The best Android phones with expandable memory

A few years ago, high-end phones with expandable memory became a dying breed. However, the feature is still around, even if it’s not as universal as it once was. Many great phones still include a microSD card slot, allowing you to expand your phone’s storage. Here are the best ones you should know about.

The best phones with expandable memory

Editor’s note: As new devices launch, we will regularly update this list of the best phones with expandable memory.

Sony Xperia 1 IV and 5 IV

Sony’s Xperia 1 IV and 5 IV come with specs worthy of a high-end title. Aside from being among the best camera phones for video shooters, these are capable phones. Of course, all that video footage will require ample space, which is why these are phones with expandable memory.

Extra features include a side-mounted fingerprint reader, an IP68 rating, and even a headphone jack (another rare sight these days!). You get plenty of processing power and RAM too, and size will depend on the model you pick. You can look right below the buy button for more details.

The Xperia 1 IV is the better phone of the two, but it also comes with a very high price tag. If you want to save money, the Xperia 5 IV is the better choice.

By the way, the Sony Xperia 1 V is already announced and will launch in the USA on July 28. You might want to learn more about it before purchasing one of the IV series handsets.

Xperia 1 IV specs:

Xperia 5 IV specs:

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

Samsung is becoming a solid contender in the mid-tier market, offering devices with features you would otherwise only find in expensive devices. The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G has a 120Hz display, a pretty good Exynos 1380 processor, plenty of RAM/storage, and a nice 5,000mAh battery.

The design is pretty nice too, as it looks very much like the Galaxy S23 series. Of course, this is a more affordable device with a $449.99 MSRP, so the construction isn’t as good. It also lacks wireless charging. Otherwise, we liked the primary camera, and it has a really good battery life. Not to mention the update commitment, which consists of four years of Android versions, along with five years of security updates.

This is definitely one of the best phones with expandable memory if you are looking for optimal bang per buck.

Galaxy A54 5G specs:

Motorola Moto G Stylus 2023

Now, if you really want to save, and still want one of the best phones with expandable storage, you can’t ignore the 2023 Motorola Moto G Stylus. It has a low $199.99 MSRP, and it isn’t half bad for that price.

For starters, it comes with a stylus, which can be stored right in the device. We also like the design improvements, clean software, and great battery life.

We had plenty of things to complain about in our review. It has no NFC, the processor isn’t great, it doesn’t have much memory, and the screen has a 720p resolution. That said, you shouldn’t be expecting too much out of a $200 device. It’s a good deal, with some sacrifices.

Moto G Stylus (2023) specs:

POCO X5

The POCO lineup is synonymous with value, and that’s precisely what you get with the POCO X5. Aside from being one of the best phones with expandable memory, it also has pretty good overall specs, considering what you pay.

The device comes with a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, up to 6-8GB of RAM, and as much as 256GB of storage. It also comes with a sizeable 5,000mAh battery and 33W charging.

The only real downside is that it’s not available in the USA. However, it can be easily imported, and we know many of you live in other markets.

POCO X5 specs:

OPPO Reno8 T 5G

The OPPO Reno9 series is great, and so is the Reno8 series, but none of those have expandable storage. The OPPO Reno8 T 5G does! It’s also very well-priced for what you pay.

The OPPO Reno8 T 5G comes with a Snapdragon 695 processor and as much as 8GB of RAM. The camera setup isn’t great, though. The 4,800mAh battery is also reasonably sized, and you can charge at 67W speeds. You do get a large 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Reno8 T 5G specs:

Redmi Note 12

It’s hard to get the Redmi Note 12 outside of Asia, but if you can get your hands on it, it’s one of the best phones with expandable memory. It costs about $200 but has plenty to offer casual users.

You’ll enjoy the solid build quality, great screen, long battery life, and surprisingly good performance for such an affordable handset. Specs include a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor, up to 6GB of RAM, as much as 128GB of storage, and a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also sports a hefty 5,000mAh battery.

There are more powerful Pro versions of it, but those don’t come with a microSD card slot.

Redmi Note 12 specs:

OnePlus Nord N300

In recent years, people started focusing on what matters and realized an affordable handset can also be an excellent device for everyday use. OnePlus made a name for itself with the Nord brand, and the OnePlus Nord N300 is one of the best phones with expandable memory.

Its specs are modest, but its price is even more humble and will keep your bank account healthy. Not to mention you get a lot for what you pay, and we happen to be fans of its battery life, fast charging, solid speakers, and overall performance.

That said, there are things we think could be improved. The construction could be improved, for example. It also has a lousy fingerprint reader and poor update commitment. It’s also available only to T-Mobile and Metro customers in the USA. It’s still a good budget option if you want microSD support on a budget and don’t mind sticking with the magenta carrier.

Nord N300 specs:

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

Here’s another affordable handset that seems to cost too little for what it offers. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a £299 MSRP. Aside from being one of the best phones with expandable storage, it offers some features you’d struggle to find elsewhere, even in some high-end devices.

The device has a 6.72-inch Full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, a 108MP primary camera, and a large 5,000mAh battery with high-speed 67W charging. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 695 processor, which isn’t outstanding, but it’s also pretty capable for casual users.

As you may have assumed from that MSRP currency, this phone isn’t available in the USA. You’ll need to import it if you’re on this side of the pond.

Nord CE 3 Lite specs:

If you got one of the best phones with expandable storage, you now need to buy one of the best microSD cards.

Are you still not convinced by these options? The good news is that many phones come with lots of storage options. It would help if you also learned how to make the most out of the memory you already have.