Best Android Smartphone

 After 16 hours of research and analysis of 30 popular models in the market, we have established that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is the best Android smartphone at this price.

With its two big brothers (the 9S and the Pro ), they are the most suitable for the greatest number. Their processors offer a good level of performance and they have good overall characteristics.

Xiaomi redmi note 9

The Note 9 range is a good example of balanced smartphones, ideal for any type of user. This version stands out from the competition with its powerful processor and good overall qualities.

 

209.00 € at Amazon

If the Note 9 is posed as the most interesting solution of this price range, it is also possible, for more demanding users, to turn to the more advanced versions such as the 9S and the 9 Pro . It combines a high autonomy, interesting performance and careful ergonomics, which makes it one of the new benchmarks of the entry level.

Xiaomi mi 10

With this model, the brand is attacking the tenors of the market. For this, it has endowed it with many advantages including a high level of performance and good rendering in photography.

 

704.00 € at Amazon

To titillate the market references, Xiaomi has endowed its Mi 10 with the best. Thus, we find the latest Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 865, a neat photo part and a very good quality screen. These good elements are sublimated by an interesting autonomy. However, its ergonomics are affected by its high capacity accumulator which makes it bulkier and heavier than other equivalent models.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

This smartphone wins the title of best high-end model on the market thanks to its many assets, at the head of which an excellent screen, first-rate performance and a photo rendering worthy of the best.

1080.00 € on Amazon

On the program of the S20 Ultra, you will find a huge 120 Hz AMOLED screen, first-rate performance and an exceptional photo module! However, these assets come at the cost of certain sacrifices, with an imposing size and limited autonomy in certain circumstances. The S20 and S20 + present an equally interesting quality / price ratio, while compensating for this first defect by a reduced diagonal.

Xiaomi mi note 10

Originally designed for photography, this model ultimately arises as a very versatile solution. It is thus able to compete with many smartphones of the upper range.

 

Thanks to its photo module composed of 5 sensors, the Mi Note 10 offers a solution for each situation. It adds as a bonus a high autonomy and a processor whose performance is suitable for the majority of uses. Unlike the Realme X2 Pro, which focuses primarily on performance, this model relies on photography, which allowed it to become our choice in our article dedicated to photo smartphones .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why trust us ?

 

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How did we make our choice?

Right now, we see trends are busy changing and old leaders are faced with new builders offering more and more attractive proposals.

 

The choice is therefore not easy and it is important to establish some criteria before proceeding with the purchase of an Android smartphone, which is nevertheless a leader in the field of cheap smartphones :

 

Performance : The processor is paired with a graphics card and together they represent the brain of your device. Thus, they determine the running speed of the phone. The more powerful the processor, the more flexible the photo editing will be, the applications will open faster and of course, the game will be smooth with correctly reproduced graphics. Today, the most powerful on paper is the Snapdragon 865. The most powerful smartphones are, in general, intended for gaming (we tell you about it here ).

RAM : it determines the multitasking nature of the device. So the more RAM there is, the faster your phone will be able to do what you want it to do at all times.

Screen : The size of the display determines the size of your device. It is measured in inches. The larger the display, the bigger the smartphone and the more immersive the experience. Modern smartphones use either IPS-LCD or OLED technology for the display. IPS technology is useful for video editing, but for vibrant colors, HDR video and better battery life, OLED technology will be a better choice.

The construction material : In general, a smartphone made with metal will be stronger than with plastic. Glass is even more fragile, but it is also the one that looks the best and allows the phone to charge wirelessly. On the other hand, it is unfortunately a magnet with fingerprints. All these elements influence the aesthetics, the handling and the weight of the product.

Photo quality : resolution is the number of pixels your camera has. The best performance is given by resolutions of around 12 Mpx (ie sensors of plus or minus 48 Mpx). To produce beautiful photos, you have to check the brightness, contrast and colorimetry as well as the context in which you capture them. Good images during the day do not offer great shots at night and vice versa. If the photo quality of your device is an essential criterion, do not hesitate to consult our comparison of the best smartphones for the photo . 

The operating system : There are a multitude of Android phones, each offering its own unique features for hardware and software. It's better to have a recent operating system if you want to run the applications you need. We recommend that you also check the overheating status of the phone.

Autonomy : one of the weak points of the arrival of smartphones is that they greatly weaken the battery. You can consider that it is resistant when it lasts about 2 days. Many technologies come to speed up the charging time of these devices. This criterion is expressed in mAh.

Sound : a smartphone is often used to listen to music, watch videos or even talk live video. For all these tasks, it is best to check the sound quality of the built-in speakers.

Water resistance : some users like to capture moments underwater. For these, it is worth looking at the IP certification.

With these characteristics, we were able to clearly qualify the smartphones. So out of around thirty models, we have eliminated half of them. The remaining phones were subjected to even further analysis of these same criteria.

