Best Android phone in 2024: Which one is right for you?

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There are many different brands and models of smartphones in the market, so it can be confusing to decide which phone is best for you — especially when prices range between $100 and over $2,000. However, most of the phones on the market have one thing in common — the Android operating system.

If you prefer Android to Apple’s iOS, you’ll have plenty of phone manufacturers to choose from, such as Samsung, Google, OPPO, Nokia and Motorola. But with so many brands, models and different price points to choose from, how do you choose the best Android phone for your needs? Read on to find out more about the best Android phone Australia.

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What is the best Android phone?

With so many phones on the market, what makes the ‘best’ Android phone for one user will be different to what makes the ‘best’ phone for another user. For example, a good camera setup could be a must-have for one user, while another user might prefer a larger phone display.

In this guide, we take a look at Android phones at different price points to help you find the best device for your needs. Of course, these are only some of the phones currently on the market. If you have a preference between manufacturers or a preference for a phone’s features, specifications or design, it can help to narrow down what you’re looking for and compare a range of devices that will best suit your needs.

Best Android phone over $1,500 and best Android phone 2024 — Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

It’s little surprise that one of the most expensive smartphones on the market would be the best at this higher price point. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers an ultra performance, but with a big price tag starting at $2,199 AUD RRP.

While the Galaxy S24 Ultra carries some of the same specs as the Galaxy S23 Ultra. This AI-powered device offers one of the most premium performances available in a smartphone with its impressive camera systems, sleek design, big battery and the inclusion of the handy S Pen. If you have a big budget and are after the best Android phone in Australia, it’s hard to go past what the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has to offer.

Pros:

• Slim design and premium finish combine to create a sleek phone to look at and hold.
• S Pen is just as good as ever and still fun to use, adding extra functionality.
• Night and low light photos really show what the cameras can do.

Cons:

• Cameras struggle to focus at times and there’s a lot of lens switching when taking closeup shots.
• Focus on AI enhancements and tools rather than more tech upgrades.
• Prices start at over $2,000 — more expensive than its predecessor.

Want to find out more? Read our hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Best Android phone between $1,000 and $1,500 — Google Pixel 8

While Google increased the base price of its flagship Pixel 8 when compared to the Pixel 7, it wasn’t without reason, thanks to some more ‘pro’ upgrades in the specs of this standard model. This results in a super impressive Android phone at a slightly cheaper price point than many other premium Android devices.

The Pixel 8 offers a higher refresh rate and improved camera system compared to its predecessor, and with its balance between AI functionality tools, fast performance, excellent cameras and editing tools, a sleek design and premium feel, it’s hard to go past the Pixel 8 if you’re looking for a premium quality device but in that lower premium price range.

Pros:

• Includes higher refresh rate and macro mode, previously reserved for Pro Pixels.
• Excellent camera performance with plenty of editing tools to improve your pics.
• Fast and smooth performance.

Cons:

• Inconsistent fingerprint scanning is still an issue (as it was with its predecessors).
• Shiny finish on the back very prone to smudges.
• Tends to run hot with certain activities.

Read our hands-on review of the Google Pixel 8 to find out more.

Best Android phone between $500 and $1,000 — Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

Samsung’s Galaxy A series has been offering a quality range of smartphones but at cheaper prices for years. However, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G took it to a whole other level, with more premium upgrades not seen in a Galaxy A series phone before, but all for under $1,000.

The Galaxy A55 5G offers a sleek design and finish, fast performance, great size display, 120Hz refresh rate and good battery life and impressive camera setup, all for $699 AUD RRP. If you’re looking for a more premium feel and performance but without breaking the bank, the Galaxy A55 5G is hard to look past.

Pros:

• Looks and feels more like a premium Samsung phone.
• Screen size and quality great for watching videos.
• Decent battery life with moderate usage.

Cons:

• Macro and portrait modes a bit hit and miss.
• Shiny finish on the back prone to smudges.
• Price on the more expensive end of ‘budget-friendly’.

Read our hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G to find out if it’s the right phone for you.

Best cheap Android phone under $500 — Motorola Moto G84 5G

Motorola has cemented its place in the Aussie smartphone market by offering a range of devices, often at more affordable price points. The Moto G84 5G is packed with value and carries a cheap price tag, making it a good contender for the best cheap Android phone.

The Motorola Moto G84 5G helps to future-proof your device with 5G connectivity for $399 AUD RRP. You’ll get a good all-round camera performance, high refresh rate, fast performance, great battery life with fast charging and a vibrant display. If you’re looking for a phone but you have a tight budget, the Moto G84 5G could be the right phone for your needs.

Pros:

• Slim, lightweight and a good size without being too big.
• Great battery with fast charging.
• Clear and vibrant display.

Cons:

• Rather basic cameras.
• Macro mode and portrait mode a little hit and miss.
• Built-in speakers lack a little depth and bass.

Is this the phone for you? Read out hands-on review of the Motorola Moto G84 5G to find out more.

Compare SIM-only phone plans

Many Android phones, especially cheaper phones, are only available to buy outright from a retailer, you’ll need to bundle your phone with a SIM-only phone plan. The below tables compare a range of plans and providers. You can use our free SIM-only phone plan comparison tool to see a wider range of plans.

What brands use the Android operating system?

Android is developed by group known as the Open Handset Alliance – which is commercially sponsored by Google – with parts taken from the Android Open Source Project, meaning that while each brand offers its own spin on the system, some of the basics stay the same. Brands that operate on the Android operating system (some of which might not be available in Australia) include:

• ASUS
• Google
• HMD
• HTC
• Motorola
• Nokia
• Nothing
• OnePlus
• OPPO
• Realme
• Samsung
• TCL
• Vivo
• Xiaomi
• ZTE

Want to know more about Android phones? Check out some of our Android guides:

• Accessibility features on Android phones
• How to screenshot on an Android phone
• Best flip phones
• Best Samsung phones

How to choose the best Android phone for your needs

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a new phone. While it might be tempting to go with a more expensive device, there is still great quality available at cheaper price points. It’s important to consider what kind of features you want and how you use your phone to narrow down what device will be right for you.

• Performance: You’ll likely be using your phone for hours every day, but the processing power needed for hour-long gaming sessions is greater than if you mostly browse the web and check emails. Look at the processor, RAM size and the screen quality (including refresh rate) to find a phone that will keep up with your usage needs.
• Design and size: The physical size and feel of the phone may be important to some, especially if you want a slimmer or foldable phone that can easily fit in your bag or pocket. You’ll want to consider button and fingerprint scanner placement, while the look of the phone and materials used could also be a deciding factor.
• Cameras: For some, the cameras can be the main selling point when it comes to choosing a smartphone. Camera quality often correlates with the price of the phone, so you’ll often find the best camera setups come with a bigger price tag. However, some cheaper phones also come with good cameras, so if you have a tighter budget, you might want to compare a range of devices to find which camera setup is going to best suit your needs.
• Battery: There’s not much point having a phone that can do it all if the battery can’t keep up with your usage. Looking at the battery size along with battery-saving features can give you an idea as to whether it can keep up with your needs.
• Price: Price might be the biggest deciding factor of all when it comes to buying a new smartphone. With some devices costing around the $1,000 to $2,000 price range, premium phones might be out of reach for many of us, unless we buy our phone on a plan from a telco. However, if you have a smaller budget, the great news is that there are plenty of cheap and mid-range phones available. These days, the quality of phone technology is pretty impressive, so it’s not hard to find a great value-for-money device to suit a smaller budget.