Apple’s iPhone is not the one alternative for those who’re available in the market for a brand new cellphone. Android has a number of benefits over iOS, and one of many greatest is the sheer number of gadgets you’ll be able to selected from. From the supersize Galaxy S23 Extremely to the extra modest and reasonably priced Pixel 6A, Android telephones can be found in an enormous vary of sizes and costs. However this sprawling collection of telephones could make it troublesome to know which of them are value your hard-earned cash. When you aren’t positive the place to start out, you are in the precise place: We have examined and researched all the perfect Android telephones you should purchase in 2023.
An important cellphone ought to have high-quality cameras, lengthy battery life, compelling software program options and 5G assist. We thought of these components when placing collectively our checklist of the perfect Android telephones in 2023, which you’ll be able to try beneath. CNET’s staff updates this checklist periodically as we overview new merchandise.
Like:
- Quick efficiency
- Glorious predominant digicam
- Vivid display
- Included stylus
- Double the storage within the base mannequin
- 4 generations of Android OS updates
Do not like:
- Excessive worth
- Photographs do not at all times look pure
- No enhancements to quick charging
The Galaxy S23 is so much, however in a great way. It is greater than most individuals want in a cellphone, however that does not make it any much less spectacular. Samsung made enhancements to the digicam’s decision (200 megapixels in contrast with 108 megapixels), coloration tones and dynamic vary, whereas retaining the identical edgy design and large 6.8-inch display as its predecessor. There’s additionally a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that is been optimized particularly for Samsung’s telephones, which brings sooner efficiency in contrast with the Galaxy S22 Extremely.
It might be an understatement to name this cellphone costly: It begins at $1,200. However individuals prepared to pay extra for an enormous display and a high-quality, versatile digicam will not be upset. Learn our full overview of the Galaxy S23 Extremely.
Like:
• Refreshed design seems to be nice
• Very good cameras
• Clear and pleasant interface
Do not like:
• Battery life may very well be higher
Google’s newest flagship cellphone, the Pixel 7 Professional, is not an enormous overhaul from the already wonderful Pixel 6 Professional Google launched final yr. But it surely’s taken that successful method and made some key tweaks to nearly each component, leading to an excellent cellphone that is bliss to make use of. The refreshed digicam can take beautiful photos too, incomes its spot among the many finest flagship telephones round. It sometimes sells for $899, however Google presently has it on sale for $150 off.
Learn our Google Pixel 7 Professional overview.
Like:
• Smooth design
• Nice worth
• Foremost digicam is Google’s finest
Do not like:
• Battery life is sweet however not nice
• Not as a lot Android model assist as Samsung
At round $600, the Google Pixel 7 gives an effective way to place a few of Google’s finest tech in your pocket with out emptying your financial institution stability within the course of. It undercuts the fully-specced 7 Professional mannequin by a way, however nonetheless packs the identical Tensor G2 processor, an excellent display and an excellent predominant digicam.
Just like the 7 Professional, it is had a refreshed design which seems to be stylish and trendy, whereas its Android 13 software program is clutter-free and simple to make use of. The battery life may very well be higher, however with cautious use you will get by a day on a cost. It lacks the telephoto zoom and a few the opposite bells and whistles of the 7 Professional, however for those who’re after a strong on a regular basis cellphone at an honest worth, then the bottom Pixel 7 is a superb possibility.
Like:
- Longer battery life
- Enticing design
- 4 generations of Android OS updates
- Quick efficiency
Do not like:
- Cameras are principally the identical as final yr
- Costly
- No enhancements to quick charging
- No improve to base storage
Android followers searching for a petite cellphone do not have a lot to select from. However the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23 gives a compelling possibility for many who need a cellphone that feels compact however nonetheless gives sufficient display area. The Galaxy S23 comes with routine upgrades like a recent processor (a model of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that is been optimized for Samsung’s telephones), a barely new design and a higher-resolution selfie digicam. But it surely’s the Galaxy S23’s bigger battery that makes it value recommending. Learn our full overview of the Galaxy S23.
Like:
• Good display
• Speedy efficiency
• IP67 water resistant
• Inexpensive worth
Do not like:
• No wi-fi charging
The subsequent-gen Pixel 6a is on the market now, and in order for you 5G on a budget the smartphone is a strong alternative. This Pixel cellphone has a high-end chipset, nice rear cameras, a superb show, and common battery life. It is among the least expensive good 5G smartphones you should purchase proper now.
Learn our Google Pixel 6A overview.
