Are you considering buying the best Android smartphone for communication and other major functions?

Well, if this is your intention, then Samsung Galaxy S22+ is leading currently. It comes in between the huge S22 Ultra and the normal S22. And most essentially, has all the modern Samsung camera inventions.

This particular smartphone has almost all of the high-end features you may be expecting in a flagship phone. With Samsung presently warranting four Android OS updates, it will remarkably remain relevant for a much longer period of time compared to other Android devices. 

With that out of the way, in case you’re looking for the best differentiated software Android phone based on certain aspects, we’ve gathered most of them in this review. And we’re hopeful that you’ll choose one of them.

What Are The Best Android Phones in 2022?

There are several rivals for the best Android smartphones, but  Galaxy S22+ has proven to be the best alternative for most of the people. The phone has an incredible blend of sublime hardware supported by international 5G connectivity, an elegant design that enables it to stand out, and strong cameras that capture terrific photos in defying lighting conditions. 

But what precisely makes the Galaxy S22+ and others in the S22 preferable is the long-lasting software responsibility. Samsung will always offer 4 platform updates and 5 years of security patches, and with the phone starting with Android 12 outside the box, it will easily be updated to Android 16. 

That not withstanding, in case you have some surplus money to spend and want an even more amazing phone, then your apparent preference should be the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Although it isn’tt categorized under Note devices, the S22 Ultra is the consequent beneficiary of the Note 20 Ultra, featuring the same design and the favorable hardware that Samsung has to give currently. Above all, it comes with an integrated S Pen that enables you to write notes, doodle, and so on.

Worth mentioning also, is that the standard Galaxy S22 is a great selection in case you need a portable Android smartphone in 2022. The small phone category hasn’t earned as much attention in the current years, but the S22 provides high-end internals in an absolutely easy-to-use package.

Here are the best Android phones:  

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus

Pros

+Sublime 120Hz AMOLED screen

+Latest interior hardware with 5G

+Powerful cameras

+Day-long battery life with 45W charging

+All the excesses you desire

+Four inevitable Android OS updates

Cons

-Expensive

-Doesnt have a slot for a microSD

The Galaxy S22+ gives you almost everything you’d wish to get in a high-end Android phone this year. The 6.6-inch AMOLED screen is the suitable size for browsing, streaming videos, or playing games, and you have HDR10+ playback on your special streaming services as well as strong stereo sound. 

The 120Hz refresh rate make sure that day-to-day exchanges are sublime, whether you’re scrolling through social media or playing your choice game. This is among the best screens you’ll find on any given phone currently. 

Its internal hardware has been refreshed purposely for 2022, with the S22+ featuring Qualcomm’s recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. This is an enormous chipset that will provide stellar performance for many years to come. The phone also comprises IP68 water and dust resistance as well as 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging standard. 

There’s also a significant upgrade on the charging front, with the S22+ now giving 45W wired charging standard. 

Then there are the cameras: the S22+ comes with 50MP primary lens and OIS that captures impressive pictures in any lighting condition. And you similarly get a 12MP wide-angle lens as well as a 10MP zoom lens that can go up to 3x zoom without any loss of detail. 

Samsung has delivered credible cameras for some time now, and it enhanced its software and camera tuning algorithms for 2022, enabling the S22+ to beat its predecessors. 

Then there’s the software aspect; Samsung is now the de facto software updates leader, thanks to its promise of four Android OS updates. The S22+ operates One UI 4 based on Android 12 out of the box, and you access the latest Google additions here together with a suite of its features. 

With the phone scheduled to pick up the Android 16 update down the line, you won’t be left wishing for long-term updates. 

However, there are a few downsides: you won’t get a 3.5mm jack, microSD slot, or a bundled wall charger. But when you contemplate what you certainly get here, Samsung has managed to establish the best all-around flagship in the Galaxy S22+. If you’re considering an upgrade, this is the time to do it. 

Google Pixel 6

Pros

+Truly remarkable cameras

+Best value in the classification

+Gorgeous, unusual design

+Three Android OS updates

+IP68 and wireless charging

Cons

-Bigger compared to its predecessor

-Restricted to determined international markets

-Has been somehow huge

The Pixel 6 reduces the barrier to access for the satisfactory camera on Android. The 50MP main camera captures clearly amazing images in any situation, and it offers you the best hardware in this category supported by a stunning 90Hz AMOLED panel, making it a surely incredible choice. 

