Here are the best smartphones offering a near-stock Android experience

Most phone makers add a custom UI on top of Android — such as OnePlus’ OxygenOS or Samsung’s One UI — with extra features and a different design. However, these so-called “skins” often come with pre-installed apps and extra flare, which impacts the overall user experience. That’s why there’s a demand for phones with stock Android, which a manufacturer hasn’t modified.

If you’re in the market for a phone running stock Android, you might be sad to hear true stock Android is pretty hard to find these days. Even Pixel handsets come with the Pixel UI launcher. Save for Android One handsets, which are affordable and meant for emerging markets, pretty much all devices have some modifications. This is why we’ll mainly focus on phones with a “near-stock Android” experience.

The best phones with near-stock Android

Editor’s note: We will regularly update this list of the best near-stock Android phones as new devices launch.

Google Pixel 8 series

Of course, the latest and greatest from Google will obviously be among the best phones with near-stock Android. These are the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Both come with a refined design, improved upon the one we saw in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 series.

These feature high-end performance, even if the Tensor G3 chipset can get a bit too hot. As expected, the cameras are among the best the industry has to offer. Overall, these phones are meant to compete only against the best.

Because they are Google phones, the search giant is promising a pretty healthy update promise, too. These will get a whopping seven years of OS upgrades! And while these are very close to stock Android, Google always manages to add some great, non-intrusive, Pixel-only features to its devices.

Google Pixel 8 specs:

Pixel 8 Pro specs:

Google Pixel 8a

Looking for a Google phone on a budget? The Pixel 8a should suffice. It offers plenty of flagship-level specs and hardware wrapped in a slightly cheaper shell. But that body doesn’t affect the overall experience which is Pixel through and through.

The phone packs a Tensor G3 chipset, which enables plenty of on-device Gemini AI smarts. It also kicks up several core specs, now packing 8GB of RAM and a larger 4,492mAh battery to keep its 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED screen alive and kicking for over a day.

Like all other Pixels, it also features a camera that is way too good for this price range and challenges even high-end phones. Especially since the Pixel 8a keeps its predecessor’s 64MP primary sensor, a significant upgrade over the 12.2MP camera on the Pixel 6a. A reliable 13MP ultrawide snapper joins it at the rear.

The Pixel 8a isn’t all good news. The phone features a body mostly made of plastic while charging is painfully slow. Whether you use its 18W wired or 7.5W wireless top-ups, you’ll spend a long time connected to the wall.

Pixel 8a specs:

Google Pixel Fold

The Google Pixel Fold signals the company’s entry into the world of foldable phones. Being a Google phone, it has a bloat-free and clean UI, making it one of the best phones with stock Android. At the very least, it represents what foldable phones with stock Android should be like, according to Google.

While mighty expensive at $1,800, it’s also a very capable device with all the bells and whistles you’ll find in a 2023 flagship. The Google Tensor G2 and 12GB of RAM keep the device snappy. Regardless, performance was never an issue. This processor tends to get a bit too hot for our liking, but it performs.

The external display measures 5.8 inches but has a wider 4:9 ratio, making it more functional and easier to navigate. The internal, bigger screen measures 7.6 inches. Both have a 120Hz refresh rate, so everything will look silky smooth. The cameras also performed excellently during our tests.

All that said, we actually weren’t fans of the battery life, and the device is obviously heavy. Not many apps are optimized for these display proportions, either.

Pixel Fold specs:

ASUS ROG Phone 8 series

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 series consists of two phones. First, there’s the standard ASUS ROG Phone 8, which is still an amazingly powerful device. Specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12-16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a large 6.78-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 5,500mAh battery.

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is a more capable version of the standard iteration. The Pro edition gets upgraded with 16GB to 24GB of RAM and 512GB to 1TB of storage. The main visual difference here is that the ROG Phone 8 has an illuminated logo on the back. The Pro model comes with a mini LED matrix section that can be customized.

