Best Android Phones 2018
Android has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, with each new release cycle seeing the release of increasingly impressive and competitively priced Google-phones.
This doesn’t look set to change in 2018, which has already seen numerous great looking mid-range phones including the Galaxy A8 from Samsung and Sony’s Xperia L2, Xperia XA2 and Xperia XA2 Ultra trio hit the scene.
Which is why, even if you’re a die hard Apple fan, or just looking to upgrade an old handset, an Android phone may be the next item on your shopping list. But with so many Android phones to pick from, knowing which is best can be a daunting task for even the most tech savvy of buyers.
Here to help we’ve created a definitive list detailing the best Android phones on the market.
Here to help we’ve created a definitive list detailing the best Android phones on the market.
Android has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, with each new release cycle seeing the release of increasingly impressive and competitively priced Google-phones.
This doesn’t look set to change in 2018, which has already seen numerous great looking mid-range phones including the Galaxy A8 from Samsung and Sony’s Xperia L2, Xperia XA2 and Xperia XA2 Ultra trio hit the scene.
Which is why, even if you’re a die hard Apple fan, or just looking to upgrade an old handset, an Android phone may be the next item on your shopping list. But with so many Android phones to pick from, knowing which is best can be a daunting task for even the most tech savvy of buyers.
Here to help we’ve created a definitive list detailing the best Android phones on the market.
Here to help we’ve created a definitive list detailing the best Android phones on the market.
HTC U11+
1 of 10
Key features
- 6-inch quad-HD+ LCD screen
- 12-megapixel “UltraPixel” camera w/ OIS
- USB-C
- 3930mAh battery
- Review price: £699.99
The U11+ is a spruced-up version of HTC’s older U11, which is no bad thing. Featuring a refined, near-bezel-less design, improved screen, larger battery and running Google’s latest Android 8.0 Oreo software, the U11+ is a fantastic choice for any smartphone buyer.
It’s also got one of the cleanest Android skins you’ll find. HTC’s Sense skin has long been one of our favorites, thanks to HTC’s wise decision not to load it with any duplicate applications. The end result is a UI that, outside of the addition of HTC’s Blinkfeed notifications service, is as close to native Android as you’ll find on a device that isn’t part of Google’s own Pixel range.
Add its Hi-Res Audio support and wonderfully clear omnidirectional mics to the mix and the U11+ justifiably earns its place as one of the best Android phones currently available.
Razer Phone
2 of 10
Key features
- 5.5-inch 1080p 120Hz display
- 8GB RAM
- Snapdragon 835
- 12-megapixel
- Review price: £699
Despite Trusted Reviews going on about the benefits of using a close-to-unskinned Android OS for over half a decade, most big-name companies still insist on using custom skins.
Which is why we’re over the moon to see that Razer takes a refreshingly light touch with its first smartphone.
Described by Razer as “the first phone made by gamers for gamers,” the Razer Phone runs a close to untouched version of Android Nougat; an Oreo update is confirmed for Q1 this year.
Running a pristine version of Nova Launcher Prime, the handset is pleasingly free of bloatware – and what little changes Razer has made are generally to the device’s benefits.
Highlights include improved display setting options designed to help you take advantage of the Razer Phone’s super-swish variable refresh rate display, and a booster mode that lets you increase the frame rate for specific apps.
This, plus the Razer Phone’s super-slick hardware and best-in-class speakers, make this one of the best Android phones available.
OnePlus 5T
3 of 10
Key features
- 6.01-inch OLED display
- Face Unlock
- 6/8GB RAM and 64/128GB storage
- Snapdragon 835
- 2 x 12-megapixel f/1.7 cameras
- Review price: £449
OnePlus has already superseded its mid-2017 flagship with the OnePlus 5T, and it will annoy those who recently picked up a OnePlus 5.
For everyone else, though, the 5T is a great device. Its new 18:9 6-inch OLED display is gorgeous – a real standout feature. The Snapdragon 835 and 6/8GB of RAM remains a potent combo, and there’s plenty of storage on offer too.
We’d have liked to see a bigger battery and better rear camera – but at least the latter is slightly better at capturing shots in the dark, thanks to the new dedicated 20-megapixel low-light sensor.
The OnePlus 5T ships with Android 7 – an update to Oreo was released but pulled shortly after – but it isn’t short of some nifty tricks, such as a fantastic reading mode and a surprisingly fast face unlock.
Huawei Mate 10 Pro
4 of 10
Key features
- 6.0-inch OLED display
- EMUI and Android Oreo
- 6GB RAM and 128GB storage
- IP67 rating
- Review price: £799
Huawei’s phones have improved dramatically over the past few years, and the Mate 10 Pro is the culmination of its efforts.
This is a huge flagship with serious power, a great camera and a lovely OLED screen. It’s a shame that Huawei’s software is still one of its weaker points, even with such a focus on AI intelligence. A lot of this AI power comes from the Kirin 970 CPU, which is Huawei’s fastest and most efficient chip yet.
The f/1.7 aperture rear camera takes excellent low-light shots, and the camera app provides great freedom to alter your shots by offering numerous modes. You can also shoot pictures in pure monochrome, if you’re a fan of that retro look.
