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[Bethann Gendernalik]

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It does have some drawbacks. The battery life is just OK; on average it can last a day, but you'll need a power bank if you're a power user. Also, I had some issues with Real Tone, which is Google's imaging algorithm designed to more accurately capture darker skin tones. The results weren't as good as prior models. But if you can make do with those flaws, this is the best smartphone for the money.

Samsung's smartphones are the crme de la crme of the Android world, with top specs, refined hardware, and excellent software support. Seriously, the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra (8/10, WIRED Recommends) will all receive seven years of software updates, so you can hold on to your phone for longer. They're powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for smooth and powerful performance, the AMOLED screens are sharp and extremely bright (with 120-Hz screen refresh rates), and the batteries in all three should last you more than a day with average use. I break down the differences between all three models in this story, but suffice it to say that if you prioritize battery life, you should stick with the S24+ or S24 Ultra; the S24 is the smallest and best for anyone who prefers a tiny phone. The Ultra has the S Pen embedded inside, so it's a must-have for stylus stans.

So why isn't the OnePlus 12R our top overall pick? Sadly, it only has an IP64 water-resistance rating, meaning it'll be fine in the rain, but not so much if you drop it in a pool. Its secondary cameras, the ultrawide and macro, are a bit lackluster. It doesn't have wireless charging, a convenience available on the Pixel 8A. OnePlus is also promising only three Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates, which isn't as good as its Pixel competitor. Still, this is an excellent midrange smartphone if those limitations don't bug you (and they might not!).

There are some caveats though. First, this phone is only available via a beta program in the US, so you'll need to sign up, and once accepted, you can purchase it. It also has spotty carrier compatibility. It'll work best on T-Mobile and I had no issues on AT&T, but you might not get the best 5G coverage. CMF doesn't recommend you use it on Verizon. My only other gripe is the lack of NFC, meaning you can't tap to pay with this phone. Still, this is the best value in Android today.

Folding flip phones are the solution for folks who hate big-screen devices and want tiny things that can fit in the smallest pockets. This year's standout is the Razr+ 2024 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). It has a large 4-inch cover screen that lets you launch any app, scroll through widgets like a calendar and weather, and even play fun mini-games designed for the compact form. My favorite is the ability to see the camera preview on this screen, so you can take high-quality selfies and make sure everyone is in the shot.

Motorola's latest Moto G Power is the best it's ever made (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It doesn't feel like it costs only $300. The faux leather back exudes luxury, and it's nice and slim. The performance is smooth thanks to a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 inside with 8 gigs of RAM. You'll see some slight hiccups here and there but it should handle most apps and games just fine. The cameras are solid, and the 6.7-inch LCD screen has a 120-Hz screen refresh rate and gets plenty bright. Best of all, Motorola has enabled the NFC sensor, so you can make contactless payments (about time), and the company has surprisingly brought wireless charging to this handset, making it one of the only sub-$300 phones with the convenience.

Sadly, it'll only get one Android OS update (to Android 15), but Motorola is promising three years of security updates. There's also a fair amount of bloatware on this phone, but thankfully, you can remove most of it.

Top that off with a great camera system, bright displays, good battery life, and smart software and you have a winning recipe. Unfortunately, this comes at an insanely high cost, and you probably shouldn't spend $1,799 on a smartphone. There's also cause for concern about durability with these folding devices. Still, I loved using this first-gen device; it's a great showcase of where phones are heading next. Read our Best Folding Phones guide for more options.

If you want a powerful Android phone with all the top specs, then I dare say you will be satisfied with the OnePlus 12 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). OnePlus worked closely with Qualcomm to synergize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset inside with the software, crafting an incredibly polished experience that's buttery smooth and fast. Games like Genshin Impact ran slightly smoother than on the Galaxy S24 series, and the OnePlus didn't get as hot, either. I was able to eke out two days of average use from the 5,400-mAh battery, and as usual, you can recharge the phone very quickly (the charger is included in the box). OnePlus has brought wireless charging support back, and you can also recharge it fast if you use the company's proprietary wireless charger (a separate purchase).

