My 7 needs for Android telephones in 2026

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We’re coming to the tip of the 12 months, and we’ve already seen the primary next-generation flagship Android telephones launching around the globe. These telephones give us a tough thought of what to anticipate from the trade subsequent 12 months — extra efficiency and larger batteries being two of the sooner traits.

By no means thoughts expectations, although. What do I really need from smartphones subsequent 12 months? From greater batteries in all markets to iPhone-rivaling video high quality, right here’s what I’m wishing for in 2026.

What's your want for Android telephones in 2026? 36 votes

Larger batteries in additional markets

47%

Video high quality that rivals iPhones

11%

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 telephones that do not run scorching

8%

A very reasonably priced Galaxy Z Flip

6%

Extra mid-rangers with tele cameras

8%

Funds Pixels with out battery points

14%

Linux desktop apps on extra telephones

3%

Different (go away a remark)

3%

1. Larger batteries, for everybody

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="OnePlus 15 charging photo" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="OnePlus 15 charging photo" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/OnePlus-15-charging-photo-scaled.jpg"/> Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

The not too long ago launched OPPO Discover X9 Professional, OnePlus 15, and Xiaomi 17 Professional Max all have 7,000mAh+ batteries. Nevertheless, the unhealthy information is that transport rules in markets just like the EU and US cap the dimensions of a person battery cell. Some manufacturers have circumvented this restriction through the use of telephones with dual-cell battery designs. And that’s how the OnePlus 15 and OPPO Discover X9 Professional retain their gigantic batteries in Europe. Nevertheless, telephones just like the vivo X300 Professional and Xiaomi 15 Extremely consequently have a lot smaller batteries within the EU in comparison with India and China.

I’d actually prefer to see extra cellphone makers adopting dual-cell batteries to bypass these transport rules. That means, telephones can provide the identical battery capability in Europe, the US, and China. EMEA markets particularly already pay a premium for telephones in comparison with China and India, so why give us much less for extra?

I additionally assume it’s excessive time for corporations like Samsung and Apple to supply a lot bigger batteries. Silicon-carbon batteries may not final so long as the most effective lithium-ion batteries, however they actually final so long as standard lithium-ion batteries inside current Pixels.

2. Video high quality to match or exceed iPhones

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Apple iPhone 17 Pro focusing on camera bump plateau" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Apple iPhone 17 Pro focusing on camera bump plateau" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Apple-iPhone-17-Pro-focusing-on-camera-bump-plateau-scaled.jpg"/> Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

I’ve argued for a number of years now that the most effective Android digital camera telephones take higher pictures than iPhones, however the reverse is the case for video seize. Apple’s gadgets usually take smoother, higher-quality movies than top-tier Android flagships, and infrequently have higher help for modifying as nicely.

Evidently, I actually hope that is the 12 months when some Android OEMs match or surpass the iPhones by way of video seize. The excellent news is that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip helps the Superior Skilled Video (APV) codec for higher-quality video, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 collection is tipped to supply this function.

In fact, there’s extra to increased video high quality on Android than a brand new codec. I’d subsequently prefer to see Android OEMs specializing in improved stability, diminished judder (significantly when panning and tilting), sooner/extra correct autofocus, and different common video seize enhancements.

3. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 telephones that don’t run scorching

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Realme GT8 Pro 3DMark app" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Realme GT8 Pro 3DMark app" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Realme-GT8-Pro-3DMark-app-scaled.jpg"/> Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

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<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge light@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge light@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png"/><img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge dark@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge dark@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png"/> Qualcomm pointed the finger at smartphone makers, and that’s usually truthful, as producers are in the end liable for tuning cellphone and chip efficiency. That is nonetheless a regarding pattern, although, and I’d argue that the chip designer has to shoulder a number of the blame. Both means, I actually hope gadgets just like the Samsung Galaxy S26 collection and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 don’t endure the identical destiny.

Individuals are additionally fast to level out the truth that benchmark apps aren’t indicative of real-world utilization, and most of those telephones certainly run easily in any other case. Nevertheless, that is nonetheless a problem for demanding video games down the road, in addition to cutting-edge emulators and different area of interest workloads.

