Big, small, stock, or skinned, if you're in the market for a new smartphone, chances are there's an Android option to fit your fancy. And unlike Apple's rigid release cycle, Google's hardware partners unleash a seemingly endless stream of new devices year-round. But therein lies the problem: With so many options out there, how do you settle on the right one? Lucky for you, we test and review nearly every smartphone available on all the major US carriers.
Keep in mind that while the reviews above may not show your carrier of choice, most of the phones here are available for, or compatible with, multiple US carriers. Read on for what to look for when buying, as well as our top picks for Android phones.
A couple of notes first: HTC and LG are both between phone generations as we write this. We anticipate that both the HTC U Ultra and LG G6 will arrive in March, so we're keeping last year's models off the list for now.
Big or Small
Among Android's greatest strengths is the unbelievable diversity of hardware choices. Every manufacturer tries to set its smartphones apart with some whiz-bang feature or eye-popping specs. But do you really need a Quad HD display or a 4K camera? And what should you make of the ever-growing phablet? Most current high-end devices have screens of 5.5 inches or larger. If you're looking for a genuinely small phone, this year's Android selections are pretty thin. The Sony Xperia X Compact and the Samsung Galaxy S7 are your best bets for smaller devices right now.
Software Versions
Not all Android is created equal. Device manufacturers like HTC and Samsung have been applying their own visions to Android for some time now. If you want a pure Google experience, then you want to go for a Pixel device; they're the developer models where Google makes sure to deploy upgrades first.
Android 7.0 Nougat is currently available on the two Pixel devices, the LG G5 and V20, the unlocked HTC 10, and some Sony Xperia phones. It's rolling out to the Moto Z and G4 series, and the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, now. ZTE says it's coming to the Axon 7 soon, and OnePlus says it's coming to the OnePlus 3T at some point.
See How We Test Cell Phones
More Android 7 phones will launch within the next few months, including the HTC U and LG G6. Most phones still run Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and you should accept no less. If you want the latest version of the OS at all times, buy a Pixel.
Carrier-Approved or Unlocked
The US market is still dominated by carrier-sold phones, but a new breed of high-quality unlocked options is starting to flood the market. We've seen phones drop below the $100 mark, but you'll typically want to spend more for a higher quality device. The good news is that you don't have to break the bank to get a good Android experience.
Some high-quality Android phones are available completely unlocked for around $250, no strings attached. Every phone on the list above other than the Moto Z Droid Force and the Galaxy S7 Active can be bought direct, with no carrier involvement. (There's also an unlocked Moto Z, without the extra-tough screen.) But most people still buy their phones through carriers, which offer a single point for service and support, as well as monthly payment plans that dramatically lower the upfront prices of phones.
Of the bunch shown above, the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, and the Pixels work on all four major US carriers. The other unlocked phones only work on AT&T, T-Mobile, or virtual carriers on those networks.
Choosing Android as your mobile operating system is only half the battle. If you're still on the fence, check out our list of The 10 Best Smartphones, regardless of OS. For help choosing a carrier, see How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Plan and The Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans You've Never Heard Of.