9 Best Android Phones Of 2026, Tested And Reviewed
Featured in this article
Best Android Phone Right Now
Google Pixel 9a
Amazon
The Smartest Smartphones
Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL
Amazon (10)
Best Flagship Phones
Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra
Amazon (S25)
Best Battery Life
OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R
Amazon (15)
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 new smartphone that comes close to what you’re looking for. From the bottomless pit of phone choices, my favorite Android handsets include the Google Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S25. All the phones we’ve selected have advantages, and I’ve laid them out here based on extensive testing.
See our other mobile buying guides for more, the Best iPhones, Best Cheap Phones, Best Samsung Phones, Phones With a Headphone Jack, Best Pixel Phones, and Best Folding Phones.
Updated February 2026: We’ve mentioned the Pixel 10a, the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, and added the Moto G Power 2026.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
It depends! While Google won’t have another flagship phone until late summer, it just announced the Pixel 10a (we’ll be testing it soon). Samsung is just about to announce the Galaxy S26 series, and Motorola will ly unveil its new Razr phones this spring. Prices of smartphones dip during major sale events Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, so those are often the best times to upgrade if you’re hunting for a bargain.
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 go into a carrier store and buy a phone, usually on a payment plan, it often comes locked to that network, and they’ll try to get you to pay for a host of unnecessary accessories and features.
Carriers are legally required to unlock a phone upon request so you can switch networks, but it’s a big hassle, and they may have terms about how long you have to wait to ask. Try to pay full price for your phone, or make sure it specifically says it’s unlocked. Buy it from the manufacturer or a third-party retailer 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. An unlocked phone is 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: Gone are the days of shoddy phone displays—almost every smartphone uses an OLED panel now. Cheaper phones still use LCD, which won’t have as deep blacks and poppy colors, but even phones under $300 can sport OLED. You’ll see some variations, AMOLED or Dynamic AMOLED 2X, but that’s mostly marketing jargon.
Screen 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. The current flagship chip of 2026 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
RAM: You’ll at the very least want a phone with 6 GB of RAM, though 8 GB is 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 ly 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 “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 with 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 (look for LTPO or LTPS).
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. 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 15, for example, has a massive 7,300-mAh battery.
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. Even if you trade in your phone, that device may end up in the hands of someone else, and a long update policy means the phone will continue to be supported. 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 2 or 3 years, then the lesser update policies of other Android phone makers might not be as big 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). 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? You’ll want IP68! Is there wireless charging (Qi2 or Qi?)? 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: Nearly all smartphones support 5G, the current generation of network connectivity. 4G LTE isn’t disappearing, and you may still fall back to LTE when 5G isn’t available. Avoid smartphones that do not offer 5G at all.
How to Switch Between Phones
The best way to switch phones is to 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, Samsung, will suggest you download a proprietary data transfer app on your old device, 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 Apple and Google have improved the transferring process to make things smoother.
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 use it for at least a week, if not two or three. I stress-test performance by playing mobile games and running benchmark tests, Geekbench and Antutu, while also monitoring thermals. I make calls to test the smartphone’s microphone quality, since, you know, it’s still a phone.
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.
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Best Android Phone Right Now
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Google
Pixel 9a
Amazon
Best Buy
Google Store
Editor’s Note: Google just announced the Pixel 10a, which will go on sale March 5. You can read more about it here. Not much has changed over the Pixel 9a, which remains a good buy if you can find it for less than $400. Stay tuned for our full thoughts on the Pixel 10a.
For several years, the best Android phone for most people has been Google’s Pixel A-series handsets. 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 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) continues this trend. 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 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 from 2024, even some fun camera features 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.
Avoid buying the Pixel 9a at its MSRP—you may as well spend that on the newer Pixel 10a, which has minor improvements to screen brightness and charging speed. We’ve seen it dip as low as $349, and hopefully it’ll drop that low again now that there’s a successor.
