2021 Phone Deals and Review
AndroidBlack FridayElectronicsReviewsShoppingSmart DevicesTop TenxPick January 14, 2021 Kristian Wilson
If you are in the market for a new android phone to replace your current handset, you have a bit of work ahead. The breadth of options for new android phones can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for in your next android phone. But choice is the best thing about Google’s mobile Operating System. Currently, Android provides an almost similar user experience for customers across many makes and models, while letting users prioritize the features that matter the most.
Those on a tight budget can now get a decent android phone for as little as $200. If you can set up a $400 range, you will have a much broader range of great android phones. Most of the premium android flagship phones start at around $900. For that price, these phones offer some of the sharpest, brightest displays, cutting edge features, and some of the most advanced photography features.
For now, 5g Phones remain the most premium feature on android phones even as 5g android phones steadily arrive from the likes of Motorola, TCL, and Samsung.
A Review Of The Best Android Phones
1. Google Pixel 4a
At the top of our list if the Pixel 4a. Fortunately, it’s also one of the most affordable, which is a good thing for android enthusiasts. At just $349, the Pixel 4a packs quite a punch when it comes to its insane features. Here’s a complete smartphone, like you will never find for this price.
You wouldn’t find other phone brands like Samsung or Apple price their flagships at this price range if they had the same features. If anything, such brands would charge double, if not triple this price.
The Pixel 4a comes with one of the best flagship-caliber cameras. It’s good enough for performance and packs impeccable software. It has a well-built design that makes it very pocketable, 128GB of built-in storage, and a dazzling, bright 5.8-inch OLED display. And yes, it runs the android version 10.
If the Pixel 4a suffered any shortcomings, it would be on its battery life. It doesn’t pack enough juice to keep it functional for long periods. But other than that, this is one of those nearly perfect phone flagships that you can find today. For the price, this is one android phone to consider shopping for.
Oh, and Google has also confirmed that the Pixel 4a will have a 5G-supported version for $400, which isn’t bad either, all things considered.
2. OnePlus 8 Pro
The OnePlus 8 Pro is another very impressive, well-designed smartphone options that you can find on the market today.
The hardware also has a bright, colorful display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This smartphone boasts some exceptional specs that lead to fantastic performance thanks to its super-smooth OxygenOS software. The 8 Pro is just a joy to use. It brings the best camera experience with new sensors that step up the model’s game to a true flagship level.
The 8 pro also has a very large battery that packs even more power. This makes it the best android phone brand for handling power-intensive tasks. And its also IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, which is a bonus on its end. It seems that this camera all its features covered. Rounding out the hardware aspect of things, the 8Pro is an excellent smartphone for the price.
Perhaps the only downside of the OnePlus 8 Pro is its weak telephoto camera. But other than that, this is one android phone to consider checking.
3. Samsung Galaxy S20+
Samsung phones are basically great options and excellent picks, but that’s if you have the budget to afford them. If you are out to get yourself something special, then the S20+ is a serious contender. However, compared to the OnePlus 8Pro, you’ll primarily be benefiting more from nicer cameras and one of the best phone displays in the world. The S20+ also has a ton of other amazing features that you would hardly find on other phones.
This 6.7-inch AMOLED panel comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and a Snapdragon 865 processor, which makes many users happy. It allows this handset to operate at breakneck speeds and support 5G on all U.S. carriers.
Samsung also made several improvements in the S20+ like the 4,500mAh battery, which packs more juice to handle even the most intense operations. It also has plenty of RAM (8GB) and storage(128GB or 512GB) to keep you happy. Samsung also allows you to add additional space using a microSD card as well.
There’s a huge move up with regards to its camera. This Samsung flagship offers a new array of features both at its front and back cameras. The new sensors are all larger and allow more light, which allows its users to take better low-light photos. Sure, the camera isn’t entirely on the level as the Pixel 4XL, but it will still get the job one.
Perhaps the only downside with the S20+ is that its fingerprint sensor becomes less sensitive and is a hit-or-miss after long time use.
For the money that you pay for this product, you’ll find that it’s worth every penny.
4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
As far as flip phones go, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the best on the list. Sure, at its onset, and first flagships didn’t look all that good. But the brand has made several massive improvements. Here’s an android phone that offers its user a futuristic concept of where mobile phones are headed.
One of its most useful additions is the Flex Mode. This feature leverages the phone’s free-stop hinge, which prevents the device from folding while showing a custom, split-screen controls.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a massive 12GB RAM and 256GB storage that is expandable using a microSD card. This makes it excellent for multi-tasking and other computing functions like video chatting software.
While these specs and other features are appealing to the eye, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes at a whopping $1,999, to be precise. Unfortunately, that’s way above most people’s budgets. Still, there’s no other phone in the world that performs quite like the Galaxy Z Fold 2, perched perfectly between a smartphone and a tablet.