Like:
- Unimaginable efficiency for gaming
- Slick, refreshed design
- Hyper-fast charging
- 5 years of safety assist
Do not like:
- Cameras are good however not nice
- Higher waterproofing on rivals
The $700 OnePlus 11 is a robust cellphone that is properly geared up to deal with gaming, video streaming and different frequent duties. In typical OnePlus style, this cellphone can also be cheaper than the $800 Galaxy S23 and $900 Pixel 7 Professional. The cameras aren’t the perfect, however they’re advantageous for informal photographers who simply wish to seize their subsequent trip or an evening out. What units the OnePlus 11 aside from a lot of its rivals is its blazing 100-watt quick charging, which may replenish the battery in simply 25 minutes. (The US model solely helps 80-watt charging, however that is nonetheless an enchancment over the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s 45-watt charging). General, the OnePlus 11 is good for individuals who need a highly effective cellphone that expenses shortly and will not break the financial institution. Learn our full overview of the OnePlus 11.
Like:
• 120Hz cowl display
• Water resistance
• Enhanced pill expertise
• Software program enhancements for multitasking and Flex Mode
Do not like:
• $1,800 remains to be costly
Foldable telephones have not actually hit the mainstream, remaining as a substitute solely within the attain of these prepared to spend prime greenback on the most recent in cellular innovation. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the perfect folding cellphone round, providing top-notch efficiency, an excellent digicam setup and quite a lot of tweaks to its folding know-how that make this Android smartphone extra fascinating than its predecessor.
Like:
- Higher battery life than earlier than
- Nonetheless the perfect flip cellphone to get into foldables
- Water resistance
Do not like:
- Identical cameras because the Galaxy Z Flip 3
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is an iterative replace however it packs a punch for the $1,000 price ticket. With a greater battery life because of a extra energy environment friendly processor and a much bigger battery, the Flip is lastly value investing in as a flagship gadget.
Like:
- Skilled stage video monitor options
- Sturdy utilitarian construct
- Dwell broadcast streaming over 5G
- As a cellphone, it is basically the Sony Xperia 1 II
Do not like:
- Value is excessive, limiting its slender enchantment
- 2020 specs and Android 10
- Wished it recorded video through HDMI enter
At a whopping $1,800 checklist worth, the Sony Xperia Professional is not for everybody. However for those who’re a photographer or videographer searching for professional-level digicam cellphone options, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious. The Xperia Professional is basically 4 merchandise in a single: a cellphone, a digicam monitor, a speedy picture file switch gadget and a 5G machine appropriate for broadcasting and livestreaming.
Learn our Sony Xperia Professional overview.
Like:
• Flashing design
• Strong efficiency
• Inexpensive worth
Do not like:
• Cameras are solely OK
• Not but obtainable within the US
The Nothing Telephone 1’s reasonably priced worth, strong efficiency and good-enough digicam setup already make it a strong possibility to think about for those who’re searching for an Android cellphone on a funds. However this cellphone takes the pizzazz up a notch with its suite of flashing LED lights on the rear, which actually make it stand out towards its rivals.
It is an excellent cellphone, which we loved reviewing, however there’s a draw back: As of proper now, there are not any plans to launch the cellphone broadly within the US. You will get it unlocked on Amazon, however it’s GSM-only so it will not work on Verizon. The corporate’s subsequent cellphone, the Nothing Telephone 2, can be coming to the US later this yr.
How we check telephones
Each cellphone that seems on this checklist has been completely examined by CNET’s professional critiques staff. Meaning truly utilizing the cellphone, testing the options, enjoying video games on it, and taking photographs with it. No advertising and marketing guarantees are taken at face worth, and if we discover one thing we do not like, be it battery life or construct high quality, we’ll inform you all about it.
Testing a cellphone means testing each component of the gadget. Is the show vivid, sharp, vibrant? Does the design really feel good to carry? Is it heavy? Does it really feel properly made? Is it water-proof? We check the processor efficiency utilizing standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations whereas navigating the interface or enjoying demanding video games.
All of the cameras (each back and front) are examined in quite a lot of situations, from vivid daylight by to darkish scenes (for any obtainable evening modes), and we evaluate our findings towards equally priced fashions. We conduct battery checks, working them down from full to see how lengthy they’re prone to maintain going on the market in the true world.
We have in mind further options like 5G, fingerprint or face scanners, styluses, quick charging, versatile shows, or different extras that may be helpful. And we in fact stability all this towards the worth, to provide the verdict on whether or not that cellphone, no matter worth it’s, truly represents good worth.