Specs Display: 6.3-inch, 120-Hz, OLED Processor and RAM: Tensor G4 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 128 and 256 GB Battery: 5,100 mAh Cameras: 48-MP main camera, 13-MP ultrawide, 13-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 years Extras: Qi wireless charging, IP68, fingerprint and secure face unlock, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Great performance. Solid battery life with wireless charging.
- Reliable dual-camera system with no camera bump
- Bright and sharp display. IP68 rating.
- Plenty of smart software features
- 7 years of software support
TIRED
- Stale design (unless you pick iris or peony)
- Battery isn’t easy to replace
- A few Gemini-powered features are missing
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The Smartest Smartphones
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Google
Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL
Amazon (10)
Amazon (Pro)
Amazon (XL)
Best Buy
Google’s Pixel 10 series (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent collection of well-rounded phones with smart features you’ll find helpful in your day-to-day. They’re a leg up over the Pixel 9a and 10a, with a more powerful processor, better (and more) cameras, and they’re the first Android flagship phones with native Qi2 wireless charging support, meaning you can use a wealth of MagSafe accessories with these phones. There are three phones in the lineup, all powered by the Tensor G5 chipset, which shows a considerable processing boost over the G4 in the Pixel 9 series.
The Pixel 10 is a significantly better value than its predecessor and a worthwhile consideration if you’re looking for a bit more than what the Pixel 9 offers. There’s now a 5X optical zoom camera, a rarity at this $799 price, and while the main and ultrawide cameras are similar to the Pixel 9a, there’s an improved image-processing pipeline that’ll deliver better results. Plus, the front camera has autofocus, so selfies are sharper. The screen is brighter, and the speaker is louder. Overall, it’s one of the best phones you can buy under $800.
The Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL step things up with more RAM, displays that can go from 1 to 120 Hz, and a new zoned UFS 4 storage standard for faster app load times and a prolonged lifespan. They have a vapor chamber cooling system for better sustained performance under load, too. The camera sensors are larger than the Pixel 10, so they deliver sharper and brighter images, and they exclusively feature Pro Res Zoom, which uses generative AI to fill in the gaps on hyper-zoomed-in images for stunning results. The Pro XL model has even louder speakers than before, and it’s the only one of the lot to support Qi2 25W, which will recharge the phone faster than standard Qi2, provided you use the right wireless charger.
What makes Pixel phones a joy to use is the software and the many capabilities powered by machine learning. This year’s model includes real-time translations over phone calls, where it’ll approximate your voice so Grandma can hear you speak in her native tongue; conversational photo editing; and a Camera Coach that’ll help up your photo game. That adds to the many existing features, Call Screen, which dramatically cuts the number of spam and robocalls that come your way. You can even AirDrop with iPhones! Read our Best Pixel Phones guide for everything you need to know before buying a Google phone, and we have some suggestions on what settings to change after setup.
Specs: Pixel 10 Pixel 10 Pro Pixel 10 Pro XL Display: 6.3-inch, 120 Hz, OLED 6.3-inch, 120 Hz LTPO, OLED 6.8-inch, 120 Hz LTPO, OLED Processor and RAM: Tensor G5 with 12 GB RAM Tensor G5 with 16 GB RAM Tensor G5 with 16 GB RAM Storage: 128 (UFS 3.1) and 256 GB (UFS 4) 128 (UFS 3.1), 256 (UFS 4), 512 GB, and 1 TB (Zoned UFS 4) 256 (UFS 4), 512 GB, and 1 TB (Zoned UFS 4) Battery: 4,970 mAh 4,870 mAh 5,200 mAh Cameras: 48-MP wide, 13-MP ultrawide, 10.8-MP telephoto (5X), 10.5-MP selfie camera 50-MP wide, 48-MP ultrawide, 48-MP telephoto (5X), 42-MP selfie camera 50-MP wide, 48-MP ultrawide, 48-MP telephoto (5X), 42-MP selfie camera Updates: 7 years 7 years 7 years Extras: Pixelsnap Qi2 wireless charging, fingerprint and secure face unlock, IP68, NFC, VPN Pixelsnap Qi2 wireless charging, Pro Res Zoom, 8K video recording with Video Boost, fingerprint and secure face unlock, IP68, NFC, VPN Pixelsnap Qi2 25W wireless charging, Pro Res Zoom, 8K video recording with Video Boost, fingerprint and secure face unlock, IP68, NFC, VPN Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks Works on all three major US networks Works on all three major US networks WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Good performance
- Qi2 support
- Solid battery life
- Excellent cameras
- Long software support
- Lots of helpful smart features
- Playful OS redesign
TIRED
- Generative AI overload
- eSIM only (in the US)
- Secure face unlock still doesn’t work in low light
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Best Flagship Phones
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
to wishlist Samsung
Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra
Amazon (S25)
Amazon (S25+)
Amazon (Ultra)
Samsung (All)
Editor’s Note: Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy S26 series on February 25. Rumors suggest more of the same with the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra; the most notable improvement will be the display of the Ultra, which is expected to have a privacy setting so people around you can’t view the contents on your screen. I suggest waiting to see what’s new.
