The “Best Android Smartphone” is somewhat subjective. For some users, the best smartphone has the best battery life, or the best camera, or the best gaming experience. That’s the beauty of Android.

This year, Sony beat many popular brands, including OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, to become one of the first brands to release Android 16. The Sony Xperia 1 VII was the first from the brand to get ...