Categories: Tech

Best Android Phone of 2023

$649 at Best Buy Google Pixel 7 Pro: $649 Google’s best gets better $649 at Best Buy $1,200 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Best premium Android phone $1,200 at Samsung $444 at Best Buy Google Pixel 7A Best Android phone for under $500 $444 at Best Buy Price alerts on for Google Pixel 7A $800 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S23 Best small phone $800 at Samsung $349 at Google Google Pixel 6A Best camera for its price $349 at Google NEW! CNET Shopping Extension Get the lowest price on everything Add CNET Shopping $649 at OnePlus OnePlus 11 High performance flagship with a lower price $649 at OnePlus $1,465 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 The best folding phone $1,465 at Samsung $900 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Best compact folding phone $900 at Samsung $1,998 at Walmart Sony Xperia Pro Best phone for creatives $1,998 at Walmart Price alerts on for Sony Xperia Pro $449 at Amazon Nothing Phone 1 A flashy, affordable phone (Update: Low stock) $449 at Amazon Price alerts on for Nothing Phone 1 Show more (5 items)

There are a lot of Android devices on the market. Whether you prefer Samsung, Google or OnePlus, you have sizes, shapes and prices to choose from, which means there’s something for everyone. But having so many options also means the buying decision can be difficult. If you aren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place: We’ve tested and researched all the best Android phones you can buy in 2023.

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A great phone should have high-quality cameras, long battery life, compelling software features and 5G support. We considered these factors when putting together our list of the best Android phones in 2023, which you can check out below. The CNET team updates this list periodically as we review new products. 

What’s the best Android phone?

The Google Pixel 7 Pro sits at the top of our list of best Android phones, largely because it has some of the best cameras found on any phone sold today and represents one of the best values for your dollar on this list. The Pixel 7 Pro also packs a number of convenient features that are unique to it. There are calling tools like the ability for the phone to wait on hold and notify you when a representative becomes available. You can also sharpen old photos that are out of focus to make the subject look clearer. And then there’s the ability to automatically caption videos, podcasts, phone calls and more.

There are plenty of other excellent choices out there, however, even though the Pixel 7 Pro is our current favorite.

Best Android phones of 2023

Google

Google Pixel 7 Pro: $649

Google’s best gets better

Like

  • Refreshed design looks great
  • Superb cameras
  • Clean and simple interface

Don’t like

  • Battery life could be better

Like:

Read more $649 at Best Buy James Martin/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Best premium Android phone

Like:

Read more $1,200 at Samsung James Martin/CNET

Google Pixel 7A

Best Android phone for under $500

Like:

Read more $444 at Best Buy$444 at Target You’re receiving price alerts for Google Pixel 7A James Martin/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S23

Best small phone

Like:

Read more $800 at Samsung Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Google Pixel 6A

Best camera for its price

Like:

Read more $349 at Google

OnePlus 11

High performance flagship with a lower price

Like:

Read more $649 at OnePlus Sarah Tew/CNET

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

The best folding phone

Like:

Read more $1,465 at Samsung Patrick Holland/CNET

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

Best compact folding phone

Like: 

Read more $900 at Samsung Patrick Holland/CNET

Sony Xperia Pro

Best phone for creatives

Like:

Read more $1,998 at Walmart$1,998 at Amazon$1,998 at B&H Photo-Video Andrew Lanxon/CNET

Nothing Phone 1

A flashy, affordable phone (Update: Low stock)

Like:

Read more $449 at Amazon You’re receiving price alerts for Nothing Phone 1

How we test phones

Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET’s expert reviews team. We actually use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. And if we find something we don’t like, be it battery life or build quality, we tell you all about it. 

We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:

  • Display
  • Design and feel
  • Processor performance
  • Battery life
  • Camera quality
  • Features

We test all of a phone’s cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and night time scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real-world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use.

We take into account additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays and other useful extras. And we weigh all of our experiences and testing against the price so you know whether a phone represents good value or not.

Read more: How We Test Phones

Android phone FAQs

How reliable is an Android phone?

Android phones come in all shapes and sizes. Prices range from just a couple hundred dollars for a basic smartphone to $1,800 for state-of-the-art foldable phones. All the phones on this list are durable, have an IP rating for water and dust resistance and years of software support.

How long does an Android phone last?

While every phone on this list varies in how many years of software support you get and how long you can extend the warranty, most should last you a few years if not more.

More phone and Android recommendations

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  • Phones Under $200: Top Picks and New Budget Phones
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