One clear advantage Android has over iOS is the wide variety of phones you have to choose from. Apple makes the iPhone the only game on iOS, but with Google’s operating system, manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus and others have dozens of options. But it also means that when it’s time to upgrade, or if you want to switch from iPhone to Android in the new year, it can be difficult to decide which device is best for you. Samsung’s recent launch of the Galaxy S24 range means you’ll soon have a brand new model to choose from, but the verdict on these devices isn’t out yet (we’ll have full reviews soon). Right now, if you’re looking for a new phone but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered with the best Android phones for every budget.
What to look for when buying a new Android phone
Performance
When it comes to picking our favorite Android phone, the main factors we look for are pretty simple: good performance (computing and AI), a nice display, a solid design, a sharp camera, long battery life, and continued software support major commitment. For performance, we not only look at benchmarks and other metrics, but we also evaluate phones based on responsiveness. Whether you’re reading, texting, browsing social media or playing games, no one wants a gadget that feels sluggish.
exhibit
When it comes to displays, we generally prefer OLED panels that produce rich, saturated colors with at least 600 nits of brightness, although many of our top midrange and high-end phones can reach 1,000 nits or more. Lately, most of our favorite devices also support screens with fast 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, which adds an extra layer of smoothness and fluidity.
design
Now we admit that there’s some subjectivity in deciding which phones look the best, but there are other design aspects, like dust and water resistance or screen durability, that can have a big impact on long-term survival. It’s also important to consider factors such as support for wireless charging, power sharing (also known as reverse wireless charging) and UWB connectivity, which may affect how the phone interacts with other devices.
camera
Obviously, for photos, we want to take clear, colorful photos in bright and low-light conditions. We want our video clips to have high dynamic range, rich audio, and smooth image stabilization. Extra cameras for ultra-wide-angle and telephoto lenses are a plus. The best cameras should also include features such as a dedicated night mode, support for a variety of video recording resolutions, and other photo modes such as time-lapse and slow-motion.
Batteries and software
Finally, in terms of battery life, we’d like the device to have all-day battery life and also perform well in our local video running test (at least 16 hours on a single charge, but obviously longer is better). Wireless charging has become almost ubiquitous over the past few years, and most of our top picks come with this extra feature. Some Android phones also support fast charging. Finally, with people using their phones longer than ever, we’d like to see companies commit to at least three years of software support, upgrades, and regular security updates.
This article was originally published on Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/best-android-phone-130030805.html?src=rss
Source link