The perfect Android telephones have wonderful cameras, a battery life that lasts a day or extra, a strong processor and years of software program and safety updates. We examined dozens of Android smartphones, and located the very best telephones you can purchase. Google’s Pixel 9 and the 9 Pro XL make our record as does Samsung’s Galaxy S25. CNET editors have examined and reviewed each telephone on this record. So you shouldn’t have any hassle discovering one which fits your wants. Whereas tariffs and a basic uncertainty across the financial system have brought on folks to contemplate upgrading their telephone, corporations like Samsung and Google haven’t raised the costs on their present choices.
What’s the very best Android telephone?
The $800 Samsung Galaxy S25’s battery life is superb. That is not the one motive it is our choose for greatest Android telephone. It will get seven years of main Android updates, and the cameras are good (there’s even a 3x telephoto lens for zooming). Then there are all of the AI options: Most are simply OK, however Circle to Search is excellent. Samsung tries to set the Galaxy S25 aside by leaning into what’s new (AI), in addition to embracing the acquainted (good cameras and battery life). And we’re undoubtedly impressed. There are many different wonderful selections, with the Pixel 8A being one other present favourite.
Greatest Android telephones of 2025
Latest updates
In January 2025, we added the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Extremely to our record. The brand new telephones substitute final 12 months’s Galaxy S24 collection and include new processors and cameras–all on the identical value.
Elements to contemplate when shopping for an Android telephone
Take a look at final 12 months’s telephones: Firms usually maintain earlier fashions round at a reduced value. For instance, whereas you should buy the $699 Pixel 8 or $999 Pixel 8 Pro for lower than the present Pixel 9 equivalents.
Get extra for much less with low-cost telephones: For a fraction of the fee, you may get a stable telephone that does virtually every part a pricier flagship telephone can do. The Google Pixel 8A packs a very good digicam and is incessantly discounted to underneath $400.
Verify your Android sort: Some telephones, like Google’s Pixel collection, run a inventory model of Android. Others, like Samsung’s Galaxy telephones, have their very own software program (OneUI) on prime of Android. Every sort has its personal enchantment and disadvantages. When you’ve been rocking a Samsung telephone for years, you may doubtless nonetheless be extra at residence on a brand new Galaxy telephone.
Be prepared for Cyber Monday gross sales: The vacations normally deliver massive reductions and gross sales, even on telephones.
Check your telephone: It is undoubtedly price going to a retailer and attempting out a telephone earlier than you shell out lots of of {dollars} for it.
Discover peace of thoughts with a case: You spent all this time selecting a telephone, now shield it from harm with a case.
How we check telephones
We check each facet of a brand new telephone from the battery and processor to the cameras.
We check each telephone in real-world situations specializing in its options, design, efficiency, cameras, battery life and total worth. We doc our findings in an preliminary evaluation that’s periodically up to date when there are new software program updates or to match towards new telephones from telephones from opponents like Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
Images
Images is a serious focus for many telephones nowadays, so we take footage and movies of varied topics in quite a lot of settings and lighting situations. We check out any new digicam modes such because the 4K 120fps gradual movement mode that debuted on the iPhone 16 Professional or the Add Me photograph software that launched with the Google Pixel 9 collection.
Battery life
Battery testing is carried out in quite a lot of methods. We assess how lengthy a telephone lasts throughout a typical day of use, and notice the way it performs throughout extra centered classes of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We additionally conduct a video playback check, which is not at all times included within the preliminary evaluation and is added later in an replace.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 largely has the identical digicam {hardware} because the Z Flip 4. However the brand new chip brings some picture processing enhancements.
Efficiency
We use benchmarking apps to measure the efficiency, alongside our personal anecdotal experiences utilizing the telephone for our evaluation. Of explicit notice are how graphics and animations look. Are they easy? Or do they lag or stutter? We additionally take a look at how rapidly the telephone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations and how briskly the digicam app opens and is able to take a photograph.
Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET
We carry out processor-heavy duties like modifying images, exporting movies and taking part in video games. We consider whether or not a more recent model of a selected telephone contains sufficient options to make it price upgrading from older fashions.
Learn extra: How We Test Phones
Different telephones we examined
The Galaxy S24 FE does an honest job taking images, however the costlier Galaxy S24 makes use of its extra highly effective processor to reinforce them.
Samsung’s $650 Galaxy S24 FE is such a consolation to make use of that at moments our reviewer, Mike Sorrentino, felt like he was testing a scaled-back model of the $1,000 Galaxy S24 Plus. The S24 FE’s giant 6.7-inch 120Hz refresh-rate show made it straightforward for me to get pleasure from streaming reveals, taking part in video games and taking video calls all through the day. And it contains practically each software program perk from the costlier Galaxy S24 line. Learn our full evaluation of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
The OnePlus 13 is the primary true flagship telephone of 2025 and there is loads to love. From its highly effective efficiency to its quick charging and vibrant show, it has a lot of what we anticipate from a top-end telephone proper now. It appears good too, has nice waterproofing, a scattering of recent AI abilities and an inexpensive six years of safety assist. However whereas achieved in some respects, the OnePlus 13 feels extra like a “fairly good” 2024 telephone, reasonably than kicking off a brand new 12 months of tech with any form of fanfare. Read our OnePlus 13 review.
Android telephone FAQ
Which Android telephone has the very best digicam?
The $999 Pixel 9 Professional and the $1,300 Galaxy S25 Extremely (for zooming).
What are the very best manufacturers for Android telephones?
The perfect Android telephone makers embody Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Motorola and Nothing.
How dependable is an Android telephone?
Android telephones are available in all sizes and shapes. Costs vary from only a couple hundred {dollars} for a fundamental smartphone to $1,800 for state-of-the-art foldable telephones. All of the telephones on this record are sturdy, have an IP score for water and dirt resistance and years of software program assist.
How lengthy does an Android telephone final?
Each telephone on this record varies in what number of years of software program assist you get and the way lengthy you’ll be able to prolong the guarantee, however most ought to final you a couple of years if no more.
What to look ahead to in 2025
Samsung teased the Galaxy S25 Edge at its January Galaxy Unpacked occasion. Not a lot is thought in regards to the telephone except for it being extra slim than the common Galaxy S25. This is every part you should know in regards to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Google is anticipated to launch the Pixel 10 collection later this 12 months.
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