The best Android phones on the market
Often people think there are just a couple of smartphone brands on the market to choose from, when in fact that couldn't be further from the truth. While Samsung and Apple dominate the top end of the overall smartphone market, there are a lot of options to choose from at almost every price point.
Android phones dominate the market, with an estimated 56 per cent of all Australian smartphones being Android according to the Telsyte report into the market as of the first half of 2022.
So, making the choice to buy a new phone means weighing up all the options and if you're going Android there are a lot of options. Of course, for those looking for an iPhone, there's only one brand but several options.
READ MORE: The top iPhones to buy out of Apple's bunch
What to look for when buying an Android Phone
It's important to know that "Android" is a phone operating system essentially created by Google to rival Apple's iOS and it's been adopted by everyone but Apple since then.
However, when you turn on three different phones from three different companies, even if they're all running Android, you're going to get three different user interfaces.
Each company can add a "layer" to Android which personalises almost every aspect of the system. From the app icons, to the settings layout and even how the home screen looks.
But don't let that put you off switching phones or brands. Once you get past the cosmetic changes they operate very similarly.
Pick a phone based on features. How big do you want the screen to be? How important is the quality of the cameras? What will you be doing on the phone?
With all that in mind, you'll have a great chance to not only find a great phone but potentially save a lot of money.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, 256GB
Price: $1,499 (was $1,999)
Screen size: 6.8 inches
Weight: 228g
Battery: 5000mAh
Cameras: Quad rear plus selfie
The reigning title holder when it comes to Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra takes everything Samsung has learned about smartphones over many years and puts it all into one device.
A huge screen for those that want it all in one view, the Ultra takes Plus to a new level. Not just because it's a stunning screen with great brightness, an always-on display and fast refresh rate, but because a big screen means more room underneath for a big battery and then some.
And that "something extra" here is the S-Pen. Inserted into the phone, just like the previous sister generation Note series, this makes the S22 Ultra great for those note takers and sketchers among us.
Combine all that with simply the greatest camera system Samsung has produced and you're on a winner. 100 times 'space zoom' is something that no other smartphone has come close to and probably won't for some time, if at all.
This is a big unit, but for those that want it all, it's a winner.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G, 512GB
Price: $2,399 (was $2,699)
Screen size: 6.2-inches cover, 7.6-inches inside unfolded
Weight: 263g
Battery: 4400mAh
Cameras: Triple rear plus under screen selfie
If you're looking for the most innovative Android phone on the market look no further than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. This is a refined masterpiece from Samsung, having gathered a strong loyal fan-base with the early models, the 4th generation really takes it to the next level with a refined hinge mechanism and ever so slightly smaller bezels around the screens.
It's a whole new concept for a smartphone. Thick when folded closed, but still fully functional with a full smartphone display on the cover. Full high-end camera system on the back which can be used when the phone is closed or open.
Open it up and whatever you're doing on the outside transfers to a bigger screen in the middle, larger screen, more work space, even the potential to split the screen and launch multiple apps.
It's not for everyone, but if you're a screen junkee this could be a game-changer.
This is a big unit, but for those that want it all, it's a winner.
Google Pixel 6a 128GB
Price: $568
Screen size: 6.1 inches
Weight: 178g
Battery: 4306mAh
Cameras: Dual rear plus selfie
For well under half the price of the Samsung you can get a "vanilla" Android experience. That's what we call it when Android is exactly as Google intended it, without those layers of customisation by the phone brand. Given this is a Google phone, you'd expect it to be vanilla.
The Pixel series phones are sleek designs with a simplistic but strong and powerful Android experience.
Exceptional battery life is a must-have here, while the software features like Google's Magic Eraser make photo editing a blast.
Speaking of which, while it only has a dual camera don't let that put you off its capabilities. Google has always had a magic touch with cameras producing really beautiful photographic results.
The Pixel lacks the zoom of other brands but makes up for it as an all-rounder. At the price of the Pixel 6a, it's hard not to see this as the bang-for-your-buck best Android phone out there.
It's the first example for me of an important question everyone should ask: "Why am I spending so much on smartphones over $1000?"
Oppo Reno 8 Lite
Price: $579
Screen size: 6.43 inches
Weight: 173g
Battery: 4500mAh
Cameras: Triple lens plus selfie
Staggering to me that more people aren't jumping onto phones like this Oppo Reno 8 Lite. It's got a 6.43-inch screen with a hole-punch selfie camera, nice squared edges and a very thin 7.2mm profile including a minimal camera 'island'.
On top of that the rear design is a unique 'rough' look that's smooth to the touch, and it comes in a black or rainbow finish. Honestly, one of the better looking smartphones on the market.
If you're carrying data on a MicroSD card, this one can take those up to 1TB in size so no data storage issues here!
It's the first example for me of an important question everyone should ask: "Why am I spending so much on smartphones over $1000?" Big savings out there if you're willing.
Oppo A74 128GB
Price: From $362.76
Screen size: 6.43 inches
Weight: 190g
Battery: 5,000mAh
Cameras: Triple lens plus selfie
I'd hazard a guess most people would be blown away by what a sub-$400 phone looks like. The Oppo A74 is an example of that. Sleek design, but importantly an all-screen front body.
The selfie-camera on the Oppo A74 is a 'hole punch' design meaning it's a circle cut out of the screen for the camera to operate through.
Looks the goods, and delivers too.
At this price, it's possible the Oppo A74 and its sibling models are one of the better options for converting from iPhone for those who've been hanging onto a much older phone.
Oppo's take on Android is much more like Apple's iOS than any other, making the adjustment process smoother. That said it still has the full Android capabilities and power.
I'd hazard a guess most people would be blown away by what a sub-$400 phone looks like.
TCL 10 Pro
Price: $354.90
Screen size: 6.47 inches
Weight: 177g
Battery: 4500mAh
Cameras: 64MP quad-camera system
TCL manage to do a couple of things really, really well here. One is their screen, and the other is design along with great camera capabilities.
For the price, it's quite a remarkable unit.
The camera array on the rear of the phone is sleek and flush with the body, unlike almost every other brand with their camera islands. And it's a quad-camera system too. That means great macro photos, wide angle and standard shots.
All photos are brought to life on the NXTVision screen, which replicates real-world colour in a brilliant display.
It's got a big screen, a great battery life well into the second day, and takes great photos. The TCL 10 Pro is a great example of wondering just why you're spending more than this...
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