The best Android smartphones you can buy today - October 2019
Choosing the perfect smartphone to fit your needs isn't an easy task. There are tons of devices on the market and it's tough to know which are the best ones, let alone which one is the right one for you. In this article, we've rounded up the best of the best among Android and iOS smartphones in 2019 so far.
In order to help you find the right smartphone for your needs, we've divided our top picks into categories:
The best overall
We have two choices for this category: the Samsung Galaxy S10+ and the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Samsung Galaxy S10+
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ is the best Android smartphone on the market right now in terms of user experience. Both on paper and in practice, it is excellent: the build quality and finish is impeccable, the performance and camera are flagship-worthy, and it comes with Android 9 Pie right out of the box.
This is the ideal smartphone for those who want to carry an elegant, ergonomic device that is perfect down to the last detail and can play games and videos without any compromise in quality. Even the battery life is improved in this Plus model when compared to the regular S10. In the end, there's only one aspect which may disappoint: the biometrics (facial recognition and fingerprint reader).
You can find more videos on current tech topics on our video page.
If you're more productivity-focused, you also can't go wrong with the Note 10 and its S-Pen.
The alternative: iPhone 11 Pro Max
If the Android universe is rebuffing you, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is certainly the best option you can find in 2019. Running on iOS, the iPhone offers optimal performance and lacks nothing for everyday use. Apple managed to erase all the faults of the previous generation by delivering a smartphone that's more successful, including battery life that is ideal and a camera that delivers good shots in all circumstances.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max takes all the qualities of its little brother, the iPhone 11 Pro, while adding longer battery life and a larger screen.
The best for photography
Huawei P30 Pro
With its new generation of the P series, Huawei has pushed the limits in photography. The P30 Pro also has a triple camera (a 40 MP Super Spectrum sensor + a 20 MP wide-angle sensor + an 8 MP sensor for zoom) and a ToF (Time of Flight) camera that work to improve the quality of photos (10x optical zoom, laser autofocus, larger pixels).
You can find more videos on current tech topics on our video page.
In addition to its photographic capabilities, the camera is not only stylish but also powerful. The assembly and the finish are simply impeccable also.
The alternative: Google Pixel 4 (XL)
If the interface of Huawei is not the one you like the most, the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL deserve their place in the category of the best cameraphones. Google managed to make a very good camera with a single sensor thanks to a perfect optimization between the software and the hardware in the past, and the new Pixels do not really surprise us with their design, but the camera is once again one of the best on the market. The only thing missing is that there is no wide-angle sensor.
The best value
OnePlus 7T
OnePlus has had a profound impact on the smartphone market. Unlike the Honor 20, which can now be bought at a relatively reasonable price, OnePlus raises the bar while maintaining value for money. Its interface is also one of the most appreciated by users because it is very close to pure Android. Its design conforms to market standards, battery management is excellent and you are never short of performance.
Unfortunately, some high-end features, such as an IP rating and a headphone jack, are still missing. However, the smartphone remains the best value for money of the moment and has nothing to envy from the OnePlus 7T Pro.
The alternative: Realme X2 Pro
Launched in mid-October, the Realme X2 Pro also offers excellent value for money and performance. Visually, the device is successful and will seduce a lot of users. Even the camera is convincing. Under the hood, there is nothing wrong with it and we also have a fingerprint reader under the screen. All this for less than €400!
The best battery life
Galaxy Note 10+
With a hole-punched display, a large bezel-less screen, a triple camera, the new flagship from the South Korean manufacturer clearly shows the ambitions of the brand in 2019. The Galaxy Note 10+ is an elegant smartphone, technically fantastic and offers especially remarkable battery life with two days of juice even in conditions of intensive use. Powerful and original in its design, Samsung's latest device delivers perfectly in all areas where it was expected to do well. Its screen and camera will delight most users who are also looking for a versatile smartphone. And as a bonus, you are a fan of the S-Pen.
