BUYING GUIDE
Plenty of people have strong opinions on which is superior, but it’s worth noting that Android is an operating system rather than a device.
Dozens of smartphones running Google’s software are released every single year, though each manufacturer makes its own tweaks to the user experience. The software on a Samsung Galaxy phone will look very different to that of a OnePlus or Xiaomi handset, for example.
It’s also important to consider the length of software support, which ranges from two to seven years.
However, you shouldn’t base your decision on which to buy solely on the software. There’s plenty of variation when it comes to hardware, especially when you’re comparing budget and mid-range phones to flagship devices.
Apple only tends to release four or five iPhone models each year, so most of the best smartphones you can buy are also Android phones. But if you don’t want to consider Apple, this is the article for you.
FAQ
Which version of Android is the latest?
The latest version of Android right now is Android 14, which launched in 2023.
However, it often takes some time for Android brands to update their phones, so many phones launched in 2022, and even some cheaper 2023 models, will still be running Android 13.
The next version, Android 15, will launch later in the year, but will take some time to roll out to handsets.
Do all Android phones run the same software?
Yes and no. They all run Android of course, but there are variations within that. Every manufacturer tweaks Android to
