Every Google Pixel Smartphone In Order Of Release

Google's Pixel series has become a staple in the world of flagship smartphones. Known for its excellent photo-taking capabilities, the Pixel phone series has always been relatively well regarded by consumers and smartphone reviewers, even from its original release in 2016. Starting in 2011, Marc Levoy and a team of creators at Google X (now simply called X, an Alphabet company), started working on applying computational photography to mobile devices; this technology, five years later, was a key feature in the value proposition of the first Pixel phone.

The release of Google's first Pixel phone in 2016 meant that the company had to deal with stiff competition from other, more established companies in the smartphone industry — many of which had been using the company's own Android operating system with great success. One major outlier, Apple, released its first iPhone in 2007, nine years before Google's first Pixel phone release. Of course, Google released other smartphones before its Pixel series, but none were quite as popular. 

Between 2016 and now, Google released new Pixel devices every year like clockwork. Each new Pixel phone represents the best of what Google's Android has to offer. Each Pixel is aimed at giving consumers a choice outside of what's become the default for most new smartphone consumers over the past decade, namely Samsung's Galaxy lineup and Apple's iPhone. 

The first two entries to Google's Pixel line were the Pixel and the Pixel XL. Both smartphones were released in October 2016, with the Pixel XL being the more premium of the two. 

Google heavily emphasized the awesome cameras on both the Pixel and the Pixel XL. For a little over six months after release, the Pixel phone family had what was considered the best smartphone camera setup by DxOMark's smartphone camera rankings. When the HTC U11 was released in 2017, it ended up sharing the top spot with Google's first two Pixel phones. Taking photos on the original Pixel phones was highly encouraged with Google's "Unlimited" Original Quality photo storage feature tied to Google Photos. The unlimited part of the promise still appears to be honored today, with some caveats. 

The Pixel had a 5-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920 resolution, while the Pixel XL had a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a 1440 x 2560 resolution. The Pixel XL also had a slightly larger battery capacity of 3450 mAh, while the Pixel's battery capacity was 2770 mAh. These are the only two significant specs that differentiate the Pixel from the Pixel XL. 

Both phones were equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, options for 32GB or 128GB of storage, 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM, an aluminum design with an IP53 rating, and Android 7.1 Nougat at launch. Both phones supported an OS upgrade up to Android 10, and the two phones shared a 12.3 MP rear camera with a Sony Exmor sensor, as well as an 8 MP front camera. 

Google only made a few small changes in between the first Pixel release in 2016 and the release of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in 2017. Battery capacity didn't change too much from the first Pixel, with the Pixel 2's battery capacity at 2700 mAh and the Pixel 2 XL's battery capacity at 3520 mAh. Google also nixed the 32GB storage options present with the first Pixel devices and only presented consumers with an option of 64 GB or 128 GB for Pixel 2. 

The Pixel 2 series had a newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which was slightly faster than the original Pixel's LPDDR4 RAM. Both phones also got a major IP rating upgrade; with an IP67 rating, Google's Pixel 2 line was more dust-resistant and able to be submerged for up to a meter in water.

Google also released the Pixel 2 with a handy hardware feature it gleaned from its recently acquired HTC crew. As it was with the HTC U11, a new feature allowed users to squeeze the sides of their Pixel 2 to launch Google Assistant. This same squeeze function could be used to dismiss incoming calls, snooze alarms, and turn off timers. You could also easily flip your phone over so it was face down to automatically enable Do Not Disturb mode.

From the Pixel to the Pixel 2, the display didn't change at all; the Pixel 2 had a 5-inch AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution. From the Pixel XL to the Pixel 2 XL, however, the display upgraded in both size and resolution. The Pixel 2 XL boasted a 6-inch P-OLED display with a 1440 x 2880 resolution. 

The front camera on the Pixel 2 was effectively identical to its predecessor at 8 MP, and the rear camera had a minor resolution drop from 12.3 MP to 12.2 MP. The difference was offset by an upgraded Sony Exmor IMX362 lens with a lower aperture, meaning it could capture more light and take better pictures. Google also kept the unlimited Original Quality photo storage feature, though it's no longer supported as of January 16, 2021. 

