The Best Android Phones of 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

The Android ecosystem is all about choice. While iPhone owners have a smaller pool of new devices to pick from when it’s time to upgrade, Android users enjoy a wider range of options. Some Android phones even fold in half! Imagine.

However, all that choice can lead to difficult decisions. Here’s where I’d like to assist; I’ve tested a significant number of recent Android phones, and I believe there are some standout models in the current lineup. It ultimately depends on what you’re looking for, your budget, and your definition of a “reasonably sized phone” (I have my own, personally).

As you explore the options, you’ll likely encounter tech’s favorite buzzword of the moment: AI. Generally speaking, AI has yet to truly impress me on smartphones. The Pixel 9 series offers some potentially useful features, such as a Screenshots app that utilizes AI to tag relevant information in metadata, and Galaxy devices can translate phone calls in real time. These features are noteworthy, but they do not represent the platform shift that major tech companies continue to promise. It’s wise not to place too much faith in any company’s AI claims just yet.

How We Test Smartphones

There is no shortcut to properly testing a phone; I insert my personal SIM card (physical or otherwise) into each device I review and use it for a minimum of one full week. I set up each phone from scratch, load it with my apps, and go about my daily life — stress-testing the battery, using GPS navigation on my bike while streaming radio, and taking rapid-fire portrait mode photos of my child — everything I can throw at it. Starting over with a new phone every week either sounds like a dream or a personal nightmare, depending on how passionate you are about phones. For me, switching has become so routine that it’s mostly painless.

Key Features to Consider

Longevity

A great Android phone should last for years. I look for indicators that the hardware and software will remain relevant for an extended period, including a strong IP rating for dust and water resistance (IP68 is preferred), durable glass panels on both the front and back, and a sturdy aluminum frame instead of plastic. Samsung and Google flagships now offer seven years of OS and security updates, which is impressive. As a bare minimum, three years of Android OS version upgrades are preferred, along with a total of four or five years of security updates.

A Great Screen

The best Android phones feature ample resolution to cover their large display area, ideally 1440p. A fast refresh rate of at least 120Hz is preferred — animations and scrolling appear exceptionally smooth at that rate — and it’s even better if it’s variable down to 1Hz to conserve battery life.

Quality Cameras

Any phone can capture decent photos in good lighting, but the best phone cameras excel in low light and high-contrast situations as well. I look for optical (most common) or sensor-shift (rare) image stabilization, which helps counteract hand shake and allows for slower shutter speeds in low light to gather more light. A telephoto lens is also beneficial, although high-resolution sensors are beginning to offer better lossless crop modes that effectively mimic short zoom lenses.

Wireless Charging

Most phones on this list support wireless charging, though not all do. The absence of wireless charging isn’t a complete deal-breaker, but it is becoming an essential feature for many users due to its convenience for charging various devices.

If you reside in the US, I have some unfortunate news about the Android market. For complex reasons related to “capitalism” and “geopolitics,” we do not have access to nearly as many options as those available in Asia and Europe — brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo are simply not available here. I have limited this guide to the devices I’ve personally tested in depth; thus, it is a fairly US-centric set of recommendations. 

With that said, it’s also important to note that most people in the US acquire their phones “for free” from their wireless carriers. If possible, purchasing an unlocked phone will provide you with the most flexibility and freedom if you decide to change carriers in the near future. Phone manufacturers also offer financing and trade-in deals to make payments more manageable. However, if you are satisfied with your carrier and the free phone they offer is the one you truly want, feel free to take the free phone. Just ensure you understand the terms, especially if you need to change plans to take advantage of the deal. 

Regardless of how you approach it, you have some fantastic options for your next Android phone.

Top Android Phones to Consider

The Best Android Phone Overall

Screen: 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wireless (with Pixel Stand 2) / Weather resistance: IP68

Google’s hardware has improved significantly, and the entire Pixel 9 lineup feels as polished as anything offered by Samsung or Apple. Priced at $799 (and often less), the basic Pixel 9 is particularly appealing, especially if you don’t require a telephoto camera or the largest screen; this is the Android phone to consider.

The Pixel 9 includes several quality-of-life enhancements, such as a faster fingerprint scanner for unlocking the device. The camera remains reliable, and if you’re interested in AI photo editing features, boy does this phone have ‘em. There’s a new Screenshots app that serves as a repository for information that would otherwise be lost in your camera roll, utilizing AI to parse and make the information searchable. Quite handy.

Even without AI, this is an excellent phone. It is also designed for longevity, with seven years of promised OS updates, which likely means you’ll outgrow the phone before Google ceases support. Its potential for long-term value and the quality of the hardware make it an easy recommendation for anyone seeking a reliable Android phone.

Read my full Google Pixel 9 review.

The Best Maximalist Phone

Screen: 6.9-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite / Cameras: 200-megapixel main with OIS, 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 50-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie /