Need an Android telephone, however not certain which to go for, or whether or not to purchase new or refurbished? With heaps to contemplate, let me be your information as you trek via the technique of choosing the finest handset for you.
The most recent flagship Android telephones are available numerous sizes, at totally different costs, and with various {hardware} and software program options, all powered by the quickest chips. Whether or not your precedence is battery life, digital camera, display dimension, software program help or worth for cash, there is extra to select from than ever. And should you’re pondering of shopping for Apple as an alternative, now we have a guide for iPhones, too.
At a look
Exchange or spruce up?
New fashions usually have sooner chips and higher cameras, however the variations between generations are shrinking with annually. Meaning the finest Android telephone for you can nonetheless be the one in your hand.
In case your battery doesn’t final so long as it used to, replacements are typically out there from the producer or third events, and begin at about £50, relying on the make and mannequin. In case your Android is sluggish or apps gained’t set up, verify you’ve sufficient free storage – ideally at the least 2GB. Area will be freed up by uninstalling unused apps or content material, clearing out your messaging storage, offloading pictures and movies to the cloud, and deleting music and podcasts you now not pay attention to.
For extra, learn our information on how to make your smartphone last longer
When to change your Android
In case your telephone’s worn out, damaged past restore or now not receives essential safety updates, it’s time to improve. Most older Androids obtained solely three years of software program help from launch date – not from buy – with newer, higher fashions getting 5 to seven years. Changing a telephone that has stopped receiving safety updates is important as a result of it will likely be extra weak to hackers and cybercriminals.
The very best Android telephones in 2025
Greatest Android for most individuals:
Google Pixel 10
The Pixel 10 has set a brand new bar for what you must anticipate from a flagship telephone. It’s the best option for most individuals with its steadiness of value, dimension and options.
It appears and feels nice, with satin aluminium sides and Google’s standout digital camera bar protruding from the glass again. The 6.3in OLED display is crisp and shiny, and its 120Hz refresh charge retains scrolling clean.
A fast ultrasonic under-screen fingerprint scanner and 2D face recognition make it straightforward to unlock the Pixel 10. It feels very responsive, coming with the identical Tensor G5 chip as Google’s most costly telephones, together with 12GB of RAM and at the least 128GB of storage. The battery will final up to two days of normal use between fees, too.
The Pixel 10 is one in every of the first Android telephones to construct in Qi2 help into the again. In addition to quick and straightforward wi-fi charging, this opens up compatibility with magnetic equipment, together with these made for Apple’s MagSafe iPhones, akin to wallets, telephone grips, stands and automobile mounts.
The telephone runs a few of the finest Android software program you may get and is assured month-to-month safety and have updates until at least August 2032. This 12 months, Google launched a group of helpful new superior AI instruments, too, most of which run regionally for velocity and privateness.
Highlights embrace numerous Gemini, writing, translation, dictation and image-editing instruments. Essentially the most superior is Magic Cue, which runs in the background pulling information from your calendar, Gmail, maps, notes, screenshots, contacts and messages to recommend information whenever you want it. If a pal texts to ask when your flight is due to land, Magic Cue will present the time and date instantly on the messages display to shortly paste into your dialog. Or whenever you telephone a enterprise to verify the place your supply is, the system will current a card in the telephone app, pulling the order details straight from Gmail.
Lastly, Google has additionally righted one in every of the few wrongs of 2024’s Pixel 9 by giving the Pixel 10 three cameras on the again, together with a brand new 5x telephoto digital camera. That makes it one in every of the finest digital camera methods out there, together with some nice options akin to Auto Greatest Take and Add Me for group pictures, plus the new AI Digicam Coach, which might information you to taking a greater picture.
Why must you purchase it?
The Pixel 10 provides virtually every little thing that Google’s top-tier telephones do, however at a lower cost. It has an awesome triple rear digital camera (with 5x optical zoom), cracking software program, cutting-edge AI instruments and a high-quality display, all packed right into a manageable dimension.