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 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.
Check out our Best Samsung Galaxy Phones guide for more. Again, keep in mind that Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy S26 series on February 25.
Specs: Galaxy S25 Galaxy S25+ Galaxy S25 Ultra Display: 6.2-inch, 6.7-inch, 6.9-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED 6.7-inch, 120-HZ LTPO, AMOLED 6.9-inch, 120-HZ LTPO, AMOLED Processor and RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB of RAM Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB of RAM Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB of RAM Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB 256 and 512 GB 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB Battery: 4,000 mAh 4,900 mAh 5,000 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 12-MP ultrawide, 10-MP telephoto (3X), and 12-MP selfie cameras 50-MP main camera, 12-MP ultrawide, 10-MP telephoto (3X), and 12-MP selfie cameras 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 7 years 7 years Extras: Qi2 Ready wireless charging (with magnetic case), IP68, fingerprint unlock, NFC Qi2 Ready wireless charging (with magnetic case), IP68, fingerprint unlock, NFC 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 Works on all three major US networks Works on all three major US networks WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Better thermals for improved gaming performance
- Smooth, bright, and colorful displays
- Nice triple-camera system
- Solid battery life
- 7 years of software support
TIRED
- Two different smart assistants are confusing
- New AI features are boring
- Annoying Qi2 implementation
- Not much new
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Best Battery Life
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Chevron Chevron to wishlist OnePlus
15 and OnePlus 15R
Amazon (15)
OnePlus (15)
OnePlus (15R)
If you’re tired of your phone’s crappy battery life, the OnePlus 15 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) and OnePlus 15R are the battery kings of flagship smartphones right now. They have some of the biggest battery capacities we’ve seen on a phone in the US—7,300 and 7,400 mAh, respectively—thanks to silicon-carbon battery technology, allowing them to easily last two full days on a single charge with average use. What makes this even better is that you can recharge it incredibly fast with the included proprietary USB-C charger and 80-watt adapter. My OnePlus 15 unit went from 15 to 50 percent in just 15 minutes, and hit 80 percent in 30 minutes.
The phones have fresh designs compared to previous OnePlus phones. It’s worth noting that only the Sand Storm and Ultra Violet colors on the OnePlus 15 come with faster RAM. Of these, only the Sand Storm has a micro-arc oxidation finish that apparently makes the phone a little more durable. Word of warning: The Sand Storm model I tested feels slippery, so I recommend using a grippy case.
Good thing that performance matches the price—the OnePlus 15 is one of the first smartphones equipped with Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, whereas the OnePlus 15R employs the slightly lesser but still powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. The former crushed benchmark scores. I was able to max out the graphics on the very demanding Genshin Impact mobile game, and the OnePlus 15 had no trouble running it at a smooth 60 frames per second. This is a game that still gives some flagship phones trouble! The OnePlus didn’t get annoyingly hot, either. I had no performance issues at all on the OnePlus 15R, and you can totally still play a game Genshin Impact, but you’ll have to knock down some of the graphics settings to keep it running smoothly. I want to point out that while OnePlus advertises a 165-Hz refresh rate for these phones, you’re only really going to get that in select games. Most of the time, the phone will hover around 120 Hz, depending on what’s happening on the screen.