The phone comes with the same 5nm custom Google Tensor chipset and a similar 50MP back camera as the Pixel 6 Pro, although it goes for considerably less, making it a highly attracting value.

Add that to the Android 12 out of the box, the similar three platform updates, and security updates for five years, and there isn’t a justification for looking at any other phones in this class. The Pixel 6 has got all the hardware bonuses you need, including IP68 water and dust resistance, wireless charging, amazing cameras and an aggressive design supported by long-term updates.

The Pixel has got to be the favorable value you can find presently, and when you consider its hardware and the wonderful cameras, it is an easy proposal.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

Pros

+Stunning, extraordinary design

+Awesome cameras

+Battery smooth 120Hz LTPO OLED panel

+Custom Tensor chipset provides unusual features

+First to get Android updates

Cons

-Software isn’t easy to customize

-Flaky fingerprint module

-Falls behind Samsung in terms of long-term updates

Google’s first Pixel phones came with incredible cameras, but as phones, they lacked in many aspects. The hardware wasn’t matching with what Samsung, Xiaomi, and others phones were giving in the high-end segment, and they were let down by several quality control problems.

With the Pixel 6 Pro, Google is transforming all of that. The phone has a similar class of hardware as the modern flagships by Samsung and Xiaomi, although that doesn’t come at the expense of camera innovation; if anything, Google has succeeded in delivering enormous upgrades on that front. There’s currently a 50MP main camera that takes outstanding pictures, and you’ll also get an ultra-wide lens that holds up just as well and a 48MP zoom lens with 4x optical zoom.

That means that the Pixel 6 Pro has the best cameras you’ll find on any phone today, but it isn’t just a phone with great cameras; the rest of the hardware is also refined. You’ll discover a gorgeous design at the back with a wide camera bar, the screen is a 6.71-inch AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate, and you also get a large 5,000mAh battery with 30W wired and 23W wireless charging.

A real difference is the interior hardware. The Pixel 6 Pro is the first phone to feature Google’s custom Tensor platform, and it is on average with high-end designs by Qualcomm and Samsung. It stars two Cortex X1 cores together with A76 and energy-efficient A55 cores, virtually ensuring that it can deal with anything you throw at it with ease.

Google blundered with memory and storage in previously, but it isn’t making those costly mistakes with the Pixel 6 Pro. The phone equiped with 12GB of RAM as standard, and you can pick it up in 128GB or 256GB storage configurations. 

The Pixel 6 Pro has its bases covered on the software side as well: it comes with Android 12 out of the box and will get three Android platform updates and five years of security updates. It isn’t quite the same as what you get with Samsung’s latest phones, but Google will be looking to address this issue pretty soon. 

In case you account for the fact that the Pixel 6 Pro costs less than the Galaxy S22 Ultra, you have a standout winner.

Samsung Galaxy S22

Pros

+Ideal for one-handed use

+Same internal hardware as S22+/Ultra

+Stunning 120Hz AMOLED screen

+Amazing cameras

+Four guaranteed Android OS updates

Cons

-Limited to 25W wired charging

-No microSD slot

-Average battery life

Given the Galaxy S22, Samsung has offered the best compact phone can get today. Phones have gotten taller and narrower over the last three years, and we haven’t seen many manufacturers cater to users in need of a small phone,  especially in the high-end category. 

The S22 satisfies that, and although it possesses a 6.1-inch screen, it is diminutive at just 146mm, a full 17.3mm shorter than the S22 Ultra. It is also light, making it a delight to hold and use. 

Whereas Samsung reduced the size here, it didn’t exclude any features. The Galaxy S22 comes with a 120Hz AMOLED screen that’s of the same class as the S22+ and Ultra, and it is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. 

Additionally, you get similar stellar cameras as the S22+, and the extras like IP68 rating and wireless charging are all intact. Unlike last year’s S21, the S22 has a glass back, and it has a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus+ at the front and back. 

