Top 10 Best Android Phones 2018 – Which One Would You Buy?

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There’s one key way in which Android is massively different from its Apple-branded smartphone competition – the number of phones out there running Google’s popular mobile OS, Android.

The big names are all here including Samsung, LG, Huawei, OnePlus and Google. The variations in screen size, processor power, software features and design make finding the best Android phone for you extremely tough.

To help find the most fitting Android phone for you, I have rounded up the best Android handsets out there, considering the phones on hardware performance, OS upgrade potential and, of course, how shiny and nice they are to have and boast about to work colleagues.

So here they are – the best Android phones for you to pick one.

First, let’s take a glance at the video review summary.

1. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus – The best Android phone around

Features & Specifications

Release date: March 2018
Weight: 189g
Dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm
OS: Android 8
Screen size: 6.2-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2960
CPU: Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Battery: 3,500mAh
Rear camera: Dual 12MP
Front camera: 8MP

Pros:

Super premium build
Excellent low-light cameras

Cons:

Battery doesn’t last as well as some others on the list

Summary

Samsung has once again taken the top spot of the best Android phone in the world right now. Samsung’s latest Galaxy S9 Plus is in the top position of this list thanks to an incredible design, amazing display and some truly great power packed into the phone.

Everything that has made Samsung phones great over the last few years has been packed into this 6.2-inch device – that’s almost bezeless too – and comes with top of the range hardware and some easy to use Android software.

Samsung has added a dual-camera to the rear to enhance low-light photography, plus there’s a better located fingerprint scanner and 960fps slo-motion video recording.

Best Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus deals from Amazon

2. Huawei P20 Pro – The best phone Huawei has ever made

Features & Specifications

Release date: April 2018
Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 155 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm
OS: Android 8.1
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2240
CPU: Kirin 970
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,000mAh
Rear camera: 40MP + 20MP + 8MP
Front camera: 24MP

Pros:

Amazing camera
Superb battery life

Cons:

Interface isn’t market leading
Only Full HD display

Summary

What’s this? A Huawei phone at number two? Your eyes do not deceive you, the Huawei P20 Pro really is second in our best Android phone rundown.

After years of threatening the top players in the smartphone game without really worrying them, 2018 has seen a significant uptick from the Chinese firm and the beautiful P20 Pro.

The triple camera setup on the rear of the P20 Pro provides great flexibility – and an excellent low-light mode – while the battery life comfortably gets through a day.

Then there’s the eye-catching, two-tone finish on the rear which really sets the P20 Pro apart from the competition.

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3. Samsung Galaxy S9 – A great phone for the smaller-handed

Features & Specifications

Release date: March 2018
Weight: 163g
Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm
OS: Android 8
Screen size: 5.8-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2960
CPU: Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Battery: 3,000mAh
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 8MP

Pros:

Premium build
Excellent screen

Cons:

Battery life not great
Single sensor on the rear

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is now the third best Android phone on this list, missing out on top spot narrowly to its bigger brother which boasts an extra camera on the rear.

There’s still a lot to love about the S9 though, with an expansive 5.8-inch Infinity Display, powerful chipset, 4GB of RAM and excellent 12MP rear facing camera.

Its battery life isn’t quite as strong as the S8 it replaces, and visually it’s almost identical to its predecessor. However, the small changes are welcome and it’s an impressive all-round offering.

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4. Google Pixel 2 XL – The knock-out camera is the star here

Features & Specifications

Weight: 175g
Dimensions: 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm
OS: Android 8
Screen size: 6-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2880
CPU: Snapdragon 835
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Battery: 3520mAh
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 8MP

Pros:

Superb camera
Great design

Cons:

No 3.5mm headphone port
Screen has poor viewing angles

Summary

Google’s Pixel range matured in 2017, and the Pixel 2 XL is the firm’s top dog with its impressive, slender bezel design, dual front-facing speakers and simply fantastic camera.

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone and camera quality is of high importance, stop what you are doing. The camera on the Google Pixel 2 XL is one of the most impressive snappers used on a phone.

There’s also a whole heap of power under the hood, and the 6-inch display gives you lots of space to operate.

It’s not the most premium feeling phone in the hand – a shame considering the price tag – and the viewing angle on the screen is very narrow before a blue tint creeps in, but there’s no question this is a great device.

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5. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 – When it comes to being the biggest, Note 8 is the best

Features & Specifications

Weight: 195g
Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm
OS: Android 7.1
Screen size: 6.3-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2960
CPU: Exynos 8895
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 64/124/256GB
Battery: 3300mAh
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 8MP

Pros:

Samsung’s best smartphone camera
‘Infinity Display’ is excellent

Cons:

Very expensive
Speakers are a little weak

Summary

A third Samsung phone in the top 5?! It may seem extreme, but there’s a very good reason why – they’re all really, really good.

The Galaxy Note 8 doesn’t quite hit the heights of its S9 siblings, but it’s a triumphant return to form for a series that was potentially in trouble after the Note 7 debacle.