If you put a lot of stock in your smartphone’s camera, these are not the devices to buy. While the triple-camera system on the OnePlus 15 can capture pretty good photos, it doesn’t quite match the top dogs. The OnePlus 15R is a step lower, though it can still take some nice photos; the lack of a telephoto camera, considering its $700 price, brings it down another peg. These flaws may not be a big deal for you, so if battery life is top-of-mind, you’ll probably enjoy the OnePlus 15 and 15R a lot.
Where they really fall short is the lack of upgrades to the wireless charging system (the OnePlus 15R doesn’t have wireless charging at all). The OnePlus 15 is still stuck on Qi charging speeds instead of Qi2. Also, the company’s software update policy isn’t as good as what’s offered by Samsung and Google.
Specs: OnePlus 15 OnePlus 15R Display: 6.78-inch, 165-Hz LTPO, OLED 6.83-inch, 165-Hz LTPS, OLED Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with 12 GB RAM (up to 16 GB RAM) Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 with 12 GB RAM Storage: 256 and 512 GB 256 and 512 GB Battery: 7,300 mAh 7,400 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 50-MP telephoto (3.5X), 50-MP ultrawide, and 32-MP selfie camera 50-MP main camera, 8-MP ultrawide, 32-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): Four OS upgrades, 6 years of security updates Four OS upgrades, 6 years of security updates Extras: Qi wireless charging, IP66/IP68/IP69/IP69K, fingerprint unlock, NFC, and fast charging with the proprietary charger IP66/IP68/IP69/IP69K, fingerprint unlock, NFC, and fast charging with the proprietary charger Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks Works on all three major US networks WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Two-day battery life and super-fast charging
- Fantastic performance
- Sharp, responsive OLED screen
- Robust water resistance
- OnePlus 15 has decently reliable cameras
TIRED
- No Qi2 magnets (not even Qi2 Ready); 15R doesn’t have wireless charging
- Software update policy still doesn’t match that of Apple, Google, or Samsung
- Cameras are still a step below the top dogs, especially on the OnePlus 15R
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Best Budget Phone
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
to wishlist Motorola
Moto G Stylus 2025
Amazon
Motorola
Motorola’s Moto G Stylus 2025 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 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 Nothing and Samsung offer better software support for cheaper phones, and there’s no reason Motorola can’t match them.
Motorola began launching its 2026 slate of Moto G smartphones, including the Moto G 2026, Moto G Play 2026, and Moto G Power 2026. If you can wait another month or two, chances are high that the company will announce the Moto G Stylus 2026.
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 WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Great performance for the money
- Wireless charging and IP68
- Built-in stylus and headphone jack
- Beautiful blue color and vegan leather texture
- Lots of storage with microSD slot
TIRED
- Software update policy still lags competitors
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Best Small Phone (It Folds!)
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Motorola
Razr Ultra (2025)
Amazon
Best Buy
Motorola
Have you been wishing for a small phone? Well, it doesn’t get smaller than this. The Razr Ultra (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the flagship folding flip phone from Motorola, and it gets a lot right, starting from the gorgeous designs you can choose from. It comes in a wood back, Alcantara, a leather-inspired finish, or a satin-esque look. It’s fashionable!
The 4-inch OLED screen on the outside is more useful than ever, as you can add multiple widget panels for glanceable information, and if you open it up, the internal screen is bigger at 7 inches. You get the perks of a big phone but in a super compact design that’ll fit any pocket or purse. The Razr Ultra’s camera system is also pretty strong, though it’s not as great as the cameras on the similarly priced competition. Motorola also doesn’t have a great security update policy either. Despite these issues, this compact handset is super unique, fun, and a joy to use.
If you’re also considering Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip7, let me just say that, having used both, I prefer the Razr Ultra. Read more about it in our Best Motorola Phones guide.
