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Best Android phones for 2018: We review the greatest Android mobiles out now

What are the best Android phones that you can buy in 2018? We’ve reviewed all of the biggest Android mobile devices that have hit the UK and the following smartphones are our favourites so far, to match any budget.

Android phones come in all shapes and sizes, not to mention cater for all tastes and budgets. From great-value mobiles such as the Moto G family, to the mightiest flagship smartphones from Samsung and Sony, you really can find the perfect Android device to cater for your personal tastes.

In 2017 we saw the launch of some massive (in all senses) Android handsets, including the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus which sport some seriously slick design. Sony launched the world’s first mobile rocking a 4K HDR screen in the Xperia XZ Premium, while the likes of the OnePlus 5T and Honor 7X deliver incredible value for money.

So what are the best Android phones to buy in 2018, no matter what your cut-off price, and which new phones can we already look forward to? We’ve rounded up our favourite Android mobiles which we’ve already reviewed, to help you narrow your search.

If you’re looking to the future, check out our guide to the best phones coming soon in 2018.

Samsung Galaxy S8

If we had to marry (or simply snog) a single smartphone, we’d choose the Galaxy S8. Samsung’s big flagship phone for 2017 is simply stunning, boasting a mighty 5.8-inch display that curves delightfully around the device’s edges and nearly fills its front. The result is a sizzling hot media machine that is surprisingly easy to handle.

Of course, it’s not just about that gorgeous design work or the crisp and vibrant screen. The S8 sports a reworked version of Android Nougat that boasts some great built-in features, as well as one of the very best mobile cameras of all time.

Check out our full Samsung Galaxy S8 review for more info and take a look at our pick of the best Samsung phones 2017.

HTC U11

HTC impressed us with 2016’s HTC 10 flagship mobile. This handset didn’t boast any particularly exciting exclusive or innovative features, instead concentrating on getting the basics right. And with its brilliant camera, gorgeous screen and highly satisfying user experience, it certainly succeeded.

With its latest flagship device, the HTC U11, the mobile manufacturer has gone for a very different approach. The HTC U11 refreshes pretty much every aspect of previous mobiles, offering a complete redesign inside and out. From that sleek glass frame to the even more impressive premium camera tech, as well as unique features like Edge Sense and the new assistant, the U11 is the flagship phone that fans demanded.

Read our full HTC U11 review if you want to know more.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Huawei’s Mate 10 Pro is a 6-inch beast, like many Android phones in this best-of round-up, which is a good match for mobile professionals as well as simple everyday users. You get buckets of power, solid battery life, and more features than we could possibly ever talk about, all crammed inside of an attractive glass and metal frame.

The lower £699 asking price, when compared to rivals like the Galaxy Note 8, can be explained by small cost-saving measures such as its lower resolution display (there’s no Quad HD visuals unlike many premium rivals) and slightly nixed camera experience (image stabilisation for 4K is nowhere near good enough). However, this is still the greatest phone Huawei’s ever made and a seriously attractive prospect for all kinds of users, with cash to spare.

Our in-depth Mate 10 Pro review has everything you need if your interest is piqued.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium

Say hello to the world’s first 4K HDR phone.

For most people, the Xperia XZ Premium’s headline features (i.e. its incredible screen and that jaw-dropping Super Slow Motion camera mode) will be completely superfluous. Of course, even without those signature additions, the Premium is a truly solid top-tier flagship that more than lives up to its name.

The XZ Premium’s camera provides a fantastic means of capturing your everyday world, even if you never touch Super Slow Mo. You get long battery life, super-smooth performance and plenty of great features, geared towards media lovers, gamers and beyond.

Head on over to our full Sony Xperia XZ Premium review for all you need to know.

Sony Xperia XZ1

The Xperia XZ1 is Sony’s latest flagship phone, boasting all of the premium specs and impressive media chops that you might expect. Of course, some of the XZ1’s best features have been lifted wholesale from the XZ Premium, a mighty 5.5-inch blower boasting a 4K HDR-ready display. Yet if the Premium seemed a little unwieldy for your personal tastes, the Xperia XZ1 may well be the answer.

This device delivers a more manageable 5.2-inch frame while still boasting HDR visuals, the latest Snapdragon smarts and Sony’s excellent MotionEye camera. Everyone from music lovers to gamers will find something to love about this flagship Android phone, guaranteed.

Check out our full Xperia XZ1 review for all you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

If you want something big, brash and ready for all situations, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is one to consider.

Samsung’s new Note trades in the conventional 16:9 aspect ratio display of its predecessors for the eye-catching edge-to-edge Infinity Display of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ from earlier in the year. The Note 8 also shares many of the same top-notch internals as those flagship phones, while offering creative users a whole new level of control thanks to the S Pen stylus functionality.

