Best Android phones with SD card slot 2025

With one of the best Android phones with an SD card slot, you can carry all your media library with you, shoot a whole lot of 4K videos, or download a couple of movies ahead of a long commute, all without having to worry about running out of internal storage space. If you're on the hunt for one of these devices, you have come to the right place: I've collected all my favorite Android Central-approved devices in this guide.

Thankfully, plenty of options are (still) available, although most of them are budget phones or mid-range devices with a few compromises here and there. Still, you might be surprised by the quality of the phones I've gathered for this guide. Some of these devices may even come with features you don't expect, such as 3.5mm audio ports, 120Hz displays, and wireless charging.

For the best Android phones with expandable storage, all you need is a stellar microSD card and you'll be all set to store as much stuff on your device as needed. With the right memory card, you can even store your apps on the external storage.

Namerah Saud Fatmi

Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart knickknacks. After writing about consumer tech for nearly a decade, she has become an expert in the Android accessories space. She spends her free time guzzling coffee, writing some more, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends.

At a glance

Best overall

Stylish and feature-laden in equal measure, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is arguably the best Android phone with expandable storage available in the market. Although it no longer comes with a removable backplate like the last-generation model, you still get an optional back panel that can be screwed on to the rear. This gives the phone some level of modularity, while also allowing the use of several add-on accessories like a magnetic kickstand and extra lenses. The CMF Phone 2 Pro isn't available in the United States, but you can still get it by signing for Nothing's beta program at a very attractive price of $279.

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 7300 Pro SoC and 8GB of RAM, a combination that makes it fairly good at handling everyday tasks like web browsing and some gaming. You also get 128GB/256GB of internal storage, as well as a microSD card slot. Up front, there's a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel with even bezels on all sides and up to 3000 nits of peak brightness. Running Android 15 (with Nothing OS 3.2) out of the box, the phone offers a clean yet practical user experience and is guaranteed to receive three years of major OS updates and six years of security updates.

There's a triple-lens primary camera system with a 50MP primary lens, a 50MP telephoto sensor (with 2x optical zoom), and an 8MP ultrawide unit. Given the phone's affordable price tag, this is an extremely capable setup that can shoot good quality photos and videos and well-lit environments. Among other notable features are NFC, an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W wired charging support.

Best value

Samsung might be primarily known for its flagships and foldables, but the South Korean behemoth also makes a wide range of (relatively) affordable smartphones under the A-series. Among them is the Galaxy A35 5G, our choice for one of the best cheap Android phones for anyone who prefers Galaxy smartphones. Usually priced just under $400, it can often be had for even less during sales and festive-season promotions.

Driven by Samsung's Exynos 1380 chipset and 6GB of RAM, the Galaxy A35 5G is more than capable of handling just about everything except the most resource-intensive of workflows. You also get 128GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot that makes storage expansion a walk in the park. The smartphone has a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for games, web browsing, and a lot more. You even get an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

For photos and videos, the Galaxy A35 5G comes with a triple-lens rear camera system having a 50MP wide-angle sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro module. It runs Android 14 (with One UI 6.1 overlaid on top) out of the box, and thanks to Samsung's excellent software update policy, is guaranteed to receive four major OS updates and five years of security patches. Some other noteworthy additions include stereo speakers, NFC, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 25W wired charging.

Best premium pick

Sony's smartphones have always stood apart from the crowd, and the Xperia 1 VI is no different. Bursting at the seams with numerous fancy features, it's an incredible device that can go against the best out there. You get Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC under the hood, along with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of onboard storage. Of course, there's also an expansion slot that can take up microSD cards of up to 1.5TB in size, giving you all the space you could possibly need for your photos, videos, and apps.

Up front, the Xperia 1 VI comes with a 6.5-inch LTPO OLED panel that doesn't have any obtrusive punch-holes or notches. The screen is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and you also get IP65/IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The smartphone runs Android 14 out of the box and is guaranteed three years of OS and four years of security updates. As you'd expect, the triple-lens rear camera system is fantastic, comprising a 48MP primary sensor, a 12MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide unit. Primarily aimed at pros, it's among the best Android camera setups in the market, having everything from 4K HDR video recording to support for external accessories.

Although the Xperia 1 VI works with most carriers, it's not compatible with CDMA networks. All major connectivity and I/O options like Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and USB-C 3.2 are there, and there's even a 3.5mm audio port included in the mix. The phone features a 5,000mAh battery with both wired and wireless charging support.

Best with stylus

Offering a laundry list of thoughtful features at a price that's just too good to resist, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) is a mid-range smartphone you should not ignore. It improves upon its already excellent predecessor in several ways and even packs some flagship-level goodies, all while still costing a mere $400. You still get a stunning design with a vegan leather back panel that comes in two funky colors.

Under the hood, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. You also get an expansion slot that can take up microSD cards of up to 1TB in size, allowing you to carry all your files, documents, and media library everywhere. The phone comes with a 6.7-inch pOLED screen with a resolution of 1220x2712 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, so everything from games to 4K videos looks incredible. The software (Android 15 with Motorola's Hello UI) is fairly minimal, and the phone is set to receive two years of OS updates and three years of bi-monthly security updates. There's a dual-lens rear camera system with a 50MP primary sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide module, which should result in decent photos and videos in well-lit environments. Of course, the standout feature is the integrated stylus that lets you take notes, doodle, and do a lot more. All essential connectivity and I/O options such as NFC are there, and you also get a 5,000mAh battery with support for 68W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

Best cheap Samsung

Craving that signature Samsung look and feel but can't afford much? Don't fret, as the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is a solid choice when hunting for phones with expandable storage. The Galaxy A25 gives you a FHD+ Super AMOLED screen that measures 6.5 inches and has an impressive 120Hz screen refresh rate.

