Finding the best Android smartphones can be tough. Even tougher to narrow that list down to the one you want, or should buy. That’s where we come in. Throughout the year, a lot of Android smartphones come across our desk, making it easier to find which ones are the “best”. It also makes it easier to find out which ones are not worth your attention.
This list has the best smartphones in different areas like battery life, camera experience, 5G, etc. So no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find the right smartphone for you. If you are looking for something a bit cheaper, you can check out our Top 10 Best Value Smartphones.
Top 10 Best Android Smartphones 2021
We are on the cusp of a new crop of smartphones, running on Qualcomm’s latest chipsets. But those won’t be available until the end of January at the earliest. So these are the best smartphones available right now, and many of them are discounted now.
If you’re in the market for a new smartphone right now, you really can’t do wrong going with any of the ten smartphones listed below. And they range from $349 up to $1449, so there’s something for everyone’s budget.
Best Overall Smartphone
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
As you might expect, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is now our pick for the best overall smartphone. It is also the only smartphone on this list with the Snapdragon 888 5G. But that won’t last long.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra sports a 6.8-inch QHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display, along with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of RAM for $180 more too. It is the best of the best, and now it works with the S Pen, though that is not available in the box. You will have to pay extra for the S Pen.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra – Samsung.com
Best Battery Life Smartphone
OnePlus 8T
OnePlus’ newest smartphone, the 8T, is our new pick for the best battery life smartphone. It sports a 4500mAh capacity battery, which is pretty decent in size. It also has a 6.55-inch FHD+ 120Hz display. Which is going to be pretty impressive for those that are looking for a really great smartphone, that can last a full day.
It also sports a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There is a 8GB/128GB model available outside of the US.
There’s also a quad-camera setup on the rear, with a 48-megapixel main sensor, 16-megapixel ultra-wide, 5-megapixel macro lens and a 2-megapixel depth sensor included. All that for just $749, which is pretty impressive.
OnePlus 8T – OnePlus.com – $749
Best Camera Smartphone
Google Pixel 6
The Pixel 6 might be a bit of a surprise for the best camera smartphone, over the Pixel 6 Pro. But we came to this conclusion because the Pixel 6 is about $300 cheaper, and the only thing you’re missing really is that telephoto camera. Which is a good telephoto camera, but is it worth $300? Probably not.
Pixel 6 comes with a 6.4-inch FHD+ 90Hz display, powered by Google’s new Tensor chipset, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also a nice 4614mAh capacity battery inside which will keep your phone going all-day long and then some.
Let’s not forget that it also shipped with Android 12 out of the box and will get at least three years of OS updates. And at least five years of security updates. That’s quite impressive.
Google Pixel 6 – Amazon – $599
Best Compact Smartphone
Samsung Galaxy S21
Finding a “compact” smartphone is pretty tough these days. But Samsung did make the Galaxy S21 this year, which is probably the smallest flagship phone you’ll find on the market.
It sports a 6.2-inch screen, which is still pretty large. But because the bezels are quite thin, it turns out to be smaller than most other phones. It’s a bit smaller in all dimensions than the Pixel 5a.
It also boasts the Snapdragon 888 5G, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. So for $599, you’re getting quite the phone here. There’s also a 4000mAh capacity battery inside to keep it running all day long.
Samsung Galaxy S21 – Amazon – $599
Best 5G Smartphone
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is now our pick for the best 5G smartphone. It includes the best display, best processor, big battery, and even the S Pen is here. For $1299, it is a really good phone, and you’d expect that for that price.
With the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, you’re getting a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display at 120Hz. As well as the Snapdragon 865+ chipset, 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There is a micro SD card slot for expanding storage as well. Samsung has also included a 4500mAh capacity battery on this one.
The cameras have been upgraded as well, with there being a 108-megapixel main sensor, capable of 50x zoom (not the 100x zoom on the Galaxy S20 Ultra), and then 12-megapixel periscope telephoto and ultra wide cameras. It’s a really great smartphone, especially for those that want the best of the best, and the S Pen.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – Samsung.com
Best Gaming Smartphone
ASUS ROG Phone III
The ASUS ROG Phone III isn’t yet available to buy in the US, but it will be soon. So only the Chinese version is available without a warranty. So do keep that in mind here.
The ROG Phone III is by far the best gaming smartphone available. It kept that huge 6000mAh capacity battery, which will keep you gaming for hours. It also sports a 6.59-inch FHD+ display that has a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 865+ chipset, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There are models that go up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage as well.
This is a monster of a phone, which is what makes it great for gaming. And that battery is going to last all day and then some. Even with some heavy gaming.
Note: As of May 1, 2021, the ASUS ROG Phone 5 is not yet available to purchase in the US and therefore not on our list. You can buy an imported international version, but we don’t recommend that as it may not fully work on US carrier networks nor come with a warranty.
ASUS ROG Phone II – Amazon – $715
Best smartphone with stock Android
ASUS ZenFone 8
Now that the ASUS Zenfone 8 is finally available to purchase, we can add it to this list – replacing the Zenfone 6.
The Zenfone 8 is a mostly stock Android smartphone, but it’s also a compact smartphone. Coming in with a 5.9-inch FHD+ display, the Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 8GB of RAM with either 128GB or 256GB of storage on board. And a massive 4500mAh capacity battery.
Software-wise, this is mostly stock Android, with a few tweaks here from ASUS. So you’re getting Android 11 here, and it should get updated to Android 12 pretty quickly.
Best Flagship Value
OnePlus 9
The OnePlus 9 is the latest flagship smartphone to be released, and its our pick for the best value flagship right now. It has a starting price of $729, which includes a 6.55-inch FHD+ 120Hz display, the Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You can upgrade to 12GB/256GB too for only $829.
Of course, the OnePlus 9 series does run on Android 11 and OxygenOS 11. And it should get Android 12 before the end of 2021 (Android 12 isn’t expected to launch until September). Additionally, OnePlus partnered with Hasselblad for their cameras this time around. So you’re getting some really great cameras out of this one too.
All powered by a 4500mAh capacity battery.
OnePlus 9 – OnePlus.com – $729
Best smartphone with a stylus
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
For 2021, Samsung is not releasing a Galaxy Note smartphone. Which made our choice for the best smartphone with a stylus a bit tougher. But we arrived on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. The other option would have been the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but we feel that the Fold 3 is a better option due to the larger display.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 has a 6.7-inch cover display, which unfolds to reveal a 7.6-inch main display. It’s a larger, and almost square display that works really well for those that like to take notes with the S Pen. It also has a Snapdragon 888 5G processor, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage inside. There’s a 4400mAh capacity battery inside, which is somewhat small by today’s standards.
Fold 3 is really great because it allows you to do a lot more on your phone, and really be productive while you are out and about. Which is really nice.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 – Samsung.com
Best foldable smartphone
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
With the new Samsung foldables now out, our pick for the best foldable smartphone is the Galaxy Z Flip 3. We feel that it is a better option for most people because of the price and the size. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is available for $999 – though you can get it much cheaper with trade-ins and other sales.
Essentially, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a 6.7-inch phone that folds in half. Making it great for those with smaller pockets. It sports the Snapdragon 888 5G processor, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There is a somewhat small 3300mAh capacity battery inside though. However, it is waterproof now.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is mostly the same as any other smartphone, but now it folds in half. Which is really cool.
2021-12-03 04:31:25