The Pixel 5 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our top choice among Android phones if camera quality is your main criterion. The main 12-megapixel camera reliably shoots detailed photos with natural colors, and a mode called Night Sight brightens up scenes in low light. There’s an ultrawide camera this year that’s just as good too. The rest of the phone is problem-free, with great performance, a 90-Hz OLED screen, 5G, day-long battery life, and a compact aluminum frame that’s water-resistant and supports wireless charging. At Best Buy, you can score $100 extra off this phone on Verizon or AT&T, or $200 off on Sprint (with a new line), if you activate it at the time of purchase, although the savings come in the form of monthly bill credits. Also, if this deal appears sold out, try selecting different color options—it may just be the color you’re viewing that’s sold out.
Galaxy S20 Fan Edition
Photograph: Samsung★ Runner Up—Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition for $550 ($150 off)
Amazon, Best Buy (Choose Unlocked), $600 from Samsung
Samsung’s latest flagship is the runner up in our Best Android Phones guide. Why? You get the best of the Galaxy S20 from earlier this year for several hundred dollars less. It runs super fast thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, the high-end chip in all high-end Android phones this year, and the battery comfortably lasts all day. The 120-Hz OLED screen is sharp and colorful, and the phone has a reliable triple-camera system for great photos. The back is made of plastic, and it has water resistance and wireless charging.
If you do want to pay up for the S20 with its slightly better cameras, screen, and glass body, it’s also on sale for $800 ($200 off).
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Photograph: SamsungSamsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for $1,050 ($250 off)
