Which android phone to choose

How to choose a smartphone by brand, carrier, or features

Choosing a smartphone for yourself or a loved one is no easy task. Smartphones are generally high-ticket but critically needed items, and there are ways to narrow down your choices so that you spend your money wisely for the most important features for you. Hundreds of available options can make your selection process overwhelming, especially if you’re not clear on your priorities. We can help you narrow down your choices by analyzing all considerations you need to confidently choose the best phone. Below are the major questions you need to answer.

For an in-depth look at what the current smartphone market has to offer, see our guides to the best smartphones, best Android phones, and best cheap smartphones.

What’s your price range?

First, determine how much you’re willing to spend and how you want to spend it. If you’re an Apple customer, you already know that iPhones tend to be more costly than Android phones. However, a cheaper iPhone SE (2020) for around $400 may be the ideal budget phone for the iOS platform. Samsung is another relatively high-priced brand with models across the price range. On the lower end of the price scale, you’ll find brands like Nokia, Honor, and Motorola. You can save upfront costs with phones that are subsidized via a carrier that you can pay for in monthly installments over a year or two. While these financial arrangements won’t save money in the long run, they will make a more expensive phone with more features more affordable. Have a look at our roundup of the best cheap phones to get an idea of what’s out there. If you’re really on a tight budget, you can still buy a smartphone for $100 or less.

What features do you need?

Start by drafting a list of the most critical features you need your smartphone to have. Use the list to compare devices. Ask yourself: Do you need a phone with a large screen? Do you prefer one that you can use one-handed? Are you looking for extended battery life or the best camera phone available? Do you need a lot of storage for your music or photo collection? Maybe you’re a frequent traveler and need a dual-SIM phone. Is 5G going to be part of the landscape in your area?

Which operating system do you prefer?

There are only two smartphone operating systems worth considering: Android and iOS. Both are easy to use and support a wide variety of apps and games. While you can change from Android to iOS, or from iPhone to Android, there are learning curves in both directions. For familiarity, try to stick to whatever platform you’re used to — unless you really don’t like it and want to switch.

Android offers a wider choice of devices at different prices, more customization options, and Google’s excellent suite of services and apps built-in. If you already use Google Maps, Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Assistant, then Android may be the better choice for you, though you can download iOS versions of all of those tools from the App Store.

Apple’s iOS offers a more uniform, accessible experience, and operations are more secure alongside proprietary features like Siri, fingerprint scanning, FaceTime, and iCloud. The App Store and app quality are slightly better than Android due to Apple’s oversight of the app process. If you already have a MacBook or an iPad, an iPhone is probably going to make the most sense for you. You’ll also find an enormous choice of accessories for iPhones, something that can be limited for lesser-known Android devices.

For a more in-depth breakdown of the top two smartphone platforms, check out our guide to Android vs. iOS, where we compare them in various categories.

What are the most important specs?

Listen critically to the salesperson at the store and then shop around to get hands-on experiences with different smartphones before buying one. If you don’t know much about specs, bring along a knowledgeable friend or family member. With more people shopping at home, you can still use chat apps and check forums and reviews for advice. Here are a few things to think about:

