Your Android phone stores some of your most precious personal data, and everyone should think about safeguarding it. The easiest way to keep your data private is buying a secure phone in the first place. Most modern devices have hardware-level encryption for safeguarding your sensitive data, biometric information, and so on. Others take that a step further with dedicated security chips, isolating critical data from the rest of the system, like Samsung's Knox Vault or Google's Titan M2.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is our best overall pick. Sure, it's expensive, but it also comes with some of the best hardware and will be first in line to get software updates. And of course, the same update policy also applies to the entire Pixel 10 series, many of which are in this list. Then there's the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which gives you Knox vault and lots of security perks, along with more features than you'll probably ever need.
At a glance
Best overall
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is easily the ultimate phone when it comes to security. With monthly security updates guaranteed for years to come, it's set to stay safe and up to date for a long time.
Best budget
With the Galaxy A36 5G, you get Samsung's Knox security at a pretty reasonable price. Other notable features include a 120Hz AMOLED screen, IP67 rating, and six years of major OS and security updates.
Best premium
With the Galaxy S25 Ultra, you get a phone that has more features than you can use at a point. The flagship comes with a Dynamic AMOLED panel, Knox security, and seven years of major OS and security updates.
Best mid-range
The Pixel 9a is proof that a well-rounded smartphone doesn't have to cost a fortune. It is priced very competitively and features Google's Titan M2 coprocessor for securing all your data. Oh, and it'll be updated for years to come.
Best small
Want a secure device that's compact yet doesn't compromise? Look no further than the Google Pixel 10 Pro. It's a surprisingly capable device that performs admirably well in all departments. It looks quite incredible too.
Best alternative
Offering something different from brands like Samsung and Google, the Nord 4 from OnePlus packs incredibly fast charging speed, a premium metal chassis, and a feature-laden and secure software experience.
Best overall
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is a phenomenal device that highlights the best that Google has to offer right now, including the Google's new Tensor G5 SoC. The phone has a gorgeous design and comes with upgraded hardware that lets it excel at the AI-based workloads that Google is increasingly adding to its devices, and you get standout cameras and a large battery with Qi2 magnetic wireless charging and other extras.
A big selling point for the Pixel 10 Pro XL is that it is constantly updated directly from Google with the latest version of Android. Outside of any new features that may come with it, the device security model is updated and strengthened by a dedicated team that regularly audits and enhances the code used to build Android.
Equally necessary but often overlooked is transparency. You shouldn't have to trust a company when it says something is secure or updated, and the Android code for both the platform version and all updates is available for anyone to take a look at. Plenty of people do, and despite any opinions to the contrary, Android, as written, has proven to be a very secure platform.
With Google rolling out monthly security updates and quarterly content updates that introduce new features to the Pixel 10 Pro XL, this is the ideal smartphone if you want to safeguard your security.
Best budget
Samsung's A-series is renowned for devices that offer incredible value for money, and the Galaxy A36 5G is no different. Priced at just a penny shy of $400 unlocked, it's a well-rounded smartphone that has a stunning 120Hz Super AMOLED panel secured by Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, and you even get an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
When it comes to software support, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G not only matches up to expectations, but it also exceeds them. The smartphone runs Android 15 (with One UI 7 overlay) out of the box and is guaranteed six years of OS and security updates. This easily makes it one of the best cheap Android phones available out there. Of course, there's also Samsung's Knox vault onboard to keep all your passwords as well as other sensitive data protected.
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC, the Galaxy A36 5G comes with at least 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Among other notable features are an under-display fingerprint sensor, NFC, and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging support.
Best premium
With the Galaxy S25 Ultra, you get a top-of-the-line smartphone that comes with more bells and whistles than you'll probably ever need. Hands down one of the best Android phones currently available in the market, it packs in the latest version of Samsung's Galaxy AI suite of AI-powered tools, including everything from seamless multi-app actions, conversations with Gemini Live, personalized updates through the 'Now Brief' feature, and much more.
All these features are built on top of Android 15 (with One UI 7) that the phone comes with out of the box. As you'd expect from a top-tier smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will receive seven years of OS and security updates, making it a smartphone that you can use for years to come. Up front, you get a gorgeous 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen secured by Corning's Gorilla Armor 2. There's also an anti-reflective coating that makes the display much more comfortable to use. There's also Knox vault to safeguard the information you store on the device, and it's further improved by advanced privacy permissions for data access.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is driven by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, helped by 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of onboard storage. It has a fabulous quad-lens rear camera setup, all the essential connectivity and I/O features, and a 5,000mAh battery with both wired and wireless charging support.