Both are great devices, even for the most demanding users, and ASUS is known for offering a very clean UI. There will be some gaming enhancements in software, such as the Armoury Crate app, but those can be hidden out of the way most of the time. There are also a lot of noise effects that sound very gamer-inspired, but those can also be customized.

We praised the ROG Phone 8 for its impressive performance, fantastic battery life (when not gaming), super fast charging, and a great selection of accessories. And this time around, the camera is actually pretty good (albeit not amazing). We were also pleasantly surprised by the fact it actually has an IP68 rating, which is rare in gaming devices.

ROG Phone 8 specs:

ROG Phone 8 Pro specs:

ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra

The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra marks the beginning of a new era for the Zenfone line. These devices were usually known for offering good value on smaller yet powerful phones. The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra is large, powerful, and comes with a price tag that is more similar to other high-end devices. Additionally, it is one of the best near-stock Android phones.

We had very few things to complain about in our ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra review. Mainly, its cameras aren’t great and the update promise only covers two OS upgrades. If you can look past these downsides, the device is very nicely built and designed. You get fast 65W charging speeds, nice AI features, a gorgeous screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, and overall great specs. We also loved that the UI is so clean, offering a stock-like experience.

All these goodies will cost you, though. The device costs $900. This is still cheaper than other devices with such specs, but it’s no longer considered affordable.

ZenFone 11 Ultra specs:

Sony Xperia 1 V

Sony’s UI is super clean and keeps things as simple as they get. This makes the Sony Xperia 1 V one of the best phones with near-stock Android.

Its most significant drawback is its price, as it carries a hefty $1,400 starting price tag. The phone is quite the beast if money is no issue. Battery life is excellent; we managed to get two days out of a single charge, with light use. And it was able to easily reach a full day under pressure.

The phone is a beast, and competes only with the best out there. The 4K display is gorgeous, performance is nothing to scoff at, and the cameras are pretty awesome. Especially if you like taking video. Sony has brought its experience from the camera market, offering insane focusing speeds, as well as great features such as eye autofocus and professional controls.

If you think the Sony Xperia 1 V is a bit too much, you can also opt for the Sony Xperia 5 V ($799.94 at Amazon). It isn’t exactly cheap, but it costs less.

Xperia 1 V specs:

Motorola Edge Plus (2023)

Motorola is known for not messing too much with software, and letting Android be. Those looking for a capable and good-looking high-end device that doesn’t cost over a grand, should consider the Motorola Edge Plus (2023). It’s undoubtedly one of the best devices with a near-stock Android experience, as you can see in the image above.

The device is quite impressive for its $800 price point, offering high-end performance, a premium construction, and a pretty nice camera system.

Additionally, the charging speeds reach 68W, and can juice up the device entirely in about 50 minutes. The battery life is also great, and we were able to make the device last for two days on a single charge. The display is pretty outstanding, too. Primarily because of its OLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate.

Edge Plus specs:

Nothing Phone 2

The Nothing Phone 2 is the second handset released by the company founded by Carl Pei — co-founder of OnePlus. As flashy as it looks, it is actually a very simple device, as its name entails. It is one of the best near-stock Android devices. Not to mention the price, which is very enticing at $600.

You actually get a pretty good phone for your money here. The design is gorgeous, for starters. It also has a very nice LTPO OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. We also liked its primary camera. While it doesn’t have the latest and greatest processor, the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 is a stunning performer, too.

If you care for good battery life, this phone has it. We were able to make it last for a day and a half and were left with 10% leftover with casual usage. The 45W charging also helps it juice up in under an hour.

Now, if you want to save more money for a near-stock Android experience from Nothing, there is also the Nothing Phone 2a (£319.99 at Amazon).

Nothing Phone 2 specs:

FAQs

If you’re unhappy with any of these phones, maybe it’s time to consider going another route. The great thing about Android is you can customize it to your liking. Check out our list of the best Android launchers available.