Eventually, the S22 will also get the same four guaranteed Android OS updates as its siblings. The only downside with the phone is the battery; the 3,700mAh battery manages to last a day, but only just and when you have to charge it, you can go for a 25W wired charger. 

However, other than that, the S22 is a truly standout choice if you’re in the market for a small phone in 2022. 

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Pros

+Designed for productivity

+Includes an integrated S Pen

+Fabulous 120Hz AMOLED screen

+Latest hardware and cameras

+All the extras you need

+Four guaranteed Android OS updates

Cons

-No bundled charger

-Costly

-Base model gets 128GB storage

In case you want the best Android phone that Samsung has to offer right now, you’ll need to take a look at the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The phone is particularly interesting if you’re a Note fan; Samsung killed off the Note series in 2021, but with the S22 Ultra, it has essentially created the successor to the Note 20 Ultra. 

Essentially, the S22 Ultra eschews the design of its siblings and rather provides the boxier aesthetic of the Note 20 series. So if you’re using a Note device at the moment, you’ll feel right at home on the S22 Ultra. There is a new design at the back for the camera housing, but other than that, this phone looks and feels like a Note flagship in a Galaxy S moniker. 

But the largest bonus is the integrated S Pen stylus. It’s just as great as previous iterations, and comes with latency tweaks that better mimics the feel of writing. 

The phone comes with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and a massive 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen that is an absolute joy to use. The 4,500mAh battery lasts over a day with ease, and there’s 45W charging alongside 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging. 

Furthermore,, the S22 Ultra packs a lot of camera tech, featuring a 108MP primary lens that is outstanding in any situation. While the sensor itself hasn’t changed from last year, Samsung made a lot of noticeable tweaks to its algorithms, and the result is that you get much better photos. 

Finally, the S22 Ultra will receive four Android OS updates and five years of security patches, making it a great option for long-term use. 

Samsung should have added 256GB of storage as standard here, considering the phone has 8GB of RAM out of the box (4GB less than S21 Ultra). But other than that, the S22 Ultra is the obvious choice if you want the absolute flagship. 

OnePlus 10 Pro

Pros

+Sublime 120Hz AMOLED screen with dynamic scaling

+Unique design and textured glass back

+Incredible haptic motors

+Hasselblad collaboration

+80/65W wired / 50W wireless charging

+Three Android OS updates

Cons

-Buggy software

-Auxiliary cameras aren’t as good as the competition

We formerly featured the OPPO Find X5 Pro as the winner of this category, but the OnePlus 10 Pro now takes the spot for Android enthusiasts. OnePlus has long maintained a tight relationship with its community, often offering unique features and community-driven feature development in its own Oxygen OS than you see elsewhere.

While the last one year has been exceptionally rocky for the company as it attempted to incorporate Oxygen OS with OPPO’s Color OS, the OnePlus 10 Pro is the first step back in the right direction. While the OnePlus 10 Pro takeoffs with what is unmistakably a Color OS-inspired UI, OnePlus says it’s getting back on track with Oxygen OS in the subsequent release.

However, that doesn’t mean the OnePlus 10 Pro is lacking features. Far from it, actually. It’s just slightly buggy at times thanks to some internal development team leaps that had to be gotten over.

The software team might have been attempting to get to its place but OnePlus’ hardware team is still leading its game. The OnePlus 10 Pro is one of the most unique-looking Android phones on the market, starring a stylistic new camera abode, wonderful-to-hold curved frame, and a new textured fogged glass back.

The alert slider is still here and as good as ever, continuing to help OnePlus differentiate itself from other Android manufacturers. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor inside is blazing fast and, unlike some other OEMs, doesn’t run hot to the touch while gaming.

The OnePlus 10 Pro also features some tremendous battery life, with the ability to top-off in minutes thanks to 65W or 80W charging, banking on the country you purchase it in.

The massive downside is that OnePlus seems to have missed the mark on the auxiliary cameras, which include telephoto and ultra-wide-angle cameras. They’re not terrible but they feel like a step back from last year. Meanwhile, the main 48MP camera takes excellent photos in any light and stands up to the competition in most areas.

