Switching from Apple’s iPhone or simply not a fan of iOS? Get a Google-powered alternative. Here’s how to find the right device for you, along with the best Android phones we’ve tested.
Whether you’re looking for a big or small phone, entry level or top of the line, Android offers options for everyone. And unlike Apple’s rigid release cycle, Google’s hardware partners unleash a seemingly endless stream of new devices year-round. But therein lies the problem: With so many options out there, how do you settle on the right one? Lucky for you, we test and review nearly every smartphone available on all the major US carriers. Keep in mind that while the reviews above may not show your carrier of choice, most of the phones here are available unlocked and can be used with multiple US carriers. Read on for what to look for when buying, as well as our top picks for Android phones. When to Buy a New Android Phone The Android release cycle has become perpetual, with a new set of flagship seeming to arrive every month. However, now’s a good time to buy since most manufacturers want their products on store shelves before the holidays. We’re pretty confident we won’t be seeing any big new flagships until 2022. The Pixel 6 Pro is our favorite Android phone right now 5G Android Phones Pretty much any higher-end phone you buy now will have 5G. If you’re purchasing a lower-end device, don’t stress out about it too much; AT&T’s and Verizon’s current nationwide 5G systems don’t give much of a performance boost over 4G, and even lower-end new T-Mobile Android phones have started to include mid-band 5G, which is what gave T-Mobile the win in this year’s Fastest Mobile Networks tests. If you want the best network speeds in the future, look for a phone with C-band (band N77). Coming predominantly to Verizon and AT&T starting in late 2021 or early 2022, C-band networks will potentially offer several times the speed of 4G and low-band 5G systems. The number of phones with C-band connectivity is growing quickly, but you’ll want to confirm that the particular phone you’re considering supports it. We list C-band support in all of our phone reviews to make the process easier. You can find our favorite 5G handsets in our list of the best 5G phones. Pricing Trends This list has phones from under $200 up to just about $2,000.
