10 best Android phones 2024 from Samsung, Google and Motorola
An unexpected competitor has beaten major brands to the punch, offering users a much-wanted feature.
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Whether Google’s Android or Apple’s iOS is the better operating system is one of the biggest debates in the tech space. One of the major advantages of going with Android, though, is the choice.
While iOS is exclusive to iPhone, Android is available on a huge range of models by brands like Samsung, Google, and Motorola. This means you can find a great option whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly or packed with the best specs available.
Of course, this freedom of choice can also make it hard to narrow down your next model, which is where we come in.
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We’ve assessed the performance, display, cameras, design and price of a huge range of Android phones to find the best options available for a range of needs and budgets – including the new HMD Skyline, which is the first of its kind as the first Qi2-certified Android phone on the market.
All you have to do is decide which features are the most important and how much you want to spend.
Prices are correct and products are in stock at time of publishing.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST ANDROID PHONE OVERALL
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, from $1887 (down from $2197) at The Good Guys
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
It may look nearly identical to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra embraces AI in a way that make it the best Android phone currently on the market. While the integration of AI on some recent smartphones has felt a little gimmicky, Samsung has brought in a range of tools that have been genuinely useful in my day to day life.
Just a few of the standout features include the ability to automatically summarise meeting notes, translate phone calls in real-time, and automatically generate a Google search just by circling images or text on any platform (including social media).
The S24 Ultra’s display is meanwhile one of the best-looking on the market, and performance is quick and smooth thanks to the addition of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. Adding to the allure are a flatter screen for an elevated S Pen experience, water-resistance (up to five feet for up to half an hour), and the longest-lasting battery in a Galaxy phone so far.
Similar to the S23 Ultra, the S24 Ultra features a standout camera system led by a 200MP main camera. This time around though, a 50MP 5x zoom periscope camera replaces the 10MP 10x telephoto camera, giving you more detail while still allowing you to crop into 10x.
Of course, this blend of incredible performance and features is incredibly costly, with the S24 Ultra clocking in as one of the most expensive smartphones available in Australia. If you’re after the best of the best though, this is it.
BEST ANDROID PHONE FOR MOST
Samsung Galaxy S24, from $1199 at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S24
What You Need To Know
If you don’t want to pay the premium price for Samsung’s Galaxy S24+ or Galaxy S24 Ultra, the base Galaxy S24 offers excellent value for money. As the smallest and lightest of the three models, its 6.2-inch FHD display makes for a more compact option compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 6.8-inch QHD+ screen.
The Galaxy S24 also brings many of the same standout features as its big siblings, such as a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset; a 120Hz refresh rate; a peak brightness of 2600 nits; and helpful AI features like Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist, and Photo Assist.
Of course, there are some small trade-offs. The Galaxy S24 has a slightly shorter (though still excellent) battery life and comes with 8GB of RAM, compared to the 12GB found in the higher-tier models. It also shares a 50MP wide-angle camera with the Galaxy S24+, which, while impressive, is outshone by the 200MP camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
But, if you’re interested in a well-built phone that will easily power through a long day of use, this is the best value flagship available right now.
BEST ANDROID PHONE FOR PHOTOS
Google Pixel 8 Pro, from $1251 at Dick Smith
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
When it comes to photography, the best smartphone really depends on what you like in terms of photo processing. I’ve tested the best current flagships for myself, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro is my top pick here. It’s not my everyday phone, but I always have it on me as a camera because the photos it produces are just that good.
The Pixel 8 Pro packs in a 50MP main camera, 48MP 5x telephoto lens, 48MP ultrawide, and a 10.5MP selfie cam, bringing clear, detailed photos with great colour recreation in a range of lighting conditions. The new Tensor G3 chipset is meanwhile built to run some great new AI features, including Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser, and a Best Take feature that makes everyone look their best in group shots.
Macro photography has also improved, with even sharper results than on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and there’s a new Video Boost feature to give your videos better lighting, quality, colour and details.
If that’s not enough, the phone’s interface is nice and responsive and there’s a massive seven years worth of security updates. The phone does run a little hot while charging and there is still room for improvement on the battery life front, but these are fairly minor gripes in an otherwise great phone.