Specs External display: 4-inch, 165-Hz LTPO, pOLED Internal display: 7-inch, 165-Hz LTPO, AMOLED Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Elite with 16 GB RAM Storage: 512 GB and 1 TB Battery: 4,700 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 50-MP ultrawide, 50-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): Three OS upgrades, 4 years of security updates Extras: 68-watt wired charging, 30-watt wireless charging, IP48, fingerprint unlock, Gorilla Glass Ceramic, Dolby Vision video capture Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Flip phones remain the best small phone today
- Lovely designs, with many color options
- Useful external screen
- Nice upgrades all around, from performance to screen brightness
- IP48 rated
TIRED
- Battery life still teeters on a full day, less for power users
- Software update policy is well behind the competition
- AI features are overhyped
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Best Folding Phone
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Samsung
Galaxy Z Fold7
Amazon
Best Buy
Samsung
After a few years of a stale design, Samsung made the right changes with its book-folding phone, propelling the Galaxy Z Fold7 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) to the top in its category. The Fold7 is shockingly thin, just 8.9 mm when folded and 4.2 mm when unfolded. For comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 8.25 mm, and the Z Fold7 is actually lighter than the single-screen iPhone. It’s truly a marvel of engineering.
What you get is a svelte experience that is no longer annoyingly cumbersome to hold and use. The front 6.5-inch screen feels very much a normal smartphone and is primarily where you’ll spend your time. But then you have the beautiful 8-inch screen for split-screening apps, watching videos, playing games, or just viewing any app in a larger size. The main camera finally matches the quality of Samsung’s flagship candy-bar phone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but battery life remains unimpressive. You’ll most ly need to top up before the end of the day.
If you’re interested in the Galaxy Z Fold7, it’s worth noting that Motorola will be launching its own take on a book-folding phone this summer with the Razr Fold. Also, consider the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold. I haven’t had a chance to review it yet, and while it’s technically on sale in the US, stock has been extremely limited. If you can stomach the $2,899 price, it offers an even greater tablet/smartphone hybrid experience.
Specs External display: 6.5-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED Internal display: 8-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED Processor and RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB RAM Storage: 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB Battery: 4,400 mAh Cameras: 200-MP main camera, 10-MP 3x telephoto, 12-MP ultrawide, 10-MP front camera, 10-MP inner selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 years Extras: Qi2-Ready wireless charging, IP48, fingerprint unlock, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Super thin and comfortable to hold, and well built
- Front screen feels a normal phone
- Expands to a big 8-inch screen
- Great performance
- Big, bright screens
- Solid cameras
- Long software support
TIRED
- Rocks crazy on surfaces
- Battery life is still unimpressive
- Expensive
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Best Aesthetic
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Nothing
Phone (3)
Amazon
Nothing
Look above, and you’ll notice a lot of the same. That’s where Nothing’s Phone (3) (7/10, WIRED Recommends) stands out. This smartphone doesn’t look any other handset, with a fun grid and tri-column aesthetic, plus an unusual camera layout. Also unique is the Glyph Matrix, a circular display on the back that’s an evolution of Nothing’s Glyph LEDs. Instead of just lighting up when notifications come in, there are Glyph Toys you can cycle through, Spin the Bottle, Magic 8 Ball, and Rock, Paper, Scissors. I also the Essential Notifications feature, which limits what notifications come through when the phone is flipped down—the Glyph Matrix can show a custom image so you immediately know when a message from a loved one arrives.
This is Nothing’s flagship phone, and it certainly feels high-end. However, it may not be the best value when you compare it to similarly priced devices the Pixel 10 Pro or Galaxy S25. If you’re chasing specs for money, look elsewhere. But the Phone (3) offers a well-rounded smartphone experience, from great performance to a reliable triple-camera system, and it’s gorgeous, quirky, and fun. We need more of that in the world.
