Android is an open-source OS with a whopping 72% of the world's market share, meaning that all your favourite apps and services are available and kept up to date. What's more, given the great number of brands to choose from, you can be sure to get a great deal every time.
Whether you're looking for a premium flagship model from Samsung or Huawei, or something more budget-friendly from Google or Motorola, we've put together a list of the best android smartphones available in the UK. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a handset for everyday use, for work, to play the latest mobile games or just to watch some Netflix on the go, there are plenty of options on Amazon and John Lewis.
When it comes to a smartphone, the amount of internal storage space available is usually related to the cost of the unit. Premium smartphones generally offer much more than cheaper options, but you shouldn't have too much difficulty finding one with either 64 GB or 128 GB of space on a budget phone.
Just like a computer, most smartphones feature both internal storage and the ability to add extra external storage via a microSD card. This is also a quick and easy way to transfer files between your phone and computer if you find your cloud storage space limited.
Random access memory (RAM) is how your phone deals with applications and internal systems that are being run. To put it simply, the more gigabytes of RAM a phone has, the quicker it will load apps and swap between them. A phone's memory is denoted as ram/internal storage, so a specification reading 4/128 means 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space. It is recommended to have a minimum of 4 GM of RAM.
When it comes to processors, there are two things to look out for: clock speed and the number of cores. Clock speed is measured in Gigahertz (GHz) while the number of cores is denoted as singe-core, dual-core, quad-core, and so on.
While it can be confusing to understand, a smartphone with at least a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor will be fine for everyday tasks, while an octa-core 2.4 GHz model will be able to handle anything you throw at it.
One of the most popular features of smartphones is the cameras attached to them. Whether you're taking a selfie for Instagram, photographs for your business, or videoing your cat, you'll want to make sure that the image is the best it can be while also being quick to focus and record. Many Android smartphones will feature multiple high-quality lenses on both the front and rear.
A phone with a high number of lenses is a good indication that the camera features will be up to scratch, but you'll also want to make sure the camera has a high number of megapixels (MP) too. This determines the resolution of the videos and pictures, and, as always, the higher the number, the better.
All batteries are measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), and your phone is no different. If you spend a lot of time out and about, then a large 5000 mAh battery should last you multiple days on a single charge with moderate use. That said, phones with even half that capacity will serve you well if you're able to charge it most evenings.
We would recommend at least 4000 mAh if you watch a lot of videos or play mobile games, as using the screen continuously is the quickest way to use up your battery. If you spend the entirety of a 2-hour train journey watching Netflix on full brightness, then you can expect to see your percentage sitting just over half as you reach your destination.
As you're going to have your smartphone on you at all times, it's important that you opt for a handset that is comfortable to carry around. It should feel nice to hold in your hands as well as in your pocket.
Some of the larger Android smartphones on the market can be as long as 17 cm, while some smaller units are nearer 12 cm. The larger phones will also tend to feel a little weightier in your hands but will come with a larger, often higher resolution screen that is great for watching videos on YouTube and Netflix as well as playing games on the go.
Now that you've had a chance to look through the features you can expect to find in an Android smartphone, it's time to browse our top 8 list. Whether you're looking for a basic, budget device for everyday use or something a little more powerful and unique, there's something for everyone below!
