The best Android phones you can buy right now

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a slightly better version of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which we crowned the best Android phone of 2024. So, despite the lack of upgrades, it’s only right that the S25 Ultra retains its place at the summit.

Essentially, the improvements boil down to Qualcomm’s latest top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a boosted 50Mp ultrawide camera and an anti-reflective coating on the 6.9-inch, 120Hz OLED display. Performance, cameras and display were already key strengths of the last phone, but those small upgrades mean Samsung is still leading the way when it comes to premium hardware.

However, the S25 Ultra is arguably even more impressive when it comes to software. Samsung’s One UI 7 skin over Android 15 is as slick as it gets, adding some genuinely useful AI features that you won’t find on Pixel phones. You also get a class-leading commitment to seven years of OS and security updates.

Battery life is decent, but max charging speeds of 45W will frustrate many people. Samsung has also downgraded its S Pen stylus by removing Bluetooth support, yet the high price tag is unchanged.

If you can afford it, this is the best Android phone out there. But cheaper alternatives, including the Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25, may suit you better.

If you’re looking for great alternatives to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the OnePlus 13 should be first in line. |t offers a Samsung-esque premium hardware and software experience within a much more affordable device.

It nails the fundamentals of a great smartphone, with incredible Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, a stunning 6.82-inch OLED display and genuinely excellent battery life. Support for 100W fast charging is the icing on the cake.

The software side is just as good, with OxygenOS competing with Google and Samsung to be the best version of Android around. OnePlus has added its own useful AI features and extended its support to four years of OS and six years of security updates.

However, if there’s one main drawback of the OnePlus 13, it’s the cameras. They’re not bad by any means, but a clear step down from the best camera phones around and prone to inconsistency.

Still, considering how good basically everything else is, it’s easy to recommend the OnePlus 13.

Put simply, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the phone you can buy if you want the absolute best photos. Combined with the optional photography

It’s hard to overstate just how good the photography experience is. Whether you’re using the 50Mp main lens, 50Mp ultrawide, 50Mp 3x telephoto or 200Mp 4.3x periscope, the 15 Ultra is capable of truly stunning results. Even the 32Mp selfie camera is up there with the very best.

The only slight drawback is that Xiaomi has removed a variable aperture from the main lens, but it doesn’t have a huge effect on the otherwise stellar camera system. Alongside incredible Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, a gorgeous 6.73-inch 120Hz OLED display, strong battery life from the 5410mAh and 90W fast charging, the 15 Ultra is a force to be reckoned with.

Sadly, it’s the software side where the phone shows its weaknesses. Xiaomi’s HyperOS skin over Android 15 can feel cluttered, with hit-and-miss AI features, which become harder to overlook when you’re paying so much for a device.

But if camera quality is your top priority, there’s no better phone than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, though the more affordable regular Xiaomi 15 has a lot in common.

After Oppo decided not to release its Find X6 and Find X7 series flagships outside China, the Find X8 series marks a triumphant return to Europe.

Both the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro are excellent phones, but the latter has a slight upper hand. It’s powerful, good-looking, offers amazing battery life and has plenty of software perks.

But it’s the cameras that set it apart from rivals, and turn a great phone into a superb one. For pure image quality, it’s probably only the Xiaomi 14 Ultra that can rival it right now for UK buyers.

The phone isn’t without its compromises – there are a couple of small camera downgrades compared to the Find X7 Ultra, while the software takes some getting used to – but there’s no doubt that the Find X8 Pro is up there with the very best Android phones right now.

If neither of the options above appeals you to, a Pixel 9 is probably your best bet. And if you want the absolute best experience, the newly-branded Pixel 9 Pro XL is the one to go for.

While not quite the standout phone we saw with the Pixel 8 Pro, the 9 Pro XL still delivers a compelling experience in almost all key areas.

The cameras are the highlight once again, offering vibrant, high-contrast photos while maintaining key details. That includes in low-light conditions, even if the brightening is by no means true to life. A quality ultrawide lens and 5x optical zoom from the telephoto make it an impressively versatile camera system, while selfies from the upgraded front lens are excellent.

Elsewhere, the excellent 6.8-inch display is a joy to use, while Google’s Tensor G4 chipset delivers solid performance. And the build quality is higher than ever, even if the move to a more generic design will disappoint some people.

Google continues to ace the software experience, even if the 9 Pro XL runs Android 14 out of the box and AI features are hit-and-miss. Google’s commitment to seven years of both OS and security updates is still yet to be beaten on any phone.