BEST ANDROID PHONE FOR BATTERY LIFE
OnePlus 12R, $890 at Amazon Australia
OnePlus 12R
What You Need To Know
If you don’t mind trying a lesser-known brand, the OnePlus 12R is a nice option for those wanting plenty of juice from their device. Packing an impressive 5500mAh battery, the 12R is one of the longest-lasting phones that isn’t built specifically with gaming in mind.
While it lacks wireless charging, the included 80W charger delivers fast charging times, significantly powering up the device in under 30 minutes.
The 12R also has a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and can reach a massive 4500 nits at peak brightness, according to the brand. White it is a slight step down from the flagship OnePlus 12 – running on the Snapdragon Gen 2 chipset instead of the Gen 3 – it delivers excellent performance that should suit most users.
The camera system may not be on par with the best phones on the market, but it’s still versatile enough to cater to the average users’s photography needs.
BEST FLIP PHONE
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, from $1799 at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
At first glance, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6 doesn’t seem like a huge leap from last year’s Galaxy Z Flip5. The design is slightly thinner, there’s a new dual-rail hinge for better durability, and a matte finish on the back to keep fingerprint smudges at bay.
Under the hood though, the Z Flip6 gets a vapour chamber, the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3 processor as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and a nice bump in RAM (12GB compared to 8GB on last year’s model). Most notably, the flip phone now packs a 50MP main camera, which is a huge step up from the 12MP main camera seen on the Galaxy Z Flip5. The photos I took looked fantastic, even outshining my iPhone 15 Pro at times.
The Galaxy Z Flip6 also brings the same useful AI features as the Galaxy S24 line and comes with a larger 4000mAh battery, which gave me around six hours of screen-on time on an average day. Additionally, Samsung has promised seven years of software updates, which is great news for users who don’t want to switch phones every couple of years.
While these changes might not be enough to entice Galaxy Z Flip5 users to upgrade, those coming from an older model should find the upgrades fairly substantial. The Z Flip6 is also a great option for anyone looking for a stylish, powerful phone that fits easily into a handbag or pocket, or for those who want the best features of the Galaxy S24 in a compact, foldable form.
BEST FOLDABLE PHONE
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, from $2749 at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
What You Need To Know
If you want plenty of screen real estate, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 is the device to consider. Like its predecessors, the Fold6 strikes a balance between a smartphone and small tablet – but now it’s thinner and lighter than ever. Weighing in at 239g, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is 14g lighter than the Fold5 and only a couple of grams heavier than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
This year’s model features an upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and 12GB of RAM to boost overall performance. As always though, the Galaxy Z Fold6’s main appeal lies in its productivity features. The foldable phone offers both Multi-Active Windows and personalised app pairings in the Edge Panel for easy multi-tasking, making it a great option for work or entertainment.
The Galaxy Z Fold6 also capitalises on the AI features seen in recent Samsung devices, with functions like Interpreter now fully leveraging the dual-screen form factor. This feature translates conversations in real time, allowing one person to view the translation on the main screen while the other reads it on the cover screen.
On the downside, the camera setup remains unchanged from the previous two models, featuring a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens. Considering this is Australia’s most expensive phone, an upgrade in this area would have been extremely welcome.
However, the cameras can still snap a great photo, and the Fold6 also delivers super-bright displays and extensive software support. The main thing you’ll have to contend with is the price tag.
BEST CHEAP, BUDGET ANDROID PHONES
BEST ANDROID PHONE UNDER $1000
Google Pixel 8a, from $749 at Dick Smith
Google Pixel 8a
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
Google’s Pixel 8a packs a lot in for its price, making it the best budget Android phone currently available. Equipped with the same Tensor G3 chip found in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, it offers smooth and responsive performance on par with its pricier siblings. This addition also gives you access to most of the smart features available on the more expensive Pixel models, adding more bang for buck.
The 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED screen is gorgeous, with vibrant colours and ample brightness, and is conveniently sized for easy handling and pocketing. There’s also seven years of operating system updates, a reliable 64MP camera system, wireless charging, fingerprint and face unlock, and an IP67 water resistance rating – all for less than $1000.
As a budget model there are, of course, trade-offs. The Pixel 8a is built with less durable materials than the Pixel 8, has slightly shorter battery life, and has slower 18W wired charging compared to the 27W on the Pixel 8. While its camera system performs admirably for its price, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro do also have superior cameras, which is expected given their higher cost.