For the first time on a Samsung handset, you also get a dual-lens primary camera. And boy is it a good one. On the flip side, the Note 8 also happens to be the most expensive phone in the mainstream market in 2018, with the exception of those top-end iPhones. So is it really worth that steep asking price?

Have a gander at our full Note 8 review for our in-depth thoughts.

OnePlus 5T

If you’re after a flagship Android phone but you don’t have buckets of cash to spare, the OnePlus 5T is one of your best choices for 2018.

This £450 mobile is one of the best smartphones money can buy, boasting a solid dual lens camera that’s a strong rival to any other mobile snappers out there. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor makes it a proper powerhouse, backed by a generous 6 to 8GB of memory.

That edge-to-edge 6-inch screen is rather stunning, pumping out punchy, super-bright visuals. You also get the super-fast ‘Dash Charge’ battery charging tech, a remarkably fast and responsive fingerprint sensor and plenty of other premium features, including impressive facial recognition.

Take a wander over to our OnePlus 5T review for all you need to know, while the OnePlus hub is filled with our guides and in-depth features.

LG G6

LG decided to do away with modular functionality and all that jazz, which came built into last year’s LG G5 handset. Instead, the LG G6 offers up some truly awesome tech for media lovers, including the world’s first Dolby Vision mobile screen. This QHD+ panel boasts a super-crisp resolution, stretched aspect ratio and of course full HDR support, which means gorgeous lifelike visuals from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

The result is a five-star slab of brilliance and one of the best Android phones you can buy in 2017. That funky dual-lens camera, solid performance and a chunky, cheerful metallic design are just the icing on the cake.

Check out our full LG G6 review

Honor 9

While we really like the Huawei P10 for its solid hardware and user-friendly software, we really can’t get behind that crazy £599 asking price. Thankfully, the P10 has pretty much been restyled and repackaged as the Honor 9 handset, which can be grabbed for just £380 here in the UK.

The Honor 9 sports a slick curved and glossy frame as well as pleasingly premium specs. That dual-lens camera isn’t completely perfect, although it does churn out good-looking snaps in most conditions. You get an eye-pleasing Full HD screen, expandable storage and great performance and battery life. All for much less than the cost of standard flagships.

Take a look at our thoughts on the Honor 9.

Honor 7X

At just £269 here in the UK, this sleek and sexy handset offers very strong value for money. For one, you get a feature-packed dual-lens camera which can capture good looking photos in most conditions. Media fans will enjoy the attractive 6-inch screen, while the EMUI software packs all kinds of great features and the battery life keeps on delivering. All for less cash than a lot of other mid-range mobiles.

Head to our in-depth Honor 7X review for all you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy S7

Although it’s been succeeded by the Galaxy S8, Samsung’s previous flagship phone is still a joy to use and now available at a much lower price.

This gorgeous handset may not sport the gorgeous Infinity Display design, yet those curves make it even comfortable to clutch and the Galaxy S7 still boasts a fantastic mobile camera which can capture amazing photos in almost any conditions.

Check out our full Samsung Galaxy S7 review if you’re still not convinced.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

The Galaxy S7 Edge offers pretty much identical specs to the standard Galaxy S7, but you get a bigger 5.5-inch screen that’s absolutely spiffing for enjoying media on the move. It’s an even better and more immersive way to take in mobile VR experiences, via Samsung’s Gear VR headset.

Not just that, but you also have Samsung’s super-slick Edge design to marvel at every time you check your messages. That screen stretches around the edges of the phone, for a truly stunning finish. Not quite as breathtaking as the S8+, but it’s not far off.

Check out our Galaxy S7 Edge review

Moto G5 Plus

As if one new Moto G phone in 2017 wasn’t enough, the Moto G5 Plus was also launched at the same time, offering up even better specs. You get some of the same camera tech as the mighty Samsung Galaxy S8, including Dual Pixel autofocus and a f/1.7 aperture lens. And you also get better performance, for true future-proofing on a tight budget.

At £199, the Moto G4 Plus really is one of the best Android phones you’ll find on a budget. Check out our Moto G5 Plus review and other features over at our Moto G5 hub.

Moto G5

Motorola’s Moto G4 was one of the best value phones released in 2016, thanks to its impressive hardware and sub-£200 asking price. The Moto G5 continues that tradition with a thankfully more compact design that’s now rocking premium metal materials, as well as updated specs all across the board.

Motorola really impressed us with the Moto G5’s excellent 13-megapixel camera, easily one of the very best Android snappers to be found at this price point. You get a fingerprint security for improved security and a more vibrant Full HD screen that’s bound to satisfy media fans. And as if that all wasn’t enough, the Moto G5 is also one of the few Android phones to offer customisable design (via the online Moto Maker service).

Check out our full Moto G5 review for all you need to know.

More best of Android features for you

Best camera phones of 2017

Best budget phones of 2017

Which Android phone should I buy?

Best Sony phones

Best Samsung phones

Best Huawei phones

Best LG phones

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