- 8.40/10 1. Premium pick: Nokia 5.3
- 9.00/10 2. Editors choice: Nokia 8.3 5G
- 8.40/10 3. Best value: Motorola One Action
- 7.60/10 4. Nokia 7.2
- 9.00/10 5. Xiaomi Mi A3
If you're tired of dealing with the Android operating system's fragmentation and are looking for an affordable smartphone, an Android One phone might be right for you.
But which are the best Android One phones on the market right now? Keep reading to find out.
Premium pick1. Nokia 5.3
8.40 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Nokia 5.3 was released in early 2020. With a highly competitive price point and reliable hardware, it became an instant hit among people looking for a budget Android phone.
It has a large 6.55-inch screen, macro and ultra-wide lenses on the rear camera, and comes with 3GB, 4GB, or 6GB of RAM. Perhaps the most significant selling point, however, is the battery life.
Nokia claims its 4,000mAh battery can power the device for a full two days under normal usage conditions. That's a duration that is almost unheard of in the smartphone world.
The downside of the Nokia 5.3 is the speaker—it's just not very loud. If you're coming from a high-end Galaxy or iPhone device, you will notice a big difference.
Key Features- Snapdragon 665 processor
- Macro and ultra-wide camera lenses
- Large 6.55-inch screen
- Brand: Nokia
- CPU: Octa-core
- Display: 6.55 inches, HD+
- RAM: 3, 4, or 6GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Ports: USB-C, headphone jack
- Operating System: Android
- Camera (Rear, Front): 13MP, 8MP
- Incredible battery life
- Very reasonable price
- microSD card support
- Speaker could be better
- Camera quality is average
1. Nokia 8.3 5G
9.00 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Nokia 8.3 5G provides a significant step up in quality over its younger sibling, the Nokia 5.3.
Depending on the edition you choose, you can enjoy up to 128GB of storage (vs. 64GB on the 5.3) and up to 8GB of RAM (compared to a minimum of 3GB and maximum of 6GB on the 5.3). The display is also larger (6.81 inches vs. 6.55 inches), and the processor is better (Snapdragon 665 vs. Snapdragon 765).
Of course, all these extra features cost money. The Nokia 8.3 5G is not a budget phone; instead, it falls firmly into the mid-range category. It is perfect for anyone who wants stock Android while maintaining solid hardware.
Key Features- Quad-camera
- Two-day battery life
- ZEISS cinematic effects
- Snapdragon 765G
- Brand: Nokia
- CPU: Snapdragon 765 5G
- Display: 6.81-inch IPS, 1080x2400
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4,500mAh non-removable Li-Po
- Ports: 3.5mm jack, USB-C 2.0
- Operating System: Android 10, upgradeable to Android 11
- Camera (Rear, Front): 64MP, 24MP
- Includes headset in the box
- Supports 5G networks
- Has specialized low-light camera
- More expensive than other Android One phones
- Plastic casing
1. Motorola One Action
8.40 / 10 Read ReviewsMost Android One phones are entry-level devices. The Motorola One Action is no different.
The phone's biggest selling point is arguably the way it looks. It has a metal frame and curved glass, meaning it certainly doesn't look like a budget phone to the casual observer. Three colors—Blue, Teal, and White—are available.
The hardware is solid but not spectacular. The 4GB of RAM is possibly the most significant trade-off for the better looks. Opinion is also divided over the display. It is in a 21:9 cinematic ratio; some users love it, others find it clunky to hold. It depends on how you use your phone.
Key Features- 128GB of storage
- Triple camera system
- 4GB of RAM
- Brand: Motorola
- CPU: Octa-core
- Display: 6.3 inches, 1080 x 2520 pixels
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 3,500mAh
- Ports: USB-C, headphone jack
- Operating System: Android
- Camera (Rear, Front): 16MP, 12MP
- Rapid charging
- Good battery life
- Amount of RAM could be better
- Rear camera has maximum 16MP
1. Nokia 7.2
7.60 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Nokia 7.2 is a mid-range Android One smartphone. As with the other Nokia handsets on our list, it looks great. This model even won a couple of prestigious design awards upon launch.
However, it lacks some processing power that you might expect for its higher price tag. With 4GB, it will always feel sluggish on more resource-intensive tasks, while the lack of fast charging means it's not necessarily ideal for people who spend a lot of time away from a desk.
Nonetheless, if you are a style-over-substance type of shopper, you'll definitely appreciate the 7.2.
Key Features- Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor
- Adreno 512 GPU
- Full HD+ display
- Brand: Nokia
- CPU: Snapdragon 660
- Display: 6.3-inch, Full HD+
- RAM: 4GB, 6GB
- Storage: 64GB, 128GB
- Battery: 3,500mAh
- Ports: USB-C
- Operating System: Android 9.0
- Camera (Rear, Front): 48MP/5MP/8MP, 20MP
- Internal memory card slot
- HDR video
- Won several design awards
- No fast charging
- Higher price point than competitors
1. Xiaomi Mi A3
9.00 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Mi series of phones has been a popular line since Xiaomi introduced the first model in September 2017.
In July 2019, the Mi 3 hit shelves. The phone is powerful given its budget price point, with a Snapdragon processor, up to 128GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM. The headphone jack, absent on the A2, also makes a welcome return.
The 32MP selfie camera is a big bonus for Instagram addicts, and the battery will comfortably get you through a day. Sadly, one massive negative stands out—the screen resolution. It is a mere 720p and is notably less than all its major rivals.
Key Features- Ultra-wide triple camera
- Fingerprint sensor
- Snapdragon 665 AIE processor
- Brand: Xiaomi
- CPU: Octa-core
- Display: 6 inches, 720 x 1560 pixels
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB or 128GB
- Battery: 4,030mAh
- Ports: USB-C, headphones
- Operating System: Android
- Camera (Rear, Front): 48MP, 32MP
- 32MP selfie camera
- 18W fast charge
- Available in three colors
- Only 4GB RAM
- Very poor display
FAQ
Q: What Is Android One?
Almost since its inception, the Android OS has been grappling with the issue of device manufacturers' running their own, heavily-modified version of Android on their handsets.
Firstly, the modified versions are often worse than stock Android. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, manufacturers are frequently slow to release OS updates.
In response to the problem, Google launched Android One in 2014. The benefits of Android One phones include:
- The phone ships with a stock version of Android.
- Google controls the update cycle.
- Android operating system updates are guaranteed for two years.
- Security updates are guaranteed for three years.
Q: How Many Android One Phones Are Available?
The Android One project was initially targeted at emerging countries and low-end devices. However, in 2017, Android One phones became available in the U.S. and Germany, and the number of choices grew. Today, more than 100 phones are available.
Q: Which Is The Best Android One Phone?
It's starting to feel like Android One is the start of something big. The top Android manufacturers are increasingly getting onside with the project, and the selection of mid and high-end devices is growing. Right now, we love the Nokia 5.3, but any of the phones we've discussed will make a worthy companion.
