The best Android phones in this round-up feature some of the latest models from big brands such as Google and Samsung, as well as some impressive budget-friendly options from some of the smaller players.
Whatever you use your Android phone for, the phones we've picked out here are some of the best on the market today with impressive cameras, battery life and overall performance.
Choosing the right Android device for you can be a challenge, but we've made it easier with this list that breaks down all of the need-to-know facts so you can make a quick and easy choice on what to invest in.
Take a look at the list below to learn more about what Android devices are the best to buy right now.
Best Android phones 2023
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As Google is the godfather of Android, it goes without question that it makes the best pure Android phone in the Google Pixel 7 Pro – as the software is always one step ahead of anything else on the market, bringing the latest and greatest features before they arrive on other handsets.
Not only that, the Pixel 7 Pro's camera is astounding for pointing-and-shooting in all conditions. There's Google's own second-gen processor, too, called Tensor G2, that's super-fast and crunches through images and tasks with such ease. Oh, and that design is super distinctive and a breath of fresh air.
Like the idea of Google's flagship? Read our full Google Pixel 7 Pro review to learn more
The top dog Samsung flagship delivers everything you'd expect and more – including a built-in S Pen stylus which we've found really useful for interacting with the additional software features, and the company's first 200-megapixel main camera. What's particularly great about the cameras (and we love rear module design too) is the versatility and variety of zoom lenses, which is an increasing rarity in high-end Android devices.
Add battery life that starts off so-so but improves with learning, and you've got one killer flagship Android phone that'll last and last. It'll cost you a fair chunk of change, of course, but it's worth every penny in our view. And if you disagree then the older Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is still a mighty fine (and similar) option instead, as are the less expensive options in the S23 series.
Read of our full Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review for the full breakdown on why it's such a top pick
The Google Pixel 6a is a model example of a small-screen Android phone – and its size, thanks to the 6.1-inch display, is the key selling point. And if you're looking for super-smooth software, lots of great features (including the cameras), and long-lasting battery life per charge, then your search could well end here.
The main things that work against the Pixel 6a are actually the existence of the older Pixel 6 model and, of course, the impending Pixel 7 launch. It'll depend on what sort of bargain you can find with the former, or whether you're willing to spend lots more with the latter. If neither then the 6a is a savvy affordable Android handset with little compromise.
Read our full Google Pixel 6a review where we explain whether it's the most sensible affordable Android phone you can buy
OnePlus has risen through the ranks over the years, always offering seriously big spec for a not-so-big price point. In the case of this handset it's the stunning 6.7-inch screen that we found to be its main lure – especially thanks to its 120Hz fast refresh rate and high-res 10-bit colour depth quality.
Another headline grab that we really love about this phone is how fast you can charge it up – it only took us about 25 minutes to take it from empty to full. That 100W wired charging is game-changing (and a good job given the fact that the battery life is otherwise just okay), and one feature that helps it stand apart from Google's Pixel offerings.
Check out our full OnePlus 11 review to read why we think it's a great Google Pixel alternative
"If you want a phone that excels across the board then look no further than the Oppo Find X5 Pro. The ceramic design is elegant, the screen is stunning, the camera takes fantastic shots, the battery will last for days and it’ll take barely any time at all to charge." – T3's Oppo Find X5 Pro review
Anyone on the hunt for a stunning flagship-level smartphone should consider the Oppo Find X5 Pro.
Reflective ceramic covers the body of the phone, and you'll get the choice of two elegant colours: black or white. The curved 6.7-inch screen is just as good-looking thanks to the QHD+ resolution with a peak brightness of 1,300 nits - the Oppo Find X5 Pro is a beauty from every angle.
If you’re big on smartphone photography the Oppo Find X5 Pro can take some incredible shots with its 50MP main camera, 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera and 13MP telephoto camera. You’ll also get a 32MP front camera to snap selfies on and you can film video in resolutions up to 4K, even in low light.