But enough about other handsets, what makes the Galaxy Note 8 worthy of its fifth place birth? There’s no question the phablet is more of a nice device, but its iconic S Pen stylus is now even better, with higher accuracy and more levels of pressure sensitivity making it great for sketching and drawing.

Then there’s the massive 6.3-inch QHD Infinity Display which is superb for movies and games, and with a display this big using apps side-by-side isn’t just possible, it makes sense!

Best Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals from Amazon

6. Huawei Mate 10 Pro – A battery warrior with a great camera

Features & Specifications

Weight: 178g
Dimensions: 154.2 x 74.5 x 7.9mm
OS: Android 8
Screen size: 6-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2160
CPU: Kirin 970
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4000mAh
Rear camera: 20MP + 12MP
Front camera: 8MP

Pros:

Great enthusiast camera
Class-leading battery

Cons:

No headphone jack
No wireless charging

Summary

Huawei is getting really good at making competitive, high-end flagships these days and the Mate 10 Pro is its best handset to date.

The standout feature is battery life, toppling pretty much every other phone on this list, but it’s also got a decent slug of power under the hood to handle any task you can chuck at it.

For those looking for a strong camera performance from their phone need to take a look at the Mate 10 Pro as well. Phones higher up in this list offer better auto modes, but for camera enthusiasts the Mate 10 Pro provides a great selection of modes and settings.

Best Huawei Mate 10 Pro deals from Amazon

7. LG G7 ThinQ – LG’s latest phone is an impressive model

Features & Specifications

Release date: May 2018
Weight: 167
Dimensions: 153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm
OS: Android 8.1
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 3120
CPU: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 4/6GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Battery: 3,000mAh
Rear camera: Dual 16MP
Front camera: 8MP

Pros:

Interesting Boombox speaker
Attractive design

Cons:

Battery’s a little small
Performance not quite as good as other flagships

Summary

The LG G7 ThinQ is a confident step up from its predecessor – the LG G6 – with LG allowing itself to be a little bolder with the design and features on its latest flagship Android phone.

Its display comes with an ultra-bright mode which boosts brightness to an eye-dazzling 1000nits, handy if you’re desperately trying to Instagram your latest snap from the beach or anywhere you are on vacation.

The AI built into the camera can recognize what you’re shooting and adjust the settings accordingly, to give you the best shot.

There are two cameras on the rear of the G7 ThinQ, with the secondary snapper offering up a super-wide angle lens to give you a different perspective on things. We just wish LG would drop the ‘ThinQ’ part of the name.

Best LG G7 ThinQ deals from Amazon

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8. OnePlus 6 – A fantastic flagship on a budget

Features & Specifications

Weight: 177g
Dimensions: 155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8 mm
OS: Android 8.1
Screen size: 6.28-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2280
CPU: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6/8GB
Storage: 64/128/256GB
Battery: 3300mAh
Rear camera: 16MP + 20MP
Front camera: 16MP

Pros:

Great power
Appealing design

Cons:

Downward firing speaker
‘Only’ Full HD

Summary

The OnePlus 6 excels in the flagship arena thanks to a combination of impressive specs and an affordable price tag.

It has the latest Snapdragon 845 chipset paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, there’s a premium all-glass design making it look and feel the part, and you get to choose from either 64GB, 128GB or 256GB of storage.

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s fingerprint and face unlock, dual rear cameras and water proofing – all for a price which is lower than pretty much every other phone on this list.

Best OnePlus 6 deals from Amazon

9. Samsung Galaxy S8 – Still a top Android phone, now with a lower price tag

Features & Specifications

Weight: 155g
Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm
OS: Android 7
Screen size: 5.8-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2960
CPU: Exynos 8895
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 3000mAh
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 8MP

Pros:

Huge power

Cons:

High price
Irritating biometric unlocking

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy S8 has been usurped by the Galaxy S9, but there differences between the two are low.

It means that the Galaxy S8 is still a great buy, and it now has a lower price tag making it an enticing proposition.

You still get a fantastic display, futuristic design and a great camera, making it a solid choice for those looking to save a few pounds.

Best Samsung Galaxy S8 deals from Amazon

10. LG V30 – An impressive combination of power and performance

Features & Specifications

Weight: 158g
Dimensions: 151.7 x 75.4 x 7.3mm
OS: Android 7
Screen size: 6-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2880
CPU: Snapdragon 835
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Battery: 3300mAh
Rear camera: 16MP+16MP
Front camera: 5MP

Pros:

Streamlined design
Excellent audio performance

Cons:

Low-light photos not great

Summary

A big OLED screen, impressive design and a whole of heap power help the LG V30 stand in our 10 best Android phones lineup.

It arrived in the second half of 2017, and it still offers up a great experience with the benefit of now being lower in price.

While the rear-facing camera’s low-light performance doesn’t quite live up to expectations, there’s a lot of fun to be had with its numerous features, like Point Zoom for dramatic close-ups and Cine Video color grading.

Best LG V30 deals from Amazon

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