Best Android Phone 2024: Top 10 iPhone Alternatives Today

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best smartphone you can buy, so it should come as no surprise to see it top this list.

It’s arguably the ultimate smartphone, packing almost every premium feature you can expect into one huge device. However, the gorgeous 6.8-inch display and built-in S Pen stylus are certainly worth it.

Other highlights include sublime performance from an overclocked version of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and strong battery life from the 5000mAh cell. The cameras might not be the best on any smartphone, but they’re not far off, offering impressive versatility across four lenses.

Samsung’s One UI software is intuitive and relatively easy to use, and the company’s new AI features are genuinely useful. Throw in a class-leading seven years of updates and you’ve got yourself a superb phone.

Aside from the imposing design and relatively slow charging, the price tag is the main thing that counts against the S24 Ultra. But if you can afford it, you won’t be disappointed.

The Pixel 8 Pro is the best smartphone you can buy right now. A combination of premium hardware and advanced software make it very easy to recommend.

Google’s Tensor G3 chip is key, enabling both great performance and a range of advanced photography features. Alongside excellent camera hardware, it’s the best point-and-shoot phone camera for still images.

While a 213g phone with a large 6.7-inch display won’t be for everyone, the high-resolution 120Hz OLED screen here is a joy to use. With slick Android 14 software and an incredible seven years of updates, the Pixel 8 Pro is the smartphone to beat in 2023.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best for everyone. The combination of average battery life and slow charging is frustrating, while the regular Pixel 8 is a better choice if you’re looking for something more compact.

In the past, Xiaomi’s version of Android has often prevented us from recommending its phones. Despite a rebrand, the new HyperOS skin isn’t a big step forward, but it shouldn’t detract from just how good this phone is.

Undoubtedly, the highlight is the cameras. Alongside the Photography Kit accessory (sold separately), they transform the phone into a genuine DSLR replacement for many people. The image quality and versatility across all four 50Mp rear lenses and the 32Mp selfie camera is simply superb.

There’s lots more to like too, including a gorgeous display, stunning premium design and great performance. Battery life is strong, and you get a 90W fast charger in the box. From a hardware perspective, it’s hard to fault.

Aside from price, the main reason you might not want to buy it is Xiaomi’s HyperOS software, which still contains a lot of bloatware and can get frustrating. But if you can look beyond this, the 14 Ultra will give you an unrivalled photography experience.

Looking for something more affordable? The regular Xiaomi 14 is also a great choice.

If you can’t afford the Pixel 8 or 8 Pro, then Google has another option for you: the decidedly affordable Pixel 7a. While the Pixel 8a is now available, its predecessor is still the phone to get if you want value for money.

This mid-range still packs a Tensor G2 chipset for solid performance, along with a familiar design. But it’s a slightly smaller phone than the 8 and 8 Pro, and made from plastic rather than glass.

There are downsides, of course. The camera specs aren’t quite the same, though it still impresses. You’ll also get slower charging and only a 90Hz refresh rate on the display rather than 120Hz on the flagships.

If you can live with those downsides though, this is an excellent option for the price. Shots from the main camera are the best you’ll find on any mid-range phone.

The OnePlus 12 is significantly more expensive than the OnePlus 11, which was a great handset for the money. But this extra expense is justified – a stunning design, significant performance upgrade and the introduction of wireless charging make a real difference.

Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset speeds through tasks with ease (including gaming), then combines with a 5400mAh battery for superb battery life. When you do run low, you can choose between 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, though the 80W charger in the box will be plenty fast enough for most people.

The 120Hz AMOLED screen is among the largest on any phone at 6.82-inches, but also one of the best. The slick software experience is also a joy to use, even if the four OS updates and five years of security updates is a small step down from the best around.

Rear cameras, a weakness of earlier OnePlus phones, are very good on the whole. But the ultrawide and selfie lenses aren’t the best, and the IP65 rating means it’s not protected against submersion in water.

Nonetheless, none of these should be dealbreakers for most people. The OnePlus 12 still undercuts many flagships on price, making it a great option.