Whether you carry your media library with you, shoot a lot of 4K videos, or you're looking to download a few movies ahead of a long commute, expandable storage is essential for many users. Thankfully, plenty of options are still available, although most of them are budget phones or mid-rangers with a few compromises here and there. If you're not looking to spend upwards of $1,000 on a flagship with 256GB or more built-in, take a look at our list of best Android phones with expandable storage.
Great Android phones that still accommodate SD cards
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Staff Pick
Samsung hit a home run with the robust Galaxy A53 5G. You get support for all US carriers, excellent cameras, IP67 water and dust proofing, and of course, a beautiful 6.5-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen. It has 128GB or 256GB storage already, but you can easily expand that via microSD.
Pining for a pen
While the stylus of the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) can't compete with the S Pen, it's still an excellent tool to have. You get a 50MP primary shooter and a blazing 120Hz screen refresh rate. This phone already has 128GB or 256GB, but you can always expand that further with a memory card.
Great for media
The Xperia 10 IV is an great device if you're on the hunt for a small phone. This mid-range Android phone sports a 6-inch HDR OLED panel and its 21:9 aspect ratio is perfect for media consumption. Under the hood, it touts a Snapdragon 695 SoC and a generous 5,000mAh battery. The cameras, however, are strictly average.
Showstopper
Xiaomi's value-packed Poco X4 Pro 5G makes a bold statement with its unique design language. It's not just a showstopper based on looks though, the internals are impressive at the price range and the 5,000mAh battery backup is amazing. This upgradable phone is powered by Snapdragon 695 and features a 108MP camera borrowed from the famous Note 11 series.
Budget buster
The affordable Samsung Galaxy A23 5G features Gorilla Glass 5 protection on top of its 6.6-inch 120Hz LCD screen. On top of the top-notch display, you also get the Snapdragon 695 chipset, a 50MP primary camera, a gigantic 5,000mAh battery, and a 3.5mm audio jack at a great asking price.
Ruggedly built
The Nokia XR20 combines Nokia's classic industrial design with robust hardware. This is a phone built for the outdoors, with customizable emergency buttons and durable IP68 water and dust-proofing. HMD Global promises three years of OS updates and four years of security updates.
Sleek and modern
OnePlus reassumes some of its former glory with the Nord N20 5G. It looks fantastic and performs well. You get a stunning 6.43-inch AMOLED display and plenty of neat features buries within the software. This phone favors the popular Snapdragon 695 chipset too, along with 33W fast charging and a 4,500mAh battery.
Bang for buck
The TCL 30 SE provides you with plenty of screen real estate thanks to the 6.52-inch LCD panel. You can enjoy using your large display for hours and hours thanks to the 5,000mAh battery. The TCL 30 SE comes with Android 12 out of the box and it supports 15W fast charging. Needless to say, it also has a microSD slot for expandable storage.
Unbelievable value
The Redmi Note 11 is not officially available in the US, but you can still get imported models. Admittedly, this limits your choice in telecom operators, but the value for money is worth it. At below $200, you get a gorgeous 6.43-inch AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone packs a punch with its Snapdragon 680 processor and impressive cameras in this segment.
Settle for this
It seems that even self-proclaimed flagship killers have fallen prey to the trend of selling less for more. Luckily, you can still get some good value with the OnePlus Nord N200 5G. There's a 6.49-inch 90Hz LCD, 5G, triple cameras, 4GB of RAM, and 18W fast charging.
Stylus on the cheap
It's hard to find a cheap Android phone that has a stylus, let alone one that also supports expandable storage. TCL achieves this with the budget-friendly TCL Stylus 5G. You get a large display and 5G support enabled by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G chip. The software experience is delightful and you get a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Sure-fire updates
HMD Global promises three years of security and two years of platform updates for the entry-level Nokia G50. Equipped with 10W fast charging and a 5,000mAh battery, this phone easily delivers two-day battery life. The 6.8-inch is large but there's not much else to write home about in that department.
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Value phones are keeping MicroSD alive
With most of the best Android phones moving away from expandable storage and some brands like Huawei switching from microSD to their own standards, you might think the format is becoming a dying breed, but don't panic just yet. There are still plenty of great phones with microSD support, though the vast majority of them are budget offerings. Grab some of the best MicroSD cards, and you'll be able to expand your storage with ease.
If you want the absolute best of the best with expandable storage, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G. With this stunning phone, you get phenomenal value and rich features like 5G support for any compatible U.S. carrier. That gorgeous 6.5-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display coupled with stereo speakers is ideal for multimedia consumption. The camera array is also incredibly versatile, allowing you to capture some neat shots in varying conditions. You also get to upgrade to Android 13, with three more major updates down the line.
In terms of full-blown flagships that offer expandable storage, you're out of luck with the latest releases. You won't find a microSD slot in the Galaxy S22 lineup or the Pixel 6 series. You're better off with mid-range value phones such as the Redmi Note 11 or the OnePlus Nord N20 5G. You'll find the internals to be solid in both phones, pushing out smooth performance consistently. Both devices are great hits in the camera and battery departments too.
If you're looking to spend even less, though, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G and TCL Stylus 5G are also great options to consider. Both deliver performance well above their asking price and are some of the best cheap Android phones you'll find, expandable storage or otherwise. Pair your phone with a reliable microSD card and you'll be all set for the next couple of years.
