Skip to main content

The best Android phones in 2020

The best Android phones you can buy today

The best Android phones no matter your budget



1. Google Pixel 4a

The best Android phone is also one of the most affordable


Display: 5.81-inch OLED (2340x1080) | Android version: 10 | CPU: Snapdragon 730G | RAM: 6GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No | Rear camera: 12.2MP (ƒ/1.7) | Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/2.0) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 8:55e could be better


You might be surprised to find Google's midrange Pixel, the Pixel 4a, at the top of our list of the best Android phones. But at just $349, the Pixel 4a is a remarkably complete smartphone, the likes of which we've never before seen at this price.

For half the price of the newly-announced Pixel 5, or a third of what Samsung and Apple charge for their top models, the Pixel 4a offers a flagship-caliber camera, good-enough performance, impeccable software, a pocketable, well-built design, 128GB of built-in storage and a dazzling and bright 5.8-inch OLED display.

If the 4a suffered from one shortcoming, it'd be battery life. But in all other respects, it's nearly perfect — and it even has a headphone jack. In previous years, you would have had to spend at least $500 on a device like, this but the Pixel 4a is an unmatched bargain among Android devices right now, and an even better deal than last year's already-excellent Pixel 3a. 

Be aware that Google has announced the Pixel 4a 5G, which starts at $499. It's a 5G version of the Pixel 4a that actually shares a lot of features with the flagship Pixel 5 device, such as two rear cameras and a faster processor. If you can wait for the Pixel 4a 5G's mid-November release, you may find it a better value.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/3qahBXw


2. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The best premium Android phone


Display: 6.9-inch AMOLED (3088x1440) | Android version: 10 with Samsung One UI 2.5 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus | RAM: 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB / Yes | Rear camera: 108MP wide (ƒ/1.8); 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom (ƒ/3.0); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2) | Front camera: 10MP (ƒ/2.2) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:15


The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra takes the crown as the best Android phone for those willing to pay an ultra-premium price. And that’s because this device is much more than a phone. It’s a powerful note-taking tool with lots of S Pen upgrades; it’s a pro-level camera with a 108MP sensor and 50x zoom; and it’s a mini game console with the ability to stream Xbox games.


The Note 20 Ultra also boasts the best display on a phone yet, as its huge 6.9-inch OLED screen has a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. So it’s smart enough to dial things up or down based on what's being displayed, which saves battery life. The 4,500 mAh battery lasts a long time on a charge, and you get quick 25-watt charging out of the box. Overall, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra more than lives up to its name.


Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/2HIYa6F


3. OnePlus 8 Pro

An affordable Android flagship option

Display: 6.78-inch OLED (3168x1440) | Android version: 10 with Oxygen OS | CPU: Snapdragon 865 | RAM: 8GB, 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No | Rear camera: 48MP wide (ƒ/1.78); 48MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 8MP 3X telephoto (ƒ/2.4); 5MP color filter | Front camera: 16MP (ƒ/2.5) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 11:05

The OnePlus 8 Pro may seem like a departure from previous OnePlus handsets. After all, at $899, this is one of the most expensive phones OnePlus has ever made. But the OnePlus 8 Pro is the best flagship Android phone because it packs as many high-end features as possible for an incomparable value.

In the case of the OnePlus 8 Pro, those features include a 120Hz refresh rate for its 6.78-inch OLED screen and a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 865 CPU. The OnePlus 8 Pro is the first OnePlus device to support wireless charging, and in the grand tradition of OnePlus pushing the battery envelope, its wireless charging standard is actually faster than many wired options.

You won’t get the best camera phone with the OnePlus 8 Pro — the Galaxy S20 Plus' photography is a bit better across the board. However, the OnePlus 8 Pro's four rear lenses can produce some impressive shots that measure up respectably against industry leaders. And while that $899 price may be lofty by OnePlus’ standards, it’s still $100 less than the least expensive Galaxy S20 model, not to mention $300 less than the S20 Plus.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/3fEUO13


4. Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Samsung's best Galaxy under $1,000

Display Size: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2400x1080) | Android version: 10 with Samsung One UI 2.5 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus | RAM: 8GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No | Rear camera: 12MP wide (ƒ/1.8); 64MP telephoto with 3x lossless zoom (ƒ/1.8); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2) | Front camera: 10MP (ƒ/2.2) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 9:26

The $999 Galaxy Note 20 is an interesting proposition. It's actually $200 cheaper than Samsung's Galaxy S20 Plus and $300 cheaper than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and for that you lose a couple noteworthy features. The regular Note 20 has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, but no 120Hz fast refresh rate. It has a triple-lens rear camera, but no 108MP main sensor or 5x folded optical zoom lens.

