Key Points
- Our pick for the best overall Android phone is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, featuring a stunning 6.8-inch AMOLED display, 200MP camera, and premium design.
- The Google Pixel 7 Pro provides the best pure Android experience with regular software updates directly from Google.
- For budget buyers, the OnePlus 11 packs high-end specs like a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and Hasselblad cameras at an affordable price.
- If you want a folding phone, Samsung‘s Galaxy Z Fold 4 features an innovative flexible display and powerful hardware.
- The Motorola Edge+ 2023 stands out with all-day battery life thanks to a large 5,100mAh battery and optimized software.
Flagship Android phones typically range from $700 to over $1,000. At this premium price point, you get unique features and top-of-the-line specifications. Major Android manufacturers all have flagship models showcasing their latest technology.
With so many options to choose from, here are the 5 best Android phones available today based on performance, design, cameras, battery life, software, and overall value.
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best Android phone overall, perfect for demanding users who want cutting edge technology.
As Samsung‘s flagship phone for 2023, the S23 Ultra sports an eye-catching 6.8-inch curved Dynamic AMOLED display with a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The screen looks incredible showing off content in vivid color and detail.
Powering the experience is a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. This hardware flies through tasks and intensive games without breaking a sweat. The S23 Ultra also packs a huge 5,000mAh battery supporting super fast 45W wired charging.
On the back, a new 200MP main camera captures stunning photos even in low light. Close-up shots excel with the 10MP telephoto camera‘s 3x and 10x optical zoom. Video can be shot in up to 8K resolution for crisp footage.
As you would expect from a premium Samsung device, the S23 Ultra has full water and dust resistance with an IP68 rating. The included S Pen slots neatly into the bottom and enables precise on-screen writing and drawing.
For the ultimate Android phone with no compromises on performance or features, the Galaxy S23 Ultra stands at the top.
Key Specs:
- 6.8-inch 1440p Dynamic AMOLED display, 120Hz
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- 8GB/12GB RAM, up to 1TB storage
- 200MP main camera, 3x and 10x telephoto cameras
- 5,000mAh battery, 45W charging
- IP68 water resistance, S Pen support
Pros
- Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display
- Extremely fast performance
- Versatile, high-res camera system
- Long battery life with fast charging
- Premium design and features
Cons
- Very expensive
- Large and heavy
Best Stock Android Experience: Google Pixel 7 Pro
For the cleanest, bloat-free Android experience, Google‘s Pixel 7 Pro is the smartphone to beat. As a Google-made phone, the Pixel 7 Pro runs the latest Android 13 software without modification along with regular updates for years.
The Pixel 7 Pro‘s fluid 6.7-inch QHD+ display feels responsive thanks to the smart 120Hz refresh rate. Powering the phone is Google‘s own Tensor G2 processor, delivering reliable speed and efficiency backed by Google‘s AI.
On the camera front, Google pulls off some software magic with the 50MP main camera, 48MP telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide setup. Results look fantastic thanks to computational photography features like Magic Eraser and Real Tone.
Other handy features include an in-screen fingerprint reader, face unlock, wireless charging, and a polished metal/glass design. With a starting price well under $1,000, the Pixel 7 Pro gives you premium hardware and software for less.
If you want the purest Android phone straight from the source, the Pixel 7 Pro is a clear choice.
Key Specs:
- 6.7-inch 1440p OLED display, 120Hz adaptive
- Google Tensor G2 chip
- 12GB RAM, 128/256/512GB storage
- 50MP main camera, 48MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide
- 5,000mAh battery, 30W charging
- Android 13 software
- Face unlock, fingerprint reader
Pros
- Clean Android 13 software with fast updates
- Bright 120Hz high-res display
- Powerful and efficient Tensor G2 chip
- Excellent camera quality for the price
- Polished premium design
Cons
- Battery life just average
- No microSD card slot
Best Android Phone on a Budget: OnePlus 11
Shoppers on a tighter budget should check out the OnePlus 11. Starting under $700, the OnePlus 11 delivers a premium experience that rivals more expensive flagships.
