Whether you carry your media library with you, shoot a lot of 4K (or even 8K) video, or you’re looking to download a few movies ahead of a long commute, expandable storage is essential for a lot of users. Thankfully, even in 2020, you still have plenty of options available, ranging from the high end with endless features packed into budget options if you don’t want to spend upwards of $1,000 on the phone. These are the best Android phones with expandable storage.
Best overall:
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 128GB
Staff Pick
The headphone jack may be dead in modern Samsung phones, but the MicroSD slot is alive and well in the Note 20 Ultra. You already get pretty sizeable storage internally, with options for 128GB or 512GB, but if even that’s not enough, you can add up to 1TB with a microSD card. You’ll also get a 6.9-inch 120Hz display, a 108MP primary camera, a telephoto with up to 50X zoom, and a 4500mAh battery.
Incredible value:
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 128GB
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE is perfect if you want a flagship-tier phone without paying a four-figure sum. Its 6.5-inch display may not sound small, but thanks to ultra-thin bezels, the phone is relatively compact by today’s standards. It also has most of the same specs and features as the Note 20 Ultra, with the same 4500mAh battery (though no 50X telephoto camera).
Creator’s delight:
Sony Xperia 1 II 256GB
The Xperia 1 II is an incredible device for media consumption. It shoots terrific-looking 4K video at up to 60fps and even has a 4K display, allowing you to watch UHD content in its native resolution. The 21:9 aspect ratio is perfect for watching movies. Sony’s Cinema Pro app gives you great manual video controls, including focus peaking, adjustable frame rates and resolutions, and various LUTs.
5G for cheap:
Motorola Edge 256GB
The Motorola Edge is a fantastic “value flagship,” with a gorgeous 90Hz display and excellent battery life. Despite its low price, you get 5G support, along with a headphone jack, expandable storage, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and a stunning hardware design. The cameras aren’t as good as what you’ll find on higher-end devices (including Moto’s Edge+), but the Edge offers a lot of bang for your buck.
Best budget phone:
Moto G Power 64GB (2020)
Despite a newer model available, the 2020 Moto G Power is still an outstanding option for a fraction of the price of the competition, with a massive 5000mAh battery and 64GB of expandable storage. You get clean Android software with some excellent Motorola touches, like Moto Actions for quickly launching the camera and flashlight.
- $220 at Amazon
- $250 at Best Buy
Affordable alternative:
Nokia 7.2 128GB
The Nokia 7.2 epitomizes HMD Global’s efforts as of late. The phone combines Nokia’s classic industrial design with robust hardware in the form of a Snapdragon 660 chipset, a 6.3-inch FHD+ display with always-on HDR, impressive rear cameras, and a MicroSD slot for up to 512GB of expandable storage.