Specs Display: 6.67 inch, AMOLED, 120 Hz Processor and RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 with 12 or 16 GB of RAM Storage: 256 or 512 GB Battery: 5,150 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main, 50-MP ultrawide, 50-MP telephoto (3x optical), 50-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): Five OS upgrades, 7 years of security updates Extras: 65-watt fast charging, Qi wireless charging, IP68, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Fun design; Glyph Matrix is quirky and useful
- Clean and unique software interface
- Good performance and day-long battery life
- Solid triple-camera system
- Has wireless charging, NFC, and 256 GB of storage
TIRED
- Not the best value from a specs-to-price perspective
- No Qi2
-
-
A Repairable and Sustainable Phone
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Fairphone
(Gen. 6)
Fairphone
Murena (with /e/OS)
Want to hold onto your phone for several years before upgrading? The Fairphone (Gen. 6) (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the most repairable smartphone, scoring a perfect 10 on iFixit’s scale. There are 12 easy-to-replace parts, from the battery to the camera, and it comes with the necessary screwdriver. Fairphone promises seven Android OS upgrades and 8 years of software updates, and that’s without mentioning the 5-year warranty. Oh, and the company doesn’t just think about repairability; it ensures all the necessary components are fairly and ethically sourced. I can wax poetic about Fairphone, but you get the idea.
Good news: The phone’s pretty good, too. Performance is flawless, battery life reliably lasted a full day with average to heavy use, and while the cameras may not match the competition, I managed to capture some pleasing shots. You get 256 GB of internal storage, and Fairphone includes a microSD slot, so you can expand that up to 2 terabytes. I did run into some software bugs, but an update fixed most of my issues, and there’s a healthy community forum where you can see upcoming bug fixes.
Unfortunately, the Fairphone (Gen. 6) is not officially sold in the US (the company announced first steps in expanding to the US, so this could change in 2026 or 2027). If you import it, you should be able to use it on T-Mobile and its operators just fine (I had no problems on Google Fi), but you’re out of luck on AT&T and Verizon. The same is true if you buy the de-Googled version from Murena that runs the /e/OS operating system instead of Android.
Specs Display: 6.31-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, P-OLED Processor and RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with 8 GB RAM Storage: 256 GB Battery: 4,415 mAh Cameras: 50-MP main camera, 13-MP ultrawide, 32-MP selfie camera Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 OS upgrades, 8 years of security updates Extras: IP55, fingerprint unlock, microSD, modular accessories, NFC Carrier compatibility: Works on T-Mobile. Does not work on Verizon and AT&T WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Repairable with long software support
- Good performance and battery life
- Nice, bright screen
- Modular accessories are fun
- Distraction-free mode
- Lots of storage (that’s expandable)
- Solid cameras
TIRED
- Still not sold in the US
- Some software bugs
- Camera lags behind peers
- IP55 water resistance
- Mushy power button
| Compare phones | Price (MSRP) | Display | Processor and RAM | Storage | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall:Google Pixel 9a | $499 | 6.3-inch, 120-Hz, OLED | Tensor G4, 8 GB RAM | 128, 256 GB | 5,100 mAh |
| Smartest Phones:Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL | $799+ | 6.3-inch, 6.3-inch, and 6.8-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, OLED | Tensor G5, 12 or 16 GB RAM | 128, 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB | 4,970, 4,870, and 5,200 mAh |
| Best Flagships:Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Ultra | $800+ | 6.2-inch, 6.7-inch, 6.9-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12 GB RAM | 128, 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB | 4,000, 4,900, and 5,000 mAh |
| Best Battery Life:OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R | $900 and $700 | 6.78-inch, 6.83 inch, 165-Hz LTPO/LTPS, OLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 12 or 16 GB RAM | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 12 GB RAM | 256 and 512 GB | 7,300 and 7400 mAh |
| Best Under $400:Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | $400 | 6.7-inch, 120-Hz, AMOLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, 8 GB RAM | 256 GB | 5,000 mAh |
| Best Small Phone:Motorola Razr Ultra | $1,300 | Internal: 7-inch, 165-Hz LTPO, AMOLED, 120 Hz. External: 4-inch, 165-Hz LTPO, pOLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16 GB RAM | 512 GB and 1 TB | 4,700 mAh |
| Best Folding Phone:Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 | $2,000 | Internal: 8-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, AMOLED. External: 6.5-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, OLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12 GB RAM | 256, 512 GB, and 1 TB | 4,400 mAh |
| Best Aesthetic:Nothing Phone (3) | $799 | 6.67-inch, 120-Hz, AMOLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 12 or 16 GB RAM | 256 and 512 GB | 5,150 mAh |
| A Repairable and Sustainable Phone:The Fairphone (Gen. 6) | €599 | 6.31-inch, 120-Hz LTPO, P-OLED | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, 8 GB RAM | 256 GB with microSD slot | 4,415 mAh |
Other Phones to Consider
We test a ton of Android phones. We the ones below, but you’ll be better off with one of the options above. If you haven’t yet done so, check out our Best Cheap Phones and Best Folding Phones guides for more.
