CNET has updated its list of top Android smartphones for 2026 after testing dozens of devices, highlighting models from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and OnePlus for their cameras, batteries, and AI features. The roundup emphasizes long software support and practical innovations amid a competitive market.
In its latest roundup, CNET evaluated numerous Android phones, prioritizing factors like camera quality, battery endurance, processing power, and software updates. The Samsung Galaxy S25 emerges as the best overall Android phone at $800, praised for its impressive battery life lasting a day or more, seven years of major Android updates, and useful AI tools such as Circle to Search. Reviewers note it shares premium attributes like a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB RAM with pricier siblings, making it a strong flagship choice without the Ultra's $1,300 cost.
For value, the Google Pixel 10 at $799 stands out with a 5x telephoto camera, long-lasting battery, and seven years of support, though some AI features remain underdeveloped. The Pixel 9A offers budget appeal at $499, delivering a bright screen, solid cameras, and Gemini Live AI, despite average battery life. Foldables shine too: the Motorola Razr Ultra ($1,300) impresses with robust design, bright displays, and fun usability, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 ($2,000) features a thin 4.2mm build, 200-megapixel camera, and multitasking on an 8-inch display.
A November 2025 update added the OnePlus 15, lauded for its massive silicon-carbon battery enabling two days of use, fast charging, and premium specs, though it trails in camera tech and offers only four years of Android updates. CNET's testing involved real-world scenarios for photography, battery drain, and performance, ensuring picks balance innovation and reliability. As 2026 approaches, shoppers are advised to consider discounts on prior models like the Pixel 9 series amid upcoming releases such as the Galaxy S26.
