If you're on the hunt for the best Android smartphone around, you've
come to the right place. We've put all the major Google-powered handsets
through their paces to give you our best Android phones round-down.
There's
one key way in which Android is massively different from its
Apple-branded smartphone competition - the number of phones out there
running Google's hot mobile OS.
Update: We've updated our best Android
phones list with the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and we're currently testing
the Google Pixel 3, 3 XL, Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro.
The
big names are all here; Samsung, LG, Huawei, OnePlus and Google are at
the fore. The many variations in screen size, processor power, software
features and design makes finding the best Android phone for you
extremely tough.
There's still time for our 10 best Android phones
list to change before the year is out though, as we're currently
putting the the Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro through their paces in our in-depth review process.
Plus
we'll be getting hold of the Razer Phone 2 and OnePlus 6T in the coming
weeks too - another two handsets looking to make the cut.
Check back here again soon to find out if they've made it into our best Android phones top 10.
To help find the most fitting Android phone for you, we've
rounded up the best Android handsets out there today, rating the phones
on hardware performance, OS upgrade potential and, of course, how shiny
and nice they are to have and boast about to work colleagues.
So here they are - the best Android phones money can buy today.
1. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
The best Android phone around
Release date: March 2018 | Weight: 189g | Dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Battery: 3,500mAh | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Samsung has once again taken the top spot of the best Android phone in the world right now.
Samsung's
latest Galaxy S9 Plus is in the top position of this list thanks to an
incredible design, amazing display and some truly great power packed
into the phone.
Everything that has made Samsung phones great over
the last few years has been packed into this 6.2-inch device - that's
almost bezeless too - and comes with top of the range hardware and some
easy to use Android software.
Samsung has added a dual-camera to
the rear to enhance low-light photography, plus there's a better located
fingerprint scanner and 960fps slo-motion video recording.
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 9
One of the highest-spec phones on the market
Release date: August 2018 | Weight: 205g | Dimensions: 162 x 76.4 x 9mm | OS: Android 8.1 | Screen size: 6.4-inch | Resolution: 2960×1440 | CPU: Exynos 9810 | RAM: 6/8GB | Storage: 128/512GB (up to 1TB with card) | Battery: 4,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
It's a Samsung one-two, with the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 the latest
handset to enter our best Android phones lists - and it's come in high.
The
Galaxy Note 9 boasts a huge screen and a huge amount of power under the
hood, plus there's the iconic S Pen stylus which slides into the body
of the phone for safe keeping.
It means the Note 9 offers a huge
array of productivity functions few phones can compete with, but the
overall package isn't quite as finessed as the Galaxy S9 Plus - not to
mention its high price tag.
For power users who want a phone that will doing pretty much anything they ask of it, the Galaxy Note 9 is a top choice.
3. Huawei P20 Pro
The best phone Huawei has ever made
Release date: April 2018 | Weight: 180g | Dimensions: 155 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm | OS: Android 8.1 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2240 | CPU: Kirin 970 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 4,000mAh | Rear camera: 40MP + 20MP + 8MP | Front camera: 24MP
What's this? A Huawei phone at number three? Your eyes do not deceive
you, the Huawei P20 Pro really is third in our best Android phone
rundown.
After years of threatening the top players in the smartphone game
without really worrying them, 2018 has seen a significant uptick from
the Chinese firm and the beautiful P20 Pro.
The triple camera
setup on the rear of the P20 Pro provides great flexibility - and an
excellent low-light mode - while the battery life comfortably gets
through a day.
Then there's the eye-catching, two-tone finish on the rear which really sets the P20 Pro apart from the competition.
4. Samsung Galaxy S9
A great phone for the smaller-handed
Release date: March 2018 | Weight: 163g | Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a great smartphone, but it's not quite as
good as its bigger brother which boasts an extra camera on the rear and
more screen real estate.
There's still a lot to love about the S9
though, with an expansive 5.8-inch Infinity Display, powerful chipset,
4GB of RAM and excellent 12MP rear facing camera.
Its battery life
isn't quite as strong as the S8 it replaces, and visually it's almost
identical to its predecessor. However, the small changes are welcome and
it's an impressive all-round offering.
5. LG G7 ThinQ
LG's latest phone is an impressive model
Release date: May 2018 | Weight: 167 | Dimensions: 153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm | OS: Android 8.1 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 3120 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 4/6GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: Dual 16MP | Front camera: 8MP
The LG G7 ThinQ is a confident step up from its predecessor - the LG
G6 - with LG allowing itself to be a little bolder with the design and
features on its latest flagship Android phone.
Advertisement
Its
display comes with an ultra-bright mode which boosts brightness to an
eye-dazzling 1000nits, handy if you're desperately trying to Instagram
your latest snap from the beach.
