Best Android phones in Australia 2024

If there's one thing above all else that makes Android a great platform, it's choice. The best Android phones give you a wealth of options for any budget, meaning you can find a handset that perfectly suits your needs, whether you're willing to pay AU$499 or AU$2,499. All you have to do is figure out which features are most important to you. 

Of course, the smartphone landscape has changed significantly over the last year or so, with the advent of neural processors (or NPUs) providing today's handsets with new levels of interaction through the power of artificial intelligence.

In any case, this article is here to point you towards the best Android phones that are currently available in Australia. So whether you want an amazing camera, a stunning screen, brilliant design or a long battery life, or an AI powerhouse, there are plenty of options available to you.

This year has already brought us some fantastic premium Android devices, such as Samsung's Galaxy S24, and Google's Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL. 

Of course, with so many options to choose from, it can be tough for Android newcomers (and even veterans) to narrow down the best Android phones in Australia to pick. So with that in mind, here our our top picks in 2024.

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The best Android phones you can buy today

Best Android phone overall

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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t make major hardware changes from past Samsung flagships, instead putting most of its focus on new AI-powered features. These Galaxy AI capabilities are both practical and easy to use, allowing you to do things like get real-time translations on phone calls where someone speaks another language; automatically summarize and organize your notes; and search for things just by circling them.

The hardware changes may be modest, but they’re welcome — the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset powering the phone delivers performance that actually beats the iPhone 15 Pro Max on some speed tests. (That’s the first time we’ve seen that happen.) Power management features on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also contribute to the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s epic battery life, with the phone last nearly 17 hours on one charge in our testing.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra swaps out one of its telephoto lenses for a higher resolution sensor with less of an optical zoom, and that feels like a step back — so much so that we feel like it loses out the best camera phone title to Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max. Still, the cameras continue to produce excellent photos overall. 

The bigger consideration is its cost — starting at AU$2,199, not everyone is going to be able to afford the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but those willing to pay up will get the most premium Android device in return. With seven years of software and security support provided by Samsung, this is a device clearly built to last a long time.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.

The SMARTEST Phone Ever? Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review - YouTube

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Best alternative Android phone

Following up on the dizzying amount of AI features that its predecessor introduced, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the AI phone to beat with its handful of helpful features powered by artificial intelligence. From its impressively quick image generations with features like Pixel Studio and Reimagine, to the handy note taking and summarizing abilities of Note Assist, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the best Android phone that showcases the incredible power of AI.

If that's not enough to convince you, it receives big upgrades to its display and battery life. In fact, it sets a record for the brightest screen we've tested at an astonishing peak brightness output of 2,469 nits with its 6.8-inch Super Actua display. Meanwhile, the Tensor G4 chip's power efficiency extends its battery life to a time of 14 hours and 37 minutes — which is much improved over the Pixel 8 Pro's 10 hours and 3 minute time.

You're going to pay a bit more for the Pixel 9 Pro XL since it cost AU$150 more than its previous equivalent, the Pixel 8 Pro, but all of its AI features could be the incentive for you to make the compromise.

Read our full Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review.

Best mid-range Android phone

When Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launched last October, each handset came with a significant bump in price over its predecessor, making it a good idea to wait for the Pixel 8a.

Well, the Pixel 8a has finally arrived, and while the phone hasn't avoided a price hike (it now starts at AU$849 — AU$100 more expensive than the Pixel 7a), it's still the smarter purchase when it comes to bang for your buck.

For starters, the Pixel 8a matches the flagship Pixel 8 in many important areas — apart from sharing nearly identical 120Hz OLED displays (Pixel 8a is 0.1-inches smaller), both handsets are powered by Google's latest Tensor G3 chipset, meaning you can expect the same level of performance and AI functionality.

And, like its flagship sibling, the Pixel 8a boasts a 7-year commitment from Google when it comes to software and security updates, meaning your device should be good from a OS standpoint until at least 2031.

So why the AU$350 gulf in price between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a? The differences are more granular than you may think. For instance, while the Pixel 8a's 64MP main camera has a higher megapixel count than the 50MP one on the Pixel 8, the latter sports larger megapixels, allowing for better low-light photography. Additionally, the Pixel 8a only offers digital zoom, and also lacks a hi-res photo mode.

