{"id":1065971,"date":"2026-07-03T13:30:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T13:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1065971\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T13:30:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T13:30:35","slug":"are-these-6-popular-android-phones-worth-upgrading-from-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1065971\/","title":{"rendered":"Are these 6 popular Android phones worth upgrading from in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Google<\/p>\n

Stephen Radochia \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

Smartphones are lasting longer than ever, thanks to future-proofed hardware and extended software support. It\u2019s fantastic to see phone makers finally provide the value that $1,000+ devices deserve. It\u2019s made knowing when to upgrade more difficult, which is a good problem to have.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Still, no matter how much you love your phone, there always comes a time to say goodbye. Yearly (or even bi-yearly) upgrade cycles may not make sense, but here are the five (almost six) phones I\u2019d upgrade from if they were rattling around in my pocket in 2026.<\/p>\n

How long do you typically keep your phone for?<\/p>\n

171 votes<\/p>\n

I upgrade yearly, because I’m that person.<\/p>\n

4%<\/p>\n

At least two years.<\/p>\n

13%<\/p>\n

I prefer a three year upgrade cycle.<\/p>\n

21%<\/p>\n

Four years of longer…until the wheels fall off!<\/p>\n

63%<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 7 Pro<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

Stephen Radochia \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

I had a lukewarm relationship with the Pixel 7 Pro when it launched. Initially, I was excited that the device fixed many of the complaints I had about the Pixel 6. The hardware felt more refined, the fingerprint sensor worked as it should, and Google had ironed out many of the problems users had with Android 12.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, there were still some gremlins hiding under the hood. The Tensor G2 chipset overheated, resulting in substandard battery life on the Pixel 7 Pro. Much of the hate for Google Pixel phones was born during the Pixel 6\/7 period, and for good reason.<\/p>\n

The phone\u2019s display was decent, but nowhere near the quality of Google\u2019s current panels. If you own a Pixel 7 Pro, you know its performance is good enough for social media and communication, but you\u2019ll notice significant improvements if you upgrade.<\/p>\n

The Tensor G5 chipset powering the Pixel 10 Pro<\/a> and Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/a> solves many of the earlier generation\u2019s headaches. It isn\u2019t as prone to overheating, and you\u2019ll notice better gaming performance. Battery life is also improved on the newer device, and you\u2019ll enjoy two days of mixed use without needing to plug in. One improvement you\u2019ll notice right away is the display. Google\u2019s Super Actua displays are excellent, and you\u2019ll no longer have to walk around set to maximum brightness just to see your screen outdoors.<\/p>\n

The Pixel 7 Pro was good for its time, but if you have the means, upgrading to the Pixel 10 Pro (or 10 Pro XL) is the right call.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra<\/p>\n

\"Samsung<\/p>\n

Robert Triggs \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

Everyone loves to jump all over Tensor chipsets, but Qualcomm isn\u2019t immune to the occasional dud. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powering the Galaxy S22 Ultra was rough from the start. I experienced frequent overheating even during basic use, and I struggled to get five hours of screen time without recharging.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a shame, because otherwise, the phone holds up quite well. Its 6.8-inch OLED panel is gorgeous, and I love that the S Pen has Bluetooth functionality.<\/p>\n

Even with those positives, the Galaxy S26 Ultra<\/a> is a worthy upgrade. The improved battery life is excellent, but the extended software support is what seals the deal. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is at the end of its life. Meanwhile, the S26 Ultra is slated for seven years of Android upgrades and patches, so you\u2019ll be getting new versions of One UI for a while.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra<\/a>\"Samsung\"AASamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra<\/a><\/p>\n

Privacy display \u2022 Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy \u2022 Power AI features<\/p>\n

Powerful flagship with top-tier cameras, AI, and privacy features.<\/p>\n

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung’s slimmest and lightest Ultra yet, pairing a 6.9-inch display with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and a redesigned cooling system. It doubles down on imaging with a brighter 200MP main camera, upgraded zoom, advanced 8K video features, and Ultra-exclusive privacy and Galaxy AI tools.<\/p>\n

Motorola Razr Plus (2023)<\/p>\n

\"motorola<\/p>\n

Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

I enjoyed carrying the 2023 Razr Plus in my pocket when it was new. It was the phone that made me believe in Moto\u2019s revival, and it was a stark contrast to Samsung\u2019s Galaxy Z Flip series.<\/p>\n

Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipsets are among my all-time favorites, and they corrected many of the problems users had with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 that I mentioned on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The older Razr\u2019s battery life isn\u2019t the best, but performance holds up for basic tasks in 2026 \u2014 and the styling is fantastic.<\/p>\n

Whether you upgrade to the Razr Plus (2026) or this year\u2019s Razr Ultra<\/a>, you\u2019ll appreciate several notable improvements. The newer Plus has a larger 4-inch cover screen, giving your thumbs a bit more space to pound out messages or scroll through Instagram.<\/p>\n

The current versions are also more durable, and while my 2023 hinge has held up well, you\u2019ll immediately feel the difference on the first flip. More software support doesn\u2019t hurt either, so if you still have a 2023 Plus, it might be time to upgrade.<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 7a<\/p>\n

