If I were buying an older flagship phone, this is the one I’d get

I’m all the time requested which telephone somebody should purchase. It’s not all the time phrased precisely that manner — generally, the query is which telephone is my favourite, however the finish purpose is all the time the identical. And, in these instances, it’s straightforward to wish to advocate the most recent and best from Google, Apple, or OnePlus. Nevertheless, most individuals don’t want a brand-new, top-end machine with all of the bells and whistles.

So, once I’m requested, I’ve began trying deeper into one of the best telephones from current years. I’ve discovered that there’s one older flagship I like to recommend greater than another, and it’s the one I’d be most keen to purchase for myself: Google’s Pixel 8 Professional. Right here’s why.

My love for Google’s digicam bar design has been well-documented because it launched on the Pixel 6 collection. I instantly pounced on the truth that it made Pixels really feel completely different from most different Android flagships with their corner-mounted digicam bumps. Since then, although, Google has discovered a factor or two about constructing its flagships. It’s made them lighter, softened the beforehand sharp corners, and stayed forward of the curve when ditching the curved show.

And now, if you take a look at the Pixel 8 Professional, it’s a telephone that was considerably forward of its time. It launched with a flat-screen at some extent when waterfall shows have been nonetheless the norm for many Android flagships and saved its comfortably rounded body whereas most rivals (and the next Pixel 9) have been shifting in the direction of flat, iPhone-like sides. Google additionally packed its earlier Pixel flagship with a textured again of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which has aged fingerprint-free, not like most shiny glass gadgets.

Every part else I cherished concerning the Pixel 8 Professional again in 2023 nonetheless rings true greater than a yr later. That flat, 120Hz OLED nonetheless seems to be glorious, the curved aspect rails are nonetheless extra comfy to carry than newer, squared frames, and the Pixel 8 Professional gives significantly better shade decisions than most rivals. Actually, I’d take the vibrance of Bay or Mint over the tasteless lotions, grays, and blacks that always include premium telephones.

After all, there are a number of quirks with the Pixel 8 Professional’s design — alright, only one fundamental quirk. Sure, Google launched a temperature sensor on the Pixel 8 Professional, a lot to the confusion of, effectively, everybody. It’s that further circle that lives on the digicam bar, and I can nonetheless depend the variety of occasions I’ve used it on one hand. Conveniently, it’s not integral to a lot of something, so you’ll be able to simply purchase an older Pixel 8 Professional with out ever touching it.

After I began fascinated about the older flagship telephones I’d advocate, I thought-about going even additional again than 2023. In spite of everything, within the grand scheme of issues, the Pixel 8 Professional isn’t that previous. However then I remembered that Android software program replace commitments solely actually jumped to Apple’s degree in 2023. So, if I wished to advocate an older Android telephone that you could possibly have by the tip of the last decade, it was 2023 or bust.

Moreover, when you’re after a telephone that’ll obtain each quite a lot of updates and well timed ones, you’ll be able to’t beat a Google Pixel. Earlier than the Pixel 8 collection, the Android flagship customary for software program updates hovered someplace round 4 or 5 years — good, however not fairly on par with the iPhone.

Then, as Google’s in-house Tensor chip matured, Google was lastly capable of increase its assure, skipping proper over six years and going straight to seven years of Pixel Updates, which cowl Android variations, safety patches, and have drops a number of occasions yearly. It won’t get the identical AI-powered options that newer Pixels will, however it’s exhausting to argue with Google’s well-rounded expertise.

Now, each Google and Samsung promise seven years of updates for his or her respective flagships, however I’m nonetheless keen to push the Pixel 8 Professional forward of its Galaxy rivals for a simple motive: Pace. As Android’s chief developer, Google can push updates to its Pixels a lot sooner than different OEMs. Take Android 15, for instance. Google was capable of push its newest main replace to current Pixels in October 2024, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy S24 and Z Flip and Fold 6 are nonetheless ready for it — and possibly can be till 2025.

There are, in fact, different older telephones that supply neat designs and spectacular replace commitments, however I’d nonetheless take the Pixel 8 Professional. I’d attain for its versatile, Tensor-powered cameras, gentle, clean software program, and dependable in a single day charging lengthy earlier than contemplating the rest. May I get extra uncooked energy out of a telephone with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in it? Positive, I might. I might discover an older telephone that costs sooner than the Pixel 8 Professional, too. Nevertheless, I’m but to seek out one other older flagship that also feels as contemporary and new because the Pixel 8 Professional and can proceed to take action because it receives replace after replace for years to come back.

Sure, in fact, there are different older flagships past the Pixel 8 Professional that I’d purchase. Though Google’s machine is a private favourite of mine — and our in-house decide for the 2023 telephone of the yr — I do know that some individuals want iOS to Android, some want One UI to Pixel UI, and a few could be after their first foldable telephone. So, for these individuals, I’d nonetheless advocate any of the older flagships beneath (every of which made it to our end-of-year editor’s selection voting in 2023).

• iPhone 15 Professional ($999 at Amazon): When you’re set on attempting iOS, the iPhone 15 Professional might be your finest wager. Sure, its titanium body is heavier than the featherweight iPhone 15, however if you wish to strive Apple Intelligence in any respect, it’s a must to go Professional. Combine within the further digicam flexibility from the telephoto lens and glorious video capabilities, and also you would possibly end up trapped in Apple’s walled backyard.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 ($999.99 at Samsung): For some time, I used to be hesitant to advocate flip telephones too lengthy after their launch, however the Galaxy Z Flip 5 modified issues for me. It picked up a much-improved Flex Window as its cowl display, and Samsung has lastly made the show crease largely a factor of the previous. I’d additionally seize the Z Flip 5 over Motorola’s unique Razr Plus as a result of the fifth-generation hinge is a bit sturdier than that on the Razr.
• OnePlus Open ($1699.99 at Amazon): When you’ve been ready to strive a book-style foldable telephone, it’s exhausting to skip the OnePlus Open. It gives the quickest charging amongst foldable telephones accessible within the US and probably the most attention-grabbing method to multitasking, Open Canvas. It’s additionally value a glance because it has what I believe is one of the best digicam on a foldable telephone proper now.
• Motorola Edge Plus (2023) ($699 at Amazon): You could have anticipated me to select Motorola’s Razr Plus as considered one of my suggestions, however hear me out. As a result of the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s {hardware} has held up higher, I assumed it might be extra acceptable to select considered one of Motorola’s extra conventional choices. In spite of everything, the Edge Plus (2023) took Motorola’s flagships to a brand new degree with 67W wired charging, much-improved supplies over the earlier era, and higher cameras as well.
• Xiaomi 13 Professional (£1099.99 at Amazon): When you’re exterior of the US, yet one more older flagship to contemplate is the Xiaomi 13 Professional. No, it’s not fairly as bold as Xiaomi’s Extremely-tier digicam telephones, however it has a exceptional Leica-powered setup that provides traditional Leica shade science to your pictures. The software program would possibly take some getting used to (and also you gained’t discover nice band help within the US), however the cameras are value it.