However, you still get a lot for what you'll spend on the Note 20, including a powerful Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, Samsung's signature S Pen with new air gestures for navigation and very useful note-taking enhancements, cameras that still take fantastic pictures (even if they're a shade behind what the Note 20 Ultra can pull off) and support for wireless DeX projection to TVs and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate streaming. The Note 20 can really do it all, so long as you're willing to part with some buzzwordy features you may not necessarily need to begin with.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/37d1Whk


5. Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus

The all-around premier Android flagship

Display: 6.7-inch OLED (3200x1440) | Android version: 10 with OneUI | CPU: Snapdragon 865 | RAM: 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 512GB / Yes | Rear camera: 12MP wide (ƒ/1.8); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 64MP 3X telephoto (ƒ/2.0); time-of-flight VGA | Front camera: 10MP (ƒ/2.2) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:31

At $1,199, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is pricey, though you get a lot in return. For starters, the camera setup on the back of the S20 Plus impresses us with four lenses that produce great pictures, especially when you put that 64MP telephoto lens to work. You won't be able to zoom in like you can with the S20 Ultra's Space Zoom feature, but the shots that the S20 Plus yields still contain a lot of detail.

All of the other top Galaxy S20 features are available in the S20 Plus, including 5G connectivity, a Snapdragon 865 chipset that produces the best performance of any Android phone and a vibrant 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which you won't find in the slightly cheaper Galaxy Note 20.

 A 4,500-mAh battery keeps things up and running, and the Galaxy S20 Plus offered better-than-average longevity in our testing. Ultimately, the S20 Plus' price will put it out of reach of most phone shoppers, though those who can afford it shouldn't think twice about snapping one up.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/39lwsbt


6. Moto G Power

The longest-lasting Android phone


Display: 6.4-inch LCD (2300x1080) | Android version: 10 | CPU: Snapdragon 665 | RAM: 4GB | Storage / Expandable: 64GB / Yes | Rear camera: 16MP wide (ƒ/1.7), 8MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 2MP macro (ƒ/2.2) | Front camera: 16MP (ƒ/2.0) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 16:10

Two things stand out about the Moto G Power — its giant battery and its sub-$300 price. The former allows Motorola’s budget phone to post the best time ever on our battery test, while the latter makes the Moto G Power a compelling purchase when compared to other midrange Android models.

On the battery front, the Moto G Power lasted 16 hours and 10 minutes on our battery test, in which phones continuously surf the web over LTE until they run out of power. That’s more than 30 minutes better than our previous champ for best phone battery life. (Coincidentally, that was the Moto G Power’s predecessor, the Moto G7 Power.) If you're willing to accept less battery life for a phone with a stylus, the Moto G Stylus is essentially a carbon copy of the Moto G Power, though it does cost $50 more.

Speaking of price, you can get the Moto G Power for $150 less than the Pixel 3a, and you won't make many trade-offs for that lower price. The Snapdragon 665 chipset inside the Moto G Power turns in comparable performance, and while the Pixel still has a better camera, the Moto G Power’s triple lens array still produces decent shots for what you'll spend.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/33q2L5o


7. Google Pixel 4a 5G

Google's best 5G phone

Display: 6.2-inch OLED (2340x1080) | Android version: 11 | CPU: Snapdragon 730G | RAM: 6GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No | Rear camera: 12MP main (ƒ/1.7 ); 16MP ultra-wide (ƒ/2.2) | Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/2.0) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 8:12

If you want a 5G phone from Google, you don't necessarily have to get the Pixel 5. All of that phone's best features — including 5G connectivity and some of the best performing cameras we've tested — can be found in the Pixel 4a 5G. And this phone costs $200 less than Google's flagship.

You give up some build quality and water resistance by opting for the cheaper 5G option, and the Pixel 4a 5G doesn't have a fast-refreshing screen. But it is the largest display among Google's recent releases, and the 6.2-inch OLED panel is plenty colorful.

It's the cameras that ultimately are the reason to pick up a Pixel, and the Pixel 4a 5G can match the Pixel 5 shot for shot. (Not surprising since they use the same hardware and support the same features.) The Pixel 4a 5G gives you an affordable way to get started with the 5G future.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/2KMUuSv


8. OnePlus Nord N10 5G

One of the best Android phone values


Display: 6.49-inch OLED (2400x1080) | Android version: 10 with Oxygen OS | CPU: Snapdragon 690 | RAM: 6GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB / Yes | Rear camera: 64MP main (f/1.8); 8MP ultrawide (f/2.25); macro lens; monochrome lens | Front camera: 16MP (ƒ/2.05) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 11:48

We were impressed by the OnePlus Nord when that midrange phone debuted earlier this year, delivering premium features we’d expect to see in more expensive handsets. We were less impressed by OnePlus’ plan not to release the phone outside of Europe and India. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G isn’t going to repeat that decision, as it heads to the U.S. after a UK launch in November.

