Generally speaking, the newest version of Android is the best version of Android. Android 13 is the most recent version of Google’s mobile platform at the time of this writing. Many phones currently have access to Android 13, but some still don't. Whatever you do, don't buy a phone that comes with anything below Android 11; the older the Android software version, the more likely it is to have security flaws. Also, check how many rounds of full operating system upgrades and security patches the manufacturer promises; Google and Samsung tend to lead the pack for multi-year upgrades, but some competing phone makers are catching up. Last, remember that not all experiences on Android are the same. If you want a pure Google experience, opt for a Pixel device—they're the models that Google upgrades first. Motorola and Nokia also offer a mostly clean Android interface, though the companies lag on long-term software support. Samsung, OnePlus, TCL, and other phone makers ship their phones with skins that change the look and functionality of Android to some degree.