• Design: If you want something you can use one-handed, try to pick it up and try it out. A lot of phones these days have glass on the front and back, which makes them fragile and prone to smudges. Check that the fingerprint sensor position suits you as well — on many phones, the sensor is on the back rather than the front. The right design for you should look and feel good.
• Screen: You’re going to spend many hours gazing at the screen, so make sure it’s a good size for you and that it has a high resolution. We recommend a minimum of full HD, which is 1920 x 1080 pixels, or perhaps 2160 x 1080 pixels if the phone has a modern 18:9 aspect ratio. Anything that’s 1080p or higher will be sharp enough. In terms of the underlying technology, OLED screens have better contrast, with deeper blacks than LCD screens, and we prefer them overall. Some of Samsung’s Galaxy range and Apple’s iPhones feature AMOLED screens, but they can be pricey.
• Performance: This will be determined by two main things: The processor and the RAM. The processor is the more important consideration, and newer is generally better in terms of both speed and power efficiency. Apple’s A-series chipset tends to outperform the competition. For an Android phone, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus is the current cream of the crop. It’s debatable how much RAM you need in a smartphone, but we recommend looking for at least 4GB, at least for Android models. This doesn’t apply to iPhones, however, because they handle memory management differently and don’t require as much RAM. If in doubt, read reviews or play with your prospective smartphone in a store to test it.
• Operating system: If you buy a new iPhone, then you’ll get the latest version of iOS, but this isn’t always the case with Android phones. Because the manufacturers often apply their own user interfaces on top of Android, it can take a while to get the latest updates. You may not get future versions of Android upon their releases, or even at all if the manufacturer decides not to update. Only stock Android phones from Google, such as the Pixel 5, are guaranteed to get immediate and consistent Android updates. The current version to look for is Android 11. Always try to get the latest version you can.
• Camera: Smartphone cameras have greatly improved over the last few years. The choice can be bewildering, but note that good camera performance is about a lot more than just a high megapixel count. If you’re able to test the phone out for yourself, you certainly should, but you’ll also find useful information in reviews. We do numerous camera shootouts here at Digital Trends.
• Bloatware: Be aware of bloatware or hobbled features, especially with Android. Sometimes carriers block specific features or change defaults. Carriers and manufacturers often add a lot of superfluous apps, and you may not be able to uninstall them.
• Battery life: Removable batteries are rare these days, so you want a phone that can keep up with you. Check the consensus on battery life in reviews. The mAh rating will give you some indication, but the capacity is also impacted by the screen size, resolution, and software, so you need to look beyond the number.
• Storage: The latest smartphones generally come with enough storage built-in. When 16GB phones were common, which already had used up 10GB out of the box, you could run out of space alarmingly fast. A minimum of 32GB is good, but 64GB is better. Much depends on how you use your phone. You’ll obviously need more space if you like to load your music or photo collection. Having a MicroSD card slot allows you to expand your storage space relatively cheaply. However, Apple never includes MicroSD card slots, so this is something you’ll find only in some Android devices.
• Durability: If you buy a predominantly glass phone, and you’ve got butterfingers, make sure to buy a protective case. You should also get a phone with some water-resistance. The top flagships tend to have IP67 or IP68 ratings nowadays, which means they can be submerged in water without damage. Many budget phones also come with some water-resistance.

Choose a wireless carrier

It’s important to choose a carrier that offers good coverage in your area so you’ll have a strong signal. We recommend doing a little research at Open Signal, where you’ll find comprehensive coverage maps for different areas and carriers. Simply enter your location and pick a carrier to see what the coverage is like where you live and work. If you want to be able to do data-intensive things without Wi-Fi — like stream video or play multiplayer games — make sure that 4G coverage is good in your area. Newer phones, like the iPhone 12 range, are now also incorporating 5G, but that protocol is still in the early stages in most places, so it’s likely not a huge priority as yet. If you intend to hold on to your phone for several years, however, 5G will become a factor in your buying decision.

The main network choices are Verizon, AT&T, and the recently merged T-Mobile/Sprint, but there are other carriers, too, such as MetroPCS, Boost, Cricket, and Virgin, that may be worth considering. If you plan to buy your smartphone from your carrier along with your service, make sure that they offer the phone you want. We recommend buying an unlocked phone when possible because it will work out to be cheaper in the long run and give you the freedom to change carriers in the future.

Pick a service plan

There are hundreds of different cell phone service plans on the market today, and market competition can mean lower prices for consumers. However, you’ll need to shop around a bit to find the best deal. These days, choosing the best and cheapest plan is easier than ever. We’ve done some of the legwork for you already by looking for the best family plans , best unlimited data plans , and best cheap phone plans .

