Different Telephones to Think about
We take a look at a ton of Android telephones. We like those under, however you may be higher off with one of many choices above. If you have not but executed so, take a look at our Finest Low-cost Telephones and Finest Folding Telephones guides for extra.
Google Pixel 9 for $599: The Pixel 9 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a superb smartphone, however between the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 9 Professional sequence, it struggles to face out. It shares many options with its pricier siblings, however you may get a very related expertise with the Pixel 9a, all whereas saving a whole bunch of {dollars}. I’d maintain off till the Pixel 10 launches.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 for $1,100: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip7 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) acquired some nice upgrades over its predecessor, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to dethrone the Razr Extremely 2025 as my high flip telephone decide. Nonetheless, it is value contemplating if you happen to’re looking for a folding telephone of this class, as a result of the cameras are strong, the shows are wonderful and bigger than ever, and the quilt display screen is a bit more helpful (although not as versatile as on Motorola’s telephone). Battery life is even worse right here over the Fold7, so snag a energy financial institution when you’re at it.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for $970: Samsung’s newest innovation is to slim down the smartphone to an amazingly skinny 5.8 mm. That is not as spectacular as telephones from the previous, however the Galaxy S25 Edge (6/10, WIRED Recommends) remains to be spectacular once you maintain this light-weight 6.7-inch telephone in your hand. It maintains a number of options from the Galaxy S25 Extremely, besides there isn’t any S Pen stylus, no telephoto cameras in any respect, and battery life isn’t good in any respect for a telephone of this dimension and worth. I routinely needed to maintain it topped up all through the day. However if you happen to’re a median to gentle person, chances are you’ll discover it ample, and possibly you can admire the skinny and light-weight dimension much more.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Nothing Telephone (3a) for $379 and Telephone (3a) Professional for $459: Here is one other well-rounded smartphone that does not have an exorbitant worth. The Nothing Telephone (3a) and Telephone (3a) Professional (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are sub-$500 Android telephones, and they’re each implausible. They’re similar in each method besides the cameras, the place the Professional mannequin has a slight benefit in zoom and low-light capabilities. I feel the Telephone (3a) appears nicer and is a greater worth. Run by way of the checklist of specs and you will be hard-pressed to search out fault with the {hardware}. The show is splendidly easy with its 120-Hz refresh charge, and it is no battle to see within the solar. Efficiency is snappy, battery life is dependable, and the digicam high quality is first rate for the cash. There are some drawbacks—these telephones are solely IP64-rated, so do not drop them within the pool. There is not any wi-fi charging, and connectivity is not seamless. Whereas it’s going to work greatest on T-Cell, you may solely get 4G on Verizon and AT&T till you ask the carriers to whitelist the system for 5G entry. That course of is certain to be irritating.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for $550: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is a greater purchase now that the flagship Galaxy S24 sequence is tougher to search out on the market. It is a completely succesful smartphone with a triple-camera array (together with a 3X telephoto digicam), and it delivers good efficiency. It has wi-fi charging, is IP68 water-proof, and has strong day-long battery life. It is a disgrace the design’s a bit drab. Alternatively, you possibly can attempt to discover the flagship Galaxy S24 sequence on sale: the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Extremely are nonetheless wonderful gadgets, however be sure to do not spend wherever close to their MSRP.
Motorola Moto G Energy 2025 for $300: The brand new Moto G Energy (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is not as nice as its predecessor, and that comes down to at least one purpose: Because of a lesser chipset, there is a slight hit in efficiency, and it feels a bit extra sluggish to make use of. Nevertheless, the efficiency is nice sufficient that you simply gained’t really feel pissed off. Outdoors of this, it is a exceptional $300 telephone. The inexperienced fake leather-based again exudes luxurious, and it is good and slim. The cameras are strong, and the 6.8-inch LCD display screen has a 120-Hz display screen refresh charge and will get a lot vibrant. Better of all, the corporate retained the wi-fi charging it debuted in final 12 months’s mannequin, making it one of many solely sub-$300 telephones with this comfort. One other space of enchancment? It is IP68/69-rated, so you will not should child this telephone close to a pool; it may possibly deal with a dip simply nice. Motorola has additionally prolonged software program updates on the Moto G sequence, promising two Android OS upgrades, with the identical three years of safety updates. There is a honest quantity of bloatware, however you possibly can take away most of those preinstalled apps.