Moto G Power 2026
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Motorola Moto G Power 2026 for $300: Motorola’s latest Moto G Power 2026 is a solid buy if you’re looking to spend under $300, even more so when it will inevitably go on sale for $250. Performance is relatively decent—it’s not as stuttery as its predecessor—and the two-day battery life with average use is nice. It’s just a shame Motorola cut wireless charging as a feature. The cameras are passable, but nothing you’ll want to rely on for important events. You can read more in my Best Motorola Phones guide, but I suggest you wait for the Moto G Stylus 2026, which should launch in the next month or two.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE for $650: If Google’s Pixel 10 doesn’t appeal, you can get a really great Samsung phone for around $500 (it’s often on sale at this price!). The Galaxy S25 FE is a “lite” version of the flagship Galaxy S25, with a bigger 6.7-inch screen, a larger battery, and a triple-camera system that includes a 3X optical zoom lens. Performance isn’t as good, but I never had any issues (you may not be able to play the most demanding games at the highest graphical settings). The screen is sharp, bright, and smooth, and this phone is even Qi2 Ready if you use a compatible magnetic case. I don’t recommend buying it at its MSRP (buy the S25 at that point), but when it’s frequently at $500, it’s a smart option.
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G for $500: The weird thing about the Galaxy A56 is that it hasn’t been on sale as often as the Galaxy S25 FE. The two are often sitting at the same price, and if that’s the case, you should absolutely buy the S25 FE instead. But if the A56 ever drops below $400, I think it’s a nice smartphone with good performance, more than a day of battery life, and great build quality. The cameras are OK, and it lacks wireless charging, but it has many of the bells and whistles you want, and Samsung has a lengthy software update policy for this phone.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold for $1,799: I think Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7 takes the cake as the best folding phone designed a book in 2025, but if you prefer Google’s Pixel phones, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold (7/10, WIRED Review) isn’t a bad option. It’s nowhere near as thin, but it does have Qi2 magnets built in, meaning you can attach it to various magnetic accessories, car docks and phone chargers, or attach magnetic wallets or power banks to the phone. It’s also one of the only folding phones with an IP68 dust- and water-resistance rating for peace of mind. The screens look great, battery life is solid, and the camera system is reliable. It’s easy to get into split-screen mode, but I think there’s more Google can do to improve the multitasking experience.
Google Pixel 9 series
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Google Pixel 9 series for $799+: The Pixel 9 series (9/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2024 is still a great buy if you can find them on sale. The Pixel 9 is similar to the Pixel 9a but with better build quality and larger camera sensors. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL have the 5X optical camera and the vapor chamber cooling, among other perks. The key is to make sure you avoid paying MSRP. These have dipped fairly often in price during sale events, and now, as stock gets cleared, you can probably find a killer deal if you hold out.
Galaxy Z Flip7
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 for $1,100: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip7 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) got some great upgrades over its predecessor, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone the Razr Ultra 2025 as my top flip phone pick. Still, it’s worth considering if you’re shopping for a folding phone of this category, because the cameras are solid, the displays are excellent and larger than ever, and the cover screen is a little more useful (though not as versatile as on Motorola’s phone). Battery life is even worse here over the Fold7, so snag a power bank while you’re at it.
