Compared to the Apple iPhones, Android offers you a lot of different options of smartphones for whatever your budget is. There are options out there that can range from as much as $1,800 all the way down to under $500, for a smartphone that still gets the job done well. With all of these different options you’ll be able to figure out what features are most important to you first and then go out and find a phone that fits your needs perfectly. For example, if you are someone that isn’t looking for or needs the best refresh rate display or telephoto lens then you could save a lot of money.
Top 10 Android smartphones
If you are someone looking for a premium Android smartphone, which comes with sharp and bright displays, advanced photography and cool features, then you would be looking at paying around $599 as an entry level option.
It is also nice to hear that 5G has become a lot more accessible to people since it is found in more affordable options now such as the Pixel 6a, OnePlus Nord N20 and the Galaxy A53. The 5G really will be able to help you with everyday use as it takes advantage of faster download speeds.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Pros
- Built in S Pen
- Bright display
- Cameras perform great in low light
Cons
- Expensive
- Shorter battery life than the S21 Ultra
Spec:
- Display : 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED
- CPU : Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM : 8GB/12GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
- Rear cameras : 108MP (f/2.2) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 10MP (f/2.4) 10x telephoto, 10MP (f/2.4) 3x telephoto
- Front cameras : 40MP (f/2.4)
- Battery life : +-8h50min (adaptive) / +-10h20min (60Hz)
If you’re looking for the best Android phone then you’ve probably heard someone mention the word Samsung and that is just because Samsung has been at the top of the Android smartphone game for years and with their new S22 Ultra they have just solidified their spot at the top. This phone is probably capable of everything and anything that you could ever want in a smartphone, such as a built-in S Pen Stylus. It has got some very powerful cameras that will allow you to capture scenes flawlessly, a great Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that makes it extremely fast and smooth, a lot of storage options to choose from and lastly an incredible display.
Some categories that this smartphone drops in is its battery life, surprisingly even more than this phone’s predecessor. The phone will last you over 10 hours at 60Hz and then when you turn the adaptive mode on and set the refresh rate to 120Hz the battery life drops to under nine hours which is far less than some of its rivals such as the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, which also has the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
But if you are someone that wants the best when it comes to the Android phone world and are prepared to spend $1,199 for that then the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is definitely the way to go.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Pros
- Great cameras
- Bright display
- New Tensor features
Cons
- Bad battery life
Spec:
- Display : 6.7 inch OLED
- CPU : Tensor G2
- RAM : 12GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
- Rear cameras : 50MP (f/1.85) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 48MP (f/3.5) 5x optical zoom
- Front cameras : 10.8MP (f/2.2)
- Battery life : +-6h30min
With the Google Pixel 7 Pro, Google have gone and taken what was wrong with the Pixel 6 Pro and fixed them to make this new and improved Pixel Pro smartphone. Some of the standout features that make this such an excellent smartphone option is its upgraded Tensor G2 processor, bright display and the 5x optical zoom.
The thing that this smartphone lacks the most is its battery life, which is actually even worse than the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. To try and distract you from the battery, which lasts more than three hours less than the 10 hours that we’d like to see these smartphones lasting, we have the amazing camera setup. The cameras on the Google Pixel 7 Pro are able to capture some of the best, if not the best, images on any Android phone.
For all of this performance that this phone offers you’d be expecting it to be expensive or at least closer to the price of something on a similar level, such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, but this phone actually only sets you back $899. With that being said, this is the smartphone that is thought of to be the best you can get in regards to value for money.
OnePlus 10 Pro
Pros
- Battery life
- Costs less than its predecessor
- Great cameras
Cons
- 8MP telephoto camera
Spec:
- Display : 6.7 inch AMOLED
- CPU : Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM : 8GB/12GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB / 256GB
- Rear cameras : 48MP (f/1.8) main, 50MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 8MP (f/2.4) 3.3x telephoto
- Front cameras : 32MP (f/2.2)
- Battery life : +-11h50min (120Hz) / +-12h30min (60Hz)
When it comes to talking about the best Android phones out right now then the OnePlus 10 Pro is definitely a top contender against big names like Samsung as well as Google. The OnePlus 10 Pro is a smartphone with an absolutely stunning mobile device and this design is paired with a stunning 6.7 inch AMOLED display that supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Don’t let the outside of this phone distract you from what’s on the inside. On the inside of this gorgeous phone it houses an amazing Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor to make sure that the looks of this phone is not the only thing that people are impressed with.