£399.00
Storage | 128 GB |
---|---|
RAM | 6 GB |
Processor | Kirin 980, octa-core 2.6 GHz |
Camera | 40 MP rear, 32 MP front |
Battery | 4200 mAh |
Dimensions | 7.34 x 0.84 x 15.8 cm; 192 g |
£770.27
Storage | 256 GB |
---|---|
RAM | 8 GB |
Processor | Exynos 2100, octa-core 2.8 GHz |
Camera | 64 MP rear, 10 MP front |
Battery | 4000 mAh |
Dimensions | 15.17 x 7.12 x 0.79 cm; 169 g |
£739.00
Storage | 128 GB |
---|---|
RAM | 12 GB |
Processor | Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.8 GHz |
Camera | 48 MP rear, 16 MP front |
Battery | 4500 mAh |
Dimensions | 24.5 x 9.7 x 7.4 cm; 200 g |
£898.00
Storage | 256 GB, microSD card slot |
---|---|
RAM | 12 GB |
Processor | Exynos 990, octa-core 2.8 GHz |
Camera | 108 MP rear, 10 MP front |
Battery | 4500 mAh |
Dimensions | 16.48 x 7.72 x 0.81 cm; 213 g |
£946.00
Storage | 128 GB |
---|---|
RAM | 8 GB |
Processor | Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.8 GHz |
Camera | 12 MP rear, 10 MP front |
Battery | 3300mAh |
Dimensions | 16.6 x 7.22 x 0.69 cm; 183 g |
£1,599.00
Storage | 256 GB |
---|---|
RAM | 12 GB |
Processor | Qualcomm SM8350, octa-core 2.8 GHz |
Camera | 12 MP rear, 10 MP front |
Battery | 4400mAh |
Dimensions | 15.82 x 12.81 x 0.64 cm; 269 g |
£299.99
Storage | 128 GB |
---|---|
RAM | 6 GB |
Processor | Snapdragon 730G, octa-core 2.3 GHz |
Camera | 12 MP rear, 8 MP front |
Battery | 3140 mAh |
Dimensions | 14.4 x 6.94 x 0.82 cm; 143 g |
£399.99
Storage | 128 GB, microSD slot |
---|---|
RAM | 6 GB |
Processor | Snapdragon 720G, octa-core 2.3 GHz |
Camera | 64 MP rear, 32 MP front |
Battery | 4500 mAh |
Dimensions | 15.99 x 7.51 x 0.84 cm; 189 g |
Image | 1 ![]() Samsung | 2 ![]() | 3 ![]() Samsung | 4 ![]() Samsung | 5 ![]() Samsung | 6 ![]() OnePlus | 7 ![]() Samsung | 8 ![]() Huawei |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Galaxy A52 | Pixel 4a | Galaxy Z Fold3 | Galaxy Z Flip3 | Galaxy Note20 Ultra | 9 Pro | Galaxy S21 | P30 Pro |
Features | Great in Every Way With A 120hz Super AMOLED Display | Stock Android for a Smooth Operating Experience | A Unique Powerhouse With a Tablet-Sized Screen | Cute and Compact With a Unique Design | 108 MP Camera With Crystal Clear OLED | Incredible Processing Power and 12 GB of RAM | 256 GB Storage and A 64 MP Camera | A Slightly Older Yet Fantastic Phone From Huawei With 40 MP |
Price | £399.99 | £299.99 | £1,599.00 | £946.00 | £898.00 | £739.00 | £770.27 | £399.00 |
Storage | 128 GB, microSD slot | 128 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB, microSD card slot | 128 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB |
RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | 12 GB | 8 GB | 12 GB | 12 GB | 8 GB | 6 GB |
Processor | Snapdragon 720G, octa-core 2.3 GHz | Snapdragon 730G, octa-core 2.3 GHz | Qualcomm SM8350, octa-core 2.8 GHz | Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.8 GHz | Exynos 990, octa-core 2.8 GHz | Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.8 GHz | Exynos 2100, octa-core 2.8 GHz | Kirin 980, octa-core 2.6 GHz |
Camera | 64 MP rear, 32 MP front | 12 MP rear, 8 MP front | 12 MP rear, 10 MP front | 12 MP rear, 10 MP front | 108 MP rear, 10 MP front | 48 MP rear, 16 MP front | 64 MP rear, 10 MP front | 40 MP rear, 32 MP front |
Battery | 4500 mAh | 3140 mAh | 4400mAh | 3300mAh | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | 4000 mAh | 4200 mAh |
Dimensions | 15.99 x 7.51 x 0.84 cm; 189 g | 14.4 x 6.94 x 0.82 cm; 143 g | 15.82 x 12.81 x 0.64 cm; 269 g | 16.6 x 7.22 x 0.69 cm; 183 g | 16.48 x 7.72 x 0.81 cm; 213 g | 24.5 x 9.7 x 7.4 cm; 200 g | 15.17 x 7.12 x 0.79 cm; 169 g | 7.34 x 0.84 x 15.8 cm; 192 g |
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With a new Android phone in toe, you'll want to be making the most out of your device - especially if you're forking out a fair bit for the handset! Take a look at some of our related articles, such as the best phone cases, wireless chargers and even tripods, to really see what your smartphone is made of!
As the smartphone market is full of competitive brands with great deals, here at mybest UK we always find the best products to make choosing easier. With 1700+ articles to explore, make sure to consider us for any other products that you are looking for!
Author: David Sexton
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