Next in Google's line of Pixel phones were the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL. The 3's battery capacity was upgraded from 2700 mAh to 2915 mAh, while the 3 XL was downgraded slightly from 3520 mAh to 3430 mAh. Although the 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM stayed the same, both phones saw an upgrade to the latest Snapdragon processor, the 845, as well as a slight boost in the IP rating from IP67 to IP68. Storage options for both phones were identical to the previous generation at 64GB and 128GB. The phones came with Android 9 (Pie) installed, though both were able to upgrade to Android 12. 

One of the most significant improvements for both phones was in the display, though the Pixel 3 XL had what some considered a rather unfortunately sizeable notch. Since all the previous Pixel phones had a rectangular screen fit inside larger bezels rather than a full-size screen with a camera notch, the benefits of the notch did not necessarily outweigh the drawbacks. The Pixel 3 had a beautiful 5.5-inch OLED display with a 2160 x 1080 resolution, while the Pixel 3 XL had an even more stunning 6.3-inch OLED display with a 2960 x 1440 resolution. 

The phones also received the newest Sony Exmor IMX363 sensor in its 12.2 MP rear camera array, and Google introduced a dual camera set up in front, one of which had a 97-degree field of view.

Both the Pixel 3 and 3 XL also had the same squeeze gesture hardware as the Pixel 2, also allowing users to call upon Google Assistant and dismiss active notifications. These were the last phones to ever have unlimited Original Quality photo storage from Google, though as of January 1, 2022, it's no longer supported.

The Pixel 3a and 3a XL were the first two entries in Google's budget line of phones, all designated as such by the addition of a single letter at the end of their predecessors' names. Luckily, these two phones didn't see much of a downgrade. 

Display size and display resolution for both phones weren't much different than their predecessors, aside from having Asahi Dragontrail Glass instead of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for protection against drops and scratches. The Pixel 3a boasted a slightly larger 5.6-inch OLED display with 2220 x 1080 resolution, and the 3a XL had a 6-inch OLED display with 2160 x 1080 resolution. 

Each phone had 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, one storage option of 64 GB, a 12.2 MP rear camera, and an 8 MP front camera. This device was launched with Android 9 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor. It was in part the implementation of a lesser chipset (from 845 to 670) that enabled Google to drop the price for the 3a and 3a XL. 

On the bright side, the battery capacity of the 3a and 3a XL was actually better than that of the 3 and 3 XL; the 3a had a 3000 mAh battery and the 3a XL had a 3700 mAh battery. At the same time, the release of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL marked the end of the era of unlimited storage at "original quality" with Google Photos on Google Pixel devices.

Compared to the Pixel 3 and 3 XL that came before these two phones, the Pixel 4 and 4 XL improved in all the ways consumers wanted. Both phones received the standard improvements in a next-gen phone at the time, like an upgrade to Qualcomm's newest Snapdragon 855 processor, an extra 2 GB of LPDDR4X for a total of 6GB, and a rollout of Android 10, with the ability to upgrade to Android 12. 

Each phone's display and battery capacity didn't change too much. The Pixel 4 had a battery capacity of 2800 mAh, and the 4 XL's battery capacity was 3700 mAh. Then, the Pixel 4 had a 5.7-inch display, slightly larger than the Pixel 3, with a 2280 x 1080 resolution. The Pixel 4 XL had a 6.3-inch display with a stunning 3040 x 1440 resolution. 

Google's Pixel 4 and 4 XL also had the squeeze features of the 2/2 XL and 3/3 XL, where you could squeeze the sides of the phone to trigger Google Assistant. Google also activated a few sensor-based gestures to the mix with this Pixel family. A simple wave of a user's hand over the phone's front side and they'd be able to silence calls, alarms, and timers. Users could also wave a hand to skip a song or go back to a song that just played while actively listening to music. 

The biggest upgrade with these two phones was with the rear camera array. The front camera stayed at 8 MP but increased its field of view to 90 degrees. Then, in addition to the standard 12.2 MP rear camera, Google added an extra 16 MP telephoto sensor that gave Pixel users even more opportunities to take beautiful photos. 

Google's first experiment with a budget line of Pixel phones did so well that the company also released a Pixel 4a smartphone after the initial launch of the Pixel 4 and 4 XL. To make it reasonably priced for consumers, Google dropped the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 and subbed in the Snapdragon 730G. Though it's still a fairly powerful processor, especially when paired with 6 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128 GB of storage, it's not quite as top-tier as the Snapdragon 855.