Purchase if: you need a premium, Google AI-packed telephone with digital camera for barely much less
Don’t purchase if: you need a huge display or the easiest digital camera on an Android
Learn our full Google Pixel 10 review: the new benchmark for a standard flagship phone
Display screen: 6.3in 120Hz FHD+ OLED (422ppi)
Processor: Google Tensor G5
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 128 or 256GB
Examined battery life (with in a single day standby): 48 hours
Digicam: 48MP, 13MP UW, 10.8MP 5x, 10.5MP selfie
Mud and water resistance: IP68 (1.5m for half-hour)
Dimensions: 152.8 x 72 x 8.6mm
Weight: 204g
Greatest Android for digital camera:
Google Pixel 10 Professional
The Pixel 10 Professional takes every little thing that is good about the regular Pixel 10 and turns it up a notch. Its 6.3in OLED is barely brighter, slicker and crisper, making it one in every of the easiest on a telephone. The polished aluminium sides feel and appear costly, whereas the fast fingerprint and face scanners really feel responsive. And Qi2 help opens up compatibility with a big assortment of magnetic chargers and equipment.
It has the Tensor G5 chip, 16GB of RAM and at the least 128GB of storage, plus up to two days of battery life. The ten Professional additionally comes with a 12 months’s subscription to Google AI Pro – normally costing £18.99 a month – which supplies entry to the extra highly effective Gemini Professional, image- and video-generating fashions, and 2TB of cloud storage.
It comes with the identical Android software program and AI instruments as the common Pixel 10, with help until August 2032.
The largest improve is in the digital camera, including extra highly effective sensors together with a 50MP major, 48MP ultra-wide and 48MP 5x telephoto digital camera, the latter of which might stretch to 10x with a crop zoom. This trio could make the most out of virtually any lighting situation or atmosphere.
However the 10 Professional is additionally the first to embrace generative AI instantly in the digital camera. Zoom to a most of 100x magnification, and an area genAI mannequin will course of the picture, including again the element and sharpness misplaced by digital zoom. It’s not excellent, however the outcomes will be very spectacular.
Why must you purchase it?
The Pixel 10 Professional has the finest digital camera on an Android telephone, plus high software program, cutting-edge AI instruments and a high-quality display that’s massive however not huge (if an enormous display is what you need, look to Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL as an alternative).
Purchase if: you need the finest digital camera on a telephone that’s nonetheless comparatively pocketable
Don’t purchase if: you need a huge display or super-long battery life
Learn our full Google Pixel 10 Pro review: one of the very best smaller phones
Display screen: 6.3in 120Hz QHD+ OLED (495ppi)
Processor: Google Tensor G5
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 128, 256 or 512GB
Examined battery life (with in a single day standby): 48 hours
Digicam: 50MP, 48MP UW, 48MP 5x telephoto, 42MP selfie
Mud and water resistance: IP68 (1.5m for half-hour)
Dimensions: 152.8 x 72 x 8.6mm
Weight: 207g
Greatest Android for battery life and a giant display:
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
If cash is no object and also you need the greatest and finest display on an Android coupled with very good battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely lives up to its title.
The large 6.9in display is the brightest and finest round, wrapped in a titanium body with tiny bezels. 4 cameras on the again rival the Pixel 10 Professional for the finest, together with 3x and 5x telephoto cameras. Inside, it has the quickest Android chip out there, 12GB of RAM and at the least 256GB of storage, whereas its two-day-plus battery life helps it go the distance.
The S25 Extremely has nice software program with help till 2032, so you’ll be able to maintain using it for longer with proper care. The telephone is full of a great deal of the most superior AI instruments – which are nonetheless a bit hit or miss – plus a stylus for handwriting and doodling on the display.
Regardless of being skinny and not too heavy, the S25 Extremely is super-sized, which suggests it requires two arms to use most of the time and is likely to be a battle to slot in pockets. It additionally launched at an eye-watering worth, which has come down a bit however nonetheless tops most opponents. Look out for deals on the refurbished market.