The AI built into the camera can recognize what you're shooting and adjust the settings accordingly, to give you the best shot.
There
are two cameras on the rear of the G7 ThinQ, with the secondary snapper
offering up a super-wide angle lens to give you a different perspective
on things. We just wish LG would drop the 'ThinQ' part of the name.
6. Huawei Mate 10 Pro
A battery warrior with a great camera
Weight: 178g | Dimensions: 154.2 x 74.5 x 7.9mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Kirin 970 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 4000mAh | Rear camera: 20MP + 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Huawei is getting really good at making competitive, high-end
flagships these days and the Mate 10 Pro is a top Android phablet.
The
standout feature is battery life, toppling pretty much every other
phone on this list, but it’s also got a decent slug of power under the
hood to handle any task you can chuck at it.
For those looking
for a strong camera performance from their phone need to take a look at
the Mate 10 Pro as well. Phones higher up in this list offer better auto
modes, but for camera enthusiasts the Mate 10 Pro provides a great
selection of modes and settings.
Also consider:
After something a little smaller? Then check out the Huawei P20 - a
flagship phone that fits a little easier into the palm of your hand, it
has a heap of power and dual cameras too.
7. Google Pixel 2 XL
The knock-out camera is the star here
Weight: 175g | Dimensions: 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2880 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64/128GB | Battery: 3520mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Google's Pixel range matured in 2017, and the Pixel 2 XL is the
firm's top dog with its impressive, slender bezel design, dual
front-facing speakers and simply fantastic camera.
Advertisement
If
you're in the market for a new smartphone and camera quality is of high
importance, STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING. The camera on the Google Pixel 2 XL
is one of the most impressive snappers we've used on a phone.
There's also a whole heap of power under the hood, and the 6-inch display gives you lots of space to operate.
It's
not the most premium feeling phone in the hand - a shame considering
the price tag - and the viewing angle on the screen is very narrow
before a blue tint creeps in, but there's no question this is a great
device.
8. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
When it comes to being the biggest, Note 8 is the best
Weight: 195g | Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm | OS: Android 7.1 | Screen size: 6.3-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Exynos 8895 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64/124/256GB | Battery: 3300mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Three Samsung phones in the top six?! It may seem extreme, but there's a very good reason why - they're all really, really good.
Advertisement
The
Galaxy Note 8 doesn't quite hit the heights of its newer S9 siblings,
but it's a triumphant return to form for a series that was potentially
in trouble after the Note 7 debacle.
But
enough about other handsets, what makes the Galaxy Note 8 worthy of its
fifth place birth? There's no question the phablet is more of a niche
device, but its iconic S Pen stylus is now even better, with higher
accuracy and more levels of pressure sensitivity making it great for
sketching and drawing.
Then there's the massive 6.3-inch QHD
Infinity Display which is superb for movies and games, and with a
display this big using apps side-by-side isn't just possible, it makes
sense!
9. OnePlus 6
A fantastic flagship on a budget
Weight: 177g | Dimensions: 155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8 mm | OS: Android 8.1 | Screen size: 6.28-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2280 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 6/8GB | Storage: 64/128/256GB | Battery: 3300mAh | Rear camera: 16MP + 20MP | Front camera: 16MP
he OnePlus 6 excels in the flagship arena thanks to a combination of impressive specs and an affordable price tag.
It
has the latest Snapdragon 845 chipset paired with either 6GB or 8GB of
RAM, there's a premium all-glass design making it look and feel the
part, and you get to choose from either 64GB, 128GB or 256GB of storage.
As
if that wasn't enough, there's fingerprint and face unlock, dual rear
cameras and water proofing - all for a price which is lower than pretty
much every other phone on this list.
Also consider:
If the OnePlus 6 is still a little rich for your liking, take a look at
the Honor 10. It's got a big screen, loads of power under the hood and a
premium design for less.
10. Google Pixel 2
Google's palm-sized phone packs a powerful snapper
Weight: 143g | Dimensions: 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8mm | OS: Android 8.0 | Screen size: 5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64/128GB | Battery: 2700mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
There are lot of super-sized smartphones in our best Android phones
list, but what about those crying out for a dinky dialler that fits more
snugly in the hand? Enter the Google Pixel 2.
It packs the same
powerful punch and stunning camera capabilities as its larger sibling,
the Pixel 2 XL, but wraps it all up in a smaller package complete with a
more manageable 5-inch display.
The resolution is 'only' full HD,
and the battery life isn't the strongest on show here, but for a pure
Android experience that fits in your palm and will take great photos the
Pixel 2 is hard to beat.
No comments:
Post a Comment