Which Android phone next?

[anat0l]

Currently a Samsung S22+ user, coming up to four years now.

For those that have bought an Android recently, what did you get? Is there something you know you will be getting for your next phone?

Been with Samsung for ages now. Not married to the brand; they just happen to be good for what I want it for, with very good camera too. That said, was recommended to switch to Google Pixel by almost every salesperson in electronics stores (JB, HN, etc.); set aside being drawn in by the sales pitch, looking at the specs I can see why the Pixel might be a worthy contender, especially since their cameras have also taken a step up.

To all who say, "get an iPhone", this is not the time or place, so stay away.

 

[Lat34]

Following... another S22 user interested in next phone.

(iPhones drive me to distraction, particularly coughpy onscreen keyboard and clumsy navigation compared to Android)
And before anyone comments, I have an iPhone for work & Samsung for personal use - so get daily iOS/Android experience comparisons!!

 

[elanshin]

I think a lot of the decision will be decided by what you value the most. If its photos then definitely pixel. But if its other factors (like longer battery or better performance then pixel probably isn't the phone).

That said most top end phones are all overall solid with just slightly different strengths and weaknesses.

 

[jastel]

I came from S23...had Sammys from about the 5, usually get new one every 2 years.
Never had a fruit phone.

Got an S25 Ultra early this year, the camera is very good, I mainly just point and shoot on Auto, the occasional Night Mode or Pano. This year was my first INT trip where I never took a separate DSLR camera ever...
I dont use the S pen much, the AI, translate stuff I have tried them out but dont use a lot either.
Battery lasts all day, though excessive photo taking or GPS will drain it faster.

It seems large at first but after a bit you dont notice.

 

[aikman]

Pixel. I switched from Samsung and haven't looked back.

 

[Daver6]

Samsung will be releasing the S26 range early next year (I think towards the end of Feb). IF you want the latest and greatest, hold out till then. I think the S25 are already being discounted somewhat and would expect more deals to appear closer to the S26 release date.

I've got a S23+. I really like the battery life of the plus models and the support for 45W charging. I'll probably get another Samsung plus model. It's jut a question of whether its the S26+ or wait another year and get the S27+.

I know a few people with the foldable phones who swear by them. I'd possible consider the Z flip over the fold. Being more compact appeals to me but needing to open it to use seems a little annoying.

 

[Denali]

Dont tell me my S22 is that old... Mr Denali will force me to get another one soon and its always traumatic, making the new one exactly like the old one. All the icons in the same place, all the bookmarks. Its never a good day for him when I have to deal with that

 

[moa999]

For slightly cheaper than Pixel, but still a very unbloated interface and ok camera, can recommend Motorola.

Bought a 50 neo about 6 months ago for $320.. a steal for a device with wireless charging and eSim.

Id expect Black Friday sales will have runouts on this device plus sales on the newer 60 series.

 

[k_sheep]

I went from S3 -> S5 -> S9 then went pixel and I'm never going back! Such a great phone, battery life is excellent (mine lasts 2 days with heavy use), camera is great. Had the 6a now the 9pro.

 

[Askance]

I really enjoy my Fold 6, had the Fold 3 before it, and i can't imagine going back to a smaller screen. Expensive though

 

[anat0l]

That said most top end phones are all overall solid with just slightly different strengths and weaknesses.

That's kind of the funny thing about it - you look at the specs and you can barely tell the difference. Once you drill down past the surface, you see differences in the makes of the chipsets (CPU, GPU etc.), the UIs, the bloatware you can expect and so on, but unless you understand how subtle (or not) those are, big fat hairy deal.

I rely a lot on GSM Arena reviews for some guidance on this, but nothing wrong with first hand experiences too.

My main uses are between taking photos on holidays, playing a game (pretty heavy going on the resources) and watching YouTube. Of course, maintain the usual social media and browsing (I use the default browser on Samsung; not sure why I haven't moved to Chrome or Firefox for the mobile... probably just too lazy). For the camera, I use the built-in Camera app (can't tell if it's a Samsung fork or native Android); never thought about trying Google's Camera app (which I assume the Pixel would of course use). I'm fascinated to know if Pixel photos taken with Google Camera app are very good and easy (e.g. auto-focus, auto-adjustment for picture mode, picture mode selection, manual mode). I wonder what the balance is of the hardware vs the software doing all the work for the photos (both Samsung and Google Pixel, and Camera app vs Google Camera).

Kind of for those aforementioned reasons, if I were to go to Samsung again, I'd be definitely looking at an S series and not an A series.

I can't tell the differences between the differing models of the Pixel series, either generations (e.g. 9 or 10) or the variants within a generation (e.g. 9a, XL, etc.)

 

[Happy Trails]

My S22+ broke down last year just before a trip so I had to replace it in a hurry.
I got a Vivo V30 pro (just for the look and feel) for about half the price and have been very happy with it.
The Samsung has since been repaired but I just keep that as a spare now.