The world of Android smartphones is big, rich in variety, and open to almost any budget out there. From basic, dependable smartphones, to cutting-edge foldable devices of the future, anyone looking for the best Android smartphones is spoiled for choice.
Which is the best Android smartphone available in 2024, though? Is it the obvious choice, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra? Or maybe the new Pixel 9 series devices have something to offer that's not immediately obvious? What about the OnePlus Open and the Motorola Razr Plus? There might be a dark horse somewhere on the Android plains, offering an amazing bang for your buck.
We made a comprehensive list to help you find the best Android phone for your specific needs. We have a very thorough testing procedure in place, and our phone rating widget takes into account various aspects of the smartphone experience, so rest assured that this list is as objective as it gets.
But fret not, under each entry, we will elaborate on the score and explain why you should consider that particular model, what its strong and weak sides are, and what the alternatives are. But first, here's how these scores are calculated.
The candybar smartphone design is the most popular style you’ll see today, and for good reason. It’s a simple rectangular shape that fits nicely in your hand or pocket—kind of like an actual candy bar. Most of the time, these phones are slim and lightweight, making them easy to carry around. The screen takes up almost all the space, with barely any bezels around it.
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Some phones even have curved edges or screens that stretch right to the sides for a sleek, futuristic vibe, although they're getting rarer and the industry is moving toward flat screens. Normally, candybar phones are made of reinforced glass and a metal frame. Some premium models, such as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, or the iPhone 16 Pro Max, use titanium for the frame for extra strength and to keep the weight down.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
What we like
Refined design, titan frame, flat screen
Excellent camera, good improvements
Screen has great brightness range, reduced reflections
What we don't like
No improvement in charging speeds
Pricey, if you don't catch a deal
7.7
PhoneArena Rating
7.4
Price Class Average
Battery Life
7.6
7.5
Photo Quality
7.8
6.9
Video Quality
6.9
6.3
Charging
6.8
6.4
Performance Peak
7.2
7.1
Performance Daily
7.5
7.8
Display Quality
9
8
Design
8
8.2
Wireless Charging
6.4
6.9
Biometrics
8
7.7
Audio
8
8
Software
8
7.3
Why the score?
This device scores 3.9% better than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
The year 2024 came with a bang and a brand new Galaxy Ultra model. Now, you might think that innovation in smartphones has been pretty stale in the past couple of years, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra proves otherwise. This flagship comes with a revised flat display that is very bright, and has a new anti-glare coating that works wonders. Seriously, we've tested this one time and again, and the difference is mind-blowing. Once you've tried this tech, there's no going back.
Then you have the usual last-gen Snapdragon processor, optimized for Galaxy, and during our tests, the phone scored near the top of the benchmark sheets with little to no excessive heat. The S Pen adds some great features as well. The Galaxy S24 Ultra topped our camera ratings, and for good reason. It's a blend of hardware and software, and speaking of software, AI on smartphones is the rage nowadays, and the Galaxy AI is indeed present on the Galaxy S24 Ultra to serve you better than ever.
All the other parts of the equation are pretty much left intact, but the overall package is great. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is currently one of the best phones you can get, thanks to its bright screen, powerful processor, great camera system, and stylus. If you're looking for the most recent Android phone, though - the Galaxy S25 series is right around the corner and for sure the Ultra will find a place on this list, so stay tuned.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is for practically everyone, but it's especially suited for people who use their phone for work and productivity, thanks to the S Pen, and all the multitasking capabilities of this beast. If you want to learn more, check out our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.
Just four years of software support, less than Google & Samsung
7.5
PhoneArena Rating
7.1
Price Class Average
Battery Life
8.4
7.3
Photo Quality
7.1
7
Video Quality
6.1
6.2
Charging
8.7
6.1
Performance Peak
7.2
6
Performance Daily
7.6
6.7
Display Quality
8
7.9
Design
9
7.6
Wireless Charging
8.4
7.3
Biometrics
7
7.5
Audio
7
7.2
Software
6
8.3
Why the score?