 

This study was made possible thanks to the comments and opinions of English and French speaking users who can be found everywhere on the internet (blogs, channels, sites, forums, etc.). We have therefore selected the 4 best Android smartphones of the moment.

Xiaomi redmi note 9

The Note 9 range is a good example of balanced smartphones, ideal for any type of user. This version stands out from the competition with its powerful processor and good overall qualities.

 

209.00 € at Amazon

If the Note 9 is posed as the most interesting solution of this price range, it is also possible, for more demanding users, to turn to the more advanced versions such as the 9S and the 9 Pro . It combines a high autonomy, interesting performance and careful ergonomics, which makes it one of the new benchmarks of the entry level.

 

To take care of your tasks, the Note 9 is equipped with a Helio G85, a little less powerful than the Helio G90T present on the Note 8 Pro but less energy intensive. It is available in two versions: 3 GB (64 GB) or 4 GB of RAM (128 GB of storage). The latter should be favored in order to benefit from better fluidity.

 

A 6.53 ”Full HD + IPS panel takes care of the display. It offers a very satisfactory overall rendering. Indeed, its contrast is quite good for this technology (1132: 1), the colorimetry is excellent (dE 2.9) and the brightness levels are perfectly usable.

 

Overall, it is in photos that we are most disappointed. Although the Note 9 has a lens composed of a 48 Mpx sensor, an 8 Mpx ultra-wide angle, a 5 Mpx macro lens and a last 2 Mpx dedicated to the depth (like the 9S).

 

The rendering is correct during the day even if the smoothing is a little too present. At night, on the other hand, the pictures are hardly usable. The night mode allows you to correct the shot a little without doing miracles.

 

Its ergonomics are on the other hand much more interesting with a handling favored by a good positioning of the buttons and an effective fingerprint sensor, placed at the back. The finishes are different than on its brothers with a plastic back. On the other hand, one-handed use is better than with the other versions thanks to its slightly reduced size (162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm - 199 g).

 

Its autonomy, finally, is placed in the high average with a 5020 mAh accumulator which allows it to easily last more than 2 days if you do not abuse the videos.

 

Xiaomi mi 10

With this model, the brand is attacking the tenors of the market. For this, it has endowed it with many advantages including a high level of performance and good rendering in photography.

 

704.00 € at Amazon

To titillate the market references, Xiaomi has endowed its Mi 10 with what is best. However, its ergonomics are affected by its high capacity accumulator which makes it bulkier and heavier than other equivalent models.

 

The different tasks are entrusted to the new generation of Snapdragon, the 865, coupled with 8 GB of RAM. The latter is renowned as the best mobile processor on Android. It does not mark a big difference with its predecessor in terms of pure power but still brings better energy management and compatibility with 5G.

 

The screen consists of a 6.39 ”AMOLED panel. Clocked at 90 Hz and HDR10 + compatible, it will amaze you thanks to its efficient calibration (dE 1.7). In addition, the brightness levels make it pleasant to use in both bright and dark environments.

 

On the photo side, there is a quadruple sensor module (main 108 Mpx, ultra-wide angle of 13 Mpx, macro of 2 Mpx and ToF) quite qualitative. The shots obtained offer a good level of detail while maintaining faithful colors, in broad daylight as in low light.

 

The only black point at this level comes from the ultra wide angle which lacks sharpness while tending to burn the lighter areas. In a dark environment, the situation deteriorates further with unusable pictures.

 

The ergonomics straighten the bar a little thanks to a well-optimized occupancy ratio (90%), good balance and well-positioned buttons. On the other hand, its size makes handling more complicated, in particular with one hand. The lack of IP certification is also a flaw.

 

Its autonomy, finally, compensates for these last shortcomings by presenting an endurance of more than 2 days in normal use in addition to an efficient fast charge allowing topping up in less than an hour. Wireless charging and reverse charging are also part of the game.

 

The Mi 10 is also available in a Pro version , which benefits from faster wireless and wired charging and a slightly more powerful camera.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

This smartphone wins the title of best high-end model on the market thanks to its many assets, at the head of which an excellent screen, first-rate performance and a photo rendering worthy of the best.

 

1080.00 € on Amazon

The S20 Ultra is posed as a beefy smartphone enjoying first-rate performance and a high-level photo module! The S20 and S20 + are just as good and compensate for the default of the Ultra (76 x 166.9 x 8.8mm - 220 g) by a reduced diagonal.

 

With an Exynos 990 and 12 GB of RAM, we are in the high end. The storage amounts to 128 GB, expandable via microSD. With all that power, the S20 Ultra can run any game or app without a hitch (although it is inferior to its competitor, the Snapdragon 865). In addition, the S20 range is compatible with 5G!

 

The screen is a gigantic 6.9 ”QHD + panel clocked at 120 Hz. It has flawless fluidity with excellent calibration. Its edges are thinned giving the strange impression of holding only one screen.