In areas such as battery life, this phone easily overpowers great smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, as it is able to last almost up to twelve hours in the adaptive 120Hz mode. What’s more is that this phone also supports 65W charging, which means that you’ll be able to get this phone back to max capacity in no time.
The OnePlus 10 Pro doesn’t really stick out from the rest of the phones when it comes to its cameras but that doesn’t mean that they are bad. Quite the contrary, the photos that you will be capturing with this phone come out very nice and will definitely keep users satisfied. Although the Samsung Galaxy range have their amazing software features and the Pixel 7 Pro has their amazing cameras, when it simply comes down to it the OnePlus 10 Pro is just overall a great phone in all areas.
Google Pixel 6a
Pros
- Great cameras
- Good display
- AI features powered by Tensor
Cons
- Battery life
- Cheap build
Spec:
- Display : 6.1 inch OLED
- CPU : Tensor
- RAM : 6GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB
- Rear cameras : 12.2MP (f/1.7) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide
- Front cameras : 8MP (f/2.0)
- Battery life : +-6h30min
Compared to the iOS options out there, Android users have more options than ever when it comes to choosing a smartphone. For the best bargain Android phone you’d definitely have the Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy A53 as the two top contenders and although the Samsung is an amazing phone the Pixel just takes the title, thanks to the amazing cameras that this phone houses, which the Google phones are so known for already.
Thanks to Google, this smartphone definitely stands out when it comes to its computational photography and its ability to produce stunning photographs and what’s more is that it even costs less than $500. The AI-powered features that people loved in the Pixel 6 are actually also found in the Pixel 6a, despite its low cost, since both of these phones are powered by the same Tensor chip. Some of these included features include on-device translation and even smart photo editing.
One thing that would’ve made this phone so much better is if they would improve on the battery life of this phone as it isn’t really up to the standard that you would want , to be able to enjoy your phone to the maximum. Other than this, this phone is an excellent option for those not looking to spend a terrible amount of money on a phone but still purchase one that you’ll be able to have fun with and appreciate.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Pros
- Display that supports 120Hz refresh rate
- Storage of up to 1TB
- Great software support
Cons
- Performance is average
Spec:
- Display : 6.5 inch OLED
- CPU : Exynos 1280
- RAM : 6GB
- Expandable Storage : 128GB
- Rear cameras : 64MP (f/1.8) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 5MP (f/2.4) macro, 5MP (f/2.4) depth
- Front cameras : 32MP (f/2.2)
- Battery life : +-9h50min (120Hz) / +-10h40min (60Hz)
This phone is yet another amazing option for those looking for a great phone that doesn’t cost too much. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is thought of as one of Samsung’s best budget smartphones and is definitely also a top contender for best Android phones that cost less than $500. This Samsung device is going to be able to give you some solid features that you’ll appreciate for just $449.
Most people wouldn’t expect the amazing 6.5 inch display, offering 120Hz refresh rate, that you’ll get when you purchase this phone because of its low price. What’s even more is that you’ll even get a decent wide and ultra wide camera to have fun with and take cool pictures with and although the Exynos 1280 chipset isn’t the best it is still more than capable of getting its job done.