This device scores 5.3% better than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Motorola razr (2024), Google Pixel 9 and Apple iPhone 16 Plus
The OnePlus 12 follows up a change of course for OnePlus, started with the OnePlus 11. You will notice that, in 2024, there's still no "Pro and non-Pro"—there's only the OnePlus 12. The company stated that this is "the Pro." It just decided to not dilute its lineup by launching more than one device at the moment. We have a different approach with the OnePlus 12R, but we'll stay away from the naming scheme for now and focus on the flagship device.
So, the OnePlus 12 has the fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, upgrades to its Hasselblad-branded camera, and the same excellent design and snappy feel as before. The display is super-bright and the charging speed is out of this world (there's also a charging brick in the retail box!). The OnePlus 12 also managed to sneak into the top 10 smartphones in the past 2 years when it comes to battery life, ranking in 7th place with a battery estimate of 8h 23m. The OnePlus 12 is not only one of the best Android phones for the money, but just "one of the best." Full stop.
The OnePlus 12 currently finds itself in the top 3 spot on our list, and if you want alternatives, you can of course grab the stylus-equipped Galaxy S24 Ultra, or get yourself some Honor magic from the Magic 6 Pro. You can go down the software AI route and opt for a Pixel 9 Pro, or if you like foldable smartphones, there are options there as well.
In general, it's an excellent phone hard to beat at the MSRP (there are great OnePlus 12 deals as well), and you can read more about it and see camera samples in our OnePlus 12 review. OnePlus phones have always been suited for people who like to go against the grain and get the best bang for the buck while still maintaining flagship specs. Bear in mind that the OnePlus 13 already launched in China and we're waiting a global release in the coming month, so we're getting a new addition here - the next model is shaping out to be a real beast.
Key OnePlus 12 specs:
Display: 6.82-inch AMOLED, 1440 x 3168 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
This device scores 4% better than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
As far as new Android phones are concerned, the recent Pixels are fresh out of the hardware oven. The Pixel 9 Pro XL introduces a fresh design, a more powerful chip, faster charging capabilities, and several new AI features. However, at first glance, it may not seem like a significant leap forward from the Pixel 8 Pro, especially given its higher price point.
However, the smartphone game these days is played on the software field, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a lot to offer. The camera system includes enhanced computational photography capabilities, leveraging AI to deliver even more stunning photos in various lighting conditions. There are new AI tricks onboard thanks to Gemini Nano, and Gemini Live, and last but not least, you're getting seven years of software updates.
When it comes to software tricks and AI, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is your best bet. If you like to be on the forefront of AI and don't mind sacrificing some raw power in exchange, this flagship will serve you well for the (seven) years to come.
Fantastic battery endurance and good charging speed
Design mixes fun with classy
What we don't like
A bit heavy
Camera is OK, but not on par with $1k competitors
Speakers still a downgrade from ROG 7, not as good as iPhone 16 Pro Max
7.5
PhoneArena Rating
7.5
Price Class Average
Battery Life
8.6
7.8
Photo Quality
6.3
7.2
Video Quality
6.2
6.5
Charging
7.9
5.9
Performance Peak
9.1
7.1
Performance Daily
8.9
8
Display Quality
7
7.8
Design
8
7.8
Wireless Charging
8.5
7.3
Biometrics
7
7.6
Audio
8
7.8
Software
4
8.4
Why the score?
This device scores average for this price class, which includes devices like the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is here, and it’s ready to dominate the gaming scene. While its design is quite similar to last year’s model and the camera system hasn’t seen major upgrades, those aren’t the features you buy a gaming phone for. The best feature for sure is its impressive bright AMOLED display that cranks up to 185Hz, along with a big battery with fast charging (and yes, the charger is included). Couple this with loads of RAM, and a slick LED dot design on the back that screams "gaming."
The beating heart of the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, making it a performance beast. In fact, it obliterated pretty much every other phone in the Geekbench 6 multi-core test, held its ground against the A18 Pro in single-core, and swept the floor with the competition in the 3DMark stress test without breaking a sweat. Even after gaming for hours the phone never throttled, delivering peak smartphone performance.