Galaxy S25 Edge
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for $1,100: Samsung’s 2025 innovation was to slim down the smartphone to an amazingly thin 5.8 mm. That’s not as impressive as phones from the past, but the Galaxy S25 Edge (6/10, WIRED Recommends) is still impressive when you hold this lightweight 6.7-inch phone in your hand. It maintains several features from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, except there’s no S Pen stylus, no telephoto cameras whatsoever, and battery life is not good at all for a phone of this size and price. I routinely had to keep it topped up throughout the day. But if you’re an average to light user, you may find it sufficient, and maybe you’ll be able to appreciate the thin and light size even more.
Minimal Phone
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Minimal Phone for $450: Having trouble curbing your screen time? Instead of going cold turkey with something the Light Phone III, try the Minimal Phone (6/10, WIRED Review). This is an e-paper Android phone with a physical keyboard. The goal is to let you access the usual Android apps, but because the screen is ill-suited to videos and most social media, you’ll naturally be able to avoid those distractions. It’s successful in this task, but the constant screen ghosting and plasticky build dampen the experience.
Mobile Accessories You Might Need
Arc Pulse bumpers for Pixel 10 Pro XL
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
We have case recommendations for a few popular devices, Samsung’s Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S23, or Google’s Pixel 10 series. It’s smart to slap a case on these glass sandwiches and even a screen protector to keep the display free of scuffs and scratches. Here are a few other noteworthy accessories, including charging adapters, which many phones don’t include anymore. Read our Best USB-C Cables guide for other recommendations.
Nomad 65W Slim Power Adapter for $55: There are lots of great options if you want a cheap, tiny charger these days, but why not spend a bit more for something versatile? This ultra-slim charger from Nomad is easy to travel with, especially thanks to its folding prongs, and it has enough power to recharge a MacBook, let alone your phone. There are two USB-C ports to boot.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Counterpart Retractable The Charger for $44: It’s not the best value, but this design-forward charger has a retractable 4-foot cable that makes it a fantastic two-in-one—no need to pack a separate charger and cable! It outputs 35 watts, which is plenty to fast-charge most phones and tablets, and the prongs fold in for travel.
Peak Design Samsung and Pixel Everyday Case for $50: If you have a Samsung or Pixel phone and you frequently mount your phone to a bike or scooter, you owe it to yourself to snag this case and Peak Design’s bike mount. The case snaps perfectly into the mount, is dead simple to release, and has yet to fall off after years of riding. Peak Design also sells several other accessories you can attach to the back of these cases, bringing Android into Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.
Nimble Champ Portable Charger 10,000 mAh for $60: This portable battery is small enough to leave in a bag but has enough power to fully recharge your phone once or twice. There’s a USB-C and USB-A port; it delivers 18 watts of power, so it can recharge your tablet or phone, and it’s housed in 73 percent post-consumer plastic with plastic-free packaging.
Nomad ChargeKey V2 for $29: When your phone dies, it’s almost always when you forget to bring a charger or battery pack. The ChargeKey is a nifty solution—it’s clipping a tiny USB-C charging cable to your keychain. Just plug one end into your phone and the other into any kind of power source (a friend’s phone or a charging adapter if you manage to find one), and you can top up your phone. Native Union also has a similar item that’s cuter but nearly as capable.
Choose a Wireless Charger: Our guide to the best wireless chargers includes dozens of models in varying colors, shapes, and materials, and even some designed for specific phones. Not every Android phone supports wireless charging, but it’s a luxury you’ll want to take advantage of. Take a gander at our guide for our favorites.
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Julian Chokkattu is Senior Editor, Gear at WIRED, overseeing personal technology, gadgets, and gizmos. He has been reviewing consumer products for a decade, specializing in mobile—from smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches to smart glasses and virtual reality. This is his sixth year at WIRED. Previously, he was the mobile and wearables … Read More
Senior Editor, Gear
TopicsShoppingbuying guidessmartphonesAndroidphonesGoogleSamsung
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