The best Android phones of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

If you're on the market for an Android phone, you've got options. Over the years, ZDNET's team of mobile experts has put the best Android phones from brands like Google, Samsung, and Motorola through rigorous testing. We evaluate each handset's unique capabilities, day-to-day endurance, camera quality, and more. With Google just releasing its Pixel 11 series of devices, we now have a clear picture of what the biggest and best brands have to offer in 2026. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. What is the best Android phone right now? Our pick for the best Android phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra which starts at $1,050. It features the company's latest display innovation, the Privacy Display, a quad-camera setup that's highly functional, a built-in S Pen stylus for precision inputs, and AI capabilities that play well with Samsung's Bixby model and Google's Gemini. As a runner-up, we're honoring the Google Pixel 10a, a $425 Android phone with a durable design, support for up to seven years of OS and security…