one hand. For example, the compact Asus Zenfone 10 has a width of 68 mm, while the S24 Ultra has 78 mm. Also, take note of the thickness and weight of the phone. If you find it difficult to navigate the numbers, go to the store and hold the device in your hands.
• Screen type. Currently, there are two types of displays. The first is IPS, commonly found in budget smartphones. It provides natural color reproduction and calm shades. The second type is OLED and AMOLED, offering a bright picture, vibrant colors, high contrast, and perfectly deep black.
• Processor. This component determines the power of the smartphone. However, for the average user, the chip's name, frequency, or the number of cores may not convey much information. Performance also depends on memory speed, type, and the operating system. The simplest way to assess a phone's power is to check the AnTuTu test score. Phones scoring over 800,000 points can be considered gaming, while models below 400,000 points may likely lag in applications and games.
• RAM. It influences multitasking, app launch speed, and the ability to run programs in the background. In 2024, the minimum comfortable RAM size for good android phones will be 6 GB.
• Built-in storage. It is needed for storing apps, photos, videos, music, game installations, and other tasks. Even if you store everything in the cloud and rarely use the camera, it is recommended to have a minimum of 128 GB of storage. Some smartphones come with a microSD slot, allowing you to expand storage with an inexpensive memory card.
• Camera. The quality of photos is influenced by various factors, from image processing algorithms and processor performance to sensor types and the number of lenses. Even two phones with identical specifications can produce different results due to different firmware. To assess camera capabilities, rely on reviews that include photography examples. However, resolution is not a critical factor. Photo quality does not depend on the number of megapixels—a smartphone with a 200 MP module may take worse photos than a 12 MP camera. Pay attention to additional lenses, such as a telephoto lens with optical zoom or an ultra-wide-angle module.
• Battery. The battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours, mAh, indicating how long the smartphone can operate without recharging. The optimal indicator for most popular Android devices in 2023 is 5000 mAh. Most phones with such a battery can last up to one and a half days in active mode, including social networks, messengers, and YouTube.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — the most advanced

This ultra-flagship of the company with the most advanced internals leads the top android phones 2024. It can boast an integrated S Pen stylus in the body – a feature not found in other flagships. On the large 6.8-inch display, it is convenient to make handwritten notes, draw, and sign documents. The pen can also be used as a clicker to switch slides and as a camera shutter button.

For the second consecutive year, the Ultra model is equipped only with a Snapdragon processor, meaning there is no country-based division between Snapdragon and Exynos, which is unlikely to disappoint anyone. This is also the second time Samsung and Qualcomm have entered into an exclusive agreement to produce a special version of the processor for the flagship of the South Korean corporation – Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. The most powerful processor is complemented by no less impressive memory – with 12 GB of RAM and storage reaching 1 TB.

The smartphone features a 200 MP module that captures photos with a resolution of 12.5 MP, combining 16 small pixels into one large light-sensitive pixel using software. The result is vibrant, juicy, and detailed shots in any lighting conditions. Samsung has decided to invest in improving the zoom by upgrading the secondary telephoto lens: from a 10-megapixel periscope lens with 10x zoom, they transitioned to a 50-megapixel version with 5x magnification. Additionally, there are two more sensors at 12 and 10 MP.

The phone is water-resistant and protected by toughened glass on both sides. The charging speed is not very fast – only 45 W. However, the battery life is decent, allowing for about one and a half days of active usage, which is impressive for a flagship with powerful internals.

OnePlus Open — the best folding model

OnePlus Open is the first foldable smartphone from this company. It features two magnificent OLED displays: the main one with a diagonal of 7.82 inches and an external one with a 6.31-inch screen. When unfolded, the device resembles a hybrid of a smartphone and a tablet, and when folded, it looks like other phones on the market.

Impressively, it comes with three rear cameras, including a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and OnePlus Open is expected to be one of the last flagships with this chipset, as Gen 3 is coming soon. Finally, it has IPX4 splash protection – not full water resistance, but it can handle light rain.

The main display has a diagonal of 7.82 inches and a resolution of 2440x2268 pixels. The external display is not as large (6.31 inches), but it has a resolution of 2484x1116 pixels, and in terms of quality, the secondary screen is not inferior to the main one.

On the back, there is the main Sony LYT-808 sensor with a resolution of 48 MP, a telephoto lens (64 MP) with 3x optical zoom, and an ultra-wide-angle camera (48 MP) with a 114˚ field of view. The main screen features a 20 MP sensor, while the external one has a 32 MP camera.

As we mentioned above, OnePlus Open is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It is the "regular" version of this chipset with the main Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.19 GHz. The graphics are handled by Adreno 740, and the RAM size is 16 GB. The internal storage capacity is 512 GB with UFS 4.0.