Google Pixel 5a 5G

Pros

+Flagship cameras on a budget phone

+Largest battery ever on a Pixel phone

+AMOLED display looks great

+5G support and IP67 water resistance

+Three years of Android OS updates

Cons

-Boring design

-No wireless charging

-No mmWave support

The Pixel 5a is the best phone value available today, period. Google’s packed most of what makes the Pixel 5 series good into a smartphone that costs over hundreds less. You also get a compact device that excels in the battery life department, unlike Pixels past. Seriously, this phone lasts all day and well on into the next.

Maybe the most remarkable part of the 5a is its camera setup, the same setup as the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 that preceded it. The primary camera shoots exceptional photos in all lighting conditions, with Night Sight showing its strength in poor lighting, and it boasts an ultra-wide shooter to help get everything in the frame. 

Both on the front and back, you’re getting flagship-level camera quality out of a phone that’s a fraction of the price. The 5a also boasts 5G, the largest battery on a mid-range Pixel phone, and IP67 water resistance.

So what do you lose by paying a third of the price of a more traditional flagship? Well, the Pixel 5a is made of plastic and lacks wireless charging and mmWave 5G, features you can take for granted at a higher price point. It also comes in one size, a 6.34-inch variant, and one color, Mostly Black. 

There aren’t storage size options, either: you get 128GB of internal memory, which should be sufficient for most people, but a lack of microSD expansion may be an issue for the content collectors out there.

All of these constraints shouldn’t impede your intention to buy the Pixel 5a, which is one of the best in this category. Google’s mid-range phone is a winner, from the size to the performance to the battery life and camera quality.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

Pros

+Improved durability over previous generations

+Compact and comfortable to hold

+120Hz AMOLED display

+IPX8 water resistance

+Larger cover screen than previous versions

Cons

-Not as useful closed as Z Fold 3

-Battery life could be better

-No telephoto camera

-Display crease is still obvious

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 looks like the device we’ve been waiting for since foldable smartphones burst on the scene a few years ago. This phone has some subtle iterations over the previous versions, which combine to make it a much-improved device in terms of performance and usability.

For biginners, Samsung labored hard to make the Z Flip 3 more lasting than ever, with an enhanced hinge, tougher glass and display covers, and IPX8 water resistance. We also get seven gorgeous color options, and some really fun and unique cases. And just because this is a compact, folding phone, that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on some great cameras. This phone’s cameras are on a similar level as Samsung’s Galaxy S21 line of flagships.

As much as we love this retro-futuristic phone, there are a few sacrifices to be aware of. For one, there is no telephoto lens, thanks to the shape and size of the device. In addition, the cover display is limited in what it can do (at least for now), and the battery life could be better. But all in all, this phone will make a lot of folks very happy.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Pros

+Bleeding-edge design

+Puts a mini-tablet in your pocket

+Excellent displays

+Great cameras

+Works with S Pen

+Improved durability and water resistance

Cons

-Price tag

-No storage for S Pen

-Display crease is still obvious

Similar to any piece of technology, smartphones evolve and change as time goes on. We’ve seen screens get bigger, cameras get a lot more capable, and processors rival those found in computers. The next big thing for phones is the folding form factor, and so far, the best yet in this niche is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.

The best way to think about the device is as a phone and tablet in one. When the Z Fold 3 is closed, you’re treated to a 6.2-inch 120Hz AMOLED display that you can use for anything you’d like checking email, scrolling through Twitter, watching YouTube videos, you name it. 

However, in case you desire a larger canvas, all you have to do is open up the Z Fold 3 up. There, you’re offered a larger 7.6-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s a lot like having an iPad Mini that you can fold up and take with you wherever you want, and if you ask us, that’s pretty amazing.

This edition of the Z Fold series is the best yet, with superior hinge and screen durability, IPX8 water resistance, and finally, S Pen support. That means that you can now draw or take notes on the interior screen for creative or productive work on the go. The only bummer is that you’ll have to keep track of your S Pen or put it in a bulky case, as there is no way to stow it in the body of the phone like with the Note series.

