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It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a device on the market that has “pure Android”, i.e. one that offers the operating system’s native interface without extreme customizations, so we listed the best pure Android phones of 2021.
The best pure Android phones of 2021
Currently, only the Google Pixel and Android One offer what would now be that pure Android, but luckily there are still manufacturers that barely customize the interface of their phones, offering practically an AOSP interface. Below we will review the best phones with pure Android, or almost, that you can buy this 2021.
Google Pixel 4a
We start with the best mobile that offers the best Android experience, and how could it not be, this year is the new Pixel 4a, the mid-range that Google launched late last October to the market. Here we will have the purest Android interface designed by Google.
With an official price of $429, the Google Pixel 4a offers us a terminal with a 5.81-inch OLED display, FullHD+, the Snapdragon 730 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, 3,140mAh battery with fast charging, and one of the best cameras currently on the market.
Google Pixel 5
If you are looking for something more powerful and with the Google experience we have the Pixel 5, which officially is not sold in some countries but can be purchased without problems at a price of about $699.
With the Pixel 5 Google ups the ante by adding the Snapdragon 765G processor, dual rear camera, wireless charging, and 5G connectivity, in addition to betting on asymmetrical design in the frames of the device.
Nokia 8.3 5G
From here we jump to the Android One, the phones that after the Google Pixel offers the purest Android experience, and Nokia is currently the manufacturer that most bets on offering this range of devices.
We start with the Nokia 8.3 5G, its most powerful device with Snapdragon 765G, 6GB/64GB or 8GB/128GB expandable with microSD, 5G connectivity, four rear cameras, 4,5000mAh battery, and fast charging. It was launched last December at an official price is $499 but can be found on offer with significant discounts.
Nokia 5.4
One level below, and for less than $250, we have the Nokia 5.4, a mid-range Android One mobile launched in December 2020 that features a 6.39″ HD+ LCD, Snapdragon 662 with 4/6GB of RAM, 64/128GB expandable with microSD, 4,000mAh battery and also four rear cameras.
Nokia 3.4
If you are looking for an entry-level device with Android One then the Nokia 3.4 is one of the options. This device launched in September 2020 has a 6.39-inch HD+ display, Snapdragon 460 processor, 3GB/4GB of RAM, 32GB/64GB expandable with microSD, triple rear camera, 4,000mAh and not forgetting the fingerprint reader, NFC, and FM Radio. Its price is below $180.
Nokia 2.4
Nokia has another even cheaper entry range and also launched in September last year. For less than $160 it offers us the Nokia 2.4, the most basic mobile with Android One that is practically intended to be used with WhatsApp, social networks, and little else.
It has a large 6.5-inch HD+ LCD screen and inside the MediaTek Helio P22 processor, 3GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal memory that we can expand with microSD cards, includes a dual rear camera, FM Radio, and a 4,500mAh battery. In this mobile, we lose the NFC and the fingerprint reader.
Moto G 5G Plus
From now on, we jump to manufacturers that do not offer extreme customization layers, thus offering very little experience in which there are only small changes and additions. We start with Motorola.
Its current flagship is the Moto G 5G Plus, a 6.7-inch Full HD+ device that features the Snapdragon 765 processor, 6GB of RAM, four rear cameras, dual front cameras, a side fingerprint reader, and 5G connectivity. It was announced in November 2020 and its official price is $369.
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
Announced last September, with the Moto G9 Plus the manufacturer bets on a 6.8-inch Full HD+ device, Snapdragon 730G processor, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a huge 5,000mAh capacity battery, four rear cameras, and a side fingerprint reader. Its launch price is $310.
Moto E7 Plus
In its entry range, we find the Moto E7 Plus whose official price is $139 and also presented last September. Motorola offers us a 6.5-inch device with HD+ resolution, Snapdragon 460 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage that we can expand, dual rear camera, and fingerprint reader. Here we lose the NFC.
Sony Xperia 1 II
Now we jump to Sony, another manufacturer that tries to offer the purest Android experience with hardly any modifications. Their current high-end device is the Sony Xperia 1 II, which has a launch price of $1,098 and hit the market late last year.
The Xperia 1 II features a 6.5-inch 21:9 OLED display with 4K resolution, the powerful Snapdragon 865, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a triple rear camera, and a 4,000mAh battery.
Sony Xperia 5 II
Another high-end from the manufacturer is the Sony Xperia 5 II, which features a 6.1-inch FullHD+ OLED display, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a triple rear camera, and a 4,000mAh battery. Its launch price was $949 and it also arrived at the end of 2020.
OnePlus Nord N10
The manufacturer OnePlus also offers its users an experience as close to pure Android as possible. Its Oxygen OS customization layer is very respectful of the AOSP interface and is practically limited to adding more features.
The OnePlus Nord N10, launched in November 2020, offers a mid-range for less than $400. It has a 6.49-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 690 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, 4,300mAh battery, and four rear cameras.
OnePlus Nord
The OnePlus Nord also launched in November, raises the stakes for the manufacturer by offering a 6.44-inch Full HD+ display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, 8/12GB of RAM, 128/256GB of internal storage, 4,115mAh battery, dual front camera, quad rear camera, and 5G connectivity. Its recommended price is $499.
OnePlus 8T
Finally, if you are looking for a high-end with adjusted price then you are looking for the OnePlus 8T. For less than 550 euros you can buy its current flagship that features a 120Hz 6.55-inch FullHD+ AMOLED display, Snapdragon 865 processor + X55 modem, 8/12GB LPDDR4, 128/256GB, 4,500mAh battery, four rear cameras, in-display fingerprint reader, and 5G connectivity. Its price starts at $599.
