In the world of smartphones, Android still reigns supreme; with over 2.5 billion active users worldwide, the mobile OS remains the most popular in the world today. As such, the battle for the best Android phone is cut-throat, with manufacturers competing closely with each other for the top spot.
That said, the best Android phone isn’t necessarily the one with the most features or the fattest price tag. Instead, the Android smartphone you should look for is the one best suited for your personal use.
Some phones fit the bill better than others, which is why we have put together the best Android phones you can buy in 2021 according to each category.
So keep on reading to find out what Android phone is the best one for you to buy this year!
Best Android Phones Across Each Category
Like we said, each Android smartphone has its strengths and weaknesses across several categories. Therefore, we will list each model below according to its respective category and order it by price. Note that this list is by no means exhaustive.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: Best Foldable Android Phone
Key Features:
- 10 MP front camera
- 12 MP + 12 MP rear camera
- 256/512 GB storage
- 12 GB RAM
- 3,300mAh battery
- Snapdragon 888 CPU
- S-Pen stylus support
Price: $1,800 (256 GB), $1,900 (512 GB)
Some may argue that foldable smartphones are still a fringe concept, having more novelty value than practical use. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, however, may be an exception to that rule.
Offering the large screen size of note smartphones and phablets folded into the dimensions of a regular-sized smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 provides a good balance between aesthetic appeal and practicality.
The iconic S Pen stylus comes bundled with this phone and is a treat to use. The screen is resistant to wear and tear, even after extensively using the S-Pen on it. The phone also has a massive storage space of up to 512 GB, although the battery life isn’t the best out there.
Although foldable smartphones may not be for everyone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 makes our list as the best foldable smartphone that money can buy.
OnePlus 9 (Pro): Best Ultra-Wide Camera Android Phone
Key Features:
- 16 MP front camera
- 48MP + 50MP + 8MP + 2MP rear camera
- 128/256 GB storage
- 8/12 GB RAM
- 4,500mAh battery
- Snapdragon 888 CPU
Price: $729.99 (Base model), $969.99 (Pro model)
The OnePlus Nine continues to carry the company’s legacy forward as a top-of-the-line smartphone manufacturer. The phone comes with a sleek metal and glass finish, boasting a large 4,500mAh battery, and gives the users the option to choose between different storage and RAM sizes based on whether they select the base model or pro model.
The true strength of this phone, however, is that it’s a juggernaut of ultra-wide-angle photography. Ever since OnePlus partnered with Swedish camera manufacturer Hasselblad, its camera phones have gone from mediocre to state-of-the-art.
One look at the OnePlus Nine’s cameras is enough to see why it’s so powerful for photography; a series of multiple rear cameras working in parallel, as well as a 16-megapixel front camera for crisp and clear selfies, give the phone a decisive edge when it comes to photography.
So if you’re looking for the best Android phone for ultra-wide angle photography, look no further than the OnePlus 9.
Google Pixel 5a With 5G: Best Mid-range Android Phone
Key Features:
- 8 MP front camera
- 12.2MP + 16MP rear camera
- 128GB storage
- 6 GB RAM
- 4,685mAh battery
- Snapdragon 765G CPU
- 5G support
Price: $449.00
If flagship phones seem a bit out of your range, the Google Pixel 5a with 5G is a great mid-range phone that doesn’t compromise too much on features.
The 4,685 mAh battery is the Pixel’s largest yet, offering about 12 hours of use. This battery life is enough to get a full day of use out of the Google Pixel 5a, provided you don’t use it for heavy tasks such as multimedia streaming.
A slight drawback is the 128 GB storage, which some users may find insufficient for their needs. Unfortunately, there is no microSD slot on the phone for external storage.
However, the phone makes up for the limited storage by offering 5G support right out of the box. So if you find your files and data are too large to store on the device, blazing-fast 5G speeds can help you use cloud storage seamlessly.
Given all the features and the modest price tag of $449.00, the Google Pixel 5a is probably the best Android phone you can get in the mid-range phone market.
OnePlus Nord N100: Best Budget Android Phone
Key Features:
- 8 MP front camera
- 13MP + 2MP + 2MP rear camera
- 64GB storage
- 4 GB RAM
- 5,000 mAh battery
- Snapdragon 460 CPU
- Micro SD card slot
Price: $179.99
Look, we get it; not everyone can shell a grand or half to buy a smartphone. But, worry not, dear reader, there’s an Android phone you can buy without breaking the bank: the OnePlus Nord N100.
Given the price, the OnePlus Nord N100 still boasts impressive specs. A 5,000 mAh battery provides a whopping 15 hours of battery life. In addition, the phone still has remarkable front and back cameras; the triple-rear camera, in particular, is a bargain in this price range.
Additionally, the OnePlus Nord N100 offers 64GB of storage right out the box, which users can later expand with a micro SD card. The only drawback, in our opinion, is the 4GB RAM, which might not be enough for some users. But as the saying goes: you get what you pay for.
Priced at only $179.99, the OnePlus Nord N100 is, in our opinion, the best Android phone you can buy on a budget.
Conclusion
Android phones are a dime a dozen on the smartphone market in 2021, making it difficult to compare models and choose the best Android phones.
To make your search for a perfect Android phone a little bit easier, we recommend you look for the phone that suits your best rather than go for the most expensive phone with the highest specs.
Just remember: at the end of the day, the user must be smarter than the phone, so let the buyer beware!