Best Android Phones Not Made by Samsung
Looking for a smartphone with premium features? Models from Google, OnePlus, and Sony have a lot to offer, too.
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Though Samsung is the global leader in smartphone sales, you don’t have to buy one of its models to get strong performance. Other companies make great Android phones, too.
Models from Google, OnePlus, and Sony might not rise to the very top of our smartphone ratings, but they come close, says Rich Fisco, Consumer Reports’ head of electronics testing.
“The scores are so close that as long as you know what the phones have and what they may be missing, and you’re okay with that, then go ahead, save your money, and get one,” he says.
You won’t have to give up high-end features, such as a wide-angle camera or state-of-the-art OLED display. And these days, many of the phones come with great battery life, wireless charging, and 5G capability, too.
Here are the Android phones that perform best in our tests, even without a “Galaxy” in their name. For test results on the top-flight Samsung phones, CR members can consult our ratings for devices from that brand.
Overall Score: 78
Typical price: $870
The OnePlus 10 Pro 5G is the company’s best-performing smartphone. The 6.7-inch OLED display earns an excellent rating from our testers, and it has a 120-hertz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
The triple-rear camera system (48-megapixel main camera, plus zoom and ultrawide) and 32-megapixel front camera are also impressive, garnering very good scores for still and selfie image quality, as well as video quality. OnePlus has partnered with Hasselblad, a maker of professional cameras and lenses, to develop the phone’s cameras.
The 30.5-hour battery life is modest, but the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G has 65-watt fast charging (wired), which the company says could give you a day’s power in 15 minutes. Models sold outside the U.S. and Canada support 80-watt charging for even quicker sessions.
Overall Score: 77
Typical price: $749
This top-of-the-line model from Google is powered by a home-brewed Tensor G2 chipset and stands out from other Android devices because it has a simple interface uncluttered by the custom overlays and apps added by manufacturers like Samsung and OnePlus.
The phone has a bright 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Cameras include a 50-megapixel main option, 12-megapixel ultrawide option, and 48-megapixel telephoto option that can zoom in digitally up to 30 times. The setup, including the 10.8-megapixel front camera, earns high marks for still, video, and selfie image quality.
In CR’s tests, the battery lasted 32 hours on a single charge. The phone also supports 30-watt fast charging.
Want to save some money or get a more pocketable size? The 6.3-inch Pixel 7, about $450, performs nearly as well, but you give up a zoom camera and 3 hours in battery life.
Overall Score: 77
Typical price: $750
The OnePlus 10T looks almost identical to the 10 Pro, with a large 6.7-inch OLED display, but it has a few notable differences inside, including a slightly larger battery that delivers 33.5 hours per charge. The model is also gamer-friendly, with a cooling system designed to counter heat from intensive play and an updated chipset that the company claims provides better performance and energy efficiency.
CR’s testers say the phone’s speed and touchscreen performance are top-notch, but the rear video and front selfie image quality are just okay. The still image quality is solid, though. The 10T also comes complete with a charging brick, which is unusual these days, and the 125-watt charger can top up the battery quickly. Note, however, that this model doesn’t support wireless charging.
Overall Score: 76
Typical price: $700
This latest smartphone from OnePlus features zippy performance, an excellent 6.7-inch display, and 40-hour battery life—all at a nice price.
The triple-rear camera system (50-megapixel main, 48-megapixel ultra-wide, 32-megapixel zoom) and 15-megapixel front selfie camera all perform admirably in our tests. However, the phone didn’t fare well in our rigorous durability test, emerging with cracks in the back glass after 100 drops in CR’s metal tumbler. So be sure to get a good cell phone case. Keep the phone dry, too, because it’s not rated for water resistance.
Overall Score: 75
Typical price: $495
The Pixel 6 features a sharp 6.4-inch OLED display and impressive processing speed. The still image and video quality from the two rear cameras are also noteworthy—scoring similarly to phones that cost twice as much or more.
CR’s testers praise the Pixel 6 for its performance, ease of use, and durability. It has a 34-hour battery life, which is about average for phones these days.
The similarly priced 6.7-inch Pixel 6 Pro offers an upgrade not only in size but also in selfie image quality. However, the 6 Pro has a slightly shorter 31.5-hour battery life.
Overall Score: 72
Typical price: $1,000
The Xperia 5 IV is Sony’s best option. The phone earns excellent ratings for performance, sound, and the quality of its 6.1-inch display.
The model has a memory card slot, which you won’t find on the OnePlus and Google Pixel phones above, and it supports wireless charging.
Still image, video, and selfie image quality receive very good ratings. The 42-hour battery life is impressive as well.
Overall Score: 72
Typical price: $450
This budget-oriented Google “A”-series phone features a bright 6.1-inch OLED display, and not one but two rear cameras, which is rare for a model in this price range.
It earns very good scores from CR’s testers for the front and both rear cameras (a wide lens and an ultrawide lens). The phone’s 30.5-hour battery life is on the short side, though.
