You're after the best Android phones available in 2019, and we're happy to oblige: here we've picked out the very top handsets money can buy at the moment, including phones from the likes of Samsung, Google and Huawei.
The best Android phone of 2019 isn't necessarily going to be the same for everyone of course, and with that in mind we've covered a range of different phone makers, prices, features and sizes. Whatever you're looking for, you should find something of interest here.
Ready to discover the best Android phones money can buy in 2019? Let's dive in!
THE BEST ANDROID PHONES OF 2019: GET THE BEST ANDROID SMARTPHONE FOR YOU
Pick up the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus for one of the best phones running Android there is in 2019.
1. SAMSUNG GALAXY S10 PLUS
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 175g
Dimensions: 74.1 x 157.6 x 7.8mm
OS: Android 9.0 (Pie)
Screen size: 6.4-inches
Resolution: QHD+
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,100mAh
Rear camera: Triple 16MP Ultra Wide-Angle + 12MP Dual Aperture + 12MP Telephoto
Front camera: 10MP + 8MP Depth Sensor
REASONS TO BUY
+Expansive 6.4-Inch Quad HD+ AMOLED+Up to 1.5TB storage via MicroSD card+Awesome Live Focus images from front-facing camera
REASONS TO AVOID
-Can cost up to £1,399-Infinity-O design is a little unsightly
If you're looking for the best Android smartphone money can buy, stop reading and buy the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus. Simply put, this is the fastest, most feature-packed and refined Galaxy smartphone Samsung has ever built.
The Galaxy S10 Plus is the first handset to employ its all-new Infinity-O design with an AMOLED panel. And what an AMOLED panel it is! The screen is staggeringly good, with gorgeous colours and cavernous blacks. The Infinity-O design, which relocates the front-facing camera to a pill-shaped cut-out in the top right-hand corner of the display, has allowed Samsung to fit the S10 Plus with an expansive 6.4-inch AMOLED panel – that's the same size as the Galaxy Note 9 – while simultaneously shrinking the physical size of the handset compared to the 6.2-inch Galaxy S9 Plus from last year.
Elsewhere, there are dual-selfie cameras to enable Live Focus photos packed with bokeh-style blur, a new ultra-wide angle camera in the rear-mounted triple-camera, and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner that works with wet hands.
Finally, the new One UI operating system, which is based on Android Pie, is infinitely better than anything from the likes of Huawei, LG or Sony. One UI has been designed from the ground-up to acknowledge that while we all want massive screens on our phones, massive smartphones are reallyannoying to use, especially one-handed while squished into the train carriage during a morning commute. To solve this headache, One UI shifts all the elements of the user interface that you’ll actually need to tap into the lower-third of the touchscreen where they are within easy reach.
Of course, there are some nitpicks with this flagship phone – which we cover extensively in our Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review, but none of these stop this from becoming our new go-to recommendation for anyone who wants the best Android handset around.
The Huawei P30 Pro's camera system is simply superb.
2. HUAWEI P30 PRO
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 192g
Dimensions: 158 x 73.4 x 8.4mm
OS: Android 9.0 Pie
Screen size: 6.47 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels
CPU: Kirin 980
RAM: 6GB/8GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery: 4200mAh
Rear camera: 40MP f/1.6 + 20MP f/2.2 + 8MP f/3.4 + TOF 3D
Front camera: 32MP f/2.0
REASONS TO BUY
+Packed with power+Quad-lens rear camera
We really, really like what Huawei has managed to do with the Huawei P30 Pro, and it easily slides into our best Android phones of 2019 list. It makes an appearance at the expense of the P20 Pro, and builds on everything that made that 2018 handset great as well.
We're talking internal components that are enough to give it lightning-fast performance (note the Kirin 980 processor and up to 8GB of RAM), as well as a quad-lens camera capable of performing some really impressive tricks – not least a whopping 5x of optical zoom!
This being a Huawei phone, the software experience is a long way from being the best in the business. However, the excellent hardware and build quality means that the P30 Pro ends up a long way in credit when everything is considered.
The Huawei Mate 20 Pro remains a brilliant Android phone.
3. HUAWEI MATE 20 PRO
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 189g
Dimensions: 157.8 x 72.3 x 8.6 mm
OS: Android 9.0 Pie, EMUI 9.0
Screen size: 6.39 inches
Resolution: 1,440 x 3,120
CPU: Kirin 980
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,200 mAh
Rear camera: 40MP + 20MP + 8MP
Front camera: 24MP
REASONS TO BUY
+Kirin 980 is fastest CPU in the world+Leica-made camera system is fantastic+In-display fingerprint reader is amazing
REASONS TO AVOID
-Huawei P30 Pro camera is better
In our Huawei Mate 20 Pro review T3's own Robert Jones said that:
"When you've got a device that not only packs the world's fastest CPU, but also one with some genuine sit-up-and-take-notice features like a fantastically executed in-display fingerprint reader and futuristic reverse wireless charging ability, it's easy to see how the Huawei Mate 20 Pro rises above the me-too melee."