If you’d like to save a bit of money but aren’t ready to quit your phone plan quite yet, try to negotiate a better deal with your carrier— research the offers and deals provided by other carriers. If you find a lower price available, with better features offered, contact your current provider and see if negotiation is possible. Be sure to request a representative from the customer retention department— they’re the ones with the power to work with you, apply discounts, and share incentives to keep at the company.

Service providers are highly motivated to sell you the most expensive plan they can manage. Try not to get caught up in their salesmanship. Research the features you actually need and want from your cellular plan. The most expensive area of your bill will be data coverage; Consider the amount of data you may actually need in a given month, and use that as negotiation leverage when discussing a new plan.

If you aren’t sure exactly how much data you use every month, you’re not alone. We’ve built a guide to data usage that we recommend you check out before contacting your provider. Once you pinpoint how much data, minutes, or messages you use regularly, you can determine what plan will fit best for you. From there, you can use something like Wirefly to compare cell phone plans. You can use the information you find there to negotiate price-matching plans. Keep in mind, another way you can save money with your cellular plan is through bundling. They may seem expensive, but bundling services may actually save you money in the long run. Putting in this research upfront can help put a significant amount of money back in your wallet.

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The best Android phones 2021: Which should you buy on Cyber Monday?

We test all of the best smartphones at Digital Trends to find out exactly what they’re capable of, and we look for all of the best models available. To find the best Android phones, we divided this list into categories based on different budgets. For each budget level, we offer our top pick and any alternatives we think are worth mentioning. We chose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra as the best Android phone since it has a superb camera, a beautiful screen display, and impressive battery life.

Before you buy, it’s worth trying to get a good Android deal on your chosen new phone. With Black Friday 2021 over and Cyber Monday now here, take a look at our regularly updated best Cyber Monday phone deals. Whether it’s newer models from Google, Samsung, or OnePlus, there’s something that will catch your eye.

Best Android smartphones at a glance

The best Android flagship: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Why you should buy this: There are no compromises. It has a superb camera, a beautiful screen, a long battery life, a stylish design, and the latest processor too.

Who it’s for: It’s for anyone that wants the very best tech available, inside a good-looking smartphone that will last for years before it needs replacing.

Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra:

If we see discounts on this model for Cyber Monday, the best discounts will likely be in the form of trade-in discounts or discounts from carriers like Verizon or T-Mobile. We might see a small discount at retailers, too.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the best Galaxy S Series smartphone Samsung has ever made, and it’s definitely the S Series model for 2021 to buy, as the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ aren’t quite as capable. Yes, it’s big and heavy, but there’s a reason for that — it’s packed with the best tech available.

Let’s start with the camera. The 108-megapixel main camera is joined by a pair of 10MP telephoto cameras for a 3x and 10x optical zoom, plus a 12MP wide-angle camera that doubles as a close-up camera too. You will struggle to find a situation where the S21 Ultra won’t be able to take a great photo.

Samsung’s Android 11-based OneUI 3.0 software is easy to use and attractive, plus it’s very fast too, as it’s driven by the Snapdragon 888 processor (or the Exynos 2100 if you live outside the U.S.) and 12GB of RAM. It shrugs off power-hungry tasks and hardcore games like they’re nothing.

Samsung’s 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen has a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3200 x 1440 pixel resolution, and it’s as fantastic-looking as we’ve come to expect — extremely bright, deep blacks, and full of color. The in-display fingerprint sensor is much better than previous efforts fitted to Samsung phones, and the 5,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day with the screen resolution set at maximum. It’ll last almost two days with sensible use.

The list of advantages goes on. There are varied camera features like Single Take and 8K video recording, plus S Pen support like the Note Series phones, along with 5G connectivity, wireless charging (including reverse charging for a pair of headphones), and Wireless DeX to connect your phone to a computer wirelessly. Samsung has even managed to make an ordinary black color scheme look great on the S21 Ultra.