When it comes to the battery life of this phone it is neither great nor bad but rather somewhere in the middle but if that isn’t enough for you you still have the option to switch the refresh rate down to 60Hz in order to elongate your battery life. Although the features and components on this phone may not be the greatest or most attractive it is the price tag that makes the case for this phone and is another great, low-cost, Android option.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
Pros
- Bright display
- Great performance
- 45W fast charging
- Amazing telephoto camera
Cons
- Battery life hasn’t improved much
Spec:
- Display : 6.6 inch Dynamic AMOLED
- CPU : Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM : 8GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB / 256GB
- Rear cameras : 50MP (f/1.8) wide, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 10MP (f/2.4) telephoto 3x optical zoom
- Front cameras : 10MP (f/2.2)
- Battery life : +-9h40min (adaptive) / +-10h (60Hz)
Although this may be the perfect example of a phone that hasn’t really improved much over its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is still definitely another great Android phone. The Galaxy S22 Plus is a phone that not only looks amazing on the outside but actually performs as great as how it looks. From its gorgeous, bright display to the phone’s amazing performance and great cameras this really is an amazing addition to the Galaxy S22 family.
If you’ve had the Galaxy S21 previously or have appreciated the look of it then the S22 Plus will definitely not disappoint you as it is a refinement of the new design style that Samsung is going for. One of the places where this phone didn’t really see much of an improvement from its predecessor is its battery life, which is certainly a let down.
At $999, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is in a tough spot as it goes up against some tough competitors in that same price bracket, however if you are looking for a big display that offers the Galaxy experience but don’t want to spend as much as you’d have it for the Galaxy S22 Ultra then the Plus is definitely a great option that is worth checking out.
Google Pixel 7
Pros
- Great quality cameras
- Costs less than $600
- Powerful Tensor G2
Cons
- Battery life
- Overall performance isn’t as good as other flagship options
Spec:
- Display : 6.3 inch OLED
- CPU : Tensor G2
- RAM : 8GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB / 256GB
- Rear cameras : 50MP (f/1.85) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide
- Front cameras : 10.8MP (f/2.2)
- Battery life : +-7h
The Google Pixel 7 is amongst the best Google phones out right now and what makes it so attractive is that it is very affordable when you compare it to other flagship Android phones, this phone proves that you are able to experience the amazing Tensor G2 features without spending a fortune. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S22, this phone costs $200 less and still offers a lot of the same capabilities as some of the more expensive Google phones like the Google Pixel 7 Pro, which is definitely an amazing phone.
Some of the features that people love and adore on the Google Pixel 7 Pro, like the call management, diction and transcription can all be found on the Google Pixel 7 as well. It isn’t just your favourite software features that are added to this phone but the computational photography features, which make Google devices standout in regards to cameras against other phones, have been added as well. The telephoto lens, that you have in the Google Pixel 7 Pro, will sadly not be on this phone but you’ll still have other amazing features such as the Super Res Zoom which is able to eliminate the noise that comes with digital zoom shots.
If the Google Pixel 7 was able to deliver an amazing battery life, on the same level as its performance, then this really would’ve been a spectacular phone but sadly it does lack a little in this department and really isn’t up to the standard that most people would have liked to see it. Nevertheless, with this phone’s sleek design and amazing display it really improves on the Pixel models that have come before it and is still a great device.
Asus Zenfone 9
Pros
- Great battery life
- Great performance
- Good value
Cons
- Photos tend to come out a bit warm
Spec:
- Display : 5.9 inch AMOLED
- CPU : Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
- RAM : 8GB / 16GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB / 256GB
- Rear cameras : 50MP (f/1.9) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide
- Front cameras : 12MP (f/2.45)
- Battery life : +-13h10min
There are still some people out there who prefer the feel of a smaller phone and compared to the previously listed phones, the Asus is definitely the one for you if you want a compact phone. Asus has put everything they have into making their latest phone, the Zenfone 9, a great one and they have succeeded. Asus has managed to pack the performance of the Snapdragon 9 Plus Gen 1, a good 4,300 mAh battery and even an amazing 8GB or even 16GB of RAM into their small phone that comes with a 5.9-inch display.
Asus has really packed everything you could have wanted from a phone, such performance, great battery life and good cameras, into a small compact design. Thanks to its small design it makes it very easy to navigate with one hand or even just makes it easier to store in places like your pockets, leaving room for other objects instead. The Asus ZenUI software that comes with this phone is also quite nice since it not only offers the normal Android experience, as you’d be expecting, it offers a few extra features on top of that to further enhance your experience.