Powering it is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset so it’s fast and will handle everything from photo editing to mobile gaming. What’s more, is that the battery could last you up to two days of casual use, and it’ll recharge in just over half an hour.
The price won't be for everyone, but the Oppo Find X5 Pro is worth every penny.
The best premium Android phone is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The top dog Samsung flagship delivers everything you'd expect and more - including a built-in S Pen stylus (like the old Note used to have) which we've found really useful for interacting with the additional software features.
Add great cameras - and we really love the exposed rear design of these four lenses - and battery life that starts off so-so but improved with learning, and you've got one killer flagship Android phone. It'll cost you a fair chunk, of course, but it's worth every penny in our view.
Take a read of our full Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review for the full breakdown on why it's such a top pick
A cheap Android phone that performs well across the board.
"The OnePlus Nord 2 has everything you could need from a phone and manages to squeeze it all into a more affordable package. You do have to make a few sacrifices and everything about this phone is good rather than great, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it does well in all the key areas." – T3's OnePlus Nord 2 review
OnePlus knows their stuff when it comes to making quality budget Android smartphones, and the OnePlus Nord 2 is a prime example of that.
Following on from the massively successful OnePlus Nord, the second generation shakes up the camera system, improves on battery life and speeds up the performance. What was already a fantastic phone is now even better.
The OnePlus Nord 2 does lack some features like there’s no official waterproofing nor is there wireless charging. You do get fast internet though thanks to Wi-Fi 6 and 5G support.
The camera is decent, photos won’t always come out perfectly yet you will be able to take some social media-worthy shots, play around with plenty of different camera modes and shoot video in resolutions up to 4K.
So why is it so cheap? Well, everything about this phone is good rather than great. You can’t expect it to smash any of the records set by the most expensive flagships but what you will get is a solid, reliable handset that is excellent value for money.
Buying Advice
How to choose the best Android phone for you
Whether you're a camera aficionado who needs the highest quality images and zoom capabilities, a movie fan who wants crystal clear playback and great sound quality, a budget-conscious shopper looking to just get a solid Android phone cheap, or a high roller who just needs to have the best of the best – T3 has you covered.
The best Android phones for you may not necessarily be the most expensive or most advanced phone, however you’ll find plenty of options on our list including top-of-the-line brands. From some of the best Samsung phones to the best gaming phones for Android users, we’ve taken great care to include a phone for every kind of shopper and for every type of budget.
Thanks to ever advancing tech in the mobile smartphone space, the Android phone market is incredibly competitive. That means plenty of options to choose from all at great prices. Many may not realize that the Android operation system powers many of the best cheap phones you can buy today, and many of the best compact phones run on this exceptional smartphone platform.
When it comes to choosing the best Android phone, budget will probably be the single biggest factor that guides your hand. Will you go for the cutting-edge ultra-premium model? Or the second-highest tier of still being premium, but without the most ridiculous features? Or are looking for a great bang-for-buck mid-range set? Or do you have a strict lower budget in mind? That will narrow things down dramatically – you can see in a guide like our OnePlus 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 4a breakdown how a flagship phone and a great budget phone match up.
Then, two of the biggest factors are the size and the cameras. Phones are still creeping up and up in size, and some people want the biggest they can get, while some want to find a more one-handed phone, or a middle ground. And with the cameras, we all want something that can take excellent shots, right? But do you need fancy zoom lenses, or are you happy with a simpler array as long as it takes great shots?
What is the best Android phone to buy in 2023?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G currently holds the crown in our list, offering an excellent balance of power, performance, versatility and value for the price.
Along with 5G connectivity, Samsung's latest smartphone features an upgraded AMOLED screen for incredibly clear picture and image quality. Complete with HDR10+ support, this 2400x1080 screen is a massive upgrade over previous Galaxy phones.
For the price, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G drives a hard bargain for those looking for a premium Android phone experience at a fair price.
