Let’s face it. There are two types of people in this world: those who are die-hard iPhone fans, and those who prefer Android. While iPhones (like the new iPhone 14) have their merits, Android smartphone users know they can get their hands on a phone that’s made specifically to their liking – whether they’re looking for a big, small, entry-level or top-tier smartphone.
But, with so many options to choose from, it can get confusing – which phone is right for you? There are several factors to consider. First, price is a great way to eliminate some options. The most expensive Android phones cost upwards of Dh3,000, while the cheapest can cost around Dh350.
Next, look for features that matter the most to you, and that best suit your lifestyle. Are you always on the move? Then consider a phone with a long battery life. Do you love posting photos and videos? Check out phones that are celebrated for their camera quality. If you use your phone for everything – even for watching movies or TV shows – then get one with fantastic display specs.
We’ve curated a list of Android phones that have all these features, and more, and we’ve only picked ones that have received great reviews. Purchase your favourite smartphone while many of them are on sale, and become a Prime member, to take advantage of free, one-day delivery.
1. Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Pros
- Impressively bright display
- Amazing cameras and zoom technology
- Excellent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- More base storage than ever before
Cons
- Looks identical to its predecessor
- Limited colours
Samsung’s latest S23 Ultra flagship phone is one of the priciest phones on our list, for good reason. It strikes the best balance of performance, connectivity and features among Android phones, and is easily one of the top-performing smartphones currently in the market. The S23 Ultra has a big build and powerful hardware, so it’s ready for any activity – whether you want to write notes, browse on the web, watch a video or take high-quality pictures. Speaking of pictures, reviewers love its camera system. The phone has done away with its primary 108MP resolution sensor from previous versions, and replaced it with a whopping 200MP main camera. The cameras produce exceptionally detailed, beautiful pictures, even in low light. Another highlight of the phone is its bright, 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel screen, which showcases everything – from games to videos to apps – in bright, vivid visuals. It’s also a great screen for writing, which you will enjoy doing with the lightweight S Pen that even takes notes on the lock screen. There’s very little you won’t love in the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is why it’s at the top of our list.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh270.75 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh199, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh332, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh424.
2. Best Value: OnePlus 10 Pro
Pros
- Impressive display
- Excellent battery life
- Super-fast charging
Cons
- Telephoto camera is just 8MP
If you want an Android phone with premium features, but one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, consider the nifty OnePlus 10 Pro. Its specs easily go toe-to-toe with top-tier phones. For one, it has a fantastic 6.7-inch 2K screen that’s ideal for gaming, or watching shows. It’s powerful too, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, which runs all the apps smoothly, without overheating the phone. The 10 Pro’s cameras are decent – a 48MP main, 50MP ultra-wide and 13MP telephoto camera all take good-quality pictures. Where it truly shines, however, is in its battery life – with 80W fast charging capabilities, the phone hits full power in just 30 minutes charging time.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh220.50 for 12 months with select banks.
3. Best Foldable Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
Pros
- Impressive five-camera system
- Compatible with S Pen Fold
- Includes multi-window mode
- IPX8 water resistance, which withstands submersion
- Has 5G connectivity
Cons
- Under-display camera is just 4MP Heavy
While the nearly crease-free Huawei Mate Xs 2 was our top pick for the best foldable phone in UAE, in 2022, we’re selecting Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold4 for this list, so that you can get the best value, which means a better price than the Mate Xs 2, along with Google support. The Fold4’s display bends inwards, like a slice of bread, and you can operate it with either one or both hands. The 6.2-inch screen opens up to a 7.6-inch phablet-like display, and you can even set it on hands-free mode, fixing it at an angle to take video calls, or stream shows. The phone’s telephoto camera is the Fold series’ best zoom yet, and its triple camera system gives you plenty of photo options. Reviewers say they get a lot of work done on the phone, giving it full marks for checking all the boxes of productivity.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh411.67 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh284, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh475, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh605.
4. Best Fast-Charging Phone: Xiaomi 12 Pro
Pros
- One of the fastest charging phones right now
- Fantastic display
- Sleek design
- 5G capability
Cons
- Cameras are not ideal, reviewers say
- No water-resistance rating
There’s a lot to love in Xiaomi’s 12 Pro. For one, its 120W lightning-fast charging capability means it powers up fully in just 18 minutes – that’s the fastest charge on any phone in the market right now. The 12 Pro’s brilliant 6.73-inch screen is paired with quad speakers that feature Harman Kardon tuning and support for Dolby Atmos. Although it’s glass-backed, the phone is entirely fingerprint-resistant. On the downside, the phone’s cameras are not great, reviewers say, since the ultra-wide camera doesn’t have an auto-focus feature, and the optical zoom is pretty weak. Still, the 12 Pro more than makes up for it with a powerful processor, excellent charging speed and decent, mid-range price.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh157.42 for 12 months with select banks.
5. Best Mid-Range: Honor 70
Pros
- Unique, eye-catching design
- 5G capability
- Excellent screen display
- Fast charging
Cons
- No zoom camera
- No headphone jack
A competitive mid-range phone that comes with a lot of premium features, Honor 70 stands out from the rest. It has a curved-edge display, commonly seen in high-end phones, that makes it look good and feel comfortable to hold. While it does come with a USB-C port, it doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack, but as reviewers say – that’s becoming more and more common with phones nowadays. The large 6.67-inch screen is bright, with excellent contrast and rich colours, and the phone’s new camera sensor, made by Sony, is 54MP, which results in vivid, hi-res pictures. The phone’s battery life is decent – it’ll last all day long, reviewers say – and since its charging speed is 66W, it can hit full charge in about 40 minutes. All in all, it’s a great device at a decent price, and definitely a contender among the top Android phones right now.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh219.58 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Manufacturer provides 2-year warranty. Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh171, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh285, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh363.
6. Best Budget: OPPO A96
Pros
- Lightweight, attractive phone
- Fast charging capability
- Decent cameras
Cons
- Chipset could be better
- Refresh rate is only 60Hz
As our top pick for the best budget phone you can buy this year, OPPO A96 has a number of features going for it. With a decent-sized, 6.43-inch AMOLED screen, a 16MP front camera, and 48MP triple rear cameras, the device offers excellent resolution and brightness, both in display and photo/video quality. The phone also has an in-display fingerprint scanner that provides enhanced security. However, its best part might be its 33W charging feature, which means you get 5.7 hours of calling time out of just a five-minute charge. Not bad, for a budget phone, don’t you think?
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh67.50 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh57, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh95, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh121.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