 

In photography, he opts for a triple module of 108 (12 Mpx shots via nona bining), 12 and 48 Mpx coupled with a ToF module. All this gives him the possibility of recording in 8K at 30 fps.

 

The shots are flawless, no matter what the goal, with excellent handling of various situations although the result is even more flattering than reality. The 108 Mpx mode is breathtaking in detail but more affected by the quality of the lighting. 5, 10 and 100x (digital) zooms are available if you want to focus on precise detail.

 

The finding is just as good at night, even if the Lens Flare can still make its appearance in some cases. Night mode compensates for this fault.

 

Nonetheless, all this paraphernalia has a negative impact on the whole: the S20 Ultra is simply huge (76 x 166.9 x 8.8mm - 220g). OneUI, however, counterbalances by being perfectly adapted to this wide diagonal and the fingerprint sensor under the screen is perfectly placed.

 

Finally, its battery has a capacity of 500 mAh which allows it a minimal autonomy of about a day, the fault of the QHD panel of 120 Hz and 5G. Decreasing these parameters can easily double the end result. The fast charge judiciously compensates with a compatibility up to 45W (adapter supplied of 25 W only).

Xiaomi mi note 10

Originally designed for photography, this model ultimately arises as a very versatile solution. It is thus able to compete with many smartphones of the upper range.

Thanks to its photo module composed of five sensors, the Mi Note 10 offers a solution for every situation. It adds a high autonomy and a processor whose performance is suitable for the majority of uses. Unlike the Realme X2 Pro focusing primarily on performance, this model relies on photography.

 

In terms of performance first, a Snapdragon 730G coupled with 6 GB of RAM manages your tasks. This torque makes it flexible enough to satiate the majority of users with its balanced performance, even if it is not at the level of the 855 and its abuse of power.

 

The display is assumed by a very qualitative 6.5 ”AMOLED panel. After modifying the parameters (temperature on “hot”, “default” profile), it offers very good colorimetry. In addition, thanks to its high brightness and contained reflectance, the Mi Note 10 is completely usable in direct sunlight.

 

Then, let's move on to its strong point: the photo. It shows in this field as much agility as the Huawei P30 Pro , long considered THE benchmark in photo smartphones. The Note 10 consists here of five lenses, in favor of its versatility. Thus, you benefit from a main lens of 108 Mpx, telephoto lenses x2 (12 Mpx), an ultra wide-angle of 20 Mpx and x5 (5 Mpx) and a macro of 2 Mpx.

 

The result is excellent both during the day (with a good level of detail and natural colors), and at night (where the smoothing does not deteriorate the final result). The main objective is the best of the lot and should be favored in complex conditions.

 

Its ergonomics are just as neat although it is hardly usable with one hand with its large size (157.8 x 74.2 x 9.67 mm) and its high weight (206 g). Identification is provided by 2D facial recognition and a fingerprint sensor under the screen. The whole is fast and efficient but the second solution is less secure than the 3D solutions found at Huawei in particular.

 

The connection is quite simple with a USB-C port and two Nano-SIM ports. Its storage extends to 128 GB without being expandable.

 

Finally, its endurance is placed as one of the best currently with a hold of 2 to 3 days, depending on your use.

 

 

 

 

Honorable mentions

Realme 6 (€ 229.90 at the time of publication): this newcomer comes to face Xiaomi and its affordable models head-on. If its competitors are already well established, it is not disarmed: a Helios G90T for performance, 4 or 8 GB of RAM and a very good screen. It is therefore almost as good as the Xiaomi Note 8 Pro but it concedes its design, made here of plastic, and its photo part perfectible.

 

Oneplus Nord (€ 399.00 when published): the brand's foray into the mid-range, this smartphone is one of the best quality / price ratios today when looking for a balanced solution compatible with 5G. Thus, it offers interesting performance while taking advantage of very good assembly quality and a pleasant 90 Hz screen on a daily basis. However, its photo part is its main weak point even if it remains perfectly usable.

 

OnePlus 8 (€ 619.00 at the time of publication): this new model signed by the Chinese brand offers excellent autonomy of more than 2 days (in normal use) rechargeable in less than an hour. It benefits from a beautiful 6.55 ”Full HD + OLED screen. The performance is worthy of the largest gaming smartphones with the Snapdragon 865 coupled with 8 GB of RAM. On the other hand, it is at the level of the photo that we are a little disappointed with a result that is too smooth day and night.

 

Google Pixel 4 XL (€ 1,244.12 at publication): photographers are delighted. Indeed, it embeds a double photo sensor leaving some multi-lenses far behind. Plus, you always have the very latest version of Android. This new iteration further improves Google's formula while correcting the main flaw of the old one: autonomy. If it does not break records, it is still usable on a daily basis. On the other hand, performance, the old benchmark, is starting to age in the face of new, more advanced processors.