This isn’t the kind of a phone that we recommend everyone to go and buy right now, but as far as folding phones are concerned, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the best we’ve seen to date. So if you’re ready to spend the money and put up with those quirks, the Z Fold 3 has more features to offer.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Pros

+120Hz AMOLED panel is sublime

+Great hardware with 5G connectivity

+Camera improvements over last year

+Bigger battery than last year’s model

+microSD slot

Cons

-No Wi-Fi 6 connectivity

-No 3.5mm jack

-Not great for intensive gaming

Samsung’s Galaxy A sequence is the company’s best-selling for a reason. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G deliver all the things you need in a new smartphone without adding in niceties that jack up the price. The inclusion of sub-6 5G means you’ll be getting blazing wireless speeds anywhere you go, and a larger battery than last year ensures those speeds won’t drag your battery life down.

Samsung transformed the processor this year, swapping out the conventional Snapdragon chipset with its Exynos 1280. This one operates faster in all areas, even if it’s not a powerhouse for gaming. Additionally, the 120Hz display will make the phone feel blazing-fast at all times, with super-smooth scrolling that’ll make your old phone feel like it’s from another century.

Samsung also upgraded the camera sensors this year, so the results will look better than ever, even if the on-paper specs look identical to the A52. The improvements made in the camera software over the last generation are identically impressive, delivering the best camera experience on a Samsung Galaxy A series yet.

The biggest downside is the loss of the 3.5mm jack, which was offset by Samsung adding an extra 500mAh to the battery. This one is always a bummer to see, but extra battery life is never something to complain about. Still, Samsung kept the microSD slot, which makes getting the less expensive 128GB phone model more palatable.

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

Pros

+Gorgeous AMOLED display

+Excellent cameras

+3.5mm jack and microSD card slot

+5G connectivity and NFC

+Great-looking and feeling build

+Lots of software features

Cons

-Display could be brighter

-Only one software update

The OnePlus Nord series has sincerely improved with each iteration, and the OnePlus Nord N20 5G looks like the proper return to an almost flagship-killer status. While it’s not attempting to be a “flagship killer” like other OnePlus phones have claimed, the sub-$290 price combined with the outstanding specs make this feel much more like a budget flagship than a mid-tier phone.

Not only that but these specs at this price are virtually unheard of. AMOLED on a sub-$300 phone is unusual enough, but a strong Snapdragon 695 processor and a 64MP camera that’s actually good, as well? We couldn’t believe how well all of it came together in a truly cohesive and remarkable experience in our OnePlus Nord N20 review.

Now that’s not to say there aren’t some downsides in the phone. The Nord N20 ships with Android 11, which is a big strange given that Android 12 has been available for over six months now. Not only that but that Android 12 update is the only major OS update this phone is scheduled to receive. If it weren’t for the spec-to-price ratio, this would have been a big ding for OnePlus. At least you’ll get three years of security updates to make up for it.

We similarly had some weird problems with the USB Type-C port on the phone and some problems with the messaging app that’s preinstalled on the device. Currently, this one is a T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile exclusive, but we’re anticipating it to branch out in the future to other carriers and countries, as well.

Nokia G20

Pros

+Bloat-free software

+At least two-day battery life

+Reliable in daily use

+Good camera

+3.5mm jack

Cons

-Will get only one Android update

-Charging limited to 10W

-No 1080p screen

The Nokia G20 does a terrific job delivering the basics: you get a large screen, battery that lasts two days, bloat-free software, and a decent camera when you want to take photos. 

Sure, the phone isn’t extremely fast, but you shouldn’t see too much lag in daily use. For routine browsing, social media, and texting, the G20 gets the job done. 

The 720p screen is a hindering aspect here as it isn’t as vibrant as the 1080p panels you get on most budget and mid-range phones, but it is passable. 

You equally dont benefit from 5G as well, and although the battery lasts two days, it takes over two hours to fully charge. That said, the G20 covers the essentials, and you don’t have to put up with bloated software — it comes with a clean Android interface without any bonuses. 

Redmagic 7

Best gaming smartphone.

Pros

+Improved software over previous gen

+Dynamic 165Hz AMOLED screen

+Latest internal hardware

+Custom ultrasonic gaming triggers

+65W fast charging

Cons

-No water resistance

-Poor cameras

-Strictly average battery life

When you’re in search of a gaming phone, you want a device that stands out. As our Redmagic 7 review points out, the phone’s aggressive styling immediately grabs attention and helps it stand out from the pack.