Despite it being a budget phone, Google didn't skimp on battery capacity for the Pixel 4a. It has a 3140 mAh battery, which is larger than that of the Pixel 4's battery. Also, just like the 4 and 4 XL, the Pixel 4a launched with Android 10 and is able to upgrade to Android 12. 

Another budget-saving decision was made with the camera setup. Whereas the Pixel 4 and 4 XL experimented with the first telephoto lens in the series, the Pixel 4a only had an 8 MP front camera and a 12.2 MP dual-pixel sensor on the back of the phone. What a lot of users loved to see with the Pixel 4a was a punch-hole camera design rather than a notch design, which offered a bit more screen space. 

Although Google announced the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G around the same time in the fall of 2020, the phones were more different than previous phones released together, like an XL version paired with its numbered version. For example, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL were released with the same processor, but that wasn't the case for the Pixel 4a and 4a 5G. Instead, the Pixel 4a 5G received a slightly more powerful processor: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G. 

The Pixel 4a 5G also received an upgrade to its display and battery capacity. It had a beautiful 6.2-inch OLED display with a 2340 x 1080 resolution that used Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Then, it had a 3885 mAh battery, which was the largest battery offered by a Google Pixel phone to date. 

As the name implies, this smartphone supported 5G capabilities. With 5G, the phone was able to download files faster, experience smoother streaming of video content, and overall lower latency during tasks.  

Apparently, Google loved the balance between price and performance of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G processor so much that it stuck around for the newest Pixel 5 smartphone. There was also 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the most ever in a Pixel phone, and one storage option of 128 GB. 

It launched with Android 11, though it can be upgraded to Android 12 if you purchase it today. The 6-inch OLED display is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 6, a reinforced glass option that is stronger than any previous Pixel display, protecting its 2340 x 1080 resolution panel below for crystal clear viewing. Google also upgraded the battery capacity yet again to be 4080 mAh. 

Whereas the Pixel 4 and 4 XL phones had a 16 MP telephoto sensor, the Pixel 5 was equipped with a 16 MP ultra-wide sensor. This is, of course, in addition to the main 12.2 MP rear camera. The front camera didn't bring anything new to the table; it stayed at 8 MP.  

Many smartphone brands don't put a lot of thought into their budget phones, but Google does. Despite the Pixel 5a being marketed as a more affordable alternative to the Pixel 5, it packs quite a powerful punch. 

At launch, the Pixel 5a was about $250 less expensive than the Pixel 5, but it had the same processor, the same amount of storage, same camera set up, 6 GB of LPDDR4X RAM instead of 8 GB, and ran Android 11 right out of the gate, with the ability to upgrade to Android 12 when it released. It even had a larger 4680mAh battery that could last all day (and then some) and fast charge.

The 5a's display was larger and just as crisp, but not quite as strong as the 5. The Pixel 5a had a 6.34-inch OLED display with a 2400 x 1080 resolution that used Corning Gorilla Glass 3 instead of Gorilla Glass 6 like the Pixel 5. 

Many people felt that the Pixel 5a didn't offer much more than the Pixel 4a 5G, even though it was more expensive. Eventually, however, the Pixel 4a and even the 5 were phased out, leaving the 5a as the only option unless you wanted to splurge on the more expensive Pixel 6 or 6 Pro.

Things just kept getting better and better with Google's Pixel 6 phone. In almost every way, the Pixel 6 is superior to all previous Pixel phones. Instead of simply upgrading the processor or making minor adjustments to the battery capacity or camera setup, Google seemingly built a brand new phone from scratch. 

Starting off with what you see on the outside, the Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch OLED display with a 2400 x 1080 resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus to protect it. Inside, you'll find Google's first proprietary processor, the Google Tensor, which focused heavily on machine learning. Then, there's also 8GB of LPDDR5, a choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage, and a massive 4614mAh battery. 

The biggest upgrade, much to the public's favor, was with the phone's camera setup. Nothing new happened with the 8 MP front camera, but the rear camera got a massive clarity boost. To replace the 12.2 MP main rear camera, the Pixel 6 received a stunning 50 MP camera with a 12 MP ultra-wide sensor. 

When the Pixel 6 was released in 2021, it was surrounded by other amazing flagship phones from Samsung and Apple. These phones also had incredible camera setups, and this time period marked the transition of casual photography on smartphones to semi-amateur photography.

