When it comes to smartphones, people usually fall into one of two loyalty teams: Apple iOS or Android. Those on team Android love the freedom and customization that comes with the ability of choosing your own hardware and software features. There’s a lot of choice in the world of smartphones and purchasing the best Android phones can help you have all the latest tech features right at your fingertips.
Between work emails, catching up with friends, and social media, most of us spend hours of time on our phones each day, making it even more logical that we would invest in a quality device. And while there’s no shortage of studies telling us to spend less time on our smartphones, one surprising piece of research finds time spent scrolling may not be entirely wasted after all. A recent study suggests that smartphones can actually enhance productivity if used in a focused, “mindful” fashion. The research found that mindful use of smartphones, without necessarily minimizing screen time, enhances productivity.
Another study found that using smartphones may actually help to improve a person’s memory skills as well, instead of making them lazy or forgetful. Researchers from University College London say digital devices can store important information, which frees up our brains to remember other things. The team adds that using a phone as an “external memory” not only helps people remember what’s stored in the phone, but also helps them remember unsaved information as well.
Investing in a smartphone that operates quickly and smoothly can help you get your day-to-day tasks done fuss-free, so you can spend less time on the phone with IT and more time on the things that are most important to you. Taking quality, user-friendliness, features and price-point into consideration, StudyFinds set out to find the best Android phones. We visited 10 of the leading expert websites to find the Android phones most frequently recommended by reviewers. Based on these rankings, we’ve compiled a list of the top five devices on the market.
The List: Best Android Phones, According To Experts
1. Google Pixel 7
If you’re looking for an Android phone that has all the amazing flagship features at a great value, experts agree the Google Pixel 7 is an all-around great choice.
“The Google Pixel 7 offers the high-quality software and cameras that have made all of Google’s Pixel phones great, and it costs just $600. This phone comes with Google’s clean, responsive version of Android 13, and it’s guaranteed to get updates through fall 2027. The Pixel 7 has a dual-camera setup that takes better photos than almost any other Android phone,” The New York Times writes.
Users love this phone for its sleek design, incredible value, easy use and top-notch camera.
Google Pixel 7 leads the list of Best Android Phones. (Photo by Triyansh Gill on Unsplash)
“It’s no surprise that the best Android smartphone is the one made by Google. A great showcase for the platform, the Pixel 7 (and 7 Pro) is on par with most other companies’ flagships, but at a vastly reduced price. Not only is the Pixel 7’s stripped-back Android 13 experience as refined and effortlessly simple as ever, but what really sets the Pixel 7 apart this year is its dual cameras, which are simply in a class of their own,” Expert Reviews writes.
2. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Coming in at a close second, Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra is a luxury android find that comes with all the bells and whistles.
“While the Galaxy S21 supported the Samsung S Pen stylus, the Galaxy S22 now integrates the accessory with a slot for stowing and charging it – much like Samsung’s Note range of smartphones,” Forbes writes. “The camera looks very similar to that of the S21 Ultra, but the lenses no longer protrude from the back of the device, which means it can be set down flat more easily than its predecessor could.”
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is on the list of best Android phones. (Photo by Imad Clicks on Pexels)
Top-rated features include low-light photography, great zooming capabilities, and optimal performance.
“The Galaxy S22 Ultra is the king of Android phones. It’s got almost anything you could ever want in a phone, including a built-in S Pen stylus. It’s got powerful cameras, the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, plenty of storage options, and a jaw-droppingly gorgeous display,” Tom’s Guide writes.
3. Google Pixel 7 Pro
With a clean interface and an impeccable camera, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is highly rated for its easy use and responsiveness.
“The Pixel 7 Pro listens better – literally. It recognizes speech more accurately, making Google Assistant more useful. It doesn’t just make photos better, it makes them more clear, and more inclusive, using Real Tone technology to enhance skin tones,” Tech Radar writes.
While not inexpensive to say the least, reviewers say the Google Pixel 7 Pro rivals phones at higher price points while delivering the same performance.
“The Pixel 7 Pro is a refinement over the excellent Pixel 6 Pro from last year. It sports an upgraded Tensor G2 processor, a brighter display, and 5x optical zoom. It’s a great phone with plenty of smarts and useful features,” Tom’s Guide writes.
4. OnePlus 10 Pro
With a stylish design, long battery life, and great performance, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a great affordable find and rivals more expensive models on the market.
“It’s a beautifully-designed device with a big 6.7-inch AMOLED display and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It has the brawn to match its eye-catching body, too, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor,” Tom’s Guide writes.
Packed full of features and one of the most affordable quality Androids available, experts say there’s no reason not to buy the OnePlus 10 Pro.
“It’s a spiffy-looking device with powerful hardware, including a 120-Hz AMOLED screen that gets bright, speedy performance, and some of the fastest wired and wireless charging you’ll find in the U.S.,” Wired writes.
5. OnePlus Nord N20
If you’re on a tight budget but still looking for an Android that delivers, the OnePlus Nord N20 is a top pick.
“Although the OnePlus Nord N20 5G costs less than half the price of a modern high-end smartphone, it resembles a more expensive phone in its screen, performance, and long battery life. The Nord N20 includes an in-display fingerprint sensor and a 1080p OLED display—features that set it apart from most other budget Android phones, which usually have 720p LCD screens and no fingerprint sensor. It also loads complex websites, runs games, and installs and launches apps faster than most other budget phones we’ve tested,” The New York Times writes.
Users also love this gadget for its smooth performance and super fast charging.
“The Nord N20 is the most stylish affordable phone I’ve seen in 2022, and I don’t anticipate any other model stealing that distinction away this year. It has a striking flat back with two bold, gold-edged camera lenses near the top corner,” PC Magazine writes.
Sources
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
Tags: android, smartphones