Why must you purchase it?
The S25 Extremely is the reigning superphone champ with the finest display, the quickest chip, very lengthy battery life and extra cameras on its again than another, plus loads of AI options and even an built-in stylus.
Purchase if: you need the superphone with the finest display, lengthy battery life and all the extras
Don’t purchase if: you don’t need an enormous telephone at a excessive value
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: still the superphone to beat
Display screen: 6.9in 120Hz QHD+ OLED (500ppi)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256, 512GB or 1TB
Examined battery life (with in a single day standby): 58 hours
Digicam: 200MP, 50MP 0.6x, 10MP 3x, 50MP 5x, 12MP selfie
Mud and water resistance: IP68 (1.5m for half-hour)
Dimensions: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm
Weight: 218g
Greatest small Android:
Samsung Galaxy S25
A very small flagship Android doesn’t exist, however Samsung’s common Galaxy S25 is the most manageable you may get.
It has an awesome and comparatively small 6.2in display, slim bezels and flat aluminium sides, and it weighs solely 162g, making it really feel good and compact. Regardless of being less expensive, the common S25 has the identical super-quick chip as its a lot bigger S25 Extremely sibling, plus loads of RAM and at the least 128GB of storage. A good triple digital camera, together with a 3x telephoto zoom, is on the again.
The S25 additionally runs the identical Android model as the remainder of Samsung’s high telephones, together with a great deal of AI instruments and help till 2032, so that you’re not lacking out simply because it’s smaller.
The one draw back of the extra compact dimension is a smaller battery. It would nonetheless final a strong day, however not way more. You can even discover higher cameras on barely bigger rivals.
Why must you purchase it?
The S25 is the final nice Android flagship at this dimension, and it doesn’t skimp on options regardless of its compact and light-weight body.
Purchase if: you need a smaller flagship telephone
Don’t purchase if: you want very lengthy battery life or a giant display
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S25 review: the smallest top-tier Android left
Display screen: 6.2in 120Hz FHD+ OLED (416ppi)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 128, 256 or 512GB
Examined battery life (with in a single day standby): 37 hours
Digicam: 50MP, 12MP 0.6x, 10MP 3x, 12MP selfie
Mud and water resistance: IP68 (1.5m for half-hour)
Dimensions: 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2mm
Weight: 162g
Greatest worth Android:
Google Pixel 9a
Google’s newest A-series Pixel is the finest but, squeezing virtually every little thing nice about the Android-maker’s high-end telephones into a comparatively inexpensive handset.
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It appears like a clone of the common Pixel 10 from the entrance, with an honest 6.3in display and aluminium sides, however the Pixel 9a has a dual-camera system that sits virtually flush with the high-quality plastic again. It’s modern, however appears a bit generic in contrast with Google’s earlier standout digital camera designs. It nonetheless appears and feels good and has full IP68 water resistance, plus an optical fingerprint scanner and face unlock.
The 9a has the identical Tensor G4 chip as last year’s top Google phones, protecting it snappy in operation, whereas the battery lasts two days between fees. It solely has 8GB of RAM, which isn’t notably noticeable in day-to-day use however does curb a few of Google’s extra superior AI instruments. The 9a nonetheless has nice software program, together with Gemini, which will likely be supported for a full seven years from release – virtually extraordinary at this worth.
The very best half is the digital camera. Whereas it solely has a major digital camera and an ultrawide one on the again, it shoots higher pictures than many telephones twice the worth. In truth, it’s solely a smidgen behind the common Pixels in low mild. The 9a even has Google’s fashionable Greatest Take and Add Me AI options, plus full entry to Magic Editor and different instruments.
A couple of corners have been lower, although, together with the plastic again somewhat than glass, an older technology of scratch-resistant glass on the display, and the lack of help for Android’s built-in spatial audio system for headphones.
Why must you purchase it?