Google used to name its main phone a single number, like the Pixel 2, and the premium version received an XL on the end of its title, like the Pixel 2 XL. After the Pixel 4 and 4 XL, Google transitioned away from this naming style, instead replacing the XL with a more marketable term: Pro. The Pixel 6 Pro takes everything that makes the Pixel 6 an amazing smartphone and transforms it into an even more powerful phone. 

With a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display, the 6 Pro has the largest display of any Pixel phone to date. Like the Pixel 6, the 6 Pro also uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, but it has an even better resolution of 3120 x 1440. The 6 Pro shares a few features with the 6, like launching with Android 12 and using the Google Tensor processor, but in every other way, it's superior. 

The Pixel 6 Pro has 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB for storage, and a massive 5003mAh battery. Instead of the 8 MP front camera that every other Pixel phone has had in the past, the 6 Pro has an 11.1 MP front camera with autofocus and optical image stabilization features. Then, paired with the 50 MP rear camera, you'll also find a 12 MP ultra-wide sensor and a 48 MP telephoto sensor. 

The Pixel 6a is soon to be the latest entry in Google's smartphone line. It was announced on May 11, 2022 and has not yet been given a release date. The Pixel 6a will have the same Google Tensor chip that debuted in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in 2021. 

Although the 6a is a more affordable model, you can't tell by looking at it. The only noticeable difference is that the camera bump on the back is always black and won't match the color of the phone, but most people cover their phones with a case anyway. 

It'll launch with Android 12, the most current Android version available right now. Google has plans, however, to carry out Android upgrades and patches for a minimum of three years, which is something that very few Android brands currently offer. 

The 6a will have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 2400 x 1080 resolution, 128GB of storage, 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a large 4410mAh battery. Then, it'll have an 8 MP front camera, a 12.2 MP rear camera, and a 12 MP ultra-wide sensor. 

The Best Smartphones Of 2021 Ranked

The smartphone market has someone for everyone, whether you're looking for a budget device that doesn't compromise on features or a flagship model sporting the latest and greatest hardware. Despite chip shortages, shipping delays, and production bottlenecks, manufacturers still managed to deliver an assortment of new handsets in 2021, including these top-of-the-line models.

Love it or hate it, Apple makes great products. Samsung was a strong competitor this year, launching high-end smartphones of both the folding and non-folding variety, but the company still hasn't managed to outdo Apple at what Apple does best: offer a tightly integrated, cohesive, and highly useable ecosystem that seamlessly blends its own hardware, software, and services.

Buying an iPhone is more than just selecting iOS as your mobile operating system of choice. The handset works seamlessly with the Apple Watch, which itself still trumps anything you can get sporting Wear OS. In the same way, the iPhone works well with the iPad — which, again, exceeds any other tablet you can get for the simple reason that Android is entirely lacking on slates.

You don't have to buy into the wider Apple ecosystem to get the iPhone, of course, and it's possible the iPhone lacks a key feature you can't live without, whether that's a microSD card slot, built-in stylus, or 3.5mm audio jack. If you're content with a phone that doesn't include those finer trimmings, however, the iPhone 13 is worth serious consideration if you're looking for a high-end upgrade.

The iPhone 13 line is comprised of the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. These models range in size from 5.4-inches to 6.7-inches, with the best features being found in the two Pro options.

The iPhone 13 Pro packs a Super Retina XDR screen with ProMotion and Ceramic Shield, an IP68 water resistance rating, Apple's A15 Bionic chip, 5G support (including mmWave), ultra-wideband for using things like digital keys, Bluetooth 5, WiFi 6, and gigabit LTE.

Apple put a lot of focus on the cameras and related software with the iPhone 13 Pro. In terms of hardware, buyers get a "Pro" 12-megapixel camera system that includes wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras. That is joined by the 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera on the front of the handset, which also powers the Face ID feature.

These cameras are joined by a variety of software features, including Apple's new "Cinematic mode" for recording movie-like videos. This new mode includes support for the TrueDepth, wide, and telephoto cameras, as well as Dolby Vision HDR.

The iPhone 13 Pro's camera features also include 6x optical zoom, 3x optical zoom for the telephoto lens specifically, support for macro video recording, improved low-light performance, "Photography Styles," and what Apple describes as an end-to-end workflow directly on the phone that includes editing in ProRes and Dolby Vision.

Not interested in Apple products? Fortunately, several excellent Android alternatives were released this year.

