Summer is in full swing, but before you know it, it will be time to go back to school. While this is an unfortunate reality that no one wants to address (except perhaps parents), it is better to start preparing for the new school year rather than waiting until the last minute. If you are a student or know a student who needs a new phone, we recommend that you check it out. Our first choice is the excellent OnePlus 7 Pro.
Premium choice: OnePlus 7 Pro
AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate
Incredibly fast performance
Fast charge 30W
In-screen fingerprint sensor
Big and heavy
expensive
(Image credit: LaComparacion)
At the top of this list, we have the OnePlus 7 Pro. It is a flagship phone from start to finish and, even if it is expensive, it costs hundreds of dollars less than similar phones sold by Samsung, Google, Apple, etc.
The OnePlus 7 Pro is built like an assault tank, with a sturdy metal / glass design and one of the best displays we've seen on a phone. Not only is the Quad HD + AMOLED display sharp and colorful, the 90Hz refresh rate means everything moves with an unmatched level of smoothness. The 7 Pro also offers a Snapdragon 855 processor, up to 12GB of RAM, and 128 or 256GB of storage.
On the software side, the OnePlus OxygenOS interface has the merit of being lightweight while offering good customization options and useful features. OnePlus also has a solid track record for its update game, the 7 Pro has already received many updates since its launch in May.
Add to that a 4000mAh battery, 30W fast charging, and a built-in fingerprint sensor, and the OnePlus 7 Pro has it all.
Best option: Google Pixel 3a
Amazing camera
Own software
Guaranteed updates
AMOLED colorful display
Snappy Snapdragon 670 processor
No expandable storage
It is not officially waterproof.
(Image credit: future)
For a student, one of the most important aspects of buying a new phone is buying a reliable product without being too expensive. Currently, Google Pixel 3a is one of the best on the market.
The Pixel 3a is the first mid-range phone launched by Google since the launch of its Pixel series in 2016. It might be one of the best mid-range smartphones we've seen since ever, the main reason being the Pixel 3a camera.
Most mid-range phones have quality cameras, but the Pixel 3a captures photos just as good, if not better, than some of the flagship brands. Even with a single rear camera costing € 400 on a phone, Google has managed to make sure that this phone produces really great images.
In addition to the top-notch camera, the Pixel 3a also offers a very clean version of Android 9 Pie, it is the first in line for guaranteed software updates until 2021, features from a truly magnificent AMOLED screen, and from a Snapdragon 670 processor that surpasses all the tasks you throw at it. You will also find here NFC technology for contactless payments with Google Pay and a 3.5mm headphone jack!
We want the Pixel 3a to have expandable storage and an official IP rating for dust and water resistance, but aside from these two small complaints, there's nothing better than I don't like Google has pulled out of the park with this one.
Also great value: Nokia 7.1
High-end glass / metal design.
Beautiful HDR10 display
Great battery life
Expandable storage
Guaranteed software updates.
Cameras are good
Uneven performance
(Image credit: future)
If you want to spend a little less than Google asks for the Pixel 3a while you have a good all-around phone, our next recommendation would be the Nokia 7.1. Its camera is not as good as the Pixel 3a and its Snapdragon 636 processor can be a bit inconsistent, but despite these two disadvantages, all the rest of the Nokia 7.1 is a joy.
From a hardware point of view, the Nokia 7.1 is amazing. Its metal/glass design is significantly more sophisticated than the Pixel 3a's plastic build. In addition to its excellent appearance, it is comfortable to wear. Its LCD display also has a good resolution at 2220x1080 resolution, but what's really notable is the fact that it reads native HDR10 content and can convert conventional SDR video to HDR in real time. This gives all your movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos a brighter, more colorful look than ever before.
The Nokia 7.1 continues to shine thanks to its long battery life, expandable storage (up to 400 GB with a microSD card), 3.5 mm headphone jack and NFC chip that allows you to pay for your purchases with your phone.
If you're lucky, many budget phones tend to have a software update, but that's not the case with Nokia 7.1. As part of the Android One program, you are guaranteed to receive software updates and security patches. Not only that, but Nokia has one of the best records right now for updating its phones to the latest versions of Android.
Best compact phone: Nokia 6.1
Reliable performance
Compact size
Industrial design
NFC for Google Pay
Expandable storage up to 256 GB
Huge glasses
Released in February 2018
(Image credit: future)
In recent years, smartphone manufacturers have struggled to make phones as big as possible. Big screens are perfect for watching movies and playing games, but when it comes to using your phone with one hand, the big screen can be a real shame.
This is where phones like the Nokia 6.1 come in handy.
The Nokia 6.1 has a screen that measures only 5.5 inches. It also uses the older 16: 9 format. So its screen is wider and shorter than any other phone on the list, making it easier to reach for objects on top without having to do thumb gymnastics.
