Best Android Phone of 2023

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$450 at Amazon

Nothing Phone 1 with LEDs turned on

Nothing Telephone 1

A flashy, inexpensive telephone (Replace: Low inventory)

Apple’s iPhone is not the one alternative for those who’re available in the market for a brand new telephone. Android has a number of benefits over iOS, and one of many greatest is the sheer number of gadgets you’ll be able to select from. From the supersize Galaxy S23 Extremely to the extra modest and inexpensive Pixel 6A, Android telephones can be found in an enormous vary of sizes and costs. However this sprawling number of telephones could make it tough to know which of them are price your hard-earned cash. In the event you aren’t positive the place to start out, you are in the proper place: We have examined and researched all the most effective Android telephones you should purchase in 2023.

An important telephone ought to have high-quality cameras, lengthy battery life, compelling software program options and 5G assist. We thought of these components when placing collectively our record of the most effective Android telephones in 2023, which you’ll try beneath. CNET’s crew updates this record periodically as we evaluation new merchandise. 

What’s the finest Android telephone?

The Google Pixel 7 Professional sits on the prime of our record of finest Android telephones, largely as a result of it has a number of the finest cameras discovered on any telephone bought as we speak and represents among the finest values in your greenback on this record. The Pixel 7 Professional additionally packs quite a lot of handy options which are distinctive to it. There are calling instruments like the power to attend on maintain and notify you when a consultant turns into obtainable. It’s also possible to sharpen outdated pictures which are out of focus to make the topic look clearer. After which there’s the power to routinely caption movies, podcasts, telephone calls and extra.

There are many different wonderful selections on the market, nevertheless, although the Pixel 7 Professional is our present favourite.

Greatest Android telephones of 2023

Pixel 7 Pro face down on a wooden table next to a cup of coffee
Google

Like:

• Refreshed design appears to be like nice
• Excellent cameras
• Clear and satisfying interface

Do not like:

• Battery life may very well be higher

Google’s newest flagship telephone, the Pixel 7 Professional, is not an enormous overhaul from the already wonderful Pixel 6 Professional Google launched final yr. But it surely’s taken that profitable components and made some key tweaks to nearly each ingredient, leading to an excellent telephone that is bliss to make use of. The refreshed digital camera can take beautiful photographs too, incomes its spot among the many finest flagship telephones round. It usually sells for $899, however Google at the moment has it on sale for $150 off.

Learn our Google Pixel 7 Professional evaluation.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
James Martin/CNET

Like:

  • Quick efficiency
  • Wonderful predominant digital camera
  • Shiny display
  • Included stylus
  • Double the storage within the base mannequin
  • 4 generations of Android OS updates

Do not like:

  • Excessive value
  • Images do not at all times look pure
  • No enhancements to quick charging

The Galaxy S23 is quite a bit, however in a great way. It is greater than most individuals want in a telephone, however that does not make it any much less spectacular. Samsung made enhancements to the digital camera’s decision (200 megapixels in contrast with 108 megapixels), coloration tones and dynamic vary, whereas retaining the identical edgy design and big 6.8-inch display as its predecessor. There’s additionally a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that is been optimized particularly for Samsung’s telephones, which brings quicker efficiency in contrast with the Galaxy S22 Extremely. 

It might be an understatement to name this telephone costly: It begins at $1,200. However folks prepared to pay extra for a large display and a high-quality, versatile digital camera will not be dissatisfied. Learn our Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely evaluation.

Pixel 7
Patrick Holland/CNET

Like:

• Smooth design
• Nice worth 
• Predominant digital camera is Google’s finest

Do not like:

• Battery life is sweet however not nice
• Not as a lot Android model assist as Samsung

At round $600, the Google Pixel 7 gives a good way to place a few of Google’s finest tech in your pocket with out emptying your financial institution steadiness within the course of. It undercuts the absolutely specced 7 Professional mannequin by a way, however nonetheless packs the identical Tensor G2 processor, a wonderful display and an amazing predominant digital camera. 

Just like the 7 Professional, its refreshed design appears to be like elegant and trendy, whereas its Android 13 software program is clutter-free and straightforward to make use of. The battery life may very well be higher, however with cautious use you may get via a day on a cost. It lacks the telephoto zoom and a few the opposite bells and whistles of the 7 Professional, however for those who’re after a strong on a regular basis telephone at an honest value, the bottom Pixel 7 is a superb possibility.

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back of Samsung Galaxy S23 phone, held up in front of a plant
James Martin/CNET

Like:

  • Longer battery life
  • Engaging design
  • 4 generations of Android OS updates
  • Quick efficiency

Do not like:

  • Cameras are mainly the identical as final yr
  • Costly
  • No enhancements to quick charging
  • No improve to base storage

Android followers in search of a petite telephone do not have a lot to select from. However the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23 gives a compelling possibility for many who need a telephone that feels compact however nonetheless gives sufficient display house. The Galaxy S23 comes with routine upgrades like a recent processor (a model of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that is been optimized for Samsung’s telephones), a barely new design and a higher-resolution selfie digital camera. But it surely’s the Galaxy S23’s bigger battery that makes it price recommending. Learn our Samsung Galaxy S23 evaluation.

The back of Google's Pixel 6A phone
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Like:

  • Good display
  • Speedy efficiency
  • IP67 waterproof
  • Reasonably priced value

Do not like:

The following-gen Pixel 6A is a strong alternative in order for you 5G on a budget. This Pixel telephone has a high-end chipset, nice rear cameras, a very good show and common battery life. It is one of many most cost-effective good 5G smartphones you should purchase proper now.