The Pixel 9a provides a top-tier expertise at a less expensive, mid-range worth, making it the finest worth flagship Android by a mile.
Purchase if: you need a superb Android with flagship expertise and an awesome digital camera for much less
Don’t purchase if: you need a telephoto digital camera
Learn our full Pixel 9a review: Google’s cut-price Android winner
Display screen: 6.3in 120Hz FHD+ OLED (422ppi)
Processor: Google Tensor G4
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128 or 256GB
Examined battery life (with in a single day standby): 57 hours
Digicam: 48MP, 13MP ultrawide, 13MP selfie
Mud and water resistance: IP68 (1.5m for half-hour)
Dimensions: 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm
Weight: 186g
The very best of the relaxation
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Greatest for: a book-style foldable telephone:
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a exceptional gadget. It suits a big 8in display inside an extremely skinny physique, which folds like a e-book to rework it from a pill to a telephone.
It weighs simply 215g and is solely 8.9mm thick when folded, with a big, slick and shiny 6.5in display on the outdoors. It appears and feels similar to a daily slab telephone. However open it up and also you’ll reveal an enormous, high-quality inner display in a physique that’s simply 4.2mm thick – barely thicker than the USB-C port and slimmer than even the new breed of ultra-thin telephones akin to the S25 Edge.
It’s prepared for movies, books, searching and critical multitasking with up to eight apps open on display without delay. The Fold 7 has Qualcomm’s high Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 12GB of RAM and at the least 256GB of storage, serving to it fly alongside no matter what you’re doing. A battery life of just about two days rivals large slab telephones, whereas 5 cameras, together with a trio of high quality cameras on the again (with a 200MP major and 3x telephoto cameras), do job of capturing life.
The foldable telephone has a fast fingerprint scanner in the energy button and runs the identical high quality Android as Samsung’s top S25 phones, together with the Now bar, Gemini and different AI instruments. As well as, it provides a number of modes that actually make the most of the folding type in ways in which rivals don’t, and software program help will final till 31 July 2032.
However whereas the Fold 7 is water-proof, it’s not mud resistant. Like all foldables, the inner display is softer than common hardened glass, so it have to be handled with care. It’s very costly and repairs are simply as dear, so be sure to get insurance coverage.
Why must you purchase it?
The Fold 7 is tremendous skinny and lightweight. Its outdoors provides a high-quality display and all the trimmings of a daily telephone, but it additionally packs an enormous inner display with energy to spare. It appears like the two-in-one future.
Purchase if: if you’d like the finest phone-tablet hybrid with out the bulk or compromise (apart from value)
Don’t purchase if: you’re tough along with your telephone or want prolonged digital camera zoom
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: the thinner, lighter and better folding Android
Outdoors display: 6.5in 120Hz FHD+ OLED (422ppi); inside display: 8in 120Hz QXGA+ OLED (368ppi); processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy; RAM: 12GB; storage: 256, 512GB or 1TB; examined battery life (with in a single day standby): 47 hours; digital camera: 200MP, 12MP UW, 10MP 3x; 10MP+10MP selfie; mud and water resistance: IP48 (1.5m for half-hour); dimensions folded: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9mm; dimensions unfolded: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm; weight: 215g
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Greatest for: a flip-style foldable telephone
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 takes a giant and shiny 6.9in OLED display and folds it in half to match extra simply in your pocket. New on this technology is an even bigger outdoors display that fills the entrance of the telephone when closed, which can be utilized for accessing a number of apps, widgets and Gemini with out opening the handset.
The Flip is notably engaging in blue with wallpaper on the outdoors display, and it’s been slimmed down to solely 6.5mm thick when open. The telephone feels responsive with strong efficiency and an awesome fingerprint scanner in the energy button on the aspect. However battery life is a bit on the quick aspect, lasting a day or so, which means it may well’t sustain with bigger slab telephones for endurance.
The twin rear cameras are strong, however the lack of a telephoto digital camera means you’re restricted to vast and ultra-wide photographs. The Flip’s celebration piece is the capability to shoot selfies utilizing the major cameras, with the outdoors display performing as a viewfinder.