\"google<\/p>\n

Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

The Google Pixel 7a and Pixel 6 tie for my most hated phones ever. I wanted to love the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 6a was one of the best values in tech, offering the power of a Google Tensor and the company\u2019s excellent smartphone cameras at a midrange price. Unfortunately, the sequel didn\u2019t live up to expectations.<\/p>\n

Tensor G2 performance on the Pixel 7a was poor, and I experienced constant overheating. Much like the Pixel 7 Pro, the battery life suffered as a result. I also had problems with the modem, as my Pixel 7a refused to switch properly between 5G and LTE \u2014 a problem many users experienced. The screen was decent, but it lags behind what Google currently offers.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been hanging onto your Pixel 7a, the Pixel 10a<\/a> offers some truly impressive upgrades. The Tensor G4 chipset is more efficient, and I get fantastic battery life from the 10a. Its 6.3-inch Actua display is significantly better than the panel on the 7a, and the device features an updated Exynos 5400 modem \u2014 alleviating many of the previous problems. It\u2019s a solid all-around improvement, and you\u2019ll be glad you upgraded.<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10a<\/a>\"Google\"AAGoogle Pixel 10a<\/a><\/p>\n

Flush camera design \u2022 Good performance and battery life \u2022 Strong cameras \u2022 Great software support promise \u2022 Excellent price<\/p>\n

Google’s best AI features, in a more affordable mid-tier device<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10a is a refined mid-range phone built around Tensor G4, a brighter 120Hz 6.3-inch display, tougher Gorilla Glass 7i, satellite SOS, and trickled-down Pixel AI features \u2014 paired with a reliable dual-camera system, 30W charging, and seven years of updates.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy A54<\/p>\n

\"Samsung<\/p>\n

Rushil Agrawal \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

The Galaxy A54 was a notable improvement from its predecessor. The Galaxy A53 was one of the few phones I refused to use for the entire review period. It lagged constantly, as its Exynos 1280 chipset wasn\u2019t up to the task. It was especially insulting because the Galaxy A52 was excellent, and I was expecting more of the same.<\/p>\n

The Galaxy A54 started to turn that around. Its Exynos 1380 power plant delivered better performance and longer battery life, and the phone featured a gorgeous 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel. One UI ran smoothly, and the design brought the phone in line with Samsung\u2019s other, more expensive offerings.<\/p>\n

If you own an A54, you\u2019ll be amazed that the Galaxy A57<\/a> is still part of the A-series. It now features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, with an aluminum frame. It has a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display and carries the look and feel of a flagship.<\/p>\n

Its Exynos 1680 chipset provides snappier performance, and the battery life is excellent. If you enjoy your Galaxy A54, you\u2019ll love the upgrades moving to the Galaxy A57, even though it no longer has a microSD card slot.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G<\/a>\"SamsungSamsung Galaxy A57 5G<\/a><\/p>\n

Great build quality \u2022 Fast charging \u2022 Versatile cameras<\/p>\n

The Samsung Galaxy A57 5G is a mid-range Android phone with a smooth AMOLED display, dependable all-day battery life, and Samsung\u2019s polished One UI experience, paired with a versatile multi-camera setup, fast charging, and long-term software support for reliable everyday use.<\/p>\n

Motorola Moto G Power (2024)<\/p>\n

\"Moto<\/p>\n

Stephen Radochia \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

The Moto G Power (2024) remains one of the best-selling phones on Amazon, and for good reason. For around $130, you pick up a large 6.7-inch 1080p LCD display, a Dimensity 7020 chipset with 8GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery. When you consider the rising phone prices all around us, that comes off as a steal, especially since it\u2019s more than capable for social media, web browsing, and texting.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to say that the Moto G Power (2026)<\/a> is a worthy upgrade, but I can\u2019t. Its Dimensity 6300 chipset is an improvement, but nothing that would make me shell out $400 for a new phone. It still features 8GB of RAM and an LCD panel. Maybe if Motorola bumped it up to 12GB with an OLED for that price, I\u2019d be tempted, but if you have (or want to buy) a Moto G Power (2024) for cheap, I\u2019d keep it going a little longer.<\/p>\n

Upgrade cycles aren\u2019t easy anymore, and I love that our favorite devices are viable for longer. Prices are getting out of control, so the longer we can hold onto our phones, the better. However, there comes a point when you will notice upgrades, and who doesn\u2019t love the allure of a new phone?<\/p>\n

Thank you for being part of our community. Read our\u00a0Comment Policy<\/a> before posting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Stephen Radochia \/ Android Authority Smartphones are lasting longer than ever, thanks to future-proofed hardware and extended software…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1065972,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[7],"tags":[867,85668,3302,187990,37674,542,292418,89240,53,16,15],"class_list":["post-1065971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-google","tag-google-pixel-7","tag-motorola","tag-motorola-moto-g","tag-motorola-razr","tag-samsung","tag-samsung-galaxy-a54","tag-samsung-galaxy-s22","tag-technology","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116856295425105971","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1065971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1065971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1065971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1065972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1065971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1065971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1065971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}