Samsung, Google Pixel, and extra

For these seeking the Android telephone that tops all the remainder, look no additional than the Galaxy S24 Extremely. Whereas its $1,299.99 beginning worth understandably places it out of attain for some, those that can afford it is going to have a telephone at their disposal that excels in nearly each means you can ask for such a tool.

As you’d anticipate from a 2024 flagship, the Galaxy S24 Extremely comes outfitted with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset backed by 12GB of RAM. This pairing naturally gives chart-topping efficiency, making for a superb person expertise whether or not you’re searching your telephone or getting in a couple of minutes of gaming. The digital camera {hardware} has obtained an improve too, with a brand new 50MP periscope telephoto lens that helps as much as 5x optical zoom.

With the Galaxy S24 Extremely, Samsung has lastly bid adieu to curved screens. This alteration is understandably considerably divisive, however one thing all customers can profit from is the telephone’s new peak brightness of two,600nits (up from 1,750nits on the S23 Extremely). Such a lift drastically assists with out of doors viewing and, extra importantly, lets each SDR and HDR content material actually pop. The display can also be coated with Corning Gorilla Armor glass for added safety.

Samsung, like its opponents, is leaning closely into AI with its telephones now and the Galaxy S24 Extremely isn’t any exception. Nonetheless, it’s vital to notice that a lot of what the corporate is providing right here isn’t unique to this telephone and may be discovered elsewhere. Extra importantly, although, is that you just’ll have to pay to entry some options from 2026 onwards. For extra on this one, learn our Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely evaluate.

You don’t have to pay copious quantities of money to get an important telephone, with the Pixel 7a serving as a main instance. For $499.99, cheaper nonetheless in locations for the reason that launch of the Pixel 8a, you’re getting the lion’s share of what makes the more-expensive Pixel 7 such an important telephone to at the present time.

Digicam high quality is suitably excessive on the Pixel 7a, coming shut sufficient to the perfect Google Pixel telephones that the majority of us ought to discover little to nothing to complain about images taken with it. That is the primary A-series telephone to function new sensors, with a brand new 64MP essential lens taking over major duties and a 13MP ultrawide which might be a minimize above predecessors just like the Pixel 6a.

As with all Pixel telephones, you’ll be able to anticipate a inventory Android launcher that runs easily on the Tensor G2 chipset and is devoid of duplicate functions that muddle up its admittedly restricted 128GB of storage. You should definitely dive into its settings menu, although, as you’ll annoyingly have to allow the 90Hz refresh price of its show, as its OLED panel runs at 60Hz by default.

Enjoying video games on the Pixel 7a is a good expertise however the telephone can develop into noticeably heat if its Tensor G2 chipset is underneath stress for a chronic interval. This, naturally, results in some thermal throttling, however it by no means will get so sizzling that you need to put it down. For extra particulars, see our Google Pixel 7a evaluate.

Whereas the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performs effectively in different Android flagships and the greatest gaming tablets, the chipset doesn’t shine fairly as brightly in these units because it does within the ROG Telephone 8 Professional Version. For people who demand the very best body charges from their telephone, at the price of different options, that is the undisputed champ.

Peak efficiency naturally calls for a lofty worth and you may anticipate to pay $1,499.99 for the ROG Telephone 8 Professional Version. This contains the in any other case optionally available AeroActive Cooler X accent ($99) however the main variations in comparison with the usual 8 Professional are in storage and RAM, which jumps to 1TB and 24GB, respectively.

A redesigned chassis makes the ROG Telephone 8 Professional Version a extra delicate smartphone to hold round, with far much less aggressive stylings typical of a ROG gaming product. Nonetheless, Asus has included an AniMe Imaginative and prescient Mini LED show on the again of the telephone which is a novel and surprisingly helpful addition, offering you with notification data, the time, or only a cool technique to personalize your telephone additional.

Utilizing the telephone for video games or extra usually is silky easy because of its 165Hz show, however you’ll need to be just a little extra acutely aware of battery life provided that the ROG Telephone 8 Professional Version comes with a smaller 5,500mAh battery (down from 6,000mAh within the ROG Telephone 7 Final). Keep in mind, as effectively, that you just shouldn’t anticipate flagship-level pictures from its digital camera array, regardless of its worth. ASUS has made enhancements right here, however there’s solely a lot it could do with the midrange IMX890 sensor. For the total lowdown, verify out our Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional Version evaluate.