It runs a few of the finest Android software program out there with a number of AI instruments, together with Google’s Gemini, Circle to Search and the Now bar for maintaining with ongoing actions, akin to sports activities, music playback or timers. With software program help till 31 July 2032, the Flip 7 is the all-round finest flip telephone on the market.
This is a comparatively iterative replace, although, so last year’s Flip 6 is price taking a look at if you’ll find deal. As with different folding gadgets, the Flip 7 is water- however not dust-resistant, and its inner display is softer and extra fragile than a daily telephone, so unintended injury insurance coverage will likely be prudent.
Why must you purchase it?
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a great-looking clamshell that squeezes an enormous display into your pocket. It has nice software program and help as customary.
Purchase if: you need a large display in a compact type
Don’t purchase if: you’re tough along with your telephone or want the finest digital camera
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: great-looking and fun, but iterative Android
Outdoors display: 4.1in 120Hz OLED (345ppi); inside display: 6.9in 120Hz FHD+ OLED (397ppi); processor: Samsung Exynos 2500; RAM: 12GB; storage: 256 or 512GB; examined battery life (with in a single day standby): 36 hours; digital camera: 50MP, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie; mud and water resistance: IP48 (1.5m for half-hour); dimensions folded: 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7mm; dimensions unfolded: 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5mm; weight: 188g
Different Androids to contemplate
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: it provides every little thing that’s nice about the 6.3in Pixel 10 Professional, however with a super-size 6.8in display and longer battery life.
Google Pixel 9 Pro: final 12 months’s customary Professional Pixel is nonetheless a contender for the finest smaller telephone and can get updates till at the least August 2031, so it is nonetheless price shopping for at an honest low cost.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: the predecessor to this 12 months’s Professional Pixel was additionally nice, with updates till at the least August 2031, making it price taking a look at on a deal or refurbished.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: its beautiful, super-slim type is fairly one thing, however comes at the value of digital camera and battery life.
Samsung Galaxy S25+: this middle-of-the-pack Samsung flagship is good, however it’s bettered at both finish by its siblings and prices greater than rivals. Search for offers.
OnePlus 13: has nice {hardware}, good digital camera and lengthy battery life, however it’s let down by quick software program help and a scarcity of high quality AI instruments.
Nothing Phone 3: for these searching for one thing a bit totally different, the top-tier Nothing is fairly slick.
Honor Magic V5: a super-thin book-style foldable with a giant battery and good digital camera, however it’s let down by common software program – an honest various if you’d like another to Samsung and Google.
Shopping for a refurbished Android telephone
Buying refurbished is higher for the planet and your pockets than shopping for new, however Android telephones are usually restricted of their helpful life by a scarcity of software program updates somewhat than the {hardware} sporting out. This means the extra lately the telephone was launched, the higher the purchase.
Broadly, there are two varieties of refurbished Android: people who producers, together with Samsung, refurb and promote virtually as new, and people refurbished by third events that are available numerous grades or circumstances (see our information beneath).
Do not purchase:
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any mannequin older than 24-36 months outdated, since you’ll get just a few years of software program help before you’ll have to change it. Older Android telephones get lower than 5 years of help from after they had been first launched, not from whenever you purchased them.
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any telephone with out entry to the Google Play Retailer and Google’s companies, which are wanted for many mainstream apps in the UK.
Fast Information
A purchaser’s information to refurbished telephones
Present
A number of third-party retailers provide refurbished telephones, together with the UK excessive avenue chains CeX and Game and on-line shops akin to musicMagpie and Envirofone. Marketplaces like Amazon and eBay and refurb specialist Back Market even have a variety. And a few telephone operators, together with O2, giffgaff, EE and Vodafone, promote refurbished iPhones.
The situation of the telephone is amongst the most vital issues to contemplate before parting with any money. This is graded as follows:
Grade A – nearly similar to a brand new telephone on the outdoors, normally with the authentic field and equipment. These are typically buyer returns somewhat than trade-ins and are the most costly.
