The Best Android Phones for 2025

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If you're in the market for a new phone, you'll find far more variety in size, shape, price, and capabilities from Android devices than you will from Apple's iPhones. PCMag can help you narrow down the options if you aren't quite sure where to start. We've been writing about cell phones for at least three decades, so you can trust our analysis and that our selections are all worth your attention. Among our Editors' Choice winners are the affordable Google Pixel 8a with its competitive all-around performance, the high-end Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with its S Pen stylus, and the OnePlus 13 for its outstanding battery life. But read our in-depth reviews of each pick below to find which best meets your needs, and scroll to the end for some useful buying advice about all things Android.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a New Android Phone?

The Android release cycle is perpetual, and a new set of flagship phones arrives practically every month. For instance, we've already seen updated Samsung Galaxy S and OnePlus hardware this year, along with fresh budget options from Motorola. We expect to see a slew of phones at the upcoming Mobile World Congress trade show and, beyond that, a new budget device from Google by late Spring.

Our point is that there is almost always a new Android phone coming to market, and no bad time to buy one.

The Best 5G Android Phones

Support for 5G has now become standard on any phone that costs more than $200. Devices below that threshold might not work on every band, but you shouldn't worry too much. 4G networks still offer excellent performance and will continue to do so for years.

Speaking of bands, if you want the best network speeds in the US, look for a phone with C-band (band n77). On AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, C-band 5G offers several times the speed of 4G. The number of phones with C-band support is growing quickly, but you should confirm that the particular phone you're considering supports it. We detail whether a phone supports C-band in each of our reviews to make the process easier.

For more, check out our favorite 5G handsets.

What Is the Best Cheap Android Phone?

This list includes phones that cost anywhere from $200 to nearly $2,000. On the low end, Motorola and Samsung models tend to be excellent values for the money. Carrier-branded phones that don't mention the manufacturer's name often aren't very good, and you should avoid them.

Many of the phones available in the US cost $600 or more because most people buy them on monthly payment plans that hide the cost over 24 to 36 months. But there's also a thriving market of phones that cost $300 or less.

For more, see our stories on the best cheap phones, the best cheap phone plans, and our top tips to get the best price on a cell phone.

What Size Android Phone Is Right for You?

Android phones come in a variety of sizes and shapes. You can find them with stated screen sizes from 3 inches (Unihertz Jelly Star) to over 7 inches (Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6). With the new designs, though, it's important to look at the width of the phone. A tall, narrow phone can be much easier to handle than something wider, but it's also a less common aspect ratio for apps to use.

In the end, don’t discount the value of handling several options in person at your local wireless shop. And check out our roundup of small phones for your best compact options.

Which Is the Best Android Version?

As a general rule, the newest version of Android is the best version of Android. Right now, that means Android 15. Whatever you do, don't buy a phone that comes with anything before Android 13; the older the Android software version, the more likely it is to have security flaws. Also, check how many rounds of full operating system upgrades and security patches the manufacturer promises. Google offers seven years of software updates for the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 9 series, and Samsung does the same for its Galaxy S25 and latest Z devices. Other competing phone makers are still catching up.

Last, remember that not all Android versions are the same. If you want Android as Google intends it, opt for a Pixel device—they're the models that get upgrades first. Motorola and Nokia (HMD Global) offer a mostly clean Android interface, though the companies lag on long-term software support. Samsung, OnePlus, TCL, and other phone makers ship their phones with skins that change the look and functionality of Android to some degree.

What About Honor, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi?

We don't cover some of the world's biggest smartphone makers (Honor, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi) because they don't sell phones in the US (at least via carriers), and we primarily serve US consumers. In the cases of Oppo and Vivo, it's because they've ceded the US market to their sibling brand, OnePlus (Oppo and OnePlus merged). Xiaomi has said several times that its business model, which relies heavily on advertising revenue and subscription services baked into its phones, won't work in the US. Honor is working hard to make up ground in Asia and Europe but has largely still avoided selling in the US. The same is mostly true for ZTE, once a mainstay of US prepaid carriers.

We don't recommend importing foreign phones for use in the US because they often perform poorly on US carrier networks—if they work at all.

Is It Better to Buy an Android Phone Unlocked or Through a Carrier?

Carrier-sold phones still dominate the US market, but buying your phone direct and unlocked gives you more freedom to switch carriers. Unlocked phones don't feature carrier bloatware and are purchasable up-front, so you don't have to worry about monthly payments unless you opt into financing.

You can buy every phone on this list directly without any carrier involvement. But most people still buy their phones through carriers, which offer a single point for service and support and monthly payment plans that dramatically lower the up-front price. Many even offer increased trade-in values on older phones, further cutting the price.

You should also make sure your carrier (especially if you're using an MVNO) supports a phone fully before buying it. Although you can always hop between MVNOs without penalty, if you're happy with your current carrier, it's best to make sure the phone you buy works on that network.

With all that in mind, choosing Android as your mobile operating system is only half the battle; you still need to pick the right phone. If you're still on the fence, check out our list of the best phones, regardless of OS.

Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.