Experts tested hundreds of Android smartphones and identified the 5 best (photos, videos)

Latest fall smartphones include new products from Samsung, Google and Asus. The selection was created by Android Authority source.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

Equipped with a wide range of new artificial intelligence features, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is the base model of the S24 series with a size of 6.7 inches. Sharing most specs and features with the standard S24, the S24 Plus offers a larger battery, more storage, 12 GB RAM and Quad HD resolution. Designed for those who want a larger screen but aren’t only interested in the best features found on the S24 Ultra.

Google Pixel 9

Google’s basic flagship is back on our list, although its price continues to rise. Simply put, the Pixel 9 is one of those Android phones that gets better over time, allowing it to increase its value even more. While the Pixel 8 seemed like a way to introduce Gemini to the world, the Pixel 9 looks to take assistive AI to the next level.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung’s true flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, offers the best specs and features of any Galaxy phone to date. Artificial intelligence and camera features are the most important features, with a 200 MP primary camera, 50 MP 5x telephoto lens, 10 MP 3x telephoto lens and a 12 MP ultra wide-angle camera.

Smaller display bezels, 2600 nits display, 5000 mAh battery, advanced vapor chamber cooling, up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage and 12 GB RAM make this a powerful mobile computing system. The new ProVisual Engine offers AI-powered camera tools for photo and video.

ROG Phone 8

Phones aimed at gamers have always had some glaring omissions or unusual design decisions, but the ROG Phone 8 is a welcome exception. Not only is it the best gaming phone, it also eliminates many of the typical shortcomings of niche gaming devices and takes more cues than ever from the ASUS Zenfone series.

Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL

Since this is the first time Google has introduced two Pro-class Pixels, it may be easiest to hide their differences rather than their similarities. The Pixel 9 Pro is clearly the smaller of the two, offering a flat 6.3-inch display compared to the flat 6.8-inch XL variant.

It has a slightly smaller battery and slightly slower charging, but it’s not as picky about which USB PD PPS charger you plug it into.

Additional recommended smartphones

There are a few other options that may be more suitable. Some are only aimed at Europe, while others are too niche to make it to the top of the list.

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series is among the simplest foldable devices we can recommend, and its sixth iteration is its best yet. Its pocket-sized size and attractive design make it a great choice for most people, and after a few polishes, there are now few compromises left for the Flip’s clamshell-style folding form factor.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: If you want a full-size tablet, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers a larger screen, more power and more accessories than its Flip sibling. It is now on par with the Galaxy S series in terms of software support and artificial intelligence features.
• ASUS Zenfone 10: If you want a small Android flagship, the Zenfone 10 is the best of the bunch. It’s ready for one-handed use and doesn’t compromise on battery life or performance.
• Google Pixel 8a: Not everyone can afford to spend more than $800 on a phone, and that’s where this budget option comes into play. It’s cheaper than the Pixel 8 but uses the same chipset and offers many of the same smart features.
• Samsung Galaxy S24: The Galaxy S24 isn’t as impressive as its bigger siblings, but it’s a great choice if you want a smaller Android phone. It outshines the Galaxy S24 Plus in several ways, but has less RAM, a smaller battery, and less base storage. A slightly cheaper option is the Galaxy S23 FE, which makes some compromises in build quality but is otherwise a good choice.
• Motorola Razr Plus (2024): Some might argue that Motorola, not Samsung, has the best clamshell phone in the US right now. The Razr Plus has an interesting combination of wide-angle and telephoto cameras and the largest cover screen you can find on a flip phone right now.
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Google’s approach to the foldable device is slightly different than Samsung’s preference in favor of a slightly wider overall design. This year, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold even removed the camera panel and moved it to a square body in the top corner.
• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G: Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a great mid-range device. It’s overshadowed by Samsung’s more expensive Galaxy S series phones, but it’s a great choice for those on a budget.
• Nothing Phone 2: Nothing has made a huge improvement on its second smartphone, and the Glyph on the back is still a big plus. It’s also officially available in the US, making it a great device for those looking to start a conversation.
• HONOR Magic 6 Pro: HONOR has seriously upped its game with the Magic 6 Pro and can finally rival Samsung and Apple. Of course, if you live in the UK or Europe.
• Sony Xperia 1 Vl: If you want hardware that doesn’t skimp on the budget, the Xperia 1 VI is for you. It finally gets a more flexible camera setup and improved battery life; That makes it the most practical Xperia flagship in years, even if it’s hard to find in the US.

let’s remind this Google’s November 2024 update adds a useful battery saver feature to Android 15This only charges the phone to 80% per cycle.