For serious gamers, features like ultrasonic shoulder triggers are the cherry on top, letting you minimize screen touches and maximize your in-game precision. All this power and innovation doesn’t come cheap, though—the ROG Phone 9 Pro carries a hefty price tag. Still, if you want the best gaming phone available today, this is it. Check out our full Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro Review for a deep dive.
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro key specs:
Ultrasonic shoulder buttons
Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
24GB RAM
185Hz AMOLED screen
Better physical gimbal stabilization on the camera
Charger and case in the box
Best Foldable Phones
Modern foldable phones are future incarnate. The coolest thing about them? Their screens can bend! With a foldable screen, you get the convenience of a regular phone that fits in your pocket, and when you need it, it opens up into a tablet-sized display for watching videos, multitasking, or gaming on a big screen. Every foldable also has an outer screen so you can quickly check notifications or reply to messages without opening the phone, making it look like a thicker candybar when folded.
Foldable phones aren’t just about looks, though. They’re packed to the brim with tech, from fast processors to buttery-smooth high-refresh-rate screens and powerful camera systems. Plus, the software is built for multitasking, so you can run multiple apps side by side like a mini laptop. The one drawback is their premium price - some of the models cost twice as much as a regular candybar. Still, if you want to be at the forefront of innovation, a foldable will get you there in no time.
This device scores 2.9% better than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, vivo X Fold 3 Pro and Google Pixel Fold
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the best foldable phone you can get right now, and one of the best Android phones as well. The Korean company took the competition very seriously and made improvements in the design of its latest flagship foldable. The Z Fold 6 is thinner and lighter, and more comfortable to use in general, compared to its predecessor.
The Fold 6's main display features an upgraded protective layer, offering improved resistance to pressure and sharp objects. Additionally, the screen's central crease is less of an eyesore, compared to the previous model. There's a powerful chipset inside, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and even though the Elite model came out, the Z Fold 6 still has peak flagship performance up its sleeve.
The camera is still solid, even though it's mostly the same as last year, but it managed to score decently in our Camera Rating, so you're getting a very capable camera phone as well. The battery life has also been improved, but the fast charging is not so fast at 25W. The other big drawback is the price, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts at $1,899 for the 256GB version.
This device scores 2.9% better than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the vivo X Fold 3 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the second attempt at the foldable phone by Google. This year the company has decided to bring the foldable under the main series' umbrella and now the Pixel 9 Pro Fold belongs with the Pixel 9 series.
The phone comes with big upgrades compared to its predecessor, the original Pixel Fold, mainly because the timeframe was a bit longer than usual between generations. The processor onboard is the latest Tensor G4, which one, while not a powerhouse like the Snapdragon 8 Elite and the A18 Pro, brings a huge improvement over the Tensor G2 in the original Fold, and also comes with AI baked in.
The overall design is thinner and lighter than the first model, and now the Pixel 9 Pro Fold looks much more capable of competing with other foldable models on the market, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the OnePlus Open. The big drawback, as is with all modern foldables, is the the price. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799 for the 256GB model, which is a tough sell.
This device scores 1.5% better than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google Pixel Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
OnePlus rolled the dice and ventured into the foldable market with the OnePlus Open last year, and boy oh boy, did the company hit a jackpot. When the OnePlus Open came out, it went to take our prestigious Best Foldable award for 2023.
Now, one year later, the OnePlus Open is still a very potent device. And even though the successor is right around the corner, this foldable offers something quite unique - a different form factor.
Even by today's standards, the OnePlus Open offers one of the fastest charging out there (especially on a foldable), with 0 - 100% charge times around 43 minutes. The camera system is very powerful and holds its ground against newer models such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Last but not least, the OnePlus Open launched at $1,699 and now sells with a 23% discount on the OnePlus website, dropping the price down to $1,299.99, which is frankly amazing.