If you can live with these concessions though, the Pixel 8a offers much of what the Pixel 8 does, but with prices starting at $350 less.
BEST ANDROID PHONE UNDER $700
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, $588 (down from $699) at The Good Guys
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
Looking far more premium than its price tag would suggest, Samsung’s Galaxy A55 brings a range of solid features to the mid-range price bracket. In fact, the design mirrors the higher-end S-series so closely that it’s almost indistinguishable from the much more expensive Galaxy S24.
While it is similar to last year’s A54, the A55 brings a few notable upgrades including an increase in display size (6.6-inches, up from 6.4), a brushed aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, and eSIM and dual SIM capabilities.
Once again, there’s a 120Hz OLED display, 128GB of storage (expandable with a micro SD), and a triple-lens camera suite, making the phone a great value handset. I did find the macro lens quite finicky to use, and you don’t get a lot of detail in photos taken in darker settings, but the cameras should be good enough for casual users. The battery is also great for the price at 5000mAh, though the 25W wire charging is a little slow.
The Galaxy A55 won’t deliver the same kind of performance as Samsung’s higher-end phones, but it still goes above and beyond for a model at this price.
BEST ANDROID PHONE UNDER $500
Motorola G54, $197 (down from $299) at The Good Guys
Motorola G54
What You Need To Know
If you only use your phone to text, call and occasionally scroll through social media or snap a quick photo, going all in on a pricey high-end model might not be worth your while.
Instead we recommend an entry-level device, like Motorola’s G54, which offers incredible performance for the price. For just $299 you get a 6.5-inch full HD 120Hz screen with a resolution of 2400 x 1080, giving you nice, smooth scrolling and realistic colours. It also comes with a 5000mAh battery, providing more than a day’s worth of usage off a single charge.
While the G54 does make some trade-offs, notably in camera quality, it should be fine for those taking the odd snap here and there. It’s also not going to be the best model for gamers, but that’s to be expected in this price range.
I would strongly recommend investing in a screen protector and case, given the budget nature of the phone build, but the Motorola G54 is an otherwise great pick for those who just want the basics.
BEST Qi2 ANDROID SMARTPHONE
HMD Skyline, $899 at Amazon Australia
HMD Skyline
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
HMD may not be a brand name you’re familiar with, but as the company behind Nokia, it knows a thing or two about mobile phones. In particular, its latest release, the HMD Skyline, offers a handful of unique features that are worth paying attention to.
The Skyline is the first Qi2 Android smartphone, allowing you to magnetically attach a battery pack or stick it to a Qi2 charger for faster charging speeds, similar to Apple’s MagSafe iPhones. It’s also designed to be easily taken apart, so you can replace broken screens, back covers, and more using an iFixit Kit. This not only prolongs the life of your device but also saves you money on pricey repairs.
Rare for a phone at this price point, the camera configuration includes a 108MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and a 13MP ultra-wide shooter. Despite this impressive setup, the camera system didn’t blow me away, though it is decent enough for casual users.
The real highlight for me though is the Digital Detox Mode. Coming to devices in September via a software upgrade, this mode allows you to cut back on excessive screentime by letting you mute apps of your choice. While the apps still appear on your home screen, you can’t access them for your set period of time, which, as someone who gets easily distracted, I absolutely love.
The phone isn’t without its downsides, including limited software support, and an odd-looking inset display. It’s also worth noting that Google’s Pixel 8a offers a slate of great features for a similar price, including standout cameras and the same AI features as Samsung’s Galaxy S24 line.
Despite this, the HMD Skyline’s DIY repairability and Qi2 charging are impressive new additions in an oversaturated market, making the phone worth a look.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING AN ANDROID PHONE
When choosing Android phones to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Performance: Many of the Android phones on this list run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Gen 2 or Gen 3 chipsets, which we know to be excellent performers. For those that don’t, we used our own anecdotal experiences, or read through hundreds of customer reviews to determine user experience when watching movies, gaming, and scrolling through apps.
Camera quality: Camera performance is often a determining factor when weighing up which smartphone to buy. With each phone we tested, we took a variety of photos of different subjects, using various settings, zoom options and lighting scenarios. For those models we didn’t get hands on with, we read through hundreds of customer reviews to gauge how customer’s rated the camera system.
Battery life: We looked for Android phone models that were rated well for battery life (with most users reporting at least a day of use), or included models we tested ourselves and found to be satisfactory in this department.