Samsung's Galaxy line has been around for years and there's a reason it has remained so popular. The latest and greatest installment in the series, the Galaxy S21, offers a huge number of features, but at a price not all consumers are willing to embrace. If cost isn't an issue for you, check out the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, the top model in the new line.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a huge 6.8-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O display with 3200 x 1400 pixel resolution, giving it a pixel density of 515ppi (pixels per inch). Notable features include HDR10+ certification, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 40-megapixel "hole-punch" selfie camera, four rear cameras (10-megapixel telephoto F2.4 and F4.9 units, 108-megapixel wide-angle, and 12-megapixel ultra-wide), as well as a pressure-sensitive S Pen.

In addition to the LTE and 5G connectivity, the model also supports up to 2.4Gbps download speeds, offers Bluetooth 5.2, and includes ultra wideband (UWB) support for digital keys. The model is powered by the Snapdragon 888 alongside 12GB RAM and 512GB internal data storage.

The S21 Ultra packs a bunch of hardware capabilities and software features targeting what consumers are often most interested in. This model's camera features are particularly notable with things like 100x "space zoom," a 40-megapixel camera combined with software that produces what Samsung claims are "studio-quality portraits," and support for shooting videos in 8K resolution.

The S Pen inclusion takes the S21 Ultra to the next level with tablet-like functionality, making it easier to handle a wide variety of advanced features – like editing videos and photos directly on the device. This is the first Galaxy model to pack a 5nm processor, enabling faster performance — including when it comes to AI-powered features — compared to previous models.

The 5000mAh battery combined with some efficiency features gives users a runtime beyond a full day (though it largely depends on how the device is used), plus there are convenience features like wireless PowerShare for charging, for example, a pair of true wireless earbuds with wireless charging support.

The powerful hardware, sophisticated software, and well-rounded array of features make the S21 Ultra one of the top smartphones on the market right now, though its price will be the biggest issue for many consumers. The Galaxy S21 5G (the one with the 6.2-inch display) starts at $799.99, but making the jump to the Ultra 5G model pushes the starting price to $1,200. There are some ways to reduce the price, including trading in certain devices for a substantial discount, but the final price will still likely be substantial.

Though Google's Pixel has never managed to grab a significant share of the smartphone market, the company continues to update the line, arguably using its own hardware as a way to showcase Android in its purest form.

The Pixel 6 was released this year as the latest major installment in the smartphone family, bringing key features like Google's Tensor chip, the Titan M2 security chip with five years of updates, two rear camera, and what Google calls an adaptive battery that optimizes energy use so consumers can go longer between charging sessions.

Google historically offered a single camera with its Pixel smartphones, electing to enhance its mobile camera capabilities with software. This is known as computational photography, which utilizes artificial intelligence and software to improve the raw image data captured with the Pixel's camera. It was inevitable that Google would eventually increase the number of cameras included on its handsets, however, and the Pixel 5 marked the first time a model in this line was released with a dual-camera system. The Pixel 6 continues this trend with its own dual-camera array.

The Pixel 6 packs larger camera sensors compared to the previous model, which, among other things, enables the phone to gather 150-percent more light for brighter, higher-quality images in lower-light environments. This latest flagship model includes an ultra-wide lens for capturing larger scenes.

The software magic remains, including some features that would otherwise require you to fire up Photoshop. Magic Eraser is one excellent example: it resides on Google Photos and works by removing unwanted objects and people from images. Portrait Mode offers a blurred background for higher-quality selfies, plus there's Motion Mode for more dynamic action shots in environments with a lot of movement.

The model packs other notable features, including support for 5G networks, real-time language translations integrated into things like chat and podcast captions, an IP68 rating against dust and water exposure, and a high refresh rate for what Google calls "Smooth Display." Though you won't get a stylus like the one offered with the S21 Ultra, the Pixel 6 comes with some of its own perks, the best being its regular software updates known as feature drops.

Adding to the appeal is the somewhat lower price tag accompanying the Pixel 6; an unlocked version of the device with 128GB starts at $599, while the 256GB model starts at $699, making it a more economical choice for consumers who want high-end features and a bunch of storage space while staying well below a $1,000 price point.

