The best Android phones you can buy right now

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best phone you can buy, so it should come as no surprise to see it top this list.

It’s arguably the ultimate smartphone, packing almost every premium feature you can expect into one huge device. However, the gorgeous 6.8-inch display and built-in S Pen stylus are certainly worth it.

Other highlights include sublime performance from an overclocked version of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and strong battery life from the 5000mAh cell. The cameras might not be the best on any smartphone, but they’re not far off, offering impressive versatility across four lenses.

Samsung’s One UI software is intuitive and relatively easy to use, and the company’s new AI features are genuinely useful. Throw in a class-leading seven years of updates and you’ve got yourself a superb phone.

Aside from the imposing design and relatively slow charging, the price tag is the main thing that counts against the S24 Ultra. But if you can afford it, you won’t be disappointed.

In the past, Xiaomi’s version of Android has often prevented us from recommending its phones. Despite a rebrand, the new HyperOS skin isn’t a big step forward, but it shouldn’t detract from just how good this phone is.

Undoubtedly, the highlight is the cameras. Alongside the Photography Kit accessory (sold separately), they transform the phone into a genuine DSLR replacement for many people. The image quality and versatility across all four 50Mp rear lenses and the 32Mp selfie camera is simply superb.

There’s lots more to like too, including a gorgeous display, stunning premium design and great performance. Battery life is strong, and you get a 90W fast charger in the box. From a hardware perspective, it’s hard to fault.

Aside from price, the main reason you might not want to buy it is Xiaomi’s HyperOS software, which still contains a lot of bloatware and can get frustrating. But if you can look beyond this, the 14 Ultra will give you an unrivalled photography experience.

Looking for something more affordable? The regular Xiaomi 14 is also a great choice.

After Oppo decided not to release its Find X6 and Find X7 series flagships outside China, the Find X8 series marks a triumphant return to Europe.

Both the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro are excellent phones, but the latter has a slight upper hand. It’s powerful, good-looking, offers amazing battery life and has plenty of software perks.

But it’s the cameras that set it apart from rivals, and turn a great phone into a superb one. For pure image quality, it’s probably only the Xiaomi 14 Ultra that can rival it right now for UK buyers.

The phone isn’t without its compromises – there are a couple of small camera downgrades compared to the Find X7 Ultra, while the software takes some getting used to – but there’s no doubt that the Find X8 Pro is up there with the very best Android phones right now.

If neither of the options above appeals you to, a Pixel 9 is probably your best bet. And if you want the absolute best experience, the newly-branded Pixel 9 Pro XL is the one to go for.

While not quite the standout phone we saw with the Pixel 8 Pro, the 9 Pro XL still delivers a compelling experience in almost all key areas.

The cameras are the highlight once again, offering vibrant, high-contrast photos while maintaining key details. That includes in low-light conditions, even if the brightening is by no means true to life. A quality ultrawide lens and 5x optical zoom from the telephoto make it an impressively versatile camera system, while selfies from the upgraded front lens are excellent.

Elsewhere, the excellent 6.8-inch display is a joy to use, while Google’s Tensor G4 chipset delivers solid performance. And the build quality is higher than ever, even if the move to a more generic design will disappoint some people.

Google continues to ace the software experience, even if the 9 Pro XL runs Android 14 out of the box and AI features are hit-and-miss. Google’s commitment to seven years of both OS and security updates is still yet to be beaten on any phone.

Battery life is decent rather than a key strength, while 37W charging feels slow. Ultimately, whether you buy the 9 Pro XL depends on whether you think the even higher price tag is worth it.

If not, consider the Pixel 9 Pro or regular Pixel 9 instead, though there are downgrades to be aware of.

For a few years now, Google’s A-Series handsets have offered the best value for money in the entire smartphone. However, despite plenty of strengths, the Pixel 8a has been usurped in this regard by the OnePlus Nord 4.

That starts with superb build quality, with one piece of sturdy aluminium extending across the back and sides of the phone. At the front is a gorgeous 120Hz OLED screen, supplemented by strong performance and all-day battery life.

Provided you’re a fan of the design, the compromises here are concentrated around the cameras. There’s no telephoto lens, meaning zoom shots are disappointing, while the ultrawide OnePlus has opted for instead flatters to deceive.