OnePlus Open, which is among the top-rated Android phones, is equipped with a 4805 mAh battery, which is close to the average for foldable smartphones. There are no issues with the gadget's autonomy: the battery energy lasts for 13 hours of web browsing or 15 hours of video playback. If you reduce the refresh rate, these indicators will slightly improve. The phone supports wired charging with a power of 67 W, and the required adapter is included with the phone. In 15 minutes, the device will charge halfway, and in 42 minutes, it will be fully charged.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra — Android with the best camera

This phone resembles more of a compact camera than a smartphone, all because of the huge camera module protruding from the back of the body. The phone is large, heavy, and not very convenient to use — it's better to touch it in person before buying. The back cover is made of artificial leather. It doesn't slip in the hand and doesn't collect fingerprints.

The camera equipment is magnificent: four modules can shoot with six different focal lengths. The main camera received a huge sensor by smartphone standards, capturing more light than competitors with smaller sensors. It can also change the aperture, allowing for more interesting shots in different conditions.

Two zoom lenses provide optical zoom at 3.2 and five times. Xiaomi 13 Ultra has more light-sensitive modules — they capture bright shots in cloudy weather and in the dark. There is also an ultra-wide-angle module that performs well in low-light conditions.

The device's internals correspond to the flagship level: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 12 GB of RAM, and up to 1 TB of internal storage. The phone is very fast and can run any games on the highest settings.

The large OLED display is one of the best on the market. It has a high resolution of 1440 × 3200, an optimal refresh rate of 120 Hz, and a record brightness of up to 2600 nits, making it look great in any conditions. They haven't forgotten about protection against PWM.

All the features of a top Android mobile are in place: water resistance according to the IP68 standard, fast charging in 30 minutes with a power of 90 W. There is wireless charging with reverse charging function for powering headphones, watches, or other devices.

Asus Zenfone 10 — the best in a compact form factor

While some opt for tablet-sized phones, others seek a small model, which are becoming increasingly rare. This is a rare representative of compact models. Moreover, it is not just small but a very powerful and practical flagship. It's a small and lightweight device that is convenient to use with one hand.

The gadget's back cover is made of textured plastic. The phone can be used without a case: the rear panel hardly scratches and does not collect fingerprints. It has water protection according to the IP68 standard – the device can stay underwater for up to one and a half hours, and the manufacturer claims that this will not harm it.

Inside is the same powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 512 GB of internal memory. The gadget is excellent for mobile gaming: it does not overheat during extended gaming sessions.

The display is small – only 5.9 inches. However, the specifications are at a high level: a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, which activates in some games, as well as excellent color palette and high brightness.

Asus Zenfone 10 does not try to compete with camera phones. It has only two cameras – main and ultra-wide-angle. There is no optical zoom; instead, there is digital zoom with a loss of quality. The main 50-megapixel module takes excellent shots in any conditions. Good HDR mode, vibrant colors, and low-light shooting are not a problem.

Despite its compact size, the battery does not disappoint. Thanks to the small screen, the power consumption is not that high – 4300 mAh is enough for a day and a half of work. There is 30W fast charging and wireless charging as well.

Google Pixel 7a — best cheap Android phone

Pixel smartphones with the letter "a" at the end are budget versions of flagship models. In this model, Google primarily saved on secondary details, while the main parameters are very close to premium devices.

It is a compact but powerful smartphone with an excellent camera, a bright and smooth display, and a recognizable design. However, the bezels around the screen are even larger than those on the Pixel 7 — this may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, the phone retained water resistance, wireless charging, and the proprietary processor. Compared to other mid-budget smartphones, this is an excellent offering.

The diagonal size is 6.1 inches, and the resolution is Full HD+, providing clear imagery. It features a good OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The display has high brightness, over 1300 nits, ensuring readability even in direct sunlight. The refresh rate is lower than many Chinese competitors, but the image remains sufficiently smooth when scrolling through texts and in games.

The smartphone comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The modern storage ensures that the smartphone operates quickly and responsively. The performance is managed by the Tensor G2, the same flagship chip used in the Pixel 7. It performs well under any load, especially excelling in tasks involving artificial intelligence, such as photo processing, voice recognition, and adapting energy-saving algorithms. While it may be weaker in games compared to counterparts from Qualcomm, Apple, and even MediaTek, it more than suffices for everyday tasks. The phone features biometric security.

The main camera has a resolution of 64 MP and optical stabilization. Thanks to this, the Pixel 7a captures excellent photos not only during the day but also in the evening, at night, and under artificial lighting. The additional ultrawide-angle camera with 13 MP is used for shooting landscapes and other scenes where a wider perspective is needed. The front camera is a 13 MP module.

The battery capacity is sufficiently large for a compact smartphone at 4385 mAh. The phone will definitely last the entire day, but it might fall short for two days. It supports USB PD 3.0 fast charging but at a slower 18W standard. There is also wireless charging with a maximum power of 7.5W.

The best Android phone 2024: Comparison Table