Grade B – in full working order however usually with mild scratches, dents or nicks, and should include authentic equipment.
Grade C – in full working order however visibly worn and usually bought with out authentic equipment.
Grade D – also referred to as “for spares and repairs” or comparable. These are damaged gadgets bought for folks to repair or intestine for elements.
When you’re happy with the situation of the telephone, ensure to additionally dimension up the gadget’s:
Battery well being – batteries put on out, usually solely sustaining up to 80% of their authentic capability after 500 full-charge cycles (about two to three years of nightly charging). Has it been changed?
Charging port – verify for indicators of injury, as these are amongst the first elements to break.
Buttons – do all of them work with out urgent too onerous? Damaged buttons make telephones troublesome to use and will be costly to repair.
Fingerprint scanner – is the fingerprint reader functioning because it ought to? Scratches or repairs could cause them to be defective.
Community locks – verify the telephone works with the supplier of your selection, as some are initially bought locked to sure networks and have to be unlocked before getting used on one other.
Unauthorised elements – not all repairs are achieved by the producer or utilizing licensed elements, which might have an effect on efficiency.
Test it isn’t stolen – verify the telephone’s 15-digit IMEI (Worldwide Cell Tools Id) quantity towards a database of stolen devices via a service akin to CheckMEND or comparable.
Guarantee – what sort of guarantee does the retailer provide on its refurbished telephones?
How we chosen
Flagship telephones come at a premium, so you must anticipate the easiest expertise and efficiency all through years of use. Once I selected which telephones to take a look at, I thought-about:
Efficiency – a top-tier chip and snappy efficiency are important to maintain a telephone quick all through its helpful life.
Software program – needs to be up to date and include a minimal of 5 years of Android updates from launch, ideally longer.
Nice shows – you must anticipate high-quality shows with excessive brightness for outside use, excessive pixel density to maintain issues crisp and excessive refresh charges to maintain scrolling clean.
Cameras – are the major battleground for the flagship telephone producers, so anticipate the finest with a number of lenses and loads of options.
Battery life – ought to arise to onerous use, at the least lasting when used all day.
Construct high quality – top-tier telephones aren’t low cost, so they need to be made to final with high-quality, ideally recycled supplies, scratch-resistant glass and correct water resistance.
Sustainability – accidents occur, and even the longest-lasting batteries do put on out, so telephones needs to be repairable with actual choices for alternative batteries, screens and different elements.
Fast Information
How I examined
Present
We mix real-world testing with numerous instruments, akin to benchmarking methods that carry out standardised duties. These assist us consider a telephone, measure its efficiency, affirm that it really works as anticipated and examine it with its competitors and predecessors.
We use the telephones at totally different occasions and in numerous environments, from firing off emails on packed commuter trains to weekends spent capturing pictures in nationwide parks, and every little thing in between. We do every little thing a typical smartphone consumer would, akin to messaging, searching, utilizing apps, listening to music, watching movies, enjoying video games and navigating the actual world. That provides us impression of how a smartphone handles the rigours of day-to-day life – plus, it exhibits us how lengthy the battery lasts and the energy of its wi-fi efficiency.
The findings from our normal use of the telephones are mixed with the outcomes from particular exams for issues akin to the digital camera zoom, video playback and charging, to inform the critiques and assist us rank the gadgets.
Why you must belief me
I’ve been reviewing client electronics for 18 years, with greater than a decade spent as the Guardian’s gadget professional. In that point I’ve seen all method of tech fads come and go, smartphone giants rise and fall, the innovative morph into the mainstream, and I’ve poked, prodded and evaluated greater than 1,000 gadgets – sometimes to destruction.
Samuel Gibbs is the Guardian’s client expertise editor
Disclaimer: This article is sourced from external platforms. OverBeta has not independently verified the information. Readers are advised to verify details before relying on them.