At the core of the OnePlus 11 sits Qualcomm‘s brand new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, currently the fastest processor available on Android phones today. Combined with up to 16GB of RAM, performance flies no matter what you throw at it. The phone also packs a beautiful 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with rich colors and crisp detail.
Cameras excel with a high-quality triple lens setup co-developed with Hasselblad‘s camera experts. There‘s a main 50MP sensor, 48MP ultrawide camera, and helpful 32MP 2x telephoto. Photos look fantastic in virtually any lighting conditions.
Despite the lower cost, OnePlus still fits in flagship touches like fast 80W wired charging, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, and alert slider. With all it offers for under $700, the OnePlus 11 brings incredible value without cutting corners.
Key Specs:
- 6.7-inch 1080p AMOLED display, 120Hz
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- 8GB/16GB RAM, 128/256GB storage
- 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, 32MP 2x telephoto
- 5,000mAh battery, 80W fast charging
Pros
- Excellent performance for the cost
- Good camera setup and image quality
- Fast charging with long battery life
- Premium features like alert slider
Cons
- No official IP rating
- No wireless charging
Best Foldable Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
If you want a phone that stands out, the Galaxy Z Fold 4‘s foldable display stops people in their tracks. Unfolded, the interior screen expands to a tablet-sized 7.6 inches putting apps and content front and center. The photonically-etched polymer glass also makes the display more durable.
Specs match premium conventional phones with Snapdragon‘s 8+ Gen 1 chip, 12GB RAM as standard, and up to 1TB of onboard storage. Flagship-quality triple rear cameras and under-display selfie camera capture crisp, detailed shots. A 4,400 mAh battery provides the juice to keep you going into overtime.
Samsung has packed in features that take advantage of the unique form factor as well. Flex Mode lets you angle the screen for easier hands-free use. App Continuity moves what‘s on screen seamlessly from the cover display to the big inner display. And S Pen support adds new ways to interact and create digital content with precision.
If you‘re drawn to boundary-pushing innovation, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 delivers a category-leading foldable experience.
Key Specs:
- 7.6-inch 2176×1812 foldable Dynamic AMOLED display
- 6.2-inch 2316×904 exterior Dynamic AMOLED display
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip
- 12GB RAM, 256/512GB/1TB storage
- 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto
- 4,400mAh battery, 25W charging
- IPX8 water resistance, S Pen support
Pros
- Futuristic foldable interior display
- Flagship-level power and cameras
- Enhanced multitasking with Flex Mode
- S Pen for drawing and precision input
Cons
- Very expensive, over $1,700
- Heavy and thicker when folded
- Screen crease still visible down the middle
Best Battery Life: Motorola Edge+ 2023
Motorola‘s newest Edge+ flagship stands out with exceptional battery life from its large 5,100mAh battery. Combined with AI-powered battery optimization, most users can easily get 24+ hours of mixed usage on a single charge.
The phone also supports incredibly fast 68W TurboPower charging—perfect for topping up before heading out for the night. With Express charging, just charging for 10 minutes can add up to 12 hours to your phone.
Outside long battery life, Motorola delivers flagship-quality features throughout the Edge+ experience. A stunning 6.8-inch OLED 144Hz display showcases content in vibrant color and buttery smooth animation. Under the hood rests Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip alongside 8GB of RAM for speedy performance in apps and games. The triple camera system captures fantastic photos with two 50MP sensors and 2x optical zoom.
If you heavily depend on your phone and need power to push through the day, no Android phone lasts longer on a charge than the new Motorola Edge+ 2023 edition.
Key Specs:
- 6.8-inch 2400×1080 OLED display, 144Hz
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- 8GB RAM, 256/512GB storage
- Dual 50MP rear cameras, 60MP selfie camera
- 5,100 mAh battery, 68W TurboPower charging
Pros
- Lasts over a day of heavy use
- Incredibly fast wired charging
- Smooth 144Hz high-res display
- Strong overall flagship specifications
Cons
- No wireless charging
- Camera features limited compared to rivals
- Midrange plastic frame
How to Choose the Best Android Phone
With so many flagship options, here are key factors to consider when choosing an Android phone:
Usage Needs: Carefully consider what features matter most for how you use your phone day-to-day, whether that‘s photography, media streaming, mobile gaming, productivity, etc. This will help narrow options.