Best mid-range
Building upon the strong foundation laid by its predecessors, the Pixel 9a is arguably the finest A-series smartphone that Google has ever made. If you want a balanced and reasonably priced Android smartphone that ticks (nearly) all the boxes, look no further. It has a 6.3-inch P-OLED panel having a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2700 nits of peak brightness, which is more than sufficient for everyday use.
The Pixel 9a is powered by Google's very own Tensor G4 chipset, which also drives all other members of the Pixel 9 series. Combine that with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage, and you have a smartphone that can effortlessly handle everything from light multi-tasking to casual gaming. To ensure all your data remains private, the Google Pixel 9a comes with a dedicated Titan M2 security coprocessor. The software is Android 15, enhanced by Pixel-specific goodies like Clear Calling, integrated VPN, and seven years of OS and security updates.
Featuring a fantastic dual-lens primary camera setup, the Pixel 9a also has a 5100mAh battery with support for (up to) 23W wired and 7.5W wireless charging.
Best small
The Google Pixel 10 Pro is a top-tier compact smartphone. Google did a magnificent job shrinking the phone without removing any of the features, and as a result, the Pixel 10 Pro offers virtually the same caliber of hardware as the Pixel 10 Pro XL and many other high-end phones. The one area where the Pixel 10 Pro XL pushes ahead is in wireless charging speeds, where it supports Qi2 25W with select chargers.
You also get stellar cameras, clean software that's a delight to use, a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED screen, and a battery that somehow manages to last a full day without breaking a sweat. It even comes with fast magnetic Pixelsnap wireless charging capabilities. But the best thing about the Pixel 10 Pro is the size; it is ideally suited for one-handed use, and I can't say that for most other smartphones I've used.
Most of the other small Android phones with such beefy internals are budget buys like the Pixel 9a or are lacking in some areas. However, the Pixel 10 Pro is a top-tier flagship sans such troubles. Plus, you get plenty of software and security updates along with features like VPN by Google One included at no cost. The Tensor security core, Titan M2 security chip, anti-malware and anti-phishing protection, automatic security checks, and more features are included in all of Google's latest devices.
Best alternative
If you're looking for something different, the OnePlus Nord 4 won't disappoint. Along with the stunning design that includes an ultra-bright AMOLED screen, metal chassis, and feature-laden software, it's a powerhouse of a smartphone that belies its price tag.
While it isn't as durable as others with only an IP65 dust and water resistance rating, the Nord 4 is a sight to behold and so fun and intuitive to use. It's a larger device, but if you appreciate that for things like video calls, gaming, and watching movies and TV shows, you're going to love it.
It can last as long as two days, even with heavy usage. Plus, it recharges ultra-quickly thanks to 100W SuperVOOC wired charging, so you'll be up and running in no time. The dual-lens camera system is fairly good and delivers great results in both well-lit and low-light environments.
Equipped with a powerful yet efficient chipset, plenty of RAM, and the option for up to 256GB of internal storage, the OnePlus Nord 4 is a phone that you can use for years to come.
How to choose
What secure phone should you buy?
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If you need the absolute best phone that money can buy, then you should go for the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Google has nailed the feature-set and the cameras here, with the phone being able to take fantastic photos unerringly. But its best trait is the software; there's no other phone that will get updates as fast as the latest Pixel.
If you want a lot of features, then the Galaxy S25 Ultra might just be the perfect phone for you. It combines a gorgeous design with the best set of hardware you're going to find today. There's also the fact that Samsung will roll out plenty of updates to the S25 Ultra, which makes it a clear winner in the long-term.
Looking for the best value? The Pixel 9a is the way to go here. This phone has reliable hardware, takes amazing photos in all environments, and you get a clean yet feature-laden software experience.
I'll also have to mention the Pixel 10 Pro here. Google deserves a lot of credit for making their pro model as compact as the base model, and the fact that you get such a light and smooth software experience with zero bloatware. Add stellar cameras to the mix, and the Pixel 9 Pro becomes an even better package.
But don't count out the OnePlus Nord 4 either, which is a fully loaded yet well-priced smartphone for those who want something different. It looks as good (if not better) as it performs, and OnePlus has promised plenty of software and security updates for it.