Downsides? It’s definitely a handful of a phone, but apart from that, it’s hard to fault the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra . It costs $1,299, making it a little cheaper than the S20 Ultra it replaces, but that’s still a high price. You’re getting the very best out there with the S21 Ultra but do also take a look at the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which competes very favorably with the S21 Ultra and can often be found for a slightly lower price. If you’re interested mostly in gaming, then the Asus ROG Phone 5 has similarly large amounts of power and ability.

Our full Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review

The best Android phone for $1,000: OnePlus 9 Pro

Why you should buy this: The most complete, no-nonsense, reliable smartphone package available.

Who it’s for: If you want the best current tech on your phone, but don’t want to spend more than $1,000.

Why we picked the OnePlus 9 Pro:

This model recently saw a $270 price reduction when the Pixel 6 was released, so we expect to see additional discounts for Cyber Monday. The OnePlus 9 Pro is OnePlus at its best. It puts the latest hardware specs — a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with 5G and up to 12GB of RAM, plus a big 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate — inside a water-resistant body made from metal and glass, then pairs it with one of the best Android 11-based user interfaces out there for a superb all-around product.

That’s before you get to the incredibly fast charging, with a wired connection taking just 28 minutes to fully recharge, or about 45 minutes using OnePlus’ own fast wireless charging stand. The battery life isn’t the longest out there, but it’ll still last you a day provided you don’t go mad on gaming.

It’s the first phone with a camera tuned by photo experts Hasselblad, and although the company has only worked on the software for now, it has improved the OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera over previous models. When we first reviewed the phone, we weren’t blown away by the photos it took, but a series of software updates since then have improved it a lot. It’s now challenging phones like the Galaxy S21+ and the iPhone 12 and regularly takes stunning images.

There are two models available, a $969 8GB/128GB version and a 12GB/256GB model. The additional storage is welcome as the OnePlus 9 Pro doesn’t have a microSD card slot, but if you’re happy with cloud storage moving forward, save yourself some money and get the 8GB/128GB OnePlus 9 Pro. You won’t notice any significant performance difference.

The OnePlus 9 Pro also embodies what we’ve come to expect and love about the company’s phones — overall dependability. It’s not just the slick, easy-to-use software, but also the pretty styling, sensible size, fast charging, and maxed-out specs that make the phone an incredibly safe purchase, and one that will last you for years.

Read our full OnePlus 9 Pro review

The best Android phone for $800: Samsung Galaxy S21

Why you should buy this: It has almost everything that makes the Galaxy S series so desirable — lovely screen, great camera, and slick software

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a moderately compact phone with plenty of power

Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy S21:

Just like the S21+, the best Cyber Monday discounts on the S21 will likely be in the form of trade-in discounts or discounts from carriers like Verizon or T-Mobile. We might see a small discount at retailers, too.

If you own a Galaxy S20 then Galaxy S21 won’t be a massive upgrade, and if you’re expecting its camera to match the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you’ll be disappointed. If you want a phone with a glass body and days of battery life, it won’t give you either of those.

Why is it on our list? It’s still Samsung at its best, the S21 range has great smartphones, and the $800 price is decent considering the overall high-quality build, software, and hardware. The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen looks wonderful, the Snapdragon 888 processor (or Exynos 2100 if you live in the U.K.) is very fast, the phone has 5G, and the Android 11-based OneUi 3 software is fast, easy to use, and attractive.

The three cameras on the back take good photos — bright, full of contrast and detail, and not as over-saturated as some Samsung cameras from the past. However, if you’re looking for amazing zoom performance, you will want the Galaxy S21 Ultra, as the S21 makes do with a 3x optical zoom. What else? Samsung has improved the fingerprint sensor on the S21 over the S20, and it’s far more accurate and reliable, and the battery has enough power to last a full day, but not much more.