Now this is nearly an entry-level device, but it has just enough going for it that it sits a notch above that banner. For instance, the Samsung phone is kept alive by a gigantic 5,000mAh battery. You also get a 3.5mm audio port and a 50MP main camera, even though it doesn't hold a candle to the photographic capabilities of the Galaxy S series of Samsung phones.

You get the Exynos 1280 chipset from the old Galaxy A53 5G, which is just about okay for everyday use and light multitasking but struggles a bit during intensive gaming sessions. Still, if you must get a cheap Samsung within a very tight budget, the A25 5G is a decent option.

Best value T-Mobile

Motorola has carved quite a name for itself over the past few years, delivering devices that offer incredible value for money. The new Moto G 2025 is yet another feature-packed phone from the company that not only excels at the basics but also manages to have some nice extras thrown into the mix. Undeniably one of the best phones under $200, this one is not to be missed if you use T-Mobile and don't want to splurge on a flagship.

Thanks to the vegan leather back panel that we've all come to love, the Moto G 2025 looks and feel far more premium than what its price tag might have you believe. Up front, there's a 6.7-inch IPS LCD panel that works quite well for everyday tasks like media streaming and web browsing. Yes, the HD resolution is a bit low by today's standards, but you do get a 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC and 4GB of RAM, which should be sufficient for casual usage and even some gaming. There's also 128GB of onboard storage, as well as an expansion slot that can take up microSD cards of up to 1TB in size.

If you were to compare Moto G 2025 vs. Moto G 5G 2024, you'd immediately notice the improvements in the camera department. Photos are captured almost instantly, and the software has also seen quite a few enhancements. The smartphone runs Android 15 (with Motorola's Hello UI overlaid on top) and is set to receive two OS updates and three years of security patches, which is quite good given its price point. All essential connectivity and I/O options (e.g., Wi-Fi, NFC, and 3.5mm audio port) are here, along with a 5,000mAh battery with 30W wired charging support.

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FAQ

What takes up the most storage on an Android phone?

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For the vast majority of users, their smartphone's also the default camera for capturing everyday moments. As such, even mid-range smartphones these days come with very good (if not great) camera setups, complete with features like 4K video recording. These photos and videos can often end up taking several GBs of storage space.

Apart from that, modern apps tend to take quite a bit of storage space too, especially some of the best Android games such as Genshin Impact.

What should I do when Android phone storage is full?

If you see that your Android smartphone is running out of storage space, you can take a look at the large-sized files, photos, and videos on it. This can be done via the built-in file manager app, which almost every Android smartphone comes with. Here, you can also check if some of the files, photos, and videos have duplicates. Accordingly, you can delete any unwanted stuff that's just sitting there and recover some storage space.

On the other hand, if you notice that the files and multimedia stored on your phone is important and can't be deleted, you can back it up to a cloud storage service. You'll be glad to know that backing up your Android phone is quite simple. In addition to files and apps, you can even back up text messages, contacts, and much more with little to no effort.

How to increase storage with Android?

The simplest way of increasing storage on your Android phone is to just use a microSD card for storing all your files, photos, videos, and multimedia. And to do that, the phone needs to have a microSD expansion slot. If you already have (or plan on getting) one of the phones listed in this article, it'll make things much easier.

However, in case your Android phone doesn't come with an expansion slot, there are a few things you can do to increase its onboard storage space.

A. Uninstall unnecessary apps: Your phone might have a few apps that you installed at some point but no longer use. In addition, some phones come preinstalled with apps that just use up valuable space but aren't needed. You can uninstall some of these apps and boost some of the available storage space on your phone.

B. Delete app cache/data: As we use apps on our phones over time, those apps keep on accumulating their own cache and data, which can take up quite a bit of space on the phone. You can delete this cache/data by going to the app's settings (generally accessible via Settings > Apps > App Name > Storage & cache) and clearing the storage and cache. This can be particularly helpful for unwanted apps that can't be uninstalled. Some phones also come with a "Phone Manager" app that can identify the apps using too much space and help you clear the cache and data. However, do note that clearing an app's data/cache resets it, so ensure that you don't use that app before proceeding.

Is it worth getting 128GB over 64GB?

Thanks to the continued advancements in the world of smartphones, even affordable Android smartphones come with 128GB of base storage. However, there are still a few entry-level Android phones that start with 64GB onboard storage. Now, if the Android smartphone you're considering is available in both 64GB and 128GB storage options, and the price difference isn't too much, getting the former variant really doesn't make much sense.

That said, things change if you're a light user. If you plan on using your phone for only basic tasks (e.g., taking a few photos every once in a while) and don't intend to use a lot of apps, going for the 64GB storage version will probably be just fine, and also help you save some cash.

How to choose an Android phone with an SD card slot

With most of the best Android phones moving away from SD card slots, you might think this incredible option is on its way to becoming obsolete, but don't panic just yet. There are still plenty of great phones with microSD support, although the vast majority of them are budget offerings. Grab some of the best microSD cards, and you'll be able to boost your phone storage with ease

While its limited availability and carrier support mean it's not the best pick for everyone, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a surprisingly well-rounded phone, especially when you remember it's just under $300. The phone has a quick MediaTek SoC, a strong triple-lens camera system, and good battery life. With three years OS updates and six years of security updates, this phone punches above its weight in several categories.

In terms of mainstream 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 S25 lineup or the Pixel 9 series. You're better off with mid-range value phones such as the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) or the Galaxy A35 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.

Not everyone that wants expandable storage is shopping for a cheap Android phone. The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a very expensive phone that's hard to recommend over the likes of Samsung Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13, but it's among the very few high-end smartphones to have memory card expansion. It also has a 3.5mm audio port, thus making it a strong pick for content creators, or wired earphone enthusiasts.