If I have been shopping for an older flagship telephone, that is the one I would get

I’m at all times requested which telephone somebody can purchase. It’s not at all times phrased precisely that approach — typically, the query is which telephone is my favourite, however the finish aim is at all times the identical. And, in these circumstances, it’s straightforward to wish to suggest the most recent and biggest from Google, Apple, or OnePlus. Nevertheless, most individuals don’t want a brand-new, top-end system with all of the bells and whistles.

So, after I’m requested, I’ve began wanting deeper into the finest 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 digital camera 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 digital camera 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 stored its comfortably rounded body whereas most rivals (and the next Pixel 9) have been shifting in 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, in contrast to most shiny glass units.

All the pieces 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 provides significantly better colour decisions than most rivals. Actually, I’d take the vibrance of Bay or Mint over the tasteless lotions, grays, and blacks that usually include premium telephones.

In fact, there are a couple of quirks with the Pixel 8 Professional’s design — alright, only one principal 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 digital camera bar, and I can nonetheless rely the variety of instances I’ve used it on one hand. Conveniently, it’s not integral to a lot of something, so you may simply purchase an older Pixel 8 Professional with out ever touching it.

Once I began eager about the older flagship telephones I’d suggest, 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 outdated. However then I remembered that Android software program replace commitments solely actually jumped to Apple’s stage in 2023. So, if I needed to suggest an older Android telephone that you could possibly have by means of the top of the last decade, it was 2023 or bust.

Moreover, should you’re after a telephone that’ll obtain each a whole lot of updates and well timed ones, you may’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 instances yearly. It won’t get the identical AI-powered options that newer Pixels will, but it surely’s laborious 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 cause: Velocity. As Android’s chief developer, Google can push updates to its Pixels a lot quicker 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 might be till 2025.

There are, after all, 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, mild, easy software program, and dependable in a single day charging lengthy earlier than contemplating anything. Might I get extra uncooked energy out of a telephone with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in it? Certain, I may. I may discover an older telephone that costs quicker than the Pixel 8 Professional, too. Nevertheless, I’m but to seek out one other older flagship that also feels as recent and new because the Pixel 8 Professional and can proceed to take action because it receives replace after replace for years to return.

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

• iPhone 15 Professional ($999 at Amazon): Should you’re set on making an attempt iOS, the iPhone 15 Professional might be your finest guess. Sure, its titanium body is heavier than the featherweight iPhone 15, however if you wish to attempt Apple Intelligence in any respect, it’s a must to go Professional. Combine within the extra digital camera flexibility from the telephoto lens and glorious video capabilities, and also you may 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 suggest 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 principally 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): Should you’ve been ready to attempt a book-style foldable telephone, it’s laborious to skip the OnePlus Open. It provides the quickest charging amongst foldable telephones obtainable within the US and essentially the most attention-grabbing method to multitasking, Open Canvas. It’s additionally value a glance because it has what I believe is the finest digital camera on a foldable telephone proper now.
• Motorola Edge Plus (2023) ($699 at Amazon): You’ll have anticipated me to select Motorola’s Razr Plus as one in every 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 will be extra applicable to select one in every of Motorola’s extra conventional choices. In spite of everything, the Edge Plus (2023) took Motorola’s flagships to a brand new stage with 67W wired charging, much-improved supplies over the earlier technology, and higher cameras in addition.
• Xiaomi 13 Professional (£1099.99 at Amazon): Should you’re outdoors of the US, another older flagship to contemplate is the Xiaomi 13 Professional. No, it’s not fairly as formidable as Xiaomi’s Extremely-tier digital camera telephones, but it surely has a outstanding Leica-powered setup that provides traditional Leica colour science to your photographs. The software program may take some getting used to (and also you gained’t discover nice band assist within the US), however the cameras are value it.