There’s no headphone jack – you’ll have to use the dongle or included USB-C headphones – and the device is rated IP67 for water-resistance.
LG V30
5 of 10
Key features:
- 6-inch, quad-HD OLED display
- Minimal bezel
- 64GB internal storage
- Snapdragon 8 CPU and 4GB RAM
- Review price: £799.99
LG has finally made a great flagship phone, free of silly gimmicks and leather-clad backs last year.
The V30 stands out as a result of its 18:9 display, which crams a quad-HD 6-inch OLED panel inside a much smaller body than you’d expect. LG’s OLEDs still need some work, though, and they lack the contrast of those made by Samsung.
Inside is a Snapdragon 835 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage and a big battery. None of these components are groundbreaking, but they’ll comfortably get the job done.
Like the G6, there are two cameras on the back. One is your standard 16-megapixel sensor, while the offer takes wide-angle shots, ideal for landscape photos. It’s a good camera and it offers some impressive video recording options, too.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
6 of 10
Key features
- Snapdragon 835
- Generous 6GB RAM
- 6.3-inch quad-HD display
- 64GB and microSD expansion
- Dual 12-megapixel camera
- Review price: £869.99
Following the failure that was the Note 7, Samsung had much at stake with the Note 8. Thankfully, the device is more than up to the job. This is a stunningly beautiful, achingly fast phone that ticks all the boxes.
The big updates from the S8 include a secondary telephoto 12-megapixel camera for zoomed shots and a portrait mode, plus the useful S Pen for doodling and notes.
The Infinity Display is simply stunning; the processor is fast; and Samsung’s software is the best it has been.
Our only quibble? Battery life could be better.
Samsung Galaxy S8
7 of 10
Key features:
- 5.8-inch, quad-HD display
- 12-megapixel camera w/ OIS
- Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835
- 4GB RAM
- Review price: £689
The stunning Samsung Galaxy S8 is the best phone you can buy right now. It has a fantastic HDR quad-HD+ 5.8-inch display with almost no bezel surround, and a sleek metal and glass design that’s curvy in all the right places.
It’s fast, too – obviously – and retains handy features such as an IP68 water-resistance rating, Qi wireless charging and a microSD card slot.
The 12-megapixel camera doesn’t have dual lenses, but it’s still one of the best out there. The 3000mAh battery is again great, although you’re still likely to need to charge the S8 every night.
Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
8 of 10
Key features:
- 5-inch, 1080 display
- 12-megapixel camera
- 64GB internal storage
- Snapdragon 835 CPU and 4GB RAM
- IP67 rating
- Active Edge
- Review price: £629
Google’s second wave of Pixel phones are damn good. The Pixel 2 is compact device offering up plenty of power, an excellent camera and clean software.
The least surprising feature here is the excellent camera, which surpasses the Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8. It’s a 12-megapixel sensor, with OIS, which captures stunning snaps in any light. 4K video looks great too, as do selfies.
The device is fast, too, thanks to the combination of speedy Snapdragon 835 CPU, 4GB of RAM and software built by Google.
Android has never looked so good, and the neat tricks Google has added simply make it even better. You can squeeze the sides to bring up the Assistant and Lens can identify what’s in your photos. A 2700mAh battery lasts the day, while charging is snappy.
It’s IP67 water-resistant, which is great, but there’s no headphone jack. It also look, well, a little dull. That huge bezel might hide stereo speakers, but it still looks like its from 2015.
Huawei P10 Plus
9 of 10
Key features:
- 5.7-inch, quad-HD display
- 12-megapixel Leica camera
- 128GB internal storage and microSD expansion
- 6GB RAM
- Review price: £649
Huawei’s constant improvement over the past few years has resulted in its best phone to date. The P10 Plus might look a lot like an iPhone 7, but that only means it’s a very good-looking device indeed.
It has a fast Kirin 960 CPU, 6GB of RAM and a whopping 128GB of internal storage. The display measures 5.7 inches, packs a quad-HD resolution and looks great.
The camera is good, too – actually, all three of them are. The two on the back are engineered by Leica and boast 12 megapixels and an f/1.7 aperture. And the front-facing 8-megapixel selfie shooter packs in a clever wide mode, allowing you to fit all your friends in the frame.
Tucked inside is a 3750mAh battery, which will easily get you through the day.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2
10 of 10
Key features:
- 5.99-inch, 1080p display
- 12-megapixel camera
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 6GB RAM
- 64GB storage, 3400mAh battery
- Review price: £440
The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is a veritable bargain if you’re looking for flagship performance and design at a mid-range price point. Like many of its more expensive rivals, it has an eye-catching bezel-free design, maximising its display size.
It feels great in your hands as it’s constructed from some premium materials including metal for the chassis and ceramic for the back.
The display is a massive 5.99 inches leaving you plenty of space for movie watching and your apps. Inside is the very capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 paired with a generous 6GB of RAM. There’s 64GB of onboard storage, too.
Round back is a 12-megapixel camera with 4-axis optical image stabilisation to keep your photos looking sharp. There’s a decently-sized 3400mAh battery that’ll get you through the day without any issues, and then there’s Quick Charge 3.0 to top you up rapidly.
All in all, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is difficult to beat for the money.
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