Level-and-shoot pictures doesn’t get any higher on Android telephones than it does with the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL. That stated, Google’s newest flagship has rather more to supply than only a incredible digital camera array, with a incredible OLED display, a specs increase, and 7 years of updates all serving to to justify the worth tag.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a stellar triple digital camera set-up consisting of a 50MP broad digital camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP 5x telephoto lens. In our testing, we discovered there wasn’t a state of affairs the factor wasn’t prepared for, be it epic broad panorama pictures or zoomed-in macro snaps. Mix this with the stellar Pixel picture modifying instruments, together with the AI-powered Magic Eraser, and there’s no higher Android choice for newbie photographers.

There aren’t any large drawbacks to the Pixel 9 Professional XL, although its Tensor G4 chipset remains to be behind competing Snapdragon choices, even when it’s higher for avid gamers than the Tensor G3. It’s additionally received the next worth level than we’re used to seeing from Pixel units, however contemplating the standard of the cameras, we predict it’s greater than value it. For extra of our ideas on this one, take a look at our Google Pixel 9 Professional XL evaluate.

Though the Open is the primary foldable telephone from OnePlus, the corporate has deftly managed to craft a superb gadget that beats out competing choices from producers extra seasoned at making this type issue. Open or closed, its person expertise is superb.

Throughout the board, the Open presents every thing you’d need from a telephone along with its foldable options. All three of its OLED screens are sharp with a 426-431 pixels-per-inch vary, pack a easy 120Hz refresh price, and are exceptionally vibrant with a 2,800 nits peak brightness, which is leagues above among the different folding telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

The digital camera bump is massive however homes some nice lenses for pictures and video, with a 48MP broad, ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto lens. Additional including to the Open’s premium really feel is the robust high quality of its bodily construct and of its software program, with OnePlus offering a seamless expertise no matter the way you’re utilizing the telephone.

Compromises in service of a foldable design come as no shock, however the Open’s greatest negatives are literally very straightforward to dwell with and will not faze some potential patrons. OnePlus has omitted wi-fi charging from the Open, seemingly due to its massive digital camera bump, however its 67W wired charging is a lot quick. The most important downside affecting the telephone, although, is its IPX4 ranking, which understandably provides warning to its $1,699.99 price ticket.

Sporting an even bigger cowl display and a refined hinge design, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 marks probably the most compelling realization of Samsung’s flip telephone design and finds itself forward of the pack. Make no mistake, it’s as fairly as it’s highly effective and naturally, packs a satisfyingly crisp closing sound that by no means will get previous.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5’s seen hinge could trouble some, as will the crease on the interior show, each are rapidly forgotten about throughout regular use. The telephone is just a pleasure to make use of, open or closed, with Samsung lastly altering its hinge design to permit for a virtually gapless closed state.

Samsung has additionally drastically expanded the capabilities and dimension of the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s Flex display, changing the Flip4’s comparatively minute cowl show with a 3.4-inch 720p panel. This makes the telephone rather more helpful whereas closed with a stunning quantity of apps optimized for the small type issue, with the choice so as to add unoptimized ones when you’re feeling courageous sufficient.

Battery capability is on the smaller facet (3,700mAh), as chances are you’ll anticipate from a flip telephone, however Samsung has seemingly missed a trick that might assist to delay the time between expenses. Annoyingly, the outside Flex show is continually operating at 60Hz, when it’d do exactly as effectively operating at 1Hz with an LTPO panel. If you wish to know extra, see our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 evaluate.

The Nubia Z60S Professional is a incredible addition to the perfect Android telephones. It’s completely attractive AMOLED show is an actual gem amid rivals out there, with crisp colours, and spectacular brightness. Battery life is difficult to compete with too, as our testing discovered that even from 54% cost it might final for one more 48 hours. Utilizing the ability of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, you’ll discover on a regular basis duties are a breeze for the Z60S Professional, and gaming is as easy as butter.

The place the Nubia Z60S Professional falters is the telephone’s barely awkward type issue, as it could be a bit larger than different telephones you’ve had prior to now. The telephone’s fiddly fingerprint recognition options are additionally missing.

However, that is an ace handset that may compete with the larger manufacturers on the market, and is worthy different when you’re after one thing totally different.

Whereas the greatest rugged telephones aren’t for everybody, when you spend a number of time on constructing websites otherwise you’ve received an adventurous streak, the Doogee S200 is among the greatest Android telephone choices for you. At round $400 at full worth, the S200 is safely within the mid-range bracket however comes with tons of specialised options for work and leisure together with a fast-charging, long-life battery, 1.5m drop safety, and several other helpful survival apps.

What it lacks in modern design and next-generation expertise, the Doogee greater than makes up for with its sturdiness, usefulness, and flexibility. What makes the S200 top-of-the-line within the enterprise in our books is its surprisingly good gaming capabilities. As you may think, gaming is commonly low on the precedence checklist for rugged telephone producers, however the S200 presents a easy and pleasant gaming expertise alongside all of its different advantages.