There’s everything you want from a modern, high-performance smartphone in the Samsung Galaxy S21 , just don’t expect to get too excited over it, due to the plastic rear panel and modest improvements over the Galaxy S20. This aside, the Galaxy S21 is excellent value for money, and most importantly, won’t look or feel out of date for several years.

The best Android phone for $600: OnePlus 8T

Why you should buy this: A much-needed price reduction means the OnePlus 8T is now a great value.

Who it’s for: Those who want many of the features that make more expensive phones desirable, but at a lower price.

Why we picked the OnePlus 8T:

At launch, the OnePlus 8T was too expensive at $749, due to some very strong competition at the same price or less, including the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the Google Pixel 5. However, it is now available for around $600, which is a considerably better value, allowing us to heartily recommend the phone.

The 6.55-inch AMOLED screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, there’s a Snapdragon 865 (no, it’s not quite the most recent flagship chip, but it’s still fast enough) for power, very fast charging, and OnePlus’ excellent OxygenOS software over Android 11. Viewed like this, it has the same general appeal as the OnePlus 9, just for less money.

The Warp Charge 65T charging is the same as the OnePlus 9 Pro, but rather than the 30-minutes-to-full charging speed on that phone, it takes the battery in the OnePlus 8T to full in about 40 minutes on the 8T, which is still very quick. A 48MP leads the camera specs, joined by a 16MP wide-angle and a 5MP macro camera, plus a monochrome camera. The OnePlus 8T’s camera is versatile and fun.

If you value the basics in a phone — great screen, fast charging, lots of power, and easy-to-use software, the OnePlus 8T will not disappoint. It wasn’t a great buy at $749, but it’s a very good one at $600.

Read our full OnePlus 8T review

The best Android phone for $500: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

Why you should buy this: It has all the features and abilities most people need, inside a stylish and durable case.

Who it’s for: Someone who wants a great Samsung phone, but without the S21 Ultra’s high price.

Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is already on sale on Samsung’s site, and it should continue to go on sale through Cyber Monday. It can’t match the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s spec sheet or incredible ability, but for less than half the price, you’ll be surprised at the amount it actually can do, and that makes it a serious bargain.

It pulls off a very clever trick: It does almost everything you need, looks good while doing it, and the price doesn’t even come close to being four figures. The plastic case has a lovely texture and our white review phone looks excellent with its molded camera module, while the 6.5-inch AMOLED screen is bright, colorful, and filled with detail, plus it has a desirable 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling.

There are five cameras on the back of the phone, and the photos it takes are very good — plenty of pop, and a strong HDR effect so they’re shareable without too much editing. It uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G for power, has Android 11 installed, and 5G connectivity, so it’s up-to-date, speedy, and ready for the future too. Perhaps best of all is the two-day battery life, even if you spend time playing games.

That’s before you get to the water resistance, microSD card slot, and 3.5mm headphone jack. The Galaxy A52 5G really does have everything you need, and the $500 price tag is very reasonable considering. It’s highly recommended.

The best Android phone for $400: Google Pixel 4a

Why you should buy this: A fantastic camera and excellent software all wrapped up in a low-cost package.

Who it’s for: Someone who wants a great all-around mobile experience without spending much.

Why we picked the Google Pixel 4a:

The Google Pixel 4a happily fits into our $400 category because it costs $349, plus there’s a Pixel 4a 5G version still available in some stores that adds 5G and an upgraded camera starting at $449. These phones will likely see heavy discounts for Cyber Monday too, as the Pixel 6 was just released.

While the design and materials on the 4a are no-nonsense, the camera and software are anything but. Google’s Pixel cameras are already well known for being strong performers and the Pixel 4a is no exception, but it’s not until you use it that you realize just how capable it really is. Night or day it takes fabulous photos, even though it only has a single camera lens, and it’s all down to Google’s software prowess.