Learn our Google Pixel 6A evaluation.

oneplus-11-review-cnet-lanxon-promo-17

Like:

  • Unimaginable efficiency for gaming
  • Slick, refreshed design
  • Hyper-fast charging
  • 5 years of safety assist

Do not like:

  • Cameras are good however not nice
  • Higher waterproofing on rivals

The $700 OnePlus 11 is a robust telephone that is properly geared up to deal with gaming, video streaming and different widespread duties. In typical OnePlus vogue, this telephone can be cheaper than the $800 Galaxy S23 and $900 Pixel 7 Professional. The cameras aren’t the most effective, however they’re wonderful for informal photographers who simply wish to seize their subsequent trip or an evening out. What units the OnePlus 11 aside from a lot of its rivals is its blazing 100-watt quick charging, which might replenish the battery in simply 25 minutes. (The US model solely helps 80-watt charging, however that is nonetheless an enchancment over the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s 45-watt charging). General, the OnePlus 11 is right for individuals who need a highly effective telephone that prices rapidly and will not break the financial institution. Learn our full evaluation of the OnePlus 11.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 in burgundy unfolded displaying wallpaper
Sarah Tew/CNET

Like:

  • 120Hz cowl display
  • Water resistance
  • Enhanced pill expertise
  • Software program enhancements for multitasking and Flex Mode

Do not like:

  • $1,800 continues to be costly

Foldable telephones have not actually hit the mainstream, remaining as an alternative solely within the attain of these prepared to spend prime greenback on the most recent in cell innovation. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the most effective folding telephone round, providing top-notch efficiency, an amazing digital camera setup and a wide range of tweaks to its folding know-how that make this Android smartphone extra fascinating than its predecessor.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 folded shut in purple, black, gold and blue colors
Samsung

Like:

  • Higher battery life than earlier than
  • Nonetheless the most effective flip telephone to get into foldables
  • Water resistance

Do not like:

  • Identical cameras because the Galaxy Z Flip 3

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is an iterative replace however it packs a punch for the $1,000 price ticket. With a greater battery life because of a extra energy environment friendly processor and a much bigger battery, the Flip is lastly price investing in as a flagship machine.

The Sony Xperia Pro
Patrick Holland/CNET

Like:

  • Skilled stage video monitor options
  • Strong utilitarian construct
  • Stay broadcast streaming over 5G
  • As a telephone, it is basically the Sony Xperia 1 II

Do not like:

  • Worth is excessive, limiting its slender enchantment
  • 2020 specs and Android 10
  • Cannot document video by way of HDMI enter

At a whopping $1,800 record value, the Sony Xperia Professional is not for everybody. However for those who’re a photographer or videographer in search of professional-level digital camera telephone options, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken. The Xperia Professional is basically 4 merchandise in a single: a telephone, a digital camera monitor, a speedy picture file switch machine and a 5G machine appropriate for broadcasting and livestreaming.

Learn our Sony Xperia Professional evaluation.

Nothing Phone 1 with LEDs turned on
Andrew Lanxon/CNET

Like:

• Flashing design
• Strong efficiency
• Reasonably priced value

Do not like:

• Cameras are solely OK
• Not extensively obtainable within the US

The Nothing Telephone 1’s inexpensive value, strong efficiency and good-enough digital camera setup already make it a strong possibility to think about for those who’re in search of an Android telephone on a finances. However this telephone takes the pizzazz up a notch with its suite of flashing LED lights on the rear, which definitely make it stand out in opposition to its rivals. 

It is an amazing telephone, which we loved reviewing, however there’s a draw back: As of proper now, there are no plans to launch the telephone extensively within the US. You may get it unlocked on Amazon, however it’s GSM-only so it will not work on Verizon. The corporate’s subsequent telephone, the Nothing Telephone 2, will likely be coming to the US later this yr. 

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How we take a look at telephones

Each telephone on this record has been completely examined by CNET’s skilled opinions crew. We truly use the telephone, take a look at the options, play video games and take pictures. We assess any advertising and marketing guarantees that an organization makes about its telephones. And if we discover one thing we do not like, be it battery life or construct high quality, we inform you all about it. 

We study each facet of a telephone throughout testing:

  • Show
  • Design and really feel
  • Processor efficiency
  • Battery life
  • Digicam high quality
  • Options

We take a look at all of a telephone’s cameras (each back and front) in a wide range of situations: from outdoor beneath daylight to dimmer indoor locales and night time time scenes (for any obtainable night time modes). We additionally evaluate our findings in opposition to equally priced fashions. We’ve got a sequence of real-world battery assessments to see how lengthy a telephone lasts beneath on a regular basis use.

We take note of further telephone options like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, quick charging, foldable shows and different helpful extras. And we weigh all of our experiences and testing in opposition to the worth so you recognize whether or not a telephone represents good worth or not.

Learn extra: How We Check Telephones

Telephone FAQs

How dependable is an Android telephone?

Android telephones are available in all sizes and shapes. Costs vary from only a couple hundred {dollars} for a primary smartphone to $1,800 for state-of-the-art foldable telephones. All of the telephones on this record are sturdy, have an IP ranking for water and mud resistance and years of software program assist.

How lengthy does an Android telephone final?

Whereas each telephone on this record varies in what number of years of software program assist you get and the way lengthy you’ll be able to prolong the guarantee, most ought to final you a number of years if no more.

Extra telephone and Android suggestions