The triple-camera system isn't the best you'll find in a phone, but it can go toe-to-toe with its peers in some areas; you just have to be OK with the massive camera bump on the back. (I like the snazzy marble-esque design!) What sets it back is the curved glass display, which is dated and just not as nice to use as a flat display. It's also only IP65 water-resistant, and while it'll get four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, that's not as good as the seven years of support from Samsung and Google.

The ROG Phone 8 is a little more unique than the Zenfone 11 Ultra, in that it has two USB-C ports, which enables compatibility with Asus' ROG AeroActive Cooler X. This fan clips onto the phone and significantly cools it down when you're gaming, meaning better frame rates and smoother gameplay for longer periods. Sadly, these phones will only get two Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates, which is better than prior Asus phones, but not competitive with their peers.

The Fairphone 5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) isn't the most exciting smartphone, and it doesn't support all the cell networks in the US, but it's the best choice for eco-conscious consumers. It has received a rare 10 out of 10 on iFixit's repairability rankings and the company has B Corp certification. The Fairphone 5 is manufactured ethically, and it's made of postconsumer recycled materials, like the 100 percent recycled plastic back cover. The battery is removable and replaceable, as are the camera, speaker, earpiece, USB-C port, screen, and more. You can replace all of these yourself (you need a screwdriver), and each phone has a five-year warranty. The company also promises to deliver five Android OS upgrades and eight years of security updates. Wowza. If you hate the idea of constantly upgrading your phone, this phone's for you.

The downside? Performance is just OK and the cameras are middling. It's not sold in the US, either. You can import it, but you won't get full network compatibility. I wish more manufacturers followed Fairphone's lead.

But the key reason to buy this phone is the 50-MP primary camera and its 1-inch sensor. That's positively massive compared to the sensors on all the other smartphones in this guide. A bigger sensor means it can absorb more light, resulting in sharper details, brighter low-light images, and less grain. You can also buy a photography kit, which adds a grip with a battery and physical controls, to further fuel your photography kick.

We test a ton of Android phones. We like the ones below, but you'll be better off with one of the options above. If you haven't yet done so, check out our Best Cheap Phones and Best Folding Phones guides for more.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 for $1,900: The Fold6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) remains an excellent big-screen folding smartphone. If you're worried about durability and repairability when purchasing a fold, Samsung is your best bet as it has just been producing these devices for the longest time. The cameras snap great photos, the displays get shockingly bright, and Samsung promises lengthy software support. The Fold6's exterior screen is slightly wider and much nicer to use than previous iterations, but otherwise, there are not a ton of new changes outside of AI advancements. You can still snag last year's Galaxy Z Fold5 to save some dough.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 for $1,100: The Flip6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has some perks over Motorola's new Razr+, like a nicer hinge mechanism, better build quality, stronger cameras, and longer software support. But I still preferred the overall experience on Motorola's flip, mostly due to the larger external screen. Still, the Flip6's 3.4-inch cover screen is handy for glancing through widgets, and you can open it up to get a big-screen Android phone experience. The Galaxy Z Flip5 is a worthy option to consider if you don't mind buying last year's tech at a lower price.

Motorola Moto G Play 2024 for $130: On a tight budget? This Motorola phone doesn't have NFC for contactless payments, nor does it support 5G. It'll also only get one Android OS upgrade. That said, performance was pretty good in my time testing it, and the 6.5-inch LCD screen was readable in sunny conditions.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Series ($700+): It seems like last year's Galaxy S23 range (9/10, WIRED Recommends) may be disappearing faster than usual, as stock is low across a variety of retailers. If you can find them, the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23, the 6.6-inch S23+, and the massive 6.8-inch S23 Ultra are full of high-end features, from the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that keeps even the most demanding games running beautifully to the fluid and bright 120-Hz AMOLED displays. Battery life has improved across the board, with the S23 comfortably lasting more than a day and the S23 Ultra hitting nearly two full days with average use. The triple camera systems are the highlight, delivering remarkable results whether it's day or night. The S23 Ultra has the special 10X optical zoom camera, which is no longer available on the latest S24 Ultra, and I miss it. It was nice being able to capture sharp photos of objects far away. It's the only phone in the trio with the embedded S Pen stylus if you like to doodle. Try to avoid the MSRP since they're a year old; sometimes, these prices match the latest models, which is a bad deal.

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