And then there's the overall feel of the device — while we appreciate that the Pixel 8a's plastic backing is now fingerprint-resistant, there's no denying it feels cheap. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8a sports older Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on its display, making it far less durable than the Gorilla Glass Victus-adorned Pixel 8.

Still, when you consider how much money you'll save by opting for the Pixel 8a, we think these trade-offs are more than acceptable. While most mid-range devices will keep costs down by resorting to a weaker or older chipset, Pixel 8a is able to boast flagship-level AI features and performance while still keeping its price well below the standard Pixel 8.

Read our full Google Pixel 8a review.

Most affordable Samsung flagship

Despite being overshadowed by its bigger, more expensive siblings, the best things about the Galaxy S24 is that it packs a lot of muscle power in such a compact design. 

Specifically, the Galaxy S24 runs on the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset that powers more expensive S24 models. That not only means a performance boost over previous Galaxy S phones, it also helps the S24 turn in a time on our battery test that tops the average smartphone.

The Galaxy S24 offers a telephoto lens — not something you always find on a phone at this price. And all the cameras on the Galaxy S24 impress, as they benefit from Samsung's effort to improve low-light photography. However, the biggest incentive to get the S24 over other phones is its handful of Galaxy AI features. Some of them are practical and intuitive to use, saving you time to do other stuff.  Aside from that, the Galaxy S24 delivers the best of Samsung's flagship lineup in a more affordable package.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 review.

Most affordable Google flagship

Sure, it's received a price bump over its predecessor, but the $1,349 starting price for the Google Pixel 9 still makes it the best affordable Pixel flagship. That's because it benefits from nearly the same set of new AI features found in the pricier 'Pro' models — like Add Me, Pixel Studio, and Call Assist.

It's also powered by the same chip, the Tensor G4, which carries along better power efficiency to propel the Pixel 9 to new heights. Specifically, it manages to clock in a time of 13 hours and 18 minutes, which is a substantial improvement over the Pixel 8's time of 9 hours and 43 minutes. This modestly sized phone packs just as strong of a punch as its 'Pro' siblings.

And since it's a flagship Pixel model, it get the same outstanding 7 years of major Android and security updates to bring even more features to the experience.

Read our full Google Pixel 9 review.

Best flip-phone foldable

While a slate of new Motorola Razr phones has finally brought some competition to the table, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5 is still the reigning champ in the clamshell space thanks to its refined design and superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.

It also sports a larger and more useful 3.4-inch Super AMOLED Flex Window on its exterior than last year's model — it brings a much needed boost for the phone, offering a wider range of supported apps and a better photo-taking experience.

That said, it does feel like Samsung played it safe with this iteration, though we hope to see the South Korean electronics giant take some bigger swings next year in order to compete with cheaper competing flip phones now available on the Australian market.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review.

Best foldable

While it could be argued that Samsung has phoned things in with the Galaxy Z Fold 5, in that it feels nearly identical to its predecessor, there are some notable improvements over the Galaxy Z Fold 4 if you look hard enough. There's also very little competition for this form factor in Australia, outside of the Oppo Find N3, which isn't that easy to find these days.

However, we believe the Samsung Z Fold 5 wasn't made for those who already own a Z Fold 4, but rather those who are interested in switching to a premium foldable and want the best you can currently buy.

And there are definitely some welcome upgrades to last year's model, starting with a new Flex hinge which finally allows the device fold fully flat without any gap. It's also thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and boasts a main display that's even brighter than before. 

Additionally, it also sports the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which not only provides better battery life, but also allows for an improved multitasking experience. With these upgrades in mind, it's easy to see why consider the Galaxy Z Fold 5 the best foldable phone available in Australia.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review.

Best budget Android phone

Samsung's Galaxy A54 once again delivers a mid-range phone that takes the fight directly to Google's Pixel 6a (and presumably the upcoming Pixel 7a) by delivering a handset that looks and feels more premium than its AU$699 RRP would suggest.

Here's a phone with a gorgeous 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display that's not only bright and vibrant, but also silky smooth thanks to its 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It also manages excellent battery life, lasting 10 hours and 20 minutes in our battery test (and 11 hours and 46 hours with the refresh rate lowered to 60Hz).