And rise above it does, with a simply stunning hardware, screen, camera and software package propelling it towards upper echelons of our best Android phone buying guide.
The 4,200 mAh battery, for example, is capacious and long-lasting, while the OLED, HDR, 19.5:9 screen is a crisp, colour-rich stunner. Three powerful camera lenses on the back (40MP + 20MP + 8MP), as well as a ridiculously potent front facing lens (24MP!), make photography pleasurable (although not quite as much as when using the P30 Pro!), while the combination of 6GB of RAM with the Kirin 980 CPU means incredibly high benchmark scores.
Oh, and the in-display fingerprint reader and reverse wireless charging capability is hat-tippingly impressive, adding genuine wow-factor to a device.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is a do-anything powerhouse.
4. SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 9
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 201g
Dimensions: 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm
OS: Android 8.1
Screen size: 6.4 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Exynos 9810 or Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6/8GB
Storage: 128/512GB
Battery: 4000mAh
Rear camera: 12 MP f/1.5-2.4 + 12MP f/2.4
Front camera: 8MP f/1.7
REASONS TO BUY
+The S Pen hits new heights+Huge, fantastic screen
REASONS TO AVOID
-Too pricey for some
Ladies and gentlemen: the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. The third of three fantastic flagship phones Samsung put out in 2018, the Note 9 excels in every department, from the quality of the components under the hood, to the fit and polish of the design, to the impressive results you can get from the dual-lens camera.
What really makes the Note 9 stand out on this best Android phones of 2019 list, though, is that superb S Pen stylus. It's been improved and upgraded this year with Bluetooth functionality, so it can now (for example) control music playback and operate the camera shutter remotely, as well as all the usual tricks.
With a screen size of 6.4 inches, and a 4000mAh battery inside, this is a phone that you can get some serious work done on. There's also some excellent audio capability packed in here, with Dolby Atmos and UHQ upscaling included. Whichever part of the Note 9 you look at, it ends up impressing.
It does have a high price attached, which is going to put some people off, and the on-board Bixby AI is definitely still lagging behind what the likes of Siri and Google Assistant can offer. Overall, though, a top-level Android flagship and well worth a place on our best Android smartphones list.
Google Pixel 3 XL
5. GOOGLE PIXEL 3 XL
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 184g
Dimensions: 158 x 76.7 x 7.9mm
OS: Android 9.0
Screen size: 6.3 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Battery: 3430mAh
Rear camera: 12.2MP f/1.8
Front camera: 8MP f/1.8
REASONS TO BUY
+Fantastic camera+Pure Android experience
REASONS TO AVOID
-Empty List
The Google Pixel 3 phones aren't a huge leap forward from the Pixel 2 models, but they are enough of an upgrade to warrant a place on our list of the best Android phones for 2019. The specs above refer to the larger Google Pixel 3 XL – if you prefer you can pay a little less money for the slightly smaller (and notch-free) Pixel 3 instead, as almost all the specs are the same.
Inside the phones we have the Snapdragon 845 to keep everything ticking along nicely, while Google is now using a glass backing to enable wireless charging on the Pixels for the first time. Its traditional two-tone design is still in place though, with a textured finish that feels good in the hand.
As in previous years though, it's the camera where the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL really stand out: even though it's a single-lens model, it's capable of some fantastic shots, especially with upgrades like Night Sight for low light photography. It's perhaps the main reason you would pick the PIxel 3 as the best Android phone on the market.
Another reason would be those speedy Android updates, straight from Google. There's no bloatware or extra Android skin here, so you're guaranteed a slick and intuitive software experience for years to come. Google's individual apps continue to impress too, though of course you can get them on any Android or iOS phone.
OnePlus 6T
6. ONEPLUS 6T
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 185g
Dimensions: 157.5 x 74.8 x 8.2mm
OS: Android 9.0
Screen size: 6.41 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6/8GB
Storage: 128/256GB
Battery: 3700mAh
Rear camera: 16MP f/1.7 + 20MP f/1.7
Front camera: 16MP f/2.0
REASONS TO BUY
+Wallet-friendly price+Cutting-edge design
The Xiaomi Mi 9 is one of the best phones for mixing looks and performance.