Value: We weighed up the above criteria against the cost of each Android phone model, and the cost of similar offerings, to determine value for money.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best phone for your needs, we asked award-winning veteran freelance technology journalist, Alex Kidman, for his expert advice on what to look for when buying an Android phone. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best models available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I CHOOSE AN ANDROID PHONE?
To help you make the best buying decision, we enlisted tech expert Alex Kidman. Here are his top tips.
Google’s Android operating system can be found on phones that cost under $100 … and also on phones costing well north of $2000. That’s a huge price gulf that can make it tricky working out what’s valuable in an Android smartphone and what’s not.
There’s an obvious quality curve on price relative to features on Android handsets, with premium models getting fancy features like folding screens, DSLR-like camera quality and fast processors. At the cheaper end of the scale, camera quality drops somewhat, especially for budget models, as does speed.
For many people, that puts mid-range phones – in the roughly $400-$900 space – in a sweet spot where you get a phone that’s reasonably nippy with decent cameras without leaving a hefty dent in your wallet.
Feature one: Screen quality
There are very few “small” screen Android phones any more, with most offering up screens of around 6.5 (inches) on the diagonal. Don’t focus on screen size, but do check quality, especially for budget models where lower-resolution displays or lesser screen refresh rates are still common.
Picking the right screen technology is fundamental, because that’s what you’re going to be looking at for as long as you have your new Android phone. For premium models, also check durability, both in terms of the glass used and whether there’s a level of IP rating for water and dust resistance.
Feature two: Get the camera features you need
Android phone cameras have come a long way, but it’s important to match up the camera features you need against your budget. This isn’t just a “more megapixels is better” formula either, as the processor in a phone can do a whole lot towards making your snapshots truly pop.
If you’re only a simple photo taker then most mid-range phones will do you just fine, but those who want action shots, low light photography or telephoto lenses will need to open up their wallets a little wider to get truly pleasing results.
Feature three: Battery life is more than a number
Most manufacturers will talk about “multi-day” battery life, because it’s an appealing prospect. We’ve all forgotten to recharge our phones, right? In the Android space the vast majority of phones ship these days with 5000mAh batteries, which sounds super impressive.
However, like any tank of fuel, if your phone can sip at that battery, it’ll last a lot longer than one than greedily slurps up power. Check reviews that honestly assess this; there’s no absolute benchmark for battery life because it does depend on how you use the phone. The flipside of this is charging, with many budget phones only charging slowly even off more powerful charging plugs, while premium models may offer convenient (but also mostly slow) wireless charging as an option.
Feature four: How much storage do you need?
Android phones are a little more flexible when it comes to on-board storage than their iPhone counterparts. No iPhone can use affordable microSD cards for storage expansion, but a decent quantity of Android phones let you boost up the internal storage at will, typically with a slot in the SIM card tray of the phone.
Not all of them do, however, especially in the premium range. That’s where you need to consider what you use your phone for and whether it makes more sense to either pay a little more for a model with more storage, or budget for online cloud storage for larger files – especially precious photos and personal video files.
ANY OTHER ADVICE FOR CHOOSING AN ANDROID PHONE?
Buy a phone case, no matter how cheap the phone is. Any Android phone, even a budget one, is an investment. But we’re all human. Things we carry get accidentally dropped, and most of us carry our phones all the time. As such, it’s just a matter of time before it takes a tumble, and that’s where a case can save you serious money in screen or in some cases entire phone replacements. If you can’t find a case in stores – and they’re not common outside iPhones or Samsung’s premium range for Android – check online to find something suitable.
Check how many OS updates it’ll get. Android operating system comes in two varieties; regular security updates that can be delivered as quickly as monthly, though some makes only offer those every two to three months, as well as full operating system upgrades, typically available annually.
Check the Android OS offered on your new phone, as well as any claims around updates being available. While this might not be a big issue at the time of purchase, it’s worth knowing at what point your phone stops being supported – especially for those important security updates!
Alex Kidman
Alex Kidman is an award-winning veteran Australian freelance technology journalist, podcaster and YouTuber, as well as being a former editor at CNET, Gizmodo, PC Mag Australia, APC and Finder. He’s keen not just on the latest gadgets but how they can positively affect our lives and offer the best value to consumers, always looking out for any hidden issues or extra benefits from a wide range of technology gadgets.
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