We also love its extended software update policy, which promises a total of four OS updates and five years of security updates. Admittedly, the Galaxy A54 does fall short of the Pixel 6a in terms of performance, and we imagine that gap will only increase when the Pixel 7 arrives. That said, its beautiful design, terrific software support and excellent 50MP main camera make the Galaxy A54 well worth its affordable price point.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A54 review.

Best value Motorola phone

Although our full review is yet to come, we've spent enough time with Motorola's new Edge 30 Fusion to be confident in its inclusion on our list of the best Android phones in Australia. 

Sporting premium looks and a classy design, the upper mid-range Edge 30 Fusion delivers an ambitious triple-camera array led by a 50MP main sensor. That's backed up by 13MP ultra-wide snapper, and a 2MP depth sensor for impressive bokeh shots. On the front of the device, the Edge 30 Fusion offers an excellent 32MP selfie camera.

Boasting impressive performance thanks to its Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset — the same one that powered Samsung's premium S21 Ultra — the Edge 30 Fusion feels fast and snappy to navigate. This feeling is bolstered by a stunning 144Hz P-OLED display that puts the Pixel 7's 90Hz screen on notice. At AU$899, the Edge 30 Fusion is easy to recommend.

Find out more about the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion.

How to choose the best Android phone for you

What are the best Android phones?

Here at Tom's Guide, we've taken the liberty of testing all of the major flagship Android phones in our quest to narrow down the best. Right now, the best Android device for most people is undoubtedly the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, thanks to its refined design, powerhouse performance, top-notch cameras, excellent AI features and a built-in S Pen. 

The AU$1,699 Pixel 8 Pro offers the best value for a flagship Android phone, hands down. It also features the new Tensor G3 chipset, taking advantage of Google's advancements in AI and machine learning to make it the smartest Android device around. That said, it's significantly more expensive than last year's Pixel 7 Pro, so you may want to weigh the pros and cons of each model before upgrading this year.

That said, if you're set on upgrading, you can get most of the same features from the smaller Pixel 8, which is much more affordable at a starting price of AU$1,199.

Of course, if you're on a budget but still want a flagship-level smartphone experience, it's hard to beat the Pixel 7a, which arguably improves upon the standard Pixel 7 in a number of ways. The same can be said of Samsung's excellent Galaxy A54, which offers a number of premium features at a mid-range price point.

Those are the best traditional handsets out there, but if you're ready to join the foldable revolution, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 are easily the two most premium phones on the market, thanks to their unmatched quality and top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipsets.

How to choose the best Android phone for you

When looking to purchase a new Android phone, the first thing you'll undoubtedly look at is price. As you move up to around the AU$749 mark, you'll start to find more compelling handsets, touting better processors, higher-grade materials and more camera lenses. Progress into the AU$999-and-up range, and the best phones offer flagship-caliber performance along with cutting-edge computational photography and special features.

The most premium Android phones offer foldable designs, though there's talk a new round of devices from Samsung could make foldables more mainstream — that is, make the prices more affordable.

iPhone users looking to switch to Android have lots of choices, as we've outlined above. It's also easier to move platforms, as the Switch to Android app for iOS now supports all Android 12 phones.

How we test the best Android phones

How we test the best Android phones

Every smartphone Tom’s Guide evaluates is tested for several days in real-world use cases and benchmarked with a gamut of performance-measuring apps. In terms of performance, we used Geekbench 5 to measure overall speed and 3DMark Wild Life to measure graphics performance.

We also use our own video editing test in the Adobe Premiere Rush app to see how long it takes to transcode a clip, which we run on both Android phones and iPhone to compare performance. (This test is not always available for all phones we test due to app compatibility issues.)

One of the most important tests we run is the Tom's Guide battery test. We run a web surfing test over 5G (or 4G if the phone doesn't have 5G support) at 150 nits of screen brightness until the battery gives out. In general, a phone that lasts 10 hours or more is good, and anything above 11 hours makes our list of the best phone battery life.

Last but not least, we take the best phones out in the field to take photos outdoors, indoors and at night in low light to see how they perform versus their closest competitors. We take shots of landscapes, food, portraits and more, and also allow you to be the judge with side-by-side comparisons in our reviews. 

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.