Best Android Phone 2025
The best Android phone means something different to everyone—it's hard to find one that caters to every need. But chances are there's a smartphone that comes close to what you're looking for. From the bottomless pit of phone choices, these are my favorite Android handsets, including the Google Pixel 9a, WIRED's top pick. All the phones we've selected have advantages, and I've laid them out as best as possible based on extensive testing.
See our other mobile buying guides for more, like the Best iPhones, Best Cheap Phones, Best Samsung Phones, Phones With a Headphone Jack, Best Pixel Phones, and Best Folding Phones.
Updated May 2025: We've added the Motorola Razr 2025 series, CMF Phone 2 Pro, Moto G Stylus 2025, Minimal Phone, and mentioned the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
Yes. Many of the phones in this guide are the latest models we've tested, but more importantly, there's a strong chance that prices of electronics like smartphones, laptops, and tablets will start creeping up over the coming months due to the heavy China tariffs. It's an evolving situation, but it's smart to buy a new smartphone now (if you need to upgrade), instead of waiting and ending up having to pay an absurd price.
Buy an Unlocked Phone
We recommend unlocked phones in this guide. When a phone is sold as unlocked, that means it can be used on multiple wireless carriers and networks. When you buy a phone directly from your wireless carrier, usually on a payment plan, it often comes locked to that network.
Carriers are legally required to unlock a phone upon request so you can switch networks, but it's a big hassle. Try to pay full price for your phone, or make sure it specifically says it's unlocked. Buy it from the manufacturer directly, or investigate your carrier's policies for unlocking phones if they're bought on a payment plan that requires you to use its network. It's less of a hassle when you travel and want to switch to an international SIM card too.
Android Specs to Look For
If none of the smartphones in this guide strike your fancy and you want to keep looking, here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you shop.
Display size: You hold a smartphone all the time, so make sure whatever you pick is the right size for your palms. Most small Android phones are around 6.1 to 6.3 inches (measured diagonally), whereas larger phones typically top out at 6.8 or 6.9 inches.
Processor: Most smartphones are powered by a Qualcomm or MediaTek processor. Google phones use the company's in-house Tensor chip, and some Samsung phones utilize Samsung's Exynos processor in select markets. It's difficult to say how reliably a processor will perform without looking at reviews and benchmark results, so do your research. If you're after reliable performance, try to stick to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7 series or higher, or MediaTek's Dimensity 7000 series or higher.
RAM: You'll at the very least want a phone with 6 GB of RAM, though 8 GB would be better. This will let you juggle multiple apps much more seamlessly. If you want to future-proof your device, opting for 12 or 16 GB will likely allow you to better access new and upcoming artificial intelligence features, though it depends on the manufacturer and how well they support their devices.
Cooling: Good-performing phones can be ruined if they get too hot because then the processor gets throttled, causing slowdowns. This mostly applies to folks who game a lot, but it's worth checking whether there's a dedicated cooling system on the phone. You'll want to look for language like “heat pipes” or “vapor chamber cooling.”
Refresh rate: Most phones used to come with 60-Hz refresh rates, meaning the display refreshed 60 frames per second. Nowadays, even cheap phones offer 90- or 120-Hz screens. The more frames refreshed in a second, the more fluid everything looks and feels. It might sound small, but it can make a big difference in your smartphone feeling buttery smooth. We have a broader guide that explains this technology further. Flagship phones have screens with variable refresh rates that range from 1 to 120 Hz, meaning they're often more battery efficient.
Battery capacity: Smartphone batteries are measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). A big battery doesn't necessarily mean better battery life, because much depends on the size of the screen and other technologies the phone is powering. That said, most phones should have 4,000-mAh cells or higher, and you typically won't see anything higher than 5,500 mAh. Some phones now have silicon-carbon batteries, a new technology that allows them to be denser but thinner—the OnePlus 13, for example, has a 6,000-mAh battery but is slimmer than many of its peers.
Charging speeds: Most Android smartphones can charge fast, but certain companies offer shockingly fast recharge times. That's usually because they have a proprietary charging brick you'll need to use. You can find charging speed information on a phone's product spec page. OnePlus phones are famous for recharging fully within around 30 minutes. Just remember that these days, most smartphones do not come with a charging brick, just a cable. We have more details in this fast charging guide.
