This will be our last big update to our best smartphones lists for this year with no notable devices coming out before we hit 2020 and there was some shakeup this time around with new devices added and some removed from every single list. If you are considering picking up a smartphone as a gift for the holidays then this is the perfect time to review the best of what’s out there across a variety of categories.
Our primary guide is simply the best Android phones, with this list, we try to weigh every factor and come up with the top 10 devices that are currently available. The Pixel 4 has joined the list this month, although perhaps not where some might expect it, and as always we have some notes on devices that are coming over the next few months.
Our Best budget flagship smartphones list has already seen some changes as well, like we said this is a market segment that has a lot going on. OnePlus 7T is one notable addition as the first device with a Snapdragon 855+ to make an appearance. Again these are going to be devices that have a top-end processor (Snapdragon 855 level currently) and come in below $600.
Our next guide is on the best cheap Android phones, not everyone wants or needs a high-end flagship and cheap isn’t a bad word. We set a cap at $400 for these smartphones, in part because the Pixel 3a is too good of a budget device to leave it out, but most are below $300 and will still deliver a solid user experience.
The best battery life guide takes a look at the smartphones that will get you through even the heaviest day of use and beyond. A dead smartphone isn’t doing anyone any good, so if carrying an external battery or getting to a charger during the day isn’t an option for you then these are the smartphones to put at the top of your list.
Cameras have become one of the biggest battlegrounds for smartphones, so our list of smartphones with the best camera was one of the hardest to determine. Much like the best overall smartphones guide there simply isn’t a loser in this collection, they have some different strengths which we highlight in the guide, but each one has a fantastic camera that can yield amazing results.
Last up we have the rugged smartphones guide, definitely the most niche list we have, but as most smartphones have gotten increasingly fragile the market for truly rugged smartphones has become even more critical. These smartphones will survive almost anything you can throw at them and some offer unique capabilities that could be tremendously valuable on a job site.
So take a look at the new guides if you or anyone you know is in the market for a new smartphone and we’ll be constantly working to keep them up-to-date so you always have a resource where you can find the best android smartphones on the market.