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 V and Xperia 5 V

Those looking for a high-end Android phone with expandable memory will have very few choices, and this is the best one you can find right now. You better be ready to pay a hefty price for the Sony Xperia 1 V, too. The MSRP starts at $1,399.99.

This is a fantastic handset if you can get past the high price tag. For starters, it is one of the very few phones with a 4K display. It has an OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, too. If you care for battery life, this phone also excels at it. We were able to make the phone last for up to two days with light use. That time got reduced to about a full day with heavy usage.

Of course, performance is nothing to scoff at, as it comes with a high-end processor and plenty of RAM. Not to mention, the cameras are outstanding, especially if you want to use your smartphone for video.

However, if you feel like the Xperia 1 V is a bit too expensive, the Xperia 5 V (£849 at Amazon) might be more to your liking. It’s still not cheap at €999, and it’s not officially available in the USA. Still, it is a very capable device with very few sacrifices compared to the 1 V. Here’s our Sony Xperia 5 V review if you want to learn more about it.

Xperia 1 V 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 5G (2023)

Now, if you really want to save, and still want one of the best phones with expandable storage, you can’t ignore the Motorola Moto G 5G (2023). It has a low $249.99 MSRP, and it isn’t half bad for that price.

Performance won’t be amazing, but the Snapdragon 480 Plus and 4GB of RAM are sufficient for casual usage. Not to mention, the less resource-intensive components make for great battery life. Combined with a sizeable 5,000mAh battery, we were able to reach two days of juice on a single charge easily.

The display is pretty nice for what you pay, too. It may only have a 720p panel, but mixed with a 120Hz refresh rate, it looks and feels pretty nice. Not to mention you will also enjoy the loud stereo speakers. Overall, this is one of the best phones with expandable storage on a budget.

If you want a slight upgrade, you should also take a look at the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2023 ($299 at Amazon). The only reason we didn’t add it here is because it costs more. At $399.99, we don’t feel it adds much more value to the equation, dollar per dollar. It’s still a great device, though, and you get the added benefit of an included stylus. Check out our Moto G Stylus 5G 2023 review to learn more about it.

Moto G 5G (2023) specs:

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

If you like Samsung phones, but feel like they can be a bit too pricey, the company also makes some great budget devices. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G only costs $199.99, and you can often find it at a discounted price.

It’s not a bad phone for the price, either. In our review, our only main complaints were that it has a cheaper construction, a bad mono speaker, and charging is pretty slow at 15W. It also has no wireless charging, and we wish the secondary cameras were better. It’s a $200 phone, though!

The phone has plenty going for it. We believe the primary camera does very well. It also has a nice 6.6-inch 90Hz display with a crisp 1080p resolution. Performance is reasonable, and we were able to make the battery last almost two days on a single charge.

Galaxy A14 5G 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:

Sony Xperia 10 V

We were about to leave the Sony Xperia 10 V out of this list because it isn’t available in the USA. We know plenty of you are in other markets, though. And since our choices of phones with expandable memory are getting very limited, this phone is still a good option.

Sony devices tend to be very expensive, but the Xperia 10 V starts at €449 in Europe, and you can usually find it imported in the USA for about $400. It isn’t as nicely built and premium as other Sony handsets, but you get a nice phone for that money.

The Snapdragon 695 and 6-8GB of RAM should be enough for most casual users. The cameras are pretty good, a 5,000mAh battery provides plenty of juice, and it still has an excellent OLED display.

Xperia 10 V 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.