Software updates: Software support is crucial. It means your phone will stay secure for longer and you'll get new features over time. The gold standard in Android is 7 years right now, thanks to Samsung and Google. However, if you have a cadence of replacing your phone every two or three years, then the lesser update policies of other Android phone makers might not be as big of a deal to you.
Cameras: Camera specs are very misleading. A phone with a 108-megapixel sensor doesn't mean it will take better photos than a phone with a 50-MP sensor. The only way to really know is to look at reviews. What you can do, if the camera is important to you, is check if there's a versatile system. The best camera phones offer a primary wide camera, an ultrawide, and a telephoto zoom (usually at 5X zoom). That said, cheap phones tend to come with a lot of cameras, many of which are useless.
Extra features: It's important not to overlook the smaller features you may expect. Does the phone have a near-field communication sensor (NFC) so you can make contactless payments? Does it have a good IP rating that can survive a drop in the pool? Is there wireless charging? What about a microSD card slot or headphone jack? Make sure you vet the phone's tech specs if you're after something specific.
5G service: Most new smartphones support 5G now, the current generation of network connectivity. If the phone you're looking at doesn't support 5G—don't fret! 4G LTE isn't going anywhere yet. Don't feel pressured to upgrade to a 5G phone. That said, you do need a 5G-enabled smartphone if you want to make use of 5G speeds. It's available in phones as cheap as $200.
How to Switch Between Phones
The best way to switch phones is to follow the setup prompts when you first boot up your new device—make sure you transfer data from an old phone via a cable. It's much faster than doing it wirelessly, though that's an option too. Some manufacturers, like Samsung, will suggest you download a proprietary data transfer app on your old device, like Smart Switch, and you should. It means less work for you—whether it's fewer apps you need to sign into or fewer icons you need to rearrange. If you're coming from an iPhone, you can use Google's official Android Switch app, though it's not necessary if you are switching to a Samsung phone.
Check out our tips on setting up your new Android phone for more, and our steps on how to back up an Android and how to factory reset it.
How We Test Smartphones
I put my personal SIM card in every smartphone I test, and typically use it for a week, if not two or three. I stress test performance by playing mobile games and running benchmark tests, and I often do camera testing by bringing a competing phone along and analyzing photos side by side on a larger, more color-accurate screen. I've been reviewing smartphones for close to a decade—not just the flagship devices either. I'm always testing cheap phones to see what innovations are trickling down.
The Best Android Phone Overall
For several years, Google's Pixel A-series phones have been our number one smartphone choice for most people. Why? Because you get almost everything you'd want for half the price of a flagship. You don't need to spend north of $500 for a good phone. The Pixel 9a continues this trend (9/10, WIRED Recommends). The 120-Hz OLED screen gets bright, the 5,100-mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day, and the top-end Tensor G4 chipset delivers flagship-grade performance. Pixels are known for their great cameras, and the dual-camera system here doesn't disappoint. Topping all that off are perks like Qi wireless charging, secure face unlock, an IP68 water resistance rating, and seven years of software support. The only major caveat? Replacing the battery is incredibly difficult.
This phone has almost all the features of the premium Pixel 9 series (see below), even some fun new camera features like Add Me and Best Take. However, because it only has 8 GB of RAM, you won't be able to access the new Pixel Screenshots app or Call Notes, which provides a text summary of your phone calls. Still, you're left with a bevy of smart features that are genuinely helpful day-to-day, from Google's excellent Call Screen technology that keeps spam calls at bay to Magic Eraser.
Specs Display: 6.3-inch, 120-Hz, OLED Processor and RAM: Tensor G4 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 128- and 256-GB options Battery: 5,100 mAh Cameras: 48-MP main camera, 13-MP ultrawide, 13-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 years of software updates Extras: Qi wireless charging, IP68, fingerprint and secure face unlock, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks Featured Video
The Smartest Smartphones
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Photograph: Julian ChokkattuGoogle
Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google's Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are the smartest Android phones. From instant transcriptions and summaries of recordings and calls to finding information from a long-lost screenshot you captured ages ago, these phones are chock-full of AI features that make a small difference in day-to-day use. These flagships are Google's most polished models to date, with a sleek new pill-shaped camera visor, a flat display, and flat edges for easier grip. They share the same features across both sizes, save for screen and battery size. The Pixel 9 Pro XL will last a bit longer, but neither phone will get much more than a day with heavy use.