When it comes to flip phones, the design dates way back to the 1996 and the Motorola StarTAC. These clamshell beauties have made a triumphant return thanks to the flexible screen technology. Nowadays, if you want a foldable phone but don't like the tablet-like models, you can get a flip phone.
It's a design that offers the convenience of a normal candybar phone but with the added bonus of the ability to fold the phone in half and make it even more compact - a tiny square that fits into any pocket or bag.
Modern flip phones also don't fall behind their more rigid counterparts and offer powerful chipsets, good camera systems, and functional cover screens.
This device scores 2.8% worse than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 launched on July 10, building on what made its predecessors great. Samsung’s foldables used to dominate the market, but with the competition heating up, the Z Flip 6 needed to amp up its game to stay on top.
This phone packs the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, specially tuned "for Galaxy" with even faster speeds. One of the biggest upgrades is the new 50MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture. It’s a major step up, and the photos look great.
Samsung also bumped up the battery size to 4,000mAh (compared to 3,700mAh in the Z Flip 5). The hinge mechanism has been redesigned as well, and the screen’s crease is a little less noticeable this time around. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is currently the best flip phone in 2024, and one of the best Android phones as well. Last but not least, it's very competitively priced at around $1000.
This device scores 5.6% worse than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro
Motorola tried bringing back the iconic Razr brand in 2019, but it had a rough start. Things started improving in 2022 when the company made some design changes, and now, the latest Razr phones are offering a functional, usable cover screen, a compact form factor, and great pricing. And here is the latest iteration of the Razr.
The Razr Plus (2024) comes with some nice upgrades: a sleeker design, a better hinge, a bigger and brighter cover screen, faster charging, and a unique wide-telephoto dual camera system. When you throw in the price tag of under $1000, this model starts to look like a really nice package.
The battery life is also pretty good for a flip phone, and the real competition here comes from the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It's down to personal preference in the end, but Motorola has finally made a really competitive flagship flip phone.
Lovely design with vegan leather and vibrant colors
Hinge feels sturdier than before
External screen is now bigger (Razr Plus 2023 size)
What we don't like
Camera is hit-and-miss
Speakers are thin
Processor is on the weak end
6.3
PhoneArena Rating
6.9
Price Class Average
Battery Life
7.5
7.1
Photo Quality
5.9
6.8
Video Quality
4.9
6
Charging
7.5
6.5
Performance Peak
3.8
6.1
Performance Daily
5.9
6.8
Display Quality
8
7.8
Design
8
7.2
Wireless Charging
6.7
7
Biometrics
7
7.2
Audio
5
6.9
Software
5
7.2
Why the score?
This device scores 8.7% worse than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, Google Pixel 9 and nubia Z60 Ultra
Welcome to the affordable flip phone paradise! The Motorola Razr (2024) takes the exotic and expensive flip phone of old and transforms it into a budget wonder, cheaper than many candybar phones out there.
For just $699 you're getting a nice 6.9-inch AMOLED screen that can go up to 120Hz, a decent-sized 4,200 mAh battery with 30W fast wired charging, a 3.6-inch functional cover screen, and a sturdy hinge to finish the deal off.
The Motorola Razr (2024) is one of the best budget flip phones of the year, and also made its way into our best Android phone list.
The most important metric here is the phone rating. This composite score takes into account 12 different aspects of the smartphone experience, such as Battery Life, Photo Quality, Design, Performance, etc. The ratings are on a scale from 0 to 10, and the weight of each category in the final score is different, for example, battery life is more important than design, and so on.
There's also a metric called "Price Class Average" which takes into account the price of devices with similar specs, positioned in the same market space. This gives you a quick comparison of how a specific model compares to the average in its class, and gives more context to the score. Bear in mind that you won't find a lot of 9s and 10s on this list. We completely overhauled our rating system to be future proof and also be able to detect subtle differences and segregate phone models better.
Currently, the best Android smartphones hover around the 7.5 mark, which gives enough space for future models to evolve and get better. If you want to delve deeper into the ratings, there are sub-categories such as our Battery Score, and our Camera Score both of which go into more detail and break the score into even finer segments.
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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