7. XIAOMI MI 9
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 173g
Dimensions: 157.5 x 74.7 x 7.6 mm
OS: Android 9.0
Screen size: 6.39 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 855
RAM: 6-8GB
Storage: 64-128GB
Battery: 3300mAh
Rear camera: 48 MP f/1.8 + 16 MP f/2.2 + 12 MP f/2.2
Front camera: 20 MP f/2.0
REASONS TO BUY
+Appealing, polished design+Some of the most powerful specs around+Very competitive price
REASONS TO AVOID
-No waterproofing-Software could be better
There's a lot to like about the Xiaomi Mi 9, which offers some of the best specs you're likely to see in an Android flagship in 2019, and looks really good too – the thin bezels and teardrop notch put the focus on the bright, vivid 6.39-inch screen.
When we tested out the phone we were also impressed with the Xiaomi Mi 9 camera, which got great results in most conditions, and the battery life. It's going to give some serious competition to Google and Samsung this year.
There are some minor niggles worth talking about, including the lack of waterproofing and the MIUI software that Xiaomi puts on top of Android – it's not quite the polished software experience that you get from Google or Samsung.
What really makes the Xiaomi Mi 9 stand out as one of the best Android phones of 2019, though, is the price: it's available for significantly less than the S10s and Pixel 3s of this world, and represents excellent value for money.
Nokia 9 PureView
8. NOKIA 9 PUREVIEW
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 172g
Dimensions: 155 x 75 x 8mm
OS: Android 9.0 Pie
Screen size: 5.99 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2880 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 3320mAh
Rear camera: 12 MP f/1.8 + 12 MP f/1.8 + 12 MP f/1.8 + 12 MP f/1.8 + 12 MP f/1.8
Front camera: 20MP
REASONS TO BUY
+Five camera lenses on the back+Plenty of aesthetic appeal here
The Nokia 9 PureView has no fewer than five – count them, five – lenses making up its rear camera, and that means it's capable of taking some seriously good photos (even if your mobile photography skills leave a lot to be desired).
It's not all about the camera though. Nokia's newest flagship device comes complete with a Snapdragon 845 processor and 6GB of RAM, so it's not going to be slowing down anytime soon... even while it's taking 60MP photos.
You can get better specs than those with some of the other best Android phones of 2019, but factor in the price and the rather appealing build quality, and this is definitely worth a spot on our list.
Sony Xperia 10 Plus
9. SONY XPERIA 10 PLUS
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 167 x 73 x 8.3mm
OS: Android 9.0 Pie
Screen size: 6.5 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2520 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 636
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 3000mAh
Rear camera: 12 MP f/1.8 + 8MP f/2.4
Front camera: 8MP f/2.0
REASONS TO BUY
+Fantastic dual-lens camera system+4K HDR screen is one of the best
REASONS TO AVOID
-You might struggle to find it
Slowly but surely, Sony's phones are getting better (and more modern-looking) with each passing year, and the Xperia 10 Plus is definitely going to turn heads thanks to its 6.5-inch, 21:9 aspect ratio display.
Whether you're binge-watching Netflix or trying to fit two apps on screen at once, that screen is going to come in handy (the high-resolution audio helps as well). This being Sony, the camera optics are top-notch too, and a dual-lens rear camera gives you 2x optical zoom.
Some of the other specs are distinctly mid-range but the Sony Xperia 10 Plus will still handle everything you throw at it admirably. You have to factor in the price too, which helps make this one of the best Android phones of 2019.
10. HTC U12+
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 188g
Dimensions: 156.6 x 73.9 x 8.7mm
OS: Android 8.0
Screen size: 6.0 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2880 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Battery: 3500mAh
Rear camera: 12MP f/1.8 + 16MP f/2.6
Front camera: 8MP f/2.0 + 8MP f/2.0
REASONS TO BUY
+Takes some of the best mobile photos+Advanced audio configurations
REASONS TO AVOID
-Battery life good rather than very good
HTC might not attract as many headlines as the likes of Samsung or Google, but it continues to push out some top-quality Android phones, and the HTC U12+is its latest flagship smartphone (don't worry, you didn't miss the U12 – HTC went straight to the Plus version).
The phone certainly competes with the best on the hardware front, and you get a Snapdragon 845 processor and 6GB of RAM under the hood here, together with up to 128GB of storage space (and a microSD slot to add more). The 6-inch, 1440 x 2880 pixel LCD display looks the part too, and HTC has decided to avoid the display notch by keeping a thin bezel all across the top of the screen.
Around the back of the phone there's a dual-lens 12MP+16MP camera, and like several HTC phones before it, it's capable of some very impressive snaps. You also get a host of unusual features you don't get in many other handsets, like the advanced BoomSound speaker audio system, and the Edge Squeeze feature that lets you squeeze the sides of the phone to launch certain actions.
The glossy design won't be to everyone's tastes, the battery life isn't as great as some of its rivals, and HTC's take on Android isn't one of the best either – but these are minor quibbles with what's otherwise a very good Android flagshEvery phone Samsung sells, ranked
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