However, if you primarily use the main lens anyway, you won’t be disappointed. And with six years of security updates, the Nord 4’s longevity is almost as good as the Pixel 8a’s.

Overall, it’s the leading choice if you’re in the market for a mid-range Android phone.

When you think of flip phones released in 2024, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 is probably the first one that comes to mind. But while it is worth considering, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (known as the Razr+ (2024) in some markets) is a better choice for most people.

The 4-inch, 165Hz outer screen is the main reason for this. Not only is it significantly larger than rivals, you can run any app you like on it without any complicated workarounds. The 6.9-inch, 165Hz internal display is just as impressive, with a crease that’s barely noticeable.

While not quite as good as the best camera phones, the Razr 50 Ultra’s rear cameras can take great shots in a range of environments. However, Motorola has gone for 2x telephoto rather than ultrawide lens, while the internal selfie camera isn’t very good.

But with slick software (despite some cover screen bugs), solid battery life and decent charging speeds, Motorola is onto a winner. The Z Flip 6 is better in some areas, including long software support, but the Razr is a better all-round pick for most people.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, consider the regular Razr 50 instead. And if a book-style foldable is your preference, go for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The OnePlus 12 is significantly more expensive than the OnePlus 11, which was a great handset for the money. But this extra expense is justified – a stunning design, significant performance upgrade and the introduction of wireless charging make a real difference.

Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset speeds through tasks with ease (including gaming), then combines with a 5400mAh battery for superb battery life. When you do run low, you can choose between 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, though the 80W charger in the box will be plenty fast enough for most people.

The 120Hz AMOLED screen is among the largest on any phone at 6.82-inches, but also one of the best. The slick software experience is also a joy to use, even if the four OS updates and five years of security updates is a small step down from the best around.

Rear cameras, a weakness of earlier OnePlus phones, are very good on the whole. But the ultrawide and selfie lenses aren’t the best, and the IP65 rating means it’s not protected against submersion in water.

Nonetheless, none of these should be dealbreakers for most people. The OnePlus 12 still undercuts many flagships on price, making it a great option.

CMF, Nothing’s sub-brand, has previously focused on wearables and audio products.

But its first attempt at a smartphone is an undoubted success, combining a fun look with solid core features and an impressively low price tag – just £209/$199.

Its design is the clear highlight, with a back panel that can easily be swapped out and attachment for a lanyard, kickstand, or card wallet, all of which CMF sells as optional extras. However, even if you don’t care about any of that stuff, the Phone 1 has strong performance and an attractive display, both of which are must-haves on a modern smartphone.

Battery life is decent, while Nothing’s unique take on Android combines a unique look with no bloatware.

The lack of NFC (and so no support for contactless payments) is the biggest potential dealbreaker, while the cameras and water resistance could do with work. Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G or A15 4G are the cheap phones to get if you value long software support, too.

But as a complete package, the CMF Phone 1 is the best all-rounder in the budget smartphone market right now.

The middle phone in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 range isn’t quite the all-singing, all-dancing S24 Ultra, but it’s arguably a better phone for most people.

You still get most of the fundamentals of Samsung’s ultra-flagship, including a gorgeous large display, superb battery life, useful AI features and that class-leading seven-year update commitment.

US buyers will still get the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, but even the Exynos 2400 in the UK delivers strong performance.

If you can do without a stylus or loads of storage but still want a Samsung flagship, the S24+ is the phone to get.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a vast improvement on the previous model and one of the most polished and premium-feeling foldable handsets on the market today.

Despite having a slower processor and fewer software features, it’s a better pick than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 overall. And while the Honor Magic V3 has a superior design, it’s let down by disappointing software, an area where the Pixel excels.

Other key strengths of the 9 Pro Fold include the excellent cameras we’ve come to associate with Pixel devices, plus two very good displays. The 9 Pro Fold can slot into your life more seamlessly than most folding phones.

However, Google’s Tensor G4 doesn’t quite excel when it comes to performance, while charging is frustratingly slow. These might be dealbreakers for you at this price point, but it’s still the best book-style foldable overall.