This ability extends out from the camera and into the Android software generally. The Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G will get fast updates to new Android versions for the next two years, and the Pixel 4a’s software is clean, simple, pretty, and easy to use.

The only real disappointment is the screen, but it’s far from terrible, and its modest size helps boost the battery life to around two days with moderate use. For the price, the Google Pixel 4a is an incredible phone.

Read our full Google Pixel 4a review

The best Android phone for $200: Motorola Moto G Power (2021)

Why you should buy this: It’s a solid choice if you don’t have much money to spend on a new phone.

Who it’s for: The budget-conscious buyer who still wants good software and long battery life.

Why we picked the Moto G Power:

When you spend $200 on a new smartphone, you’ll always have to make concessions, and it’ll never be as technically competent as a phone that costs more. If the Pixel 4a is out of reach, we recommend looking at the 2021 version of the Motorola Moto G Power (2021). Price aside, there are some good reasons to buy this phone, most notably the big 5,000mAh battery for two days of use before recharging.

The screen is huge too, at 6.6-inches, and the software does without any annoying “features” or too much clutter, for a pleasant everyday experience. For $200 you will get the base model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Pay $50 more and this goes up to 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor is good enough to play most games as well.

What are you missing out on? The screen’s 720p resolution is a disappointment and there’s no NFC for Google Pay, and the camera doesn’t take great photos either. All this can be solved by buying the $350 Pixel 4a. However, if the budget doesn’t allow for it, then the Moto G Power (2021) will still do all the normal phone-related tasks with ease.

Research and buying tips

Which brands make the best Android phones?

We’ve highlighted Samsung a lot above, and it’s true that Samsung makes some of the best phones around. But really, it depends on your chosen price range. Samsung is the king of the higher Android price bracket, but head further down, and you start to notice the Google Pixels, Motorola’s budget and midrange options, and even some great phones from Nokia. The bigger names you recognize should definitely be preferred, as quality can be an issue when you start experimenting with brands you’ve never heard of.

But really, a brand name shouldn’t be what you base your decision on. After all, any manufacturer can make a bad phone from time to time. Instead, check out individual phone reviews, and decide that way. There will likely be differences between Android skins on different brands, but they shouldn’t be big enough to ruin your experience.

How do you choose the right Android phone for your needs?

Price, screen size, camera capabilities, durability, and processing power are some of the most important factors to consider when buying a phone. If you work or game on your phone a lot, you’ll want a phone with speedy processing. If you take a lot of pictures or videos, the camera might be a make-or-break factor for you.

How do Android phones differ from iPhones?

Android phones run on Android, while iPhones run on iOS. But this is only the beginning. Android phones typically offer USB-C charging, while most Apple phones use Lightning charging. Users praise Apple for its clean interface, lack of bloatware, privacy, and ease of integration with other Apple devices. Users praise Android for its easy customization, easy integration with Windows and other devices, affordability, expansion, and innovation. When it comes to iPhone versus Android, it’s really a personal decision.

How long should an Android phone last?

Most modern smartphones should last two to three years.

Which Android Phone has the best camera?

Many Android phones offer exceptional cameras, including Google’s new Pixel 6 Pro. Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra also has a stellar camera system, producing some of the best photos you can get out of a smartphone with a primary 108MP sensor, an ultrawide 12MP sensor, and two 10MP telephoto sensors.

Which Android phone has the best battery life?

A good phone’s battery should last you most of the day, but the Moto G Power has a 5,000mAh battery that lasts exceptionally long for an Android Phone in its price range.

Which Android phones will be on sale for Cyber Monday?

While some of the newer phones might not see huge discounts, many of the previous models could see significant reductions. Last year, the older Galaxy S10 series phones were sold at up to 40% off. We expect to see discounts on phones like the Pixel 4a and the iPhone 12 series. For the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, carriers like Verizon are also offering trade-in discounts, where you save up to $1,000 when you trade in your old or damaged phone.

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