And regarding the hardware, you’ll get one of the strongest packages of any phone today. The Redmagic 7 has an insane 165Hz AMOLED screen supported by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and you’ll get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on the core model. 

It also comes with ultrasonic gaming triggers on the side that you can customize to in-game actions. These triggers make an apparent difference in games, and there’s a physical fan within the chassis to make sure the phone doesn’t overheat. 

Nubia eventually polished its software, and as such the Redmagic 7 isn’t riddled with bugs. The 4,500mAh battery is good for a day’s worth of use, and it charges at 65W, the bundled 65W GaN charger takes just over 30 minutes to fully charge the phone. 

The cameras aren’t as promising as the conventional phones in this category, however you’re paying a premium here for that hardware and gaming-focused additions. In short, if you want a gaming phone that looks the part, the Redmagic 7 is the one to get. 

Android phones have never been adequate than they are right presently. So regardless of how much or little money you can spend, you can go acquire a phone that you’ll be completely pleased with. Out of every single phone on the market, still, we have to give our best recommendation for the preffered Android phone to the Samsung Galaxy S22+. 

Samsung’s modern r flagship has all the necessities you need, including a stunning 120Hz AMOLED screen, strong cameras that capture splendid photos in any lighting situation, quick charging, reliable interior hardware that holds up just fine for intense gaming sessions, and clean software with four inevitable Android OS updates. 

Android Phones FAQs

Here are the commonly asked questions about Android phones.

What size screen should I get?

When buying a new Android phone, you should consider many different things, and it all starts with the display. This is the component you interact with more than anything else, so you must get one that you’ll enjoy using. Things like the resolution and refresh rate of a screen are worth talking about, but more so is the size.

Smartphones come in different shapes and sizes, and the biggest determining factor for that is the display. A 6.8-inch screen results in a much larger phone than one with a 5.8-inch one, and because of that, you need to know how big or small you’re willing to go.

Take the Galaxy S22 Ultra, for example. It has the largest display on this list (outside of the Z Fold 3, but that’s different), and because the screen is so huge, it’s a phenomenal canvas for watching movies, playing games, and browsing the web.

Basically, any content consumption looks better on a larger display because the more room you have, the bigger and easier it is to see your media. The downside to this, however, is that phones like the S22 Ultra can be somewhat unwieldy. Especially if you’re someone with smaller hands, managing a phone like that can be a pain in the butt.

Then there are smaller-sized phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the standard Galaxy S22. These are substantially easier to manage and can be used with one hand, but you have less room for your movies and games on the flip side. It also means you can fit less content on the screen at one time, and if you’re someone who likes to increase your font size, things are easier to read, which could result in you having to do a lot of scrolling.

And, of course, there are plenty of phones that fall somewhere in the middle between these two extremes. If you’re concerned about whether or not a phone will be too big or small, your best bet is to honestly go hands-on with it yourself at your local carrier store or Best Buy before making your purchase.

Are software updates important?

It’s easy to compare displays, processors, and cameras, but something that’s just as important to talk about is software updates. Android is constantly evolving and getting better, and unfortunately, only certain phones will have a few years of software support.

As it currently stands, Samsung is the best in the business when supporting its phones with long-term updates. Most of the Samsung phones mentioned in this list will get four guaranteed Android OS updates along with five years of security patches. 

Google offers three Android OS updates and up to five years of security updates to the Pixels, and OnePlus, OPPO, Xiaomi, and Vivo are now guaranteeing three Android OS updates for their flagship phones. 

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you have a company like Motorola and Nokia. The Nokia G20 is only promised a single update to Android 12. Security patches are even worse, with Nokia failing to deliver these updates on time. 

So, how important is it that your phone gets software updates? That ultimately depends on how much you care about new Android features. Google releases a new version of Android every year, and while these updates don’t tend to be that drastic from year to year, they give your phone important features and security settings that help keep it running in tip-top shape for a long time.

It also ensures that your phone stays compatible with all the apps and games on the Play Store because as Android versions become too outdated, app developers eventually drop support.

