The best Android phones available in Australia

If you buy an iPhone, you’re locked into an ecosystem that’s comfortably restrictive by design in terms of what you can and can’t do with your smartphone. And the upgrade path between generations is straightforward. When it comes to Android, though, there’s a wealth of options on a more open platform that covers multiple plans and budgets.

This page is designed to guide you through all of your Android options and offer some great picks based on specific categories of interest. Though if you're a Samsung fan with eyes on the latest Galaxy handsets, we've got a guide to the best Samsung phones too. Of course, if you are in the market for a shiny new Android phone, you’ll want to match it with the best Prepaid or best SIM-only mobile plan.

Let's get into it.

We're big fans of Google's Pixel smartphones and the Pixel 9 Pro XL hasn't let us down yet. The Pixel 6 Pro was our top pick for Android smartphones in 2021, the Google Pixel 7 Pro picked up the baton in 2022, the Google Pixel 8 Pro was our favorite in 2023 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL kept a tight grip on the crown in 2024.

If you're in the market for an Android phone and don't fancy paying the high price attached to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, then the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a more than worthy alternative. It's a phone with everything you need plus the promise of seven years of support from Google.

 Even if it's far from compact and loses some marks for iffy camera performance, Motorola Moto G85 5G packs in an enormous amount of bang for buck. Despite an asking price of less than $400, the thrifty device comes with 5G connectivity, a surprisingly premium form-factor, snappy performance and two days of battery life.

While it can't compete with flagships like the iPhone 16, this more modest take on what 5G smartphones should offer (and how much they should cost) is easier to live with than you might expect. When it comes to this budget-friendly Android handset, it makes a powerful case that cheap doesn't have to mean compromised.

Back in 2022, Reviews.org’s Fergus Halliday came away with plenty of nice things to say about the Pixel 6a.  In his review of the device, he found that "the aesthetic character, confident camera hardware and powerful processor make it incredibly easy to recommend."

Two years on, his recent assessment of the Pixel 8a 5G was similarly enthusiastic.

While Google's strength in the premium segment has waxed and waned over the years, its Pixel A devices have dominated the mid-range market ever since their introduction and this year's Google Pixel 8a is another strong instalment in that saga.

If the Galaxy Z Fold 3 proved that the third time was the charm and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 built on the bold refinements made by the manufacturer's third-generation flagship foldable smartphone with cutting edge specs and an much better camera camera.

By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 doesn't make nearly so much of a leap forward. All the same, it's a healthy reminder that Samsung are still leading the way when it comes to mainstream foldable smartphones.

While the Pixel 9 Pro XL has Samsung's latest flagship beat when it comes to delivering bang for buck, it's difficult to make the case that the Galaxy S24 Ultra isn't the brand's best when it comes to Android smartphones. A sleeker refreshed design and the return of the S-Pen stylus as an integrated accessory rather than an add-on are likely music to the ears of consumers disheartened by the recent demise of the Galaxy Note series.

In many respects, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a new Galaxy Note in all but name. It might shirk away from competing with Google and Apple when it comes to camera quality, but it has both beat when it comes to offering performance for power users.

If last year's Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Ultra seemed a little underwhelming to you, that's probably because Samsung saved their best for the Galaxy S24 Ultra and that tech was worth the wait.

Like most gadgets, it's rare for any phone to have it all. Thankfully, Australian consumers have a decent amount of choice when it comes to finding a smartphone that has the features and specs that matter to them.

The best place to start when trying to work out which phone to buy is size. Modern smartphone screens range from around 5.9-inches to 6.8-inches in size, and the form-factor involved typically affects other aspects of the product. For example, a larger phone can fit in a larger battery or more camera hardware.

If you care about things like long-battery life or better smartphone photography, then you'll want to start your search towards the big-screen end of the market. If having something a little more pocket-friendly is preferred, then your choices become a little more limited. Still, there are a lot of options out there when it comes to finding your next phone, so deciding on a size is a great way to narrow them down.

The other big question that consumers looking to decide on their next smartphone will want to consider is whether or not they want a device that runs on iOS or Android.

iOS is Apple's mobile operating system and is found in all iPhones. Android is Google's equivalent, and is responsible for powering basically everything else in the market.

While device manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola each offer their own spin on Android, Apple has complete control over the iOS ecosystem. For some users, this can be a blessing while others may chafe against the limitations and additional costs involved with it.

It's usually easiest to stick with whatever operating system you're most familiar with, but those tired of Apple's walled garden approach to mobile computing may benefit from switching to Android. These days, crossing over from one ecosystem to the other isn't nearly as mentally taxing or time consuming. Both Apple and Google have gone out of their way to make it easy as possible, for obvious reasons.