Many consumers aren't ready to embrace the foldable evolution yet, but this year brought a couple of excellent options for those who can't wait any longer. Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the latest installment in the company's foldable product lines; this is the version that folds like an old-school clamshell flip phone, not to be confused with the book-style Galaxy Z Fold 3.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 beats out the Z Fold 3 on this list for one simple reason: it is cheaper and, with the right trade-in device, the price can be dropped down to a very comfortable $325 or so. The model's defining feature is its flexible display, enabling the smartphone to fold in half horizontally across the body.

When unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has a 6.7-inch screen; the device looks like a long, ordinary high-end smartphone. When folded, however, the length drops to just over 3-inches with a width a bit over half an inch. The screen packs a Full HD+ (2640 x 1080) Dynamic AMOLED panel with Infinity Flex Display, a 22:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and 425ppi.

This main display is joined by a small 1.9-inch Super AMOLED screen on the rear of the device that shows basic details when the phone is folded. This rear display has a 260 x 512 resolution. The model packs many features you'd expect in a flagship model, including a 10-megapixel front-facing camera, while the rear camera array includes two 12-megapixel ultra-wide cameras, one with optical image stabilization, dual pixel autofocus, 78-degree field of view, and an F1.8 aperture. The other ultra-wide camera has an F2.2 aperture and a much wider 123-degree field of view.

The unique form factor aside, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 brings many of the same features you'd get on Samsung's other flagship handsets, including wireless charging, fast charging support, 5G connectivity, nano-SIM and eSIM, stereo speakers, and an array of sensors (accelerometer, proximity, etcetera). Other notable offerings include a 5nm processor, 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C connectivity, a 3300mAh battery, and support for recording up to 4K videos.

This year brought the latest and arguably greatest OnePlus flagship, the OnePlus 9. Note that we're talking specifically about the US version of this phone; the model is available in other markets, as well, and its exact features may vary a bit depending on where it is purchased.

The OnePlus 9 features a 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 20:9 aspect ratio, and 2400 x 1080 resolution. The handset is powered by the Snapdragon 888 and it runs OnePlus's OxygenOS based on Android 11. Storage and memory are notable at 128GB/8GB, while the battery is on the large end of the spectrum with a 4500mAh capacity (fast charging is supported).

The handset packs a main 48-megapixel camera with a Sony IMX689 sensor and an F1.8 aperture lens; this is joined by an ultra-wide 50-megapixel model sporting the Sony IMX766 sensor and an F2.2 aperture lens. Interestingly enough, OnePlus also includes a 2-megapixel monochrome camera, which is a relative rarity among smartphones (Huawei included something similar with its P20 Pro and P10 models).

The camera features are extensive, including support for recording in 4K at 60fps and 8K at 30fps, plus there's slow-motion at up to 480fps, support for capturing time-lapses in 4K resolution, and there's a dual-LED flash. The front camera, meanwhile, skews toward an average offering at 16-megapixels with electronic image stabilization, fixed focus, and an F2.4 aperture.

Consumers looking for a bit more can check out the OnePlus 9 Pro variant, which boosts the features with a similar uptick in price. This model packs a more notable 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display with LTPO, 120Hz refresh rate, 3216 x 1440 resolution, 20.1:9 aspect ratio, and 10-bit color depth.

The model is likewise powered by a Snapdragon 888 alongside an X60 chipset for 5G connectivity. Storage and memory are higher at 256GB/12GB, respectively, while the battery sits at 4500mAh with fast charging support and 50W wireless charging.

The cameras are likewise upgraded with a 48-megapixel main camera packing optical image stabilization and an F1.8 aperture, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a freeform lens, an 8-megapixel telephoto camera with optical image stabilization, and the same 2-megapixel monochrome camera found on the non-Pro version.

The OnePlus 9 Pro is the one you'll want to consider if you're looking to upgrade to a model you'll keep for a while. The price is high at $1,069, though OnePlus currently lists the model at a discounted $849. Consumers in the US have two options: an unlocked model they can take to their favorite carrier or a T-Mobile version that runs on the provider's network.

One of the most interesting Android smartphones released this year is also the most expensive: Samsung's massive book-style Galaxy Z Fold 3 foldable. This model has a 7.6-inch Infinite Flex Display, essentially making it a small tablet when unfolded; the screen is a more typical 6.2-inches when folded.

Given that the Z Fold 3 is essentially a hybrid device that sits between a smartphone and tablet, it's no surprise Samsung offers S Pen Pro and S Pen Fold accessories, enabling users to draw and write on the display the same way they would a Note device or a Samsung tablet.

