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The best Android phones you can buy
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There has never been a better time to join Team Android. Phone manufacturers are innovating faster than ever and the results are clear to see; these days, you can get your hands on an AI-powered phone that doubles as a professional camera for the same price it used to cost to simply make calls.
While iPhones and iOS certainly have their own appeal, Android leads the pack. It has been the world's smartphone operating system of choice since 2011 and the phones which utilize it best are renowned for unparalleled flexibility and functionality.
Of course, such a reputation makes the Android marketplace somewhat chaotic. Though brands like Samsung and Sony have carved a niche for themselves amongst Android fans, newcomers like Huawei and OnePlus have quickly developed respect and reputations of their own.
To help you figure out which new release might be right for you, The Telegraph has spent time with some of the best Android phones over the past year. Here is how they stack up:
The best Android smartphones
1. OnePlus 7 Pro
Want it all without spending it all? The OnePlus 7 Pro may just be the smartphone for you. Priced perfectly for the tech specs on offer, you simply can't get a better phone for the less; it's slick, powerful, displays content edge-to-edge (with the help of a pop-up camera), and is something of saviour for low-light photography – not that its incredible rear cameras (hinged on a 48MP lens) were expected disappoint. Battery life isn't brilliant (around nine hours with regular use) but OnePlus' Warp Charge can get you from zero to one-hundred in around 30 minutes when required.
2. Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
The Galaxy S10 Plus is a big device to meet big demands. With its 6.4-inch AMOLED display and 93.1% screen-to-body ratio the obvious draw is a device made for streaming and gaming, but there is a lot more under the hood. The phone come with up to 1TB of built-in storage, a great triple-lens camera (especially handy for ultra-wide photos) at the back, in-screen fingerprint sensor security, and much more. It has also routinely been reviewed as the fastest Android phone of the moment.
3. Huawei P30 Pro
Huawei has made exceptional efforts to compete with the likes Apple and Samsung over the last few years, most recently culminating in the launch of the P30 Pro. For reasons obvious to anyone lucky enough to get their hands on a P30 Pro, the phone has helped the brand become one of the industry's major players. Thanks, in large part, to its Leica-licensed camera. Though it's a generally powerful device (see: the super-speedy Kirin 980 processor) with a reliable and rapid-charging battery, its industry-leading camera (with 5x optical and 10x hybrid lossless zoom, flawless HDR, an ultra-wide angle lens and more) sets this particular Android phone apart from the rest.
4. Google Pixel 3
Like all of the aforemtnioned Android smartphones, the Google Pixel 3 truly runs the gamut of great tech. Particularly, here, in the use of well-considered and intuitive AI. The Pixel 3's artificial intelligence works to support everything from Google's breakthrough HDR+ image processing (refining details and colours for professional-looking photos) to screening calls (the 'Call Screen' feature leverages Google Assistant to take transcripted calls from unknown callers via robot, with the choice to step in mid-transcript).
5. Sony Xperia 1
Though the Sony Xperia 1 is best-known for its super-tall display (the 6.5-inch panel stretches to a film-friendly 21:9 aspect ratio), the phone is also chock full of ambitious tech —most of which contributes to a superior streaming experience. Firstly, the Xperia 1's Dolby Atmos audio system is more immersive than you'd expect. The incredibly high-res 4K HDR OLED screen also shows video at its sharpest while the rapid Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processes everything at its smoothest, contributing to the phone's broad appeal to both movie buffs and movie makers.
6. Oppo Reno 10x Zoom
Like the Huawei P30 Pro, the Reno 10x Zoom's main selling point is its camera's many capabilities. Not in the least, its hybrid digital/optical zoom. Just like the Pro flagship from its fellow Chinese competitor, the Reno 10x Zoom relies on a 48MP lens to do most of the work while a 13MP telephoto lens and 8MP wide-angle complete the trifecta. There are a few compromised tech specs (like no wireless charging), as reflected in the Oppo's lower price, but it is still a brilliant bet if your primary need is an Android with a top-end camera.