The alternative: Huawei Mate 20 Pro
The Huawei phablet brings battery life and cool features that should inspire all smartphones on the market. The Mate 20 Pro reaches a full 48 hours of battery life. Even better, Huawei has a system to detect power hogging apps to improve the management of resources. The 4,000 mAh battery can be charged very quickly thanks to Huawei's ultra-fast charge technology.
You can find more videos on current tech topics on our video page.
What's coming to shake up the ranking soon?
This ranking is updated each month based on our reviews and new devices that come onto the market. The Galaxy S11, OnePlus 8 and Mate 30 Pro could be on this list. So be prepared to find new names in the list very quickly and feel free to tell us in the comments what kind of devices you would see in our selection and in which category.
Which of these smartphones is your favorite?
Thanks
Been Using Galaxy Note 8 for 3 years and S10+ for awhile and they have the best Specs and Features!! Lovin' it!!
I've been using the s10+ since it's release. This phone is simply a pleasure to use. I really have no complaints. All the premium features. Display, cameras & battery are excellent, there is no finer even after 8 mos of very heavy use!
I'm rockin a Samsung Galaxy S10 and loving it, my only gripe is the lack of an LED notification. That said its great so far. My wife has the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ and she says its the best device shes ever owned. Does anyone know when Samsung is releasing android 10 & the new One UI 2?
Only expensive ones
Android phones are the best in terms of cost because iPhones are expensive! Recently, one of my friends has bought Huawei P30 Pro. This phone has excellent features and less price.
£234 as 'best value'?! Come off it. My Moto G5+ was £159 nearly 2 years ago, the G6 and its Play version are now similarly priced...
While I'm at it, imo it's high time smartphone users, makers and commentators started demanding that ALL battery-powered devices (not only phones...) have batteries that can be replaced by the user. Getting a new phone because the battery is failing is simply unsustainable - and we all KNOW that in our hearts of hearts...
The Mate 20 X has the best battery life. I get around 11-13 hours of screen on time daily. The S9+, Note 9 would be one of the best phones if they gave us a non edge screen version. I'm not a fan of the curves.
Why is there a crappy iPhone on the middle of your main image when you are talking about android. No android user would be stupid enough to fall into the the Apple arena. I would rather not have a phone then buy Apple. Bring on the Galaxy F. I have used all of the phones above and in my opinion the Samsung Note 9 and Galaxy S9 are by far the best paired with the Galaxy watch they are fantastic.
The s9 series for me are the best phones on the planet. Design, display and of course every premium feature. They are the swiss army knife of all phones. Viewing movies & videos are an extreme pleasure, there is no finer. These and the Huawei mate 20pro are the absolute best phones money can buy!
I think Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Huawei Mate 20 Pro are the best. Next year I will probably be buying P30 Pro.
I found the Umidigi s2 pro to be even better than the Samsung S9 and it only costs a little over $500.00! Cheers! 👍😀
WEll xz2 is better than s9, don't know why they put s9 and p20 at the top
Honor 7X / Huawei Mate SE
LG Stylo 4 (Cricket Wireless has 3gig Ram 32gig ROM 6.2 screen built in stylus)
Moto E Supra (Cricket Wireless has 3gig Ram 32gig ROM 6.0 screen LED flash on front and back laser auto focus 5000 mAh battery)
Those are all decent no contract phones for around the $180-$200 range (I guess we won't see a new ZTE for a while?). It's a bummer there are no shops where you can walk in and check out and Honor or Huawei (that seals the deal).
For years, "compact smartphone" was synonymous with the low-end...
Seriously?? Have you ever heard of the high end xperia compact series? Don't mention only the X compact which is a mid range old device. Put in your comparison the XZ1 compact which is way better than the competition.
Why don't you do a best for hearing impaired? You seem to always over look us.
Note 8 best phone on the planet period!
That true
It's almost like a Samsung
It is July of 2018 and the Note 8 is as great of a phone as it was nearly a year ago. The much touted S9+ camera routinely over exposes in low light and if your subject isn't graveyard still it will result in a blurry photo. The Note remains a top contender.