Other phones to consider
We test a lot of Android phones. We like the options below, but one of the options above might be a better fit for you. If you haven’t done so yet, check out our best cheap phones and best folding phones guides for more details.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold for $1,799: I think Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7 is the best folding phone designed like a book in 2025, but if you prefer Google’s Pixel phones, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold (7/10, Wired Review) isn’t a bad option. It’s nowhere near as thin, but it does It has Qi2 magnets built-in, which means you can magnetically attach it to various magnetic accessories, like a car dock, phone charger, or attach a magnetic wallet or power bank to the phone. It is one of the only folding phones with an IP68 dust and water-resistance rating for peace of mind. The screens look great, the battery life is great and the camera system is reliable. It’s easy to get into split-screen mode, but I think Google could do more to improve the multitasking experience.
Google Pixel 9 series at $545+: The Pixel 9 series from 2024 (9/10, Wired Recommends) are still a great buy if you can find them on sale. The Pixel 9 is similar to the Pixel 9a but with better build quality and a larger camera sensor. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL have a 5X optical camera and vapor chamber cooling, among other features. The main thing is to make sure you avoid paying MSRP. These often drop in price during sale events, and now, as the stock is cleared, you can probably get a great deal if you hang on.
OnePlus 13 for $900: If you can find the OnePlus 13 or OnePlus 13R (8/10, Wired Recommends) on sale, they’re still good buys (just not at MSRP right now, because the OnePlus 15 is here). The OnePlus 13 offers excellent performance, super-fast charging, great battery life, and a great design, while the OnePlus 13R skimps on some specs for the cheaper price.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 for $1,100: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip7 (7/10, Wired Recommends) got some great upgrades over its predecessor, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone the Razer Ultra 2025 as my top flip phone. Still, it’s worth considering if you’re shopping for a folding phone in this category, as the cameras are solid, the displays are excellent and larger than ever, and the cover screen is a bit more useful (though not as versatile as Motorola’s phones). Battery life is even worse here than on the Fold7, so carry a power bank with you while you’re there.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for $900: Samsung’s latest invention is to slim the smartphone to an astonishing 5.8mm. It’s not as impressive as phones of the past, but the Galaxy S25 Edge (6/10, Wired Recommended) is still impressive when you hold this lightweight 6.7-inch phone in your hand. It retains many of the features of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, except there’s no S Pen stylus, no telephoto camera, and the battery life isn’t at all good for a phone of this size and price. I regularly had to keep it topped up throughout the day. But if you’re a lighter than average user, you might find it sufficient, and perhaps you’ll appreciate the thin and light size even more.
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Nothing Phone (3A) for $379 and Phone (3A) Pro for $459: Here is another great smartphone that does not cost too much. The Nothing Phone (3A) and the Phone (3A) Pro (8/10, Wired recommended) are Android phones under $500, and they’re both great. They are identical in every way except the camera, where the Pro model has a slight advantage in zoom and low-light capabilities. I think the phone (3A) looks better and is priced better. Take a look at the specifications list and you’ll be hard-pressed to find fault with the hardware. The display is surprisingly smooth with a 120-Hz refresh rate, and there’s no problem viewing it in sunlight. Performance is fast, battery life is reliable, and camera quality is good value for the money. There are a few drawbacks—these phones are only IP64-rated, so don’t drop them in the pool. There is no wireless charging, and connectivity is also not seamless. Although it will work best on T-Mobile, you’ll only get 4G on Verizon and AT&T unless you ask the carrier to whitelist the device for 5G access. This process will definitely be frustrating.
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Motorola Moto G Power 2025 for $250: The new Moto G Power (7/10, Wired recommends) isn’t quite as great as its predecessor, and there’s a reason for that: due to the lesser chipset, performance has suffered a bit, and it feels a little more sluggish to use. However, the performance is so good that you won’t feel disappointed. Other than that, it’s a remarkable sub-$300 phone. The green faux leather back feels luxurious, and it’s nice and thin. The cameras are solid, and the 6.8-inch LCD screen has a 120-Hz screen refresh rate and is plenty bright. Best of all, the company retained the wireless charging it introduced in last year’s model, making it one of the only phones priced under $300 with this feature. Another area of improvement? It’s IP68/69-rated, so you won’t need to keep this phone near the pool; It can handle a dip just fine. Motorola has also increased software updates on the Moto G series, promising two Android OS upgrades along with three years of security updates. There is a fair amount of bloatware, but you can remove most of these preinstalled apps.
Minimum phone under $450: Are you having trouble curbing your screen time? Instead of going cold turkey with something like the Lite Phone III, try the Minimal Phone (6/10, Wired review). It is an e-paper Android phone with a physical keyboard. The goal is to let you access normal Android apps, but because the screen is unsuitable for video and most social media, you’ll naturally be able to avoid those distractions. It succeeds at this task, but the constant screen ghosting and plasticky build let the experience down.
Mobile Accessories You May Need
We have case recommendations for some popular devices like Samsung’s Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S23, or Google’s Pixel 10 series. It’s smart to put a case and even a screen protector on these glass sandwiches to keep the display free from abrasion and scratches. Here are some other notable accessories, including charging adapters, that are no longer included with many phones. Read our best USB-C cables guide for other recommendations.
Nomad 65W Slim Power Adapter for $55: There are plenty of great options if you want a cheap, small charger these days, but why not spend a little more for something versatile? This ultra-slim charger from Nomad is easy to travel with, especially thanks to its folding prongs, and it has enough power to recharge a MacBook, let alone your phone. There are two USB-C ports to boot.
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Equivalent retractable charger for $44: It’s not the best value, but this design-forward charger has a retractable 4-foot cable that makes it a great two-in-one – no need to pack a separate charger and cable! It puts out 35 watts of output, which is enough to fast charge most phones and tablets, and the prongs fold up for travel.
Peak Design Samsung and Pixel Everyday Case for $50: If you have a Samsung or Pixel phone and you frequently mount your phone on a bike or scooter, this case and Peak Design’s bike mount is yours to stop. The case fits perfectly into the mount, it’s very easy to drop, and even after years of riding it has yet to fall off. Peak Design also sells a number of other accessories that you can add to the back of these cases, bringing Android into Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.
Nimble Champ Portable Charger 10,000 mAh for $48: This portable battery is small enough to keep in a bag but has enough power to fully recharge your phone once or twice. There is a USB-C and USB-A port; It provides 18 watts of power, so it can recharge your tablet or phone, and it’s housed in plastic-free packaging with 73 percent post-consumer plastic.
Nomad ChargeKey V2 for $29: When your phone dies, it almost always happens that you forgot to bring a charger or battery pack. The ChargeKey is a great solution – it’s like clipping a tiny USB-C charging cable to your key chain. Simply plug one end into your phone and the other end into any type of power source (a friend’s phone or a charging adapter if you can find one), and you’re good to top up your phone. Native Union also has a similar item that is more attractive but almost as capable.
Select Wireless Charger: Our guide to the best wireless chargers includes dozens of models in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials, and some are even designed for specific phones. Not every Android phone supports wireless charging, but it’s a luxury you’ll want to take advantage of. Take a look at our guide to our favourites.
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