Battery life is decent, rather than a key strength, while 37W charging feels slow. Ultimately, whether you buy the 9 Pro XL depends on whether you think the even higher price tag is worth it.

If not, consider the Pixel 9 Pro or regular Pixel 9 instead, though there are downgrades to be aware of.

The Nothing Phone (3a) is a phone that instantly stands out from the crowd. But beyond the semi-transparent back and flashing ‘Glyph’ lights, it’s a genuinely superb phone for the price.

That starts with performance, with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 delivering a surprisingly fast and responsive experience. It works in tandem with the 6.77-inch, 120Hz OLED panel to give the impression of a much more expensive device. Alongside Nothing’s highly customisable, retro-inspired software and great battery life from the 5000mAh cell, it’s a very easy phone to recommend.

The main drawback is the cameras, which are more than acceptable at this price, but have weaknesses when it comes to low-light and ultrawide performance.

However, that needn’t be a dealbreaker for the vast majority of people. If you want a solid all-rounder with long-term support (six years of security updates) and a sprinkle of something different, the Nothing Phone (3a) is the device for you.

While the more expensive Phone (3a) Pro is also worth considering, its camera upgrades aren’t enough to justify the extra cost.

When you think of flip phones released in 2024, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 is probably the first one that comes to mind. But while it is worth considering, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (known as the Razr+ (2024) in some markets) is a better choice for most people.

The 4-inch, 165Hz outer screen is the main reason for this. Not only is it significantly larger than rivals, you can run any app you like on it without any complicated workarounds. The 6.9-inch, 165Hz internal display is just as impressive, with a crease that’s barely noticeable.

While not quite as good as the best camera phones, the Razr 50 Ultra’s rear cameras can take great shots in a range of environments. However, Motorola has gone for 2x telephoto rather than ultrawide lens, while the internal selfie camera isn’t very good.

But with slick software (despite some cover screen bugs), solid battery life and decent charging speeds, Motorola is onto a winner. The Z Flip 6 is better in some areas, including long software support, but the Razr is a better all-round pick for most people.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, consider the regular Razr 50 instead. And if a book-style foldable is your preference, go for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

CMF, Nothing’s sub-brand, has previously focused on wearables and audio products.

But its first attempt at a smartphone is an undoubted success, combining a fun look with solid core features and an impressively low price tag – just £209/$199.

Its design is the clear highlight, with a back panel that can easily be swapped out and attachment for a lanyard, kickstand, or card wallet, all of which CMF sells as optional extras. However, even if you don’t care about any of that stuff, the Phone 1 has strong performance and an attractive display, both of which are must-haves on a modern smartphone.

Battery life is decent, while Nothing’s unique take on Android combines a unique look with no bloatware.

The lack of NFC (and so no support for contactless payments) is the biggest potential dealbreaker, while the cameras and water resistance could do with work. Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G or A15 4G are the cheap phones to get if you value long software support, too.

But as a complete package, the CMF Phone 1 is the best all-rounder in the budget smartphone market right now.

If you’d rather not pay the high asking price of the S25 Ultra, or just want a smaller phone, the regular Galaxy S25 is the device for you. It offers all of the same core features at a much more attractive price.

That includes top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, a gorgeous 6.2-inch 120Hz OLED screen and four very capable camera lenses. The sleek, compact design also makes it very practical.

Samsung has aced the software side, too, with One UI 7 delivering one of the most complete user experiences ever on a phone, including lots of useful AI. You also get the class-leading seven years of both OS and security updates.

However, while a 4000mAh battery isn’t as concerning as it sounds – most people will still get all-day battery life – it’s undoubtedly on the smaller side. And just 25W charging means it’ll take a while to get back up to full.

Are those compromises you’re willing to make? For most people, the answer will be a resounding yes.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a vast improvement from the previous model and one of the most polished and premium-feeling foldable handsets on the market today.

Despite having a slower processor and fewer software features, it’s a better pick than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 overall. And while the Honor Magic V3 has a superior design, it’s let down by disappointing software, an area where the Pixel excels.

Other key strengths of the 9 Pro Fold include the excellent cameras we’ve come to associate with Pixel devices, plus two very good displays. The 9 Pro Fold can slot into your life more seamlessly than most folding phones.

However, Google’s Tensor G4 doesn’t quite excel when it comes to performance and charging is frustratingly slow. These might be dealbreakers for you at this price point, but it’s still the best book-style foldable overall.