The best budget Android smartphones
You shouldn't have to splash out on an smartphone, there are plenty of cheap models you can pick up for under £250. Here are some of the top picks out there:
1. Xiaomi Mi 9
The Xiaomi Mi 9 is, without a doubt, the best Android phone you can buy for under £400. Its Snapdragon 855 processor presents a leap forward in performance offered at the price point, as does nearly every other tech spec (including a versatile, 48MP+ camera offering). It does run warm during extended periods of gaming and photography but, all things considered, the phone is an unexpected rival to Samsung's Galaxy S10 (at a fraction of the cost).
2. Moto G5S
Lenovo's series of Android phones are among the best value buys on the market. This model is an upgrade on the hugely popular Moto G5, albeit with a slightly larger screen at 5.2 inches wide. It includes an upgraded 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, plus room for a dual SIM. Its sleek, aluminium body also contains a 16MP rear-facing camera – notably high quality for the price. Other useful features include a fingerprint scanner and NFC to use apps like Android Pay.
3. Nokia 3
Cheap and cheerful, the Nokia 3 fits its 5-inch HD display in your choice of four funky colourways. It has reasonable battery life (at 20 hours), 8MP cameras (both front and back), and handles all essential tasks with ease. As far as we're concerned, Nokia's entry level smartphone is one of the best budget smartphones you can buy. Particularly at the price.
What should I look for in an Android phone?
Key technical specs you should be looking for in your smartphone include basic choices such as screen size and battery life to performance indicators such as processing power and storage.
- Screen size: Currently, screen sizes range from just under five inches to almost seven inches, which can be quite a lot of screen for some. Six inches is typical of most modern phones, but it may be worth choosing a larger screen if you use for phone for watching videos and/or gaming.
- Battery life: Any phone with more than a 24-hour battery life is considered very good. Many manufacturers will judge battery on 'talk time', but the phones will actually last days if left on standby.
- Storage and memory: Lower spec smartphones will offer around 4GB of RAM (aka internal storage), but you need more if you're planning on storing lots of photos and videos. The higher the number, the higher the price; look for 128GB to 256GB in a high-end smartphone, quality photos can take up a lot of space.
- Camera: While most smartphones take great photos, high-end models primarily compete in the space of SLR-worthy camera tech. Megapixels (MP) are not the be all and end all, but 12MP+ camera will produce especially clear and detailed photos.
- Operating system: Look for models with the latest Android operating system (Android 10), which was released at the start of September.
What should I look for in my phone contract?
While the sim-free price point of some Android phones might be out of your budget, you can still get your hand on a brand new phone with the help of a 'pay monthly' phone deal.
In fact, many smartphones are available for free if you agree to a two year contract – including the best Android phones, above. Instead of paying out of pocket, you're simply charged for the number of texts, minutes and the amount of data you use.
Phones that are a year or two old may only set you back £15 a month for a standard quota of minutes, texts and data. The latest flagship handsets, however, typically cost more than £40 a month and may require an upfront cost for the phone, as well.
Nonetheless, the best mobile phone deals change month by month and we are always on hand to update you on the latest.
How much should I pay for an Android phone?
The cheapest Android phones will cost as little as £99, but decent ones are few and far between at this price. The golden eggs will be high quality, though, just with less power and storage.
Mid-range phones will cost between £250 to and £500, depending on the brand's pricing strategy and consumer demand. Phones from OnePlus, Nokia and Motorola tend to fall into this category.
High-end phones will have the latest camera teach, AI, masses of storage space and powerful specs, but they will generally push you to part with £500 or more.
How can I protect the data on my Android phone?
As with PCs or Chromebooks, it's possible to beef up the security of Android phones with free or paid-for apps. Check out our guides to the best antivirus software to protect you from cybercrime and the best VPNs to keep your browsing hidden from prying eyes.
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