Compared to the high price of the Samsung Galaxy S22 this phone beats that by a mile as it will only set you back $799. Although Samsung has a few advantages such as the display, you’ll really have to think about spending 100s of dollars more for it when Asus really has done a great job with the Zenfone 9.
OnePlus 10T
Pros
- Excellent charging
- Great performance
- Good battery life
Cons
- No wireless charging
- Weaker cameras than that of the OnePlus 10 Pro
Spec:
- Display : 6.7 AMOLED
- CPU : Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
- RAM : 8GB / 16GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB / 256GB
- Rear cameras : 50MP (f/1.8) main, 8MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 2MP macro
- Front cameras : 16MP (f/2.5)
- Battery life : +-11h (120Hz) / +-11h20min (60Hz)
This phone actually gives you a great opportunity to try the amazing Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor without having to spend that much to get it, as the OnePlus 10T phone starts from just $649. Then if you’re looking for a bit more strength or just have a bigger budget then you can opt for the version that comes with 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB and will only cost you $749. For this price and all these stats and the performance that you are able to squeeze out of this phone, this phone really will be able to satisfy a lot of people, gamers in particular.
Since this phone does come at a lower price than other flagship devices there are a few trade-offs that you notice when compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro for example. The camera setup in the OnePlus 10T doesn’t come with a telephoto lens, it also lacks some of the features that the more recent OnePlus models have in order to improve the phone’s picture-taking capabilities. But, if you move on from the trade-offs you get in the cameras then you notice that the OnePlus 10T has a really good battery life. Not only is the phone’s battery life extremely impressive but it takes only 20 minutes to charge back up to 100%. Even though the OnePlus 10 Pro is definitely the better Android phone there are still a lot of features to like about the the OnePlus 10T, like it coming at a cheaper price.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Pros
- Improved battery life over predecessor
- Great performance
- Same $999 price tag as predecessor
Cons
- No big camera upgrades
- Display crease is still prominent
Spec:
- Display : 6.7 inch FHD AMOLED inner and 1.9 inch AMOLED cover
- CPU : Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
- RAM : 8GB
- Unexpandable Storage : 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
- Rear cameras : 12MP (f/1.8) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide
- Front cameras : 10MP (f/2.4)
- Battery life : +-8h30min (adaptive) / +-9h (60Hz)
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is definitely a very impressive phone and has made some big strides from its predecessor in regards to things such as battery life and design. The new design that is offered with the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is sleeker and its battery life has improved a lot from the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Even though this phone still has the problem of the display crease being very noticeable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 offers a gorgeous 6.7 inch Super AMOLED display that lets you enjoy videos and photos at a different level. This phone also houses a powerful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, which means that this phone will be able to complete any task with ease like intense gaming. The improved battery life that you get from this phone can also be thanks to the increased power efficiency that you get from the processor.
The cameras that this phone comes with are a bit hard to judge because they have both good and bad features. An example of a good feature is its new night mode which works fantastic and produces cool images and on the other hand the daytime photos often turn out very unexciting because of the oversaturated look, which Samsung is famous for. If the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 was able to produce photos that were on the same level as the ones produced by the Samsung Galaxy S22 then people would definitely be a lot happier.
If you are someone that is looking to get involved in the world of foldable phones then the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is certainly a great choice, if not the best choice, and will only set you back $999. There are definitely some tradeoffs that you’ll have to endure with this phone when comparing it to other Android phones in the same price range but the uniqueness of this phone just might be worth it for you.
Conclusion
Before you decide to look at buying any type of Android phone you will first need to establish your budget. If you are looking to pay anything less than $450 then you will need to be ready for a lot of compromises and expect only the most basic features out of your phone.
Then when you get to the $450 price mark you’ll find a few more attractive options for you, which have better processors, better quality builds and more cameras. Moving on from this price range you get up into the $700 and up bracket and this is where the best brands offer their flagship devices with optimal performance and cutting edge computational photography as well as more special features you don’t see in lower classes.
So just think about how much you’re willing to spend and then compare the features that the different phones will be able to offer to you and decide which one will best cater to your wants and needs.