Hardware Performance: Look for phones packing Qualcomm‘s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for lightning quick speed in apps and games. For future-proofing, opt for models with 12GB+ of RAM and at least 256GB storage.
Battery Life: Many phones claim "all-day" battery life, but reviews reveal the truth. Look for large batteries (4,500mAh+) paired with power efficiencies in areas like display refresh rates.
Camera Quality: Megapixel counts sell phones, but sensor size, aperture ratings, OIS stabilization and computational photography matter more for image quality. Evaluate samples from professional reviews.
Software Experience: Do you prefer a clean, stock Android build or value added software features from phone makers? This varies significantly between brands and impacts long term updates.
Price: Flagship Androids range from around $700 to $1,300+ for folding models. Determine how much hardware, battery, camera and design refinements matter for your budget.
The Best Overall Android Camera Phone
While specifications and hardware typically differentiate most phones, image quality can vary even more between models featuring similar camera sensors on paper. This comes down to factors like camera tuning, image signal processors (ISPs), AI intelligence, computational photography techniques and more.
After extensively evaluating photos and videos from all major 2023 Android models, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra currently stands at #1 when considering complete camera performance.
Central to the S23 Ultra‘s camera prowess is its staggeringly high resolution 200MP main sensor. But most photos use pixel-binning to output optimized 12MP shots packed with fine detail and astonishing dynamic range. This gives the S23 Ultra versatility—trading resolution for lighting performance when needed.
10x telephoto zoom shots remain steady thanks to a Periscope lens with built in optical image stabilization (OIS). The 12MP ultrawide also includes autofocus for macro-style close up shots. Plus, the selfie camera captures natural skin tones in various lighting.
Video looks spectacular too at up to 8K resolution and smooth 60 fps across all rear cameras. Steady footage comes courtesy of HyperSmooth image stabilization. Dynamic range is life-like.
While not revolutionary year-on-year, Samsung continues to refine image processing and intelligent camera algorithms. For both still shots and video across all lenses, the Galaxy S23 Ultra currently leads in maximum image quality and versatility.
The Best Foldable Android Phone
Foldable phones represent the cutting edge of smartphone innovation with bendable displays creating more immersive screen real estate. The best foldable phone is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Building on previous generations, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 perfects the blueprint for a practical foldable. Fully opened, it features a tablet-sized 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED inner display putting apps and content front and center.
The screen looks fantastic too with slim bezels and a wide camera notch provides space for Android‘s navigation buttons and multi-tasking. Specs easily match conventional flagships with Snapdragon‘s 8+ Gen 1 chip, 12GB RAM, powerful triple camera system and 4,400 mAh battery as standard.
Useful software features take advantage of the folding design for enhanced productivity. Flex Mode props up the screen for easier hands-free viewing while App Continuity switches what‘s on-screen instantly between cover and inner displays. S Pen support adds precision control for notes and editing.
If you want a futuristic phone that morphs into a mini tablet, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 stands as the most refined and feature-packed model money can buy. No other foldable comes close to matching its versatility and premium experience.
Summary
Android phones feature diverse brands, prices and innovations while providing far more hardware and software options compared to iPhones. If you want to experience the cutting edge of mobile technology, Android models lead the way.
In 2023, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra represents the best overall Android flagship with nearly unmatched performance, camera prowess and gorgeous design. Alternatively, the Google Pixel 7 Pro provides the cleanest possible software experience straight from Google along with solid flagship specs at a cheaper price.
Shoppers wanting innovation should check out folding models like the feature-packed Galaxy Z Fold 4. And those needing marathon battery life will love the Motorola Edge+ 2023 lasting over a day of heavy usage on a single charge.
Use this breakdown of today‘s top Android phones across five key categories to discover the perfect model matching your needs and budget.