In addition to its exceptional size, the Nokia 6.1 also scores points for its industrial aluminum design, expandable storage, and the inclusion of NFC technology despite such a low price. The main concern is the Nokia 6.1, the first version of which was released in early 2018, but thanks to the Android One program, you can still expect consistent software updates for a few more years.
Best battery: Moto G7 Power
Up to three days of battery life.
Rear fingerprint sensor
Water repellent design
Expandable storage
Motorola bad with software updates
Basic storage is just 32GB
(Image credit: LaComparacion)
The life of a student can be incredibly demanding. From reading assigned chapters to research and article writing, to testing, there is a lot to do. If you plan to do school work on your phone, you need to make sure it has a large battery so that you can continue without having to stop and charge it every few hours.
With Moto G7 Power, you get a phone with a massive 5,000 mAh battery. Motorola says it represents about three days of regular use on a single charge, making the G7 Power a champion of endurance. When the battery dies, charging times are relatively quick thanks to Motorola's TurboPower charging system.
In addition to unmatched battery life, the Moto G7 Power is equipped with a fast octa-core Snapdragon 632 processor, a 12-megapixel rear camera capable of taking these coveted portraits, and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor hidden under the logo. "M" for Motorola. As if that weren't enough, Motorola also uses a special nano-water repellent coating so you don't have to panic if you get caught in a storm with your phone.
Our biggest concern with the Moto G7 Power is its software updates. It's running Android Pie right out of the box, and while it's cool, Motorola is known for being slow to get updates, if at all. If this is a priority for you, you are interested in using the Pixel 3a or one of the Nokia phones.
Best with a stylus: Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Super Super AMOLED display
Ultra-fast Snapdragon 845 processor
S Pen allows many functions
4000 mAh big battery
IP68 resistance to dust and water.
expensive
The Galaxy Note 10 will be available soon
(Image credit: LaComparacion)
The Galaxy Note 9 was one of the best phones released last year and even in 2019, almost a year after its initial launch, it is still a holy phone. It's easily the most expensive phone on this list, but if you want a functional, powerful, and fun Android phone to guide you through class after class, this is the way to go.
If you ask us, the Galaxy Note 9 has just about everything you could want in a smartphone. The 6.4-inch AMOLED screen is truly impressive, the Snapdragon 845 processor can handle any app or game you throw at it, and the 4000 mAh battery offers plenty of stamina to let you get through late-night study sessions.
Things get exciting when you consider the Note 9 S Pen Pen. The S Pen Pen can be used for writing notes, drawing, and even as a remote trigger or selector for a presentation. The S Pen Pen is a great tool for everyone, but its functionality shines through in use.
Other things we appreciate are the expandable storage up to 512GB, the IP68 protection class against dust and water, and the ability to use Note 9 to pay for purchases in almost every store, thanks to the inclusion of NFC and MST. on Samsung Pay.
Best under € 300: Moto G7
Big screen, small notch
Alexa hands-free
Works on all US carriers.
Two rear cameras
Motorola software update history
(Image credit: future)
Last but not least, we return to the phone that best suits students on a tight budget. € 300 the usual not to buy you much when it comes to a quality Android phone, but for 2019, it offers you the Moto G7, which, if you ask us, is really impressive.
The front of the Moto G7 houses a large 6.2-inch LCD display with a clear 2270x1080 resolution. It has a narrow 19:9 aspect ratio and a wonderfully small waterdrop notch that houses the phone's 8-megapixel selfie camera. The Snapdragon 632 processor is powerful enough for all your daily tasks. It is possible to increase the internal storage capacity of 64 GB with a microSD card and protect the phone from rain.
If you're an Alexa fan, you'll be happy to know that the Moto G7 comes with Alexa in hands-free mode, allowing you to speak to the assistant with just your voice. Also, similar to the Moto G7 Power, the Moto G7 works flawlessly with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Once again, however, we must voice our concerns about the future of the Moto G7. Motorola is unlikely to provide regular security patches or software updates over the phone. So be sure to keep this in mind before spending your money.
Bottom line
All the phones on this list will serve a student well for the upcoming school season, but among them we must give our highest recommendation to the Google Pixel 3a.
Google's first attempt at creating a mid-range pixel camera has proven to be a resounding success. The Pixel 3a may have a plastic design and a slower processor than its pricier siblings, but its amazing camera, super-clean software, and incredible AMOLED screen make it a really nice phone to use. , day after day.
Among all these features, the Pixel 3a is also distinguished by its post-purchase support. Since this is a phone made by Google, it is the first line against all other Android phones receiving essential security patches and exciting software updates right out of the box. This means that you can keep the Pixel 3a for a few years while enjoying the best that Android has to offer.