Asus ROG Telephone 9 for $1,000: The ROG telephone sequence is for severe avid gamers. There are two USB-C ports, so you possibly can cost the telephone comfortably even whereas utilizing it in panorama mode for gaming. It has perks like a headphone jack and a bevy of equipment you possibly can connect, like a cooler and a cellular controller, to boost the gaming expertise. Sadly, different features of this telephone battle to match the excessive worth—the software program can really feel clunky, and the cameras are under no circumstances what you’d anticipate at this worth stage.
Minimal Telephone for $399: Having hassle curbing your display screen time? As a substitute of going chilly turkey with one thing just like the Mild Telephone III, attempt the Minimal Telephone (6/10, WIRED Assessment). That is an e-paper Android telephone with a bodily keyboard. The aim is to allow you to entry the same old Android apps, however as a result of the display screen is ill-suited to movies and most social media, you may naturally be capable of keep away from these distractions. It is profitable on this job, however the fixed display screen ghosting and plasticky construct dampen the expertise.
Cell Equipment You May Want
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
We have now case suggestions for just a few fashionable gadgets, like Samsung’s Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S23, or Google’s Pixel 9 sequence. It is good to slap a case on these glass sandwiches and even a display screen protector to maintain the show freed from scuffs and scratches. Listed here are just a few different noteworthy equipment, together with charging adapters, which many telephones do not embody anymore. Learn our Finest USB-C Cables information for different suggestions.
Anker 45-Watt Charger for $28: This tiny charger can be sufficient for most individuals to cost most smartphones. It is compact, dependable, and low-cost, plus the prongs fold up. Extra smartphones than ever can go as much as 45-watt charging speeds, so take benefit with a 45-watt charger.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Counterpart Retractable The Charger for $44: It is not the very best worth, however this design-forward charger has a retractable 4-foot cable that makes it a implausible two-in-one—no have to pack a separate charger and cable! It outputs 35 watts, which is a lot to fast-charge most telephones and tablets, and the prongs fold in for journey.
Peak Design Samsung and Pixel On a regular basis Case for $50: If in case you have a Samsung or Pixel telephone and also you steadily mount your telephone to a motorcycle or scooter, you owe it to your self to snag this case and Peak Design’s bike mount. The case snaps completely into the mount, is lifeless easy to launch, and has but to fall off after years of driving. Peak Design additionally sells a number of different equipment you possibly can connect to the again of those instances, bringing Android into Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.
Nimble Champ Moveable Charger 10,000 mAh for $60: This moveable battery is sufficiently small to go away in a bag however has sufficient energy to completely recharge your telephone a few times. There is a USB-C and USB-A port; it delivers 18 watts of energy, so it may possibly recharge your pill or telephone, and it is housed in 73 p.c post-consumer plastic with plastic-free packaging.
Nomad ChargeKey V2 for $25: When your telephone dies, it is virtually all the time once you overlook to carry a charger or battery pack. The ChargeKey is a nifty resolution—it is like clipping a tiny USB-C charging cable to your keychain. Simply plug one finish into your telephone and the opposite into any type of energy supply (a good friend’s telephone or a charging adapter if you happen to handle to search out one), and you may high up your telephone. Native Union additionally has an identical merchandise that is cuter however almost as succesful.
Select a Wi-fi Charger: Our information to the very best wi-fi chargers contains dozens of fashions in various colours, shapes, and supplies, and even some designed for particular telephones. Not each Android telephone helps wi-fi charging, nevertheless it’s a luxurious you may need to make the most of. Take a gander at our information for our favorites.
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