The Pixel 9 Pro series has a vapor chamber cooling system that dissipates heat better, so you can run graphics-intensive games for longer periods without running into stutters or dealing with a super hot phone. But it's the cameras and photos that really make them shine. From the 5X optical zoom to the 42-MP selfie camera, you'll be satisfied with the results, as they deliver some of the best mobile photography. You can take things further by employing Google's AI camera features, like Reimagine, which lets you type text to generate things into existing images. Add a large moon in the background of your photo, make it look like it was raining, or change the lighting to golden hour. It's scary how good it is.
You can find more details in our dedicated Google Pixel Phone buying guide and our review, but the Pixel 9 Pro models have an excellent blend of smart software, polished hardware, and brawny internals that make them an easy recommendation to anyone looking to spend this much on a smartphone.
Specs Display: 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, OLED Processor and RAM: Tensor G4 with 16 GB RAM Storage: 128-GB, 256-GB, 512-GB, and 1-TB options Battery: 4,700 and 5,060 mAh Cameras: 50-MP wide, 48-MP ultrawide, 48-MP telephoto (5X), 42-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 years of software updates Extras: Qi wireless charging, IP68, fingerprint and secure face unlock, NFC, VPN, Video Boost, Google One AI Premium Plan Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks
Best Flagship Phones
Photograph: Julian ChokkattuSamsung
Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra
Samsung's smartphones are the crème de la crème of the Android world, with top specs, refined hardware, and excellent software support. None of that has changed with the new Galaxy S25 series (7/10, WIRED Recommends), but that's mostly because they're not too different from their predecessor. Outside of the usual spec changes, the phones are largely unchanged, and Samsung instead emphasized artificial intelligence. The best part of the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra is the chipset and heat management—the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite is a powerful chip, and combined with improved cooling mechanisms, there's a noticeable improvement when playing demanding games for lengthy periods (the phone doesn't get super hot fast and games, which in turn means games don't stutter as frequently).
The big AI features fall a little flat. It's nice that Gemini is now the default assistant instead of Samsung's Bixby (which still exists), but the new features are not all that impactful. Samsung's wireless charging implementation is more annoying—the phones support Qi2 but do not have magnets built in. Officially, they're “Qi2 Ready,” which means you need a magnetic case (we've rounded up our favorites here) to enable it. Even with the lackluster improvements, it's hard to be dissatisfied with these devices when they excel in every category, from stunning AMOLED displays to versatile cameras and day-long battery life. The Galaxy S25 is a fantastic compact size, and the Galaxy S25+ matches it in features but sizes up. The S25 Ultra doesn't feel as Ultra anymore, but you still get a more durable build, an extra 5X optical zoom camera, and the S Pen stylus.
Samsung recently announced the Galaxy S25 Edge, an ultra-thin and lightweight smartphone with many of the same specs as the S25 Ultra. Stay tuned for our review, and check out our Best Samsung Galaxy Phones guide for more.
Specs Display: 6.2-inch, 6.7-inch, 6.9-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED Processor and RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB of RAM Storage: 128-GB, 256-GB, 512-GB, and 1-TB options Battery: 4,000, 4,900, and 5,000 mAh Cameras: S25 and S25+ have a 50-MP main camera, 12-MP ultrawide, 10-MP telephoto, and 12-MP selfie cameras | S25 Ultra has a 200-MP main, 50-MP ultrawide, 10-MP telephoto (3X), 50-MP telephoto (5X), and 12-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 years of software updates Extras: Qi2 Ready wireless charging (with magnetic case), IP68, fingerprint unlock, NFC, S Pen stylus integrated on S25 Ultra Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks If Battery Life Is Your Priority
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Photograph: Julian ChokkattuOnePlus
13
OnePlus has always been the flagship Android smartphone I recommend for anyone not interested in a Samsung or Google device. The company has focused on innovating in the battery and charging space to stand out—the OnePlus 13 is the only phone in the US that can go from zero to 100 percent in a mere 36 minutes, provided you use the included charger. It is also one of the few phones with a silicon-carbon battery, providing greater power density without increasing thickness. (It has a whopping 6,000-mAh battery and is thinner than the OnePlus 12, which has a smaller cell!) It's a shame there's no Qi2 wireless charging here, which would have introduced a magnetic charging system like Apple's MagSafe, though OnePlus does sell official cases with magnets embedded inside for a similar experience.