This foldable phone also comes with a few unique dilemmas. But that’s understandable considering that this is one of the first successful concepts today. The first downside is its ultra-thin Glass, which is prone to scratches, unlike the conventional glasses used on other phones. People have also questioned this foldable phone with regards to its durability. You also realize that most of the apps still aren’t properly optimized to show on such large display sizes.
5. OnePlus 8
People call this the iPhone 11 of android phones, and with good reason. This android phone flagship comes with a generous 128GB of storage and a higher-resolution screen of 6.55-inch AMOLED display. The OnePlus 8 has also been named one of the best 5g phones in the android market today. Thanks to OnePlus’ Warp Charge 30T technology, this model has one of the fastest wired charging systems.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have te best camera settings. It also doesn’t have an optical zoom. Users have also complained that it takes middling photos overall. That said, if photography isn’t your main concern, then this smartphone option should be a good fit for your needs. Some users also claim that its curved screen is more prone to accidental touches, which isn’t something users appreciate.
Overall, this is an android phone that you can trust to perform when you need it to.
6. Moto G Power
As one of the longest-lasting android phones we have today, Moto G Power is relatively low-priced for the specs and impressive features. It also has a giant battery, which makes it a reliable option for users who perform a lot of power-intensive tasks on their phones. At around $300, this is another amazing midrange android model that you can get for the price.
On the battery front, Moto G Power can last for up to 16 hours and 10 minutes when used to surf continuously while on LTE network, which is impressive.
The G Power also comes with a 4GB Ram and 64GB internal storage. It uses Snapdragon 665, which can handle most power-intensive tasks. While the Pixel is still better at camera specs, the G Power‘s triple-lens provides decent shots that make it a worthy contender and decent choice for the price.
Its only downsides are that its screen isn’t that much colorful, which some users might not appreciate. It also doesn’t have an optical zoom. However, again, for the price, these are features that non-photography lovers can do without.
How To Choose The Best Android Phone
Shopping for a decent android phone that meets all your requirements can be quite stressful. Of course, everyone would like to have their hands on the best android phones. However, there are a few limiting factors that you must consider, such as your budget, the processor speed, the camera, storage, etc. Some premium phone designs even offer foldable designs but can be very costly.
Ideally, you can find a decent android phone for as low as $200 that comes with most o the basic features and specifications. However, as you move up to about $400, you will find even more compelling handsets that taut better processors, better camera lenses, and higher-grade materials. Process into the $700 range and up, and you have some of the best phones that flagship-caliber performance has to offer. These phones come packed with cutting-edge technology in photography and other special features.
Basically, there are several options to consider when shopping for android phone. These include:
1. The Screen Size
Different phones come in different screen sizes, with the most expensive ones boasting some of the largest phone screens. The phone display plays a crucial role when considering factors like the phone’s resolution and refresh rate. For instance, a 6.9-inch screen usually results in a much larger phone compared to a 5.8-inch display.
Also, considering that phones with smaller displays are much easier to manage, you may need to go for smaller phones. On the flip side, however, you will have less room on your screen to work.
Then there are phones that have an average screen size. Most people prefer phones with these screens. But ultimately, the size of the display depends more on your preference.
2. Are Software Updates Important?
Software updates are another vital feature that most phone users hardly always consider. But it’s absolutely necessary, especially for android users who want phones that are always edging to evolve and make their phones better.
Unfortunately, not many phones provide years-worth of software support. Currently, Samsung and Google are the best in the business in this front. They offer several security patches and updates to provide their users with better, more secure user experience.
3. The Cameras And Megapixels
This is aimed more at people who love taking pictures using their mobile phones. Over the past few years, there has been a tug of war between phone companies over which phones have the best cameras. Most of today’s phones now ship with two, three, or even four cameras. Unfortunately, having many camera sensors on your phone doesn’t automatically qualify your phone as the best at taking pictures. As much as having a 48MP primary camera boost Mobile Phones marketability. But this simply isn’t true.
Take, for instance, the Pixel 4a, which has a single 12.2MP. But it takes much better photographs compared to most 48MP phone cameras.
4. The Battery Size
Battery life may not be the most fun feature to look for when shopping for an android device. But ultimately, it’s a critical component to consider, especially for users who use their phones for power-consuming operations.
Sure, your phone may have the best displays or processors. But if it keeps dying several times a day, then what’s the point? The Pixel 4a has a 3,140mAh battery but can get you through a full day with continuous use. Then you have the Pixel 4 XL, which has a 3,700mAh battery but has worse endurance. Generally, the power your phone uses depends on several factors such as the refresh rate, and the size of the screen. Then comes the other features like power-hungry apps and constant use of the phone.
The Bottom Line
There you have it, our list of the best android phones to buy in 2020. Once you have an understanding of which android phones to consider buying and the budget to work with, you should be good to go. Hopefully, you will be better placed to make the right decision using this guide. Happy shopping!
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