A phone like the Nokia G20 won’t be unusable two years down the road just because it’s running Android 11 and not Android 13, but it’s also a bit disheartening to buy a product and know it’s backed by such a small window of post-purchase support. This divide in updates is something Android has faced for years, and while manufacturers are gradually getting better in these regards, we still have plenty of room to grow.

How many cameras and megapixels do I need?

Over the last couple of years, there’s been a trend with certain phone companies to throw as many cameras onto their devices as possible. As it’s become more common for phones to ship with two, three, or even four cameras, there’s something of an expectation that phones have to have multiple camera sensors to be any good. Note that this is not true.

Let’s look at the Galaxy A53. It has a 64MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, and a 5MP portrait camera. Compared to the smaller 12.2MP cameras on the Pixel 5a, one would assume that the A53 takes better photos, but that’s not always the case.

Having those extra camera sensors can be a lot of fun, but only if they’re high-quality. Far too often, we see companies throw in a lot of extra cameras on their phones only to have these secondary lenses not be very good. But, of course, the primary camera sensor is always the most important, so that’s the one you want to pay attention to the most. 

On a related note, higher megapixels (referred to as MP) don’t always mean you’re getting a better camera. As mentioned above, the 64MP camera on the A53 sometimes takes photos that aren’t as good as those taken from the 12.2MP primary camera found on the Pixel 5a. 

There are so many other factors that come into play with phone cameras, so don’t let the megapixel count be your only factor for judging them when you’re out shopping. Read reviews, look at camera samples, and you’ll have a much better understanding of what kind of camera you’re dealing with.

What size battery should I get?

Battery life isn’t the most fun thing to talk about with smartphones, but ultimately, it’s one of the most essential components. Your phone can have the best display and processor around, but if it’s constantly dying throughout the day, what’s the point?

There are many different battery capacities for all of the phones on this list, and if you don’t regularly keep up with them, it can be challenging to know what a good size is and what isn’t. So, here’s a general rule of thumb. If you’re buying an Android phone, the ideal capacity is 4,000mAh or larger. As phones move toward larger displays with faster refresh rates, more battery is needed to keep them powered throughout the day.

Of course, this can vary a bit depending on the type of phone you’re buying. Phones with smaller screen sizes and lower display refresh rates can still get through a full day of use without a hitch because they generally draw less power than phones with more impressive specs.

These are factors you’ll need to consider when shopping for your phone, but generally, more mAh means more battery life.

What smaller features should I look out for?

Eventually,, there are a few smaller features and specs that can be easy to overlook when doing your shopping, a prime example being NFC. NFC stands for Near Field Communication, and it’s the chip in most phones that allows you to pay with your smartphone with Google Pay at grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Most of the phones on this list support NFC, but many cheaper Motorola and Nokia phones often lack the feature. You may not care about Google Pay, but if you do, it’s worth double-checking that the phone you want to buy does have NFC.

Another spec to check for is an IP68 rating. This is a seal of protection many phones have, and it ensures they’re protected from a certain amount of dust and water. So if you get caught outside in the rain or take your phone to the beach, an IP68 rating ensures that your phone should survive just fine.

Some phones don’t have this IP rating yet boast water resistance or have a coating that gives them some protection. Those devices are also probably fine to get splashed with water here and there, but you don’t have that same guaranteed protection. The best-case scenario is to avoid getting your phone wet whenever possible, but if you happen to be around the water a lot, it’s probably worth getting something with that IP68 protection.

We should additionally deal with a trend that has been going on in the smartphone industry for some  years now. Which is the demise of the headphone jack. Alot of new phones in the market don’t come with the port, however, a few of them continue to offer it. It’s definitely good to have if you mostly use wired headsets or earbuds, but in case you’ve embraced the wireless trend, it isn’t  a must have.

Conclusion

This might seem too much to internalize, but once you realize the type of phone you need and your budget, we hope this in-depth guide has given you the information you need to make an informed decision.need. There are a lot of good phones in the market, and we shouldn’t have recommended one in this guide if we thought you wouldn’t be pleased with it. So happy shopping, and celebrate your new found phone!