The model packs an IPX8 water resistance rating, which means the device can handle exposure to water to depths of up to 5ft for up to half an hour. The latest Fold is powered by a Snapdragon 888 octa-core processor; it packs up to 512GB of storage and 12GB of memory, a 4,400mAh battery, and a 120Hz adaptive display refresh rate.

The camera array is notable with three units on the back: a 12-megapixel wide-angle, 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, and 12-megapixel telephoto cameras. The front, meanwhile, sports two cameras: a main 4-megapixel unit and a 10-megapixel front cover camera.

The camera loadout isn't as impressive as what you get with the S21 Ultra, but the device's main purpose resides in its unique form factor, not its photo capabilities. Samsung leverages the ultra-wide display by offering unique multi-tasking features, delivering what the company refers to as "PC-like productivity" — though, keep in mind that only some apps support the Flex mode.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a productivity powerhouse, targeting consumers who often do business and get work done directly on their handsets. The tablet-like form factor enables users to leave their dedicated tablets at home, instead unfolding their smartphone to markup documents, sign paperwork, edit videos, and other tasks that are more difficult on smaller traditional form factors.

There's one huge downside to this model, however, and that is its astronomical price tag. With a starting price of $1,900 unlocked, that makes the phone more expensive than many nice ultrabook laptops and, for example, the 12.9" iPad Pro with 1TB of storage.

Consumers are very much paying for the novelty of having a large folding smartphone, one that, while still excellent, isn't going to stand up against something like an M1 iPad Pro when it comes to performance, app variety, and the user interface. For this reason, buyers should be mindful of what they truly need out of a mobile device and whether the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is able to meet those needs.

If you decide to pick up a model, keep in mind that Samsung will drop the price to $849 USD with certain trade-ins, plus it includes the Galaxy Buds 2 for free with the purchase (if you buy the device directly from Samsung's website, at least).

Last but not least is the Huawei P50 Pro, a high-end smartphone the company released this year with one massive problem: it doesn't run Android. This may be a dealbreaker for many consumers, but if you don't mind being limited to Huawei's HarmonyOS, there's a lot to like about this flagship model.

The Huawei P50 Pro sports a 6.6-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2700 x 1228 resolution. The model is powered by the Snapdragon 888 4G alongside Adreno 660 graphics; there's 8GB/256GB memory and storage, respectively, as well as a 4360mAh battery with fast and wireless charging support.

Huawei focused extensively on the P50 Pro's camera array with four units on the back: a 50-megapixel "True-Chroma" module packing optical image stabilization, a 40-megapixel True-Chroma F1.6 module, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle F2.2 module, and a 64-megapixel telephoto camera with optical image stabilization, autofocus, and F3.5 aperture. The cameras include phase focus and contrast focus options, plus there's hybrid and digital zoom for those times when the optical zoom isn't enough.

The camera hardware is paired with a variety of software-based features, including an AI-powered "Cinemagraph" mode, 4K Predictive Focus, time-lapse shooting, audio zoom, macro and portrait modes, monochrome camera capture, Moving Picture, and more. The front-facing camera, meanwhile, includes a 13-megapixel wide-angle module combined with software features like smart eye tracking, panorama, AR lenses, and slow-motion selfie capture.

Other notable features include an IP68 rating, meaning the phone has a degree of resistance against dust and water, plus there's a dual-SIM version of the handset with 4G LTE support, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C connectivity, NFC, GPS, and the typical array of sensors found on flagships (fingerprint, gravity, infrared, gyroscope, ambient light, etcetera).

Again, the big downside here is the P50 Pro's lack of Android and Google services; users are instead given access to Huawei's own HarmonyOS, which, while nice, comes with far fewer app options than the average consumer is used to. You may not be able to download your favorite apps, and that could be a big deal, particularly if you need certain unsupported apps for work. Speaking of work, depending on the industry, you may not be allowed to use a Huawei handset for business purposes due to security rules.

Given the P50 Pro's high price (around $1,200 USD, depending on configuration) and its many downsides, it's really not advisable for someone outside of China to purchase the model — there are alternatives like the S21 Ultra that come in around the same price point with many of the same or similar features, but with Android and Google services. With that said, the P50 Pro — from a hardware standpoint — is still one of the most notable flagships released in 2021.