The specs aren’t as impressive as they were on the original Nord, but you’ll still get some premium features like a display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 5G support, all in a phone that costs £329. (We’re waiting to find out the U.S. price.) The Nord N10 5G delivers solid performance, especially when it comes to battery life. This is a good 5G phone to consider if you don’t want to pay a lot for your next phone.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/2V832W7


9. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

The best Android phone that's also foldable

Display: 7.6-inch OLED (2208x1768) main; 6.2-inch OLED (2260x816) cover | Android Version: 10 with OneUI 2.5 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus | RAM: 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 256GB / No | Rear camera: 12MP wide (ƒ/1.8); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 12MP telephoto (ƒ/2.4) | Front camera: 10MP (ƒ/2.2) cover; 10MP (ƒ/2.2) main display | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:10

It didn’t look good for foldable phones at the outset, with the original Galaxy Fold offering a futuristic concept of mobile computing in a seriously flawed and damage-prone package. But then Samsung went back to the drawing board, refining its original design to produce the Galaxy Z Fold 2 — a device that rights its predecessors flaws, while adding some useful new features.

One of those useful additions is Flex Mode, which leverages the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s free-stop hinge to allow the device to stay in place at any position, while showing custom, split-screen controls for relevant apps, like video chatting software. But the Z Fold 2 nails the basics as well, thanks to a greatly-expanded exterior cover display that lacks the eyesore bezels on the original model, as well as a larger interior panel shrouded in Samsung’s Ultra-Thin Glass, making it more durable and pleasant to the touch.

All this innovation comes at a price of course — $1,999, to be precise. But then there’s no Android phone that can do what the Galaxy Z Fold 2 does, perched perfectly between phone and tablet.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/36cPajG


10. OnePlus 8T

The iPhone 11 of Android phones

Display: 6.55-inch OLED (2400x1080; 120Hz) | Android version: 11 with Oxygen OS | CPU: Snapdragon 865 | RAM: 8GB, 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No | Rear camera: 48MP wide (ƒ/1.7); 16MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 5MP macro; 2MP depth | Front camera: 16MP (ƒ/2.4) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:53

The $749 OnePlus 8T has gains the OnePlus 8 Pro's 120Hz display, as well as faster 65-watt charging. OnePlus' latest Warp Charging system is enough to get the company's latest handset to 93% in just a half hour, which makes this the fastest-charging phone we have ever tested. The OnePlus 8T is also the first Android phone this side of Google's Pixels to launch with Android 11, which is a praiseworthy achievement indeed.

OnePlus guarantees three years of software updates for its phones, which is slowly becoming the standard on Android, especially since Samsung joined Google in making that commitment this year. However, OnePlus' phones also benefit from their own bespoke front-end, called Oxygen OS, which adds a unique design and a number of extra features to Google's platform, like an eye-care Reading Mode and a range of customizable always-on display options. We do wish the OnePlus 8T's quad-lens camera system was better, but overall, this is still an impressive phone for the price.

Buy on Amazon now - https://amzn.to/3mdzuCf

How to choose the best Android phone for you

The first place to start when shopping for the best Android phone for you is your budget. And there are essentially a few tiers, The cheapest Android phones cost under $200 and offer mostly the basics for using apps, taking pictures and staying connected. 

As you move up to under $400, you'll find more compelling handsets, touting better processors, higher-grade materials and more camera lenses. Progress into the $700-and-up range, and the best phones offer flagship-caliber performance along with cutting-edge computational photography and special features.

The most premium Android phones offer foldable designs, but in general we don't feel like these types of devices are worth the splurge yet — save, perhaps, for the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, which rights the Galaxy Fold's design quirks and isn't egregiously expensive (for a foldable, anyway) at $1,380.

How we test smartphones

Every smartphone Tom’s Guide evaluates is tested for several days in real-world use cases and benchmarked with a gamut of performance-measuring apps. In terms of performance, we used Geekbench 5 to measure overall speed and 3DMark to measure graphics performance.

We also use our own video editing test in the Adobe Premiere Rush app to see how long it takes to transcode a clip, which we run on both Android phones and iPhone to compare performance.

We use a light meter to ascertain display quality data, like brightness and color accuracy, and our proprietary battery test determines longevity on a charge by continuously loading live webpages over a 4G or 5G network. We set each phone to 150 nits of screen brightness and try to use T-Mobile's network each time in order to achieve comparable results across phones.

Lastly, we explore the software, test gaming performance and conduct live camera comparisons with rival handsets — and each of these factors play a part in our comprehensive verdict.








Comments