The Best Android Phones, Tested and Reviewed

Shopping for a phone can be an ordeal. That’s why we’ve tested almost every Android phone, from the smartest to the cheapest—even phones that fold—to find those worth your money.

WIREDJulian Chokkattu

I’ve Used All the Phones — Here’s What WIRED Got Right (and What’s Missing)

In the last 12 months, I’ve daily-driven all of these:

📱 iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 14, and SE (3rd Gen)

📱 Galaxy S24, S24+, S23 Ultra, S22 Ultra, and the Fold 4

📱 Pixel 8a

So yeah — I switch phones a lot. Like, a lot. It’s part curiosity, part obsession, and part unspoken competition with myself to find the perfect balance of features, comfort, and fun. (Spoiler: I haven’t found it yet.)

That’s why when WIRED dropped their updated list of the best Android phones in 2025, I had to weigh in. They’ve tested just about everything — but I’ve actually lived with many of these phones. Here’s what I think they nailed, what I’d nudge, and which phones actually stuck with me.

✅ WIRED Picks I Totally Agree With

Pixel 9a — Haven’t Used It, But the 8a Was Shockingly Good

I didn’t use the Pixel 9a, but I did daily the 8a for a bit, and it was one of the most pleasantly surprising phones I touched last year. Clean software, great camera, reliable performance — everything just worked. If the 9a adds wireless charging, a better chip, and longer battery, I fully get why WIRED calls it the “Best Overall.” It’s a win for people who don’t want to overthink their phone.

Pixel 9 Pro — I Haven’t Used It, But I Get It

I haven’t personally used the Pixel 9 Pro yet, but I’ve been side-eyeing it hard. The AI features actually sound helpful (live call summaries? Yes, please), and it looks like Google finally got serious about polish and performance. WIRED’s pick makes sense. If I weren’t constantly testing new phones, this might be the one I’d settle down with.

OnePlus 13 — The Battery Life Beast I Didn’t Want to Let Go

This phone over-delivered. Two-day battery. Fastest charging I’ve ever used. And the software — finally — feels stable and lightweight again. I wasn’t expecting to like it this much, but I found myself keeping it longer than most phones I try. It’s one of the best-balanced Android phones of the year. WIRED got this right.

🤷 Picks I Respect, But Didn’t Love Personally

Samsung Galaxy S25 Series — Powerful, but Lacking Vibes

I spent time with the S24, S24+, S23 Ultra, and S22 Ultra — and here’s the thing: these phones are technically amazing, but emotionally flat. Beautiful screens, top-tier cameras, fast chips… and yet I never really missed them when I moved on.

The S23 Ultra came closest to being a long-term daily for me — the camera was fun, the S Pen had its moments, and battery life was solid. But even that eventually felt like a tool more than a companion. WIRED’s endorsement of the S25 lineup makes sense from a “buy and forget it” perspective, but if you’re looking for personality or innovation, this year’s Samsung lineup still feels a little safe.

Moto G Power (2025) — Budget Without the Fun

I haven’t used the latest G Power, but I’ve tested enough budget phones to know the pattern. It’ll get you through a day, but not make you smile. WIRED recommends it for the basics, but I’d push anyone even mildly curious to look at the Nothing Phone (3a) or CMF Phone 1 instead — they’re just more interesting and satisfying to use.

🧪 My Real-Life Experience With These Phones

Here’s a quick snapshot of what I actually lived with and how they felt:

• iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max — So smooth, so polished. The Pro Max battery was absurdly good, but iOS still feels a little boxed-in after Android.
• iPhone SE (3rd Gen) — Quick and compact, but cramped. Great backup phone.
• iPhone 14 — Solid, but quickly felt dated once I started swapping with newer gear.
• Galaxy S23 Ultra — Strong all-rounder. One of Samsung’s best — but still didn’t lock me in.
• Galaxy S24 / S24+ — Sleek, premium, fast. But lacked spark.
• Galaxy S22 Ultra — Good, but the S23 Ultra was the real refinement.
• Galaxy Fold 4 — Loved showing it off more than using it. Bulky. Fun, but not practical.
• Pixel 8a — The best midrange phone I used all year. Smart, reliable, and more useful than I expected.
• OnePlus 13 — Shockingly great. The best battery of any phone I’ve tried in years.

Trevor Score: 9/10 — WIRED’s List Is Sharp, But Living With These Phones Tells a Deeper Story

“This isn’t a formal review — it’s just how I felt using this thing. A gut-check from someone who actually used it.”

WIRED’s roundup is one of the most thoughtful out there. Their picks are data-driven and well-tested. But there’s no substitute for real-world use — for waking up, grabbing a phone, and realizing it either flows with your life or it doesn’t.

Some phones look perfect on paper. But it’s the little things — the warmth of the haptics, the clarity of the camera in bad lighting, how it feels after five hours of screen time — that separate great from good.

Final Verdict: There’s No Best Phone — Just the Right One for Right Now

Android’s greatest strength is also its curse: too many good choices. WIRED gives you a solid foundation. But once you start living with these phones — swapping them weekly, testing them side by side — you start to notice what really matters to you.

For me? That changes every couple months. And that’s half the fun.

Closing Line

Big shoutout to WIRED’s Julian Chokkattu and the team for doing the grind. I’ll keep switching phones like they’re Pokémon cards — someone’s gotta test them in the wild.

Got a phone you love or one you regret? Hit me up. I’ve probably used it… or I’m about to.