A great Android phone should have high-quality cameras, long battery life and a long commitment to software and security updates.

Starting with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 to Google’s Pixel 9, there are many fantastic Android phones to choose from. CNET is here to help you find the best Android phone for you.

Best Android phone for most people: Samsung Galaxy S25

The Samsung Galaxy S25’s biggest flex is that it shares many of the same attributes as its pricier counterparts, the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra — but it does so for several hundred dollars less, starting at $799.99. You’ll find features like the AI Select tool, Audio Eraser and deeper Gemini integration across all of Samsung’s S25 devices, as well as a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB RAM, making the smaller phone of the bunch still seem mighty.

And while the Galaxy S25 might look incredibly similar to the S24 and share many of the same specs, consistency isn’t so bad when it means there’s a consistently good camera and great battery life.

Pros

Camera consistently delivers good images

Impressive battery life

More AI features feel practical

Cons

Several gimmicky AI features

Not many changes over the S24

Best phone for Android purists: Google Pixel 9

There’s a lot to like about the Google Pixel 9, from its respectable camera to its classy new design and lengthy 7-year timeline for software updates. Google’s phones have always shined for their clean, slick software, and that once again applies to the Pixel 9 series. Pixels are also among the first to get new software updates, making them an ideal choice for those who want to get their hands on the latest version of Android first. Aside from Android updates, Google also brings new features to Pixel phones throughout the year through updates it calls Feature Drops.

The Pixel 9 comes with a few new AI tricks that you may find useful, like the ability to search for content in screenshots, generate images from scratch in the Pixel Studio app and add new objects in photos. These features aren’t must-haves, and they’re not without flaws. Plus, at a starting price of $799, the Pixel 9 has a higher bar to live up to. But the Pixel 9 feels like it belongs in that class of device.

Pros

Beautiful design

Fun and somewhat useful AI features

Better ultrawide camera

7 years of software updates

Cons

More expensive

Doesn’t feel that different from Pixel 8

Best Android phone under $500: Google Pixel 8A

The Google Pixel 8A is so good it makes the regular Pixel 8 almost feel irrelevant. It shares so much in common with its pricier sibling, from its selection of AI-powered features like Circle to Search to its cool aesthetic and powerful Tensor G3 processor, that it’s hard to see why anyone would buy the Pixel 8 instead.

The Pixel 8 does offer a marginally better camera system, a slightly larger screen and the ability to charge other phones and accessories wirelessly on the back of the device. Those features don’t feel significant enough to impact the buying decision for most people. The Pixel 8A raises the bar for what a $500 phone should be. That also means I’ll be expecting more from the Pixel 9 this fall.

Pros

Great camera

7 years of software updates

Many of the same features as the Pixel 8

Good battery life

Cons

256GB storage not available on all models

Zoomed and low light shots aren’t as clear as the Pixel 8’s

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