4. A very reasonably priced Galaxy Z Flip

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE tented showing cover screen" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE tented showing cover screen" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-7-FE-tented-showing-cover-screen.jpg"/> Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE earlier this 12 months, however I used to be fairly dissatisfied after reviewing it. The largest situation I had with this supposedly reasonably priced Flip was the $900 price ticket. In actual fact, you have been mainly paying for final 12 months’s Flip 6 with a distinct processor. Motorola’s Razr 2025 additionally put the Z Flip 7 FE within the shade resulting from its $700 price ticket and versatile cowl display software program.

In different phrases, I actually hope Samsung pulls up its socks in 2026 and delivers a very reasonably priced Galaxy Z Flip mannequin. Will it really occur? Given the corporate’s monitor file of penny-pinching on part prices whereas nonetheless charging a premium? I extremely doubt it.

5. Extra mid-rangers with telephoto cameras

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Nothing Phone 3a Pro camera app showing zoom levels from 0.6x to 6x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Nothing Phone 3a Pro camera app showing zoom levels from 0.6x to 6x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nothing-Phone-3a-Pro-camera-app-showing-zoom-levels-from-0.6x-to-6x.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

One minor pattern in 2025 has been the transfer to carry telephoto cameras to extra reasonably priced smartphones. Mid-ranger handsets just like the realme 14 Professional Plus and Nothing Telephone 3a collection each stood out on this regard resulting from their 3x 50MP cameras, providing customers way more images flexibility.

Who says it's important to lay our a fortune to get a zoom digital camera? Actually not Nothing and realme.

Sadly, realme and Nothing are the exceptions quite than the rule, and we haven’t seen many different mid-range telephones with telephoto cameras. So certainly one of my needs for 2026 is that corporations like Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, and others carry zoom cameras to their sub-$600 telephones. As colleague Rita El-Khoury opined earlier this 12 months, good zoom is now an anticipated function for many individuals.

6. Funds Pixels with out battery points

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="google pixel 6a in hand 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Google Pixel 6a in Sage color in hand, seen from the back" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/google-pixel-6a-in-hand-2-scaled.jpg"/> Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

One of many extra unsavory traits in 2025 was the emergence of battery defects in older finances Pixel telephones. Some Pixel 4a, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a house owners reported important battery swelling, whereas a number of house owners even reported fires. This resulted within the Australian and UK client watchdogs issuing alerts about these points. It didn’t assist issues when Google stated it will throttle the battery capability and charging pace of the newly launched Pixel 9a (and Pixel 10 telephones) out of the field. Because of this a few of us are now not recommending mid-range Pixels.

Google cannot afford to have one other 12 months of finances Pixels with battery defects.

Due to this fact, is it any shock that I don’t wish to hear about extra mid-range Pixels affected by battery points in 2026? I additionally hope Google doesn’t implement necessary “battery well being help” on new mid-rangers and as an alternative focuses on extra dependable batteries within the first place. In spite of everything, you wouldn’t have to throttle battery capability and charging pace to this extent if the batteries simply, you realize, labored.

7. Linux desktop apps on extra telephones

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Linux Terminal app on a Pixel phone connected to external display" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Linux Terminal app on a Pixel phone connected to external display" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Linux-Terminal-app-on-a-Pixel-phone-connected-to-external-display-scaled.jpg"/> Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

One cool however area of interest function we’ve seen in 2025 is the arrival of the Linux Terminal app on Android gadgets. This allows you to run full Linux desktop apps in a digital machine in your Android cellphone or pill. That’s a welcome function if you wish to use your Android machine like a PC, permitting you to run extra highly effective net browsers, picture modifying applications, and extra. There’s nonetheless a protracted technique to go, however the basis is clearly right here for a PC-like expertise that would probably let you go away your laptop computer at dwelling.

There’s one main draw back, although: Snapdragon processors don’t help the Linux Terminal app. Which means that telephones just like the Galaxy S25 collection (and certain the Galaxy S26 vary), OnePlus 15, and others can’t get in on the motion. That’s an actual disgrace, however I’m holding thumbs for Qualcomm so as to add Linux Terminal help in 2026. In spite of everything, how cool would it not be to run desktop apps in Dex Mode on a Galaxy S25 Extremely or S26 Extremely?