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 7 series

The latest high-end Pixel series is excellent for those looking for a great camera system and a clean software experience. These two devices are made with premium materials and offer a design that will make most competitors jealous. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro also sport Google’s latest Tensor G2 chipset, which isn’t the best on the market but is good enough for demanding users. They run Android 13 and are guaranteed to get three major OS upgrades.

To make matters even more enticing, the prices are very competitive. These are hands-down the best phones with a near-stock Android experience you can get. Another great thing worth highlighting is that they will be among the first to get the latest version of Android when it launches, as Google sends it out to its Pixel phones on day one.

Google Pixel 7 specs:

Pixel 7 Pro specs:

Google Pixel 7a

Those looking for a Google smartphone that will keep their wallet healthy should look at the Pixel 7a. It has enough power to keep most casual users happy, supports 5G, and is one of the best phones with a near-stock Android experience. It’s also one of the best budget phones overall.

You get a pretty sizeable 4,385mAh battery, which we managed to use through an entire day of casual usage. The battery was still at 20% by the end of day, so at the very least, you can use it for an entire workday on a single charge. It also comes with stereo speakers and an IP67 rating. 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 newer Pixel 7a now has a 64MP primary sensor, a significant upgrade over the 12.2 camera on its predecessor.

Of course, Google had to make some sacrifices somewhere. The design isn’t as premium, and the phone is mainly made of plastic. That said, this time around, Google decided to add wireless charging, even if it’s pretty slow at 7.5W. The only bad news is that, while the phone is the most premium Pixel A handset Google has created, it also costs more at $499 MSRP.

The Pixel 7a still features a powerful Google Tensor G2 chipset, and a pretty modest 6GB of RAM. These performed very well in our tests, and we didn’t experience any hiccups. The processor can get pretty hot with heavier loads, though.

Pixel 7a 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 $1,799, 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 7 series

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 series consists of two phones. First, there’s the standard ASUS ROG Phone 7, which is still an amazingly powerful device. Specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 12-16GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, a large 6.78-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate, and a substantial 6,000mAh battery.

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is a more capable version of the standard iteration. Most specs are actually the same, but the Ultimate edition comes with 16GB of RAM (no 12GB version) and 512GB of storage (no 256GB version). Additionally, it has an added 2-inch screen in the rear and a motorized air vent for improved cooling.

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.

In our review, we praised the ROG Phone 7 for its impressive performance, amazing battery life (when not gaming), 65W fast charging, and a great selection of accessories. It still suffers from the common gaming phone downsides, though. These include a lackluster camera system and a bad IP54 rating.

ROG Phone 7 specs:

ROG Phone 7 Ultimate specs:

ASUS ZenFone 10

The ASUS ZenFone 10 may not look like much, but it’s one of the best phones with near-stock Android. Mostly because of its smaller size and simpler looks, but it happens to be a pretty interesting handset. Some people like smaller devices, and a minimalist look isn’t always a bad thing.

If you can live with a smaller phone, you’ll be rewarded with a great build quality, very solid performance, and excellent battery life. Our only complaints were the lack of a telephoto camera and the fact that the phone can get pretty toasty while gaming. Really, though, which phone doesn’t?

We were fans of its gestures, too. You can take advantage of Zen Touch, double tapping on the back, the smart key, and a selection of gestures we already saw in the ZenFone 9. It’s a great phone, and the price is just right, too.

ZenFone 10 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 $1,399.99 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.

Xperia 1 V specs:

Motorola Edge Plus (2023)

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 certainly 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 $799 MSRP, 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 definitely one of the best near-stock Android devices. Not to mention the price is very enticing at $599 MSRP.

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.

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.