You can choose between the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R (8/10, WIRED Recommends)—the latter is cheaper ($600) and isn't as feature-rich, nor does it have the same high-end specs. You can make do with the OnePlus 13R just fine, but I don't find it as good a value over the OnePlus 12R from 2024. Go for the OnePlus 13 instead. The display isn't as curvy as before, making it easier to grip, there's flagship-worthy water resistance of IP68/69, and performance is excellent. Battery life is roughly two days with average use, or about a day if you use the phone for many tasks. The triple-camera system is also pretty great. I routinely used the 3X camera and was very happy with my results. It's not the best camera system, but it's fun to use and slick, plus I like the Hasselblad-tuned filters.
Specs Display: 6.82-inch 120-Hz LTPO, OLED Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB RAM (up to 16 GB RAM) Storage: 256 GB and 512 GB Battery: 6,000 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 50-MP telephoto (3X), 50-MP ultrawide, and 32-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): Four OS upgrades, 6 years of security updates Extras: Qi wireless charging, IP68/69, fingerprint unlock, NFC, and fast charging with the proprietary charger Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks
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Best Under $400
Photograph: Julian ChokkattuMotorola
Moto G Stylus 2025
Motorola's latest Moto G Stylus has it all, from great performance thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip to an embedded stylus for signing documents or doodling. The bright, bold blue color is also striking and gorgeous, with a lovely vegan leather texture. Seriously, there's not much to complain about here, considering it has all the additional perks like wireless charging, a microSD card slot to expand on the already generous 256 GB of storage, and did I mention the headphone jack?
The 50-megapixel main camera is reliable, even in low light, if you stay still when capturing the photo. The ultrawide is only useful in bright conditions. The only real gripe is the lackluster software update policy, though it's better than years past. You get two Android OS upgrades and 3 years of security updates. Companies like Nothing and Samsung offer better software support for cheaper phones, and there's no reason Motorola can't match them.
Specs Display: 6.7-inch, 120-Hz AMOLED Processor and RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 256 GB Battery: 5,000 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 13-MP ultrawide, 32-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): Two OS upgrades, 3 years of security updates Extras: Qi wireless charging, IP68, fingerprint unlock, headphone jack, microSD, eSIM Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks Best Aesthetic
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Photograph: Julian ChokkattuNothing
Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro
Here's another well-rounded smartphone that doesn't have an exorbitant price. The Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro are sub-$500 Android phones, and they are both fantastic (8/10, WIRED Recommends). They're identical in every way except the cameras, where the Pro model has a slight advantage in zoom and low-light capabilities. I think the Phone (3a) looks nicer and is a better value.
Run through the list of specs and you'll be hard-pressed to find fault with the hardware. The display is wonderfully smooth with its 120-Hz refresh rate, and it's no struggle to see in the sun. Performance is snappy, battery life is reliable, and the camera quality is decent for the money. Nothing is even promising longer software updates than ever before. I appreciate Nothing's infusion of artificial intelligence, too—the physical Essential Key button lets you record notes via text or voice, and AI will summarize these notes and turn them into actionable tasks.
There are some drawbacks—these phones are only IP64-rated, so don't drop them in the pool. There's no wireless charging, either. You also need to sign up for a beta program in the US to buy them, which isn't a huge deal, but this is because connectivity isn't as seamless. While it'll work best on T-Mobile, you'll only get 4G on Verizon and AT&T until you ask the carriers to whitelist the device for 5G access. That process is sure to be frustrating.
Specs Display: 6.77 inch, AMOLED LTPS, 120 Hz Processor and RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with 12 GB of RAM Storage: 256 GB Battery: 5,000 mAh Cameras: Phone (3a) has a 50-MP main, 8-MP ultrawide, 50-MP telephoto (2X optical), 32-MP selfie camera | Phone (3a) Pro has a 50-MP main, 8-MP ultrawide, 50-MP telephoto (3X optical), 50-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): Three OS upgrades, 6 years of security updates Extras: 50-watt fast charging, IP64, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on T-Mobile. 4G works on AT&T and Verizon, but you need to contact the carriers to whitelist the device for 5G
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